© Copyright 2005 Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church
From the
Pastor's Desk
Newsletter series
E-Caring
and Sharing for
November 16, 2008
Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church
Flock Talk
Jon Kuske, Pastor
“Helping everyone to grow in love and faith through Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd”
November 2008
A Short Story that Speaks Volumes for Our Lives
Real Wealth
Jesus told this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop . . . he said, ' . . . I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21).
“I need money!”
“How much money do you need?”
“Lots! Start with one and keep adding zeros till I say, ‘Stop.’ ”
Did you ever have a conversation like this? At times we dream about being very wealthy. What would we do? Quit our jobs? Buy a new car? Travel?
While it is fun to dream, the reality is that we are richer than most people in the world. Yet we may not feel rich, even though we have almost everything for maintaining a fairly comfortable lifestyle. So why don’t we feel rich?
The main reason is because there’s something wrong with all of us. We have a sinful nature. It likes to twist things around in our minds so we constantly want more. And when we get more, our sinful nature still isn’t satisfied.
Jesus illustrates this in a story about a farmer who had a bumper crop one year. Instead of giving away the surplus to feed the hungry or to proclaim how generous God had been with him, he thought only of himself. He planned to build bigger barns and take life easy. But soon he died. All his accumulated wealth went to someone else, and he had to face God.
Acquiring a lot of wealth in this world is finally worthless without Jesus. He is our real wealth. The Bible says, “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus, the eternal Son of God, left heaven and humbled himself to become a man. He bore the punishment of our sin, including the greed that lurks within our sinful nature. The result of his poverty is that we are freely given the riches of forgiveness and life with God.
When we think about our lives, we have so much for which to thank God. Though we may not have all the worldly riches of our dreams, we have real wealth in Jesus!
Spending Time in His Word
All Age Sunday School 9:00 am
Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am
Monday Bible Study 10:00 am
Tuesday Bible Study 7:00 pm
Youth Group Last Friday of the month
More information can be found at goodshepherdjax.org
Monday Bible Study
Our Monday class continues with a study taking us through a more topic-driven lesson called “Prepared to Answer”. Some of the topics include: “why bad things happen, different denominational interpretations of Scripture, abortion, miracles, evidence of God's existence and Jesus' resurrection from the dead, Jesus as myth, and moral absolutes.” We will learn how to use a “Jesus story” to help others understand “the reason for the hope we have.” I Peter 3:15
Brief Recess Taken
Instead of our usual course of study for two weeks in this month, we’ll be taking a look at our new hymnal supplement, including Orders of Service, actual hymns, and the psalms. We will resume our study of “Angels and Demons” following the brief tour of Christian Worship Supplement.
Tuesday Evening Bible Study
Please join us on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm as we study “Angels and Demons”. “Witness a conflict that's been part of the universe since creation and Satan's rebellion, and a victory God predicted in Eden. It's a classic battle of good versus evil in which Jesus comes in humility but leaves in glory. As Christians we know that angels --good and evil--are real, not because of firsthand accounts, but because God reveals that they are real in Scripture. Gain a knowledge of the occult, spiritism, demon possession, and Satanism, and see some of the games people play with the devil.” This is a repeat of the study which takes place on Sunday mornings and is perfect for those unable to attend at that time.
Reformation Service at Victory Nov. 2
This seal, traditionally referred to as Luther’s Seal, is featured above the doors in stained glass at our sister congregation, Victory Lutheran Church, on Kernan Blvd. Joint Reformation Services will be conducted on Sunday, November 2 at 4:00 pm at Victory. More information will follow. Please plan to attend this service of recognition and celebration of our Lutheran heritage with our sister members!
November Birthdays
Julie Seals 1
Mickey Perry 1
Nicholas Conroy 3
Brad Langley 7
Mariana Sanisidro 7
Rick Wilson 10
David Sholes 10
Cliff Douglas 12
Tamara Goldwich 20
Zachery Miller 20
Sarah Lawcock 22
Carol Douglas 24
Susan Zavasky 25
Brett Lieske 26
Cindy Clifton 28
Bill Day 28
Amanda May 30
November Anniversaries
Darwin/Ethel Hallenbeck 5
Larry and Judy Brug 17
Bill and Sandy Day 19
Richard and Joanne Samuelson 21
Bill and Jane Brown 30
Committee and Leadership 2008
Cong. President- Michael Chappell
Cong. Treasurer-Mike Sholes
Cong. Secretary-Cliff Douglas
Maintenance Trustee-Donnie Miller
Elder Team: Jim Batkoski, Head Elder
Education: Brian Harriett
Stewardship--Vacant
Fellowship/Ladies’ Group: Gordy Schreier
Outreach, Rick Pate
Preschool Administrator-Mike Schrader
Preschool Director/Teacher-Deb Spittel
Ladies’ Group President-Twila Nichols
Ladies’ Group Vice Pres.-Janet Batkoski
Ladies’ Group Sec’y.-Kim Lahaie Day
Ladies’ Group Treasurer-Judy Chappell
Altar Guild-Carol Douglas
Building Committee Chair: Mike Kelley
Worship Committee: Pastor Kuske
Cradle Roll-Judy Chappell
Visitation Committee-Kim Lahaie Day
Lutheran Pioneers-Rick & Jen Pate
Christmas/Easter 4 Kids-Jen Pate
Prayer Chain-Kim Lahaie Day
Office Administrator-Lynne Gividen
The list of Elders and their assigned families are posted on the bulletin board in the back of the church.
Time of Grace
You can view/hear Pastor Mark Jeske’s weekly message at http://www.timeofgrace.org
If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and
I will heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14)
Sunday School News
November Sunday School Lessons
Sunday, 9:00-10:05 a.m.
Nov 2: Lesson on Martin Luther
Justified by grace through faith
Nov 9: The Faith of the Centurion
Trust everything Jesus says he can do – for you!
Nov 16: The Death of John the Baptist
Failure to listen & repent results in horrific hardness
Nov 23: Jesus feeds the 5000
Trust Jesus to provide “daily bread” his way- even with miracles
Nov 30: Jesus’ Transfiguration in Glory
The transfiguration glory of Jesus the God-man proves he could die & rise again
What’s happening in the Preschool……?
Our Open House, September 25th, was a big success. We had 16 students and family members attend with a total of about 40-50 people in attendance. Pastor shared a short parenting video and the kids sang, and then they showed off games and their work in the preschool. Everyone seemed to have a nice evening.
Don’t forget we have chapel with Pastor “God Talks”, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday’s at 9:30 AM in the church. All are welcome to attend and it is over by 9:50 AM.
The classroom celebrated the end of October with a Fall Fun Day on Friday, October 31st. The students wore his or her favorite fall color. We did many fun projects dealing with the fall and harvest that day - cookie decorating, making goodie bags, and pumpkin carving. We will finish the morning off with a pizza lunch. The students learned from the pumpkin carving about God’s Pumpkin Patch … Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin; God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes off all the dirt you may have gotten from the other pumpkins. He scoops all the yucky stuff out. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts his light inside of you. We had a lot of fun.
November will find the preschool learning in Bible History about Paul; Jesus Saves – Sin & Promised Savior; Samuel; and Thanksgiving – Psalm 7 & 8. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Submitted by Lisa Wangerin, Teacher
Nancy Sparrow – Update
Nancy has been moved to Life Care Center, on Kingsley Ave., Room 121.
Lutheran Pioneer Group
Brad Langley came to our meeting 10/21 with 4 of his policemen friends. The kids got to meet Aries, the K-9 dog. Aries followed directions given by her trainer/officer, Mark Somers. He found keys thrown in the parking lot, and we learned that Aries can catch bad guys, sniff for bombs, and find illegal substances. All of Brad's friends opened up their police cars to the kids. They got to sit in the driver's seat, the back seat, and turn on the lights. Following the close inspection of the police cars, we went inside where Brad gave us all information about safety. There was a baggie filled with lots of cool things. There was even an emergency card where parents could fill in information about their child to give to police if something ever happened. Some kids even got fingerprinted! Brad and his buddies did such an amazing job! I think the parents enjoyed it as much as the kids!!!
Lutheran Pioneers is for kids in grades K to 6; however, all ages are welcome to join us for any activity!
Submitted by Jennifer Pate
Lutheran Elementary School
The Steering Committee of the Lutheran Elementary School program (LES) has received the materials from the Forward with Lutheran Schools survey team, outlining the data we need to accumulate before their representatives return in February. A great deal of paperwork needs to be completed for this team to make the proper assessment, to determine if and when our congregation can support additional grades beyond preschool. Opportunities for our members to help gather the information needed are available, please see Paul Schnake to see where you can be of assistance.
Kim Lahaie Day for Paul Schnake, Chair
Choir Rehearsal on Wednesday
Please join your voice with the choir on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm. Currently our group is rehearsing music for Reformation and will begin our Advent and Christmas anthems thereafter. We are in need of soprano and men’s voices, but any and all wishing to sing praise to the Lord, confirmed and older, come, make a joyful noise unto the Lord! See Robbie Douglas for information.
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise,
and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp;
with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound
of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King."
Psalms 98:4-6, KJV
Fellowship
Game Night is being held on the last Friday of the month in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 p.m. Please bring your favorite board game, a deck of cards, or video group game and a snack to share! The Youth Group will meet for activities at the same time so, parents, drop off your teens and join the fun playing games
On November 2nd Good Shepherd will be celebrating Reformation with our sister congregation, Victory Lutheran.
A sign-up sheet is posted in the Fellowship Hall where you can add your name to complete the list through November. If you see a guest or visitor in worship, please encourage them to join in the Fellowship opportunity afterward.
Soon it will be time to plan for the tree decorating, caroling, and chili supper, probably the Sunday before Christmas. More information will be coming so watch the Caring and Sharing, the calendar and this newsletter for firm dates.
Kim Lahaie Day for Gordie Schreier, Chair
Youth Group Activities
Sunday mornings the young people meet in the church office space for Bible study. On the last Friday of the month all young people are invited to church for a pizza/movie/game gathering starting at 7:00 p.m. Please feel free to bring a friend!
WELS Adult Discipleship
offers you a marriage retreat and get-away at the Embassy
Suites Hotel in
Orlando, FL from January 23rd to the 25th, 2009.
The location will provide a beautiful setting. The Spirit will provide
the growth that brings couples closer together. The fellowship of others
will provide an atmosphere of love and friendship that makes a weekend
memorable.
Ladies’ Group Notes
The Ladies’ Group of Good Shepherd recently conducted a collection, “Change for Life” where our members filled cardboard containers with their spare change during the month of September. Thanks to the generous donations of the participants, over $400 was collected! Thanks so very much to all who helped raise monies for this special project, and thanks to Janet Batkoski and Renee Scheetz for their spearheading.
On the last Sunday of the month, the Ladies’ Group/LWMS sponsors the Fellowship Sunday refreshments. There is a basket on the table to collect your donations, the proceeds of which are used for various mission projects through the LWMS. Please, when you grab a sandwich, throw some money into the basket to help support our missions! Thanks!
Still more Thanks! are offered to those ambitious ladies and gentlemen who donated their time, arms and legs and backs, to preparing for the Yard Sale October 18th. Once again the sale proved a success even though it closed up quickly due to a rainstorm! Thanks also to those who donated items for the sale. Final numbers regarding the sale will be available at our next meeting.
Judy Chappell has taken over the management of the soda machine in the Fellowship Hall, stocking it with Coke and Diet Coke only. All proceeds now will be donated to our mission funds. Thanks, Judy!
Flock Board to be Updated
Many of you may be having family or group photos taken for inclusion in your CHRISTmas cards soon. Please, if you will, put one aside for the Flock Board in the Fellowship Hall to help us catch it up to date. Instead of Kim or someone else chasing you around the church property to elicit a photo of your family, one of your own, posed or candid, will be appreciated, as long as we can identify the people in the picture. If you don’t wish to donate the actual picture, a scan can be made for use on the board, preferably in the size of 4” x 4” due to space limitations. A current Flock Board enables our newer members to figure out who is who, matching names and faces, etc. Thanks very much for your help with this important project!
Building Committee Report
Things are “rolling” right along now on our classroom building! The Saturday of the Yard Sale, October 18th, some folks got together to paint the primer coat on the drywall in the entire structure. The two finish coats will need to be applied soon, hopefully prior to the floor covering and trim going in. If you can help paint, please answer the call to service when a work day is scheduled. Thanks to those who worked so fervently to finish the job!
Ceramic tile is “slated” to go in, using the spouse of one of our members as the installer. Once again, we can keep the labor and material costs down through generosity of our members. Electricity has been run from the building to the edge of the parking lot, to be completed at a later date. Doors and the hardware have been ordered according to specification and should be available soon. Yes, things are happening on the classroom building and….
The Excitement is Building!!!!!
Our ever faithful Kelleys helping set up for the Yard Sale
Our Synod Schools
For the next few months, this site will feature pieces regarding one of our Synod schools, this month featuring Luther Preparatory School (Prep) in Watertown, WI. Considered one of our Synod’s worker-training schools, 55% of its graduates go on to serve full-time in the Gospel ministry. In fact, currently 177 Prep alumni are in the halls of Martin Luther College. The students, grades 9-12, come from 24 states and 8 foreign countries, all twelve districts in our Synod. More than three quarters of the student body live in the dormitories, with nearly all involved with music in some form. While not ‘obligated’ to continue in the public ministry, the course offerings are geared that direction and are not ‘wasted’ if the student chooses a career path other than the teaching/preaching ministry. The staff is highly-qualified, blessed with teachers and professors who hold to the true Word of God in every subject and activity being taught. Scholarship help is available through generous donors for applicants unable to afford the full tuition. For additional information, please see info@lps.wels.net. Please keep Luther Prep in your prayers and perhaps consider a donation to help educate our high school aged children who may someday serve our Lord as Called workers!
Ten Truths for Tough Times
Just when we thought we caught a break as the stock market staged one of its biggest rallies of all time, investors are retreating and harder times are ahead. How can a Christian respond to collapsing investments, tighter borrowing, and a shaky job market? Here is a handy reference guide of ten Bible truths for these tough economic times.
10. God is always gracious when orchestrating history.
Even when pagan King Nebuchadnezzar obliterated the political stability of Judah, God was working behind the scenes.
“The Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men” (Daniel 5:21).
9. The worst of times can be the best of times.
Job, described as “the greatest” of all the wealthy people during his day, lost it all. But he confessed that there remained for him “things too wonderful for me to know” (v. 3) and so he humbled himself to God and trusted that God knew what he was doing. In the end, “the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before” (v. 10). There is a silver lining on the other side of the clouds of recession – and only God can see it. We will trust him that it’s there. We will trust him to reveal it as needed.
8. The best of times can be the worst of times.
King Solomon enjoyed the highest prosperity of any time in Israel yet later confessed it was meaningless. Solomon discovered that a meaning and purpose beyond the achievements of this world was most important.
“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6).
7. America is not poor.
We forget that developing and third world countries around the globe have much less in their prosperity than we do in our recession. Give thanks to God for making you so rich.
“When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
6. Your greatest treasure cannot depreciate.
The mercy and love of God for people through Jesus Christ doesn’t fluctuate with interest rates and isn’t controlled by the economy.
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18,19). Invest in Jesus for short-term and long-term gain.
5. Generosity gives more from less.
Christians pray for daily bread. In truth, we are always rich when in faith we look to God to provide.
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Corinthians 9:10,11).
4. Greed gives less from more.
We don’t wait for God or government or profit or paycheck first to stuff our financial portfolio before we assist others and contribute to church or charity. Instead we give from faith.
“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall” (Proverbs 11:24,25,28).
3. Bailing out bad debts, like forgiveness, doesn’t cost ‘nothing’.
Forgiveness doesn’t cost nothing. Where there is sin, it must be paid for under the watchful justice of a holy God. But here’s an important reminder about forgiving others. It is not our responsibility or right to demand that someone pay for his or her sins against us. Jesus already paid for all sins on the cross. Jesus already bailed out all sinners – including you. Forgive others unconditionally and trust that Jesus’ work will change them for the better. “Be kind and compassionate … forgiving … just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
2. Christians have more than one reason to vote.
The day of a single presidential candidate who represents and promotes 1) every single Biblical principle for moral behavior, and 2) the greatest good for the most people in our country does not yet appear to have arrived. Consider multiple issues (not just abortion) when choosing your candidate. How to fix the economy is a good place to start.
“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15,16).
1. Put your faith in the true God, not in your faith or a false god.
It’s not your faith or your religion that will rescue you from economic collapse. It’s not even your faith or your religion that forgives you or saves you or answers your prayers. No, the object of your faith does all this and more. Focus on the object of your faith – a perfectly loving, perfectly wise, perfectly powerful divine being – whom we know as the triune God. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”
Matthew 6:33).
All Ladies of Good Shepherd!!!
Please join the Ladies’ Group in an evening social November 10th The Blu Grotto, on Fleming Island, 1811 Town Center Blvd. next to O2B Kidz at 6:30 pm.
The menu boasts of ‘healthy’ Italian Cuisine, ranging from salads, to individual-sized pizza, to full entrees.
See www.blugrotto.com for more information!
Please invite a friend!
Sign-up sheet is posted in Fellowship Hall!
Special Thanks………………
…to our Pioneer Leaders and helpers who make this group so interesting and fun for our younger members and children from outside the congregation!
….to all the volunteers who generously donate their time each week to our congregation, doing the “behind the scenes” tasks that are not noticed unless they are missed! Sign changers, hymn board set-up, MIDI and musicians, bulletin folders, designated shoppers for preschool and church supplies, errand runners, a small example of those who pitch in!
….to the lawn cutters, bush trimmers, and leaf blowers who take a turn in maintaining our property.
….to the dedicated preschool staff who works many many hours preparing class materials, cleaning, and nurturing for our little missionaries in the classroom! We have an A+ classroom thanks to their hard work!
….to the leadership, church cleaners, Altar Guild, ushers, nursery workers, communion assistants, greeters, youth group leaders and all others who volunteer their time and sometimes their backs to our congregation weekly!
….to our Pastor for serving us faithfully and diligently with the Word of God and His message of salvation for us!
…to our Heavenly Father for the mercies bestowed on us!
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
A
mighty Fortress is our God,
A trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from every need
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil Foe
Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On Earth is not his equal.
Martin Luther
Thanksgiving Day Worship
“Oh, Give Thanks Unto the Lord!”
Please plan to attend our special worship service on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, at 10:00 a.m.
Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.
A Quiet Chamber Kept for Thee
Ladies’ Advent by Candlelight
All ladies of the congregation are invited to attend our second Advent by Candlelight Service on Sunday, November 30th, at 4:00 p.m.
Ladies will be asked to “adopt a table”, dressing it with their CHRISTmas or seasonal decorations, providing place settings as well. Ladies’ will also be asked to preferably make a special dessert to share. Coffee and juice will be provided.
This is a participatory devotional service designed to be held at candlelight, to help set the tone for the upcoming holiday season. Keeping our eyes and hearts focused on the Advent, the coming of our King.
The service is for women by women so please invite your friends and your young daughters to share in this devotional service!
Further information regarding location and set-up is forthcoming!
Looking Ahead in
2008-2009