Notes from the Head Elder

Simple truths

This week we celebrated VBS Sunday. The theme this year was “Mighty Fortress” and the kids did a great job of sharing the theme in today’s service. Pastor Bill preached on the lessons taught to the kids each day during VBS, and I needed to hear that message today.

The stories told to the VBS kids are similar to the stories shared with our Sunday school kids. When our kids were young we read many of the same stories to them. We had Arch books from CPH and would read them to our kids. 

Simple messages resonate with all of us. You may remember these foundational stories as well. Pastor Bill shared with us during the adult Bible class that some of the lessons used in VBS and read today are not in the lectionary. We were surprised that the battle of Jericho is not in the lectionary.

Here is a recap of Pastor’s message to us:

  1. Shout. God is mighty. Using the story of how Jericho’s wall falls from Joshua 6: 1-20.
  2. Fear Not.  The story of King Hezekiah with the Lord destroying 185,000 of the enemy from 2 Kings 18-19.
  3. God’s word is true and powerful. The story of King Josiah and finding the Book of the Law from  2 Kings 22.
  4. Jesus comes to save. The story of Jesus entering Jerusalem from Luke 19:28-40.
  5. Jesus wins the victory. The crucifixion account from Luke 23-24.

The simple point to all of these stories was that we, by ourselves, cannot win the victory.

  • Starting with Jericho with the trumpets and shouting it was all the Lord’s doing.
  • Jesus came unlike the expectation for a victorious king would have been in the minds of the people and us. He alone suffered for our sins and won the victory.

I needed to hear the message that I am not able to do everything on my own. I need the Lord in my corner.

We need assistance on the Board of Elders to carry out our ministry of caring for all of you. I knew all of the stories read today. The simple message was to pray and leave it in God’s hand and that is what I am doing.

Next week we are all looking forward to two baptisms, one in each service. This is a sign of a growing church. Come and witness the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. See you next Sunday.

-Glen Leavens, Head Elder

VBS 2017

THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who helped make VBS 2017 such a success! THANK YOU to the wonderful families who brought their children! THANK YOU to everyone who donated time, talent, and supplies to make it a wonderful week! Here are a few photo highlights from the week. The theme was A Mighty Fortress, so we could remember that In Jesus, The Victory is Won! The kids also successfully raised over $400 for our church's mobile food pantry. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Trinity Sunday Celebration

Trinity Sunday is the day our second son was born. As a result, Trinity Sunday has always been special in my house. Pastor Bill preached on the Genesis account, especially chapter 1 verse 31. “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”

Did you see the phrase “very good” in the account? Not just that it was good, it was very good. When I think of that Sunday over 27 years ago, I cannot help but think of the perfection that God created in our son and indeed in all of us. Of course, you know the story that we fall in to sin, just a few chapters later in the Genesis account. But at this point in the Bible we are perfect, being made in the image and likeness of God (see Chapter 1, verse 27).

The other point being made was that everything in creation was in its place. The stars, the seas, and all things. It made me wonder if we are all in our place? Of course the Creed reminds us that we should be at Church worshiping. Back to the Genesis account as it speaks of God resting, and we know from confirmation class and Sunday School that we are to keep the Sabbath Day (Sunday) holy as God rested on the seventh day. A look at the people in attendance today reveals that

  • Some were in worship with us.
  • Several members of our community of faith were not in church this morning.
  • We had several visitors and it is likely that some of our members were also out of town visiting other churches.
  • We also have several others on the prayer listing and in need of assistance. After the service, we spoke of one member who is currently in hospice.

Trinity Sunday is a special acknowledgement of the Trinity. We say together the Athanasian Creed, one of the three Ecumenical or Universal Creeds. At Good Shepherd, we alternate between the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds on a weekly basis. The Athanasian Creed has a fuller (okay lengthy) discussion on the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—than the other confessions. All are good explanations of our faith, and the one we read each year on Trinity Sunday is a good expression of the triune God. For me, it is a good reminder of the faith.

I want to encourage all of you to come and worship with us next Sunday. If you have a moment, re-read the Athanasian Creed, and reflect on what it means to you. See you next Sunday.

-Glen Leavens, Head Elder

You're Invited - VBS 2017!

In Jesus, The Victory Is Won
Based on 1 Corinthians 15:57

You're invited to Vacation Bible School at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - June 12th-16th, 6:00-8:30 pm, ages 3 years old to 5th grade!

VBS 2017 is a victory celebration! They'll look into the Bible, God's Holy Word, and explore five Bible accounts about God, our Mighty Fortress, and the victory Jesus has won for us. Join us for VBS and bring your friends! Don't miss out!

You can register online here! 

See you there!

You're Invited - VBS 2017!

In Jesus, The Victory Is Won
Based on 1 Corinthians 15:57

You're invited to Vacation Bible School at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - June 12th-16th, 6:00-8:30 pm, ages 3 years old to 5th grade!

VBS 2017 is a victory celebration! In Mighty Fortress VBS, your children will learn that in Jesus, the victory is won! They'll look into the Bible, God's Holy Word, and explore five Bible accounts about God, our Mighty Fortress, and the victory Jesus has won for us. Join us for VBS and bring your friends! Don't miss out!

You can register online here! 

See you there!

Cross The Bridge For Life

Sunday, June 4, 2017 marks the 12th anniversary of this very special event of bringing thousands of people together from the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area to stand up for the sanctity of human life in a peaceful, prayerful, family-friendly atmosphere. The fun begins at 1:00 p.m. at the festival grounds on the Ohio River next to the Purple People Bridge and behind Newport on the Levee. Activities include free face-painting, clowns, balloon artists for the children, music entertainment, free t-shirts, free picnic lunch provided by JTM after the Walk and other food vendors. Our very own NKY Chapter of Lutherans For Life is a Rose Sponsor for this fabulous Walk. Come and join in the celebration as we Cross The Bridge For Life together!

A Note From Our Head Elder

Are We On the Road to Emmaus?

 This Sunday, April 30, 2017, Pastor Bill preached on the Luke 24:13-35 text. This text is Jesus encountering two followers on the road to Emmaus. One is named in the text and the other is not. I penciled in myself with Cleopas as the other one journeying on the road as Pastor Bill was preaching.

After Easter attendance is generally down, and I have been a member of the church long enough to expect that phenomenon. Then I found myself asking, is Jesus chasing me too? He clearly caught the two followers who, as Pastor Bill put it, were getting out of town.  Luke says in verse 21 “But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.” They clearly had given up their hope. They were clearly leaving town and their hope in Jesus.

We talked a lot about hope in the bible study today related to this lesson. We settled on the word “trust” as a class. Of course, Pastor Bill reminded us that we should say a “certain” hope. That got me to thinking that like Cleopas and the other one journeying with Cleopas, we were present for the big event and could not make it back to church. It is as if we are saying that nothing in my life changed as a result of Easter services.

I wonder if that is true. Has nothing changed since you were in church on Easter Sunday? For me, we have had several personal changes. The one thing I know is that the joy I experienced on Easter Sunday has not faded. Unlike the two on the road to Emmaus, I know that my redeemer lives. Each Sunday is a chance to celebrate the resurrection, especially the weeks following Easter when all of the lessons begin with the resurrection.  

Take a moment with me to reflect on the ones that were closest to Jesus. Are we on the road, leaving town or are we hiding in a room so not to be found out as a Christian. One of the joyous events coming next week is confirmation. In the confirmation service, three of our young people will publically leave the road and proclaim their faith. What a joy it will be to see their courage in speaking to us next week.

My prayer for you is that you share the joy from Easter with others. As you share that joy, as Jesus did with the two on the road to Emmaus, you regain the hope and want to be again with the other believers. After Jesus reveals himself in their sight, the two leave the same hour. From Luke 24: 33 “And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,”

Like me, Jesus is looking for us on the road. I am looking forward to seeing you in Church on Sunday.