Take a Lenten Journey!
Ash Wednesday, February 25th marks the beginning of the season of Lent in the Church Year. Lent spans 40 days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, a time when we prepare our hearts and minds to hear the passion story once again. It is a time to focus on redirecting our lives according to God’s will, as we travel with Jesus towards Jerusalem and the events surrounding his suffering and death. Lent has also been a time to welcome people back to the church community who have been away. In the early Christian church, Lent was the time when new converts learned about Jesus, in an intense period of instruction. This period of study led to new life in the community through baptism and Holy Communion at Easter.
Perhaps you are familiar with the traditional idea of giving something up for Lent. Many Christians mark these days of Lent by giving up some particular food or activity, as a way to remind them to prepare for Easter. This can be a very meaningful experience. However, this Lent, consider taking on something new, rather than giving something up. Take on a new discipline, like Bible reading, journaling, or prayer. Consider inviting a friend to worship or Bible Study. Or, consider one of the many opportunities for spiritual growth going on at Good Shepherd this Lent. The pages that follow include many different ways for you to grow in faith during this Lenten season.
Here are some exciting Lenten opportunities at LCGS:
Wednesday Lenten Worship and Soup Supper
Join friends and family for soup supper and worship each Wednesday beginning March 4th. Worship will feature a beautiful musical setting, “Holden Evening Prayer”, and a special dramatic presentation of the Bible story.
Supper is at 6 p.m., followed by worship at 7 p.m.
Midweek Bible Study: Galatians
The midweek Bible study will take up Paul’s Letter to the Galatians during the season of Lent. All are welcome Mondays at 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 1 p.m.
Sunday Morning Adult Study: Loving Jesus continues
All are welcome on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall for this continuing book study. Even if you have not read the whole book, you are welcome to attend and participate in the conversation.
Hosannas to Alleluias: The Journey of Holy Week
On Sunday, March 29th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. all are invited to spend the evening preparing for Holy Week. We will encounter the events of the final week of Jesus’ life, leading to his death and resurrection. All are welcome to this cross-generational event!
Stations of the Cross artwork project
Last year many gathered to pray the Stations of the Cross during the day on Good Friday. The stations were put together with help from several youth who chose a station and submitted an artistic representation. This year we invite you to consider creating artwork for one of the stations.
Easter Vigil ~ tell the story
Our Easter Vigil worship (April 11th) centers around telling the stories of God’s saving act through history. This year, we hope to present these stories in a new way. Consider joining with a few others to present a dramatic reading of the story of Daniel in the lions’ den, or volunteer to read a poetic version of the creation story, accompanied by instruments. There is great potential for creativity here, as we gather around the campfire and tell the story.
The list could go on and on… So, consider taking on something this Lent, and may you be blessed along your Lenten journey!
Peace,
Pastor Kathy
Sunday Adult Study
A book study of Loving Jesus by Mark Allen Powell is being offered on Sundays at 9:30 A.M. Dr. Powell is
the Robert & Phyllis Leatherman Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Loving Jesus is an examination of biblical spirituality for modern life. Drawing on the rich Christian tradition and his own
experiences as a pastor, professor and self-proclaimed “Jesus-Freak”, Powell shows how simple religious practices can move us deeper into the heart of God and bring new depth and passion to our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Copies of the book can be purchased for $15. Call the church office to reserve a copy. —Pastor Kathy
Midweek Bible Study:
Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
Beginning Monday, March 2nd the midweek Bible study will dive into Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. This book, filled with passion, is written to a church community in crisis, and offers a response to a situation that threatens the truth of the gospel. All are welcome Mondays at 7:30 p.m. or Thursdays at 1 p.m. as we explore what Galatians can teach us today.
—Pastor Kathy
Stations of the Cross Artwork Project
Are you an artist? Do you want to share your gifts with others? Looking for inspiration for another project? Then we need your help! On Good Friday (April 10th) the church will again be open for anyone who desires to come and pray the Stations of the Cross. We are looking for individuals to submit artwork to illustrate each of the stations. Any visual media will work… painting or drawing, sculpture, even a written poem. If you are
interested, please talk to Pastor Kathy () to select one of the
stations. Then over these weeks of Lent, reflect on the passage and create something to share.
—Pastor Kathy
Hosannas to Alleluias:
Take a Walk through Holy Week
A Cross-Generational Event on March 29th
The events of Holy Week are the centerpiece to our faith story. During this week we experience God in a new way, through the entire range of human emotion. We move from the hope and majesty of Palm Sunday, to the
intimate conversations of Maundy Thursday, through the despair and sorrow of Good
Friday and the uncertainty of Saturday, to the rising sun of Easter morning.
All are invited to an evening of exploration
as together we look forward to this amazing week with activities and worship. We will learn about some of the history behind our ritual celebration, and explore new ways to mark this holy time. We will gather in the
Fellowship Hall from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner
is provided. Please sign up in the narthex or call the church office (302-478-3030) if you would like to attend.
—Pastor Kathy
Stewarding Our Spiritual Gifts
Stewardship is often talked about in terms of money, time and talents. Scripture does talk about stewardship of these things, but the New Testament also talks about stewardship of our spiritual gifts.
What are spiritual gifts? A good working definition is that given by Christian Schwartz: “A spiritual gift is a special ability that God gives…to each member of the body of Christ to be used for the development of the church.” Examples include artistic creativity, music, leadership, teaching, discernment and prayer. Spiritual gifts may include talents, but are not limited to talents. It is also important to note that spiritual gifts are not given solely for the benefit of the individual, but for the sake of building up the church.
According to the New Testament, spiritual gifts are the foundation of ministry. Every Christian is called to ministry in one form or another (what Luther called the priesthood of all believers), and God grants every believer spiritual gifts to empower the ministry he or she is called to. Sadly, while the New Testament consistently affirms that every Christian has at least one spiritual gift, and usually several, surveys indicate that 80% of Christians have no idea what their spiritual gifts are. Moreover, people are often involved in ministries for which they are not particularly gifted, simply to “plug a gap,” while the joyful, life-giving, gift-oriented ministry they are actually called to goes undone.
During the season of Easter, the Stewardship Committee will be conducting a Spiritual Gifts Stewardship Campaign designed to help the members of Good Shepherd discover their spiritual gifts and discern the ways God might be calling them to put those gifts to use for the building up of the church, the body of Christ. Look for more information on this campaign in the April newsletter.
—-The Stewardship Committee
Council Corner
Council met on February 11, 2009.
January is usually a lighter month for contributions. This year was typical with only 82% of pledged amounts received. In January 2008, 86% of pledged amounts were received.
The general topics we discussed were –
The task force for our staffing transition should begin its work in about 3 weeks.
Two committees need chairpersons.
Committees will be asked to begin their mission planning which has not been done before.
Council installation date will be March 8.
Possibility of a one day Council retreat
The Pastors’ report covered –
The success of the Youth Dinner
Teaching confirmands in grades 3 to 7
Loving Jesus study well attended
Enjoyable AbleArts show and the group’s
appreciation for the use of our space
Increased frequency of hospital visitations
Stewardship Committee campaign planned
around our spiritual gifts
Living our new Mission Statement
Please contact any Council member with your
suggestions and concerns.
On behalf of Council,
Jim Simpson
2009 Council
Members OfficeCommittee Assignments
Kevin Loney PresidentPlanning
Kay Gallogly Vice PresidentHealth Ministry, Mutual Ministry
Debbie Forney SecretaryEvangelism
Malcolm Styer* TreasurerFinance, Endowment
Michael Craley*Christian Education
John CrumStewardship
Steve HallstedProperty, Endowment
Donna Harris*Worship and Music
Sam Holloway*Social Ministry
Doreen McGrathFellowship
Sharon Oslin*Youth Ministry
Jim SimpsonAudit
* Elected this year
Handbells
For the prelude on March 8, the Memorial Handbell
Choir will play the following:
Be Still My Soul
by Jean Sibelius,
arranged by Cathy Moklebust
Celebration
by Cynthia Dobruski
Music Notes
On February 7, three of our Good Shepherd youth were honored to participate in the Delaware
All-State Band:
Stephanie Sauerbrunn, flute
Elizabeth Sauerbrunn, bass clarinet
Christine Sauerbrunn, trumpet
During the next few weeks, we will have the opportunity to hear these young ladies play solo
instrumentals during the Sunday morning worship service preludes.
I would like to offer my thanks to Emily Loney who played her oboe for us during the prelude on February 15.
Instruments will be part of our worship often during the Lent season. We will hear our Instrumental Ensemble on March 1 and April 5 during the prelude and postlude. There are additionally during Lent a few choral pieces that are accompanied by wind instruments.
Wednesday Vespers Music
Special music for our Wednesday Vespers services will be provided by several Good Shepherd musicians.
February 25Good Shepherd Senior Choir
March 4Steve Hallsted
March 11Kaye Tyson and Good Shepherd Youth Choir
March 18Jeanmarie Braddock
March 25 Sally Ernsberger
April 1St. Cecilia Players
—David Bowlsbey
Calling All Shutterbugs!
Do you enjoy taking snapshots at family gatherings to preserve the memories of special events? Would you be willing to do the same for your church family? We’d like to collect photos of the life of Good Shepherd in 2009 to be used in a slideshow at the 2010 Annual Meeting. Bring your camera, and start snapping away!
—Pastor Bob
From the Evangelism Committee
The next Movie Night will be
Sunday, May 3 at 6:30 PM.
LUNCH BUNCH – 2009
The Lunch Bunch met on January 22, 2009, to plan the activities for the group for 2009. Following is the proposed Agenda of activities we agreed to:
February 26: A meeting with Pastors Kathy and Bob Ierien. This informal conversation with our pastors will enable us to get to know them better.
March 26: We will meet at the Church and carpool to Newark for lunch at the VITA NOVA. After lunch, we will tour the Lutheran Student Center.
April 23: We will meet at the Church and carpool to Dover for lunch and a tour of the Dickinson House.
May 28: We will meet at the Church for lunch and then carpool to Philadelphia for a visit to old Fort Mifflin, a Revolutionary War fort designed to protect Philadelphia from the British fleet.
June 25: We will meet at the Church and carpool to Karol Hitt Rowan’s home on the Elk River, in Maryland. We will bring our picnic lunch and enjoy the Elk River and its historic significance.
September 24: After lunch at the Church, we will carpool to Wawa Dairy near Lima, PA for a tour of the dairy.
October 22: After lunch at the Church, we will carpool to the Delaware Air National Guard Facility at the
Wilmington Airport.
December (date to be determined): After lunch at the Church, we will carpool to Nemours for a tour of the mansion that will be decorated for Christmas.
Unless otherwise specified, we meet at Noon on the fourth Thursday each month in the Swears Fellowship Hall and enjoy a brown bag lunch together. Beverage and dessert will be provided. All are welcome!
—George Huemmrich
Gifts of Love Reach 27 Countries in 2008 through Lutheran World Relief
Baltimore, February 3, 2009 — Lutheran World Relief has released its annual statement outlining the donation and destination of quilts, layettes, soap, and school, health and sewing kits for 2008.
LWR shipped more than 1,455 tons of quilts and kits to over 740,000 people in 27 countries last year, totaling $13 million. Collectively, U.S. Lutherans and other individuals sewed 455,798 quilts, assembled 103,640 layettes, gathered items for 362,040 health, school and sewing kits, and collected 122,418 pounds of soap.
For the first time, a free, full-color poster is available to congregations and individuals, featuring a map showing both the originating warehouse and the destination of all quilt and kit donations.
“Many people spend countless hours assembling quilts and kits to send around the world. LWR is happy to be able to offer its faithful quilt and kit-making groups and individuals this resource to show where those gifts end up,” said Trevor Knoblich, LWR’s program associate for emergency response.
While LWR estimates that more than 740,000 people directly received quilts and kits, the actual number of people benefiting from this ministry may be even greater, adds Knoblich.
“The report outlines the actual number of people who received quilts and kits, but the impact of these gifts is much more far-reaching, as the recipient often shares the gift with their loved ones. Taking that into account, we estimate that over 1 million people’s lives were touched by these gifts of love,” Knoblich says. Knoblich manages warehouse inventory, coordinates shipments, and makes visits to receiving countries to ensure smooth delivery of aid.
“LWR is thankful for the continued generosity of Lutherans in the U.S.,” says Brenda Meier, LWR’s director for congregation and community engagement. “As needs increase across the world, we pray that groups will continue to donate quilts and kits to LWR as a tangible sign of God’s love.”
LWR accepts donations of quilts and kits at two warehouses in the U.S., in New Windsor, Md. and St. Paul, Minn. LWR recently opened a new warehouse in the Philippines to streamline shipments to the conflict-affected region.
Quilts and kits have long been an important part of LWR’s ministry, with U.S. Lutherans, individuals, and other ecumenical groups donating hundreds of thousands of quilts and millions of dollars in supplies each year. LWR covers the cost of shipping quilts and kits overseas through donations to its Project Comfort Fund.
“As conflict continues and the global food crisis persists, it is more important than ever to show love for our global neighbors,” says Meier. “Giving to the Project Comfort Fund gives people an easy and convenient way to do that.”
To learn more about the Project Comfort Fund, visit lwr.org/beinvolved/comfort.asp. To order a free copy of the full-color poster, call 1-800-LWR-LWR2. An accompanying shipping report is available for download at lwr.org/beinvolved, along with resources on how to assemble LWR quilts and kits.
Submitted by Phil Keller