Food for the Flock: Third Sunday of Pentecost
/The Message
“For the Lord is good; his steadfast loves endures, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalm 100:5
Crescendoing to the transformative moment of the musical, Phinneas Barnum sits hunched over on a barstool. He feels sorry for himself. A fire has recently destroyed the building that housed his circus. He has betrayed the trust of his employees. The star of his nationwide tour has quit. His wife has just left him due to some circumstances within his control. Is this how it will all end? No! This is the beginning.
This is not the end but the beginning of best to come. For he breaks out into the song, From Now On.
“…Cause from then, rubble
What remains
Can only be what’s true
If all was lost
There’s more I gained
‘Cause it led me back
To you
From now on
These eyes will not be blinded by the lights
From now on
What’s waited ‘til tomorrow starts tonight
Tonight
Let this promise in me start
Like an anthem in my heart
From now on
From now on…”
Barnum’s musical epiphany unintentionally echoes the hymnic promise of the Psalm. Steadfast love from another never ceases. For him, his wife, his daughter and the performers always loved him for who he was. His hard times led him back to them. For us, God and God’s people always loves us for who we are. In all times, this leads us back to God. In God, the best is yet to come.
In God, the best comes right now. Whatever you face as you read these words, God is with you right now. If it is the afternoon, God is with you right now. If it is the evening, God is with you right now. If it is morning, right now God is with you. From now on, never forget it! God is with you! God loves you!
You are loved for who you are! Never forget it! Come be reminded of it again this week at All Shepherds Lutheran Church. Worship with us in person at 8:00AM and 9:30AM. Worship on our Youtube Channel at 9:30AM. Worship with us in the Chapel in the Words at 11:11am. From now on, what is always there is God’s love for you.
Shepherding the Shepherds,
Pastor Craig
LEARNING:
VBS REGISTRATION - VBS is June 28 - July 1, For information on how to register for VBS visit http://www.allshepherds.org/vbs
VBS SNACK SIGN-UP— Please consider signing up to provide a snack item for VBS. We are looking for individually wrapped snack size servings of the items on the list. Please bring the fruit to the church on Sunday, June 27 and all other items can be dropped off by June 20. There is a sign-up sheet in the gathering area and a sign-up genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4cafa82aa3fe3-vbssnack
VBS DECORATING—We will begin decorating for VBS on Thursdays from 10:00 am—12:00 pm during the month of June. Contact Becky Lickfelt if you want to help.
CONFIRMATION - Please support our 14 Confirmation students who will be affirming their faith on Sunday, June 13 at 11:11am (Chapel in the Woods) and 2:00pm. Gift bags are in the gathering space to collect cards and notes of encouragement and support.
CAMP LMC - Our week is July 6-9. Pastor Wendy will be attending with 8 of our youth. You can still register at https://lomocamps.campbrainregistration.com/ . Our church supplements the cost for all youth who want to attend, contact Pastor Wendy for more information.
UPCOMING ZOOM CLASSES AT ASLC
Everyone is welcome to participate, contact your leader for Zoom codes.
Bible, Brothers & Brew with Pastor Craig: Friday mornings at 8:00 am
SERVING
BUILDING BRIDGES - formerly known as the racial injustice group will be meeting again on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm on Zoom. The next meeting will be April 28 and will continue every other Wednesday.
GIVING
Your financial support is vital to strengthen and expand our congregation's ministries, you can mail offering checks to All Shepherds Lutheran Church, 6580 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035. You can also give electronically. To donate using a smartphone, search the Google Play Store of the Apple App Store for “ELCA Giving” and download the Tithe.ly app. To make a Tithe.ly contribution from our website, visit www.allshepherds.org/electronic-giving. You can designate the amount, select a specific operating fund and even set up a recurring donation so you don’t have to repeat it each week.
Thanks again for your courageous giving because of your courage and faithfulness our mission is being strengthened now!
SEMI-ANNUAL GIVING NEWSLETTER
DONATING SECURITIES
In order to donate securities to All Shepherds, please directly contact our Huntington Financial Advisor to request a Transfer Request Form.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIVING LUTHERAN MAGAZINE: Current and past issues are available. If you would like these recent issues sent to your home, please call or email the church office with your request. In the meantime, stay safe at home, and pray for the congregation and all affected by the virus.