Love in Action

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 & P. Hemenway  Vol. 33  No. 7   July  2010

Today we are at a point where we, again, face some great difficulties in our church body’s future. How will we address the problems of pluralism? How will we address constantly changing moral issues? How will we get through some of the social problems that threaten Christian values? I think we would be wise to handle these issues the same way we always have. We need to turn to God’s Word and see what He prescribes for us as His people. They say those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. I think at a time like this we need to take a good look at our past and see that the only reason we are still here today as a church is not because we have better theologians than anyone else, not that we have better churches, better pastors or laypeople than anybody else; the reason we are still here today is solely because of God, His direction, His will and His Word which has guided us from our birth until this day. God help us if we try to find our directive and guidance anywhere else but in Him. Please pray for our church body, our pastors and laypeople as we go into our church convention in the next few weeks. Ask God that they would turn to His Word for direction and ask Him to continue to guide all that we do and that His Will would be done as we make those decisions which are so important to the future of our church body. Pastor Hemenway

All members of the congregation are encouraged to come to the June Voter’s Assembly on the 27^th. Good Shepherd holds two regularly scheduled meetings each year. The June meeting focuses on the financial guidelines, and the November meeting focuses on election of officers. We also consider other congregational decisions as needed. Most meetings last about 45 minutes.

Conventions are held every three years in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in order to elect leaders and to make decisions regarding the overall ministry of the church. On Sunday, June 27^th District President Herb Mueller and the delegates to this summer’s convention will be here to discuss the elections and many of the proposed resolutions. Everyone is invited to attend all or part of this open meeting. This is an opportunity both to learn about the convention process as well as to give your input regarding the ministries of the Synod.

There are no notes this month because the Council meeting isn’t held until June 21^st while the newsletter is always mailed on the third Friday of the month (the 18^th of this month). There will be no Council meeting in July, but the June meeting notes will be published in the August newsletter.

We’re extending a huge THANK YOU! to all the members of the congregation who took the time to have their pictures taken for the Church Pictorial Directory. The directory is a valuable tool for all of us, but especially our new members. It helps us all to become better acquainted with the various ministries and organizations within the church, as well as other members.

As in any project of this size, there are bound to be some mistakes, and when we must depend on an outside company for the final product, it is even more difficult to manage. We do, however, sincerely apologize for any inconvenience these errors may have caused you or your family. We are looking into alternatives for the next edition, and would welcome any suggestions you might have. Just contact the church office or any member of this board.

Again, thanks for your cooperation and your understanding.

Braille workers: July 1 @ 8:30 a.m.

No meeting in July

No blood pressure screening in July

Grief Share will start with a new session in September 9 from 6-7:30p.m.

August: Thursday, August 5^th, at 6:45 pm in Fellowship Hall.

The program will feature the senior high youth who will share their experiences at the National Youth Gathering. The inspiration they derive from being in fellowship with thousands of other Christian youth and the impact of the testimonies they hear touches their lives and ours, as supporters of this group. Be sure to mark your calendars for this night!

In addition, there will be an ingathering of school supplies for the Unity Lutheran Grade School in East St. Louis. Following is a list of some of the items that are needing: Boxes of Kleenex, Pencil Boxes, Paper Towels, Manila Folders, Wet Wipes, Large Manila Envelopes, Pencils, 3 x 5 Note Cards, Pens (blue/black), Pencil Pouches, Spiral Notebooks, Dixie Drinking Cups, Crayons (box of 24), Hand Sanitizer, Large Crayons (box of 8), Markers, Pink Erasers, Loose Leaf Paper, White Copier Paper, Playground Balls, Glue Sticks, Scissors,

Rulers (clear), Pencil Top Erasers.

Serve With A Faithful Heart! "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus". (I Timothy 1:14)

Starting June 19^th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. and running for 13 weeks (no class July 4 weekend). Learn how to work with your spouse on money, create a budget, reduce debt and handle money God’s way. Cost is $50. If you are interested, just come to the first class session! Former class members, come for a free "refresher" to one or all sessions! For more information, please contact Tim Meister at 636-734-6515.

On July 20 we will meet at 11:30 a.m. on the church parking lot & go to Maxwell’s in Belleville. Please call Mary Preuss (288-9525) by July 17 so we can make a reservation for you. Everyone is welcome to join in the fellowship as we support each other in our faith.

We will not meet on July 4^th. On July 18^th we will have a swim party at the home of Tom & Christy Grimm. Sign up sheets will be in the narthex for food and attendance. August 1^st will be our regular meeting On August 15^th we will welcome our new 5^th graders into the group with a parent informational event.

Play dates at the Good Shepherd playground continue on Wednesday mornings. You don’t have to have young children to come and visit with other women. Bring a lawn chair & your own drinks and snacks. You are also welcome to pack a lunch and eat at the picnic tables. Come anytime between 9 & noon.

Our July book is "Hide in Plain Sight" by Marta Perry. We meet at St. Louis Bread Co. at 7 p.m. on July 19. All ladies are welcome to join us.

"Heroes of the Faith" Bible study continues on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the church fellowship hall through July 20. Each week is an independent study on a different hero of the faith. All ladies are welcome. There is no babysitting provided.

High School Youth Group - This month we are meeting on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays, rather than the 1^st and 3^rd. This is because of the 4^th of July and the National Youth Gathering. Also, all graduated 8^th graders are welcome to start joining us for our high school youth group and events! Here’s what’s scheduled for July: July 11^th- Laser Tag! Meet at church at 5:15 and we’ll carpool to the Edge in Belleville. We’ll play 3 games, eat pizza and soda. Bring $10 to cover part of the expense and parent drivers are needed! We’ll return to church by 9:00pm. Please sign up on the youth board by July 4^th. July 25^th- Pool Party and BBQ- We’re welcoming Megan Loomis as the new youth director. Please sign up on the youth board so we can plan food and drinks for everyone! Location TBD, 6-8:00 pm.

Feed the Hungry Sponsors - Please don’t forget to attend our prayer send-off for the students and adult participating in the National Youth Gathering on July 11^th after the late service. Parents and others who would like to attend are welcome. We’ll meet in the fellowship hall downstairs for devotions, send-off and prayers. We’ll be finished by 12:30 pm.

College Age Bible Study - "The Truth Project" continues with a look at "Science: What is true?", "History: Whose story?" and "Sociology: The Divine Imprint". Please join us after late service on Sundays for lunch, study and discussion until 2:00 pm.

Meals still needed for July and August College Bible Study! We have about 10 students to feed each Sunday! Please sign up on the youth board under college ministry if you can make a meal for us! Thank you to those who have already served in this capacity! We all love being taken care of in this way!

National Youth Gathering - It’s finally here! Please pray for our students and adults who will be traveling to New Orleans and participating in this awesome event that only takes place every 3 years! They leave on the 16^th of July and return on the 22^nd. God’s blessings to all of you as you learn, grow, serve, and have a lot of fun!

Thank you to all those who donated items for the garage sale! It was a huge success. We were able to raise $1100 to put towards our cost for the National Youth Gathering. Also for all those that have come forward to sponsor or support us in our many fundraisers this year we thank you for everything! We have come close to raising almost all our funds needed! That’s about $900 per person! Thank you again and praise be to our Lord for his blessing upon blessing!

Come join us on July 11^th for a potluck in the Fellowship Hall after late service (11:45). Fried chicken will be provided. Bring a side dish to share. Come join us for some fun & fellowship.

Grizzlies Game, July 30^th – Join us as we root on the Gateway Grizzlies at their game against the Evansville Otters at GCS Ballpark. The game starts at 7:05. Admission is $5 for lawn seats.

Received Through Transfer: Barbara Carnaghi from Trinity, Edwardsville, IL

Marriages: Matthew Nguyen Gerzevske and Brianne Elizabeth Victor, Paul Robert Walther and

Lauribeth Brinson

Funeral: Kathleen J. Dockter

Souls: 1,646                                                 Comm.: 1,363

You are cordially invited to attend the Lay Bible Institute Summer Event on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, Clayton, MO. The topic will be Muslim Outreach, presented by Dr. John Loum, who has worked among Muslims in Europe, Africa, and the United States for more than 20 years. Participants will be provided with a unique perspective on one of the fastest growing religions in America. One year ago, the Pope publicly recognized Islam and the Muslims by stating, "There are more Muslims in the world than Roman Catholics." This public acknowledgment has reinvigorated the Muslim community in its outreach efforts. Consequently, Muslims in America have been approaching Christians of all backgrounds with the full intent of conversion. Countless Christians are embracing Islam each year in America. This constitutes a dilemma and has serious implications for the Christian faith and the proclamation of the Gospel. The sessions will include various topics on Islam and what you need to know about your Muslim neighbors, co-workers, or even the Muslim your child may date in the future. All denominations are welcome to this workshop. The workshop begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. and will be held in Sieck Hall, Room 202. Cost is $20 per person and includes handouts and refreshments. An optional lunch ticket is available for $6.50 in advance. For more information or to register, call Linda at 314-505-7486, or email ce@csl.edu

Concordia Seminary is offering two Summer Workshops for you on our campus this year.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Louis Brighton will present The Johannine Epistles and the Apostle of Love. The three epistles of the beloved John encourage all who follow Christ to be an icon, a picture of Christ, as we exhibit the sacrificial love of Christ to others. We do this by reflecting the light of Christ, by resisting false Christianity, by love one another in Christ’s love to us and by showing forth the confidence of standing before God’s judgment because of our faith in Christ as our advocate before the heavenly Father. This workshop will begin on Monday, August 2, at 1 p.m. and conclude on Wednesday, August 4, at noon.

Rev. Travis Scholl, Editor of Concordia Journal, and Peter Mead of Creative Communications, will present Faith and Creative Writing. This workshop will explore various kinds of creative writing—storytelling (for "page" and "stage"), creative nonfiction, and poetry—and what it means to write in these genres as a person of faith. What role does faith play in the creative process? How is religion expressed through creativity? What makes for effective communication of faith? Questions like these will be explored through presentations, discussion, and creative exercises. Although not required, participants are encouraged to bring their own work, as well as favorite works by others. This workshop runs Monday, August 9, through Wednesday, August 11, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day.

Jamie Endorf, a Spanish teacher at Metro-East Lutheran High School for the past 5 years, will be leaving MELHS and working as a GEO (Globally Engaged in Outreach) missionary through LCMS World Mission in the mountains southeast of Lima, Peru beginning in September. She will act as the Service Coordinator there. This means her primary responsibility will be identifying physical and spiritual needs in the community and arranging for American short-term mission teams to come and fill those needs. Additionally, she will be doing outreach in the community, and the goal of her mission team (herself, a teacher, a full-time missionary, and a called Pastor) is to plant a Lutheran church in the small Peruvian communities where they will live.

LCMS mission work in Peru began in 2007 when these communities, Lunahuana and Lucomo, experienced severe damage from an earthquake. LCMS World Relief sent help, and after building relationships with the people there, realized that there was a need for the Gospel. LCMS World Mission called a Pastor to serve along with a Service Coordinator, but the Pastor turned down the call. As a result, only one service coordinator has been working there for two years. This will be the first year that that a full team will serve the community.

Jamie has made an initial 11-month commitment to this work. She needs to raise support for herself before she can go to this mission field, as all missionaries do. It is estimated that the amount she will need for 11 months is just over $22,000. Please prayerfully consider partnering in this mission by financially supporting her and this mission field in Peru. Also, please keep the mission team and those they will minister to in your prayers.

If you would like to make a gift, you may do so online at http://www.lcms.org/ca/mission/prayercards/index-v1.5.asp. You may also call LCMS World Mission at 800-433-3954. Feel free to contact Jamie for additional information via email Jamie.endorf@lcms.org or phone 618-978-1443. She would be happy to share more about this exciting opportunity!

In addition to partnering in this mission work through financial support and prayers, the work in Peru would be blessed if the church would plan a short-term mission trip to Peru to see how God has been using their money and prayers. If you would like to plan a trip, please contact Jamie to make arrangements.

House for rent in Collinsville, available July 1. 3 bedroom ranch, central AC, full unfinished basement. yard maintenance included. $700 deposit. $700 rent per month. Call 345-4960.