From the Pastor – October

God has placed this congregation “strategically” on a busy and somewhat “cold” street. Yet He has blessed this church with faithful people who have Jesus in their heart and passion for sharing God’s love with others and service to those in need.

One the of the characteristics of a healthy church is their joy in gathering and worshipping; the early church in Acts 2 “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (verse 42).” In other words, God gathers us so that we can be nourished by His Word, forgiven through His Sacraments, and grow in our faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. We too recognize the need for community and gathering so that we can be grounded in God’s Word and equipped to serve others.

The author of Ecclesiastes also confirmed this Spiritual truth… “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up (4:9-10).” Jesus also
reminds us that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them (Matthew 18:20).”

God gathers us into His flock and he pursues us by His Word to bring us to repentance; returning to the Lord is a renewing and forgiving experience. We come to be empowered by His presence and filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). When we approach God with open and outstretched hands ready to receive His forgiveness and the fruits of the Spirit, our lives are changed. Take a minute to think of how the Spirit’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness, faithfulness and self-control have been lived out in the lives of people here at Good Shepherd. This is an amazing gift.

Lord, we pray that the work of the Holy Spirit would continue in the hearts and lives of your flock here at Good Shepherd. With the power of Your Spirit in our lives may we be living example’s of the fruits of the Spirit. Refresh each of us with Your presence, so that we may know and do Your will. Help us to depend on You for insights, wisdom, persistence, and patience to see and do Your will. Reveal Your gifts and opportunities to Your flock, that they may serve you with joy and fulfillment. We long for Your power and presence in our lives; in the name of Jesus who promised the Spirit we pray. AMEN!

Pastor Schuldheisz