News

Announcements — July 12, 2015

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Raymond S., rehabbing after a fall; Ruth H., Letitia L., Carol L., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T. undergoing treatment for cancer.

† BAPTISM  We rejoice with David & Kaitlyn Hammer at the baptism of their son, Cross Alexander Hammer, during a family service Saturday afternoon.  Cross was born December 2, 2014.  His sponsors are Seth C. and Tom M.  Cross is the great-grandson of John and Janice H.  God be with this family as they grow in His grace and love.

† PASTOR’S RETIREMENT LUNCH  After Pastor’s last official service today our congregation will celebrate his many years serving our congregation with an “Old Fashioned Potluck” retirement lunch.  There won’t be Sunday School or Adult Class this morning.  The committee asked that folks kindly wait until an announcement is made that lunch is ready before heading downstairs to eat.

† INTENTIONAL INTERIM  Pastor Roger Mackie has accepted the call to be Good Shepherd’s Intentional Interim Pastor.  His installation service has been set for 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 26, followed by a reception at 3:00 pm.  Pastor Mackie will be at the Sunday service that morning, so there will be some time to meet him before the Adult Bible Class.

† VBS KICK-OFF PARTY  Come out to the Carthage Municipal Park for this year’s VBS kick-off on Sunday, July 19.  The fun will start at 4:00 pm with rides at Kiddie Land.  There is a cook-out at 5:00 pm.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided.  Those attending are asked to bring a dish to share.  The festivities will conclude with swimming at the Carthage Municipal Pool from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

† VBS REGISTRATION  Vacation Bible School will be held July 26 – 30, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, with a light dinner at 5:30 pm each evening.  There are registration forms on the round table in the narthex.  Also, there is a sign up sheet for food donations that are used to provided dinner each evening.  The offerings from VBS this year will go toward “Stuff the Bus”.  There is a list on the information desk of the things that are needed, and of course, money is always appreciated.

† HELP NEEDED – PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION  Saturday, July 18, at 8:00 am, is the day planned for the installation of the playground equipment.  This will take all day, so even if you can’t make it by 8:00 am, please come out and help later in the day.  This is an extensive project which will take many hands!

† THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY  The Thursday morning Bible Study group will take a break for the rest of July until Pastor Mackie arrives.

† TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME  There are two opportunities coming up this summer to see some baseball and hear The Shepherd’s Own!  On Sat., Aug. 1, the Shepherd’s Own will be singing the National Anthem at an Arkansas Naturals’ ballgame and on Fri., Aug. 7, they will be singing the National Anthem at Lutheran Night at the ballpark for a Springfield Cardinals’ game.  There are sign-up sheets on the information desk in the narthex for discounted tickets and deadlines for when the ticket money is due.  Please see your July newsletter for more info.  Contact Jim G. if you have questions.

† SUMMER WORSHIP  For the summer months, we are having one   worship service on Sunday and it begins at 9:00 am.  Sunday School and Bible class are at 10:30 am.

 

Announcements — July 5, 2015

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Raymond S., rehabbing after a fall; Ruth H., Letitia L., Carol L., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T. undergoing treatment for cancer.

† BAPTISM  We rejoice with Adam and Sara T. at the baptism of their daughter, Landry Ellen T., during a family service Wednesday evening.  Landry was born June 25, 2015.  Her sponsors are Amy G., Lauri J., Jeff J., and Aaron T..  God be with this family as they grow in His grace and love.

† BAPTISM  We rejoice with Nathan and Elizabeth D. at the baptism of their daughter, Lillian Grace D., during the service this morning.  Lillian was born May 21, 2015.  Her sponsors are Gay Lynne D. and Michael D.  God be with this family as they grow in His grace and love.

† ELDERS’ MEETING this Monday, July 6, at 7:00 pm.

† LWML MEETING  The LWML will meet this Tuesday at 6:30 pm in the fellowship hall.  All ladies are invited to attend.

† OVER-50 GOOD SHEPHERDS will meet this Thursday evening at 6:00 pm.

† WEDNESDAY MORNING SCRIPTURE STUDY has started a new series on forgiveness.  It will cover how God forgives us, how we forgive others, and how we forgive ourselves.  Everyone is welcome to come and join them to discuss God’s word.

† PASTOR’S RETIREMENT LUNCH  After Pastor’s last official service next Sunday, our congregation will celebrate his many years     serving our congregation with a retirement lunch.  The lunch will be an “Old Fashioned Potluck”, so bring your favorite dish to share.  There is a sign up sheet in the narthex!  There won’t be Sunday School or Adult Class that morning.  The committee also asked that folks kindly wait until an  announcement is made that lunch is ready before heading downstairs to eat.

† VBS REGISTRATION  Vacation Bible School will be held July 26 – 30, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, with a light dinner at 5:30 pm each evening.  There are registration forms on the round table in the narthex.  Make sure to get registered soon, both workers and participants, because Nicole needs t-shirt sizes so she can order them.  Also, there is a sign up sheet for food donations that are used to provided dinner each evening.

† HELP NEEDED – PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION  Two work days have been scheduled for prepping the site and for installing the equipment.  Saturday, July 11, starting at 8:00 am, will    be the day for prepping the site and digging some holes.  Saturday, July 18, at 8:00 am, is the day planned for the actual installation of the equipment.  This will take all day, so even if you can’t make it by 8:00 am, please come out and help later in the day.  This is an extensive project which will take many hands!

† THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY  After this Thursday, July 9, the Thursday morning Bible Study group will take a break for the rest of July until Pastor Mackie arrives.

† TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME  There are two opportunities coming up this summer to see some baseball and hear The Shepherd’s Own!  On Sat., Aug. 1, the Shepherd’s Own will be singing the National Anthem at an Arkansas Naturals’ ballgame and on Fri., Aug. 7, they will be singing the National Anthem at Lutheran Night at the ballpark for a Springfield Cardinals’ game.  There are sign-up sheets on the information desk in the narthex for discounted tickets and deadlines for when the ticket money is due.  Please, see your July newsletter for more info.  Contact Jim G.

† DIAPER SHOWER FOR THE THOMASSONS  Thanks to everyone who participated in the diaper shower!  The diaper delivery will be made later this week.

† SUMMER WORSHIP  For the summer months, we are having one   worship service on Sunday and it begins at 9:00 am.  Sunday School and   Bible class are at 10:30 am.

† INTENTIONAL INTERIM  Pastor Roger Mackie has accepted the call to be Good Shepherd’s Intentional Interim Pastor.  His installation date is set for July 26.

† 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.

† 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

Beloved in the Lord…

On July 11, 1971, I was installed as the Pastor of First Lutheran Church of Neosho.  All my life, and that of Gerry’s, up to that point had been directed toward that event.  At that moment, what I thought my life was to be and for what we had worked for so hard, had come true. I was a Pastor.  We had our whole life ahead of us.

That was a long time ago, now, and here we are at the other end of our lives.  I am retiring.  I will officiate my  last worship service with you as your Pastor on Sunday, July 12.

It is hard for me to imagine what it will be like, not being the Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Carthage.  Your joys and happiness, and your sorrows and hurts, have also been mine.  Together we have stood with Jesus in good times and bad times.  As your Pastor, you have shared your lives with me in so many meaningful ways.  It has been my honor and privilege to be here at Good Shepherd.  This is hard to give up.  I will miss this relationship with you, me being your Pastor.  However, I find comfort in knowing the Good Shepherd Jesus will be with you in your next Pastor.

We have worked well together, you and I.  Certainly, it is not to our credit, but to God’s glory.  You have been very gracious and forgiving to me and for that I am eternally grateful.  I have watched with joy and some amazement the faith you have exhibited and your forward-looking attitude at all times.

You are not only a big part of my life, but Gerry’s and my family’s as well.  We have not only worshipped here as a family, but also come together here as a family to do family things.  It is like a home to us.  My retiring changes that, too.  It still remains unclear as to what this means for us and our continued involvement with you.  I know in God’s good time it will be worked out.

While my retirement brings changes and adjustments to us all, I do not fear for you.  God is here in your midst.  He is not retiring.  He is not going anywhere.

As God has blessed our work together in the past, He will continue to give His blessings to you in the future.  There are so many good things ahead for you that a new Pastor will be a part of and will aid with his gifts and talents.  Yes, it will be different, but the most necessary thing will most necessarily not change.  You will continue to hear the Good News of God’s love for you in Jesus proclaimed from this pulpit and God’s precious Sacraments administered according to His will from this altar.  There is nothing better than that.

Beloved in the Lord . . .I have spoken these words to you often as your Pastor.  They are still true.  You are beloved to me.  But my role as to how those words are acted out will change with my retirement.  Thank you, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  I do love you.

The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.  The Lord lift up His Countenance upon you and give you peace.  Amen.

Finally, this is all we can really say:  Amen!  With God so shall it be!

 

Pastor Schnackenberg’s Retirement Lunch

After Pastor’s last official service on July 12, our congregation will celebrate his many years serving our congregation with a retirement lunch.  The lunch will be an “Old Fashioned Potluck”, so bring your favorite dish to share.  Watch for a sign up sheet in the narthex!  There won’t be Sunday School or Adult Class that morning.

The committee also asked that folks kindly wait until an announcement is made that lunch is ready  before heading downstairs to eat.