Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

1300 Belt Line Road Collinsville Illinois 62234

618-344-3151 (Church) 618-344-3153 (School) 618-344-3378 (Fax) Pastors M. Walther and P. Hoft Vol. 25 No. 2 February 2002

1. Because they have troubling, unanswered questions about their faith: "Unwilling to ‘just believe,’ they opt for ‘intellectual honesty.’ To do this they believe they must leave their childhood faith behind in order to find real answers in the real world."

2. Because their faith isn’t working for them: "Disillusioned with the church and their fellow Christians, and ultimately disappointed with God these believers go through painful emotional and spiritual meltdown that leaves them unable to think or function as a Christian. They leave by default; they simply can’t do it anymore."

3. Because other things in life become more important than their faith: "These dropouts slowly drift away preoccupied by business, pleasure, material ambitions, personal problems or other hard realities that are part of life itself."

4. Because they never personally owned their faith: "… they conformed to the spiritual expectations of others, especially parents and church leaders. But they never consciously and willfully embraced Christ and the way of the cross for themselves."

Bisset also points out a number of other interesting facts. Faith rejection is common across all denominational and even religious lines. Faith rejection is not necessarily connected to parenting styles. In many families some children joyfully follow Christ while their siblings walk away. One hurting father was comforted by the reminder that God Himself had prodigal children. Adam and Eve were prodigals. Many prodigals do return to the faith of their childhood even though the wait for their return can be very painful.

P arents involved in this struggle can learn from others who have been there. First, our Biblical values are not open to compromise. Many families have experienced children leaving home and Christ because they can’t stand the rules. Changing or relaxing the rules won’t help. But above all families have to live by the love of Christ. The door is always open. There is always opportunity for forgiveness. We don’t burn bridges with prodigals. Secondly, though it seems like a helpless situation, parents of prodigals can pray and enlist others to pray. Psalm 139 tells us that no one can hide from God. That includes rebels. We can pray for others to come into the lives of our children to turn them back to the Lord. Thirdly, parents need to realize that as much as they want to affect spiritual changes in the lives of their children, the only person they can change the most is themselves. One of the consistent themes of returning prodigals is the realization that the faith of their parents was authentic. While at home they may have mocked that faith, but as life goes on that faith often endures and overcomes the devils lies. I would add to these three things one more: Parents of prodigals should continually witness to their wandering children with both the Law and the Gospel especially remembering Peter’s words, "Yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3.16).

Bisset encourages hurting parents to put their hope in Christ: "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills" (Habakkuk 3.17-19).

Join us for Wednesday evening Lenten services beginning February 13. Lent is the season recognized by Christians for centuries to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. This year’s services will focus on the six chief parts of the Small Catechism as well as the Passion of Our Lord.

Master Plan Update

The Ad Hoc Endowment Committee met in January to continue defining the principle guidelines for an endowment fund. The fund will be established with the estate donation made by former GSLC member Emma Krapp.

Scholarship Applications

Many of our school and church families are members of either the Lutheran Brotherhood or the Aid Association for Lutherans. Both of these organizations have matching gift programs available to their members. For details, membership applications, or other questions please contact either the Church Office 344-3151 or the following people:

Aid Association for Lutherans
Ken Kober 345-9369

Lutheran Brotherhood
Lura Meyer 343-9713

Also many corporations offer gift matching programs that match gifting to Christian schools. If you are unsure about your employer contact your Human Resources department. For more information about corporate gift matching or other assistance please contact Bruce Clessa at 288-3789.

AAL Valentine Boxes

Donations needed for AAL Valentine Boxes sent to college students. Individual packages of popcorn, raisins, crackers, gum, hot drinks, disposable razors... Place in the box in the connecting hallway. Assembly will be February 7.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 10. Dr. Robert Weise, professor of Bioethics at Concordia Seminary, will be speaking at Good Shepherd about this controversial issue. He will be explaining the technology behind stem cell research and the Christian's biblical response. Please join us from 5:30-8 p.m. for a banquet meal and Dr. Weise's timely discussion.

Each year the Board of Congregational Life works with organizations within Good Shepherd to sponsor the Soup Suppers held during Lent prior to each Wednesday evening Lenten service. These suppers allow church members to not only enjoy a nourishing meal prepared by others, but an opportunity to fellowship with other members in preparation for hearing God's word. So far we have scheduled the following:

February 20 LWML

February 27 AAL Branch 4811

March 6 Mission Board

This leaves two Wednesday Soup Suppers still open on the dates of March 13 and March 20. If any group or a combination of groups in the church are interested in sponsoring a supper on one of these dates, please call Mary Jane Wade at 344-3217. Working together with others to prepare and serve a much appreciated meal is a joyful experience in itself.

Older Adult (55+) Day-Trip

On Wednesday - April 24, 2002, the Southern Illinois District is sponsoring a historical look at Lutheranism including visits to Horse Prairie (near Red Bud), Illinois and Altenburg and Frohna, Missouri. Attractions include - but are not limited to the "Liberty Bell of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, period buildings and displays centered around the Saxon migration from Germany, the Log Cabin College, and Die Kleine Schule (The Little School) in Frohna.

Transportation, lunch, and tips are included in the $30 registration. A minimum of 35 persons is required. Registration forms are available at your church or you may call 618-234-4767 to have a copy mailed to you.

Don't miss this opportunity for gemutlichen with other southern Illinois Lutherans as they explore their Lutheran heritage on a roomy, comfortable bus.

Needed for VBS

The youth thank the Mission Board for providing a fun and enriching Mission Night last month. We enjoyed writing letters to missionaries, making puzzles, eating international cuisine and quilting, among other activities.

Sat. Feb. 2 Servant Event at Unity Lutheran

Sun. Feb. 3 Superbowl Party

Sun. Feb. 10 Stem-cell research presentation by

Dr. Weise (5:30)

Sun. Feb. 17 Ice Skating Night

Sun. Feb. 24 Regular Meeting

Junior High Youth (F.I.S.H.) are invited to join the Sr. High on Ice Skating Night. See Pastor Hoft for more details.

We will resume taking regular orders on January 7, 2002. Walk-up sales will be available on Friday, January 4th 3:00-4:00 p.m. and on Sundays 9:00-9:30 a.m. and 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Look for Sowing & Growing Together on the Good Shepherd web site. You will be able to download the regular order form. If you have any questions about this program, call Meta Cathcart at 346-1316.

Scriptures For February

Souper Bowl Offering

Sunday morning (9:15 a.m.) Adult Bible Studies continue in the lower level. Pastor Hoft is teaching a class on the differences in Christian denominations. This is part of our core "Adult Christian Education" program that focuses on a series of key classes offered once every two years. Pastor Walther is teaching a class on the Book of Ecclesiasties. Everyone is invited. Coffee and refreshments are available.

Baptisms (Children): Mark Nathan Mueller, 12/29; Lauren Elizabeth Fortner, 11/8; Claire Elizabeth Brown, 1/27.

Baptism (Adult): Joshua Alexander Davis, 9/23.

Received Through Transfer: James & Jeannette Strieter from St. James, Glen Carbon; Dale & Mary Ann Brelje from St. James, Glen Carbon.

Marriages: Mark Steven Murray and Hannah Elizabeth Kringel Wallace, 12/29; Thomas Harold Schiller and Robin Kay Arvizu, 1/12

Funerals: Cleo W. Meredith, 1/16; Flora Mae Schlatweiler, 1/17