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The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd |
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
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Announcements & News |
May 2008
Matthew: The Church’s Gospel
Matthew is the only Gospel to use the word church, and Matthew gives more attention than any of the other Gospels to how we are to live together as disciples of Jesus Christ. Pastor Bob will be leading a study of Matthew and what this Gospel has to teach us about community in Christ. The study will be offered at two different times: Mondays from 7:30-9 p.m., beginning April 14th, and Thursdays from 1-2:30 p.m. beginning April 17th. This study will last eight sessions, with a week off for Memorial Day, and will conclude the week of June 9th. Bring your Bible, and bring a friend!
Sunday Adult Study: The Sacraments
What is a sacrament? Why do Lutherans only recognize two, when Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox have seven? More importantly, how does God come to us in the sacraments, and why are they important for our life of faith? Answers to these questions and others will be explored in a six-week study on Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, Sundays at 9:30, April 13th – May 18th in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your Bible, your questions, and a friend!
What Your Pharmacist Wants You to Know
Open any magazine, tune into any radio or television station and we are surrounded by ads for the new drugs that can solve all of our ills. As discoveries are made regarding the new miracle drugs we are also discover that there are many new considerations regarding the medicines that we are taking. This Sunday Seminar will be an opportunity to hear about current approaches to pharmacy. Topics covered will include: medicine compliance, dose sculpting, interactions with herbal drugs, and the difference with medicines for children, adults, and our more senior members. This seminar will be an opportunity for you to find out what happens on the other side of the retail counter and current research.
The Health Ministry Committee offers ‘What Your Pharmacist Wants You to Know’ on May 4th, 2008 following the 11:00 service. Lunch will be offered prior to the seminar start. A sign up sheet can be found on the sign up board.
Join us to an informative discussion on current issues in medication.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
June 15 – 19, 2008 5:30pm to 8:00pm
RAINFOREST ADVENTURE is this year’s VBS theme. Kids will experience Bible Stories through an interactive combination of music, art, science, games, worship and drama in an imaginary rainforest setting.
Look for the display and sign-up sheets in the Narthex! Vacation Bible School is a fun time for kids and helpers alike. We are looking for adults and youth to help with crafts, games, storytelling, puppetry, singing, snacks, dinner, decorating, set-up, publicity, and registration. Sign up for just one day or all five. We can use your help!
Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament (formerly Mission Trophy Golf tournament)
May 16,2008 at the Ed “Porky” Oliver Golf Course 8:00 AM Shot-gun Start
Competition, Trophies, and Fun Helping Give Shelter To Our Neighbors here in New Castle County
NEW BENEFICIARIES Habitat for Humanity Sojourners Place Lutheran Community Services Housing Assistance Program
You can help by playing your favorite game & inviting your golf friends
Registration Deadline: April 18 2008 More Information is on the Church Bulletin Board
Lunch Bunch
The Lunch Bunch meets at noon in the Fellowship Hall on the fourth Thursday of the month. All are welcome, bring your brown bag lunch and enjoy the fellowship while we eat lunch. Beverages and dessert are provided. After lunch we enjoy a program or a field trip to an interesting location.
The proposed schedule of events for the Lunch Bunch in 2008 is as follows:
April 24 – Visit to the Dover Air Force Base Museum
May 22 – Visit the Tri-State Bird Sanctuary
June 26 – Lunch at the Conley-Ward Steak House and a ride in the Water Taxi
Sept. 25 – Visit to the Swedish Museum in Philadelphia
October 23 – Visit to the tall ship Kalmar Nyckel
One of the best books on “evangelism” to come out in the last ten years is The Evangelizing Church: A Lutheran Contribution. One of the unique features of this book, which brings together five teaching theologians of the church and one churchwide executive with a long career in congregational ministry, is that it emphasizes the distinction between evangelism and evangelizing. “[E]vangelism has come to be associated primarily with particular outreach programs of a congregation,” rather than with the calling of every Christian disciple to share the good news of Jesus Christ. “A church committed to evangelism tends to have a program to which only a few laity are committed. In contrast, an evangelizing church puts an evangelical imagination at the center of all its activities.” The point the authors are making is that evangelism tends to be thought of in most ELCA congregations as the work of a particular committee and the pastor; in contrast, they argue that evangelizing is the work of every member of the body of Christ and should be a consideration in the design of every ministry of the church. While this might seem like a matter of semantics, the distinction has real implications for how a congregation does ministry. Take hospitality, for instance. Under the evangelism model, hospitality consists of a committee arranging for greeters, following up with visitors, and perhaps arranging fellowship events where newcomers can meet the members of the congregation. The evangelizing model, on the other hand, recognizes that while these things are important, hospitality is a much broader undertaking. Under this model: the Worship & Music committee asks, “What is the experience of the newcomer in worship? Is the service easy to follow? Do worship leaders help newcomers follow the service?” the Christian Education committee asks, “What is the experience of the newcomer with our education program? Are parents given help in finding the right classroom for their children? Are adults given help in finding and accessing opportunities for study and growth?” the Property committee asks, “Can the newcomer find their way around our facility? Do we have enough signs pointing the way to parking, the sanctuary, fellowship hall, bathrooms, offices, and education spaces? Is our facility attractive and inviting?” the Stewardship committee asks, “Are newcomers given the opportunity to make their offering to God? Do we help the newcomer understand what Christian stewardship is all about? the average member in the pews asks, “Am I a ‘Visitor-Seeking Missile’? Have I welcomed the newcomers here this morning? Can I sit with a newcomer and help them through the service? Can I introduce them to other people in the congregation and to the pastors?” the Evangelism committee is responsible for coordinating, evaluating and focusing the overall evangelizing effort of the congregation, not being the sole responsible parties for that effort. It should come as no surprise that the evangelizing approach is far more effective, as it is more holistic in its approach and involves the whole congregation in this important ministry. Every member of the congregation can and should play a role in extending hospitality to the newcomer. Not sure how to do that? Not sure if the person you see is a newcomer or a member? No problem. Just remember two simple sentences: “I’m sorry, I don’t think I know you. My name is ________.” These simple sentences, delivered with a smile and an extended hand, are all it takes to begin answering our Lord’s call to welcome the stranger. Even if the person is a life-long member, you’ll make a new connection with a brother or sister in Christ and get good practice for welcoming newcomers to the family of faith.
Interested in reading The Evangelizing Church? Contact Pastor Bob. If there is enough interest, an adult study can be developed around the book and a bulk discount on copies may be available from Augsburg Fortress.
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