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Read this week's Pastor's Ponderings entitled "Follow Me"Two simple words changed Matthew's life forever: "Follow Me."Ma...
06/01/2026

Read this week's Pastor's Ponderings entitled "Follow Me"

Two simple words changed Matthew's life forever: "Follow Me."

Matthew was not the kind of person most people expected Jesus to choose. He was a tax collector—a man viewed by his neighbors as dishonest, greedy, and a collaborator with the Roman occupiers. If anyone seemed outside the circle of God's people, it was Matthew.

Yet Jesus walked right up to him, looked him in the eye, and said, "Follow Me." Notice what Jesus did not say. He did not say, "Clean up your life first." He did not say, "Prove yourself worthy." He simply said, "Follow Me."

This is the way of God’s grace. Jesus calls sinners, not because they have made themselves righteous, but because He has come to make them righteous. Matthew's new life did not begin with his decision. It began with Jesus' invitation.

The Pharisees could not understand this. When they saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, they complained. Surely a holy teacher should stay away from such people! But Jesus answered them: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

What wonderful news! Jesus is not looking for people who have everything together. He comes for those who know they need help. He comes for the guilty, the broken, the ashamed, and the weary. That means He comes for you and me.

Like Matthew, we have sinned in thought, word, and deed. We have often followed our own desires rather than God's will. Yet Jesus still comes to us through His Word and says, "Follow Me." He calls us through the Gospel. He forgives us through His cross. He washes us in Holy Baptism. He feeds us with His body and blood. And day by day, He leads us as His disciples.

The Christian life is not first about our commitment to Jesus; it is about Jesus' commitment to us. The same Lord who called Matthew has called us by name. The same Savior who welcomed sinners still welcomes sinners today. And because He has shown us such mercy, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we gladly rise and follow Him!

Following Jesus,
Pastor Maske

Come worship together at Good Shepherd! Please join us for worship at Good Shepherd Elgin tonight at 5:00 PM or tomorrow...
05/30/2026

Come worship together at Good Shepherd!

Please join us for worship at Good Shepherd Elgin tonight at 5:00 PM or tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM.

We will stream the Sunday, 10:00 AM service.

You can view the services on our page or our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUoytRfSiz-7pk6XnWBBLOg.

Thank you for your faithful support of our ministry.

Even in these uncertain times, the Lord Jesus Reigns!

Read this week's Pastor's Ponderings entitled "On a Mission!"Have you ever worked on a big project together as a family?...
05/26/2026

Read this week's Pastor's Ponderings entitled "On a Mission!"

Have you ever worked on a big project together as a family? Maybe building something, cleaning the garage, making dinner, or getting ready for a trip? When everyone works together, the job becomes easier and even joyful.

Jesus gives His Church a mission in today’s Gospel: “Go and make disciples.” But this is not a mission we do alone. It is a co-mission.

First, it is a mission we share together as Christians. Parents, children, grandparents, pastors, teachers, and friends all encourage one another in following Jesus. God gathers us into His family, the Church, where we help one another hear His Word and live in His grace. But even more importantly, this is a co-mission because Jesus Himself goes with us.

Sometimes we think sharing the faith depends on us being brave, smart, or perfect Christians. But Jesus never says, “Go because you are strong.” Jesus says: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” The mission depends on Jesus, not us.

And then He promises: “I am with you always.” That means when parents teach children to pray, Jesus is there. When a child invites a friend to church, Jesus is there. When a family reads the Bible together at the dinner table, Jesus is there.

The risen Lord works through His Word. He uses ordinary Christians in ordinary places to share His extraordinary grace. And notice what Jesus tells the Church to do: baptize and teach. That is how disciples are made. In Baptism, God places His name on us and makes us His children. In His Word, He continues to teach, forgive, and strengthen us.

So right now, you are part of Jesus’ co-mission. Jesus is here among you through His Word, keeping His promise to be with His people always.

Following Jesus,
Pastor Maske

🌿Adventure is calling at Rainforest Falls VBS! Join us as we explore God’s amazing love deep in the heart of the rainfor...
05/26/2026

🌿Adventure is calling at Rainforest Falls VBS! Join us as we explore God’s amazing love deep in the heart of the rainforest through Bible stories, music, games, and fun!

🦜 Register by June 1st to save your spot! The cost for VBS is $40, but if you sign up to serve at VBS, your child/grandchild will attend for free!

Child Registration: https://forms.gle/j3rmiumchk3hBuwT8
Servant Sign-up: https://forms.gle/YoP1oydaU52iwHsz9

Questions? Please contact Kelsey Tichenor at [email protected]

05/24/2026

Following Jesus: Taking the Next Steps! "Led By the Spirit"
Pastor Balzer

Come worship together at Good Shepherd! Please join us for worship at Good Shepherd Elgin tonight at 5:00 PM or tomorrow...
05/23/2026

Come worship together at Good Shepherd!

Please join us for worship at Good Shepherd Elgin tonight at 5:00 PM or tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM.

We will stream the Sunday, 8:30 AM service.

You can view the services on our page or our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUoytRfSiz-7pk6XnWBBLOg.

Thank you for your faithful support of our ministry.

Even in these uncertain times, the Lord Jesus Reigns!

Read this week's Pastor's Ponderings entitled "Pentecost, it’s a pretty big deal!"I want to thank EVERYONE for your very...
05/19/2026

Read this week's Pastor's Ponderings entitled "Pentecost, it’s a pretty big deal!"

I want to thank EVERYONE for your very gracious birthday greetings last week! I appreciate the birthday cake at Pathfinders, the kind gifts and all the cards. THANK YOU! For many of us birthdays can be a BIG DEAL, right? What’s a birthday without a birthday cake with candles and presents, right?

This weekend, we celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church as we celebrate Pentecost! At Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early Christian Church fifty days after Jesus' resurrection. In many regards, Pentecost marks the beginning of the Christian Church. So, you could say that Pentecost is really the birthday celebration of Jesus’ church!

What actually happened on Pentecost? We read the account of Pentecost in the Book of Acts chapter two, "And when the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place." (Acts 2:1) Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit came, "like a strong wind." Peter preached that day as the disciples were equipped to deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ to His church. Pilgrims heard about Jesus for the first time. The message was simple. Peter proclaimed, "Repent and be baptized," in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. God's church grew 3,000 that first Pentecost!

God's Word tells us this, "I will make all things new." (Revelation 21:5) God accomplished this when He sent His Son Jesus to restore the covenant that His Children of Israel had broken. God took the old practice of the sacrifice of the Passover lamb and gave it new meaning! On the night before Jesus was to die to atone for the sins of the entire world, Jesus gave the Passover meal new meaning! Jesus took the simple elements of the meal, the bread and wine and said, "Take and eat this is my body. Take and drink this is my blood of the NEW COVENANT which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins!" No longer would this simply be a meal of remembrance. This meal would be a NEW MEAL OF FORGIVENESS! Jesus became "The Lamb of God that takes away the son of the world!"

God fulfills His promise of love through His Son, Jesus. Because of the work of Jesus, God now claims you as His beloved child! Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. God continues to fulfill His promise of His love for you as He sends you His Holy Spirit TODAY! The Holy Spirit works through God's Word and in His sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to create saving faith and to grow us in our faith today!

So, as you can see, Pentecost is a pretty big deal! We celebrate that all the promises of God find their “YES” in Jesus Christ! Jesus gives you His Spirit to draw you to Himself! Pentecost is all about God's people coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Come, Holy Spirit make our hearts your place of rest!

Celebrating the Holy Spirit!

Pastor Maske

A Friendly Reminder from your Good Shepherd neighbors. We’re grateful that our walking path connecting Good Shepherd Chu...
05/13/2026

A Friendly Reminder from your Good Shepherd neighbors.
We’re grateful that our walking path connecting Good Shepherd Church and the Providence subdivision continues to be a blessing for our neighbors. We love seeing families, walkers, and friends enjoying this shared space!
Recently, however, motorized bikes, scooters, and motorcycles have been using the path, creating a safety concern for pedestrians and our neighbors.
For everyone’s safety, please remember that motorized vehicles—including motorcycles, scooters, and e-bikes—are not permitted on the path. The path is intended for walking and non-motorized use only.
Thank you for helping us keep this a safe and welcoming place for everyone in our community!

Read this week's Pastor's Ponderings entitled "What is Jesus up to?"This week the Christian church celebrates Ascension ...
05/12/2026

Read this week's Pastor's Ponderings entitled "What is Jesus up to?"

This week the Christian church celebrates Ascension Day! We remember what happened 40 days after Easter when Jesus ascended bodily into heaven. So what’s Jesus doing right now? Paul writes: “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”(Romans 8:34) This verse tells us that although Christ’s work to save all people was completed on the cross, as evidenced by His cry “It is finished!” (John 19:30), Jesus’ love for you will never be finished.

Jesus did not go to heaven after His earthly ministry and “take a break” from His role as our Good Shepherd. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10). If when He was despised, dying, and dead, Jesus had the power to accomplish so great a work as reconciling us to God, how much more will Jesus be able to do for us now that He is a living, exalted, and triumphant Redeemer, raised to new life and interceding on our behalf before the throne! (Romans 8:34) Clearly, Jesus is still very active on our behalf in heaven.

Jesus ascended to heaven and was seated at the right hand of God the Father. He returned to the glory He had before His incarnation to carry on His role of King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Jesus is now your Advocate. Jesus is our intercessor. Jesus is always pleading your case before the Father, like a defense lawyer on your behalf.

Jesus is interceding for us while Satan (whose name means “accuser”) is accusing us, pointing out our sins and frailties before God. But the Devil’s accusations fall upon deaf ears in heaven, because Jesus’ work on the cross paid our sin debt in full; therefore, God always sees in His children the perfect righteousness of Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, His righteousness (perfect holiness) was given to us, while our sin was placed on Him. This is the great exchange Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 5:21. This work of Jesus, took away forever our sinful state before God. Now God can accept us as blameless before Him.

It is important to understand that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. No one else— not any Christian saints, not angels—has the power to intercede for us before the throne of the Almighty. Christ alone mediates and intercedes between God and man. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

What else is Jesus doing? He’s coming back to bring you home! Don’t forget Jesus last words on earth, “I am with you always, even to the very end of the age!” (Matthew 29:20)

Living in His Grace,
Pastor Maske

Address

195 Nesler Road
Elgin, IL
60124

Telephone

+18477417788

Website

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