What’s next?
It’s been a busy month for Good Shepherd: we introduced the Consecration
Sunday Program to affirm and celebrate your generosity; held a Groundbreaking
Ceremony at the building site; began excavation for a home for the church; packed
up everything we owned at the farmhouse; and moved the church office into a
storefront on the south side of town. By this time next year, Good Shepherd
should have a permanent home. All we have left is one last move, and we can
finally settle down. You can almost hear the sigh of relief.
We need to worry about that sigh.
Any family who’s moved like we have, rented as long as we have, committed
to financing a loan like we have, begun to design and build like we have, any
family working like we are is bound to grow tired. But the life of a family
ought not ground to a halt when it moves into its first home. To stay healthy,
we need to begin to think about how we’ll live in that house. Will we
stop reaching out the day we move in? Will we be satisfied with what God has
given us? Will we keep that building just for ourselves?
Or will we give the building away?
Think about the possibilities! In a five acre field at the intersection
of 112th and Quincy, we’re building a house in excess of 7,000 square
feet. We’re pretty clear about what we’ll do in that house one day
out of seven; what about the other six days? Is there a way God can bless children
in the nursery during the weekday? Can God use the sanctuary for worship, presentation
or performance space any other time during the week? Can God offer hospitality
to a lonely heart in the commons, between Monday and Saturday?
The possibilities for that 7,000 square feet are endless - but only if we’re
willing to share with each other and with our neighbors. We’ve been the
recipient of those who shared their homes with us for fourteen years. Now it’s
our turn.
Pastor Jim
So, if any one is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away, see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
From the Shepherd's Song Newsletter -- November 2008
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.