JANUARY

NEWSLETTER 2017

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

3234 Mishicot Road

Two Rivers, WI 54241

(920) 793-1716

www.goodshepherdlcms.com

Happy New Year!

We hear all kinds of slogans this time of year. As New Year’s

resolutions are being made, we read in magazines or hear slogans

like, “New Year! New You!” Surely these are encouragements to

use the newness of the year as a launch toward whatever resolution

one has in mind. But as Christians that newness has been given us

already and yet, there is more to come.

Scriptures tell us:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has

passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

We are reminded:

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order

that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the

Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

We are told to “put off your old self” (Ephesians 4) and “put on

the new self” (Colossians 3).

This newness is possible only through our being in Christ, yet St.

Paul encourages the Christian people over and over in his letters in

this new way of living.

Paul suggests: “to put on the new self, created after the likeness of

God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24 He goes

on to say, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one

another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32.

Further in Colossians he says, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones,

holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility,

meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a

complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has

forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on

love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let

the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were

called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in

you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,

singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in

your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do

everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the

Father through him” Colossians 3:12-17

I find these to be such encouraging words; yet if only I could live

this way always. How often I (we) fail in this way of life.

It is in these moments of failing we turn, again and again to Christ.

We turn to our God, who “is making all things new.” We rest in

Christ, knowing that His righteousness is ours today and always.

In Him, we have forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. As Jesus,

is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we follow His Way, His Truth,

and are given His Life for ours.

So, when you hear, “New Year! New Life!” know that new life has

already been granted you. In your baptism you were united with

Christ and given His life. Your "new life" is in Christ. This life is

yours now and forever. Amen.

Blessings in Christ Jesus,

Deaconess Eiden

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH OFFICERS

2017

President- Dale Miller

Vice President- Jim VanLanen

Secretary- Crystal Otto

Treasurer- Jim Mielke

Financial Secretary- Diane Wachsmuth

Board Heads

Education- Carol Schwantes

Elders Board- Glenn Gass

Evangelism- Lu Mielke

Property- Craig Fricke

Stewardship- Gerry Rieck

Worship- Diane Warner

We would like to thank all of our past officers and board

leaders for their service and dedication to the members of

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & Preschool.

Your time was greatly appreciated by all!

We also welcome our newly elected/re-elected

members that begin their terms in 2017.

May God bless your service to His church.

“STEWARDSHIP/WITNESS SENTENCES”

DECEMBER 31/JANUARY 1 – Eve of the Name/Name of Jesus Luke 2:21 “And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” There it is: the shortest Gospel lesson of the whole Church year. It is for the festival of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus. What more do you need to know than the Name of Jesus? The Lord Saves. That’s who Jesus is: the Lord Who saves us sinners. That simple Gospel message is the foundation of our faith and the strength to live out our faith in actions.

Witness: As we begin the new year, we rejoice that Jesus is our Savior. But there are many who do not know Him as Savior. Pray that God will use you during this new year to share the Good News with someone else.

JANUARY 6TH - EPIPHANY

Matthew 2:11 “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” For the wise men and for us, worship and offering gifts go together. How could this not be since our God is the great Giver of gifts? We receive His gifts in worship and then, being conformed to the likeness of His image, we imitate His generosity.

JANUARY 8TH - BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

Matthew 3:15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” The reason God sent His Son into the world is to fulfill all righteousness for us, to do what we could not do. So here Jesus plunges Himself into our sins and soaks them up in His baptism, so that in our baptism we might be cleansed and renewed. The whole of Jesus’ life, everything He did and said, was one great offering to the Father in our stead to fulfill all righteousness for us.

Witness: After the wise men came and worshiped the Christ-child, can you imagine what they told their friends and their families about this new-born King after they returned home? What can we tell our friends and neighbors about Jesus?

JANUARY 15TH - 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!” The Israelites of old offered a lamb to God at Passover so that death might pass over them and do no harm. Over those long centuries of sacrifice, did they understand that this was actually God’s gift? That God would be the true Giver of the Lamb? Truly, we can never out give God: for all that we have is His.

Witness: Philip was the first to invite a friend to know Jesus. “Come and see” was his invitation (John 1:46). We have the same privilege – to say to our friends and neighbors, “Come and see,” as we invite them to join us in worshiping Jesus.

JANUARY 22ND – 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 4:20 “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” Discipleship cost Peter and Andrew everything they had: they left their trade, their hometown, their families and they followed Jesus. God has called us to same discipleship – the same devotion, though the exact details of how that is lived out will vary. The important thing is this: that we know that all we have is the Lord’s, to be used for His purpose, that we are His disciples, ready to follow where He leads.

Witness: “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus said to Simon and Andrew (Mark 1:17). So in our baptism He has made us His followers and invites us to be “fishers of men” as we share the story of Jesus with others.

JANUARY 29TH – 4th Sunday after Epiphany 1 Corinthians 1:18 “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” God’s ways are certainly not the world’s ways – including the way God tells us to manage the resources He’s given to us. The world says “hold on, hold back, and gather up.” Jesus says to store up treasurer in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where no thief breaks in to steal. Whose way do you think is best? What is wiser: the wisdom of the financial gurus or the foolishness of God?

Witness: Just as God promised in the Old Testament Lesson Deut. 18:18, to put His words into the mouth of His prophet, He will also put into our mouths the words we need when we have the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with others.

TREE UNTRIM Mark your calendars to decorate the Christmas tree and

deck the halls on Saturday, January 7th at 10:00 am.

ALTAR GUILD We are looking for volunteers to help with the Altar Guild duties in

the upcoming year. If you have any questions or would like to

volunteer, please call Sylvia Staff at 794-8180 or the church office.

MEALS ON WHEELS We have been asked to help deliver meals to the homebound and

your continued support is important to the Meals on Wheels

program. Without your dedication it would be impossible for this

program to exist.

The following weeks have been assigned to Good Shepherd.

January 9-13

February 20-24

April 3-7

July 24-28

September 18-22

November 13-17

December 18-22

If you would like to become a Meals on Wheels volunteer,

speak with the church office.

Volunteers are asked to be at the Senior Center at 11:00 am.

Thank you for taking to time to serve others in our community!

QUILTING Anyone interested in making quilts for the Lutheran World Relief

is welcome to attend. This past year the ladies made 100 quilts

which were shipped this past week. We meet on Mondays at 1:00

pm here at church. No experience necessary!

DID YOU KNOW? That there is a large mite box in the Narthex to place your saved

mites in? Mites are donated to LWML and used for various

outreach programs worldwide. If you would like a personal mite

box, please speak with the church office.

TREP Good Shepherd is participating in the Reverse Collection

benefiting TREP. Paper grocery bags are located on the kitchen

counter which indicates items currently needed. You may fill the

bag with all or any of the items suggested. Please note these bags

need to be returned to church on Sunday, January 15th

.

Thank you for your generosity!

FAMILY FUN AND FELLOWSHIP

CHICKEN DINNER on Saturday, January 28

th at 5:00 pm at the LIGHTHOUSE INN.

Dinner will include chicken, sides, beverage and dessert. Price $15

per person including tax and tip. DEADLINE TO SIGN

UP AND PAY IS SUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH. Please pay Linda

or Gerry Rieck, if paying by check please write it to Linda Rieck.

Sign up sheet is on the kitchen counter.

INCLEMENT WEATHER Whenever there is a church service or activity scheduled that might

be impacted by winter weather, please be sure to call ahead. We

will make every attempt to hold a scheduled service and, if that is

not possible, we will place a notification on the church’s answering

machine as soon as we can.

LWML WINTER GETAWAY

January 27-28, 2017 Please join us in inviting all young women in our lives to bring all

of us sister in Christ together. We have a great hands-on event

planned. Invite and encourage all your friends and family to join

us! You don’t want to miss all the fun we are going to have in a

Christ-centered getaway!

$60 Retreat Registration fee (Includes Saturday brunch buffet and

afternoon snack and refreshment break)

Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center

100 North Gasser Rd.

Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

For hotel reservations call 800-648-4765 ext. 1 (mention LWML)

$85 plus taxes for up to 4 people per room. Refrigerator and

microwaves in room.

Event sponsored by Young Women of the LWML SWD

Visit www.SWD-LWML.org for more information.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Malcheck, Tiffany 1/3 Loveless, Lois 1/7 Schug, Sharon 1/8 Walesh, Spencer 1/8 Sonntag, Ann 1/10 Czechanski, Christine 1/11 Gauthier, Glenna 1/13 Hearley, Robert 1/14 Westlake, John 1/14 Loveless, Steven 1/16 Kilps, Nathanel 1/19 Irick, Bob 1/28 Shimulunas, Deb 1/29

NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:

Monday, January 23, 2017

JANUARY SCHEDULES

USHERS ALTAR GUILD

1st- Team #3 Lu Mielke 8th- Team #4 Deb Wochos 15th- Team #1 22nd- Team #2 29th- Team #3

GREETERS

1st- Klimesh 8th- Mielke 15th- O’Neill 22nd- Schwantes 29th- Wachsmuth

FLOWERS 1st- 8th- 15th- Hearley 22nd- 29th-