The Church of the Good Shepherd, United Church of Christ

05/06/2026

04/23/2026

https://nodetentioncentersmi.org/2026/04/21/press-release-immigrants-launch-multi-unit-hunger-strike-at-baldwin-detention-center-protesting-dire-conditions-and-unconstitutional-captivity/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRXIQVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEey0akNBr4DWvercOjauGZtPOCb-Gz6Ol8oJQfF9iukD82P0RafrP3chaTgLk_aem_qJGpApKl5KhrLbvGUIVxGg

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 Contact: No Detention Centers in Michigan, [email protected] Baldwin, MI — Citing dangerous conditions, a lack of adequate food and medi…

04/25/2025

We continue to stand with Gaza and Palestine. The genocide continues...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-bjknqJvBk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

04/24/2025

Sermon and solo from Easter Sunday 2025

https://youtu.be/3yR45oKNrBw

04/12/2025

“Bearing witness complicates things. Divisive soundbites crumble, north and south get confused. But, stones certainly know the violence, graves, and peace prayers held in this sacred, desecrated land.

On a borrowed donkey from a gracious neighbor, on crowd-sourced paths accompanied by loud rejoicing, Jesus wept on arrival, knowing full well what we humans are capable of doing to each other. He rode right into what stones have seen: criminalization and death-dealing decisions, dehumanization and denial of dignity, disregard for expansive beauty. What would stones shout? What do you shout? What do you silence?”

—Dr. Mindy McGarrah Sharp (.m.sharp) from her commentary on Luke 19:29-40 |

04/05/2025

“It’s striking that Jesus never called Zacchaeus out—no loud shaming, no public humiliation. Rather, this seems like the gentlest calling-in. Faced with Jesus’ tender warmth, Zacchaeus descends from the tree, rejoins the people, and immediately pledges restitution—a two-pronged act of reconciliation with both God and neighbor.”

—Rev. Jeff Chu () from his commentary on Luke 19:1-10 |

04/02/2025

Sermon from Sunday, March 30, 2025

Sunday, March 30, 2025Fourth Sunday of LentEverything [in] Between: Lost and Found@sanctifiedart

03/29/2025

“Voices aren’t disembodied utterings, but embodied precious people worthy of being heard. Bearing witness to the joy of found voices also bears witness to obliviousness that voices were missing. Even with deep conviction and contrition, it’s painful when the almost-always-heard realize they never noticed anyone missing in readings, historical genealogies, or learning environments.”

—Dr. Mindy McGarrah Sharp (.m.sharp) from her commentary on Luke 15:1-7 |

03/26/2025

“Jesus’ original, agriculturally sophisticated audience would have known that a fig seedling needs several years to bear fruit. They might even have found the vineyard owner’s question laughable. They would have understood that absence of fruit on a young tree wasn’t a sign of failure. Maturity requires time and care, attention and patience.”

—Rev. Jeff Chu () from his commentary on Luke 13:6-9 |

03/22/2025

The gardener in the vineyard knows the fig tree needs rest, nutrients, and time—and it also needs to produce fruit. Both things are true, which is also true for us. If we are always striving for more growth without taking time to rest, we will burn out. But if we are only ever resting, we won’t bear fruit or grow. The fig tree also teaches us that the in between time—of nurture before fruit—can be where transformation begins. |