The Shepherd's Voice
What's Happening Today
As We Gather
What is the Fifth Commandment? Answer: You shall not murder. You are right. But what does this mean? The disciples needed a little review in today’s Gospel. So do we, for its meaning is deeper and more pervasive than we may think. When it comes to matters of the Christian faith and life, we never know it all or remember God’s Word consistently. Remember Martin Luther’s comment about those who would read the catechism once and then throw it in a corner as if they had already mastered it. Yet he who put it together, though he had advanced academic degrees, knew he needed to study God’s Word over and over again. God’s Word doesn’t change, but we do. New challenges, new situations in life call for new insight and continuous instruction in God’s living Word.
Today’s Readings
O.T. Deuteronomy 30:15–20(The offer of life or death) https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/deuteronomy/30/15-20?_ga=2.94564636.1011832712.1675697911-257035986.1643645019
N. T. 1 Corinthians 3:1–9 (The Church and her leaders) https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/1-corinthians/3/1-9?_ga=2.94564636.1011832712.1675697911-257035986.1643645019
Gospel Matthew 5:21–37 (The heart of the Law revealed) https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/matthew/5/21-37?_ga=2.94564636.1011832712.1675697911-257035986.1643645019
Reader: Jeff Largiader
Mission of the Month
The Joan Valentine House is a New Jersey nonprofit corporation composed of family members and friends of the mentally ill who are dedicated to providing residents with the safe, healthy, pleasant, caring environment they deserve. The Joan Valentine House is committed to the total care of each resident, which includes full housing provisions, the coordination of health care thru physical and psychiatric health care providers, and various additional support services. They are located on Bay Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach. Thank you for your support.
Free Stuff Table
There’s new stuff available, so please browse and help yourself. Take something for your family or friends.
Seasonal Insight
Our chancel is vested with green paraments to indicate the life that Jesus gives to His followers.
What's Happening Soon
Lent 2023
This year, Lent begins on February 22, Ash Wednesday. To enable more people to attend, we will have TWO Services that day: 11:00 am and 7:00 pm, with a Soup Luncheon following the 11:00 Service. Please sign the sheet on the counter in the Foyer/Narthex if you will be attending the Luncheon. There will be NO soup supper in the evening.
Due to poor attendance during Advent, there will be NO Wednesday
Services during Lent. Instead, a midweek Lenten theme will be presented on the first five Sundays of Lent (February 26 and March 5, 12, 19, and 26).
On Palm Sunday, April 2, there will be only ONE Service at 10:00 am so that we may all be together to observe this important day in the life of Jesus for our salvation.
Holy Thursday, April 6, will offer ONE Service at 7:00 pm, not in the morning. Attendance at last year's morning Service was very poor.
For Good Friday, April 7, we will try something different: ONE Service at 3:00 pm, followed by our annual Fish Fry at 4:30-ish. Details for signing up and paying will be available soon.
We will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, April 9, with ONE Service at 10:00 am, preceded by a light breakfast at 9:00 am.
We invite you to mark your calendars and join us for this special spiritual journey.
What's Been Happening
Easter Lilies
Altar Guild is taking orders for Easter Lilies today after the Service. Price is $10, cash only. Lilies may be taken home immediately after the Service on Easter morning.
Altar Flowers
The sign-up sheet for 2023 altar flowers is now available. One vase is $14. We will not be offering two vases at this time. The sign-up book is located in the foyer/narthex. We appreciate your contribution to our Services.
Church Life Photos
We have dedicated one of our bulletin boards to church life and memories. If you have photos of any events or happenings with Good Shepherd then please email them to gsppnj@gmail.com or pop them in the church office mailbox. Thank you!
Remember Our Homebound and Elderly
Please remember our homebound and elderly in prayer or with a card or phone call: Annaliese Benson, Fran McCallum, and Robert Mueller. Contact information is listed on the board in the foyer/Narthex.
Small Church Clarity
INTRODUCTION
The ultimate Guiding Statement for the Christian Church is the Great Commission of
Jesus Christ given in Matthew 28:18-20: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to
Me. Therefore, by going, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything I have taught
you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." We have translated that to
the following:
GUIDING STATEMENT
As children of a gracious God who know Jesus Christ by faith,
we make Him known by our words and deeds
What does this mean?
This Week at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
In Our Prayers
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, Mary Skalitza
Harler Jean Visbeck, Janice Yunginger,
Carlie Zeidler
Special Needs: The Brown family, 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
Readings for Next Sunday
Exodus 24:8–18 (The covenant that the Lord made is confirmed.)
2 Peter 1:16–21 (Eyewitness news)
Matthew 17:1–9 (The transfiguration)
