Once again, during the summer months, we will be going to one worship service. The service will start at 9:00 am, with Sunday School beginning at 10:30 am. Holy Communion will be celebrated each Sunday. This new schedule will begin on Sunday, June 3, and is planned to end on Sunday, September 9.
May includes the ascension of our Lord on the 10th. As Jesus ascends into heaven He gives His disciples one last command, which we know as the great commission. He says,“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” As Christians in a culturethat was once more friendly to our faith than at the current time, we may feel an impulse to retreat into our own enclaves and to build barriers between ourselves and the world. Insupport of this we might find passages like James 4 where he writes, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” Reading this we may feel like our impulse to keep the world at arm’s length may in fact be the right one. When we read Jesus’ lastcommand to us, however, we see that separation from everything non-Christian is not the answer. How can we make disciples of all nations if we have no contact with them?
Jesus’ ascension reminds us that He is now up in heaven at God’s right hand. We know too that He will not staythere forever. He will come back. When He does, the time for making disciples will be over. At that time many people will be His disciples yet others, sadly, will not be. Jesus desires that everyone believe and be baptized. During thistime of the Church Year as we continue to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection and then the coming of the Holy Spirit atPentecost, we are reminded that as Holy Spirit filled disciples of Christ we are called to make more disciples. We arecalled to spread the Holy Spirit through God’s Word and through the waters of baptism. This is what we who await our Lord’s return do because, as He ascended into heaven, that is what He commanded.
Pastor Mehl
† IN OUR PRAYERS Earl G. and his family, at the death of Jody G.; Janet C., recovering from knee surgery; Carol L., at Webb City Health and Rehabilitation Center; Jack H., dealing with multiple health issues; Lydia N., recovering from surgery; Rhonda N., recovering from a fall; Lee Ann C., recovering at home; Earl G., suffering various serious health issues; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Sara P., undergoing treatment for cancer; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.
† WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP GROUP The Women’s Fellowship Group (formerly called the Mom’s Group) will be meeting every 4th Saturday of the month at 10:00 am in the church Fellowship Hall. Any and all women are welcome to join us for brunch and fellowship time. Our next meeting will be May 26. Please join us and feel free to invite others!
† OVER-70 DINNER The youth group is hosting our annual Over-70 Dinner on Sunday, June 3, beginning at 5:30 pm. The evening will include dinner, dessert and entertainment provided by the youth. Congregation members that are 70-years-old or older should expect to see an invitation in the mail. Please RSVP to Libby S. or libbyshannon2016@gmail.com.
† VBS HELPERS Are you interested in helping with this year’s vacation bible school? The theme this year is “Splash Canyon – God’s Promise on Life’s Wild Ride.” The dates will be July 22 – July 26. We are in need of group leaders, group helpers, station assistants, etc. In addition we will be needing some help with our kick-off potluck and water games day which will be held at the church on Saturday, July 21. If you would like to help out with either of these or both, please let Nicole B. or Cindy E. know or you can contact the church office, 358-1325. Please consider helping out with this worthwhile event that helps our children learn about Jesus’ love for us.
† FOOD DRIVE The Christian Education Committee would like for GSLC to help with the spring food drive at Bright Futures. We have chosen the month of May. If you would like to participate, please bring items that are pictured on the collection container provided in the narthex. Thanks for your help with this project.
† FLOWER CHART There are some empty Sundays coming up on the flower chart. If you would like to place flowers at the altar for a special occasion or in memory of someone, please sign the flower chart hanging on the wall next to the water fountain in the hallway.
† SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFERING The offering from both Adult Bible Class and Sunday School for the spring quarter will be going to Ronald McDonald House. We are hoping to get enough money to purchase a couple of their “Dream BIG items”. This could include two high chairs and a hedge trimmer. It would take around $300 to purchase these items. That seems like a reasonable goal for the quarter and what a great way to help out this great organization.
PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex by nursery) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace
† IN OUR PRAYERS Janet C., recovering from knee surgery; Carol L., at Webb City Health and Rehabilitation Center; Jack H., dealing with multiple health issues; Lydia N., recovering from surgery; Rhonda N., recovering from a fall; Lee Ann C., recovering at home; Earl G., suffering various serious health issues; Jody G., on hospice; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Sara P., undergoing treatment for cancer; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.
† CONGRATULATIONS We rejoice with Bradley & Donya M. at the birth of their baby boy, Kanyon M. Kanyon was born April 30, in Joplin, MO.
† CONGRATULATIONS We rejoice with Tim & Kahlie M. at the birth of their baby boy, Caleb M. Caleb was born April 30, in Joplin, MO.
† SPRINGFIELD CARDINALS LUTHERAN NIGHT On Friday, June 1, the Springfield Cardinals will be having Lutheran Night at the ballpark. The game time is 7:10 pm. Tickets, which are $15.00, will include a Springfield Cardinals cap and a t-shirt. There will also be post-game fireworks that night. If you have questions, please contact Jim G. There is a sign-up sheet on the round table in the narthex, remember to include your shirt sizes (Youth Sm – Adult 3XL). The deadline for payment is today.
† VBS HELPERS Are you interested in helping with this year’s vacation bible school? The theme this year is “Splash Canyon – God’s Promise on Life’s Wild Ride.” The dates will be July 22 – July 26. We are in need of group leaders, group helpers, station assistants, etc. In addition we will be needing some help with our kick-off potluck and water games day which will be held at the church on Saturday, July 21. If you would like to help out with either of these or both, please let Nicole Backerman or Cindy Eaton know or you can contact the church office, 358-1325. Please consider helping out with this worthwhile event that helps our children learn about Jesus’ love for us.
† FOOD DRIVE The Christian Education Committee would like for GSLC to help with the spring food drive at Bright Futures. We have chosen the month of May. If you would like to participate, please bring items that are pictured on the collection container provided in the narthex. Thanks for your help with this project.
† SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFERING The offering from both Adult Bible Class and Sunday School for the spring quarter will be going to Ronald McDonald House. We are hoping to get enough money to purchase a couple of their “Dream BIG items”. This could include two high chairs and a hedge trimmer. It would take around $300 to purchase these items. That seems like a reasonable goal for the quarter and what a great way to help out this great organization.
† PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex by nursery) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.
† ASSISTIVE LISTENING If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers. They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.