As We Gather
The season of Epiphany is one of the “accordion” seasons of the Church Year. The later Easter falls in March or April, the more Sundays after the Epiphany there are. This year’s “Epiphany accordion” is stretched long enough to include eight Sundays. In an extended Epiphany season, the light of Christ burns brightest, as Jesus is revealed in action and in teaching through the Gospel writers. There is power when and where Jesus is among His people, as the hymn “Jesus Comes Today with Healing” teaches (LSB 620). May we welcome His presence among us!
Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated today at the 10:45 AM Worship Service with the confession that we receive the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in, with and under (a way of saying that Christ is fully present in) the bread and wine. Christ's presence gives us the assurance that our sins are forgiven and to nourish our faith. This is a solemn celebration, “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1Corinthians 11:29). The Lord’s Supper is meant for our good, not to our judgment. But, before presenting yourself as ask these questions: 1. Am I receiving the very body and blood of Christ Jesus? 2. Did Christ die and rise to fully forgive my sins? 3. Am I a baptized Christian? If your answers are yes, you are welcome. If you are not a member of a LCMS church, or have further questions about The Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor.
Stewardship
Luke 6:30-31 – “Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Is it really possible to live like this? Would it really work to be so open-handed and generous? Our conscience often reminds us of our failures, and the Lord knows our frailty, that’s for sure! But a life of faith is a life lived in imitation of Jesus. And every follower of Jesus knows that yes, indeed, it is better to give than to receive.
Lutherans For Life
“Jesus Christ has made every human life indispensable.” Pastor Michael Salemink, Lutherans For Life – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
Altar Flowers
The Altar Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex by the drinking fountains. Check chart for donation opportunities and availability.
Updated Schedules
Thank you for your willingness to serve the Lord through the congregation. Updated schedules for the next quarter are available at www.shalimar.church/volunteers.
Children Sunday School
“Ephphatha . . . be opened” (Mark 7:34), Jesus says to a deaf man as He places His fingers in the man’s ears and touches his tongue in this week’s lesson, “A Hearing Aide. "The man’s ears open and his tongue releases, but Jesus warns the crowd not to tell anyone. The good news cannot be contained, however, and those who witness the miracle share the story. Discuss, “How can we share the Good News with our friends and family?”
Concert
"Sheep May Safely Graze Concert Series" here at Good Shepherd featuring classical music groups. A community event to reach out and draw people in.
For more information contact David Ott
Church Elections
The Church is for us to hear other Christians speak God’s Word to us, to proclaim our salvation in Christ Jesus again and again or we will become uncertain and discouraged at those times when our feelings work to undermine God’s promises. As members of the Priesthood of all Believers (1Peter 2:9-10; James 1:22; Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 28:19-20; 1Corinthians 12:4-13) we are empowered (through Baptism) by the Holy Spirit for ministry.
Outreach Committee
Ministry is all about relationships! We are looking for people for the Outreach Committee to help organize, implement, events that connect us with the community so that we may serve and share our Christian love with them. An upcoming event is a quarterly concert series (February 23) titled, Sheep May Safely Graze. Then the possibilities are endless, like Mic Nights hosted in our Cafe. A spring Car Show. Pet Blessing and Costume Contest. If you are interested in being a part of this exciting journey guided by Pastor Klemme, please contact him directly.
Smokes and Jokes, a Christian Fellowship
Attention cigar smokers, pipe smokers, bourbon and scotch drinkers! Pastor Klemme is organizing a fellowship group around shared interest in the leaf and libations to meet at one of the local cigar bars and in each other’s homes, where we can smoke and joke on the patio. Those interested should contact Pastor Klemme directly.
Youth Group
Council Meeting
Let us do everything with love. The Church Council is a gathering of elected advisers who serve and guide the ministries of the congregation toward our given mission. (Matthew 28:19-20). We meet in the library.
Mite Boxes
Perhaps inspired by the various "cent" or "mite" societies of the early 1800s, the Woman's Mission to Woman urged members in its first circular letter in 1871 to use their new Mite Box to raise funds. The entire family was encouraged to contribute. The first Sunday of the month is when we receive your collected mites in the LWML Mite Box
Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast beginning at 6:30 AM. The day before Ash Wednesday is Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. (In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is a season that mirrors the season of Epiphany). Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in preparation of Lent. The idea was to consume all those fatty foods that were traditionally given up for Lent. The British began the pancake eating custom.
Ash Wednesday
Mid-Week in Lent on Wednesdays:
Ash Wednesday
Worship @ 6:30 AM & 6:30 PM
Meal @ 5:30 PM
Worship @ 6:30 PM
On Ash Wednesday ashes are placed on our foreheads to remind us of death, of the sorrow we should feel for our sins, and of the necessity of changing our lives in response the love shown to us on the cross. The practice, which dates from the early Middle Ages, is common among Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Episcopalians, and Lutherans.
Lent Meals
The Youth Board is sponsoring meals prior to Wednesday services during the Lenten Season. Dinner is served from 5:30 until 6:15 PM. Tasty desserts provided by the Board of Fellowship.
American Heritage Girls Troop 1517
The American Heritage Girls (AHG) is a Christian Scouting-like organization. The organization has more than 52,000 members with troops or individuals ("trailblazers").The stated youth membership standard is that it is for "All biological girls of any color, race, national origin and socioeconomic status who agree to live according to the standards of the AHG Oath and the AHG Creed". Adult leaders must subscribe to a Trinitarian Christian statement of faith.
For more information contact Adrienne Cook.
Passion Movies
Over the years Hollywood has made a number of films about the life of Jesus; King of Kings (1961), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), Jesus of Nazareth (1977), The Robe (1953), The Passion of the Christ (2004), and Son of God (2014). Each film brings a different perspective to the biblical story. Fridays in Lent @ 6:30 PM we are watching one of these films to evaluate their depiction of Jesus with the Jesus of Scripture.
Easter Marionettes Puppets
Easter Puppet practice is schedule for Saturdays (9:00) starting March throughout April. Our performance reflects the effort we put into the practices. Youth and Adults are needed to "handle" a puppet.
Curtis.
Benevolence
Your life is significant and important to God who made you and redeem you in Jesus Christ. He also put you here on this earth in the here and now for a purpose. He has given you an important job - to be a channel through which His love flows out to others. Please consider contributing to our benevolence fund. (Online to donate: https://www.shalimar.church/human-care)
Commemoration of
Philip Melanchthon, Confessor
The Church honor's saints for using their gifts for the Kingdom of God. In so doing, it strengths faith insofar as it demonstrates God's Grace. The inspiration that the Saints offers is in showing us how living out our faith can be done.
Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) was a brilliant student of the classics and a humanist scholar. In 1518 he was appointed to teach along with Martin Luther at the University of Wittenberg. At Luther's urging, Melanchthon began teaching theology and Scripture in addition to his courses in classical studies. In April of 1530, Emperor Charles V called an official meeting between the representative of Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism, hoping to effect a meeting of minds between two opposing groups. Since Luther was at that time under papal excommunication and an imperial ban, Melanchthon was assigned the duty of being the chief Lutheran representative at this meeting. He is especially remembered and honored as the author of the Augsburg Confession, which was officially presented by the German princes to the emperor on June 25, 1530, as the defining document of Lutheranism within Christendom. Melanchthon died on April 19, 1560.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Commemoration of Martin Luther, Doctor and Reformer
The Church honor's saints for using their gifts for the Kingdom of God. In so doing, it strengths faith insofar as it demonstrates God's Grace. The inspiration that the Saints offers is in showing us how living out our faith can be done.
Martin Luther, born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, initially began studies leading toward a degree in law. However, after a close encounter with death, he switched to the study of theology, entered an Augustinian monastery, was ordained a priest in 1505, and received a doctorate in theology in 1512. As a professor at the newly-established University of Wittenberg, his scriptural studies led him to question many of the church's teachings and practices, especially the selling of indulgences. His refusal to back down from his convictions resulted in his excommunication in 1521. Following a period of seclusion at the Wartburg castle, Luther returned to Wittenberg, where he spent the rest of his life preaching and teaching, translating the Scriptures, and writing hymns and numerous theological treatises. He is remembered and honored for his lifelong emphasis on the biblical truth that for Christ's sake God declares us righteous by grace through faith alone. He died on February 18, 1546, while visiting the town of his birth.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Commemoration of Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastor and Martyr
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
Born c. 69, Polycarp was a central figure in the early church. A disciple of the evangelist John, he linked the first generation of believers to later Christians. After serving for many years as bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp was arrested, tried, and executed for his faith on February 23, c. 156. An eyewitness narrative of his death, The Martyrdom of Polycarp, continues to encourage believers in times of persecution.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Commemoration of Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastor and Martyr
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
Born c. 69, Polycarp was a central figure in the early church. A disciple of the evangelist John, he linked the first generation of believers to later Christians. After serving for many years as bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp was arrested, tried, and executed for his faith on February 23, c. 156. An eyewitness narrative of his death, The Martyrdom of Polycarp, continues to encourage believers in times of persecution.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Festival of St. Matthias, Apostle
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
We know almost nothing about St. Matthias compared to Judas. While we know the grisly details of Judas’ death (Acts 1:18-19), we are unsure of Matthias’. After his election, the Bible never mentions him again. He seems to be a forgotten apostle. But what is fame to God? He looks to “he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). Judas trembled, but his contrition was without faith in God’s mercy in Christ. He tried to bear his own sin in the form of a noose. Jesus does not say, “See to it yourself,” (Matthew 27:4), but “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you … and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Matthias was a witness of Christ’s ministry from John’s baptism to the resurrection (Acts 1:21-22), chosen to proclaim “the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 10:7) from repentance to redemption and new life. He and countless other forgotten ministers continually announce the truth that no sinner must bear his own yoke, for Christ bears it all and has put sin to death forever in His cross.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Feasts and Festivals