Blog of the Good Shepherd

update 6/16

2011-06-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Good Shepherd,
Matt has had an exceptional number of interruptions this week, and so in the interest of helping him have sermon and study time, I thought I’d do the update.

A BIG thank you to everyone who helped with the Fair last Saturday. It was a resounding and total success, from my perspective. So many different people came through our doors and I think we had a true impact on this area. Thanks for all the hard work and especially to Carmen for keeping a clear goal and organizing so many details and people.

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. The Trinity is an important but difficult concept and one that, as you grow in Christian maturity and knowledge of scripture, will make more sense, but which remains a deep and great mystery.

Trinity means ‘three’. It refers to the Persons and Being of God. God is Three Persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—but he is One Being. This is hard for us to conceive of because we are all one person in one being. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct in their persons—it is not that God sometimes plays the part of Son and then other times plays the part of the Spirit—the Father is always and eternally the Father, the Son has always been the Son, the Word who became flesh, who became a human person to live and die as one of us, the Holy Spirit has always been the Holy Spirit. These Three Persons are in perfect unity, they are in the perfect kind of relationship, they perfectly love each other.

We see the Trinitarian nature of God all through scripture—in Creation, when the Father spoke the Word and the Spirit moved over the face of the water, at the moment of Jesus’ baptism when the Father spoke and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and certainly in the book of Revelation when St. John as ‘in the Spirit’ and saw the Son seated upon the throne and heard the voice of the Father.

Matt Perman writes, “If there is one passage which most clearly brings all of this together, it is Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." First, notice that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinguished as distinct Persons. We baptize into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Second, notice that each Person must be deity because they are all placed on the same level. In fact, would Jesus have us baptize in the name of a mere creature? Surely not. Therefore each of the Persons into whose name we are to be baptized must be deity. Third, notice that although the three divine Persons are distinct, we are baptized into their name (singular), not names (plural). The three Persons are distinct, yet only constitute one name. This can only be if they share one essence.”
The whole article is really good and easy to understand.

Here’s the update!

Adult Education on Evangelism: This Sunday begins a two part class on Evangelism by Katy McFadden. Katy has led numerous evangelism training courses and we are blessed to have her come teach us how to follow the Biblical Mandate to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, with words. If you are nervous or unsure about how to talk about your faith in and love for Jesus, come at 9:15 am this week and next.

Thank you and Summer Sunday School: Colleen Kenny Kuk, Christine Osgood and Joe and Andrea Kovac have worked hard this year teaching the children of Good Shepherd about Jesus and the Bible and I am SO GRATEFUL for their hard work Sunday by Sunday. Chris will be taking a much needed break over the summer and will be back in the fall. Colleen and Joe and Andrea will be moving on to other interesting and important ministries (including rest).

This Sunday kicks off Summer Sunday School. This year we’ll be concentrating on memorizing some easy and accessible verses from the Bible. I hope you’ll bring your kids at 9:15. We’ll start out in the sanctuary and move out from there. If you are interested in helping me out this summer, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

Baptism: Meredith Kuk will be baptized next Sunday, June 26. We’re So Delighted to welcome her into the visible Body of Christ. Meredith has been attending Good Shepherd for a while and is seriously following Jesus. I hope you all will make a special effort to be there and rejoice with her and her mom, Colleen.

Good Shepherd’s Annual Summer Festival: THANK YOU So Much, again, to everyone who worked the Fair, who set up and cleaned up and served Ice Cream and cooked Hot Dogs and painted faces, and sang and greeted guests and EVERYTHING. Carmen surpassed herself this year and I think the whole day was a wild success. A well-deserved break goes to everyone!

ACW: Reminder that Sunday, June 19, we are celebrating the collection of the life Choices "Baby Bottles". They will be collected at both services! About 40 bottles were given out. ACW is also doing the Coffee Hour as part of the celebration. ACW will get a sheet cake from Giant/Weis. If you could bring some cleaned fruit a fruit bowl that would helpful. Please let me know, if you are able to bring fruit! Thank you,
Pat

Update of Charles Mabula: For those of you who were at the picnic and saw Charles get hurt, he did break his wrist. He is doing fine but would appreciate on-going prayers for a quick recovery.

Picnic Recap: A big Thank You to everyone who came to the picnic in spite of the rain. The rain eventually cleared and we had a great time. I have received a couple of very helpful emails, and welcome more, about what people were confused about bringing and what to expect and so forth. If you were confused at all or have any suggestions for next year, email or facebook me and I will file them all away for the next time. Thanks so much for coming!

Life Choices 5k: Life Choices Center is inviting us to participate in their 5k walk/run. This is a great oppotunity to support their work. The walk/run is the day of the Speidie Fest (August 7, I think). Please contact Samantha Kubik if you would like to be involved. You can get her number from the church office (723-8032)

Join the Good Shepherd facebook page: Matt has restarted the Good Shepherd facebook page that has been rather dormant for the last year. I’ll be updating it regularly with news, information, and articles that you may not get in the Update or via email. If you’re on facebook you can join the page here. In the future, he’ll be starting several facebook “groups”, one for the church as a whole and others for various committees. The benefit of “groups” is that you are notified on your facebook page when a new message is posted on the group page. It’s an easier and faster way to communicate than email.

Podcasts: After a year long pause, the Good Shepherd audio mp3 podcasts are back. I’ll continue to post sermon texts and video but now you can also listen to them on your ipod or mp3 device. We’ve also figured out how to combine the mp3 audio with the video recording to make the video sound significantly better. You can listen to the podcasts here. You can see and hear the significantly improved video sound here or below.

Solemn Communion continues this week. This is a special and intense time for those children in Communion class and I encourage everyone in the church to pray for them during the whole month. If you would like to be involved behind the scenes, I welcome that and there is still time to volunteer. You can email (revakennedy@hotmail.com) or leave a message in the office (732-8032) and I will get in touch with you. Thanks so much!

Bible Studies and Mission Groups: The Bible Studies and Mission Groups continue to go very well. I am exceedingly thankful for God’s blessing in and through these groups. We’re hoping to expand the mission groups program next fall and launch at least two more groups in other parts of the greater Binghamton area. If you are interested in hosting a group or think you might be called to lead one, please let me know. If you’d like more information about mission groups please read here. Here are the meeting times and addresses of the mission groups and bible studies.

Mission Groups: (all mission groups meet in homes and in keeping with our Sunday morning sermon series, they are all presently studying Colossians. You are invited to join the one nearest you.

* Mondays at 6:00pm Lee and Jane Bronson’s Mission Group meets at Darrell and Carolyn Dean’s house at 19 Newton Street in Port Dickinson.

*Tuesdays at 6:00pm Ife’s Mission Group meets at Carrie Moorhead’s house at 5 Hancock Street in Binghamton (near the old church)

* Wednesdays at 7:00pm Joe Kovac’s Mission Group meets at 103 Oak Street in Binghamton

* Wednesdays 6:30pm Bill Woollet’s group meets at Mary Lindsey’s House, 41 Hays Street in Southeast Binghamton (near the present church).

Bible Studies (all bible studies meet at the church in the parish hall and each study takes one book at a time and studies verse by verse)
1. Tuesday Morning bible study: Tuesdays at 9:00am—presently studying Romans

2. Thursday Evening Bible Study (for beginners): Thursdays at 6:30pm—presently studying the Book of Acts

3.Men’s breakfast and bible study: Fridays at 6:30am—presently studying the book of Acts

4. Women’s Bible Study: Saturdays at 10:00am—presently studying Revelation
Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study (6:30am every Friday) will start studying a new book of the bible this Friday, the book of Acts. All men are invited and welcome. Joe Barham is scheduled to cook this week.

Open Door Office Hours: For those of you who are new to Good Shepherd, I have open office hours from 2pm to 6pm Tuesday thru Thursday. During these times you are invited to come in to talk with me about anything that’s on your mind with or without an appointment. If you can’t make those hours, but still want to talk to me about something feel free to send me an email (lambeth@flash.net) or call the church office (723-8032) to set up an appointment—leave a message if no one answers and we will get back to you.

What on earth does he do all day?: The old joke about pastors is that in the course of any given week we are “6 days invisible and 1 day incomprehensible.” Well, I may be incomprehensible on Sunday but I hope I am not invisible during the week. In case you wonder what I do all day I thought I’d let you know…after all you are paying my salary.
Monday is my day off.
Tuesday through Thursday my work day begins at about 6 to 6.30am (I get up at 4am to have at least some peace before the 5 beasts awaken). I start by listening to lectures or sermons from professors or other pastors dealing with passages or topics I have to teach or preach on that week. From about 9am to 1pm I hole up in my home office to study for sermons , classes and bible studies, write the update, articles and sermons, and/or to go on pastoral visits. I go to lunch at 1pm and then I’m in the office for office hours from 2pm-6pm. On Thursdays I go to Shepherd’s Bowl and lead the Thursday night bible study.
On Friday my work day starts at around 6:00am when I review my notes for men’s bible study which starts at 6:30am and lasts till around 8am. Then I spend most of the day (depending on how the writing goes) hunkering down and composing Sunday’s sermon and prepping notes for Sunday’s class.
On Saturday I continue work on my sermon, usually (hopefully) editing, and often there are various committee meetings and/or events to attend.
On Sundays my workday begins at 4am reviewing and getting the sermon into my head, reviewing class notes, and then by 7am helping Anne with the kids. Then I’m at church until about 2pm and then I collapse and rest until Tuesday.
Most days (except Monday) you can reach me on my cell at 621-9944…but please leave a message if I don’t answer. I get sales calls even on my cell so I don’t answer unless I recognize the number but I do check my phone messages and call back.

The Food Pantry Needs as of 6/14/11 are: Cereal, fruit juice, canned fruit, pasta sauce, soups, tea, hot cocoa, canned meats, coffee, powdered milk, personal products (soap, shampoo, etc.) Thank you and God bless, CJ Johnson

Hospitality Ministry: (from Virginia Wetherbee)
Photo Gallery: Thanks to all of you who brought family pictures to share with us in the Church Family Gallery. It was a fun way to get to know you better. This Sunday we will be taking them down so be sure to go down stairs during coffee hour and get your pictures.

Greeters: Thanks to all of you who have agreed to be greeters at the beginning of the 10:30 service and to those who still plan to volunteer. We will be having a short training session upstairs after the 10:30 service on Sunday soon. We'll let you know the date soon.

Coffee Hour: Thanks also to those who have signed up to help host coffee hour over the next few weeks. Please take a look at the sign up sheet downstairs. It takes 3-4 families working together to make it happen so if you see only one or two family units signed up for a particular week, please add your name. Don't feel you all have to cook or bring something. Clean up and set up are also important. So if you enjoy the fellowship of coffee hour please take responsibility for helping to make it happen.

Map: Have you gotten a glimpse of the large wall map of the Greater Binghamton Area that Sabine Krummel is in the process of creating, that the youth groups plan to enhance with color and that each of you can contribute to by adding the house where you live. Watch for it downstairs.

Summer fun get acquainted activities: Details coming soon. Stay posted.

Team Galatians is scheduled for worship this Sunday. Pauline King is the captain.

Change for Life Campaign: As followers of Christ we must not only stand against abortion but also stand in support of women who choose to have their babies. Consider taking a baby bottle and fill it with your pocket change. Your contribution will help Life Choices Center—an outreach program that provides competent and caring services to women and men struggling to raise children in difficult circumstances. Please bring the filled baby bottles back to Church on Father’s Day June 19. The collected in both services!

Make-up Photo Shoots: If you missed the previous photo sessions, you can have make up pictures at the times and locations below. Please remember to give them our contract number and to return the guest photography slip to Carmen.
Community Bible Church
604 Chenango St
Binghamton. NY 13901
church ph #—-607-724-4583
coordinator—-Audrey Warner—-607-693-2403
June 30 & July 1
Contract Number: 60008

Help Needed for the Shepherd’s Bowl: Thank you to everyone who has volunteered since this call went out but we still need more help. If you have Thursday evening free once a month between 5:30pm and 6:30pm (later if you are part of the clean up crew, earlier if you are a cook), please call the office at 723-8032 or reply this email and we’ll plug you into a team.

Sermons from last Sunday: We took a week off from Colossians to preach on the Feast of Pentecost. Here is the sermon text and audio.

Homework Here are the discussion questions from Joe Kovac based on the sermon above:

Matt

Anne's Pentecost Sermon

2011-06-13T08:58:00.001-07:00

Sermon by Anne Kennedy
Text: Acts 2:1-11
Pentecost Sunday, June 12th, 2011

June 12, 2011

Click here if you'd like to download the file to your computer.

Sermon: Putting on the Love of Christ

2011-05-16T18:04:00.001-07:00

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Colossians 3:14

Sermon: Putting on the Virtues of Christ

2011-05-09T14:38:00.001-07:00

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Colossians 3:12-14

Sermon: Jesus rose from the tomb...really

2011-04-25T09:50:00.001-07:00

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Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon: Wash Me and Make Me Clean

2011-04-22T13:45:00.001-07:00

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John 13:1-11

Sermon: Waiting for God

2011-04-19T10:44:00.001-07:00

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Palm Sunday 2011

Sermon: The New Community

2011-04-11T10:35:00.001-07:00

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Colossians 3:12-25

Christian Education: Q and A Forum

2011-04-07T08:54:00.001-07:00

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April 3rd 2011

Sermon: Community Remade

2011-04-05T07:27:00.001-07:00

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Colossians 3:10-11

Q and A with Bishop Bill Murdoch

2011-03-31T13:03:00.001-07:00

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At Good Shepherd, Binghamton during Christian education at 9:15am, March 27th, 2011

Sermon: Killing Off What is Earthly

2011-03-21T16:22:00.001-07:00

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Colossians 3:5-9

Sermon: Setting our Minds on Things Above

2011-03-14T15:59:00.001-07:00

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Colossians 3:1-4

Christian Economics: Article 38

2011-03-09T09:38:00.001-08:00

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Christian Education Series: The 39 Articles of Religion

Sermon: The Gospel v. "Self-made Religion"

2011-03-07T15:19:00.001-08:00

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Colossians 2:20-23

Sermon: Avoiding Spiritual Intimidation

2011-03-01T09:50:00.001-08:00

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Colossians 2:16-19

The Christian and the State part 2: Article 37

2011-02-22T06:23:00.001-08:00

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Christian education series: The 39 Articles of Religion

Sermon: Cancelling the Record of Debt

2011-02-21T18:41:00.001-08:00

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Colossians 2:13-15

Christian Education: The State and the Christian

2011-02-17T12:02:00.001-08:00

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Christian Education Series: The 39 Articles of Religion. Article 37: Of the Civil Magistrates

Sermon: Circumcised Hearts

2011-02-14T14:14:00.001-08:00

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Colossians 2:11-13

Sermon: Resisting Captivity

2011-02-09T13:13:00.001-08:00

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text: Colossians 2:8-10

Preaching and Leadership in the Church: Article 36

2011-02-09T11:21:00.001-08:00

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Christian Education Series: the 39 Articles of Religion

Sermon: The Blind Men and the Elephant and other "Plausible" Myths

2011-02-01T16:44:00.001-08:00

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text: Colossians 2:4-7

Traditions and Ceremonies in the Church: Article 34

2011-02-01T13:56:00.001-08:00

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Christian Education Series: The 39 Articles of Religion

Sermon: The Blind Men and the Elephant and other 'Plausible' Myths

2011-02-01T04:14:00.001-08:00

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text: Colossians 2:4-7

Article 33: Church Discipline

2011-01-24T19:30:00.001-08:00

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From the Christian Education Series: The Thirty Nine Articles of Religion ;

Sermon: That We May Present Everyone Mature in Christ

2011-01-24T08:57:00.001-08:00

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text Colossians 1:28-2:3

The One Full Perfect Sacrifice for Sin

2011-01-21T09:44:00.001-08:00

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Chrisitan Education series: The Thirty Nine Articles of Religion. Article 31. The relationship between the cross and Communion.

Sermon: Loving the Church

2011-01-18T13:08:00.001-08:00

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Text: Colossians 1:24-27

Examine Yourself: Discipline and the Eucharist

2011-01-11T12:40:00.001-08:00

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From a Christian Education Series on the 39 Articles of Religion. In this session, Articles 29 and 30 are discussed. ;

Christian Education: the Lord's Supper

2011-01-04T14:59:00.001-08:00

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This discussion is part on an ongoing adult Christian education series based on the 39 Articles of Religion. ;

Sermon: Reconciliation

2011-01-03T12:40:00.001-08:00

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text: Colossians 1:21-22

Sermon: The Word who is God

2010-12-30T21:01:00.001-08:00

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text John 1:1

Sermon: Jesus Creator and Lord of all that Is

2010-12-13T07:34:00.001-08:00

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text Colossians 1:15-17

Sermon: God and Money

2010-12-08T17:20:00.001-08:00

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Luke 12:13-21

Sermon: God and Money

2010-12-08T07:57:00.001-08:00

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text: Luke 12:13-21

Sermon: Suffering and the Sufficiency of Christ

2010-11-29T13:01:00.001-08:00

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text: Colossians 1:11-14

Sermon: A Prayer for Good Works

2010-11-22T08:26:00.001-08:00

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Colossians 1:9-10

Sermon: The Word of the Truth, the Gospel

2010-11-18T12:25:00.001-08:00

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Colossians 1:5-8

Sermon: Hope

2010-11-08T05:57:00.001-08:00

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Colossians 1:1-5

Sermon: Hope

2010-11-07T19:21:00.001-08:00

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Colossians 1:1-5a

Sermon: Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ

2010-10-31T19:38:00.001-07:00

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Colossians 1:1

Christianity and Culture

2010-10-24T12:52:00.001-07:00

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Introduction to Colossians part 3

Syncretism: the religion of "whatever works"

2010-10-18T06:42:00.001-07:00

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text: Colossians 2:1-4; 6-10

Sermon for the Blessing of the Beasts

2010-10-12T06:31:00.001-07:00

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Text: Romans 8:18-24

Blessing of the Beasts

2010-10-12T06:17:00.001-07:00

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Blessing of the Animals at the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd in Binghamton, New York

Sermon: Jesus the Radical

2010-10-03T11:51:00.001-07:00

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text: Colossians 1

Sermon: Jesus' teaching on Hell

2010-09-27T08:00:00.001-07:00

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Text: Luke 16:19-31

Sermon: Prayer and the Battle Against Temptation

2010-09-20T08:25:00.001-07:00

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by Matt Kennedytext: Luke 11:4; Matthew 6:13; James 1

Sermon: Unforgiveness and Prayer

2010-09-13T12:28:00.001-07:00

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text: Luke 11:4

Sermon: Meeting Jesus in the Air

2010-09-09T11:46:00.001-07:00

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Sermon by Rabbi Ron Goldberg, Messianic Rabbi. ;

Sermon: When God says No (Prayer part 4)

2010-08-23T09:40:00.001-07:00

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Luke 11:1-13

The Last Post

2010-03-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Well, now that the new website is up, I will be putting the Blog of the Good Shepherd to rest. It's been a good run but there is no more need for it. The new website does all that this blog does and more. I will be posting daily podcasts and articles at the new site and at the Good Shepherd facebook page...

Take some time and explore the site. There are so many more resources and so much more information packed into this site than in past ones. Be sure to check out the new photo gallery. Each image represents an entire gallery of photographs that you can enlarge and view. The homepage (the first page that pops up when you get to the site) boasts a video library for quick video updates. There is a new page for podcasts on which I've started publishing daily (well...weekdays...at least that's the goal) podcasts. The present series is a study of the Ten Commandments. You can listen to Wednesday's and Thursday's podcasts here. There is a new sermon's page which boasts both video and text.

You will also find descriptions of our bible studies, beliefs, Sunday School classes, the Shepherd's Bowl, outreach programs, a much more comprehensive links page complete with direct links to our denomination, diocese, bible study resources, blogs, classic Christian works, and much more. Along with the new website has come a new Good Shepherd facebook page which you can join and receive daily links, news and updates. In any case, explore and enjoy.

Good Shepherd Update Thursday March 25th, 2010

2010-03-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

This week's Update is available at our new website

New Website for Good Shepherd

2010-03-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

Good Shepherd's website has been entirely renovated and transformed. Check it out here

Good Shepherd Update Thursday March 18th, 2010

2010-03-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

Well we had a great vestry meeting last night regarding the old church building etc...and here I was worried about it. Come to church on Sunday and we'll talk about what happened for a bit between services.

For now I am up against a huge wall of work.

So, quickly, here's the update.

Here's the Update:

The Food Pantry (second notice): If you have extra food or household items, bring them to church and put them in the pantry. The pantry is a small room to the left side of the kitchen...if you don't know what I'm talking about just ask someone and they'll show you. If you need food, go to the pantry and take what you need. No questions asked. You do not need to apply or ask anybody. We assume that everyone who takes from the pantry is honestly in need. The pantry is intended for members and for those who attend Good Shepherd. We feed the community at the Shepherd's Bowl but we must also help the needy in our own congregation.

Clam Chowder sale: is coming up this Friday and Saturday March 19th and 20th. The sale is a fundraiser and the price per container is 8 dollars. As a way of reaching out to our neighborhood, I invite those of you who are able to buy more than one container so that we can give some chowder away as gifts from Good Shepherd to those who may not be able to afford that price.

Healing Service: The healing service continues next Wednesday. God has, through prayer and the laying on of hands, physically healed people a number of times at Good Shepherd. But healing takes place in many ways. Resentment, depression, anger, addiction, dependence, unforgiveness--are all ways that we sometimes react to pain in our lives. God is more powerful than them all and sometimes he overcomes these sins in our lives by first healing the pain at the heart of them through prayer. The Wednesday services at Good Shepherd will be based on an Anglican liturgy for healing found in the Kenyan prayerbook. If you are looking for physical, spiritual, or emotional healing please plan to come every Wednesday at 6pm. The service lasts no longer than half an hour to forty minutes depending on prayer needs.

Choir Practice: tonight at 7pm

Duty Roster: Team Corinthians is scheduled for this Sunday, so Carrie Moorhead...the team captain...is the person to call with any questions.

Beginners' Bible Study is tonight after the Shepherd's Bowl at 6:30pm in the parish hall. We'll continue in John 6. If you're new to the Christian faith and/or have never seriously attempted to study the bible this study is for you. All are invited.

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast: Joe Barham is scheduled to cook. We're moving on to talk about Absolom's rebellion this week. Men's Bible Study meets at 6.30am

Women's Bible Study: Please join us Saturday Mornings at 10AM as we continue to study a most amazing Old Testament book----Isaiah. Lent is an appropriate season to study this "evangelical prophet" who wrote so eloquently of redemption and of our Messiah (from Carmen)

Systematic Theology: will meet at 3:30pm as usual in the parish hall on Saturday. We've finished the doctrine of Creation and will be moving to discuss the Doctrine of Providence.

Reminder: Beginning in May: New Member classes A series of three new/interested members class will be held on three successive Saturdays in May (the 8th, 15th, and 22nd) These classes will be designed to help new members and interested guests integrate and participate at Good Shepherd. You will learn about Anglicanism in general and about Good Shepherd in particular. If you are not new but still interested, you are welcome to come as well.

Here is last week's sermon: The Father and His Two Sons by Matt Tuttle

This Sunday's sermon will be based on Luke 20:9-19

"And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will a come and destroy those tenants andb give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” But hec looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written.

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls f on anyone, it will crush him.

The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people."

Christian Education: Spiritual Disciplines...this week we'll continue to speak about the discipline of simplicity. To live a simple life is to live a life focused on one thing. What does that look like in a postmodern, consumerist, and pluralist world? We'll talk about that on Sunday.

Islam and Christianity: Since we've been dealing with Islam somewhat lately, I thought I would pass along this excellent audio discussion of the relationship between the god described and worshiped in the Koran and God as he is revealed in the bible.

Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God by a different name?

Holy Week Schedule 2010:

Palm Sunday (Sunday March 28th )
Holy Week is the week Christians remember and celebrate the last week of Jesus’ life. That week began with Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. By this time, Jesus was famous. Everyone knew him and most people believed that he was the messiah, the coming savior of Israel. So when they heard he was coming they all rushed out waving palm branches and crying “Hosanna in Highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Five days later the very same people who greeted Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna” screamed for his death with cries of “Crucify Him!” Palm Sunday Services at Good Shepherd will be held at 8:00am and 10:30am. They will begin with the blessing of the Palms. Then the blessed palms will be passed out to everyone in the congregation and we’ll process into the church like Jesus’ processed into Jerusalem (except for the donkey). During the service The Passion will be read and narrated.

Tenebrae (Wednesday March 31st)
Tenebrae means “shadows” in Latin. The worship service called “Tenebrae” is an ancient rite of the Church. It is a service of word, light and sound. When you arrive for worship you will see two groups of candles lit on the altar. As readings are read the candles on the altar will be gradually extinguished until the very end of the service when the last candle left lit is removed from the worship space and the whole sanctuary is left in darkness. At that point a loud crash will shatter the silence of the sanctuary. Then, after a moment, the last candle is returned to the sanctuary and the worshippers depart in silence. The gradual darkening of the sanctuary and the crashing noise symbolizes the apparent victory of death, darkness, and chaos over Jesus Christ on the cross. The final candle being removed and returned, symbolizes the truth that through Jesus' death, God gained victory over all the powers of evil. The Light was not overcome. The service of Tenebrae will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday of Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday (April 1st)
Maundy Thursday communion celebrates the humility of Jesus. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s and yet on the night before he died, during the Last Supper, he knelt down and one by one washed his disciples' feet. He did this to show his disciples and to show you and me how to serve one another with humility and love, being willing even to stoop to the most menial tasks. There will be a covered dish (pot-luck) supper in the parish hall followed by the Maundy Thursday worship service which will include foot washing. Maundy Thursday is the last chance for communion until the Great Vigil. The service will begin at 7:00pm following the covered dish dinner that begins at 5:30pm

Good Friday: The Passion (April 2nd)
Jesus died on a Friday. At about 3pm on Friday of Holy Week he lifted his eyes up to heaven from the cross and breathed out his last. “It is finished” he said. He was not only referring to his life, but he was also referring to the great battle between God and sin, death, and Satan. On the cross of Jesus Christ, God defeated the powers that corrupt and destroy his creation and his creatures. By and through Jesus’ death on the cross, everyone who believes is forgiven their sins and granted an eternal relationship with God. Good Friday Services will be held at noon and 7pm. At noon we'll say "the Hours" which are prayers that mark the time of day when Jesus hung on the cross. At 7pm, we'll walk the stations of the cross which are prayers through which we remember the passion of Christ and his burial. There will be a sermon at both services.

The Easter Vigil (Saturday April 3rd)
Along with Tenebrae, the Easter Vigil is one of the most ancient services of the Church. It is the most important service of the entire year and it is the first service of Easter. The service begins in total darkness--the lights of the sanctuary are out and not a candle is burning. Then a fire is lit in a firepot the center of the nave and from that flame all the candles in the sanctuary are lit and the hand-candles in the congregation. Then come readings and psalms, said and sung, by singers and by the whole congregation. The sermon follows and then the first Communion of Easter. The Great Vigil begins at 8:00pm in the sanctuary.

Easter Day: (Sunday April 4th)
This is the day Christians celebrate and proclaim the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. There will be flowers and smells and bells. And, possibly, an Easter Egg huntafterwards. Service times are 8:00am and 10:30am Easter Morning.

All You Ever Wanted to Know About St. Patrick

2010-03-17T06:50:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Peter Ould for the tip...

Christianity and Islam

2010-03-15T06:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

Since we've been dealing with Islam somewhat lately, I thought I would pass along this excellent audio discussion of the relationship between the god described and worshiped in the Koran and God as he is revealed in the bible.

Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God by a different name?

Good Shepherd Update Thursday March 11th, 2010

2010-03-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

Good morning....his week's update will be pretty short and sweet. There is a lot of stuff piled up that I have to get to before I can't see over it.

Here's the Update:

The Food Pantry: things are taking shape for the parish needs food pantry. The way it will work is very simple. If you have extra food or household items, bring them to church and put them in the pantry. The pantry is a small room to the left side of the kitchen...if you don't know what I'm talking about just ask someone and they'll show you. If you need food, go to the pantry and take what you need. No questions asked. You do not need to apply or ask anybody. We assume that everyone who takes from the pantry is honestly in need. The pantry is intended for members and for those who attend Good Shepherd. We feed the community at the Shepherd's Bowl but we must also help the needy in our own congregation.

Clam Chowder sale: is coming up on Saturday March 20th. The sale is a fundraiser and the price per container is 8 dollars. As a way of reaching out to our neighborhood, I invite those of you who are able to buy more than one container so that we can give some chowder away as gifts from Good Shepherd to those who may not be able to afford that price.

Chopping for Chowder: Women are invited to stay after the ACW meeting on the 13th of March in order to prepare vegetables for the clam chowder which we will sell the following weekend. (from Carmen)

Healing Service: The healing service continues next Wednesday. God has, through prayer and the laying on of hands, physically healed people a number of times at Good Shepherd. But healing takes place in many ways. Resentment, depression, anger, addiction, dependence, unforgiveness--are all ways that we sometimes react to pain in our lives. God is more powerful than them all and sometimes he overcomes these sins in our lives by first healing the pain at the heart of them through prayer. The Wednesday services at Good Shepherd will be based on an Anglican liturgy for healing found in the Kenyan prayerbook. If you are looking for physical, spiritual, or emotional healing please plan to come every Wednesday at 6pm. The service lasts no longer than half an hour to forty minutes depending on prayer needs.

Choir Practice: tonight at 7pm

The Sexual Harassment/Abuse Prevention: Beginning THIS Saturday March 13th thru April--we'll set up the videos and a television set in the church. If you teach Sunday School, serve in the nursery, work on staff, please come to view them at your convenience. The church is open business hours most Saturdays and Tuesdays. It is always open during open office hours Wednesday and Thursday, and in the evenings during the various weekly events. The only days that may be difficult are Friday (after 9pm) and Monday. We'll have a roster next to the video. After you watch, just sign the roster so we'll know you've done it. These videos are required by our insurance and it's just a good idea.

Shrove Tuesday Photos: Please take a look at the Shrove Tuesday photos on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Thanks to all for making that such a great success!

Duty Roster: Team Romans is scheduled for this Sunday, so Chris Jones...the team captain...is the person to call with any questions. :) Before long I won't have anything to do but sit back and watch everybody else work.

Beginners' Bible Study is tonight after the Shepherd's Bowl at 6:30pm in the parish hall. We'll be moving into John 6. If you are new to the Christian faith and/or have never seriously attempted to study the bible this study is for you. All are invited.

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast: Chris Jones is scheduled to cook. We're wrapping up the account of David and Bathsheba in 2nd Samuel. Men's Bible Study meets at 6.30am

Women's Bible Study: Please join us Saturday Mornings at 10AM as we continue to study a most amazing Old Testament book----Isaiah. Lent is an appropriate season to study this "evangelical prophet" who wrote so eloquently of redemption and of our Messiah (from Carmen)

Systematic Theology: will meet at 3:30pm as usual in the parish hall on Saturday. We'll hopefully come close to wrapping up our discussion of the Doctrine of Creation. All are invited. I'll be sending notes from last week out for those who missed last Saturday.

Here is last week's sermon: "Behavior Modification v. the Gospel" based on 1st Thessalonians 5:23-28. You can watch the video below and read the text here.

Last Sunday's sermon wraps up 1st Thessalonians. We'll be primarily in the lectionary until the Fall when we begin the series on Colossians.

This Sunday's sermon will be based on Luke chapter 15: the parable of the Lost Son.

Christian Education: Spiritual Disciplines...this week we'll talk about practices from repetition and memorization to lectio divina. That will end the section on "inward" disciplines. And we'll move on to some of the "outward" disciplines beginning with the discipline of "simplicity". To live a simple life is to live a life focused on one thing. We'll talk about what that looks like Sunday.

Classical Education: Some of you may have heard already of the classical school Anne and I, Samantha Kubic and her husband Niell, Mark and Anna Dreher are in the process of organizing for the Fall. It's not going to be officially affiliated with any particular church nor will it be a "church school" but a lot of Good Shepherd people are deeply involved in its creation. The Press and Sun Bulletin ran an article on the school this morning featuring Samantha. Here's an excerpt:

"...We desire a classical education for our children," Kubik said.

Classical education, inspired by Dorothy Sayers' essay "The Lost Tools of Learning," gears pedagogy to three learning stages, called the Trivium: grammar, logic and rhetoric.

The grammar stage, which is roughly equivalent to elementary school age, capitalizes on students' aptitude for memorization and has them memorize a wide range of facts -- in math, geography, English, the Bible and Latin.

Young teens, who often like to argue with adults, are trained in formal logic, while older students are taught to communicate persuasively through instruction in rhetoric.

To get the basics down, students need to start the classical system fairly young; after the sixth grade, it's difficult because the grammar stage establishes the foundation for the other stages.

Classical Christian schools are also based on scripture and promote a Biblical worldview. There are only two such schools in the state: one in Manhattan and the other in the Albany area, according to the Association of Classical & Christian Schools...more

"

Youth Update from Ife:
What is the Chief End of Man?

The youth group has experienced a growth in numbers in the past month - both the senior and junior groups have nearly doubled. Praise be to God for parents who are encouraging their children to be part of these groups and youths who are inviting their friends. Keep up the good work!!

We've just embarked on the first 38 questions of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Why are we doing this, you ask? I'll be delighted to tell you:

The Catechism is not easy to learn, yet it is important for shaping lives, both young and old. If our goal is to raise up young men and women who are disciples of Christ, then our intent must be to train them in the truth of the gospel. I desire that the youths in this church will have a desire in their hearts to follow God, but unless they know the truth about God, their emotions for God will outrun their knowledge of God, making them weak and maybe frustrated Christians. The WSC is hard to teach and even harder to learn, but it is something that, if learned, will prove invaluable throughout the lifetime of any believer.

So, parents, your encouragement and oversight is needed, and who knows, maybe you can learn something too in the endeavor.

'MAN'S CHIEF END IS TO GLORIFY GOD AND TO ENJOY HIM FOREVER'

Holy Week Schedule 2010:

Palm Sunday (Sunday March 28th )
Holy Week is the week Christians remember and celebrate the last week of Jesus’ life. That week began with Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. By this time, Jesus was famous. Everyone knew him and most people believed that he was the messiah, the coming savior of Israel. So when they heard he was coming they all rushed out waving palm branches and crying “Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Five days later the very same people who greeted Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna” screamed for his death with cries of “Crucify Him!” Palm Sunday Services at Good Shepherd will be held at 8:00am and 10:30am. They will begin with the blessing of the Palms. Then the blessed palms will be passed out to everyone in the congregation and we’ll process into the church like Jesus’ processed into Jerusalem (except for the donkey). During the service The Passion will be read and narrated.

Tenebrae (Wednesday March 31st)
Tenebrae means “shadows” in Latin. The worship service called “Tenebrae” is an ancient rite of the Church. It is a service of word, light and sound. When you arrive for worship you will see two groups of candles lit on the altar. As readings are read the candles on the altar will be gradually extinguished until the very end of the service when the last candle left lit is removed from the worship space and the whole sanctuary is left in darkness. At that point a loud crash will shatter the silence of the sanctuary. Then, after a moment, the last candle is returned to the sanctuary and the worshippers depart in silence. The gradual darkening of the sanctuary and the crashing noise symbolizes the apparent victory of death, darkness, and chaos over Jesus Christ on the cross. The final candle being removed and returned, symbolizes the truth that through Jesus' death, God gained victory over all the powers of evil. The Light was not overcome. The service of Tenebrae will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday of Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday (April 1st)
Maundy Thursday communion celebrates the humility of Jesus. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s and yet on the night before he died, during the Last Supper, he knelt down and one by one washed his disciples' feet. He did this to show his disciples and to show you and me how to serve one another with humility and love, being willing even to stoop to the most menial tasks. There will be a covered dish (pot-luck) supper in the parish hall followed by the Maundy Thursday worship service which will include foot washing. Maundy Thursday is the last chance for communion until the Great Vigil. The service will begin at 7:00pm following the covered dish dinner that begins at 5:30pm

Good Friday: The Passion (April 2nd)
Jesus died on a Friday. At about 3pm on Friday of Holy Week he lifted his eyes up to heaven from the cross and breathed out his last. “It is finished” he said. He was not only referring to his life, but he was also referring to the great battle between God and sin, death, and Satan. On the cross of Jesus Christ, God defeated the powers that corrupt and destroy his creation and his creatures. By and through Jesus’ death on the cross, everyone who believes is forgiven their sins and granted an eternal relationship with God. Good Friday Services will be held at noon and 7pm. At noon we'll say "the Hours" which are prayers that mark the time of day when Jesus hung on the cross. At 7pm, we'll walk the stations of the cross which are prayers through which we remember the passion of Christ and his burial. There will be a sermon at both services.

The Easter Vigil (Saturday April 3rd)
Along with Tenebrae, the Easter Vigil is one of the most ancient services of the Church. It is the most important service of the entire year and it is the first service of Easter. The service begins in total darkness--the lights of the sanctuary are out and not a candle is burning. Then a fire is lit in a firepot the center of the nave and from that flame all the candles in the sanctuary are lit and the hand-candles in the congregation. Then come readings and psalms, said and sung, by singers and by the whole congregation. The sermon follows and then the first Communion of Easter. The Great Vigil begins at 8:00pm in the sanctuary.

Easter Day: (Sunday April 4th)
This is the day Christians celebrate and proclaim the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. There will be flowers and smells and bells. And, possibly, an Easter Egg huntafterwards. Service times are 8:00am and 10:30am Easter Morning.

Organizers target fall opening for Tier's first classical Christian school

2010-03-10T05:18:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have heard already of the classical school Anne and I, Samantha Kubic and her husband Niell, Mark and Anna Dreher are planning for the Fall. The Press and Sun Bulletin ran an article on the school this morning featuring Samantha:

...We desire a classical education for our children," Kubik said.

Classical education, inspired by Dorothy Sayers' essay "The Lost Tools of Learning," gears pedagogy to three learning stages, called the Trivium: grammar, logic and rhetoric.

The grammar stage, which is roughly equivalent to elementary school age, capitalizes on students' aptitude for memorization and has them memorize a wide range of facts -- in math, geography, English, the Bible and Latin.

Young teens, who often like to argue with adults, are trained in formal logic, while older students are taught to communicate persuasively through instruction in rhetoric.

To get the basics down, students need to start the classical system fairly young; after the sixth grade, it's difficult because the grammar stage establishes the foundation for the other stages.

Classical Christian schools are also based on scripture and promote a Biblical worldview. There are only two such schools in the state: one in Manhattan and the other in the Albany area, according to the Association of Classical & Christian Schools...more

Sermon: Behavior Modification v. The Gospel (text and video)

2010-03-09T04:55:00.001-08:00

text: 1st Thessalonians 5:23-24:

23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Today we finish 1st Thessalonians. The bulk of our time today will be spent on vv. 23-24. Vv25-28 can be dealt with more quickly and if we have time we'll do so. But we'll focus mostly on 23 and 24. To understand the significance of those two verses, let's back up to the beginning of chapter 5 and list all of the imperatives Paul gives to the Thessalonians just in this one chapter:

v.6 "be alert and self controlled"
v.8 "be self controlled"
v. 11 encourage one another
v.12 respect those who work hard among you; who are over you in the lord
v.13 hold them in high regard
v.13 live at peace with one another
v. 14 warn those who are idle,
v. 14 encourage the timid,
v. 14. help the weak,
v.14 be patient with everyone
v.15 don't pay back evil for evil
v. 15 be kind to one another and everyone else.
v. 16 Be joyful always;
v. 17 pray continually;
v. 18 give thanks in all circumstances,
v. 19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire;
v. 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.
v. 21 Test everything.
v. 22 Hold on to the good.
v. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.

That's 20 commands in 22 verses depending on how you count them.

It'd be easy to come away from chapter 5 thinking: "I need to do this and not that. I need to avoid this and avoid that." And such an application wouldn't be wrong. All 20 commands are from God: life giving, wise, true, good.

But it's in the face of commands like these in chapter 5 and throughout scripture that so many people born, bred, raised in church go to their graves never grasping the gospel.

I remember visiting a parishioner in the hospital some years ago, days before his death. I sat by his bed and I asked him, “Are you prepared? Have you put your full trust in Jesus Christ?”

He said: “ I've always done my best to do the right thing and live in the right way. I made a few mistakes here and there but I've never done anything that should keep me out of heaven. I taught my kids to go to church and to live with the same values and they've turned out to be good and decent people.”

That was it.

This man was a faithful churchgoer. He'd listened--or I thought he'd listened--to every sermon. I remember thinking, “Well maybe he gets it but just isn't able to really articulate it.” But when I probed deeper, no. “I've always done my best to do the right thing and live in the right way.” was his gospel.

I realized that day that what I'd heard from countless pulpits is true. Our churches are populated with people who sit in pews every Sunday, who go to Sunday school, who go to bible study and still come away thinking that Christianity is mostly about behavior modification. Moral deism...being "good" for the great god who lives in the sky as opposed to being bad.

So my cousin the alcoholic, my uncle in jail, my friend the kleptomaniac, my mom who sits depressed on the couch watching soap operas all day—what they all need is to come to church. Why? So that they can learn to live in the right way and not do bad things. This is why inviting people to church is important, so that more and more people can learn to live good, decent, respectable lives like us.

Let me say here, that if you think that's your gospel, if that's Christianity for you, then you have, in dramatic fashion, missed it. You are not in Christ.

Don't feel unique. You are far from alone.

I used to be baffled at why so many people raised in church believe in their heart of hearts that all religions are the same and buy books like the “Tao of Jesus” or “The Buddhist Jesus” and are happy if their son who's been selling drugs and living with his girlfriend suddenly becomes a Mormon because, "Hey, he may not believe the same things we do but at least he's getting his life cleaned up."

I'm not baffled anymore. When you compare the ethical principles of Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Mormonism, and Islam you'll find lots of similarities and if you think the function of religion is ethics, behavior modification, then it doesn't matter whether your cousin becomes a Mormon or a Christian so long as “he gets his life together”. There are millions of Anglicans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, churchgoing people who think “living the right way” is what its all about.

It's certainly satisfying. Christianity provides a cut and dry list of things to do and not do. And if you think you basically do them, you've got a reason to congratulate yourself, to think well of yourself. And you also have a reason to shake your head when you hear about the awful things other people do. Churches full of people who believe in behavior modification are, afterall, pleasant places. The right sort go there—people who've learnt to live the right way.

But if behavior modification summed up Christianity. If behavior modification constituted the aim of the gospel, then Paul would have ended his letter in verse 22. "Avoid what is evil." But he doesn't. He ends with a prayer and a promise.

v.23 "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.

The prayer begins with Paul's intercession--may God sanctify you fully and completely, may “he” do it. Notice the radical shift from vv 6-22 to v. 23. No religion does this. Verses 6 through 22 are all commands for the Thessalonians to follow, cut and dry, but in verse 23 the imperatives come to a dead stop. Paul lifts up his heart and prays, Lord you do it. You sanctify them. You make them holy.

He continues: "May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ..." focus on that phrase, "kept blameless".

The Grk word translated “kept” could also be used for "guard" or protect. Blameless means--not guilty, not to be held responsible for wrongdoing. Paul assumes in this second line of his prayer that blamelessness is a state that already exists in his readers. His prayer here is that God will guard and preserve it until Jesus comes back to judge the living and the dead.

So this seems confusing doesn't it? The first part of the prayer in v. 23 asks God to sanctify the Thessalonians, to make them holy. The second part of the prayer assumes that the people Paul has just asked God to sanctify are already blameless. How do we reconcile the two together? and how do we understand both in light of the commands he's given to us earlier in the chapter?

I think we'll see how this all comes together if we turn to Romans 8:1-4:

"...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit."

There two truths to pull out of this text that will help us understand what Paul is doing in 1st Thessalonians 5:23

1. Those who trust in Jesus are not condemned. And the reason that they are not condemned is NOT that they are good people or do good things. The law, rules--even divinely given ones, Paul says are powerless. They can do nothing. Why? Because they are bad? No. They are very good. But our sinful nature renders the law powerless. The law cannot and does not make us good. All our attempts at behavior modification are worthless. Even the good things we do are tainted with pride and selfishness which is why Isaiah says that even our righteous deeds are like filthy rags (Isa 64:6). So why are we not condemned? God sent his son, Jesus, who became like us, who became human, to be a "sin offering." What does that mean? It means God himself, in Jesus, was punished, condemned, for our sins in our place. And because of that, those who trust in Jesus' work and not their own, are blameless in God's sight. The righteous requirements of the law are met in us because all of our unrighteousness has been punished already in him and he has imputed to us his own righteousness.

2. Those who trust in Jesus are empowered by and live in accordance with God, the Holy Spirit, not with the flesh. Do believers sin? Yes. Every day. But we are no longer slaves in bondage to sin--our lives are no longer characterized by sin. God indwells us and lives his life in us and daily breaks the chains of sin and death. This is not mere religious behavior modification. This is heart transformation, God making us different

So turning back to 1st Thessalonians, Paul's prayer comes together. "These are your people Lord continue your work of breaking the chains of sin. Lord, preserve them as forgiven people who stand blameless before you not because they've modified their behavior and managed to live "pretty decent lives." But because you shed your blood in their place and have taken their sin away and given them your righteousness.

So now the commands in vv.6-22 are not just things good people do. They are things God does in and through redeemed sinners.

Verse 24 drives a stake through the heart of do it yourself behavior modification Christianity.

"The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

That is a declarative sentence. This is not an opinion, a question, a deep thought...this is a proclamation, a promise directly from the throne of God. If you are in Christ Jesus. If you trust in him and his work and not your own. If you do not think you're here because you're a good person but because God alone has brought you out of the pit of hell and set you in his lap as his son or daughter, then this is promise is for you. "He will do it." He "will" sanctify you "through and through". He "will" keep you "blameless" until his kingdom comes.

But wait a minute...I listened to the sermon last week on sexual immorality and I saw the darkness of my heart. I look at myself, my secret thoughts, my hateful attitudes, the muck and the mire of my own sin and I think I'm hopeless.

Good. That's right. You are hopeless. I am hopeless.

"He will do it." The one who called you, who calls you this morning, God, is faithful. He keeps his word. He keeps his promises. He is faithful even when we are faithless.

So you put your trust not in yourself, not in your ability to do what is right and avoid evil, not in your persistence in prayer, you attendance at church, not in your efforts to do good and avoid evil, put your trust in Jesus Christ. Paul's prayer is your prayer. "Lord may you sanctify me through and through. Lord, guard my heart mind and soul in the blamelessness you've already given me in Christ."

And you can know that this is not a prayer that could possibly come to pass. This is not a prayer that God "might" answer. This is a prayer that is fully and wholly in accordance with the revealed purposes and promises of God. He will do it. He will do it.

And if you are here this morning and you realize that the religion you have believed and trusted all your life is a false one, the Faithful One calls you to stop. Quit your attempts to justify yourself. You cannot do it. You will fail. You already have. There is a better way.

Jesus Christ came to save sinners. Put your trust in him. He will do it.

Good Shepherd Update Thursday March 4th, 2010

2010-03-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

Good morning....at least I hope I get this out while it is still morning. This week's update will repeat some information and also provide some new stuff...most notably the Holy Week Schedule. For those of you who do not know what Holy Week is please be sure to read below where it should all be explained fairly clearly. Also, there are some final updates on the legal stuff and a note about the opening of the day care center.

Here's the Update:

An idea (and not mine): "There should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you" (Deut 15:4).

That verse from Deuteronomy is both a description of the way things ought to be within the community of God's people, and command...an instruction to use the gifts and blessings that God has given us to take care of our brothers and sisters in need.

The Shepherd's Bowl does a great job of helping the community around us. But there are brothers and sisters who belong to Good Shepherd who have difficulty affording groceries and some of the basic necessities. There are "poor" among us. In Israel, God instructed harvesters to leave the edges of the fields unharvested so that those in need might find food.

How might we apply those instructions today?

One way would be to set up a food pantry at the church stocked by and to be used by members and people who attend Good Shepherd regularly. In a small way this is happening informally already. The Petersons and Nolls regularly donate fresh eggs for the congregation.

I think we should set aside a cabinet or two, maybe one of the two side rooms next to the kitchen, specifically to collect and give away food to people in need. When you have extra food, bring it to church. When you need food, come to church.

If you are interested in helping set this up, please let me know. We'll hammer out the details and get back to you with more information in the coming weeks.

Clam Chowder sale: is coming up on Saturday March 20th. The sale is a fundraiser and the price per container is 8 dollars. As a way of reaching out to those in need and/or as a way to invite people to church, I encourage those of you who are able to do so, to buy more than one container so that we can give some chowder away as gifts from Good Shepherd.

Future Faces Day Care: is scheduled to open this coming Monday, so be aware that there will be cars parked on the opposite side of the parking lot from the church during the day.

Healing Service: This coming Wednesday night at 6pm and every remaining wednesday in Lent. God has, through prayer and the laying on of hands, physically healed people a number of times at Good Shepherd. But healing takes place in many ways. Resentment, depression, anger, addiction, dependence, unforgiveness--are all ways that we sometimes react to pain in our lives. God is more powerful than them all and sometimes he overcomes these sins in our lives by first healing the pain at the heart of them through prayer. The Wednesday services at Good Shepherd will be based on an Anglican liturgy for healing found in the Kenyan prayerbook. If you are looking for physical, spiritual, or emotional healing please plan to come every Wednesday at 6pm.

New Duty Roster plan: we're reorganizing the way we schedule Sunday morning duties, moving to a team system similar to the team system used for scheduling the Shepherd's bowl. Every reader, LEM, acolyte, teller, etc...will be assigned to a team. The teams will rotate by Sunday.

Right now we just about have enough volunteers in each role for six full teams. What that means is that no one will be scheduled to serve more than once a month. Each team will have a team captain and assistant who will be responsible for team cohesion and ensuring that team members show up or get replacements. This should help us both to keep things organized and to integrate and train new volunteers more effectively.

There will be a meeting of team captains this Sunday after Church.

Legal Update: All the paper work has now been filed and all the checks have been written and so, as an official matter, the case is closed. It was over a month ago...but now that fact has been officially recorded in court.

Choir Practice: tonight at 7pm

The Sexual Harassment/Abuse Prevention Training originally scheduled for Saturday March 6th has been cancelled. Instead, beginning on Saturday March 13th thru April--we'll set up the videos and a television set in the church. If you teach Sunday School, serve in the nursery, work on staff, please come to view them at your convenience. The church is open business hours most Saturdays and Tuesdays. It is always open during open office hours Wednesday and Thursday, and in the evenings during the various weekly events. The only days that may be difficult are Friday (after 9pm) and Monday. We'll have a roster next to the video. After you watch, just sign the roster so we'll know you've done it. These videos are required by our insurance and it's just a good idea.

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast: Chris Jones is scheduled to cook, but Don Dean volunteered to cook Eggs Benedict this Friday so I think we'll let him do that. If Chris does not mind, we'll move him to next Friday. We're hopefully going to wrap up the account of David and Bathsheba in 2nd Samuel. Men's Bible Study meets at 6.30am

Women's Bible Study: will meet as usual at 10am on Saturday.

Systematic Theology: will meet at 3:30pm as usual in the parish hall on Saturday. I'll be sending notes from last week out for those who missed last Saturday.

Here is last week's sermon: "Sexual Purity part 2" and below that is the first sex sermon creatively named "Sexual Purity part 1". Both are based on 1st Thessalonians 4:3-8

Here's (Part 1)

This Sunday's sermon: This week we wrap up 1st Thessalonians by studying chapter 5:23-28. It is not at all uncommon for believers to question the authenticity of their faith? Am I really a follower of Jesus? Would a real Christian do or think the things I do and think? These questions tend to come up quite a bit during Lent when we come face to face with our own sin and especially after last week's sermon on the problem lust you might feel utterly discouraged. Don't be. Paul ends his letter to the Thessalonian church with a stunning promise--holy is not just something we are called to be--but it is something God himself promises to make us.

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers." The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (1 Thess 5:23-28)

Christian Education: Spiritual Disciplines...this week we'll wrap up the Spiritual Discipline of Study. We'll talk about practices from repetition and memorization to lectio divina. That will end the section on "inward" disciplines. Next week we'll move on to some of the "outward" disciplines beginning with the discipline of "simplicity".

Your Bible Study Toolbox: I saw raised eyebrows last Sunday in class when I brought up the Greek Interlinear...I don't know why :)

Okay, I suppose you can study the bible without one, but having one is very very very helpful for all the reasons discussed:

Here is a pretty cheap Greek Interlinear--the same one I use:
http://www.christianbook.com/greek-english-interlinear-testament-nrsv-personal/9780842345644/pd/2345647?item_code=WW&netp_id=122263&event=ESRCN&view=details

Now--if you buy that you've won half the battle--to go the whole way pick up a Greek Concordance which will enable you to do word studies in the Greek. Here's a good basic starter edition:
http://www.christianbook.com/greek-english-concordance-the-new-testament/john-kohlenberger/9780310402206/pd/40220?item_code=WW&netp_id=127187&event=ESRCN&view=details#curr

Now, I suppose if you don't do that--but I really hope you do--you could use an English concordance and a parallel bible.

A Parallel bible sets a number of different English translations on the same page for comparison. Using a Parallel bible will enable you to see where the translators have differed and what words require further study. It also helps to bring out nuances in the text that may not be apparent if you are just reading one version:
http://www.christianbook.com/amplified-kjv-nasb-niv-comparative-hardcover/9780310903338/pd/90333?item_code=WW&netp_id=115457&event=ESRCN&view=details

As far as concordances go, the English Standard Version Bible online has a great concordance feature. Just type in a word in the search engine and all the uses of that word in the ESV text will pop up on the screen.

Just click here: http://www.esvstudybible.org/search

Finally, here is a good exhaustive concordance of the NIV
http://www.christianbook.com/the-strongest-niv-exhaustive-concordance/edward-goodrick/9780310262855/pd/62851?item_code=WW&netp_id=348236&event=ESRCN&view=details

Puppet Show during Children's Chapel: This Sunday Mike and Bill Woollett will present a puppet show on forgiveness in Children's Chapel. This will be a special treat ! All children are invited to come for the fun! (from Carmen)

Holy Week Schedule 2010:

Palm Sunday (Sunday March 28th )
Holy Week is the week Christians remember and celebrate the last week of Jesus’ life. That week began with Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. By this time, Jesus was famous. Everyone knew him and most people believed that he was the messiah, the coming savior of Israel. So when they heard he was coming they all rushed out waving palm branches and crying “Hosanna in Highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Five days later the very same people who greeted Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna” screamed for his death with cries of “Crucify Him!” Palm Sunday Services at Good Shepherd will be held at 8:00am and 10:30am. They will begin with the blessing of the Palms. Then the blessed palms will be passed out to everyone in the congregation and we’ll process into the church like Jesus’ processed into Jerusalem (except for the donkey). During the service The Passion will be read and narrated.

Tenebrae (Wednesday March 31st)
Tenebrae means “shadows” in Latin. The worship service called “Tenebrae” is an ancient rite of the Church. It is a service of word, light and sound. When you arrive for worship you will see two groups of candles lit on the altar. As readings are read the candles on the altar will be gradually extinguished until the very end of the service when the last candle left lit is removed from the worship space and the whole sanctuary is left in darkness. At that point a loud crash will shatter the silence of the sanctuary. Then, after a moment, the last candle is returned to the sanctuary and the worshippers depart in silence. The gradual darkening of the sanctuary and the crashing noise symbolizes the apparent victory of death, darkness, and chaos over Jesus Christ on the cross. The final candle being removed and returned, symbolizes the truth that through Jesus' death, God gained victory over all the powers of evil. The Light was not overcome. The service of Tenebrae will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday of Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday (April 1st)
Maundy Thursday communion celebrates the humility of Jesus. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s and yet on the night before he died, during the Last Supper, he knelt down and one by one washed his disciples' feet. He did this to show his disciples and to show you and me how to serve one another with humility and love, being willing even to stoop to the most menial tasks. There will be a covered dish (pot-luck) supper in the parish hall followed by the Maundy Thursday worship service which will include foot washing. Maundy Thursday is the last chance for communion until the Great Vigil. The service will begin at 7:00pm following the covered dish dinner that begins at 5:30pm

Good Friday: The Passion (April 2nd)
Jesus died on a Friday. At about 3pm on Friday of Holy Week he lifted his eyes up to heaven from the cross and breathed out his last. “It is finished” he said. He was not only referring to his life, but he was also referring to the great battle between God and sin, death, and Satan. On the cross of Jesus Christ, God defeated the powers that corrupt and destroy his creation and his creatures. By and through Jesus’ death on the cross, everyone who believes is forgiven their sins and granted an eternal relationship with God. Good Friday Services will be held at noon and 7pm. At noon we'll say "the Hours" which are prayers that mark the time of day when Jesus hung on the cross. At 7pm, we'll walk the stations of the cross which are prayers through which we remember the passion of Christ and his burial. There will be a sermon at both services.

The Easter Vigil (Saturday April 3rd)
Along with Tenebrae, the Easter Vigil is one of the most ancient services of the Church. It is the most important service of the entire year and it is the first service of Easter. The service begins in total darkness--the lights of the sanctuary are out and not a candle is burning. Then a fire is lit in a firepot the center of the nave and from that flame all the candles in the sanctuary are lit and the hand-candles in the congregation. Then come readings and psalms, said and sung, by singers and by the whole congregation. The sermon follows and then the first Communion of Easter. The Great Vigil begins at 8:00pm in the sanctuary.

Easter Day: (Sunday April 4th)
This is the day Christians celebrate and proclaim the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. There will be flowers and smells and bells. And, possibly, an Easter Egg huntafterwards. Service times are 8:00am and 10:30am Easter Morning.

Sermon: Sexual Purity parts 1 and 2

2010-03-02T05:55:00.001-08:00

On Sunday I delivered the second part of a two part series based on 1st Thessalonians 4:3-8. Part 1 (below), delivered before Advent, introduces the topic, sets the context, and deals with some objections. Part two works through the text.

Here is (Part 1)

Bible study tool box

2010-03-01T06:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

I saw raised eyebrows yesterday in class when I brought up the Greek Interlinear...I don't know why :)

Okay, I suppose you can study the bible without one, but having one is very very very helpful for all the reasons discussed:

Here is a pretty cheap Greek Interlinear--the same one I use:

http://www.christianbook.com/greek-english-interlinear-testament-nrsv-personal/9780842345644/pd/2345647?item_code=WW&netp_id=122263&event=ESRCN&view=details

Now--if you buy that you've won half the battle--to go the whole way pick up a Greek Concordance which will enable you to do word studies in the Greek. Here's a good basic starter edition:

http://www.christianbook.com/greek-english-concordance-the-new-testament/john-kohlenberger/9780310402206/pd/40220?item_code=WW&netp_id=127187&event=ESRCN&view=details#curr

Now, I suppose if you don't do that--but I really hope you do--you could use an English concordance and a parallel bible.

A Parallel bible sets a number of different English translations on the same page for comparison. Using a Parallel bible will enable you to see where the translators have differed and what words require further study. It also helps to bring out nuances in the text that may not be apparent if you are just reading one version:

http://www.christianbook.com/amplified-kjv-nasb-niv-comparative-hardcover/9780310903338/pd/90333?item_code=WW&netp_id=115457&event=ESRCN&view=details

As far as concordances go, the English Standard Version Bible online has a great concordance feature. Just type in a word in the search engine and all the uses of that word in the ESV text will pop up on the screen.

Just click here: http://www.esvstudybible.org/search

Finally, here is a good exhaustive concordance of the NIV

http://www.christianbook.com/the-strongest-niv-exhaustive-concordance/edward-goodrick/9780310262855/pd/62851?item_code=WW&netp_id=348236&event=ESRCN&view=details

Hope this helps,

Good Shepherd Update Thursday February 25th, 2010

2010-02-25T11:03:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

I have, unfortunately, very little time to write today. It looks like we are going to go ahead and have a very minimal Shepherd's Bowl tonight. We are afraid that people might trek out in the snow only to find the church locked. So team 5 is prepping some warm food just in case.

There will be no Beginner's Bible Study however since we don't want people staying out too since its going to be like this all night apparently.

Healing Service: It was cancelled last night due to concerns about the weather, but God willing, we will hold the first healing service this coming Wednesday night at 6pm and every remaining wednesday in Lent. God has, through prayer and the laying on of hands, physically healed people a number of times at Good Shepherd. But healing takes place in many ways. Resentment, depression, anger, addiction, dependence, unforgiveness--are all ways that we sometimes react to pain in our lives. God is more powerful than them all and sometimes he overcomes these sins in our lives by first healing the pain at the heart of them through prayer. The Wednesday services at Good Shepherd will be based on an Anglican liturgy for healing found in the Kenyan prayerbook. If you are looking for physical, spiritual, or emotional healing please plan to come every Wednesday at 6pm.

Leaving Home Part 3: If you have been following the articles Anne and I have been writing about the adventures of 2009, please follow this link and read the latest installment in the Leaving Home series. Otherwise, it will be available in hard-copy form this Sunday.

Choir has been cancelled tonight due to the weather conditions. Instead choir will meet on Saturday at 11am.

Sexual Harassment/Abuse Prevention Training: If you teach Sunday School, serve in the nursery, work on staff, please come at 11am on Saturday March 6th to view training videos. These videos are required by our insurance and it's just a good idea. We'll remind you closer to the day.

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast: There will be no Men's Bible Study in the morning--not sure what the roads will be like and there will be no way to cancel it tomorrow morning.

Women's Bible Study: will meet as usual at 10am on Saturday

Acolyte Practice: There will be acolyte practice this Sunday...I am very pleased with the reverence and care with which you serve. You've all worked very hard and I'm proud of you. After this Sunday, monthly acolyte training will continue only for the newer acolytes (I'll let you know who you are). Trained acolytes will meet once every quarter. Enjoy the free time, you've earned it.

Systematic Theology: will meet at 3:30pm as usual in the parish hall on Saturday. I'll be sending notes from last week out for those who missed last Saturday.

Here is last week's sermon: Putting Out the Fire of the Spirit

This Sunday's sermon: Friends, since we've come very close to the end of 1st Thessalonians, this Sunday we'll go back and tie up some loose threads. Before Advent I preached the sermon below on 1st Thessalonians 4:3-8. I intended to preach two sermons on that text. The first is below. I put off the second. The sermon below introduces the topic of sexuality and the context in which Paul addresses the topic in Thessalonica. Please take some time to review the sermon below so that we don't have to do too much backtracking and can proceed on the basis of what has already been taught so please listen carefully before Sunday:

Here's the text:

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and l honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."

Parents, please be aware that we will be speaking about sexual topics. For that reason, children's chapel will be open to kids older than eight this Sunday.

Some new things coming up at Good Shepherd in 2010:

1. Beginning in March: New Duty Roster plan: we're reorganizing the way we schedule Sunday morning duties, moving to a team system similar to the team system used for scheduling the Shepherd's bowl. Every reader, LEM, acolyte, teller, etc...will be assigned to a team. The teams will rotate by Sunday.

Right now we just about have enough volunteers in each role for 5 full teams. What that means is that no one will be scheduled to serve more than once a month. Each team will have a team captain and assistant who will be responsible for team cohesion and ensuring that team members show up or get replacements. This should help us both to keep things organized and to integrate and train new volunteers more effectively.

There will be a meeting of team captains this Sunday after Church.

2. Beginning in May: New Member classes A series of three new/interested members class will be held on three successive Saturdays in May (the 8th, 15th, and 22nd) These classes will be designed to help new members and interested guests integrate and participate at Good Shepherd. You will learn about Anglicanism in general and about Good Shepherd in particular. If you are not new but still interested, you are welcome to come as well.

3. Preaching through Colossians in the Fall: I wrote this last week but I wanted to include it again and expand on it. As you may have noticed, the preaching at Good Shepherd has changed in the last year. We have purposefully gone to a different format, preaching through entire books (we will continue to use the lectionary and preach from it on big feast days and in between books), and we have begun to dig much deeper than usual. The benefits of preaching expositorily (ie...preaching designed to help a congregation see the meaning of a text and its application) and through entire books of the bible at a time are numerous, but let me name just a few:

a. The whole counsel of God: Lectionaries are generally centered around one or two primary themes like "resurrection" or "grace" and tend to cut out passages that do not fit with that theme. So when a church exclusively preaches from the lectionary, the congregation never hears huge, important, swaths of God's word and is much much poorer for it.

b. God sets the agenda: Sometimes congregations and preachers hyperfocus on themselves to the extent that they only want to hear about topics and themes that interest them. But preaching straight through a book requires preachers and the congregation to address whatever issues or topics are addressed in the book. This is a very good even when...especially when...it is not entertaining. If it is true that every passage, every word in scripture is inspired by God and is useful for your personal growth and for building up the body (2 Tim 3:15-16)--and it is, then that means that when scripture addresses topics we find uninteresting or, shall we say, boring...the problem lies not with the bible but with us. That anything is addressed in scripture means that God, the maker of heaven and earth, thought it important to inspire and include in his book...which means that if our hearts and minds were in sink with his will, what is important to him would be interesting to us. When it is not, we pray that God will give us an open heart and mind so that we do not despise his word.

c. Going Deep: When you preach through the lectionary, you are generally given large swaths of scripture that you basically have just one sermon to work through before moving on to the next thing. That often means a shallow treatment of important principles. But when you preach through a book, you can go at a pace that may be defined by the topic being addressed.

d. A Full Theological Thought: Shallow ten minute sermonetts produce shallow Christianettes. We don't play that game at Good Shepherd. Sermon time is training time. Ife, Anne, and I are tasked with understanding and helping you to understand what God is saying in a particular passage of the bible. When the bible is rightly preached, God's word is truly heard. Your task is to actively listen which means following the preacher in the text, taking notes, participating in the study, listening for God's word to you, listening for God's word to the congregation.

e. Small Groups: This change should also make it easier to move to small groups in the Fall--see below

4. Small Groups: In the Fall, we're planning to launch a number of weekly small bible study groups that will meet in peoples' homes. Presently all biblical instruction and application takes place at Good Shepherd from the pulpit or in one of the five Bible Studies. I've noticed that as we've grown the percentage of people participating in the bible studies has decreased.

This is not good. The life, growth and maturity of Good Shepherd and your personal maturity as well, rests on our willingness to know and follow the word of God. It is, for that reason, our goal to have every member of Good Shepherd actively participating in some kind of group fellowship and bible study during the week.

This raises a number of questions: Who will lead these groups? What will happen to the bible studies? What will these groups do? Does everyone have to belong to a group? Let me try to answer each of these in turn:

a. Who will lead these groups?: The plan, as it currently stands, is to tack a big city map to the wall and start identifying the locations of every member member of the parish. This will give us an idea of who lives near who. Small groups work best when they are made up of no more than 5 to 10 people who meet in homes nearby. Once we identify who lives near who we'll be able to see how many groups we can have and who, based on location, should be in which group. Finally, we'll appoint a leader for each group and invite everybody who lives in a given area to join in and meet with the group once a week. If you are interested in hosting one of these groups, please let us know (the leader and the host are usually two different people)

b. What will happen to the bible studies?: Nothing. They will continue to meet. If you attend a Bible Study you'll be invited to attend attend a small group during the week as well. If you feel you do not have time for both, the choice between the two will be yours. Other churches moving to this plan have found that many enjoyed attending both since the purpose of each and structure of each is a bit different. We hope the same proves true here.

3. What will these groups do? This is another benefit of preaching expositorily through a text of scripture. The small group studies will focus on the same text used in the sermon. This will make it easier on everyone since the sermon will do the heavy lifting of interpretation and exegesis and the small groups will focus primarily on digging deeper and applying the text personally. Small groups meet, discuss and apply the biblical passage for the week, pray and then go home. It is a way for you to stay connected during the week and for the whole church to inwardly digest what God has said through his word on Sunday.

c. Does everyone have to belong to a group? We invite and encourage everyone to join the small group meeting in their area but, of course, it is not a requirement. We believe that Jesus sanctifies, encourages, builds up, convicts and trains us through his word and the more you open yourself to hearing his voice, the more like him you will become.

You'll be hearing more about these throughout the winter, spring and summer. The target date is mid-September

Christian Education: Spiritual Disciplines: This Sunday we'll continue discussing the discipline of Study, focusing specifically on methods of study and ways of studying scripture.

Sermon: Sexual Purity part 1

2010-02-24T04:58:00.000-08:00

Friends, since we've come very close to the end of 1st Thessalonians, this Sunday we'll go back and tie up some loose threads. Before Advent I preached the sermon below on 1st Thessalonians 4:3-8. I intended to preach two sermons on that text. The first is below. I put off the second. The sermon below introduces the topic of sexuality and the context in which Paul addresses the topic in Thessalonica. It is important for everyone coming this Sunday to review the sermon below so that we don't have to do too much backtracking and can proceed on the basis of what has already been taught so please listen carefully before Sunday:

Sermon: How to Extinguish the Fire of the Holy Spirit

2010-02-23T04:57:00.000-08:00

Here is this Sunday's sermon--growth and maturity in Christ hinges on our willingness to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is, unfortunately, possible to "quench" the Holy Spirit's work. One way to do that is to hold the Word in contempt...

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Ashes and evangelism

2010-02-22T05:14:00.000-08:00

Aside from being hilarious, this clip is also illustrative...

If these reporters are any indication, there are lots of people who have no idea what Ash Wednesday means or what the ashes represent...what a great opportunity this provides for those of us who wear ashes to talk about Jesus.

For Sunday

2010-02-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

Sunday's sermon will be based on 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22...

"Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise z prophecies, 21 but a test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil."

As I've been studying this text I've also listened to these two sermons by Alistair Begg about the place and power of God's word and the importance of listening to it in the church and found them fairly convicting and encouraging at the same time. I recommend them to you and encourage you to listen:

here is part 1:

http://www.truthforlife.org/broadcasts/2010/02/16/bring-out-book-part-a/

part 2:

http://www.truthforlife.org/broadcasts/2010/02/17/bring-out-book-part-b/

In Christ

Matt

Fighting sins already forgiven

2010-02-18T13:50:00.000-08:00

Good words I just heard from John Piper, "the only sins against which we have any hope of victory are sins which have already been forgiven"

Believers in Jesus Christ work against sin not so that we will be forgiven but in the aftermath of having been forgiven.

Only a believer who has been justified by faith--meaning that his sins, past, present and future have been forgiven and his sinfulness covered by Christ's righteousness--has the Holy Spirit dwelling in him.

And only one empowered by grace through the Holy Spirit can successfully do battle against sin.

Which means, as Piper says far more succinctly, every sin against which you struggle is a sin that has already been forgiven.

What an encouragement for believers struggling against addiction or besetting sin. You are not earning anything--God has already given you all things--you are rather seeking to please and glorify the one who already loves you and calls you by his name.

Good Shepherd Update Thursday February 18th, 2010

2010-02-18T12:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

What a week so far! I was down with a horrible stomach thing Tuesday night and Wednesday so, to keep from infecting everyone, I had to miss everything but I heard some great stories about how things went. I am very thankful to Anne and to Ife for stepping up while I was down. I am exhausted today (Thursday) but much better. Apparently this awful thing is making its rounds in Binghamton. It hit our family pretty hard. Aedan, Rowan and Anne all had the stuff at some point in the last week or so--only our daughters escaped. Thank you for your prayers for all of us.

Thank you also to Carmen who organized the pancake supper and everyone who worked so hard and gave so much to make it such a success.

Okay, given that I was out for two days, I have a lot to catch up on so this will, yet again, be a shortened Update.

Healing Service: Wednesday night at 6pm every wednesday in Lent. God has, through prayer and the laying on of hands, physically healed people a number of times at Good Shepherd. But healing takes place in many ways. Resentment, depression, anger, addiction, dependence, unforgiveness--are all ways that we sometimes react to pain in our lives. God is more powerful than them all and sometimes he overcomes these sins in our lives by first healing the pain at the heart of them through prayer. The Wednesday services at Good Shepherd will be based on an Anglican liturgy for healing found in the Kenyan prayerbook. If you are looking for physical, spiritual, or emotional healing please plan to come every Wednesday at 6pm.

There will be beginner's bible study tonight at 6:30pm after the Shepherd's Bowl. All are welcome.

Choir will meet tonight at 7pm as usual...I think you'll be practicing the new service music for lent.

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast will meet on Friday morning at 6:30am as usual...I have no idea who is cooking and who is not.

Women's Bible Study: will meet as usual at 10am on Saturday in the parish hall. All women are invited and welcome.

Systematic Theology: will meet at 3:30pm as usual in the parish hall on Saturday. I'll be sending notes from last week out for those who missed last Saturday.

Bible Studies: If you are new to Good Shepherd (or not) you may have noticed that we have a lot of bible studies. One day we plan to move to a home-group cell group model, but even then the bible studies at church will likely be a mainstay at Good Shepherd. Because they are designed to help people understand and apply his word, God has used them and continues to use them to strengthen, deepen, and mature both the individuals who attend and the body as a whole. If you are not presently attending one of the five weekly bible studies offered at Good Shepherd, I invite you and encourage you to do so.

Here are some sermons and talks that I loaded onto the website this week:

Anne's sermon from two weeks ago

My talk at Intervarsity on "self-love"

Ife's sermon from last week:

This Sunday's sermon will be based on 1st Thessalonians 5:19-22

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but a test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

After this Sunday there will be two or three sermons left in the series from 1st Thessalonians. Next Sunday we'll go back to chapter 4 and deal with sexual purity--so that's a heads up for parents who may or may not want their kids to be in children's chapel. The following Sunday will be the Sunday we sum things up.

The benefits of preaching through an entire book of the bible are numerous, but let me name just a few:

1. The whole counsel of God: Lectionaries are generally centered around one or two primary themes like "resurrection" or "grace" and tend to cut out passages that do not fit with that theme. So when a church exclusively preaches from the lectionary, the congregation never hears huge, important, swaths of God's word and is much much poorer for it.

2. God sets the agenda: Sometimes congregations and preachers hyperfocus on themselves to the extent that they only want to hear about topics and themes that interest them. But preaching straight through a book requires preachers and the congregation to address whatever issues or topics are addressed in the book. This is a very good even when...especially when...it is not entertaining. If it is true that every passage, every word in scripture is inspired by God and is useful for your personal growth and for building up the body (2 Tim 3:15-16)--and it is, then that means that when scripture addresses topics we find uninteresting or, shall we say, boring...the problem lies not with the bible but with us. That anything is addressed in scripture means that God, the maker of heaven and earth, thought it important to inspire and include in his book...which means that if our hearts and minds were in sink with his will, what is important to him would be interesting to us. When it is not, we pray that God will give us an open heart and mind so that we do not despise his word.

3. Going Deep: When you preach through the lectionary, you are generally given large swaths of scripture that you basically have just one sermon to work through before moving on to the next thing. That often means a shallow treatment of important principles. But when you preach through a book, you can go at a pace that may be defined by the topic being addressed.

Shallow ten minute sermonetts produce shallow Christianettes. We don't play that game at Good Shepherd. Sermon time is training time. Ife, Anne, and I are tasked with understanding and helping you to understand what God is saying in a particular passage of the bible. When the bible is rightly preached, God's word is truly heard. Your task is to actively listen which means following the preacher in the text, taking notes, participating in the study, listening for God's word to you, listening for God's word to the congregation.

Christian Education: Spiritual Disciplines: This Sunday we'll take up the discipline of Study. I'll be sending my notes on the discipline of fasting out this weekend by email.

Sermon: Building Peace in the Church

2010-02-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

text: 1st Thessalonians 5:14-15

Loving Yourself

2010-02-13T12:11:00.001-08:00

I was invited to speak at Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Binghamton University last night on the topic of "Loving Yourself". Here's the video

Good Shepherd Update Thursday February 11th, 2010

2010-02-11T05:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

This week's Update, again, will have to be very short. Yesterday I met with the mourning wife and two daughters of a man who died suddenly on Monday. They do not attend Good Shepherd and did not have a place to hold a memorial service. I offered to have the service here and they accepted. The complication is that the daughters are on a tight time schedule and must return home (they live outside of Binghamton) by Friday morning. So the only feasible time for the service, a time when both friends and family can be there, is tonight, Thursday, at 6pm followed by a small reception in the parish hall after the meeting.

What that means for us is that the Beginner's Bible Study will not be meeting tonight. The funeral will be upstairs in the sanctuary but the reception will be in the parish hall, so the space will be needed.

The Shepherd's Bowl will go on as usual but the clean up crew for the Shepherd's bowl will most likely overlap with those from the ACW who will be setting up for the reception.

Thank you to everyone who has agreed to change schedules to accommodate this service and help these people mourn their loss.

I am also scheduled to speak at Intervarsity Christian Fellowship on the BU campus this Friday evening on the topic of "loving yourself". Intervarsity is focusing on the topic of "love" all year long. Having a healthy "agape" for yourself is foundational to loving others. The second greatest commandment is to "agape" your neigbor as you "agape" yourself. But if your self-agape is twisted and/or non-existent then agape-ing others in the right way will be impossible.

In any case, the invitation to speak came on Sunday which means my schedule was going to be tight...but with the sudden funeral it is bordering on impossible, so please bear with me perhaps not getting as much done this week as I promised or would have liked.

To sum up, there will be no Beginner's Bible Study tonight.

There will be Shepherd's Bowl at the usual time

Choir will also meet at 7pm following the Shepherd's Bowl

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast will meet on Friday morning at 6:30am as usual...I have no idea who is cooking and who is not.

Women's Bible Study: will meet as usual at 10am on Saturday

ACW: There will be an ACW meeting this Saturday after the Women's Bible Study

Systematic Theology: will meet at 3:30pm as usual in the parish hall on Saturday

The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: is scheduled for this coming Tuesday evening. There will be face painting, the burning of the palms...etc...all sorts of things happening, so please invite your friends and family. The supper is a fundraiser and the cost is 4 dollars per plate. The money will go to help buy choir robes.

Ash Wednesday worship will be held at 7am and 7pm...last year the morning service was extremely cold...we seem to have finally gotten a handle on the thermostat issue so it should be nice and toasty by 7am this time around. Invite your friends.

Leaving Home: Anne and I have completed the second part of the series of articles describing our move. You can read it here:

http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/sf/page/25473/

Anne's sermon from last Sunday may be read here:

http://undercurrentofhostility.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-sermon-for-this-morning.html

I cannot find the video tape. I am still looking but I have no idea where it is. As soon as I find it I'll upload it. If you were not there, you missed an excellent sermon.

This Sunday's sermon will be based on 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

There will be a Healing prayer service every Wednesday evening in Lent---more information coming soon

What is Lent?: For those who are new to Anglicanism, here is a brief article I wrote last year about Lent--enjoy:

Given that we have a number of people coming to Good Shepherd who've never been to church or who are from non-liturgical churches, I'll bet some, at least, are wondering what exactly "Shrove Tuesday", "Ash Wednesday" and "Lent" are.

Let me start with some definitions.

Shrove Tuesday: To "shrive" someone is to hear someone's confession of sin and to assure them of God's forgiveness. "Shrove" Tuesday was traditionally (pre-Reformation) the day when confessions were heard and absolution given in preparation for the lenten fast (see below).

Ash Wednesday: "Ash Wednesday" is the first day of "Lent". Traditionally Christians smear their foreheads with ashes from burnt palm leaves (saved from the previous year's Palm Sunday service) to signify sorrow for sin and to acknowledge that we are but "dust" and "to dust we shall return".

"Lent" is the 40 day period traditionally set aside for self-examination, fasting, and repentance before Holy Week and Easter. The word "lent" comes from an Old English word for "spring". It comes from a German root word (Matthias, maybe you can help here?) for "long"...probably because days grow "longer" during the spring.

Since "Lent" always begins on "Ash Wednesday", the Tuesday before was traditionally set aside (especially before the Reformation) as a sort of "last hurrah"...a day of celebration before lenten confessions and disciplines. Today, believers often commit to a special discipline during Lent in order to deepen their relationship with Christ.

In some places (New Orleans in particular) the Tuesday before "Lent" became the: "Let's-get-all-the- sin-out-of-our-system-before-we-go-to-confession-on-Ash-Wednesday" Day...

In England they just ate pancakes...I have no idea why (note: since I wrote this article I found out that they ate pancakes in order to use up all the fat before the lenten fast)

Since we are an "Anglican" church (ie...our roots are with the Church of England) we tend toward the pancake rather than the New Orleans rout...hence the upcoming Pancake Supper.

Lent can be a very confusing time for those who were not raised in liturgical churches. Some wonder why we set aside a special season of repentance when repentance is something that we should do all year round. And they are right about that at least.

At the same time, purposefully setting a season apart from self-examination, fasting, and prayer, can be very helpful. In my own life, God has used the disciplines I've taken on during Lent to give me victory over a number of besetting sins. It is a time to really pull sin out by the roots. I mean, if nothing else, last week's text from 1st Corinthians 9:24-27, tells us that spiritual discipline is something to which God calls every believer.
...Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified...

A few years ago, I wrote an article about Lent and how to figure out what to do in order to use it effectively. Here's an excerpt:

The word “repentance” comes from the Greek word “metanoia.” Metanoia literally means “to turn around and go the other way.” And that, simply stated, is the perfect description of repentance. When you sin you turn away from God. Repentance turns you around. It’s much more than just feeling sorry for doing wrong (although that is the place to start). It’s an active transformation; a commitment to do, to act, to move in accordance with God’s will rather than against it.

And that is where the whole idea of a Lenten discipline comes in.

For believers, Lent can be a time when you actively work to rid yourself of sins that have grown into habits and/or addictions (yes, this should be something we do all year round but it’s helpful to have a time like Lent set aside for that very purpose).

So, rather than thinking about what vice to give up or what discipline to add, a better place to start is prayer. Ask God to search your heart and bring to your mind those habits of thought, word, and/or deed that displease him most. (Sometimes what is displeasing in your life will be so obvious that you won’t even need to pray, you’ll just know. The Holy Spirit living inside you will have made it abundantly clear already). When you ask this in sincerity you can be sure that God will provide you with an answer.

This answer will tell you whether you need to add a discipline or be rid of a behavior or attitude. If, for example you believe that God wants you to be more committed to studying scripture, then you should probably consider adding personal or group bible study to your routine. If on the other hand you believe God is displeased with the amount of time you spend on the internet or the kinds of things you look at on-line, then you should probably consider cutting out or down on your computer usage or installing some parental control program to keep you accountable (even if, especially if, you’re a parent).

In other words, your Lenten discipline should not be arbitrary. If you have a problem with lust, don’t give up chocolate. Give up whatever it is that leads you into lustful behavior. And don’t just give it up for Lent, use Lent to give it up forever. Let the Lord know that you are committed to turning from the sin he has shown you and then ask him to help you in your task though the power of his Holy Spirit.

Of course you can do all of this at any time during the year, but I suppose the question is "do you?". For me, the answer, sadly, is "no", so I personally need the emphasis on repentance that Lent brings.
end.

Good Shepherd Update Thursday February 4th, 2010

2010-02-04T08:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

I'm really swamped today so I won't have time for the usual lengthy news update. We've moved our bedroom upstairs again to be closer to the kids (we moved downstairs when Anne was pregnant to make it easier on her) and that means that we now hear EVERYTHING that our five children do during the night and we are, as a result, short of sleep...which makes work slower and less efficient. But here is what I have managed to cobble together before getting back to the pile of books and papers on my desk.

Settlement: That's right, the lawsuit has been settled, thanks be to God. Please come this Sunday between services if you would like to know more.

Articles: We're still planning on having the second installment of our series on last year's move printed in this Sunday's bulletin or availible in some fashion. It's just not ready yet.

Here is last Sunday's sermon on what you should expect from leaders in the church:

Sermon this Sunday: We'll be moving on to 1st Thessalonians 5:14-15. Last week we dealt with peaceful relationships between leaders and the people in a church. This Sunday we'll discuss peace in church in a general way. What are some of the ways that God builds unity in a congregation? Here is the text:

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Haiti: Pastor Mark Driscol recently visited Haiti and shot this video/sermon on his return. Please take the time to watch and learn about the conditions there and if you have not done so already, please contribute to Good Shepherd's collection for Haiti. Just mark your checks with the word "Haiti"

Healing service: There will be a healing service every Wednesday in Lent. The times have not yet been decided so there will be more information coming soon.

Ash Wednesday: Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which is coming up February 17th. On that day there will be services at 7am and 7pm...noon is a possibility as well, but 7am and 7pm are definite. If you are new to Anglicanism, I'll be saying more about Ash Wednesday in a video that is coming up soon.

Christian Ed Spiritual Disciplines: We're in the middle of a discussion on prayer. I was a little muddled last week due to exhaustion, sorry, but I did send out my notes by email for you to look at. If you would like a hard-copy please let me know. This week we'll review and move forward into a discussion of various forms of prayer.

Oh and part of the class we'll have to talk about the settlement so please come.

Men's Breakfast and Bible Study: Friday morning at 6:30am. All men are welcome. We're working through 2nd Samuel and are just about to hit the juicy parts. Cooking this week: Lee Bronson

Beginner's Bible Study: This week we'll move into chapter 5 of John's gospel. Hope to see you there. 6:30pm after the Shepherd's Bowl in the parish hall.

Women's Bible Study will meet as usual at 10am on Saturday

Thank You: To Don and Darrell for making the storage area into a classroom for the older elementary. Excellent work. Thank you to Lee Bronson for fixing the lights in the existing classrooms. And Thank you to everyone who organized and planned and cooked for the International Feast last week. It was a delicious success.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: is coming up on, well, Shrove Tuesday...that's Mardi Gras for non-Anglicans. Mark your calendars. The idea is to get good and fat for the lenten fasts. There are flyers in the parish hall that really need to be distributed. So if you are free and would like to help us out, please drop by and pick up a pile.

Palm Branches: Please bring your palms from last Palm Sunday to church next Sunday (February 7th) and next (February 14th). These will be burned at the close of the Shrove Tuesday event in preparation for Ash Wednesday.

Applesauce: After Women's Bible Study and ACW meeting on February 13th, we will be making applesauce for the Shrove Tuesday Supper. Please come with a bag (or two) of apples and plastic containers. All are encouraged to bring applesauce made at home as well.

Youth Update as texted in by Ife:

Senior High : 6-7:30p Super Bowl party

Junior high : 6:30-8:00p

Choir Practice: Tonight at 7pm, don't forget.

Vestry Meeting: This coming Wednesday at 6pm...remember these meetings are open to every member of the church.

I think that's all, if not, please remind me...

In Christ
Matt

Sermon: What to Expect from Leaders in the Church part 2

2010-02-01T10:10:00.000-08:00

1st Thessalonians 5:12-13
Titus 1
1st Peter 5

Good Shepherd Update Thursday January 28th, 2010

2010-01-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

Good Afternoon...hope all is well...there is a lot to cover this week so please read carefully.

The following is an article (the first of a series) Anne and I wrote for and published at Stand Firm detailing the story of the last year. If you were not at Good Shepherd during this time, this should bring you up to date....

Leaving Home part 1
Thursday January 8th, 2009 was a frigid day. I was working from home, watching the kids while Anne went out for coffee with a friend. At 3pm, exactly, I received an email from our lawyer entitled "Adverse Decision from the Judge". I opened it and read...

"Here is the adverse decision from the judge on your case which was decided and filed earlier today. Please note the line on page 7 of the decision that “the Diocese is entitled to immediate possession thereof.” Based on this language, you do need to worry about a sheriff coming to your church door to change the locks to keep you and all of your people out..."

Not good.

It's not that we'd been expecting a win--we really didn't know what to expect--but we'd prayed from the very beginning that God would let us stay in our home and let Good Shepherd remain where she'd always been.

The old church building spring, 2008

In 2008, while the lawsuit raged, Good Shepherd grew and expanded significantly. We'd finally begun to have some impact in the neighborhood, drawing people to church through our soup kitchen and block parties. Our weekly bible studies were packed with new people and we were, shockingly to us, beginning to draw an increasing number of students from BU. We were still very small by objective standards--90 or so on average--but we'd been much much smaller. When I arrived at Good Shepherd in 2002, there were less than 50 people in the pews on any given Sunday. It had been a bumpy ride but by January 2009 Good Shepherd was healthier, younger, larger than she'd been in decades--and she was slowly, steadily, growing.

We hoped that this growth was, perhaps, a sign that God wanted us to stay where we were. We knew intellectually that losing was a very good possibility but while the potential for leaving was real, we hadn't truly considered what losing would mean for us nor had we anticipated the emotional impact of it.

Anne got home about half-an hour later. As soon as she walked through the door, I told her, "We lost." We stood there for a moment and then I let her read the email.

We decided to tell the kids right away. The boys were both dressed as Spiderman (Aedan the Good Spiderman, Rowan the Bad One) as they often are. Emma had on an enormous princess dress. Gwendolyn had on a ballerina tutu was twirling around and around. We sat on the stairs and told them that we were going to have to move. Like all resiliant and clever children, they took it in stride. Only Emma really cried. They were as prepared as we were for this news--they'd been praying for months that God would change the bishop's heart and we could keep our home.

Because the court order indicated that the diocese could take immediate possession we didn't really have time to mourn and weep. We felt we needed to start packing that moment. (Two days later we would recieve an offer from the diocese--they would allow us to stay in the church and the rectory for two months in exchange for a rent of over $2000.00 per month. We did not accept this offer) but we didn't really begin packing the house until the following Monday.

Our first job, starting Friday morning, was to pack up our offices at church and especially to gather our personal belongings, most especially our books, from all parts of the building (amazing how books wander all over the place).

The court order specified that everything owned by Good Shepherd now belonged to the Diocese of Central New York. We could remove our own personal stuff, but all of the things that had been a part and parcel of our community life for more than a century had to stay.

The 10th of January was a gray frozen day. The church was full of people coming to find their stuff or just to sit in the sanctuary, wander through the building, stand in the kitchen drinking coffee and talking about what to do next.

Parishioners arrive the gray Friday morning after everyone learned of our loss

The press arrived later in the day for interviews and to shoot footage of our departure

The image that stands out most in my memory of that day is that of one of our more stoic men standing in front of a plaque bearing his father's name, tracing the inscription with his finger. It would have to stay.

We took these parting images as the day waned and we were coming closer to a final goodbye

We also prepared for our final service of worship in that place. Which brings up a critical point--we didn't know where we would be the following Sunday. Much of the preparation for worship on Sunday the 12th of January was discussing options for Sunday the 19th. Was so and so's living room big enough to accommodate 90 people at one time? What about the church on such and such street that has a gym? Would they let us rent it? Would anyone be able to figure out where it is? What about Sunday School? What about adult Christian Ed? What about bible studies...we have five of them every week. And what about the soup kitchen, the Shepherd's Bowl? Next Thursday forty to fifty hungry people would make the trek from all parts of the city in horribly cold conditions hoping for and expecting the usual warm meal only to find a dark empty building. How would we feed them? Where would we feed them? How would they know where to go?

Meanwhile, we'd put the house completely on hold through the weekend. We didn't clean or pack or do anything while we tried to deal with worship and location issues. We didn't have time to think about where we'd live next until we'd sorted out where the church would be going.

Friday afternoon I called Pastor Hollinger of Conklin Ave. Baptist Church. Before I could say anything more than 'Hello Pastor' he asked where we were worshiping the next week and offered his sanctuary.

It turned out that our worship services were held at the same time as theirs. So, wanting to keep as many things as close to the same as possible, I started to gratefully waffle and back out. Pastor Hollinger pressed me and then offered up his gym instead--a heated gym with chairs, a table that could be used as an altar, and a huge kitchen so we could have the coffee hour and lunch. Oh, and classrooms for Sunday school.

Micah captured this photo while I was on the phone with pastor Hollinger

One day out and God had already provided a warm place to worship indefinitely. Now we'd at least be able to announce that services would go on as normal.

Before this the vestry estimated that we would be without our own space for at least a year and that during that time we should expect a 20 to 30 percent loss in attendance and membership. We were running at about 90 per Sunday at that point. We counted, optimistically, on about 60 to 70 stalwarts sticking with us the whole time.

As usual, we had visitors that Sunday morning. Two of them, a young couple, even ended up coming to the rectory during the week to help us pack and eventually they joined the church.

After Communion and the blessing, we stripped the altar, deconsecrated it, emptied the ambry (yes we had one), and blew out the tabernacle candle. Somehow the ash from the censor spilled out in a smear across the altar steps. The congregation left in silence.

Photos taken during the last service at Good Shepherd

Monday began the herculean work of packing up 6 years worth of stuff in the rectory. We never managed to sort through and rid ourselves of toys or anything in the time we lived in that house. It was always on the back burner, 'We really need to have a garage sale!' we would say every spring. But we never did. And, we'd been in the midst of post Christmas homeschooling when we got the news, which means we home school first and clean second. So when 10am rolled around on Monday morning and 4 people showed up to help pack, they began that work in less than ideal circumstances.

Everyday someone different took the kids away to play or do school. Parishioners would just show up when they had a free hour during the day and fill boxes. The head of the altar guild took all our laundry every day for two weeks and brought it back clean, ironed and folded. The pillars of the church, besides supplying endless boxes, carefully and methodically packed all the china and breakables. One man alone powered through the attic in one day, labeling boxes, carrying them down and stacking them for easy moving. Our two youth ministers (the former and the present) tackled the horror that was the basement. Every day and into the night late the people of Good Shepherd packed us up, box by box, book by book, toy by toy, amazed at the array of unrelenting knick knacks we possessed.

When we started packing Monday, as I said before, it was with no aim in view. We had no idea where we'd go. I imagined we would have to put everything in storage and find an apartment somewhere. We packed that whole day in a fog of unknowing. The children, thankfully, had no curiosity about what would happen next because I had nothing to tell them.

I wish Anne and I could say that we faithfully trusted and believed that God would provide a place for us to stay and that our minds were perfectly at peace...but that would be a lie. I was certain that it was God's plan for us to face the worst. I'm quite an unfaithful pessimist about these things. There seem to be two life plans for Christians...the abundance/blessing plan and the death/suffering plan. I assume I am on the death and suffering plan--that God is crouching behind a corner waiting for things to go well in order to take everything away so that I can learn to trust in him alone. That's a terribly sinful and unfaithful way to think--I know that--and not at all true about God but for some reason that's where my mind goes when things seem to be taking a turn for the worst.

At the very least, my attitude and what happened over the next weeks and months next seriously undercuts the (whacked out) idea that God waits around for us to gin up "faith" meaning "positive thoughts" before he provides. There was no "naming" and "claiming" happening in the Kennedy household.

Tuesday mid-morning the phone rang. It was Msgr. Meaghar, former priest of St. Andrew's Catholic Church now priest in charge of the merged parish of Sts. John and Andrew.

In November of 2008, the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse merged two large Binghamton parishes, St John the Evangelist and St. Andrew's Catholic Church. The people and priest of St. Andrew's were told to close their property and merge with St John's which is located on Livingston street a block south of Good Shepherd's location (which was on the Corner of Conklin and Livingston).

The former St. Andrew's Catholic Church was only about a mile and a half down Conklin from Good Shepherd. Prior to the merger, before they had to leave their property behind, St. Andrew's had been packed out every Sunday, filling their parking lot of more than 100 spaces, filling their Sanctuary which seats 400 (twice a Sunday), and filling their school building with Sunday School children. Before he had to move into St. John's rectory, the priest at St. Andrew's, Msgr Meaghar, lived in a relatively new four bedroom three bath rectory settled in the shadow of the St. Andrew's sanctuary. When the two parishes merged St. Andrew's property (rectory, sanctuary, school building, parking lot and storage facility) was left vacant.

That Tuesday morning, Msgr. Meaghar read in the Press and Sun that we lost our case and heard, I suppose from one of his parishioners who lived nearby, that we were moving out of the rectory.

When I answered the phone, I assumed, because he is a gracious and kind man, that he was calling to offer his condolences.

"I was wondering"," he said, "do you and your family have a place to go?"

Not catching on, I did my duty despite my pessimism and mumbled and stammered on in pious tones about God providing.

"Well" he said, "We're basically moved out of our rectory at St. Andrew's. Would you like to move in?"

I don't know why I didn't see it coming but I didn't and for a few seconds I couldn't think of anything to say. Did he know what he was offering? Was he aware of what it would mean for the St. Andrew's rectory for my entire family to move in even for a week? We had four kids. Does he know that? I finally managed to say, "Well, we have a lot of stuff."

"That's ok," he said, "you can stay as long as you need to and we'll figure out the details later." Before I could say a proper thank you, he'd arranged to hand off the key Wednesday afternoon.

The former St. Andrew's rectory

So, by the grace of God, the generosity of neighboring churches and pastors, and the extraordinary efforts of the congregation, we were out of the church and house within a week. Far from jamming ourselves into a tiny apartment and worshiping in someone's living room, we were settled seamlessly into a four bedroom three bathroom house with an enormous basement already set up to accommodate meetings and we had a large heated gym for worship. Vestry, meetings, bible studies, worship...nothing came to a halt or even paused.

That first Sunday we worshiped in the gym at Conklin Ave. Meanwhile, Msgr. Meaghar opened up the Sts John and Andrew's parish kitchen and hall to the Soup Kitchen so, that Thursday, no meals were missed.

We were out of the old house by Friday. In fact, we slept in the new house Thursday night for the first time and made the final trips Friday and a little into Saturday. Thursday and Friday Anne stayed at the new house and tried to unpack essentials so that we could be clothed and in our right minds by Sunday.

And so ends the first week and part one of this series.

International Feast: THIS Sunday January 31st is Good Shepherd's second annual International Feast Day. The meal will take place immediately following the 10:30 service. We'd like to have many cuisines represented (and already lots have been taken) so please sign up to prepare your favorite international dish. (Sign up sheet and suggestions are downstairs in the Parish Hall.) I've already claimed Indian so you can't have that one.This is a great opportunity to invite your friends.

Question and Answer: Hearing God's Voice--how do you know what God wants you to do?

A parishioner dealing with an important career decision asked that question recently. Here's my answer:

Knowing God's will when making a decision is not always easy, but here are some general questions to ask yourself and things to do that I find helpful in discerning what God would have me do.

1. In prayer, share your desire with God, and commit do what he desires first and foremost even if it means not doing what you planned to do.

2. Be sure that what you hope to do is consistent with God's revealed will in scripture. Would changing careers, for example, mean that you forego any higher calling or responsibility God has given you? Would it require you to do or act in a way that is inconsistent with the principles and purposes God sets out for his people in the bible?

3. Ask God to make the matter plain to you by either 1. opening doors in the direction you would like to go or 2. giving you a clear discernable answer in the form of closed doors, impossible progress, or just a very clear sense in your heart that you should not proceed.

4. Listen and attend carefully to the four primary means through which God communicates to his people: Scripture, Prayer, Church (sermons, class, fellowship), Circumstances...to see whether God gives you any guidance through them

5. If you have asked God to guide you with a willingness to do what he wants you do do, see nothing in scripture contrary to your plans, have listened to and attended the four primary ways God speaks to his people, and circumstances have left the way open to proceed...the do it with joy and peace

I generally find that even when I make the wrong decision...if I have faithfully sought his will and followed the steps above that God graciously blesses what I have done.

Two things that I need to mention:

1. Inviting non-believers to know Jesus (or just come to church). Two Sundays ago we learned that the vast majority of the people who come to Good Shepherd have friends or family members who are not believers in Jesus Christ. So, question, How long has it been since you've invited anyone to church? Have you ever prayed that God would give you an opportunity to share your faith with a specific person? Ask God to help you and then do it.

2. Parents...God is the highest priority for children--higher than football, soccer, basketball and even school. All these things may help children to succeed for the 70 or so years they are alive...but what kind of life will they have if they do not have Jesus? And when their lives come to an end 70 or 80 years from now, what will soccer practice mean? Nothing.

You are God's primary instrument for sharing the gospel with your children and teaching them about Jesus and his word.

"1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. " (Deuteronomy 6:1-9)

Believing parents who let their children "decide" whether they want to attend church so as not to "force their values on them"...turn Jesus into just one more consumer item for their kids to taste and approve/disapprove. Do we make our kids go to school? Why? Because we value education. Why would we value Jesus any less?

As important as church is, when it comes to raising believing children, everything starts at home. Church, Sunday school and youth group should merely confirm, strengthen and supplement what parents teach and model daily at home. God gave us children for the purpose of teaching them about him. It is an amazing privelege and responsibility. Are we fulfilling it?

Choir Practice THIS Thursday at 7pm: The Good Shepherd Choir will be gathering for the first rehearsal with Tim Wetherbee this THURSDAY (tonight), January 28 at 7:00 pm in the choir loft. If you are planning to join this ministry or want more information, please contact Tim so he can have enough materials for everyone. He can be reached by phone at 748-3577 or by email at timvaweth@juno.com or just speak to him after the 10:30 Service.

Shepherd's Bowl: Shepherd's Bowl is carrying on as usual tonight at 5:30.

The Bible For Beginners: Everyone is welcome to the beginner's level Bible Study after the Shepherd at 6:30pm.

Help for Haiti: Thank you for your generous offering last Sunday. In one service we collected over $1000.00 which will go to Compassion International. This was just one offering, there will be more. You can continue to to contribute by making a note at the bottom of your check.

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast: Brian and Tom are cooking--The men's breakfast and bible study meets every Friday morning at 6:30am. We are currently working our way through 2nd Samuel. All men are welcome.

Womens' Bible Study: There will be Women's Bible Study this Saturday at 10:00am led by Carmen. All women are invited.

Phone at the church (reminder): We have, thanks to Chris Jones, managed to recover the old church phone number 723-8032...which is great considering the fact that that number is still printed in old phone books and internet searches. For the remainder of the year, we'll keep both numbers 773-4810 and 723-8032 (which will be activated tomorrow). The rectory (my house) number has changed. You can no longer reach my family at 773-4810. That is now solely a church number. I will send the house number out as soon as I find out what it is.

Systematic Theology: Will meet this Saturday at 3:30pm We'll be discussing the Trinity again this week and in particular some of the historical errors that have led to a great deal of confusion in the church and beyond. Hope to see you there.

ACW: The Next ACW meeting is February 13 at 11:00.

Vacation Bible School: I was just told this week that it is our turn to host VBS this summer...which is, I think, going to be a great way to do outreach. If you are going to be here this Summer and are interested in volunteering to help, please let Mary Foote know.

Why didn't God Stop the Earthquake? Many of you have asked me variations on the following question: Why didn't God stop the earthquake in Haiti. I've done my best to address these question in a video you can watch here:
http://binghamtongoodshepherd.blogspot.com/2010/01/why-didnt-god-stop-earthquake.html

Last Sunday's sermon: Here is the video of Sunday's sermon: What to Expect from Leaders in the Church. God has made those who trust in his Son Jesus Christ, children of the light. How now should we live?

This week's Sermon: This week we'll continue discussing 1st Thessalonians 5:12-13, and lay out the biblical expectations for leaders in the church and how we can test whether or not we are being led well.

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Christian Education: Spiritual Disciplines: This week we'll talk about the Spiritual discipline of Prayer.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper- There is a sign-up sheet downstairs in the Parish Hall. There is a great variety of tasks. Please volunteer to help with this outreach event. We need you !!

Palm Branches- Please bring your palms from last Palm Sunday to church next Sunday (February 7th) and next (February 14th). These will be burned at the close of the Shrove Tuesday Event in preparation for Ash Wednesday.

Applesauce- After Women's Bible Study and ACW meeting on February 13th, we will be making applesauce for the Shrove Tuesday Supper. Please come with a bag (or two) of apples and plastic containers. All are encouraged to bring applesauce made at home as well.

Youth Ministry is a call to community (by Ife): God calls youths and adults alike to be members of His body, the Church. Because this is true, the support and lived example of the surrounding faith community (the local Church) is essential. This means that youth ministry cannot be in the periphery of church life and relationships, and it is not just the responsibility of the Youth pastor, or parent to be involved in their lives. We are called to live in community and the Gospel resonates more in the life of a young adult when it is seen lived out and modeled. So, I encourage you get to know a young person from our youth ministry, pray for them in your daily time of prayer, encourage and affirm their commitments in service within the church (acolyting, nursery, etc). Most importantly, model to them in your relationships and interactions with them how to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

Youth Group is meeting at the usual time.
Senior High: Sunday 6 - 7:30p
Junior High: Monday 6:30 - 8:00p

Why Didn't God Stop the Earthquake?

2010-01-27T06:29:00.000-08:00

Sermon: What to Expect from Leaders in the Church

2010-01-25T10:06:00.001-08:00

Matt Chandler Update

2010-01-23T06:06:00.001-08:00

The Anglican Relief and Development Fund Reports on Haiti Work

2010-01-22T09:48:00.000-08:00

January 22, 2010

Anglicans have donated more than $70,000 through the Anglican Relief and Development Fund to support immediate relief in Haiti in the first week following the earthquake that struck the impoverished island nation on January 12.

According to Nancy Norton, executive director of Anglican Relief and Development Fund, the organization is partnering with World Relief, a large and well established evangelical Christian relief agency. Working with World Relief ensures that these donations have an immediate positive effect in Haiti, where current estimates are that more than 200,000 have died and more than a million people are without shelter in the aftermath of the earthquake.

World Relief has had a long presence in Haiti, empowering the local church with health, economic and social development projects. World Relief'sDisaster Response team is providing urgent medical care to hundreds of injured people at the Kings Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's devastated capital. They have also set up feeding centers in partnership with local churches, providing thousands of hot meals to hungry earthquake survivors. Volunteers from local Haitian churches are operating the centers. World Relief can feed a person two meals a day - lunch and dinner - for less than $2. It costs approximately $375 to feed 200 people rice and beans at lunch and milk porridge for dinner.

"Thank you to everyone who contributed through Anglican Relief and Development to help in Haiti. The generosity of our donors has been overwhelming. This financial outpouring will allow us to not only assist in immediate relief work, but also to be part of the rebuilding process through development projects in Haiti later this year. The needs in this terribly damaged nation will continue," said Norton.

Donations for our continued work there can be made online at www.anglicanaid.net or by sending a check to the Anglican Relief and Development Fund at:

ARDF

PO Box 3830

Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3830

Good Shepherd Update Thursday January 21st, 2010

2010-01-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

Thank you to everyone who stayed after the 10:30am service for the Annual meeting last Sunday. I know it was a long day especially give the playoff games that started at 1pm. I really appreciate your dedication to the mission of Good Shepherd.

If you attended services then you might remember the talk by Hilgrove Delancy regarding Haiti. He mentioned a number aid services and organizations to help the people of Haiti. In particular he mentioned Compassion International as a worthy Christian charitable organization that has a history of good work in Haiti.

This Sunday we'll be taking a special collection for the people of Haiti. This money will be collected and the whole amount given to Compassion International so please pray and think about how much you would like to contribute.

Choir Practice Next Thursday at 7pm: The Good Shepherd Choir will be gathering for the first rehearsal with Tim Wetherbee NEXT THURSDAY, January 28 at 7:00 pm in the choir loft. If you are planning to join this ministry or want more information, please contact Tim so he can have enough materials for everyone. He can be reached by phone at 748-3577 or by email at timvaweth@juno.com or just speak to him after the 10:30 Service.

Shepherd's Bowl: Shepherd's Bowl is carrying on as usual tonight at 5:30. Everyone is welcome to the beginner's level Bible Study after at 6:30pm.

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast: Bob Shaller is cooking. The men's breakfast and bible study meets every Friday morning at 6:30am. We are currently working our way through 2nd Samuel. All men are welcome.

New/potential/interested Member Classes: As promised, I'll be leading new member (and potential/interested member) class beginning Saturday February 7th at 2:30pm and continuing for three weeks for a total of four classes. Among other things we'll discuss:
Anglican Christianity
Anglican polity: Bishops, priests and deacons
Parish programs and ministries
The mission of Good Shepherd
The Constitution and Governance of the church.

I'[ll be contacting new members and potential people about this in the coming weeks...

Womens' Bible Study : There will be Women's Bible Study this Saturday at 10:00am led by Carmen. All women are invited.

Acolyte practice this Sunday after the 10:30am service. Some of us, not all, have gotten a little sloppy lately, so it's important that everyone make the practice. I promise not to keep you for more than an hour.

Spiritual Discipline Resources: Two Spiritual Disciplines resources I've referenced during Christian ed that I definitely recommend:

1. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

2. Christian Hedonism (an article by Pastor John Piper)

Phone at the church: We have, thanks to Chris Jones, managed to recover the old church phone number 723-8032...which is great considering the fact that that number is still printed in old phone books and internet searches. For the remainder of the year, we'll keep both numbers 773-4810 and 723-8032 (which will be activated tomorrow). The rectory (my house) number has changed. You can no longer reach my family at 773-4810. That is now solely a church number. I will send the house number out as soon as I find out what it is.

Matt's number: My home number is 607-621-9944: Please do not call on church business on Mondays or after 6 unless it is an emergency.

Systematic Theology: Will meet this Saturday at 3:30pm We'll be, finally, starting a discussion of the Doctrine of the Trinity. The first task will be to define the concept and ground the concept in the Old and New Testaments. Hope to see you there.

Is the Bible Boring?

International Feast: Sunday January 31st is Good Shepherd's second annual International Feast Day. The meal will take place immediately following the 10:30 service. We'd like to have many cuisines represented (and already lots have been taken) so please sign up to prepare your favorite international dish. (Sign up sheet and suggestions are downstairs in the Parish Hall.) I've already claimed Indian so you can't have that one.

Good Shepherd T-Shirts/Aprons: Various styles of t-shirts and aprons with our church logo will be ordered within the next few weeks if there is enough interest. Prices range from $8 to $12 . Colors are maroon with white lettering, white with maroon lettering, and grey with maroon lettering. In case of need, a donation will be sufficient.

Vacation Bible School: I was just told this week that it is our turn to host VBS this summer...which is, I think, going to be a great way to do outreach. If you are going to be here this Summer and are interested in volunteering to help, please let Mary Foote know.

Congratulations to Mark Dreher and Chris Jones: who were elected last week to serve on Vestry. Most of you know Chris Jones. He is our former treasurer

Last Sunday's sermon: Here is the video of Sunday's sermon: Staying Spiritually Sober. God has made those who trust in his Son Jesus Christ, children of the light. How now should we live?

This week's Sermon: This week we'll dig into 1st Thessalonians 5:12-15 and talk about those God appoints as leaders in a congregation and the way congregations can avoid division, fighting and enjoy the peace of God.

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Christian Education: Spiritual Disciplines: This week we'll talk about the Spiritual discipline of meditation.

Youth Group Update: Youth Group
Senior High - Sunday 6-7:30p
Junior High - Monday 6:30-8:00p

What does it mean that Jesus is God, that everything was created through Him and for Him?
One of the implications is that only God could have saved us from sin, so if Jesus was just "a great man" then His death on the cross could not save us.

This week we'll be talking about Christ's incarnation, which means Christ became human.
Hope to see you at youth group.

In Christ
Matt

How Will They Hear Without a Preacher?

2010-01-20T18:43:00.000-08:00

....from here

"The withering of preaching is not uniform in all congregations and denominations. Evangelicals were most enthusiastic about preaching, while others registered less appreciation for the preached Word. Interestingly, Gledhill reports that "Baptists and Catholics were also more enthusiastic about the Bible being mentioned in sermons than were Anglicans and Methodists."

The Anglicans also expressed a desire to be entertained, rather then educated. The Rev. Kate Bruce, Fellow in Preaching and Communication at the CODEC center, said that "in a culture which values entertainment and likes stand-up, over a quarter [of respondents] said they want preaching to be entertaining, too."

Well, they will have to be quick about the entertainment. Many Anglicans indicated that they wanted the sermon to be less than ten minutes long. As Gledhill remarks, they might be willing to allow up to twenty minutes "if there was no 'waffle.'"

Perhaps the biggest question raised by the report is why so many British churchgoers (96.6%) said they "look forward" to the sermon. Ruth Gledhill comments:

In their report the Durham researchers admit to puzzlement that so many people looked forward to the sermons, and confess that more work was needed to find out why.

The report questions whether people look forward to the sermon so much for the content, the engagement, the entertainment, the theology or simply that it gives them time to switch off.

Time to switch off? According to the report, Britain has only 3.6 million "regular churchgoers" out of a population of over 60 million. That is, only about five percent of Britons even attend church services on any regular basis. Evidently, many of those who do attend "look forward" to a very short message from a preacher that entertains them.

England, of course, is the nation that once gave us preachers the likes of Charles Simeon, Charles Spurgeon, and Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Now, with the rare and blessed exception of some faithful evangelical churches, preaching has fallen on desperate times.

Some observers of British life now estimate that in any given week Muslim attendance at mosques outnumbers Christian attendance at churches. That means that there are probably now in Britain more people who listen to imams than to preachers.

This raises an interesting question: Is the marginalization of biblical preaching in so many churches a cause or a result of the nation's retreat from Christianity? In truth, it must be both cause and effect. In any event, there is no hope for a recovery of biblical Christianity without a preceding recovery of biblical preaching. That means preaching that is expository, textual, evangelistic, and doctrinal. In other words, preaching that will take a lot longer than ten minutes and will not masquerade as a form of entertainment"...more

John Piper: Is the Bible boring?

2010-01-18T18:44:00.000-08:00

Sermon: The Mission Statement of the Church

2010-01-18T10:04:00.000-08:00

Texts: Matthew 28:18-22 and Acts 2

Matt Chandler Update

2010-01-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

I wrote about Matt Chandler in last week's Update. Matt is married and in his thirties with three young children. He is the head pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in the country, The Village Church, in northern Texas. He collapsed on Thanksgiving day and has been diagnosed with brain cancer. He is currently beginning a regimen of radiation and chemo. Here's a video update. Matt's providing the entire Church with a model of how to suffer well as a believer in Jesus Christ.

Ife in the News

2010-01-15T11:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a great article about Ife that was posted in the national website for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship:

Ife Ojetayo actively participated in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Binghamton University in New York from fall 2000 until spring 2004. While attending college, Ife was a small group leader and the InterVarsity chapter president for two years.

Throughout many retreats and training sessions, includingExpedition and Basileia, the regional camp for campuses in New York and New Jersey, Ife grew in his love for God and the world. He attended Urbana 2003 as a participant to explore the possibility of full-time ministry.

Ife returned home to Long Island after he graduated. When he returned to Binghamton University for graduate classes, Carrie Moorhead, InterVarsity staff at Binghamton University, suggested he pursue ministry as a career. Having grown up in Nigeria until he was 12, Ife was looking for a career in international affairs. But was not certain if that was the right career to pursue.

Carrie invited Ife to church with her....read more here

Ife is, among many other things, Good Shepherd's Youth Minister...

Good Shepherd Update Thursday January 14th, 2010

2010-01-14T12:50:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

This Sunday is our annual meeting. It is also the one year mark in this new property God has provided for us. Last Sunday was one year to the day that we celebrated our final Sunday in the old church building. This Sunday will be one year to the day that we met at the Conklin Avenue Baptist gym. Next Sunday will be the one year mark here at 356 Conklin Avenue.

It is a time for thanksgiving and for reflection.

God brought us out of circumstances and difficulties that, according to practical earthly expectations, should have destroyed us. But God preserved us. He not only preserved us, he opened the floodgates and blessed us in every way.

Jesus told a parable about a king who, preparing for a journey, gave three servants varying amounts of money to use in the king's absence. When the king left, the first two servants took the money, invested it, and doubled what he had given them. The last servant horded the king's money and buried it in a hole because he was afraid of losing it. When the king returned, he rewarded the two servants who took risks and invested all that the king had left them by giving them entire cities to rule but he punished the servant who carefully horded out of fear and took the little that he had been given away. (Matt 25:14-30)

Jesus did not tell this parable to teach people how to get rich. The parable is not about money in particular but about all the resources that God provides--everything we have--money, time, skill, power, life... We are his servants. He has given us all of these things for a purpose--to use them, to invest them, for his glory, the expansion of his kingdom, the proclamation of his gospel, the feeding of the poor, and the healing of the sick.

Churches die every day in the United States. In Revelation 2-3 we're told that when a congregation chooses its own way rather than to follow the mission laid out by Christ, Jesus "removes its lampstand". The Spirit is quenched or removed. Why? Because the church exists as God's chosen vehicle to reconcile the world to himself through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and when a church does not do that it ceases to function as the church. It dies.

On the other hand, it is simply impossible to outgive God. The more God blesses a church, the more a church is called to pour that blessing out into the world. God continues to fill, we continue to pour. We take his talents and invest them in the expansion of his kingdom, he pours more into our lap. That is God's economy.

We are at a pivotal moment at Good Shepherd. What has God called us to do as a body here? Are we ready to fulfill that call? Are we ready to take what God has given us and invest all of it in the building of his kingdom? I think we are. I know we are. God has been preparing us for the present moment for a long time. The question is whether we are willing.

New Music Director: Tim Wetherbee starts this Sunday at the 10:30am as our new music director. He is a truly gifted musician and leader. Please be here to welcome him to Good Shepherd and celebrate his first Sunday as director.

A Message from Tim: The Good Shepherd Choir will be gathering for the first rehearsal with Tim Wetherbee on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 pm in the choir loft. If you are planning to join this ministry or want more information, please contact Tim so he can have enough materials for everyone. He can be reached by phone at 748-3577 or by email at timvaweth@juno.com or just speak to him after the 10:30 Service.

Is Good Shepherd a Healthy Church? What are churches supposed to do? Alister Begg preaches a great series on what a church should be and do...I wish every person who comes to Good Shepherd would make time to listen to this:

The Four Marks of a Healthy Church part A:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Truth_for_Life/archives.asp?bcd=2010-1-12

Part B:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Truth_for_Life/archives.asp?bcd=2010-1-13

Shepherd's Bowl: Shepherd's Bowl is carrying on as usual tonight at 5:30. Everyone is welcome to the Bible Study after at 6:30

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast: Charles Hadley is cooking.

Womens' Bible Study: There will be Women's Bible Study this Saturday at 10:00am led by Carmen.

Haiti: By now most of you have heard about the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday. If you have not, here is an article describing the horrible conditions in the aftermath.

Please pray for the people of Haiti.

For right now, if you would like to help tangibly with relief efforts, the Anglican Relief and Development fund is now accepting donations to bring relief supplies to people there.

This Sunday during announcements Hilgrove Delancy, who used to live in Haiti and will share some information with us about the people there, the living conditions, and what we can do to help.

Phone at the church: We have, thanks to Chris Jones, managed to recover the old church phone number 723-8032...which is great considering the fact that that number is still printed in old phone books and internet searches. For the remainder of the year, we'll keep both numbers 773-4810 and 723-8032 (which will be activated tomorrow). The rectory (my house) number has changed. You can no longer reach my family at 773-4810. That is now solely a church number. I will send the house number out as soon as I find out what it is.

Systematic Theology: Will meet this Saturday at 3:30am for the new year. We'll be discussing the following attributes: Holiness, Righteousness, Peace, Jealousy and Wrath. Next Saturday, we'll start a discussion of the Trinity.

Annual Meeting and Vestry Elections: The annual meeting will take place THIS Sunday January 17th AFTER the 10:30am service. I would have liked to do it between services, but there is just too much business to discuss. So far we have two new candidates for vestry: Mark Dreher and Chris Jones. Candidates may be nominated from the floor. Eligible candidates will conform to the standards articulated in Titus 1:5-8, assent by signature to the principles articulated in Good Shepherd's summary of faith and the Jerusalem Declaration, be regular attenders and members (attending every Sunday you are in town), participants in at least one bible study or class per week, committed to one ministry or service in the church, and tithing or working toward a tithe. We'll post profiles of candidates in this week's bulletin (hopefully)

The 2010 Budget: The vestry met last night to review and approve the budget for 2010. Creating a budget was a difficult task given it had to basically be created whole-cloth. Brendan Houser (our treasurer) and John Chaney (our Junior Warden) presented the budget they crafted last night. I should have an executive summary to send to you this week before the meeting on Sunday. I did not know this last Sunday, but the new constitution only provides for a vestry approval of the budget, not a congregational vote. But we need your input and hope for your support so I will call for a discussion of and vote of support or non-support from the congregation during the meeting so that the vestry can know the mind of the body before we finalize the budget plan for the year.

Help with Children During the Annual Meeting: Anne is looking for creative and willing adults to help supervise children during the annual meeting. In the past the children have all played in the nursery and basically kept quiet. This year the nursery is too small and there are too many children. If someone has some suitable movies or games and the means to set them up, please let Anne know.

International Feast: Sunday January 31st is Good Shepherd's second annual International Feast Day. The meal take place immediately following the 10:30 service. We'd like to have many cuisines represented so please sign up to prepare your favorite international dish. (Sign up sheet and suggestions are downstairs in the Parish Hall.)

Last Sunday's sermon: Here is the video of Sunday's sermon: Staying Spiritually Sober. God has made those who trust in his Son Jesus Christ, children of the light. How now should we live?

This week's Sermon: Since it's annual meeting time, we'll be discussing the purpose of the church and the mission of the church.

Christian Education: Spiritual Disciplines: This week we will finish our introduction to spiritual disciplines and move into a discussion of a specific type of discipline.

In Christ
Matt

Haiti

2010-01-13T13:24:00.000-08:00

By now most of you have heard about the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday. If you have not, here is an article describing the horrible conditions in the aftermath.

Please pray for the people of Haiti.

If you would like to help tangibly with relief efforts, the Anglican Relief and Development fund is now accepting donations to bring relief supplies to people there.

Sermon: Staying Spiritually Sober

2010-01-11T13:57:00.001-08:00

The first minute intro to this sermon has been clipped off for some reason, but its basically review from last Sunday...

The text for this sermon is 1st Thessalonians 5:5-11

Good Shepherd Update Thursday January 7th, 2010

2010-01-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

Good Afternoon, there are a number of important items in this week's update so please read carefully.

Epiphany: The season of Christmas lasts 12 days followed by Epiphany--January 6. The word "epiphany" means appearing or revealing...God the Son "appeared" was made manifest at his birth. The good news that God has come to save his people was proclaimed first by angels to shepherds. But God also revealed it in the heavens through the great light or the star that drew the magi from the east to worship Jesus.

Epiphany is traditionally the day set aside to remember the coming of the magi. Through their visit, God made his Son known not just as the Savior of the Jewish people, but as the Savior and Lord of all the earth and of all the peoples of the earth.

The color for Epiphany is white on the first Sunday of Epiphany, to mark the feast, and then green--I'm not sure why--and it lasts until Lent which begins on February 17, Ash Wednesday.

Potluck and Undecorating: There will be a potluck lunch after the 10:30am service this Sunday so bring a plate of something to pass around and a good appetite. Also, since its Epiphany--and Christmas is over, we'll be taking down the Christmas decorations so, once you've had your fill of food, you can work off all those calories by climbing up and down ladders to take down the greens. If you're not good on a ladder there are plenty of other jobs.

Kris Kindle: Traditionally the members of Good Shepherd have exchanged names in Advent and spent the Holy Season of Christmas praying for one another and exchanging small gifts on the Feast of Epiphany (the Sunday after January 6). This year, with the current rate of growth and the upheaval of moving, we determined not to exchange names. If anyone would like to make a small donation to add to the money being sent to the Anglican Church in Kewinda in honor of this fine tradition, it would be much appreciated.

The Purpose of Suffering: Matt Chandler is in his 30's. He is married and has three young children. He's pastor of "The Village" church in North Texas, one of the fastest growing churches in the country. He is, in my opinion, one of the best young preachers of the day. On Thanksgiving Day he suffered a seizure and collapsed. He was diagnosed with a malignant, slow growing, brain tumor. His surgeons removed a good deal of it but they could not remove all of it. The prognosis, should God decide not to intervene, is not good. John Piper was asked to come speak to Matt's congregation two Sunday's ago. The sermon he preached (listen here) is one of the best on the purpose of human suffering I have heard. It is long, 54 minutes, but it is worth it not only to listen but to pull out your bibles and follow him along.

Shepherd's Bowl: Shepherd's Bowl is carrying on as usual tonight at 5:30. Everyone is welcome to the Bible Study after at 6:30

Men's Bible Study and Breakfast: Joe Barham is cooking.

Womens' Bible Study: There will be Women's Bible Study this Saturday at 10:00am led by Carmen.

ACW Meeting at 11am Saturday: From Pat Chaney: All women of the Church are invited. We need to make some decisions about
1. Clam Chowder/ Bake Sale around Easter.
2. What outreach? Keep for ACK or...? I think it would be good to continue to help ACK!
3. Last year, we had a No-Bake Sale and we did raise about $300. That would be the easiest!
Finally, 4. if someone would like to volunteer to learn how to prepare the media/ads from Cookie, then we could make the decisions Jan?Feb!

Phone at the church: The phone number for the church 773-4810 has also been, up until now, the phone number for the rectory. That is changing. From now on my personal number will not be 773-4810. As soon as I get the new number I'll let you know.

Systematic Theology: starts up again this Saturday at 3:30am for the new year. We'll be discussing the following attributes: God's love, mercy, grace, and patience.

Annual Meeting and Vestry Elections: The annual meeting will take place on Sunday January 17th. So far we have 2 new candidates for vestry. Eligible candidates will conform to the standards articulated in Titus 1:5-8, assent by signature to the principles articulated in Good Shepherd's summary of faith and the Jerusalem Declaration, be regular attenders and members (attending every Sunday you are in town), participants in at least one bible study or class per week, committed to one ministry or service in the church, and tithing or working toward a tithe. We'll post profiles of candidates in this week's bulletin (hopefully)

THIS SUNDAY: According to our constitution, any amendment resolutions must be announced in advance. So between services this Sunday, I'll be introducing the three resolutions we'll be voting on this coming Sunday. The first will increase the number of people on vestry from 6 to 8. The second will change the membership expectations for voting members of the church and the third will, if approved, restore the voting rights I used to have on vestry under our old constitution (we didn't notice they were not given in the present one). In any, case I will not spend the entire time, but I will take some time during adult ed to introduce these resolutions, so please be there to hear about them.

Help with Children During the Annual Meeting: Anne is looking for creative and willing adults to help supervise children during the annual meeting. In the past the children have all played in the nursery and basically kept quiet. This year the nursery is too small and there are too many children. If someone has some suitable movies or games and the means to set them up, please let Anne know.

Tim Wetherbee: will start as Music Director on Sunday the 17th of January. We're so thankful to God for bringing Tim here. He will be contacting members of the choir and will start up practices sometime after his first day.

Welcome Back International Potluck: On Sunday January 31st, we will all enjoy a international potluck feast. This will take place immediately following the 10:30 service. We would like to have many cuisines represented so please sign up to prepare your favorite international dish. (Sign up sheet and suggestions are downstairs in the Parish Hall.)

Ballad of Matthew's Begats CD: Great job learning that difficult song! Please return borrowed CDs to Carmen so that we have them for next year.

Three notes from Cookie:
Pledge Envelopes: There are several books of envelopes left to be picked up. I would like to remind everyone to look for one with their name on it and put it to good use.

Financial giving reports for tax filing: All financial reports or "Statements of Contributions" for Income Tax purposes are at the church ready to be picked up. Please find yours in the front of the church on the table.

Duty Rosters: Also on the table near the Altar is the new Duty Roster for January and February. There is one there with your name on it. Please remember that if you are unable to fulfill your obligation to serve, it is your responsibility to find someone who can fill in for you.

Mission (I am reprinting this because I want as many people to read it as possible): We do not plan to sit about on our laurels this year. God did not put us here and give us all this stuff so that we could be comfy and cozy. There is a lot to do...lost people and people in great need around us. I will be appointing a Community outreach team to help us plan and direct our mission and ministry in this neighborhood. I have emailed a number of people and will continue to do so until the team is assembled. You'll hear more about this.

With that in mind, don't forget that Good Shepherd also has been working through some Yearly resolutions--goals that we articulated in the Fall. Many of them have already been met, but here they are:

One year goals:

1. Attendance of 200 by next Pentecost: We're getting about 115-120 regularly (which is a huge blessing considering that we were at 80-90 this time last year) but if everyone who comes to GS on a regular basis were to attend all at the same time, we'd have about 130-135. This is great, and we are still growing, but by God's grace we can do better. God uses his Church to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, just inviting a non-believing friend is an act of evangelism. But beyond that we are not just called to trust in Jesus, but to live lives that are shaped by him--to be his disciples. God not only uses the church to give sinners new birth, he also uses it to train them, to make them like himself. So just being in church, hearing the word of God read and preached, receiving the nourishment that comes through Communion and fellowship is an indispensable part of being a follower of Jesus Christ which is why we are commanded in Hebrews 10:32 not to neglect the gathering of believers.

2. 30 New believers by Pentecost: This is, of course, dependent upon God's grace--he alone makes the seeds of faith grow...but we are called to plant the seeds (1 Cor 3). We're not quite where we need to be on this score...there have been conversions and most likely some that we do not know about but not 30. It could be that we have not been as faithful in evangelism as we ought. We will need to redouble our efforts this Spring. Goals 1 and 2 both seek the same end...bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ and making disciples.

3. Shepherd's Bowl at Good Shepherd and Conklin Avenue: This is a met goal. Thanks be to God, we've finally succeeded in reopening the Shepherd's Bowl at Good Shepherd. Think about it. A year ago, the Shepherd's Bowl was completely shut down due to our loss in the lawsuit. This year, the program has doubled to include not only a soup kitchen that runs out of our church, but also one that runs on Monday's out of Conklin Avenue Baptist. And instead of four teams of volunteers rotating each week, we now have five teams. Thanks be to God.

The Shepherd's Bowl is only one way that we can serve this community. With our new facilities and all the abundance that God has given us there are many many more ways...after school programs, clothing give-aways, a food pantry, financial aid programs...there are so many things we could do, so many ways that God can use us to serve this city and this neighborhood.

4. Prayer team established: we did have a prayer meeting every week but it does not seem to be taking off. Prayer is something that we really need to work on as a community...

5. Hospitality Ministry and New Member Program established: A number of people have taken on the ministry of hospitality this year. Every visitor generally (if no one falls through the cracks) receives a warm greeting, an invitation for coffee downstairs after the service, a guest bag containing various goodies, information about Jesus and about Good Shepherd, and a follow up letter during the week. The biggest concern at this point is not hospitality, but integration. We've welcomed close to 50 new people this year and with all of the confusion and chaos that comes with moving locations we've not yet had a new members class or really helped new people to become oriented to the church and the programs Good Shepherd offers...

6. Music Director hired with both skill and vision for Good Shepherd's Music ministry: Thanks be to God who through the the hard work of the worship committee, has called Tim Wetherbee to be our new Music Director. Tim will start on January 17th.

7. Youth and children Christian ed director (non-paid): We have a youth minister and lots of Sunday School teachers, but we do not have one person who's task it is to think through the children-yourh education program in a cohesive and holistic way. We do not yet have a vision for the entire program. Our goal is to find a person with just such a call.

8. Start identifying and discipling church leaders and planters: This year we've begun to give a number of young people with a call to ministry the opportunity to preach and lead in other ways at Good Shepherd. Ife Ojetayo, Katy McFadden, Matt Tuttle and others have and or will continue to test their call here. God has trusted Good Shepherd with these young men and women and we must do our best to help them discern the direction in which God is calling them and give them the opportunity to hone and sharpen their gifts. We do this with at least a partial eye to raising up future church planters who can, in the next five years, plant another Anglican congregation in the Binghamton area.

9. Commit to help an impoverished church: this year we've raised over $1400.00--more than one year's rent--for the Anglican church in the Kwenda slum. Your support for these people has been overwhelming and generous. God protected and provided for us when we had no home. It is, I think, incumbent upon us to pass this graciousness on to other churches in need. Thank you.

10. Pay our tithe: Good Shepherd is a member church of the Anglican Church in North America and of the Missionary Diocese of New England. As a body we are called to tithe to the diocese. We have not yet done this but we are working toward it. The budget for 2010, sets aside 10 percent of our gross income for both a pledge to the diocese and mission outreach. At some point we should establish the 10% to go directly to the diocese and another percentage on top of that, at least 5%, for missionary purposes...in fact, that--tithing to your local church and five percent for mission giving--is the biblical model for our personal finances as well.

Those are the goals for the year ending at Pentecost...as you can see some of them have already been met. Others will require a great deal of work...but by God's grace we can do it.

Last Sunday's sermon:Here is the video of Sunday's sermon: Sons and Daughters of the Light. Many Christians live with a terribly false understanding of Christianity--that salvation consists in working really hard to do what Jesus says in order to make it to heaven and escape hell.

That is not the gospel.

In fact, Christ has already accomplished that work on our behalf...our call is to receive what he has done, trust him, and commit our lives to him. God has made us through trust in his Son, sons and daughters of the light. That is who we are and that identity, as divinely appointed/adopted children is the basis of our confidence--not ourselves or our work. We work because we are children of God--we do not work to earn that, we work because it has been given as a gracious gift. Here's the sermon:, you can watch it here.

This week's Sermon: Now that we've laid down the principle that works flow out of salvation rather than coming before it, we'll talk about the type of life that children of the Light are called to live as we wait for the coming of Jesus.

⁵You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. ⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:5-11)

Christian Education: Spiritual Disciplines: So how is your prayer life? What about your personal bible study? Do you feel disconnected from God? In the next Sunday morning adult education series we'll discuss practices and disciplines that will help you to develop a deeper connection with God. This week we'll start just by talking about spiritual discipline in general...what it is and how it can help.

In Christ
Matt

Sermon: Sons and Daughters of the Light

2010-01-05T04:29:00.001-08:00

1 Thessalonians 5:5

Good Shepherd Update Thursday December 31st, 2009

2009-12-31T07:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Good Shepherd,

Well we're finally shoveling out of the many and various home-like things that we had piling up during the year. We were supposed to take vacation time in the summer to deal with these things but instead I went to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church to cover it for Stand Firm and then at the beginning of the fall we were supposed to take another break but something came up and we couldn't...so we've taken this whole week and we took a week in November and now that overtowering, ominous cloud of stuff to do is much smaller--and we feel a lot more rested than we have for about two years. It's back to work on Sunday for a new year.

Reading the Bible in a Year--New Years Resolutions: I'm not too good at actually keeping New Year's resolutions but I do have a suggestion for those who may be casting about for something to resolve...especially for those of you who have never read the entire bible. There are some excellent resources for reading through the bible in a year that you might be interested in. It's important to both closely study various books and texts of scripture and to get a general and broad view of the whole scope of it. It's just really hard to do both at the same time. Reading the bible in a year helps with the latter...and, in fact, having the broad outline of the bible in your head is really important when closely studying a given text. Every word that proceeds from the mouth of God is true and good and powerful. The bible the primary means God uses to change your heart, mind, and soul so that your will--your desires--become more and more like his. Daily bible study is the spiritual discipline that will have the most permanent and dramatic effect on your life. So, again, if you've never read the bible through, I encourage you to make that your New Year's resolution. Here are some good plans--my favorite is the one book at a time plan because it gives you a good sense of the continuity of each book.

Reminder: There is no Systematic Theology, Men's Bible Study and Breakfast, or Office Hours this weekend.

Womens' Bible Study NEWS: With the arrival of our fifth baby, Anne and I have recognized that--especially since we homeschool, she will need to take a step back from some of her ministries. We are so pleased that God has blessed Good Shepherd with so many gifted believers through whom he can build up the church. It's nice not to be needed. Carmen Swoffer-Penna, is a gifted teacher and communicator and very well versed in scripture. Most of you know her. She will be taking over the Womens' Bible Study beginning this January. Thank you to Carmen for agreeing to serve in this way.

Annual Meeting and Vestry Elections: The annual meeting will take place on Sunday January 17th. So far we have one new candidate for vestry. Eligible candidates will conform to the standards articulated in Titus 1:5-8, assent by signature to the principles articulated in Good Shepherd's summary of faith and the Jerusalem Declaration, be regular attenders and members (attending every Sunday you are in town), participants in at least one bible study or class per week, committed to one ministry or service in the church, and tithing or working toward a tithe. We'll post profiles of candidates in next week's bulletin.

From the ACW: Happy New Year! I received an email from Cookie and she is planning to be in Florida from January to April. Cookie has always helped ACW with our media/ads. She is willing to prepare some for anything that may be coming up before she leaves. NOW, we need to make some decisions about(1.) Clam Chowder/ Bake Sale around Easter. What outreach(2.)? Keep for ACK or...? I think it would be good to continue to help ACK! Last year (3.), we had a No-Bake Sale and we did raise about $300. That would be the easiest! Finally, (4.) if someone would like to volunteer to learn how to prepare the media/ads from Cookie, then we could make the decisions Jan?Feb!

Our next meeting is Jan. 9.

Pat

Thank you: As a family, we are so very grateful for your cards, gifts, and generous collection for an end of year bonus. Thank you all so very much. This has been a difficult year for Good Shepherd and we've all felt it, but God's grace has been more than sufficient to provide abundantly for all of our needs. Thanks be to God and thank you.

Three notes from Cookie:
Pledge Envelopes: There are several books of envelopes left to be picked up. I would like to remind everyone to look for one with their name on it and put it to good use.

Financial giving reports for tax filing: All financial reports or "Statements of Contributions" for Income Tax purposes are at the church ready to be picked up. Please find yours in the front of the church on the table.

Duty Rosters: Also on the table near the Altar is the new Duty Roster for January and February. There is one there with your name on it. Please remember that if you are unable to fulfill your obligation to serve, it is your responsibility to find someone who can fill in for you.

Mission: We do not plan to sit about on our laurels this year. God did not put us here and give us all this stuff so that we could be comfy and cozy. There is a lot to do...lost people and people in great need around us. I will be appointing a Community outreach team to help us plan and direct our mission and ministry in this neighborhood. I have emailed a number of people and will continue to do so until the team is assembled. You'll hear more about this.

With that in mind, don't forget that Good Shepherd also has been working through some Yearly resolutions--goals that we articulated in the Fall. Many of them have already been met, but here they are:

One year goals:

1. Attendance of 200 by next Pentecost: We're getting about 115-120 regularly (which is a huge blessing considering that we were at 80-90 this time last year) but if everyone who comes to GS on a regular basis were to attend all at the same time, we'd have about 130-135. This is great, and we are still growing, but by God's grace we can do better. God uses his Church to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, just inviting a non-believing friend is an act of evangelism. But beyond that we are not just called to trust in Jesus, but to live lives that are shaped by him--to be his disciples. God not only uses the church to give sinners new birth, he also uses it to train them, to make them like himself. So just being in church, hearing the word of God read and preached, receiving the nourishment that comes through Communion and fellowship is an indispensable part of being a follower of Jesus Christ which is why we are commanded in Hebrews 10:32 not to neglect the gathering of believers.

2. 30 New believers by Pentecost: This is, of course, dependent upon God's grace--he alone makes the seeds of faith grow...but we are called to plant the seeds (1 Cor 3). We're not quite where we need to be on this score...there have been conversions and most likely some that we do not know about but not 30. It could be that we have not been as faithful in evangelism as we ought. We will need to redouble our efforts this Spring. Goals 1 and 2 both seek the same end...bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ and making disciples.

3. Shepherd's Bowl at Good Shepherd and Conklin Avenue: This is a met goal. Thanks be to God, we've finally succeeded in reopening the Shepherd's Bowl at Good Shepherd. Think about it. A year ago, the Shepherd's Bowl was completely shut down due to our loss in the lawsuit. This year, the program has doubled to include not only a soup kitchen that runs out of our church, but also one that runs on Monday's out of Conklin Avenue Baptist. And instead of four teams of volunteers rotating each week, we now have five teams. Thanks be to God.

The Shepherd's Bowl is only one way that we can serve this community. With our new facilities and all the abundance that God has given us there are many many more ways...after school programs, clothing give-aways, a food pantry, financial aid programs...there are so many things we could do, so many ways that God can use us to serve this city and this neighborhood.

4. Prayer team established: we did have a prayer meeting every week but it does not seem to be taking off. Prayer is something that we really need to work on as a community...

5. Hospitality Ministry and New Member Program established: A number of people have taken on the ministry of hospitality this year. Every visitor generally (if no one falls through the cracks) receives a warm greeting, an invitation for coffee downstairs after the service, a guest bag containing various goodies, information about Jesus and about Good Shepherd, and a follow up letter during the week. The biggest concern at this point is not hospitality, but integration. We've welcomed close to 50 new people this year and with all of the confusion and chaos that comes with moving locations we've not yet had a new members class or really helped new people to become oriented to the church and the programs Good Shepherd offers...

6. Music Director hired with both skill and vision for Good Shepherd's Music ministry: Thanks be to God who through the the hard work of the worship committee, has called Tim Wetherbee to be our new Music Director. Tim will start on January 17th.

7. Youth and children Christian ed director (non-paid): We have a youth minister and lots of Sunday School teachers, but we do not have one person who's task it is to think through the children-yourh education program in a cohesive and holistic way. We do not yet have a vision for the entire program. Our goal is to find a person with just such a call.

8. Start identifying and discipling church leaders and planters: This year we've begun to give a number of young people with a call to ministry the opportunity to preach and lead in other ways at Good Shepherd. Ife Ojetayo, Katy McFadden, Matt Tuttle and others have and or will continue to test their call here. God has trusted Good Shepherd with these young men and women and we must do our best to help them discern the direction in which God is calling them and give them the opportunity to hone and sharpen their gifts. We do this with at least a partial eye to raising up future church planters who can, in the next five years, plant another Anglican congregation in the Binghamton area.

9. Commit to help an impoverished church: this year we've raised over $1400.00--more than one year's rent--for the Anglican church in the Kwenda slum. Your support for these people has been overwhelming and generous. God protected and provided for us when we had no home. It is, I think, incumbent upon us to pass this graciousness on to other churches in need. Thank you.

10. Pay our tithe: Good Shepherd is a member church of the Anglican Church in North America and of the Missionary Diocese of New England. As a body we are called to tithe to the diocese. We have not yet done this but we are working toward it. The budget for 2010, sets aside 10 percent of our gross income for both a pledge to the diocese and mission outreach. At some point we should establish the 10% to go directly to the diocese and another percentage on top of that, at least 5%, for missionary purposes...in fact, that--tithing to your local church and five percent for mission giving--is the biblical model for our personal finances as well.

Those are the goals for the year ending at Pentecost...as you can see some of them have already been met. Others will require a great deal of work...but by God's grace we can do it.

Last Week's sermon: If you missed Anne's sermon on Galatians 4 from last week, you can watch it here.

This week's Sermon: we're going to return to our series on 1st Thessalonians. We're in chapter 5:5-11. Paul calls believers "sons of light" and "sons of the day". What does that mean and how does that look? We'll talk about it on Sunday

⁵You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. ⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:5-11)

Christian Education: The Incarnation: We'll wrap up our series on the Incarnation this Sunday and introduce our next series.

Good Shepherd in the News: The Pageant and Christmas Eve was a great success this year...it was a beautiful service all round and more people came than have attended in the last decade or so. Two local television stations also came. WBNG posted this report:

read the full text of the report here...
And WCIZ also filed this report.
Thanks be to God for all the positive news coverage...

Well, that's all for now. May God bless you all and give each of you a blessed new year.

In Christ
Matt

Sermon: The Incarnation and the Sufficiency of Christ

2009-12-29T09:44:00.001-08:00

by Anne Kennedy