The Shepherd's Voice

As We Gather

Look out! There were snakes biting the Israelites, sent by God as punishment for complaining about the manna, that miraculous food He gave on the way to the Promised Land. But look up! See the bronze serpent Moses put on a pole. Everyone who looked up at the serpent lived. The serpent was a type of Christ, a parallel symbol in the Bible. We, too, have snakes—our discontent with God’s daily blessings and lack of faith in His promises. But as we look up in faith to Jesus, the Christ on the cross, we shall be saved. That faith is a gift of God’s grace. Jesus is the center of the gracious Good News. We are God’s workmanship, and now He holds the door open as we walk through, looking up to Jesus.

Today’s Readings

O.T.  Numbers 21:4–9 (Israelites who look up to the bronze serpent live.) https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/numbers/21/4-9

N. T. Ephesians 2:1–10 (We are saved by grace.) https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/ephesians/2/1-10

Gospel John 3:14–21 (All who look up to Jesus on the cross will be saved.) https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/john/3/14-21

Today’s Altar Flowers are Given to the Glory of God

By Louise and Bob Lusardi in celebration of Anne's 35th birthday.

March Mission of the Month

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. When a wish comes true, it creates hope and the ability to experience life beyond illness. Make-A-Wish believes a single wish transforms the lives of wish children and their families. Make-A-Wish New Jersey was founded in 1983. Serving children in every municipality in the Garden State, Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted more than 10,000 wishes since its inception and strives to fulfill the vision of granting the wish of every eligible child, approximately 700 children a year in New Jersey. Your support is vital to accomplishing this vision.

Holy Week Services

Please plan on staying a few minutes after our Service today to discuss and decide our Holy Week schedule of Services. This includes a possible Holy Thursday Service on April 1 at 7:00 pm, a possible Good Friday Service on April 2 at 7:00 pm, and a possible second Easter Service on April 4 at 8:30 am. Thank you.

Easter Lilies

Altar Guild will be taking orders for Easter Lilies today after the Service. Price will be $8, cash only. Lilies may be taken home immediately after the Service on Easter morning.

Busy Bags

COVID friendly Busy Bags are available on the table in the foyer/narthex for children who would like an activity to do during the Service. These were printed, packaged, and sanitized in the home office of one person. Feel free to take one for your child(ren) and take them home with you. As these are a one-time use type of activity, they should not be returned or left at the church. Thank you.

Free Stuff Table

Now loaded with all new goodies in the foyer/narthex. Check it out and help yourself.

Grounds Cleanup

If you have some extra time, gloves, and a pick up truck, and would like to spend some time outdoors doing something constructive, please feel free to gather and remove the brush and branches that have fallen on our property over the winter. Our grounds will look better and be much better prepared for “spring cleaning” when the time comes. Thank you. 

Lenten Family Devotions

Join Pastor on the Wednesday evenings of Lent (March 17 and 24) at 7:00 PM for a time of "Family Devotions" using the Prayer Card that was distributed with your 2021 offering envelopes. You may join in person or on our website (gsppnj.org). You do not need your Prayer Card or Bible this week. For those joining in person, Holy Communion will be offered for those who wish to receive. If you haven't received a Prayer Card, please contact our church office. God bless our journey to a triumphant celebration of the Resurrection!

A Few Words from Pastor

Melinda and I are so thankful for your Christmas gift to us! Thank you to each of you who made it possible. We are also thankful for the Christmas cards, best wishes, prayers and support that you have blessed us with. May God grant all of us a new year filled with opportunities to trust God, love each other, and share our faith! Thank you!

Many Thanks from Amanda Perea

Thank you all for your Christmas gift! I have been with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for over a year now and this experience has been enjoyable and humbling to me. I am here to help with whatever you may need and look forward to continuing to help carry out the church’s mission. 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, Doris Mingay, Robert Mueller, and Rev. Paul Voitko. Contact information is listed on the board in the foyer/Narthex.

http://gsppnj.view-events.com/calendar/74048207/list/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

Pastor Matt Lytikainen and the Kairos Network

Under Doctor’s Care:   

John Aldarelli Alice Blaze

Dan Boettcher Sheryl Borkowski

Kieran Dillane John Eckna

Vicky Forte Punna Khanna

Ray Kuri, Sr Daniel McCallum

Linda McKelvey Erna Meyerle

Ruth Mohlenhoff Susan Rentas

Mena Schollenberger John Shand

Cathy Shawhan Dennis P. Smith Jr

Harler Jean Visbeck

Special Needs: Doris Mingay, the Murray family, Ilona Poitras, and the Zupanc family. Those is Texas and surrounding area being affected by the winter storms. All who serve to keep us healthy, fed, and supplied. 

Armed Forces:              All who serve to keep us safe.

Justin Gruendling Kate Gruendling

Kelly Handy Travis Harvey Jonathan Kaster Matthew Orgill

Mason Remondelli David Schauer

Jeremiah 31:31–34 (A new covenant is coming, written on people’s hearts.)

Hebrews 5:1–10 (Jesus was both one-time priest and sacrifice, dying for all.)

Mark 10:32–45  (Jesus teaches about true greatness.)