From the Pastor March + In the Year of Our Lord + 2013
T H E G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H
THE NEWSLETTER
ARE LCMS LUTHERANS BETTER THAN OTHER CHRISTIANS?
Believe it or not, that’s a question that, as a pastor, I’ve had posed to me on more than one occasion. Ok, usually the person asking says, “Do LCMS Lutherans think they are better than other Christians?” Ok, most of the time it comes, not in the form of a question, but as an accusation, “You guys (LCMSers) think you’re so much better than other Christians!” I’ve heard this question/accusation so often that I thought it deserved a written answer. Now, I want to “set the stage” for the answer and why it is being offered now. Last Sunday, the first in March, the 3rd in Lent, the Gospel text had Jesus being told about some Galileans (folks from his area – it would be like one of us saying people from the South Bay or from LA) who had been murdered and their blood mingled with that of the sacrifices. We don’t know why – we don’t know where – we can make assumptions, but as we can see from how Jesus responds, those ques-tions are not really important. Jesus uses these folks as an illustration. He’s in the middle of a longer discourse and the point he wants to make about these Galileans or the residents of Jerusalem who were “unlucky” enough to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when the tower of Siloam fell on them and killed them is this: they weren’t any worse than any of those who were with Jesus at that very moment. What happened to them wasn’t the result of some specific sin – it was just the result of living in a sinful world where bad things happen. How does this relate to Lutheranism and the question posed above? Well, Lutherans aren’t any worse – nor are they any better – than any other Christian. Any one of us (LCMSers) could fall victim to a manmade or natural disaster at any time. Being Lutheran doesn’t exempt us from having bad things happen to us. What makes us a little unique (some might say strange) is that we rejoice in our suffering. That doesn’t mean that when something bad happens to us, like a death in the family or when we receive bad news from the doctor, that we kick up our heels and say, “Let’s party!” No, we suffer and grieve and mourn just like any other Christian – but we realize that suffering is a way that God points us to His Son Jesus Christ. He is our hope and our salvation and ONLY through Him can we have comfort and peace. Only through Him do we have the assurance that this life – lived in a cesspool of sin – is not all there is. Only through Him do we know He has guaranteed us eternal life through His suffering, death, and resurrection. The key word in that last paragraph is assurance. We Lutherans (LCMSers), through Word and Sacrament, have the assurance from God that we are His children, bought with a price, and saved. And this doesn’t depend on what we do. Other Christian denominations believe in Jesus, but then there are always questions:
Are you one of the elect? Are you sincere in your belief? Is your faith strong enough? What if…what if….what if…….??????
Through Holy Baptism we believe that we are adopted into God’s family. Through Confession and Absolution we come to God with nothing but a contrite heart and faith in His promise and hear Him say we are forgiven. Through Holy Communion we receive the very body and blood of our Lord which was given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins. We reap the benefit of all Christ has to offer without any merit or worthiness on our part. In just a few short weeks we will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. Once again, for Luther-ans, this is a celebration of Jesus’ physical coming forth from the grave. He has conquered death and the strangle hold of the tomb. His victory is our victory. His resurrection is our resurrection. Of this we can be certain – of this we can be assured. This is most certainly true! Blessed Easter!
~ Pr. von Hindenburg
Inside this issue:
PERICOPES AND HYMNS 2
MISSIONARY MOMENTS 3
PRAYER CALENDAR 4
LENT/EASTER SERVICES 5
CONVOCATION INFO 6
MARCH CALENDAR 8
2
March Sundays Pericopes and Hymns
Please use the following readings and hymns during the week
to prepare yourself for worship
March 3, 2013—Third Sunday in Lent
Jeremiah 1:4-10
1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13
Luke 4:31-44
729—I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus
842—Son of God, Eternal Savior
659—Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation
March 10, 2013—Fourth Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 12:1-6
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
686—Come, Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing
571—God Loved the World So That He Gave
609—Jesus Sinners Doth Receive
March 2013
March 24, 2013—Palm Sunday
Deuteronomy 32:36-39
Philippians 31:9-16
John 12:12-19
441—Ride On, Ride On in Majesty
442—All Glory, Laud and Honor
444 No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet
March 17, 2013—Fifth Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 43:16-21
Philippians 3:4b-14
Luke 20:9-20
791—All People That on Earth Do Dwell
430—My Song Is Love Unknown
433—Glory Be to Jesus
March 31, 2013—The Resurrection of Our Lord
Isaiah 65:17-25
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Luke 24:1-12
462—All the Earth with Joy is Sounding458—
Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
466—Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia
3
From the Board of Evangelism
Missionary Moments
Reverend May recently returned from Burkina Faso, where he is assigned to the young church as vicarage supervisor, as there are no ordained Lutheran ministers in this country. He reports that “It was very encouraging to see how they continue to be Evangelical Lutherans, meaning they continue to evangelize and proclaim the saving faith to all nations and villages. Hopefully they will complete their assignments in the next year or so.” During his time in Burkina Faso, people came from neighboring villages to be baptized, as they heard that an actual ordained minister was coming to visit! Thirty-six people of all ages came to be baptized this day.
The Newsletter
Quotes and photos courtesy
Rev James E. May, Jr.
Although Rev. May was physically not well at
the end of the day, he is shown here with the
children who were baptized. In his arms are
two very tiny, very young sons of God!
The bicycles of those who came from
neighboring and not-so-neighboring vil-
lages to receive the gifts of God from an
ordained Minister of The Word.
The practice and custom of beginning the bap-
tismal ceremony outside the main part of the
church
Rev. May baptized six more souls at this congregation.
Note the 8-sided font!
This church in Burkina Faso was founded when Rev.
May was serving in-country and was its first pastor. He
catechized and confirmed all the members. This was
their first Communion in six months because there is
no one ordained there to serve them. That is why pasto-
ral education is so important and for the vicars to be
fully trained and educated as to be ordained.
If you have any questions about Rev May,
his family, or the fine work of Lutherans in
Africa, please contact Karina.
4
Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
For the month of March, you may use the following list
to remember your brothers and sisters in prayer.
1 Matt Meilner, Carmen Miller
2 Dorris Kelley, Ralph Prey
3 Jane Anderson, Lou Pankonin
4 Marjorie Haener, Deniece Cotton
5 Church Council, Jim Weishaar
6 Royce Morton, Johnathan Thomas
7 Emily Meliner, Renee Shorte
8 Pr. Von Hindenburg, Alice Huhn
9 Jay Rogers, Marlene Wood, Gayle Tarr
10 Dick Huhn, Nicole Hayes, Lena Jordan
11 Adena Yates, Margaret Smith
12 Susie Fritts, Beverly Sarafolean
13 Robert Knox, Dalton Benson
14 LWML, Marion Cotton, Eunice Thode
15 Lynette Hurd, Erika Martinez, Anita
Shoff
16 Norm Morton, Brittany Cotton
17 Melda Schoenbaum, LCMS Pres. Har-
rison
18 Clinton Galloway, Sharon Weishaar
19 Wilma Dierker, Arlene Lisko
20 Jocella Collins, Jean Peterson
21 Cynthia Conley, Stephanie Thorn
22 Claudio Miller, Susan Marquardt
23 Barbara Hurd, Lutherans in Africa
24 Karina Lindsey, Mary Flett
25 Ken Lange, Marie Knox, Mark Thorn
26 Brent Tilley, Thelma Ryan
27 Art Dawson, Church Council
28 Marion Shorte, Marjorie Haener
29 Beverly Bergeron, Jane Anderson
30 The Altar Guild, Dorris Kelley
31 Leon Tarr, Matt Meilner
March 2013
5
The Newsletter
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6TH
Where is This Written?
Rev. Mark Jasa
ULC, Los Angeles
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13TH
What is the Benefit of This Eating
and Drinking?
Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz
Redeemer, Huntington Beach
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20TH
Who Receives This Sacrament Worthily?
Rev. Wiley Smith
Christ the King, Redlands
THIS IS MY BODY: THE LORD CHRIST, HIS SUPPER
AND HIS CHURCH
LENTEN PILGRIMAGE MID-WEEK
SERVICES at 7pm
MAUNDY THURSDAY
March 28th at 7:00PM
Divine Service
Stripping of the Altar
GOOD FRIDAY
March 29th at 7:00PM
Divine Service
EVENTS OF EASTER
HOLY SATURDAY
March 30TH AT 7:00PM
THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER
The Service of Light
The Service of Readings
Holy Communion
EASTER SUNDAY
March 31ST
THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD
10:00AM - Festival Service of the
Resurrection of our Lord
EVENTS OF HOLY WEEK
6
THIS IS MY BODY:
THE LORD CHRIST, HIS SUPPER
AND HIS CHURCH A Catechism Convocation for the People
SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH, 2013
9:00 a.m.—3:30 p.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.)
at
The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
902 S. Maple Street, Inglewood, CA 90301
PRIMARY PRESENTERS:
REV. DR. MATTHEW C. HARRISON
PRESIDENT,
LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD
REV. DR. DANIEL N. HARMELINK
SR. PASTOR,
REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA Please pick up a flyer in the Narthex for more information and pre-
7
Church Balcony Updates Yes, on March 3, we said goodbye to the Reuter organ that had been in place
at The Good Shepherd since 1959. A new organ was installed at The Good
Shepherd the week of March 4, and Jay has already been practicing on it.
In addition, a new ceiling has been installed up there for better acoustics!
The organ will be dedicated Sunday, March 17 as part of the Divine Service.
The Newsletter
The loss of a loved one is always difficult. For pet owners whose “little ones” have become a part of the family,
this can be especially difficult.
It’s very easy for some to scoff at the death of a dog, cat, hamster, bird—I mean, after all, they’re just animals.
But for those who have known the joy and unconditional love of a pet, there certainly is a sense of loss, emptiness,
even despair.
Just recently, Karina and I experienced this up close and personal. Her friend for the past 15 years and my buddy
for the past 5+, Leonardo, came to the end of his life. On February 24th, at approximately 2:30 pm, Leo breathed
his last.
Now, mind you, this came on the heels of the death of one of our members, Evelyn Sibbing, and the next morning,
the 25th, Karina and I were headed to Oakhurst where I would be officiating at the funeral of a member of my for-
mer congregation and a dear friend, Wilhelm Schick, who had died on Friday.
In some ways, the death of a human is easier than the death of a pet because of the assurance of everlasting life
promised to us through our Savior Jesus Christ. We know that this is not the end. That
death is a portal—a time of rest for the body until that glorious Last Day when Christ
comes again and body and soul are reunited.
But what of our pets and all the other animals that God has created? I’m not pushing
for doggy or kitty heaven, but I do find comfort in the Scriptures where we are told that
not one sparrow falls to the ground without the knowledge of God. (Matthew 10:29)
Martin Luther is reported to have said to his young daughter: “What would heaven be
without animals. Indeed what would a new earth look like without them?”
We give thanks to God for the joy and love His companions provide to us.
~Pastor Leonardo
What Of Them?
8
Repeats Weekly Sunday
Bible Study—8:30 a.m. Divine Service 10:00 a.m.
SEE PAGE 5 for HOLY WEEK and EASTER SERVICES. Sunday, March 3 —Mite Box Sunday: Bring your change to drop in the LWML Mite Box to help support LWML projects. Sunday, March 3—Voter’s Assembly Meeting, Budget, after Divine Service Thursday, March 7, 6:00 a.m. —Men's First Thursday Devotional Breakfast, Denny’s at Hawthorne Blvd and Inglewood in Hawthorne. Thursday, March 14, 9:00 a.m. —Board of Elders meets Friday, March 15, Noon-3 p.m. —Private Confession and Absolution (Or anytime by appointment) Sunday, March 17 —Refreshments after Divine Service, hosted by Marie and Susie Tuesday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. —Church Council meets Please call the church office with any questions. Dates in italics commemorate immovable feast days of the Church Year.
The Newsletter
9
902 S Maple St.
Inglewood, CA 90301
310-671-7644
Royce Morton, Administrative
Assistant (M-Th: 9-2)
Jay Rogers, Organist
thegoodshepherdinglewood.org
+ Join Us for Liturgical Worship +
Reverend Bruce J. von Hindenburg, Pastor
Sunday morning Adult Bible Class—8:30 a.m.
Sunday Divine Service—10:00 a.m.
Tuesday Matins—9:00 a.m.
+ + +
Wednesday Bible Class/Midweek Service—7:00 p.m.
Private Confession and Absolution—3rd Fridays from Noon-3 and By
Appointment
+ + +
Preaching God’s Word to Inglewood and beyond since 1935
T H E G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H
President—Norm Morton
Vice President—Mary Flett
Secretary—Stephanie Thorn
Treasurer—Clinton Galloway
Financial Secretary—Dick Huhn
Board of Elders—Leon Tarr, Chair; Jim Weishaar
Board of Trustees—Jim Weishaar, Chair; Leon Tarr
Board of Evangelism—Karina Lindsey, Chair; Royce Morton; Marlene Wood
+
Altar Guild—Gayle Tarr, Chair
LWML—Royce Morton, Gayle Tarr, Co-Presidents
Ushers—Norm Morton, Chair
Future Needs—Susie Fritts, Royce Morton, Gayle Tarr
Food Pantry—Stephanie Thorn, Chair; Gayle Tarr, Susie Fritts, Marie Knox, Royce Morton, Karina Lindsey
Special Services—Mary Flett, Karina Lind-sey
Council and Committee Members
Newsletter: [email protected]