This email was waiting for me the morning after our
last Orientation for New Members:
Good morning, Pastor –
Thank you again for an inspiring, uplifting meeting last night. Duane
and I had no doubts about becoming members of Good Shepherd, but last night
made us feel just that much better about making such a positive move.
As I am thinking about last night, going about my morning here, a song keeps
popping into my head, Pass it On. I have had Lutheran friends refer to
it as a “camp song,” which, since I have never gone to church camp,
I will take their word on. But I think it sums up what took place at our
meeting last night. The love of God and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
manifested themselves in the words and actions of the people that spoke and
welcomed and visited.with prospective members last night. And they passed
that on to everyone they met. Their actions and words were the result
of the work of God in their lives and they were moved by the Spirit to share
that with others. That is a major strength of Good Shepherd and certainly made
Duane and me feel that we were in the right place for us from the first moment
we walked into a service on Christmas Eve, almost a year ago.
Thank you again for a very nice evening. I hope you have a great day!
Laurie Schuldt
For eleven years, we’ve asked folks who might be interested in becoming
members of Good Shepherd to do only one thing; attend that single, two hour
discussion about our sense of what it means to be Christians and Lutherans and
the way we try to live out the mission and vision of Good Shepherd Church. We
do this whether folks have been life long Lutherans or new to the faith, young
or old, new to us or old friends. We need people to attend this one session
because it introduces them to others on a deeper level than Sunday mornings
permit. More importantly, it introduces them to the climate and theology of
radical hospitality that sets this church apart. What makes Good Shepherd unique
is the way we try to embody the love of God in Christ Jesus. It is a way of
living and loving that we are always at risk of losing, and if we can pass on
only one thing to those who take our place, we pass on nothing if not this.
I understand people are busy and their time is precious; so is this church.
This one meeting is a small thing to ask of those who will chart its future,
vote on its budgets, call its pastors, and serve on Church Council and Synod
Assemblies. And if you read Laurie’s letter, you will know that if you
miss it, you miss something very dear.
We’ll be holding another session Sunday, February 1, at the storefront.
Join us.
Pastor Jim
And may The Strong God bless you and give you many, many children, a congregation of peoples; and pass on the blessing of Abraham to you and your descendants so that you will get this land in which you live, this land God gave Abraham. Genesis 28:3
From the Shepherd's Song Newsletter -- January 2009
Copyright 2008 by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
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E-mail your comments and questions to Pastor Jim in care of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at gslc@sirus.com.