Verbal Announcements
As We Gather
The closing prayer of the funeral service begins with these words: “Lord God, our shepherd, You gather the lambs of Your flock into the arms of Your mercy and bring them home.” Describing Jesus as a Shepherd is a special image used in prayers, hymns, and Christian artwork. The believer receives a sense of assurance in knowing that the One being followed throughout life is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The fact that our Lord chooses to repeat the words “I am the Good Shepherd” more than once indicates its importance to Him and to us. As we follow Jesus, we can be confident that He will lead us into that place where goodness and righteousness are eternal.
Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated today with the confession that we receive the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in, with and under (a way of saying that Christ is fully present in) the bread and wine. Christ's presence gives us the assurance that our sins are forgiven and to nourish our faith. This is a solemn celebration, “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1Corinthians 11:29). The Lord’s Supper is meant for our good, not to our judgment. But, before presenting yourself ask these questions:
1. Am I sorry for my sins and need forgiveness?
2. Did Christ die and rise to forgive my sins?
3. Am I receiving the very body and blood of Christ Jesus?
If your answers are yes, you are welcome. If you are not a member of a LCMS church, or have further questions about The Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor.
Stewardship
1Peter 2:21 – “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
Our heavenly Father wants us to grow into the image of His Son, to follow in His steps. Jesus suffered for us not only to redeem us, but also to show us what love looks like – to leave us an example of self-giving, sacrificial generosity. “Let us ever walk with Jesus, follow His example pure.”
Lutherans For Life
“No more strangers or foreigners, in Christ we can be members of the family of God. Hear God’s Word, then, to you today no matter your present circumstance. Your life matters to Him. With faith rooted in Jesus, we are part of His family, and that means your life and mine are valuable not just to each other, but to Him. And that changes everything.” Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former speaker of “The Lutheran Hour” and Executive Director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • www.lutheransforlife.org
Altar Flowers
The Altar Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex by the drinking fountains. Check chart for donation opportunities and availability.
Butterfly Project
All Sunday School aged children are invited to help the youth group with their butterfly fence project. Butterflies are a Christian symbolizing rebirth and renewal in Christ. "We are a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come" (2Corinthians 5:17). We will create a colorful display of butterflies as a joyful expression of Christ’s resurrection and our life in Him. We want to share your creativity and fellowship. More details about the date and time will be shared soon.
For more information contact Curtis.
Children Sunday School
This week in Sunday School, the lesson is "Jesus Heals Many." Through many miracles, Jesus shows us His power over sin. Ask your children to tell you, "Who did Jesus heal? What were some of the sicknesses the people had?" Talk about sin-yours, theirs, and the world's-and how Satan holds the world in bondage, causing sickness and death. Assure them that Jesus is the Holy One of God, who defeats Satan and frees us from his hold, granting us eternal life in paradise. Emphasize that Jesus has power over sin and sickness, saving the lost by His death and resurrection
Kenwood Elementary Donates
Kenwood School is currently in need of donations of pants and shorts for students who may require a change of clothes during the school day. Gently used items are welcome, including sweatpants, leggings, jeans, pajama bottoms, athletic shorts, and similar styles. Elastic waistbands are especially helpful, and well worn pants are perfectly acceptable. Needed sizes range from children’s sizes 5 through 14, as well as adult size Small. For more information contact Rachel.Bollinger@okaloosaschools.com.
Youth Group
Worlds Greatest Baby Shower
Hosted by Healthy Start Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. The World's Greatest Baby Shower is expected to welcome approximately 1,300 who are new parents, expectant parents, and their family members! Our purpose is to have a presence in the public square, and as a reminder for the unchurched community that faith has a place in the welfare of a growing child.
The Way Cafe
An in-person devotion with Pastor Klemme to strengthen your relationship with God through Scripture, song, prayer, fellowship, and biblical insights. Come, be replenished, renewed, and fueled to live a life of faith. You are welcome just as you are. God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way.
Mite Boxes
Lutheran Women in Mission use the Mite Box to gather loose change throughout the month to support national, district, and local ministries. Lutheran Women all over, raise funds through this voluntary offering. The first Sunday of the month is when we receive your collected mites in the LWML Mite Box.
Smokes and Jokes, a Christian Fellowship
Enjoy an evening of conversation and light refreshments as we relax together, share stories, and encourage one another in faith and friendship. Feel free to bring a snack or a joke to share, and come ready for a warm, casual time among friends. If you’d like to join, please contact Pastor Klemme directly for date, time, and location.
Board Of Outreach Meeting
Philemon 4-6. The Board of Outreach has a two fold mission: To Communicate the Gospel of Christ through the members of our congregation and in the endeavor to identify the congregation with the Gospel in the local community. Meets with Pastor Klemme in the Cafe.
Properties Board Meeting
For the maintenance and repair of the congregation’s facilities; to enable the congregation and its members to carry out our Christ centered ministries. Meets in the Library. For more information contact Jeff Adams
American Heritage Girls Troop 1517
American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered character and leadership development program for girls 5 to 18 years of age. AHG is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered character and leadership development program for girls 5 to 18 years of age. AHG is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.
For more information contact Adrienne Cook.
Board of Elders Meeting
Meeting with the Called Ministers and the Board of Elders to discuss, plan, and implement strategies to carry out corporate worship, and addressing the spiritual health of the congregation.
For more information contact Joe Staton
Benevolence
According to Merriam-Webster, the word benevolence is a noun that refers to the desire to do good unto others, as well as some act of kindness or charitable gift. Christians who show benevolence are kind to people in need, and may give small donations out of the benevolence as a response to Christ love. Someone who has benevolence or goodwill is considered benevolent, the adjective form of the word. If someone does something in a benevolent way, they can be said to have done it benevolently. (Online to donate: https://www.shalimar.church/human-care)
Sharing and Caring
A ministry supported by our congregation through donations of non-perishable food items, placed in the collection basket in the inner Narthex. Sharing and Caring serves individuals and families in need by providing food, clothing, and emergency assistance. It brings hope, encouragement, and practical support to those experiencing hardship or crisis.
Family Field Trip Armament Museum
We are planning a group outing to the Air Armament Museum on Armed Forces Day. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a day together viewing historic aircraft and military exhibits. For more details see
Curtis Parker. We look forward to a fun and informative day!
Commemoration of Johannes Bugenhagen
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
Johannes Bugenhagen (1485-1558), from Pomerania in northern Germany, was appointed pastor of Wittenberg in 1523 through the efforts of Martin Luther and thus served as Luther's own pastor and confessor. One of the greatest scholars of the Reformation era, he helped translate the New Testament into Low German and wrote a commentary on the Psalms. He also worked to organize the Lutheran Church in northern Germany and Denmark, journeying to Copenhagen where he crowned both King and Queen and consecrated seven men to the offices of superintendent and bishop.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Commemoration of Anselm of Canterbury
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
Born in Italy in 1033, Anselm is most closely associated with England, where he served as Archbishop of Canterbury for many years. A brilliant scholar and writer, Anselm used his political skills with the British kings on behalf of the established Christian church, affirming that it is the leadership of the church and not the state which has the responsibility of establishing structure and maintaining order among the clergy. Anselm is especially remembered for his classic book, Why God Became Man, which taught that the reason for the incarnation was that Jesus, the Son of God, would suffer and die in place of sinners.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Commemoration of Johann Walter, Kantor
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
Johann Walter (1496-1570) began service at the age of 21 as a composer and bass singer in the court chapel of Frederick the Wise. In 1524, he published a collection of hymns arranged according to the church year. It was well received and served as the model for numerous subsequent hymnals. In addition to serving for 30 years as kantor (church musician) in the cities of Torgau and Dresden, he also assisted Martin Luther in the preparation of the Deutsche Messe (1526). Walter is remembered as the first Lutheran kantor and composer of church music.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Festival, Mark The Evangelist
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
The Lord sends His messengers out “as lambs in the midst of wolves” bearing the message, “Peace be to this house” (Luke 10:3-5). St. Mark does “the work of an evangelist” (2Tim 4:5) and “publishes peace” (Isaiah 52:7). He is remembered as the lion-hearted evangelist, depicted with his fellow evangelists as the four living creatures of Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4. The evangelist is often identified with John Mark of Acts and the cousin of Barnabas, with whom he worked in Cyprus to “proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). Despite their earlier differences, Mark was reconciled with St. Paul, who considered him “very useful … for ministry” (2Tim 4:11). Later he worked in Rome (1Peter 5:13), where tradition has it that he wrote his Gospel from St. Peter’s sermons before founding the church in Alexandria and facing a martyr’s death.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Feasts and Festivals.
Pastor Ray's Ordination Anniversary (24)
With gratitude and joy we give thanks this day for Pastor Ray who was ordained into public ministry in 2002. We thank God that He established the Pastoral Office in His Church to exercise the rights of the spiritual priesthood in public office in the name of the congregation. We praise the Lord that He has permitted His servant Ray to work in His Church, that He has sustained and supported him and blessed his ministry among us.
Pastor Ray has served Good Shepherd through two Calls. One Call as a Director of Christian Education (DCE) and in his current Call as Pastor. He began serving at Good Shepherd during the summer of 1974 on a part-time basis as a DCE student. A year later, he returned to us for a one year DCE internship, and on May 8, 1977, he was commissioned and installed as Director of Christian Education. Pastor Ray studied for the pastoral office through the DELTO (Distance Education Toward Ordination) program from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne and completed his Vicarage at Hope Lutheran Mission (now Hope on the Beach Lutheran Church), in South Walton County. On April 28, 2002, he was ordained and installed as pastor at Good Shepherd.
Festival of the Apostles St Philip and St James
The Church honors saints for showing us tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done.
“Lord, show us the Father.” Philip did not yet recognize that the Father is glorified in the Son. In His name we have access to the Father, for they are one. Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [Him],” and whoever believes in Him will do the works He does and greater (John 14:6-13). And so Philip and James did; the “household of God” is built on the apostles, with Christ as her chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22). The beloved words of Jesus from today’s Gospel were the words of their “Teacher,” echoing in their ears as they walked in His way (Isaiah 30:20-21). And so their hearts were not troubled (John 14:1) as they ate “the bread of adversity and the water of affliction” (Isaiah 30:20). Philip, who in John’s Gospel brings Jews and Greeks to Jesus, is said to have journeyed to Phrygia where he was martyred. James “the Younger” (son of Alphaeus, whose mother Mary was at the crucifixion) is said to have died by being sawn in half. Where Christ is, they also are, and so shall we be (John 14:3).
Source: LCMS Calendar of Feasts and Festivals.
Commemoration of Athanasius of Alexandra, Pastor and Confessor
The Church honors saints for showing us tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done.
Athanasius was born in Alexandria in Egypt in A.D. 295. He served as a church leader in a time of great controversy and ecclesiastical disagreements. At the Council of Nicaea in 325, he defended Christian orthodoxy against the proponents of the Arian heresy, which denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. During his 45-year tenure as bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius wrote numerous works that defended the orthodox teaching. His enemies had him exiled five times; on two occasions he was almost murdered. Yet Athanasius remained steadfast and ended his days restored fully to his church responsibilities. The Athanasian Creed, though not composed by Athanasius, is named in his honor because it confesses the doctrinal orthodoxy he championed throughout his life.
Source: Lutheran Calendar of Saints