Dear Good Shepherd,

I'm sitting here in the foggy cold-medicine induced haze. Aedan is jumping on the bed next to me and Emma is running in small circles nearby singing the Ten Commandments song (we've set the Ten Commandments to the 1970's Coke-a-Cola commercial song) over and over again, loudly.

I'm hoping that I will remember all the news that needs to be put out. If I don't please forgive me.

I do want to start off by expressing my regret for being laid up this week. I missed vestry meeting and Thursday Night Bible Study. I hate it when that happens but I was knocked flat. God must have wanted me to lay low for some reason. In any case, I’ve gotten some good rest out of it.

While I still have the presence of mind I should get to the update...

It is not that long this week but there are some important items so be sure to read the whole thing.

WEEKLY ARTICLE:
When sharing your faith or discussing some passage of the bible have you ever heard someone say, “well, that’s just your interpretation”? If you have, this week's article is for you. I address the question of biblical interpretation and explain how you as an individual can approach the Word of God with confidence knowing that God is speaking to you through it.

Here's the news:

UPDATE CONTENT
"NEW" NEWS
FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUNDAY

RUMMAGE SALE AND CHICKEN BBQ

FAMILY ISSUES

THE BIBLE ON CD

SERMON SERIES ON MARRIAGE

STEWARDSHIP
THE NEXT ACOLYTE PRACTICE
IF YOU SIGNED UP
THE WORLD THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL

NOT QUITE “NEW” NEWS

BIBLE STUDIES



"NEW" NEWS:

FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUNDAY: Family and Friends Sunday is THIS COMING Sunday September 24th! If you have not invited anyone, please do! Try to think of someone who does not already belong to a church or who has never surrendered his or her life to Jesus Christ. This is the easiest and sometimes most effective way to fulfill the Great Commission:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Remember also that there will be a covered dish luncheon after the 10:30 service to give us an opportunity to meet and greet our guests and to enjoy one another's company. So please bring a guest and some food to share.

THE RUMMAGE SALE AND CHICKEN BBQ: will be held on Saturday September 30th. There is a sign-up sheet in the parish hall.

FAMILY ISSUES: IF you are having some family or marriage issues, Christianity Today has a great resource page with links to lots of articles addressing every aspect of family life. Another great resource is Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family website. Take some time this week to check them out.

THE BIBLE ON CD: Some have asked where they might be able to order the New International Version of the Bible on audio CD. If you click on this link, you will be able to order it directly online.

SERMON SERIES ON MARRIAGE: I’ll preach the last sermon in the series this Sunday. The sermon will be entitled: Building a Family of Faith. The whole series will be available online by next week.

STEWARDSHIP: It’s getting to be that time of the year again. If you are a member of the parish we’ll be sending our pledge cards. At Good Shepherd, those in leadership do their best to use your pledges and gifts in a godly, faithful and generous way to support the poor, further the Gospel, and maintain the gifts God has given us. This is the work of the Body of Christ all believers are called to pitch in. I encourage everyone to commit to the ten percent tithe in your pledge this year. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what the prophet Malachi says:

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 3:10-12)

THE NEXT ACOLYTE PRACTICE: Will be Saturday October 14th. I’m telling you ahead of time so that you can put it on your calendars. Thank you to Jesse Vail and Jake Dean who helped lead the last practice and thank you to all of our acolytes, new and experienced.

IF YOU SIGNED UP: To take part in a ministry of some sort at the Missions Fair and have yet to be called, you will be called this coming week. I meant to do that this week, but I’ve been set off kilter by this cold/flue thing. .

ADULT EDUCATION SERIES: THE WORLD, THE FLESH, AND THE DEVIL: Facing Temptation in a Fallen World will continue this Sunday:

Last time we met, we started to discuss the cultural ramifications of the Enlightenment. One of those ramifications is called “naturalism”. Naturalism is the assertion that everything that happens in the material universe can be and must be explained by an appeal to natural causes. Naturalism disallows any appeal to God or supernatural intervention in the material world.

Naturalism has had an enormous impact on the way people in western nations including the United States think about reality and live their lives and it has resulted in an overly skeptical view of God, the bible and matters of faith.

In fact, as we began to discover last time, approaching the world from a naturalist perspective forecloses a reasonable avenue of inquiry. For example, if Jesus really did rise from the dead there would be no way for a convinced naturalist to arrive at that truth.

This Sunday we’ll talk more about naturalism and its effects, both good (and as we saw last time, there has been some good) and bad. We’ll also, hopefully, begin a discussion of post-modernism.

We are investigating all of these issues through the lens of Charles Coleson’s book, “How Now Shall We Live?” which I highly recommend.

NOT QUITE "NEW" NEWS
BIBLE STUDIES: If you are not in a bible study or you have been but have, well, kinda faded away this fall is a great time to start or return. God speaks and leads you directly through his Word. The bible is essential for growth, peace and strength. It is food for your spirit. With it, you grow and mature in a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Without, you’ll starve. All members of Good Shepherd, especially those in leadership, are encouraged to participate in at least one bible study or Christian education program a week. Several of our bible studies have run throughout the summer, but a few: Tuesday Morning, the New Beginners, the Women’s Bible Study have taken a break. All three have just restarted, so it would be great to get into them as soon as possible. The others, Men’t Bible Study and Breakfast and First Light are ongoing and you can also join them at any time.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Starts a new year this Saturday the 16th. All women are invited and welcome to come enjoy the bible, enjoy some very fine pastries, and enjoy the fellowship.

MEN’S BREAKFAST & BIBLE STUDY: Is in the middle of a fascinating study of Moses’ life in the book of Exodus. It is a story of faithful leadership, courage, and action in the face of danger, rebellion and violent enemies. All men are invited and encouraged to come. See the schedule below for times.

NEW BEGINNERS: Important NEWS: If you have never studied the bible before and would like to know how to hear God's voice speaking to you through his Word, this is the class for you. We start at square one, assuming that you know nothing at all about the bible. We teach you how to find passages, how to understand the different types of literature in the books, the basic storyline of the bible and how to apply what you read to your life and circumstances.

FIRST LIGHT BIBLE STUDY: Is an intermediate level bible study designed specifically for those who have graduated from the New Beginner’s program. All are welcome, but if you have not been though New Beginners, you might be a bit lost.

TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: This is the first Bible Study I started at Good Shepherd. It is an informal verse by verse walk through the entire bible. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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
13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. (Colossians 1:13-23)

Don't forget to....BRING A FRIEND TO CHURCH!

Daily Schedule for the week of Sunday September 24th, 2006

Monday:
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Pastor's day off

Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Study
6:30 p.m. First Light Bible Study
8:00 p.m. Choir Practice

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


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

RUMMAGE SALE AND BBQ

Sunday October 1st, 2006: Praise and Worship the Lord!
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,