Love in Action

The Four Dimensions of Worship

Worship is central to our lives as Christians. Our gracious Lord gathers us on a regular basis to receive His blessings won for us through Jesus Christ. But how do you describe worship? In a new book called Gathered Guests, Timothy Maschke says that worship is multidimensional. It can be described as being upward, downward, outward, and inward. Or, it can be described as an encounter, expression, an education, and evangelism. 

First and foremost, worship is an encounter. God reaches down to us with His Word and the Sacraments (Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, and Holy Absolution). These are the ways we receive God’s most precious gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. We don’t climb a ladder up to heaven to find God. God comes down to us to be present among us. Think about all the objects we visualize in church- a cross, an altar, a pulpit, candles, a Bible, a baptismal font, pews, banners, stained-glass windows, an organ, and instruments. These are all physical reminders that we are in a special place where God makes Himself known. Think about all of the people we see in church- the pastors, worshipers, acolytes, ushers, musicians, and choir members. Through the lips and actions of these people God speaks to us His Word and we listen. Worship is an encounter with the Lord Himself.

Secondly, worship is an upward expression of our faith. We respond to what God has done for us in Christ. Because we are in the presence of God, we express ourselves in various ways. We sing hymns of praise, bow our heads to pray, stand, kneel for communion, share our offerings, and greet other worshipers with a handshake of peace. Some of these expressions are outward. For example, some worshippers make the sign of the cross to remind themselves of their baptism. Other times our expressions are inward. After hearing that our sins are forgiven we might respond with a quiet yet joyful gratitude in our heart. Worship involves expression.

Thirdly, worship is an education. Martin Luther especially recognized this inward aspect of worship during the time of the Reformation. We come to church to be nurtured and edified in the teachings of the Bible. Children especially benefit from a patterned order of worship that is repeated Sunday after Sunday. For example, I don’t remember my parents ever teaching me the words of the Lord’s Prayer or the Apostles’ Creed. Instead, I learned these expressions of the faith through regular attendance and participation in the Sunday services. Church was never an option for me growing up. My parents expected me to be there every Sunday. Sometimes I would complain and make a fuss. But looking back I now see how weekly church attendance was the very best education I could have ever received.

Evangelism

Finally, worship is evangelistic. Whenever God’s Word is proclaimed in a public setting hearts may very well be changed. A visitor who has been invited to church by a friend may hear the Gospel for the very first time and come to faith in Christ. God’s Word is powerful and effective. The same can be said about our behavior and conduct in church. Whatever we do in worship expresses our faith so others may see. This is important to keep in mind as we sit down in the pews and interact with others after the closing hymn. Our hospitality to the stranger in our midst can have a profound impact on a nonmembers’ faith. Worship affects our outward witness to others.

Adult Inquiry Begins
April 20th & 24th

Invite a friend to the next session of Adult Inquiry to learn more about the Christian faith. Classes begin Tuesday, April 20, from 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Babysitting is provided. The classes are all set up in a presentation format. It is a great introduction to the overall teaching of the Bible centered in Jesus Christ. Babysitting is provided.

In the Book of Acts we read that Jesus appeared to the disciples and spoke of the kingdom of God for forty days following His resurrection. After that He assembled the disciples together and told them to wait for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and to be His witnesses to the end of the earth. He then ascended bodily from the earth until He was hidden from their sight by a cloud.

Come join us as we celebrate the miracle of the ascension and the continued work of the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Jesus to the end of the earth.

This is the 3^rd year for a group from GSLC to teach vacation Bible School in the Sandy Lake area of Ontario, Canada through LAMP (Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots). There are a number of ways that you can be involved in God’s mission this summer. The mission team will travel between June 25 and July 4. Get involved in God’s mission today!

Pray for the GSLC mission team and the Cree children whom they will work among. Pray that the Word of God will take root in their hearts.

Give supplies or financial donations to support those who are going. Supplies needed-pencils, crayons, glue/glue sticks, scissors and stickers. Schnucks or Shop n Save gift certificates can be used to purchase food. Financial donations will go toward van rental and gas ($850) and other related costs.

Contact Lucy Thompson at (618-406-5188) or Karin Semler (618-345-5947) if you would like to serve as a VBS teacher or support this mission effort in other ways.

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Women’s Bible Study - Every 3^rd Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All women of the church are invited to join together for an hour of fellowship and study in God’s Word. Upcoming study topics are: Fruit of the Spirit - Joy (May 20) and Not a Mistake! (June 17).

Next Saturday, April 24^th, LWML Spring Zone Rally - Holy Cross Lutheran in Collinsville hosts this year’s rally from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Guest speaker, Seminarian Erik Loza, will talk about his family’s Hispanic ministry in Fairmont City. $7.00 registration includes lunch catered by Nonna’s. All women are invited. Please contact Terri Blasingame at 344-0831 if you would like to attend.

Thursday, May 6^th - Our regular monthly business meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All ladies of the church are encouraged to join us for a Bible Study with Reverend Michael Walther.

Monday, May 10^th, 6:00 p.m., Mother & Daughter Banquet - "Can You Hear Me Now?" sets the stage for this year’s banquet, which unites mothers and daughters in a wonderful evening of fun and fellowship. (Adults: $8.50, Children 4-12: $6.50, and Children under 4: Free.) Reserve your seats now by calling the church office at 344-3151 or Cheryl Schnicker at 398-3786. P.S. If your mother (or daughter) is cherished from afar, consider inviting a "stand-in" for the evening.

Looking Ahead -

Ladies, you’ll definitely want to mark your calendars for our June monthly meeting (June 3). This annual "Favorite Scripture Night" is one you won’t want to miss. Come and join in the fun and great fellowship!

New Member Anniversary Dinner
May 2 - 11:45 Am

Even if you haven't had an opportunity to sign-up for the New Member/Anniversary Dinner on Sunday, May 2nd, plan to come anyway. In addition to meeting our new members who have come to Good Shepherd since May, 2003, we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of our school (praise God!).

There is no cost for the meal. Meat, rolls, drinks and dessert will be provided....just bring a vegetable or salad to share. What a great opportunity to make new friends and renew old acquaintances....and spend a couple of hours enjoying great Christian fellowship!

The time has come for a new Church Directory because there are a lot of new faces at Good Shepherd. The Directory is a very important tool to help members get to know each other.

Lifetouch Church Directories will produce the directory at no cost to our church....plus....every family photographed will receive a complimentary directory and an 8 x 10 portrait! Portrait sessions will take place on the following dates: August 2, 3, 4, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 30 and 31....and September 1, 20 and 21. Sign-up sheets will be made available so that you and your family can choose which date is most convenient for you. Keep watching the monthly Newsletters and weekly bulletins for more details.

The last time we produced this directory approximately 83% of our church families participated....let's make it 100% this year!

Our fun-filled week of Bible School adventures will conclude with a big church picnic again this year.  After two summers of construction work, we are excited about the return of this big event.  We hope to have even more water games and activities along with the usual array of wonderful food and enjoyable entertainment.  Mark your calendars now to spend the day with your Good Shepherd family and friends on Sunday, July 25. Please call the church office if you are interested in helping.

Living Together Without Marriage

Click here to access an article on the LCMS website about this frequent topic of concern for Christians.  (Adobe Acrobat required.) 

Baptisms (children): Madison Rose Beyer 4/17

Confirmation (children): Andrea Katherine Barrows, Alexa Danielle Bauer, Benton James Blasingame, Elizabeth Marie Bohn, Alexandra Elizabeth Brandt, Paul Donald Brookshier, Andrew Wright Burstadt, Amanda Lynette Clessa, Julia Elizabeth Cluck, Joshua Michael Cooley, Tiffani Nicole Dyer, Patricia Marie Edrington, Zachary Cole Frey, Colin Ray Fuhrmann, Bradford Charles Galaske, Brooke Caitlin Greeling, Chad Anthony Hiles, Joshua Adam Kintz, Philip John Kober, Kaitlyn Marie Kollmann, Abbye Rae Lakin, Michael Robert Mentz, Aaron Jacob Meyer, Alaina Christine Oakley, Megan Nicole Richter, John Henry Soos, Benjamin Ryan Splaingard, David Garrett Sweet, Patrick Michael Wade, Jared Russell Wentzel, Abigail Rosalie Wooley, Kristen Michelle Wrigley, 4/4

Confirmation (adult): Ronald P. Adams, Peggy Ann Baer, Monica Rose McGlasson, 3/28

Received Through Transfer: Duane Rankin from Concordia, Granite City, 4/2

Profession of Faith: Bruce Scott McGlasson 3/28

Marriage: Jacob Daniel Mohler and Leigh Anne Staden, 3/27

Funeral: Betty Lou Lakin, 3/29

Souls: 1,605                                                           Comm.: 1,293

Construction INC.(In the Name of Christ) is the theme for our Vacation Bible School this summer. We are really excited about all the possibilities available to us with our new facilities to reach many people in our Collinsville area with the good news of Christ our Savior.  We hope all of you will find a way to be a part of this Christian outreach.

In addition to our traditional morning VBS format, we are also having an evening session.  This will run
from Sunday through Thursday, July 18-22.  After a joint opening, the adults will have a more in-depth Bible study while the children are dismissed to play and do other age-appropriate activities.  This will provide all our members the opportunity to invite their neighbors to come and hear about Christ in a very non-threatening, family-friendly environment.

2004  VACATION  BIBLE SCHOOL  REGISTRATION

Vacation Bible School Date:  July 19-23        Hours: 8:30 - 11:00 AM Monday – Friday

Classes are for children who will be 4 by Sept 1 through those just completing 7th grade.

_____I will be a teacher     _____I will help with crafts   _____I wish to serve as a teacher's helper          
_____I will assist with registration _____I will help with refreshments  _____I am willing to baby sit (the nursery is for the children of VBS teachers and helpers) _____ I will donate $_____to defray expenses   _____I will donate cookies

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.  Those turning in their registrations by Sun., June 13, will receive a free VBS music CD.