| Update
May 12th, 2006
Dear
Good Shepherd,
Good Morning.
Well,
next month is the event we've been anticipating for three
years, the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
It will very possibly be the most important General Convention
ever held. The Episcopal Church has been asked by the rest
of the Anglican Communion to accept the recommendations of
the Windsor report and pull back from the unbiblical decisions
of the last General Convention in 2003 with regard to human
sexuality or risk expulsion. To do this the Episcopal Church
must express regret for breaking the bonds of affection that
exist between all Anglican provinces, place a moratorium on
any future consecrations of non-celibate homosexual bishops,
and agree to a moratorium on same sex blessings.
As
of this writing, it does not look as though the Episcopal
Church will agree to these conditions but we continue to pray
that God will move hearts and minds.
Good
Shepherd is an Anglican Communion
Network parish which means that no matter what happens
at General Convention, we are committed to remaining faithful
to the teachings of the bible as God's Word and committed
to those Anglicans around the world who do the same. This
commitment to Jesus Christ and his gospel is not always an
easy thing. Jesus, in fact, promises that those who follow
him will be treated just as he was. Believers will be persecuted.
So when we experience hardship, trial, and even rejection
we need not despair or be surprised. That is precisely how
Jesus was treated. It is an honor and a blessing to be counted
worthy of such things.
Earlier
this year I wrote an article about all of this, that I am
forwarding to you again as this
week‘s Weekly Article. I pray that you will all read it
in preparation for the coming month.
The
next few months, possibly the next few years, will be difficult.
But you can be sure of two things. First, with God's help
we will stand firm and not surrender our faith. Second, God
will be with us and provide all that we need every step of
the way. It is our part simply to trust and obey.
Anne
and I love you all and we know that in all
things God works for the good of those who love him and have
been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
UPDATE
CONTENTS
FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUNDAY (Coming Up!)
GOOD
SHEPHERD SUNDAY
CHICKEN
BBQ and RUMMAGE SALE REPORT
MRS.
GOLBERG
NADIA
REPORT
ON THE UPCOMING CONFIRMATION/BAPTISM/RECEPTION
HAVE
YOU…
SOLEMN/FIRST
COMMUNION SCHEDULE
Second
notice…HOME GROUPS
A
NEW BIBLE STUDY
FAMILY
AND FRIENDS SUNDAY
ADULT
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: “THE HARD QUESTIONS”
FINAL
DATE FOR THE CAMPING TRIP
PARENTS
MEETING
CHOIR
MEETING
NEWS:
FAMILY
AND FRIENDS SUNDAY:
is coming up on May 21 st (that's NEXT SUNDAY). If you haven't
invited someone already, pray that God will open the door
for you to invite a friend, co-worker, or family-member who
doesn't already attend a church, who is looking for a church,
or who is a non-believer.
The
Family and Friends luncheon will be held after the 10:30am
service. This is a covered dish, so please bring
food . Last time there were lots of people and
plenty of food for all. We'll hopefully have even more this
time. If you don't bring food or a guest, please come
to church anyway.
Remember,
if a guest or a visitor comes to church and sees a lot of
empty pews it sends a powerfully negative signal. If, on the
other hand, the church is full, kids are everywhere, there
are lots smiles and handshakes and open warm greetings it
sends a powerfully positive signal: “This church is alive.
Something is going on here.”
This
won't be hard to do because this place is bustling, friendly,
and alive every Sunday morning. Moreover, we've had fantastic
attendance all year. So keep on keeping on. You're doing great.
Remember, even if you don't bring food or a guest, it is really
important to be there on Family and Friends Sunday (and, of
course, on every Sunday) to support the further growth of
the church and, most importantly, to offer praise and thanksgiving
to the Lord.
We've
had a great deal of growth lately. We've added 12 new members
since January, which is very, very good. People are hearing
the gospel of Jesus Christ at Good Shepherd and being welcomed
into the Body. You are being great missionaries and evangelists
and God is blessing us. I know summer is coming on fast, but
God wants to reach people with the saving message of Jesus
Christ even when its nice outside.
GOOD
SHEPHERD SUNDAY:
Thank you to everyone who helped set up for Good Shepherd
Sunday and especially to the vestry for getting up so early
in the morning to make breakfast. I'll keep the historical
documents and photos on display in the parish hall for one
more Sunday so that those who were out of town or unable to
make brunch can see them.
CHICKEN
BBQ and RUMMAGE SALE:
Thanks to all who organized and participated in both events
last Saturday. Both were very successful. These are not only
fundraisers, the extremely low prices we offer on the items
at the Rummage sale make it possible for the poorer people
of the South Side to buy things they normally couldn't afford.
So while these events do raise funds for the church, they
also serve the community. Thank you again to everyone who
organized and took part in these highly successful events.
MRS.
GOLDBERG:
Rabbi Ron Goldberg's wife is recovering well from her accident.
Thank you to Linda Dean for organizing the remarkable volunteer
effort at Good Shepherd and thank you to all of the people
who took time to shop, clean, baby-sit, transport, and/or
help in any way. I can't tell you how grateful I am to all
of you for stepping forward to help in this way and how much
it means to the Goldbergs. This is exactly how Christians
should help fellow believers. It warms the heart. Venu still
needs help so it's not over, but I did want to let you know
how much of an impact your work is having and how thankful
I am to have such a great congregation.
NADIA:
This will be Nadia's last Sunday with us. Please take some
time to thank her for all of her fine work and dedication.
She has served us well so please express your appreciation.
REPORT
ON THE UPCOMING CONFIRMATIONS/BAPTISMS/RECEPTIONS:
Well, earlier this week it seemed as though Confirmations
were going to be cancelled. But it turns out negotiations
are still proceeding and we hope to have confirmations here
at Good Shepherd on Wednesday Evening the 24 th as originally
planned.
SO
FAR: Richard
Moat, Michelle White, Carolyn and Darrell Dean, Tina Smith,
Joanne Moat, Elizabeth Finch, Bill Lane, and Lee Bronson
have expressed a desire to either be confirmed or received.
This is great. There are a few more people I'd like to contact
as well.
This
will also be a wonderful opportunity to be Baptized.
SO
FAR: Megan
and Madison (Tina Smith's daughters) are preparing for baptism.
Requirements
for Confirmation, (adult) Baptism, and Reception:
1.
If you are committed to a weekly bible study or come to Christian
Education on a weekly basis then you are prepared for Confirmation.
If not then you will be asked to commit to a bible study or
Sunday morning group.
2.
There two mandatory meetings for everyone hoping to be confirmed/received/baptized.
The first meeting will be to discuss what it means to be confirmed
into the Anglican _expression of Christianity and the second
will be to discuss the service itself. I will publish these
dates as soon as I get a better idea of who will be attending.
PS:
We
will also be offering lake Baptisms this year at the Parish
Picnic coming up in June at Cole Park so if you would like
to wait until the picnic please feel free, but if you are
participating in the Solemn Communion program, you will want
to be baptized by Bishop Bena or at some point before Solemn
Communion Sunday.
HAVE YOU…. shared
your faith with a friend? The vestry has challenged all of
us to share our faith in Jesus Christ with at least one non-believer
each month. You are, judging by our recent growth, obviously
doing a great job and at that! If we continue at the same
rate God will have added 33 new believers/members to our fellowship
by the end of the year . We're beginning a new month.
Have you shared your faith?
SOLEMN/FIRST
COMMUNION: SCHEDULE
Evening
Meditations
6:30-7:30pm
Tuesdays
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at the rectory (call 773-4810 for directions)
Retreat
Day
Saturday
9am to 4pm, June 3
At
Good Shepherd
Solemn
Communion Sunday
10:30
am June 4
At
Good Shepherd
Second
notice…HOME
GROUPS: Since
I published last week's Article, many have expressed interest
in home groups. More information will be forthcoming, but
it seems like I already have at least three possibly four
homes and leaders. This is fantastic. As I mentioned in the
article, I'll start training sessions for home group leaders
this Summer, so stay tuned.
A
NEW BIBLE STUDY: Camille
Lane's husband, Bill Lane, is a new member of Good Shepherd.
He has been attending the Men's Bible Study and Breakfast
for a few months now. He also has led a bible study of his
own for several years and is an experienced teacher. He will
be starting up a new bible study here at Good Shepherd this
summer which will meet every Monday evening at 7:00pm. The
study will likely start meeting in June and all are invited
to attend. More information will be coming so stay tuned.
” THE HARD QUESTIONS”: Our
current Adult Education series is based on the book, “Reason
to Believe” by Dr. RC Sproul . You can find
this book in most bookstores. And I'm almost positive you
can find it at Arrowhead.
This
week we take up the question, “ Is it narrow-minded and bigoted
to believe Christ is only one way to God?”
I've
had a number of people ask this question over the last few
months so it should be an interesting class. If you have this
question or know someone who does, join us and invite your
friends. Hope to see you there.
FINAL
DATE FOR THE CAMPING TRIP: The
vestry is planning for the second annual Good Shepherd Camping
Trip. The Final Date has been set for July 7-9. The cost will
be 22$ per night for Campers, and 16$ per night for tents.
For more details please speak to Fred Moat.
PARENT'S
MEETING:
There will be a brief meeting of all parents whose children
are involved in Solemn Communion/First Communion after the
10:30am service on Family and Friends Sunday. The purpose
of the meeting will be to discuss the upcoming retreat/graduation
day.
CHOIR
MEETING:
The choir will be meeting at the regular time this coming
Thursday (May 18 th ). I will be there during the first 20
minutes to half-hour to talk about the good work you've done
this year, the mission for next year, the search for a new
organist/director and to answer some of the questions I know
you all have. I hope to see you there.
Good News for the Week
And
we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed
to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called;
those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he
also glorified. (Romans
8:28-30)
Don't forget to....BRING A FRIEND TO
CHURCH!
Daily Schedule for the week of Sunday May 12th, 2006
Monday:
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Study
6:30 p.m. First Light Bible Study: Q and A
6:30
p.m. SOLEMN/FIRST COMMUNION
7:00
p.m. First Light Bible Study: Discussion (Matthew 14)
Wednesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Matt's
writing/study day
Thursday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
5:30 p.m. Shepherd's Bowl
6:30 p.m. New Beginners Bible Study
7:30 p.m. Choir Practice
Friday
6:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast/Bible Study
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Saturday:
10:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study
SUNDAY
MAY 21st , 2006 EASTER 6 FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUNDAY
8:00am Holy Communion II and Sermon
9:15-10:15 a.m. Christian Education for all Ages
10:30 am Holy Communion II, Music and Sermon
God bless you all
In
Christ,
Matt+
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