Good Shepherd News & Notes
(Septuagesima Sunday) January 31, 2021
3825 Wildbriar Ln., Lincoln, NE 68516
Church Office: (402) 423-7639
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.goodshepherdlincoln.org
KNNA radio: 95.7FM or www.thecross957.org
Services broadcast live Sundays at 8 am & 10:30 am
and Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
KNOW THE FACTSDefending the “right to choose” is de-fending the death of someone at an unprecedented scale. Abortion is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. Over 3,000 are performed each day. More Americans die from abortion in one year than died in all the wars in which America has ever fought.
Defending the “right to choose” is de-fending a choice that deeply affects those who make that choice. Abortion has physical, emotional, and spiritual affects on the women and men in-volved. It is not as harmless and casual event as many insist. Someone dies in an abortion. Someone else is deeply wounded.
You may like pizza because it is your favorite food, but defending a position requires more than expressing how you may feel about it. It requires knowl-edge of the facts. Defending something as controversial as the “right to choose” requires proper knowledge. This article has not been filled with ex-tensive detailed data. Instead, it con-tains basic facts that everyone should know before defending abortion as a fundamental right.
There’s one more important fact to know. God put it this way, “There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death” (Proverbs 16: 25). The “right to choose” may sound like a good and right thing to defend. But it is impor-tant to ask, “What is being chosen?” When the answer to that question is abortion, the “right to choose” leads to death. It leads to the death of a tiny, innocent human being. It leads to a brutal death. There is nothing “right” about such a way. There has to be another way.
There is! Jesus put it this way, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). When faced with a crisis pregnancy, there is a way other than death. It is the way of life. It’s choosing life and trusting in the Lord of Life. Jesus, who is the way to eternal life, has also promised the presence of his Spirit in the living of this life. It is not a way where fear and heartache are absent. It is a way where the living Jesus is present and promises to be at work in every circumstance in your life. Rather than defending the “right to choose” this way assures (see page 2)
that you are being defended. Jesus pleads your case before the Father seeking forgiveness for your mistakes based on the complete payment he made for all sins on the cross. He asks the Father to look at you through him and see his goodness covering you. He asks the Father to send the Spirit of comfort to walk beside you and turn your heartache into hope.
There is a way that seems right. It leads to death. There is a way that is right. It is where Jesus leads.
~ from God’s Word for Life (Lutherans for Life, Nevada, IA) pg.712d by Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb ~
RED CROSS BLOOD DRAW
The next opportunity to give
blood at Good Shepherd will be
on Monday, February 15th from 8
am –2:30 pm. Please call
1-800-RED CROSS or visit
RedCross-Blood.org and enter Good
Shep-herd Lutheran to schedule an
ap-pointment. Call the above Red
Cross number with any questions.
“Preach the Gospel at all times;
when necessary, use words.”
~ Saint Francis of Assisi ~
GOSPEL MAILER UPDATE
Because of our Lord’s bountiful provi-sion (in a pandemic year no less) Gospel Mailers delivered 1.2 tons of gospel literature to Orphan Grain Train in 2020 (surpassing 2019). A little over three/fourth of the total was designated to be shipped to Lu-therans in Liberia or Gambia — 723 Bibles, 271 New Testaments, 194 Lu-ther’s Small Catechisms, 56 English dictionaries and 32 lbs. of Sunday School materials. The remainder (including 92 Bibles and 2 New Tes-taments) will be used by Orphan Grain Train where needed. Thanks to all who donated Scripture, cate-chisms or English dictionaries.
Questions? Contact Loraine Harnett.
VICARAGE FUND
The vicarage program serves several purposes. It helps to provide a vari-ety of experiences for the seminary student which help to form and shape the pastor he will become. It also assists the pastors here to meet the needs of the ministry at Good Shepherd. The deadline for Good Shepherd to apply to receive a vicar for the August 2021—July 2022 year is March 1, 2021. In order to move ahead with this application Good Shepherd will need to receive a total of $20,000 in specific donations by January 31, 2021. We have currently met our goal. There are envelopes with a yellow stripe in your contribu-tion envelope box or you can find en-velopes labeled “Good Shepherd Vic-arage Fund” at the offering stand through January for anyone wishing to make an additional donation. Thank you for your support of the vicarage program at Good Shepherd.
Cambrynn Schwartz, friend of
Mike & Michelle Schnell, battling cystic disease (5)
Joyce Thompson, recovering
from a hospital stay. (5)
Lane Georgeson, mother-in-law
of Lauren, admitted to the hospi-tal with strokes. (5)
Shar Frey, friend of Bob Van
Val-kenburg, in long-term recovery from cancer surgery. (4)
Gerilynn Weigert, friend of
Glo-ria Pospisil-Henning, dealing with health issues. (1)
Leena Mackey, grand-daughter
of Linda Clark, currently at Chil-dren’s Hospital in Omaha recover-ing from surgery.(4)
Mitchel Davis, husband of Barb
Poppe’s niece, hospitalized in TX following a serious fall. (1)
For those in the military, our
first-responders, and for our medical personnel, for protec-tion and safety in their duties.
Thanksgiving for the birth of a
son, Maverick to Paris Renter (2)
The family of Janet
William-son, mother of Pastor Mark Wil-liamson, who was taken to her eternal home recently. (2)
The family of Nadine, friend of
Terry & Deb Princ, who was taken to her eternal home recently (2)
STUDENT WELCOME BAGS
The fellowship committee is again putting together some Welcome Bags to give to our college students to welcome them back for the second semester. We are hoping to include prepackaged, individual items, such as microwave mac and cheese, pop/ juice boxes, stress balls/fun items, etc. If you would be interested in do-nating any items or money to buy some, please talk to Elizabeth Moline or contact her at (701) 640-7989. Please have all items to Elizabeth by February 10th.
PRAYERS FOR
THE WEEK
If you have a
prayer
request,
please
contact
the church office
at
(402)
423-7639. Your request will appear
for 6 weeks. If you would like
to keep it on the prayer list,
you may call during the 6th
week to renew it.
Barb Poppe, with short-term
mem-ory issues.(2)
Elaine Egner, recovering from
sur-gery (3)
Mildred Humphrey, having health
issues related to medication (3)
Jim Cather, for healing from some
health issues. (3)
Hailey Marshall, grand-daughter of
Maureen Marshall, for healing of a broken heel. She’s a dancer. (5)
Ashley Johnson, cousin of Sarah
Stepp, hospitalized in ICU at UCLA Medical Center. Diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, possibly Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. (5)
Irma Jensen, mother of Ruth
Bris-bois, hospitalized with pneumonia.(4)
Bonnie Gudgel, sister-in-law of
Wayne Gudgel, hospitalized. (4)
Shelley Kuhlman, niece of Lois
Kirchhoff, hospitalized. (4)
Ruby Oldehoeft, sister-in-law of Bob
& Elaine Van Valkenburg, with health issues. (3).
Maureen Marshall, having
recon-structive surgery on her thumb (3)
The father of Steve Wright,
hospi-talized with a broken hip (5)
Arnold Henning, recovering at
home. (4)
Gloria Pospisil-Henning, recovering
Good Shepherd News & Notes
STEWARDSHIP MOMENT: I Corinthians 9: 25— “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, for the desires of the flesh are at war with the desires of the Spirit. We have received the new life in Christ by His grace. Now He calls us to follow Him deliberately, with self -control and with intention.BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES NEXT WEEK (Jan. 24 -Jan. 30): People celebrating birthdays are:
James Wagner Reno Kunz Paytyn Renter Dale Meyer Rich Znamenacek
Loraine Harnett Nancy Simnitt Carlie Christiansen
Adam Stehlik
Couples celebrating anniversaries are: None
LIFE MOMENT: Septuagesima Sun-day: God our Father can draw water from rock (Exodus 17:6), reward the unworthy (Matthew 20:9), and make the last first (Matthew 20: 16). Surely He will overhaul our hopeless circum-stances and lost causes, even when human pains and mistakes have brought them about (I Cor. 10: 1-5). Indeed, we not only witness it but par-ticipate in it as well (Exodus 17: 5). MISSION PROJECTS
Good Shepherd’s mission project for the month of January 2021 is Luther-ans for Life. The Bible tells us what God has done in and through Jesus Christ that gives value and dignity to every human life including yours. God’s Word tells you where you came from (You were created by God.) and where you are going (Through faith in Jesus you can be certain of eternal life in heaven.).
Lutherans for Life is dedicated to bringing the pro-life message to peo-ple everywhere. Christians have been instrumental in influencing these is-sues in the past.
There are envelopes at the offering stand for any donations that you wish to make to assist Lutherans for Life in fulfilling their mission in the coming year.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION JANUARY 24, 2021 WEEKLY BUDGET NEED
$ 11,253.00 ATTENDANCE: SUNDAY, JAN. 24: 164 WED., JAN 13: 48 TOTAL: 212 OFFERING: $ 21,477.78 VICARAGE FUND THUS
FAR: $ 29,700.00
FAMILY BIBLE STUDY
Starting Sunday, July 19, Family Bible Study will be available in-between services. The fel-lowship hall has been redesigned and approved by pastors and elders, in order to accom-modate current social distancing guidelines.
The entire family is invited! One family unit per table in chairs facing the direction of
the pastor at the podium.
We have 22 tables set up properly, each distanced at a minimum of 6’ from other
ta-bles in every direction.
The tables can accommodate up to 5 people each. Come and see the new arrangement
in the fellowship hall!
We have 110 chairs to accommodate the Bible Study, which is 50% of the capacity of
the fellowship hall.
Stay tuned for forthcoming information on our other weekly Bible studies. We give thanks to God and look forward to sharing more of God’s Word with you!
REGARDING THE MAYOR’S MASK MANDATE
Our pastors and elders met on the evening of July 21 to discuss the July 20, 2020 update to the Directed Health Measure from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. The pastors and elders unanimously agreed that our current practices and procedures fall within the Mayor’s mandate without requiring masks.
From our pastors: The Mayor of Lincoln has issued a mask mandate for all public gath-erings in Lancaster County July 20—August 31. There is much debate on whether this qualifies as a 4th Commandment issue. It is not our vocation to debate or enforce such mandates, but rather to preach and teach God’s Word in its truth and purity and ad-minister His precious sacraments according to His command and promise. You are free in the Gospel to follow the mandate if you wish. Our policy at Good Shepherd remains the same: masks are encouraged but not required. Let your conscience be your guide. Please continue to follow the 6-foot social distancing guideline so that we may continue to ease back to normal as the DHMs allow.
Our return to a Sunday Bible Study for families on July 19 was a success! Plans are be-ing made to ensure the continued safety of us all.
Sunday Bible Study for families will continue until further notice. Many of our Sunday School teachers are in at-risk categories, and we do not want to burden their con-sciences.
DOORKEEPERS TODAY: (Jan. 31) 8 am: Alan Brodbeck 10:30 am: Jerry Sidlo
ELDER TODAY: (Jan. 31): Matt Phillips
USHERS TODAY: 8 am: Mike Schnell, Bob Rathjen
10:30 am: David Perrin, David Schmidt ACOLYTES TODAY: 8 am: Randall Roblyer
10:30 am: Evelyn Smith COMMUNION SET-UP: Corie Christiansen COMMUNION CLEAN-UP: Carolyn Schwarz
SUPPORT FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK
February 2, 2021 will mark the 7th year Good Shepherd congregation has sup-ported the Pancakes for PCAN fundraiser event. Because of COVID and the need to protect the children whose health is compromised from cancer, we will support PCAN through February’s mission project instead of hosting a pancake event in 2021. Funds raised from prior Pancakes for PCAN events have allowed PCAN to provice financial support for rent, utilities, groceries, medical bills and travel-related expenses as well as for funeral expenses for families that lost their child to cancer.
The mission of PCAN is to financially assist Lincoln and surrounding area families who have children diagnosed with pediatric cancer and to advocate for a cure through awareness, action, education and research. All funds raised are used spe-cifically for Nebraska families.
Until 2020, PCAN has been able to increase the amount of support and the number of families supported each year; but, during the COVID pandemic were unable to adequately fundraise. More families need assistance now than in past years. PCAN appreciates the support received from Good Shepherd members in past years and will appreciate any support received this year.
VOTERS’ MEETING
The twice-a– year voters’ meeting was postponed because of the weather and is rescheduled for Tues., Feb. 2nd at 7 pm. Items on the agenda include a discussion involving the vicarage program and application process.
THANK YOU
Our Father is a God who delights in giving gifts to His beloved children. And by His Spirit, He pours into our hearts that same love for generosity. We are humbled and thankful for the gener-ous gifts you have given us this Christmas season and for all the various ways that you continue to love and care for us. We praise and thank God who has gifted us with such a kind and generous congregation. But most especially, we thank and praise God that we together share in the greatest gift of all: salvation that is by grace, through faith, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us all together praise our Savior, rejoice in His redemption, and continue in building up one another in faith, hope, and love.
In Christ — Pastors Poppe, Moline, & Vicar Steele
To the ladies of the LWIM, and all who contributed and made this possible:
Thank you so much for the new alb! It is wonderful to have something that fits better and helps contribute to the beauty and dignity of the Divine Service. More-over, the fact that I can continue to use it for years to come — whenever and wherever I serve. I will always be reminded of your love and kindness; that God — through you — showed such compassion to me, by gifting me something that I myself would not have been able to purchase for some years. I am grateful to be assigned to such a loving, generous congregation. Thank you again.
