Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

06/12/2026

Only one more day until the big rummage sale! We’ve got a whole church full of items. Visit our boutique area for vintage Christmas, old toys, glassware and other unique fun finds.

Our sale is this Saturday June 13th from 8am-4pm.

Good Shepehrd Lutheran Church
16001 NE 34th Street
Vancouver, WA 98682

All proceeds to benefit our student’s summer mission trip!

06/11/2026

“So that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:7

Grace is one of the most beautiful gifts God has given us. It is unearned, undeserved, and freely offered through Jesus Christ. We did nothing to earn our salvation, nor can we ever do enough to deserve it. Yet God, in His mercy and love, chose to save us and call us His children.

When we truly understand the depth of God’s grace, it changes the way we view others. How can we act as though we are better than someone else when we ourselves stand before God only because of His grace? How can we decide that someone is beyond saving or unworthy of forgiveness when God has shown us mercy despite our own failures?

Jesus addressed this very issue in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee looked down upon the tax collector and other sinners” alike as he boasted his good works. God was not impressed by the good deeds but rather favored the humility presented by the tax collector who was aware of his sins and begged for mercy.

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:5

Too often, we become focused on the faults of others while overlooking our own need for God’s grace. We criticize, judge, and compare ourselves, forgetting that every one of us is equally dependent on the mercy of Christ. At the foot of the cross-no one stands higher than another.

This does not mean that sin should be ignored or excused. God’s grace is not a license to live in sin, but rather lead us to repentance, humility, and gratitude. The more we recognize how much we have been forgiven, the more compassionate and patient we become toward others.

06/09/2026

Each day, we’ll be sharing a sneak peek of a section (or two) of our sale that happens this coming Saturday! Today we share just a small section of our toys! Feel free to share this post. We hope to see you bright and early on Saturday…

06/05/2026

Not knowing what lies ahead, not having all the answers, and facing an uncertain future can easily make us anxious. Our minds can become consumed with "what ifs," causing us to spiral into fear and worry.

Matthew 14:22–32 talks about Jesus walking on water during a storm. As the disciples struggled against the wind and waves, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. He called Peter to step out of the boat and come to Him. Peter obeyed and began walking on the water, but the moment he shifted his focus from Jesus to the storm around him, fear took over and he began to sink.

How often do we do the same? When we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on our circumstances, the weight of life's challenges begins to feel overwhelming. The uncertainties of tomorrow, unanswered questions, and situations beyond our control can quickly become burdens too heavy for us to carry on our own.

Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭
‬‬ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Yet God never intended for us to bear those burdens alone. He already knows every answer, every outcome, and every step ahead. Jesus reminds us in

When life feels overwhelming, let us turn to God rather than our fears. Let us bring our worries, doubts, and uncertainties before Him each day.

05/28/2026

In life, we face many trials and temptations. Some hardships come from circumstances beyond our control, while others are the result of our own choices and actions.

King David is a powerful example of both. David was known as a man after God’s own heart. Throughout his life, he faced many difficulties, especially from King Saul, whose jealousy drove him to pursue David relentlessly. These trials were not caused by David, yet God used them to shape his character and prepare him to become a great king. In time, God delivered David from Saul’s hand and established him as ruler over Israel.

Yet David was still human and struggled with sin. In 2 Samuel 11-12, David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and later arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle. This greatly displeased God. He sent the prophet Nathan to confront David and reveal the seriousness of his sin. Through Nathan, God declared that calamity would arise within David’s own household as a consequence of his actions. Although David repented and God forgave him, the child born to David and Bathsheba died as a result of that sin.

David’s life reminds us that God can use trials caused by external circumstances to grow and refine us into who He calls us to be. It also teaches us that while God is gracious and willing to forgive any sin when we truly repent, our actions may still carry lasting consequences, whether intentional or unintentional.

Even in those moments, God does not abandon us. He walks beside us through the pain and burdens that come from our own mistakes. He offers forgiveness, guidance, and strength when life feels overwhelming. No matter how far we fall, God remains faithful, loving, and ready to restore those who turn back to Him.

05/24/2026

https://youtu.be/CmNXtMwvTDM?si=nVqrZ-Iz8VP5p20n

Wind, fire, surprise, a cacophany of languages, promises fulfilled, dreams, visions, gifts given and received, solidarity, and a radical change in direction-...

05/21/2026

In Galatians 5:13–26, Paul the Apostle commands believers to live by the Spirit and contrasts the desires of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit. But what does it truly mean to live by the Spirit, and how do we walk that out daily?

As Christians, we are no longer who we once were.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17

Because we are made new in Christ, we are also called to put to death the desires of the flesh. Yet in today’s world, that is often easier said than done. With technology, entertainment, and temptation constantly at our fingertips, sinful desires have become normalized and easily accessible.

Galatians 5:19–21 warns us about the acts of the flesh:

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, or**es, and the like…”

These behaviors are not only present in the world around us—they are often celebrated. But as born-again believers, God has called us to live differently.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ ‭

Dying to the flesh is a daily decision and no amount of self-discipline or effort can overcome sin apart from God’s help. Thankfully, we can ask the Holy Spirit to guide, convict, strengthen, and transform us daily so that our lives can be fruitful.

05/20/2026

Mark your calendar for our upcoming summer backyard gatherings, hosted by Tim and Sara. They’ll provide the main dish. Plan to bring a side or dessert to share. This year’s devotions will each focus on one part of the mission statement- BE WON - BE ONE - BE WANTING MORE
Please plan to RSVP one week in advance to ([email protected]).

05/17/2026

https://youtu.be/wVSW5uIOFWw?si=qZTNte88r1-v-0ec

If Jesus was giving instructions to us today, they'd probably sound...

05/14/2026

“Love and respect” - we’ve heard these words over and over again but what does it mean to love and respect?

True love and true respect go hand in hand. Love speaks with kindness, patience, and grace. Respect values another person’s heart, boundaries, feelings, and worth. God calls us to live with both.

Respect is not only about how we treat others—it is also about how we see ourselves. When we understand that we are created by God and deeply loved by Him, and accept his forgiveness, we can start accepting the love and respect being extended to us.

One without the other leaves relationships empty. Love without respect can become controlling, careless, or selfish. Respect without love can become cold and distant. But when both are present, relationships grow stronger, safer, and more meaningful in all types of relationships we have with one another. God gave us a free will although he is has all the power in the world because he loves and respects us whether we act worthy of it or not. We don’t pick and choose who is deserving of the love and respect God freely gives us.

God forgives us when we fail to act with love and respect, He encourages change, and gives us the Holy Spirit to help us carry out these changes. Let us seek God’s guidance so we can reflect the unconditional love and respect He has shown us to those around us.