News

Lent

Wednesday, February 13th, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is a 40-day season of the church year that runs from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week (which begins March 24 this year). During this time, the Bible readings, hymns, and worship will focus on the ministry, suffering, and death of Jesus Christ.

The 40 days of Lent, not counting Sundays, is to be a time of preparation of our hearts to ponder Jesus’ suffering and death for our salvation. The 40 days parallel the 40 days Jesus was in the wilderness preparing for his formal ministry.

The start of Lent is determined by the date of Easter. Easter changes each year because it is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. This is done to parallel the Jewish lunar calendar and its observance of the Passover. It was during the Passover that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper for us.

Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of receiving a cross of ashes on the forehead of believers on this first day of Lent. The imposition of ashes is often associated in the Bible with sorrow over sins which is one of the emphasis of Lent. Ash Wednesday also marks the beginning of our Midweek Lenten services held each Wednesday during Lent at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

The liturgical color for Lent is purple. Purple is used to signify repentance. Lent is a season centered around the confession of our sins, our desire to amend our sinful lives, and God’s willingness to forgive us through the cross of Jesus.

Some Christians give up different things during Lent. This is a long standing practice of some to deny themselves something  during Lent as a way to better understand the sacrifice Jesus made for them. Other Christians will increase their times to worship, to pray, to read the Bible and to meditate. Still others use it as a time of increased charitable giving.

However Lent is observed, it always reminds us that, as the Bible says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:32). But God, in his mercy, sent his son, Jesus, to take our sins upon himself and received our punishment by dying on the cross so that we might be forgiven and granted life in heaven forever with him.

Lent starts Wednesday, February 13, and we will again hold an additional service each Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. This is to give those who do not drive at night or who have evening activities an opportunity to attend the midweek services.

The Ash Wednesday service, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season, will again have the dispensation of ashes and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Portions of the Passion story will be read during each midweek service.

We pray that the addition of this new time for the midweek services will enable more people to attend
these special services and help us focus on the passion of our Lord and its meaning in our lives.

 

Announcements — February 3, 2013

IN OUR PRAYERS Cheryl C. and Don H., undergoing treatment for cancer; Micki B., Katherine R., recovering from surgery;

THIS WEEK’S DAILY READINGS:
2/3—Leviticus 8-10 2/6—Leviticus 18-20 2/9—Leviticus 24-27
2/4—Leviticus 11-15 2/7—Various
2/5—Leviticus 16-17 2/8—Leviticus 21-23

SPECIAL MUSIC COMMITTEE The music committee will meet in the conference room after the late service today.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY TODAY Please place your donated items of soup, dried beans or rice in the container in the narthex or the shopping cart in the entry downstairs. Total count before today—301. Everyone wins when we team up to help!

THE THRIVENT CHAPTER MEETING will be Monday, Feb. 4, at First Lutheran Church, Neosho, beginning at 6:30 pm.

THE LWML will meet this Tuesday evening at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Lora Wacker will be the hostess, Gerry Schnackenberg will have the devotion, and the topic will be lead by Nan Borg. Ladies, if you are not a part of this mission group, please consider giving us a visit. You are very welcome.

VBS PLANNING MEETING Interested in helping with VBS this year? You are more than welcome to sit in on the planning meeting set for next Sunday after the late service.

2012 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS are ready for you to pick up. They are on the round table in the narthex.

LUTHERAN MALARIA INITIATIVE LCMS is helping to diminish the deaths of children by Malaria in Africa through the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. One of the best ways to do this is providing nets to protect the children from mosquito bites. As little as $10 buys a net. You can join in this initiative by putting your donation in the offering plate and marking it Malaria Initiative. Together we will save many lives.

ATTENTION ALL USHERS Please pick up your schedule for 2013. An envelope with your name on it is in a box on the round table in the narthex.

SOUND SYSTEM TECHS NEEDED If you are interested in learning about and helping with the sound system equipment here at the church, please contact the church office.

SOFTBALL SIGNUPS Anyone interested in playing softball, men’s league or co-ed, please use the sign up sheet available on the round table in the narthex.

BIBLE 101 Join the online study about the Bible by going to CPH.org, clicking on Bible Studies and then Bible 101, fill in the user box with goodshepherd@ecarthage.com and put Gslc101# in the password box. You can proceed to each session at your own time and pace. Let us know how it goes.

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.

FLOWER CHART There are lots of empty dates on the calendar. 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.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are available in the nurse’s office after each 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) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace. We have had reports and words of thanks from folks being blessed by this outreach ministry.

 

Announcements — January 27, 2013

IN OUR PRAYERS Cheryl C. and Don H., undergoing treatment for cancer.

THIS WEEK’S DAILY READINGS:
1/27—Exodus 25-27 1/30—Exodus 32-34 2/2—Leviticus 4-7
1/28—Various 1/31—Exodus 35-40
1/29—Exodus 28-31 2/1—Leviticus 1-3

LUTHERAN MALARIA INITIATIVE LCMS is helping to diminish the deaths of children by Malaria in Africa through the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. One of the best ways to do this is providing nets to protect the children from mosquito bites. As little as $10 buys a net. You can join in this initiative by putting your donation in the offering plate and marking it Malaria Initiative. Together we will save many lives.

WINTER WONDERLAND, 70 & Over Dinner sponsored by the youth group is this evening at 5:00 pm. It’s food and entertainment for the folks and their spouses who are 70 years old and older.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY Next Sunday is Souper Bowl Sunday. Please bring your donated items of soup, dried beans or rice and place them in the container in the narthex or the shopping cart in the entry downstairs. Everyone wins when we team up to help! Last count: 100.

2012 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS are ready for you to pick up. They are on the round table in the narthex.

ATTENTION ALL USHERS Please pick up your schedule for 2013. An envelope with your name on it is in a box on the round table in the narthex.

SOUND SYSTEM TECHS NEEDED If you are interested in learning about and helping with the sound system equipment here at the church please contact the church office.

SOFTBALL SIGNUPS Anyone interested in playing softball, men’s league or co-ed, please use the sign up sheet available on the round table in the narthex.

BIBLE 101 Join the online study about the Bible by going to CPH.org, clicking on Bible Studies and then Bible 101, fill in the user box with goodshepherd@ecarthage.com and put Gslc101# in the password box. You can proceed to each session at your own time and pace. Let us know how it goes.

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 20, 2013

IN OUR PRAYERS Cheryl C. and Don H., undergoing treatment for cancer. Bonnie
L. at Maple Tree Terrace; David C., Jeremy M., June R. at St. Luke’s,
Carthage; Archie & Renee B., Mary F., Esther M., homebound.

THIS WEEK’S DAILY READINGS:
1/20—Exodus 7-10 1/23—Exodus 13-15 1/26—Exodus 21-24
1/21—Various 1/24—Exodus 16-18
1/22—Exodus 11-12 1/25—Exodus 19-20

YOUTH GROUP will meet this evening at 6:30.

VOTERS’ MEETING this evening at 7:00. Along with other business, the 2012 year end reports will be given. Please plan to attend.

ELDERS’ MEETING tomorrow evening at 7:00.

IMPORTANT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING Today, after the late service, there will be an
important education meeting. Please prayerfully consider helping with this special ministry of
our church. More help is always needed. Lunch will be served.

LUTHERAN MALARIA INITIATIVE LCMS is helping to diminish the deaths of children by Malaria in Africa through the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. One of the best ways to do this is providing nets to protect the children from mosquito bites. As little as $10 buys a net. You can join in this initiative by putting your donation in the offering plate and marking it Malaria Initiative. Together we will save many lives.

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. We donated over 300 items last year, can we top that? Everyone wins when we team
up to help! Last count, 100.

NEW BIBLE STUDY Marriage by God’s Design is a new Bible Study being offered in the Conference
Room on Sunday morning at 9:30. With the use of videos, group discussion and timely topics it
looks at marriage as God designed in the Bible. You are most welcome to join this new group
study.

WINTER WONDERLAND, 70 & Over Dinner, sponsored by the youth group is next Sunday, January 27, at 5:00 pm. It’s food and entertainment for the folks and their spouses in our congregation who are 70 years old and older.

SOFTBALL SIGNUPS Anyone interested in playing softball, men’s league or co-ed, please use the
sign up sheet available on the round table in the narthex.

LUTHERAN WITNESS SUBSCRIPTIONS It’s about your faith, your church, your world. Subscription cost is $15.60. A sign up sheet is in the narthex and you can pay by simply writing a check to Good Shepherd and putting Lutheran Witness in the memo line.

BIBLE 101 Join the online study about the Bible by going to CPH.org, clicking on Bible Studies and
then Bible 101, fill in the user box with goodshepherd@ecarthage.com and put Gslc101# in the password box. You can proceed to each session at your own time and pace. Let us know how it goes.

FLOWER CHART Lots of empty dates on the calendar. 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.

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 narthex after each 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) and
given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace. We have had reports and words of
thanks from folks being blessed by this outreach ministry