Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

1300 Belt Line Road Collinsville Illinois 62234

618-344-3151 (Church) 618-344-3153  (School) 618-344-3378 (Fax) Pastor Michael Walther    Pastor Peter Hoft   Vol. 26   No. 6 June 2003

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Don’t Leave Early

Have you ever noticed how some folks leave early? It might be a worship service or a meeting or some other event. Occasionally we all have unusual situations that call us to other duties, and hence we have to leave early. But some people leave early all the time.

When it comes to the Ascension of Jesus, a lot of people "leave early." We celebrate the birth of Jesus and His resurrection, but the Ascension has a way of passing by relatively unnoticed. I would suggest we change that routine. Celebrating the Ascension reminds and reinforces the following important things in our Christian life:

1. Jesus did truly rise from the dead. He didn’t die again later. His grave is still empty.

2. Jesus is coming again in judgment, and He will return in the same manner that He departed.

3. Jesus promised to be with us always, even to the end of the world.

4. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God, and He rules this universe.

5. Jesus urged His disciples (including you and me) to be His witnesses.

When you think about these things, I think it is good advice not to "leave early." You just might be missing the best part!

Official Acts

Baptisms (children): Douglas Alan and Drew Matthew Peterson, 4/19; Cade Thomas Slayden, 5/11

Profession of Faith: Aaron Jacob and Julia Lynne Meyer, baptized souls

Marriages: Eric Joseph Fister and Rebecca Lynn Pea, Robert Angel Molina and Erynn Michelle Knolhoff

Funerals: Holden Trace Johnson, Evelyn Marie Sazama

Souls: 1,665                         Comm.: 1,311

"When Your Soul Aches"

by Lois Mowday Rabey GSLC Church Library

After recounting the tragic death of her first husband, Lois Rabey proceeds to tell how God used Rabey and the tragedy to bring about a ministry for women who have lost their husbands.  Rabey tells how the Lord first worked healing in her life.  She also tells about how the Lord taught her to handle the questions of her daughters, who also witnessed the tragedy.   Rabey uses true, life stories of her own and others to portray the challenges that face a single mother.

This is a very uplifting book.  This book would be a great one to read if one is dealing with the loss of a spouse or with the challenges of single parenting.

Adult opinions and behavior (especially parents’) significantly affect young people’s decisions to use or not to use alcohol and other drugs. The Minnesota Student Survey found that high school students who did not use alcohol or other drugs stated that the second most popular reason for abstinence is that their parents would be upset. So, what can you do if your child is drinking? 1. Please talk to your child about the dangers of alcohol use. Discuss and set consequences of alcohol use before it happens. 2. Always be up to greet your child when he or she comes home, (or get up when they come home) give them a hug and a sniff to determine if any alcohol scent is present. 3. If your child is attending a party, always call the parents to make

sure an adult is going to be home monitoring the party. Don’t be afraid to be a strong parent! Remember: Parents are the No. 1 deterrent to drug use.

Above all else, keep the lines of communication open. Remind your child that your discipline is motivated out of love. As it says in Proverbs 3:11-12, "My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

Help With Youth Groups?

We are looking for a few good people who would like to work with our upper grade Sunday School classes and our three Sunday evening Youth Groups. We are looking for people who can set a good example and want to teach kids what it means to be a Christian. Having some background in Bible study, or a willingness to get involved in Bible study will be helpful. You don’t have to be a parent to be a youth leader.

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
June 6 at 7:00 p.m.

God has touched all of us through His Word. A particular scripture may have helped us through difficult times in our lives; others may have helped us better understand God's unqualified love for us, His children, so that we were able to more readily "love one another." Perhaps a certain passage eased a hurt others may have caused us, and enabled us to forgive them as God forgives us every day of our lives. Why not come to the next LWML meeting on June 6 at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, to listen to those who want to share how they have been touched by the Holy Spirit through the Bible . . . so that we may all grow in God's Word. Our program for that evening will be based on our " "Favorite Scriptures." There will be Bible-based games, refreshments, and loads of Christian fellowship and fun. All women of the church are invited…..so plan to come, and bring a friend!

Monthly Scripture Readings

Stewardship Notes

The above definition of Christian Stewardship has been used in our church for a few decades. It contains only 29 words, but what a mouthful when you consider the application of the various parts of this definition.

"Free and joyous." Many people do not think of stewardship as being free and joyous but it really can be when we have the calm assurance that our God richly provides all that we need for the support and wants of our body and life.

"Child of God." What a beautiful title for God's people! The opening verses of 1 John 3 speak of the lavish love of God resulting in making us His very own children. What great good news and what a powerful reminder of the proper motivation for our stewardship activity – love to our God who first loved us.

"God's family, the church." This phrase reminds us that our stewardship is not a solo performance but is done within the Christian community to honor God and benefit others.

"In managing all of life and life's resources." Part of our stewardship struggle is that we think we "own" all those things that surround us when, in truth, we are managers. Another part of our struggle is that we may think that Stewardship is just about money, time and talents. Christian stewardship is about those things and more; Christian stewardship involves our whole life--everything that God has entrusted to us to manage as faithful stewards.

"For His purposes." Maturing stewards do the right things for the right reasons. All we do as Christian stewards is to be done to the glory of God and for the welfare of others as well as ourselves. Who said stewardship was easy? If it were, everyone would be doing it!

Sowing and Growing

Dates to Order: June 2, 16 & 30 July 14 & 28 August 11 & 25

After August 25th the orders will be processed weekly during the school year. The school year schedule will be available at registration.

Keep Sowing and Growing vendors in mind to meet your summer and vacation needs!

"Meet Us at the Muny"

The Board of Congregational Life has reserved 20 tickets for the Muny Theater's (Forest Park, St. Louis) Sunday, July 27th production of the musical Godspell. We will car pool from the church at 5:15 p.m. Bring a picnic lunch (drinks and dessert will be provided). A complimentary backstage tour will be available before the show. The cost is $13.00 per person. Call Jeanette at the church office (344-3151) for reservations. July 1st is the deadline for reservations and payment.

Vacation Bible School Date: July 7-11                         Hours: 8:30 - 10:30 AM Monday - Friday

_____I will be a teacher                                                                         _____I can play piano or organ

_____I wish to serve as a teacher's helper                                              _____I will assist with enrolling

_____I will help with refreshments                                                          _____I will assist with transportation

_____I will help with crafts                                                                     _____I am willing to babysit

_____I will donate $_____to defray expenses                                        _____I will donate Kool-aide, juice, cookies, etc.

NAME                                                                                   AGE                  GRADE COMPLETED THIS SPRING

1. ________________________________________            ____               ___________________________________

2. ________________________________________            ____               ___________________________________

3. ________________________________________            ____               ___________________________________

Parent's Name:______________________________                     Address:__________________________________

Work or Emergency Phone:____________________                      Home Phone:_______________________________

Family Church:______________________________                     To be brought by:___________________________

Note: A suggested donation of $10 to cover the cost of materials will help to support the Vacation Bible School program for everyone.