Dear Fellow Believers at Good Shepherd,

Greetings to you and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!

It’s been a few years since I wrote the “pastor’s letter” in the newsletter for you. I’m at it again because of the recent resignation of Rev. Schneider as pastor here in Sherman. The Board of Elders, with the blessing of District President Eddy, have asked me to fill in during the interim as the congregation moves forward. So here I am, back where my ministry began.

We have just begun the season of Lent in the church year, a time for reflection and meditation as we approach Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. Our services the next few weeks will focus on the passion history of His journey to Jerusalem and will culminate at the little hill called Calvary. I hope and pray you will join us in worship on each Sunday in Lent and the Wednesday evening services as well.

The world seems to be in so much turmoil. Our nation no longer feels as united as it once did. Even now our Lutheran church, both in our Central Illinois District and here in our own church, is in need of healing. So, we must continue to pray for all, for the nation, the church, Rev Schneider and his family, and even this old pastor. Lent may very well be a good time to focus on the real mission of our church-to always tell the good news of Christ crucified and Him risen!

Christ came to save sinners, all of humanity was lost in sin and without the saving work of the Son of God would have been lost and condemned forever. Yet in His great love for those He created, God sent His only Son to redeem us that we might live forever in His everlasting love! Therefore, rejoice in true repentance, give God the glory, trust in true faith believing Christ died and rose for you!

You are His beloved child, saved by grace to live now and forever.
In Christ,
Pastor Stuenkel