Dear Friends in Christ,

It happened many years ago.  A group of people had come together at the home of a friend for an evening of food and fellowship.  And among them that night was a popular actor of the day.

During the course of the evening the actor was asked to give a reading, and he obliged by reading the 23^rd Psalm.

All were impressed by his deep, rich voice, his clear enunciation, and the rhythmic rise and fall of the well-measured tones as they came from his lips.  Here indeed was an artist!

After he had finished, the group asked an elderly man to read the psalm.  Timidly, the old man declined.  But he did ask permission to explain some of the verses—both against their historical and geographical background and in the light of their New Testament fulfillment in Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

As the old man expounded on the beautiful psalm, he became more and more absorbed in its message, completely forgetting himself in the process.  And, at the end, almost involuntarily, he quoted the entire psalm—as the humble confession of his believing heart.

Especially “moving” was the confidence with which he repeated the words:  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.”

The light of faith shown in his eyes as he concluded:  “Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

A hush fell over the group as the elderly man sat down.

There had been a “difference” in the two readings, of which they were all aware.  And yet—just what was the difference?

Later that evening one of the company put his finger on the difference when he was heard to say:  “The actor knew the Shepherd’s Psalm, but the old man knew the Shepherd.”

It “is” possible—to know the Word of the Lord—and yet not know the Lord!

Jesus once said:   “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.”

My prayer for each one of us is that God’s spirit would so work in our lives—so that we have a heart knowledge of the Lord, as well as a head knowledge.

In Christ, our Good Shepherd,

FROM THE VICAR 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The month of May always seems to be very eventful.  There’s just a lot of stuff going on in May!  Mother’s Day, Confirmation, graduations, weddings. . . the list could go on and one.  One thing I notice in almost all of these events is that there is a celebration of “new beginnings” taking place.  One chapter of life is coming to pass and another is just beginning.

But what about our lives as baptized children of God?  Where does life end and begin with the Christian?  Many people will rightly point to their baptisms, boldly professing that their new life in Christ began in the waters of the baptismal font.  Wonderful!  Sadly, the reality of that new beginning is often viewed only in the past tense.  That new life in Christ began—a long time ago for some of us—in baptism, but that event is over and done with.  It’s time to get on with the rest of life.  It’s time to move on the “relevant” things here in the present.

My dear friends:   Martin Luther teaches in his Small Catechism that our baptisms indicate that “the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”  Notice the key wording here— daily.  We ever stand before god as baptized into Christ’s victorious death and resurrection.  Every day that is lived in the joy and reality of our baptism is a continual celebration of the old, sinful life that was drowned with Christ in the waters of baptism and the new beginning we continually have in our crucified and risen Christ our Lord.

As we journey through the month of May, may the Lord strengthen you in your baptismal faith, daily keeping you renewed and refreshed in the eternal “new beginning” that is yours in Christ.

In the name of our Alpha and Omega,

Vicar Jason Zirbel

NEW IN THE LIBRARY

When Jesus Came - Handel Brown
In My Father’s House - Carrie Ten Boom (The years before “The Hiding Place”)
The First Easter – Peter Marshall
Jesus Loved Them – Sam Patrick and Omar Garrison

VHS by AAL

1. “Fit for fun:  Making Health a family matter”
2. “Home Sweet Home:  How to help older adults live independently”

If you check out a book from the library please sign a card and leave it in the box provided in the Narthex of room 5/7.

Please find your card in the box and place it back in the box provided when you return the book.

Thanks.

If you have any questions please call LaDean Schueler at 455-5423.

Join us at 7 p.m. Thursday evenings here at the church as we study the Book of Ruth.

The Church Nursery (which is staffed during our 10:30am worship services) is intended for our young people--ages 5 and under.  Unless you are the Nursery attendant please respect this age requirement.  Thank you!

June 22-26 (Sunday – Thursday)

Our VBS Coordinators are Christy Casebolt, Missi Pierce, Lorraine Carter, and Lisa Peterson.

Please save labels from these products:

Campbell
Franco-American
V-8
Pepperidge Farm
Prego
Swanson
Labels for Education

These labels are sent to Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., and are used to purchase school supplies and recreation equipment.  A complete list of eligible products is in the sacristy as well as a container to put them in.  There is also a container to receive labels under the mailboxes.

The LWML Day Circle will meet Monday, May 5 at 1 p.m.

The LWML Evening Circle will meet Tuesday, Mary 13 at 7 p.m.  Emma Hendrick will have the devotion.  We will be working on the Kazoos for the MidSouth District Convention in June.  Please come join us for an evening of fellowship.

The LWML Quarterly Meeting will be Saturday, May 31 at 10 a.m. in the large classroom.

SEAMSTRESSES NEEDED

Ladies--The Evangelism committee needs a few more ladies who can cross stitch (hand sew or machine embroider) the baby bibs.  At present, we cannot keep up with the demand for the bibs since there are only two ladies sewing the bibs.  If you wish to help, please call Paul Gladney at 455-5132.  Thank you.