Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Warwick NY

12/09/2023

We hope you will join us for Christmas at Good Shepherd! Services on Christmas Eve (7:30pm) and Christmas Day (9:30am)...

09/06/2023

Join us this Sunday (Sept. 10th) at 4:00pm for our Rally Day BBQ!🍔🌭⛱
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06/25/2023

Today, we as Lutherans celebrate the presentation of the Augsburg Confession to the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. This statement summarizing the belief and practice of the reformers was based on Martin Luther’s theology and written by Philip Melanchthon. Many of the German princes signed the document, confessing that this, too, was their statement of faith. They presented it to the Holy Roman Emperor at Augsburg on June 25, 1530, where it was read in German so that the German people could understand it. A Latin translation was also part of the document that was presented. Catholic authorities rejected the Confession just a few short weeks later. Melanchthon defended it in the Apology to the Augsburg Confession (1531). The Unaltered Augsburg Confession of 1530, as well as the Apology, were both incorporated into the Book of Concord in 1580. This important document was presented and defended by lay people (the princes and Melanchthon), who demonstrated to Charles V and the pope that they were willing to die for the sake of the Gospel and the confession of the faith contained within the Augsburg Confession.

Let us pray: “Lord God, heavenly Father, You preserved the teaching of the apostolic Church through the confession of the true faith at Augsburg. Continue to cast the bright beams of Your light upon Your Church that we, being instructed by the doctrine of the blessed apostles, may walk in the light of Your truth and finally attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.

Description adapted from and prayer quoted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” p. 463

Image: “Diet of Augsburg” by Christian Beyer, woodcarving ca.1500’s. Public domain.

06/11/2023

June 11 | The Feast of St. Barnabas

“We bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them.” - Barnabas the Apostle (?-c. 60)

Barnabas was a Jewish believer from Cyprus. Originally named Joseph, he was nicknamed “Barnabas,” meaning “son of encouragement.” Soon after the Holy Spirit descended upon the church at Pentecost, the church held all things in common (Acts 2:44) and Barnabas sold his field and gave the money to the Apostles (Acts 4:36). When Paul, who had persecuted the church, became a Christian, Barnabas was one of the early few willing to risk offering Paul grace. Barnabas vouched for Paul and the two became missionary companions, doing such powerful signs and wonders that the pagans believed Barnabas was Zeus and that Paul was Hermes. When Barnabas and Paul told the pagans to turn to the living God, the crowd tried to kill them. In a sad turn of events, Paul and Barnabas had a falling out, disagreeing over whether to allow Barnabas’ cousin Mark to join them on their next missionary journey. Mark had earlier proven himself unreliable, and Paul was unwilling to repeat the mistake. Barnabas once again vouched for someone who didn’t deserve it, this time for Mark. Paul opted to head to Syria. Barnabas and Mark sailed for Cyprus. Barnabas was given the title “apostle,” indicating that he was ordained by the 12 Apostles to carry on their ministry of shepherding churches (this title was later changed to ‘bishop’ to avoid confusion with the unique office of the original 12 Apostles.) It is believed that Barnabas was stoned to death while serving as the bishop of Cyprus.

Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor, and went forth courageously in mission for the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Art & bio by Ben Lansing ourchurchspeaks.com, patreon.com/ourchurchspeaks

06/06/2023

As one pastor said: “It's not a fancy program or a flashy life hack. It's mundane, but beautiful. If you want your kids to remain in the faith, bring them to church every week.”

Young people cannot emulate faith behavior they don’t see. When parents don’t prioritize worship and congregational engagement, young people won’t either.

Learn more about the Impact of Parents and the Home Church by visiting http://www.youthesource.com/lcms-young-adult-research/

06/05/2023

"The Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life's different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship, but to keep her on her course." - Boniface (675-754), Archbishop & Missionary, Martyr

Boniface was an English monk born with the English name ‘Winfred.’ He ministered in Germanic lands, exhibiting such dedication to the dangerous environment that his work received the attention of Pope Gregory II, who made him a bishop and renamed him ‘Boniface,’ after an early Christian martyr. Martyrdom seemed certain for Boniface in his missionary work. A significant, bloody tradition for German pagans centered around an oak tree named “Thunder Oak” (or “Thor’s Oak”). In an annual festival, a small child was ritually sacrificed at the roots of the tree as the culmination of worship. Vastly outnumbered by the pagans, Boniface appeared at the festival with an ax and proclaimed, “here the cross of Christ shall break the hammer of the false god Thor.” As he set his ax to the tree, a large wind toppled the oak to the ground. Boniface then pointed to an evergreen tree, made visible by the fall of the oak. “This little tree… is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green… Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness.” Many believe this the origin of the Christmas tree. Boniface established churches and Benedictine communities throughout Germania. Later, he was set upon by robbers. Holding up a copy of the Gospels as his only defense, a sword pierced through the book and took his life.

Almighty and everlasting God, you called your servant Boniface to preach the Gospel to the Germans: Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Art and bio by Ben Lansing ourchurchspeaks.com

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ourchurchspeaks

06/04/2023

God our Father, who by sending into the world the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification made known to the human race your wondrous mystery, grant us, we pray, that in professing the true faith, we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

05/31/2023

Almighty God, You chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of Your Son and made known through her Your gracious regard for the poor and lowly and despised. Grant that we may receive Your Word in humility and faith, and so be made one with Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.

05/28/2023

A wonderful celebration of Pentecost at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with one confirmand, six new members, and one little boy who insisted his daddy include him in the picture.
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05/27/2023

“God calls us to walk in faithfulness to His design not only because things work better when lived in sync with the life for which we were designed, and not only because it reminds us that God is our Creator and we are His creatures, but also because by living His design, we point others to the Gospel relationship of Christ the Head to His Bride and helper, the Church—a relationship that consummates into the full redemption of His creation.” (Pg. 117)

While our spring Wednesday night book discussions of "Male & Female" are over, you can join us again in the fall for our next one. Stay tuned for our announcement of the next book. In the mean time, we encourage anyone and everyone to grab a copy of Jonathan and Christa's book. It'd be a lovely way to fill a few summer afternoons!

03/16/2023

Get it while it's hot!

GSLC continues giving out FREE SOUP EVERY WEDNESDAY, from 3pm to 5pm, THROUGH APRIL 5th. Let us know if you have questions or would like to help in any way!
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03/09/2023

Join us for Holy Week and Easter at Good Shepherd!