News

Reformation, Big Deal

In the midst of all of the things that Megan and I had going on this Summer, one of them was hosting a family from Germany who are friends of ours from Seminary. They contacted us back when we lived in South Dakota about making the trip across the pond and asked us about dates. Well, actually they told us which dates they were coming because of the deal they got on tickets. The week they were going to be in the States happened to be the same date Elias was due. Not the best situation but hey, a lot could happen in a few months. And it did. First it looked like Elias would be here well before they arrived and then, not so much. One night while they were here, I asked them to watch Avery because I had to take Megan to the hospital. On the bright side, they got to see Elias during their stay and we certainly had no shortage of things to talk about.

One of the things we talked about before all the baby hullabaloo was the Reformation. Fritz and myself, being Lutheran pastors (or nearly so, he will be ordained shortly) we talked about some Lutheran stuff. What is more            Lutheran than the Reformation? Nothing. Fritz asked, “Is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation a big deal to Christians here in America?” After contemplating the question for a moment I replied, “It is to Lutherans.” Of course, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation is a huge deal to Germans of nearly any religious affiliation. The 500th anniversary of Luther’s birth (back in 1483) saw huge amounts of celebrations even in atheist (officially at that time)  East Germany. Luther is woven into the fabric of German heritage in a way that he is not to most Americans.

Yet at the same time, perhaps he should be. My follow-up response to the Reformation being a big deal to Lutherans was that it should be a big deal to other Christians in America, too. All of the Protestant denominations in the United States own their existence to the Reformation. Sure, Lutherans bear the name of the Reformation’s most notable reformer, but that does not mean that Luther or the movement he inspired is exclusively important to us. When Luther broke with Rome, others saw that it could be done and they took the opportunity to do so as well. Most of the  non-Lutheran Protestants settled on theologies that differed from that of Luther (obviously) but they only had this    opportunity because a monk in Wittenberg nailed a series of arguments to a church door 500 years ago.

Even Roman Catholics have benefited from the Reformation. Sure, their official position is that Luther was some kind of heretical spawn of Satan or some such thing, but the Roman Catholic Church of today is not nearly as   despicably corrupt as it was 500 years ago. Much of that has to do with Luther and the light that the Reformation cast   on that church’s institutional immorality. It may still be official Roman Catholic doctrine, but I think that your average Catholic today would be horrified at the prospect of Bishops buying their position or the Church selling forgiveness     (to say nothing of the nefarious activities the Church unofficially undertook in the Late Middle Ages).

As the date of the Reformation approaches in October, perhaps it would not be a bad idea for a good Lutheran like yourself to brush up on some Reformation (or other related) history. Dust off that catechism (the Large Catechism if you are feeling especially Lutheran) and just read through it thinking about why Luther wrote the thing. Find yourself a short biography of Luther. I recently have begun rereading one I used at the Sem. There are a number out there that are quite approachable. There is also the Luther movie that our congregation will be    taking part in hosting this October as well (do get your tickets to that if you want to go since we need a certain number). Perhaps through looking at Luther and the Reformation you will gain a better appreciation for being Lutheran. Also, you might see more clearly the thing which Luther himself was always concerned about showing people, namely the Gospel, the free salvation that belongs to all people though Jesus Christ.

 

Announcements — September 3, 2017

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Lee Ann C., at National Health Center in Joplin after a fall; Nan B., undergoing rehab at home for her shoulder; Jack H., at home, undergoing rehab; Jody G., on hospice; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Sara P., undergoing treatment for cancer; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.

† SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY Thanks to everyone who helped make our Sunday School Rally Day a success.  It was great to see all the kids enjoying spending time with their friends and learning of God’s love.

† BACK TO TWO SERVICES  Next Sunday, September 10, we will return to our regular two services.  Worship services will be at 8:15 and 10:45 am with Sunday School and Adult Bible Class at 9:30 am.  Holy Communion will be celebrated in the 8:15 am service.

† NEW MARTIN LUTHER MOVIE  The movie, Martin Luther: The Idea  That Changed The World, is scheduled to be shown at the Joplin Northstar Stadium 14 theater on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 7:30 pm.  A minimum of 100 reservations will need to be made by September 20th in order for the screening to take place.  At this point only 28 tickets have been reserved.  The tickets are $9 for all audience members.  This screening is being cohosted by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Carthage and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Joplin.  Here is a shortcut to the website that was set up to provide moviegoers with information about the movie and a mechanism to reserve tickets specifically for the Joplin screening: http://joplin.newluthermovie.com/.  If you are interested in seeing this movie, please go ahead and make your reservations soon so that we will be able to take advantage of this opportunity.  The card used to reserve your tickets will not be charged if the 100 ticket reservation minimum is not met.

† JR CONFIRMATION  Jr. Confirmation instruction will start in September.  Jr. Confirmands and their parents are asked to attend an organizational meeting on Sunday, September 17, during the Sunday School hour in the Conference room.  Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation will be provided to each new Confirmand, but each student will need to bring their own Bible to class.

† GSLC FRIENDS is a small home Bible study group that meets once a week.  Our membership is diverse and you are welcome to join us.  We are currently    studying “The Lutheran Difference”, a guide to how the Lutheran Church views a variety of subjects in today’s world.   We meet Monday night at the home of Karen P., gathering around 6:30 pm for a light dinner and/or snacks.  We begin our study around 7:00 pm. Call Karen, or Gretchen O., for more information or on Messenger at GSLC Friends.

† HURRICANE RELIEF  The LCMS is standing with the Texas District to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey and flooding.  Please pray for all involved.    To give online, visit lcms.org/harvey.  Text “LCMSHARVEY” to 41444 to give  by text.  Call the LCMS toll-free gift line between 8:00 am & 4:10 pm Central time at 888-930-4438.  By mail, make checks payable to “LCMS.”  On the memo line, write “Disaster Response/Relief,” and mail to the LCMS, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO, 63166-6861.  Gifts also can be designated specifically for Hurricane Harvey and/or affected areas by stipulating in the memo line.

† FLOWER CHART  There are several 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.

† 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 difficulty hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.

 

Announcements — August 27, 2017

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Lee Ann C., at National Health Center in Joplin after a fall; Nan B., undergoing rehab at home for her shoulder; Jack H., at home, undergoing rehab; Jody G., on hospice; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Sara P., undergoing treatment for cancer; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.

† SENIOR SINGLE LADIES  A group of single, senior ladies has formed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  Come join them for some fellowship, fun and snacks today from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at Clarice O. in Carthage.  If you have any questions or need directions, please contact Ann L. or Clarice O.  Bring a snack to share.

† SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY is today!  There will be a balloon launch at the beginning of the Sunday School hour followed by some special activities during class.  After the Sunday School hour join us for a light lunch and some fun games based on the Ten Commandments that we spent the summer learning about.  Come enjoy some fun fellowship time with your Sunday School friends.

† BACK TO TWO SERVICES  Starting Sunday, September 10, we will return to our regular two services.  Worship services will be at 8:15 and 10:45 am with Sunday School and Adult Bible Class at 9:30 am.

† NEW MARTIN LUTHER MOVIE  The movie, Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed The World, is scheduled to be shown at the Joplin Northstar Stadium 14 theater on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 7:30 pm.  A minimum of 100 reservations will need to be made by September 20th   in order for the screening to take place.  At this point only 28 tickets have been reserved.  The tickets are $9 for all audience members.  This screening is being cohosted by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Carthage and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Joplin.  Here is a shortcut to the website that was set up to provide moviegoers with information about the movie and a mechanism to reserve tickets specifically for the Joplin screening: http://joplin.newluthermovie.com/.  If you are interested  in seeing this movie, please go ahead and make your reservations soon so that we will be able to take advantage of this opportunity.  The card used to reserve your tickets will not be charged if the 100 ticket reservation minimum is not met.

† JR CONFIRMATION  Jr. Confirmation instruction will start in September.  Jr. Confirmands and their parents are asked to attend an organizational meeting on Sunday, September 17, during the Sunday School hour in the Conference room.  Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation will be provided to each new Confirmand, but each student will need to bring their own Bible to class.

† FLOWER CHART  There are several 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.

† 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.

† BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are available in the nurse’s office after the service.  You will be given a small form that can be carried in your wallet which will include medical information and a log of your blood pressure readings.

† 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 difficulty hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.