News

Epiphany and You

Matthew 2:11 “And going into the house, [the wise men] saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.”

“Wise men from the east” Matthew tells us, “wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?”’ What a thing this was. What was going through Herod’s mind (before the murderous jealousy crept in)? How do ‘wise men’ from the east know to come here and to worship a king? A star, that’s not much to go on. What was going through the heads of the wise men? Do you think
there was more than three to start off with but only three actually thought they should come? Was there a whole astronomy group who regularly got together and were amazed to find this star but only one of them was like, “Hey, this star is signifying the birth of the king of the Jews so we should travel down there to give him gifts.” Did the other wise men look at each other and say, “Balthasar you’re crazy. We’re not traveling all that way to give gifts to a baby because you think this new star signifies his birth.” But then Melchior says, “You know I have some things to get from Tyre. Maybe on our way back we can swing by and get them. Sure I’ll go.” And of course if Melchior is going, then Casper is going to go too, because they are best buds. And so you have three wise men setting out to find a child guided by a star.

We don’t know how it happened because we are not told, but it almost certainly did not happen the way I just described. (Please don’t make that movie.) In the context of the other events surrounding Jesus’ birth, it would almost be normal for an angel to have appeared to them in a dream to tell them to go and worship the new born king. Jesus’ birth was a one-time deal. It is not something that will ever happen again in the history
of the world. Perhaps God let the wise men know about it so that they could be a part of this event too. Because Jesus, king of the Jews, did not come to save just Jews but all people, even wise men from the east (and you and I here in the west).

Epiphany is about Jesus being made known to the nations, to all people, not just a specific people, the Jews. For the vast majority of you who are reading this, that means that without Epiphany you don’t get a Savior. Christmas on its own is the story of a Savior come to save His people, one small nation. But Christmas followed by Epiphany is the story of a Savior come to the nations, a Savior who has come to you, whoever you are. Merry Christmas and happy Epiphany!

~Pastor Mehl

Announcements — January 14, 2018

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Earl K., recovering from shoulder surgery; Lydia N., recovering from surgery; Jack H., back at home recovering; Marcella M., recovering from a fall; Earl G., suffering various serious health issues; Lee Ann C., back at home but continuing to undergo physical therapy; Jody G., on hospice; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Sara P., undergoing treatment for cancer; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.

† OFFERING STATEMENTS  The 2017 offering statements are on the round table in the narthex.  If you need your statement mailed, please contact the church office, 358-1325.

† TUESDAY MORNING 9:30 AM BIBLE STUDY is meeting again in the church Fellowship Hall.  We are studying the book of James.  Please, come and join us.

† STEPHEN MINISTRY will meet this Tuesday evening at 6:00 pm for their supervision and training.

† HEAD START ON “SOUPER” BOWL SUNDAY  Through the month of January we are asking for canned soup, dried beans and rice to help fill the shelves at Crosslines of Carthage.  Bring your donations and place them in the round container in the narthex or the shopping cart in the entry downstairs.  If you would prefer to give a monetary donation, there are envelopes on the round table in the narthex.  The envelopes can be returned to Nan Borg or dropped off at the church office.  Everyone wins when we team up to help!

† SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFERING  The offering from both Adult Bible Class and Sunday School for the months of January and February will be going to LCMS World Relief to help those affected by the Hurricane in Houston.  

† LUTHERAN WITNESS SUBSCRIPTIONS  It’s about your faith, your church, your world.  A subscription cost is $15.96.  A sign up sheet is on the round table in the narthex and you can pay by simply writing a check to Good Shepherd and putting Lutheran Witness in the memo line.

† USHER SCHEDULES  The 2018 usher schedules are on the round table in the narthex.  If you are an usher, please pick up your information.

† OFFERING ENVELOPES  The 2018 offering envelopes are on the round table in the narthex.  Please remember to discard your 2017 envelopes and use only the 2018 envelopes.  If you do not see your name and want envelopes, please contact the church office.  Likewise, if you prefer not to use them and see your name, simply write NO on the label.

† FLOWER CHART, 2018  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.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.  Diana E. does lovely arrangements and only charges $25.00 for altar flowers.

† NURSERY/CRY ROOM  Should your child become distressed or distract others during the service, a furnished nursery/cry room is located in the narthex for your use.  Please ask one of the ushers if you need directions.

† 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.

 

Announcements — January 7, 2018

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Lydia N., recovering from surgery; Betty K., health recovery after minor surgery; Virginia S., recovering from a broken arm;  Jack H., back at home recovering; Marcella M., recovering from a fall; Earl G., suffering various serious health issues; Lee Ann C., back at home but continuing to undergo physical therapy; Jody G., on hospice; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Sara P., undergoing treatment for cancer; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.

† 2018 CHURCH OFFICERS INSTALLED TODAY  We are grateful to the following members of the congregation who were selected to serve this year in the following positions:

President: Mike S.

Vice-President:   Alan P.

Secretary: Rhonda N.

Treasurer: Jim B.

Financial Secretary: Glenn M.

Elders: Michael G., Don L., Bradley M.,  John N., Shawn P., Dave W.

Trustees:   Doug D., David E., Kelby M., Eric P., Doug S., Walter R.

Dir. of Christian Ed: Cindy E.

† TUESDAY MORNING 9:30 AM BIBLE STUDY will resume this Tuesday, January 9, in the church Fellowship Hall.  We will be studying the book of James.

† LWML  There is an LWML meeting this Tuesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.  The hostess is Judy G. and Mary P. has the topic.

† HEAD START ON “SOUPER” BOWL SUNDAY  Through the month of January we are asking for canned soup, dried beans and rice to help fill the shelves at Crosslines of Carthage.  Bring your donations and place them in the round container in the narthex or the shopping cart in the entry downstairs.  If you would prefer to give a monetary donation, there are envelopes on the round     table in the narthex.  The envelopes can be returned to Nan Borg or dropped off at the church office.  Everyone wins when we team up to help!

† LUTHERAN WITNESS SUBSCRIPTIONS  It’s about your faith, your church, your world.  A subscription cost is $15.96.  A sign up sheet is on the round table in the narthex and you can pay by simply writing a check to Good Shepherd and putting Lutheran Witness in the memo line.

† USHER SCHEDULES  The 2018 usher schedules are on the round table in the narthex.  If you are an usher, please pick up your information.

† OFFERING ENVELOPES  The 2018 offering envelopes are on the round table in the narthex.  Please remember to discard your 2017 envelopes and use only the 2018 envelopes beginning today.  If you do not see your name and want envelopes, please contact the church office.  Likewise, if you prefer not to use them and see your name, simply write NO on the label.

† FLOWER CHART, 2018  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.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.  Diana Endicott does lovely arrangements and only charges $25.00 for altar flowers.

† WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS has returned to its normal 10:30 am meeting time on Wednesdays.  This week they will begin a new study on Spiritual Gifts.

† LWML QUARTERLIES  The LWML Winter Quarterlies are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.

† NURSERY/CRY ROOM  Should your child become distressed or distract others during the service, a furnished nursery/cry room is located in the narthex for your use.  Please ask one of the ushers if you need directions.

 

Announcements — December 31, 2017

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Lydia N., recovering from surgery; Betty K., health recovery after minor surgery; Virginia S., recovering from a broken arm;  Jack H., back at home recovering; Marcella M., recovering from a fall;  Earl G., suffering various serious health issues; Lee Ann C., back at home but continuing to undergo physical therapy; Nan B., undergoing rehab at home for her shoulder; Jody G., on hospice; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Sara P., undergoing treatment for cancer; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.

† NEW YEAR’S SERVICE WITH HOLY COMMUNION  There will be a New Year’s    Eve service this evening beginning at 7:00.  During the service we will remember those loved ones who are now in God’s grace and comfort.  Begin the New Year worshiping the Lord.

† ELECTED CHURCH OFFICERS  The elected church officers for 2018 will be installed next Sunday, January 7.

† LWML normally meets the first Tuesday of each month.  Because of the New Year’s holiday, the January meeting has been changed to Tuesday, Jan 9, at 6:30 pm.

† USHER SCHEDULES  The 2018 usher schedules are on the round table in the narthex.  If you are an usher, please pick up your information.

† NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY  Copies of the new church directory are located on the information desk in the narthex.  Please take only one copy per family so we can make sure everyone gets one.  If you have an interest in helping to offset the cost, each directory was about $3.50.  In addition, if you would like an electronic copy of the directory, please use the sign-up sheet.  A copy will be emailed to you  sometime in January.

† OFFERING ENVELOPES  The 2018 offering envelopes are on the round table in the narthex.  Please remember to discard your 2017 envelopes and use only the    2018 envelopes beginning on Sunday, January 7.  If you do not see your name and want envelopes, please contact the church office.  Likewise, if you prefer not to use them and see your name, simply write NO on the label.

† FLOWER CHART, 2018  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.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.

† WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS has returned to its normal 10:30 am meeting time on Wednesdays.

† TUESDAY MORNING 9:30 AM BIBLE STUDY is taking a break until the new year.  The class will resume on Tuesday, January 9, and will be studying the book of James.

† PORTALS OF PRAYER  The new Portals of Prayer for the winter are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.

† LWML QUARTERLIES  The LWML Winter Quarterlies are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.

† LOST AND FOUND items are located by the nursery in the Narthex.  We will be getting rid of any Items that are not claimed by the end of the year.

† NURSERY/CRY ROOM  Should your child become distressed or distract others during the service, a furnished nursery/cry room is located in the narthex for your use.  Please ask one of the ushers if you need directions.

† 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.