The Shepherd's Voice

As We Gather

When Jesus was coming up out of the baptismal waters, the voice of the Father proclaimed Him as His Son, in whom He delighted. Those words would be repeated on the Mount of Transfiguration, but with this addition to the disciples: “Listen to Him!” Those two events “framed” Jesus’ ministry of obedient service and His revelation of God’s great love even before His sacrifice on the cross. Seeing Him, we learn what it means to be “alive to God in Christ Jesus,” as Paul urges in the Epistle. We are also “framed”—considered God’s children through our Baptism. It is all grace, of course; we never achieve our Lord’s righteousness, but are given it as a gift. Today we listen again to the Gospel, respond with prayer and praise, and are given grace to tell our friends what Christ has done for us all.

Today’s Readings

O.T. Isaiah 42:1–9 (God delights in His Servant.) https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/isaiah/42/1-9?_ga=2.40406306.1805487718.1672756429-257035986.1643645019

N. T. Romans 6:1–11 (Buried and raised with Christ in Baptism.) https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/romans/6/1-11?_ga=2.40406306.1805487718.1672756429-257035986.1643645019

Gospel Matthew 3:13–17 (The Father proclaims Jesus His beloved Son.) https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/matthew/3/13-17?_ga=2.40406306.1805487718.1672756429-257035986.1643645019

Reader: Jamie Hawthorne

Many Thanks

To Rev. Philip Matarazzo, who is filling in this morning for Pastor Schonberg who is recovering from a medical procedure. May God bless him as he brings us God’s Word and leads us in worship.

January Mission of the Month 

Epiphany Lutheran Church, which traces its beginning to the oldest and only historically black Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) church in Jackson, Miss., burned down in the early morning hours of Nov. 8. They are now without a permanent facility to worship God due to this evil act of arson. Please consider donating to help them rebuild.

Seasonal Insight

Our chancel is vested with white paraments to indicate the joy of Jesus’ Baptism.

Worship in the Woods

We will be meeting in the Sanctuary at 9:00am for the duration of the winter. Feel free to join us for a brief spoken Service with communion.

Free Stuff Table

There’s new stuff available, so please browse and help yourself. Take something for your family or friends.

https://faithlife.com/goodshepherdppnj/calendar?view=Week

To add someone to our list, please fill out a pink Prayer Request Form and submit it to Pastor or the Church office. Also, please let us know when we can remove names. Prayer requests submitted without a pink form are removed after one week. If we have removed a name in error, please resubmit the name and accept our apologies. Thank you.

Missionaries:

Rev. Dale and Suzanne Kaster, Prague

Under Doctor’s Care:   

Joan Aldarelli J.R. Aldarelli,

Carlee Allfrey, Alice Blaze,

Kieran Dillane, Garrett Gruendling,

Dale Kaster, James McCaffrey,

Linda McKelvey, Erna Meyerle

Tammy Pausz, Susan Rentas,

Kate Rubin, John Shand,

Amelia Shappell, Harler Jean Visbeck,

Carlie Zeidler

Special Needs: The Brown family, Kim DeAngelo, James McNellis, Robert H. Mueller, the Murray family, and the Zupanc family. All who serve to keep us healthy, fed, and supplied. 

Armed Forces:              All who serve to keep us safe.

Daniel Gewecke Katie Gruendling

Kelly Handy Jonathan Kaster

Matthew Orgill Mason Remondelli David Schauer

Isaiah 49:1–7 (God’s Servant is to be light for the nations.)

              1 Corinthians 1:1–9 (God called you into the fellowship of His Son.)

John 1:29–42a (Jesus invites two disciples to stay with Him.)