09/06/2026
Today (the 15th Sunday after Pentecost) was an especially happening Sunday at Good Shepherd! Our theme today, expressed in Pastor Dave’s sermon, was “[God’s] Invitation to Life.” He began by asking whether Christianity is concerned with life with God after death, or a full life on earth? Yes! God is concerned with both.
Pastor Dave called Psalm 119 “a love letter to God’s Word. Only with God’s help can we live the life that God wants us to live. The children shared their opinions of school rules with Pastor Dave. Although sometimes the rules kept them from doing things they wanted to do – “no talking!” at other times the rules did good things –“no bullying!” Similarly, every command God gives us is to make our lives better. And our response to God’s grace is by living according to God’s commands.
The sermon text was Psalm 119: 33-40, which begins: “Teach me O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.” Pastor Dave noted that 7 of the 8 verses are a plea for God’s help. He suggested that as we prepare for Rally Day, the start of a new church program year, that we pray these verses. When we pray “Your will be done” in the Lord’s prayer, we are saying “Your will – in and through us.”
One way Good Shepherd follows God’s will is through Caring Ministry. We are adding to the means of care by recommencing Stephen Ministry, a Christian Caregiving program offering one-on-one care to people going through a life crisis. Nancy Z, Laura G and Nicky C were recommissioned as Stephen Ministers at both the 8:45 and 11 am services.
Between services, the Inclusive Grace Ministry Team hosted a Q and A presentation on the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) process. “The RIC process is a structured, prayerful journey through which congregations discern how they may more faithfully embody God’s love in the world - particularly with and toward LGBTQIA+ people and others who have been historically marginalized, excluded, or harmed by the church.” We pray for God’s guidance on this journey!
And the music as usual was glorious! The 8:45 service opened with a violin – piano duet of “Amazing Grace” by Nathan and James. For the offertory, Jordan sang a breathtaking version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” The Crossview Praise Band rocked “The Father’s House” and “Build My Life” among other great songs at 11.
REIGNITE! RECONNECT! REJOICE! Next Sunday, September 13, will be Rally Day. We will have one service at 10 am, with a special musical collaboration between James, our organist at the traditional service, and John, the leader of our Praise Band. This will be AWESOME! And to put the icing on the cake, there will be cake (and other goodies!) Don’t miss the festivities and the Word.
