Seven
Mission Goals for 2007
1.
An active youth ministry in place by the end of the year
2.
Hosting a quarterly Friends and Family Sunday (where we
invite non-believing family and friends to church)
3.
100% parish participation in the Franklin Graham festival
(i.e. everyone gets trained and brings a non-believing friend
to the festival itself)
4.
The vestry is seeking100% participation in Bible Study.
5
At least 30 new believers by this time next year.
6.
An active discipling program by the end of the year with
at least 4 leaders in discipling relationships.
7.
gathering at least 100 people for worship every Sunday.
Dear
Good Shepherd,
Good
Morning. Have you ever asked yourself what it means to be
an Anglican? Our first and primary loyalties must always
be to Jesus Christ. As believers we are Christians first,
Anglican Christians second. But what does it mean to be
an Anglican Christian and not a Presbyterian Christian or
Methodist Christian. What is distinctive about Anglicanism?
One
way that Anglicans have identified themselves is by adherance
to a document called the 39 Articles of Religion. This document
or "confession of faith" was written in the 16th
century. It is not intended to stand apart from or over
the Bible. Rather it is meant to stand as a ready summary
of 39 core teachings of scripture. The 39 Articles of Religion
are not infallible. If one of the 39 Articles in any way,
contradicts the teachings of the bible, then the article
is in error...not the bible.
But
the 39 Articles of Religion have stood the test of time
and not been found wanting. For that reason, it is a good
thing for Anglicans to be familiar with them and familiar
with the biblical texts that they summarize.
Next
week, we'll start a series of articles on the 39 Articles
that will last, well, 39 weeks (at least).
In
preparation for this series I will be posting the 39 Articles
on the website for you to read. In the meantime, here is
a good link for another online version:
http://www.acl.asn.au/39articles.html
If
you have a prayerbook, you can also find the entire text
of the Articles printed in the Historical Documents section
in the back.
Be
warned, it is written in 16th century English, so it is
a bit difficult to wade through. But keep at it. You'll
be happy you did. Not only will you read some very good
teaching, but you'll have a better sense for what it means
to be Anglican.
Next
week we'll start with Article 1.
UPDATE
CONTENTS
SUMMER AT GOOD SHEPHERD
SOFTBALL AND PARISH PICNIC REPORT
DISCIPLESHIP
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY ICE-CREAM SOCIAL
SUNDAY SCHOOL THROUGH THE SUMMER
SERMON SERIES
OPERATION ANDREW: UPDATE
CHRISTIAN RESOURCES ON THE WEB
SERVING THE BODY
SIGN UPDATE from 3i GRAPHICS
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER
ADULT EDUCATION SERIES: HERESIES AND CULTS
BIBLE STUDIES
NEWS
SUMMER AT GOOD SHEPHERD:
Some churches go to sleep during the summer. Others virtually
shut down. Not Good Shepherd. Worship and bible studies
will continue throughout as regularly scheduled? Why? For
believers worship and bible study are sources of food and
strength. That means that while Christians take Sabbath
rests from other things, like work or service in the church,
Christians do not “rest” from worship or prayer
or the scriptures. In fact, in the bible these things are
considered “rest”. They are essential elements
of Christian living. Even on vacation, be sure to continue
your daily and weekly habits of prayer, study and worship.
If you stay in town, then be sure to participate at Good
Shepherd.
SOFTBALL and the PARISH PICNIC REPORT: We
had a great picnic last Sunday, one of the best we've had.
Thank you to everyone who came and to those who brought
extra food and to those who invited guests. We had
about ten or more guests. Many of them are interested in
Good Shepherd and hopefully will be here this Sunday as
well. Be sure to welcome new faces.
DISCIPLESHIP:
I know its short notice, but anyone who can come to a follow-up
discipleship session, we'll be having one again this Sunday
at 5, lasting no more than an hour. If you can't make it
please contact me and I will try and update you and see
about getting you paired up. If you were not able to come
to the initial meeting but would still like to take part
in this new ministry, please talk to me (Anne+).
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY ICE-CREAM SOCIAL:
The Women's Bible Study is looking to host an outreaching/evangelistic
Ice Cream Social in late August, whereby those of you who
want to invite friends and family to a church function will
be able to do so. It will also be open to the neighborhood
as an outreach. If you would like to assist in anyway, or
have opinions about dates, please talk to me (Anne+) this
weekend.
SUNDAY SCHOOL THROUGH THE SUMMER: There
will be Sunday School for all ages through the summer. The
Senior High will be meeting with Micah in the library. The
Junior High and Elementary will be upstairs on the third
floor. We will be doing a variety of activities and projects
through the summer, so please come and invite your friends.
And bring your parents, there will be class for them downstairs
with Father Matt as usual.
SERMON SERIES: Today’s sermon is
the fourth in the series on Acts chapter 2. The previous
three sermons may be found on the
website.
OPERATION ANDREW UPDATE.
Now that Franklin Graham has come and gone, we are far more
equipped and prepared to go out and invite people to come
and hear the gospel. Operation Andrew was just that: looking
for people who need Jesus (and that includes everyone who
is not a believer), praying for an opportunity, inviting
them to the Franklin Graham Festival, making sure they get
there.
You know how to do this. Many of you or most of you have.
Now it is time to take these lessons and make them part
of your every day life. We should always be looking for
people who need Jesus, praying for opportunities, inviting
them to church to hear the gospel, and making sure they
get here.
The next big event for non-believers is going to be a family
and friends ice-cream social on a Sunday morning in late
August (see above). I’ll announce the date later.
In the meantime, look, pray, and invite the people around
you to church.
CHRISTIAN RESOURCES ON THE WEB: IF you
are looking for a good way to be fed and informed on the
web, the following websites are great places to start.
I highly recommend Alistair Begg for great solid sermons.
I download Dr. Begg’s sermon every morning and listen
every day. He is one of the best preachers I’ve ever
heard:
http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Truth_for_Life/
Another fantastic preacher is Dr. Charles Swindoll:
http://www.insight.org/site/PageServer?pagename=new_home
Hank Hanegraff hosts a daily call-in radio show that deals
with both a basic and complex questions about the bible
and Christian life.
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/bible_answer_man/
For some deep theological/philosophical teaching, Dr. RC
Sproul is perfect:
http://www.ligonier.org/
For some seriously intense verse by verse biblical exposition,
try John Piper:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Radio/
All of these shows are daily and all of them are availible
for MP3 download.
Here is a site that you may have already heard about featuring
the evangelism method of Kirk Cameron. Be sure to watch
the actual videos of Cameron sharing his faith with people
on the street. There are some very good tips and methods
on this site and if you are looking for help:
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/index.shtml
SERVING THE BODY:
This is the fourth notice and still, onlytwo volunteers
have stepped forward. If you have not volunteered for any
of these ministries and you are not already doing something
else, please offer your service to the body.
If you are a member of Good Shepherd, you should have at
least one volunteer service or role, something you do to
help build up the body and to glorify God. If you are not
sure what you should do or how best to help, the best way
to figure this out here is a list of ministries you can
join:
If you are already volunteering please be there when you
are scheduled and don’t always get a substitute. Frequently
one or two people end up doing the jobs that others have
committed to do. This is simply unkind. Please put others
first.
Ministries:
*Acolytes (one Sunday a month)
*Altar Guild
*Nursery (desperate need…especially for the 8:00am
service)
*Sextant (cleaning duties with a team on a weekly rotation)
* Shepherd’s Bowl (on a team, one Thursday a month)
* Teller (help count and record offerings after the 10:30am
service)
* Lay Eucharistic Minister (help lead worship and distribute
communion)
*Ushers & Greeters (should be once a month if everyone
shows up when assigned)
*Readers (Approximately once a month at the 10:30am service)
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER: Remember. You are
invited to gather for prayer this Sunday between 10:15 and
10:30am in the library. A prayer group meets there at that
time every Sunday to pray that God will be glorified, lives
changed, and believers fed in the service. You have no idea
how much God can and does work through your prayers. What
you do in that 15 minute period is vital to the worship
of Good Shepherd. The prayer group only meets from 10:15am
to 10:30am in the library before the service. You are more
than welcome to join.
ADULT EDUCATION SERIES:
HERESIES AND CULTS:
This week we’ll finish our discussion of the Jehova’s
Witnesses and answer any outstanding questions you may have
about them. Next we’ll discuss the Marcionite Heresy,
an ancient error regarding the bible, and how that error
plays into and effect various cults and heretical movements
today.
BIBLE STUDIES: All the bible studies are
up and running this week.
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.
Good News for the Week
"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and
in your heart” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord,"
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you
believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that
you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone
who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12For
there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the
same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call
on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord will be saved." 14How, then, can they call on
the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe
in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they
hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they
preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How
beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
(Romans 10:8-15)
Don't
forget to....BRING A FRIEND TO CHURCH!
Daily Schedule for the week of Sunday June 22nd, 2007
Monday:
pastor's day off
Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Study
6:00 p.m. First Light Bible Study
Wednesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
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
Pastor's sermon prep day
Saturday:
10:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study
4:30
p.m. Hebrew Class
Sunday
June 29th, 2007 SUNDAY
MORNING WORSHIP (SEASON OF PENTECOST)
8:00am
Holy Communion II and Sermon
9:15-10:15
a.m. Christian Education for All Ages
10:15-10:30
a.m. Prayer in the Library
11:00am
Holy Communion II, music, and a sermon
God bless you all
In Christ,
Matt+
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