At the end of this month (July), the congregation will meet to call a pastor for our congregation. The call meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 26. Please mark your calendars!

You should have received some information about the candidates who have nominated for our consideration. A short biography, some additional background information and other pertinent statistics have been provided by the district president. The call committee continues to meet with our circuit visitor so that everything will be ready and in good order for that meeting.

As the congregation deliberates the candidates during this process it will be well if you also took your thoughts to the Lord in prayer. the Lord God Almighty already knows who needs to be the next pastor at Good Shepherd. He has determined the right age experience, character, preaching and teaching abilities, and all that will be needed for the flock here for the years to come. Pray that His will be done.

When a pastor is called, you should know that at that point the man called will have two calls to consider, a call to a new congregation and also the call which he already has at his present church. That deliberation may be difficult and may take some time. We need to be patient.

During the early days of my ministry, I received calls to serve the Lord in congregations in new and often seemingly challenging places. Another pastor advised me to remember each congregation will be a challenge!

May the Lord bless His Kingdom here at Good Shepherd and throughout our beloved synod in all the days ahead.

In Christ

Rev. James Stuenkel

1. Thank you to our Preschool Staff…Kristin and Leslie did a fantastic job finishing the year and graduation was a huge success!
2. VBS is approaching fast…you can still register and sign-up to help! VBS is set for June 14-18…we will go on a Tropical Trek and learn how Jesus came to seek and save!

In Christ,

Rev. James Stuenkel

We will have Bible stories, music, games, crafts and of course snack time! Classes are available for 3 years old through those going into 6th grade.

Attached is the link you can use to register your child.

https://vbsmate.com/events/GoodShepherdSherman/32073

Your child will join other children as we will have Bible stories, music, crafts, snacks and playtime. Classes are available for 3 years old through those entering 6th grade.

You may register your child by using the following link https://vbsmate.com/events/GoodShepherdSherman/32073

Please mark these dates now and we will have registration and other information as we get closer to the date! Classes are available from three years old to those who are entering 6th grade!

At the end of this month, we will celebrate the feast of Pentecost. Traditionally, the Church has observed this day as one of the most special and important festivals of the year. but unlike Christmas or Easter, Pentecost doesn’t have the cultural attachments that remind us of its significance. There are no ornamented trees, strings of lights, or wrapped presents to announce the season, no egg filled baskets or Easter lilies to proclaim the day. Without cultural traditions behind it, we may wonder how to celebrate Pentecost at all?

The Church celebrates the festival of Pentecost as a fulfillment and conclusion of the Easter season. The name Pentecost means the “fiftieth day,” originally referred to the Jewish Festival of weeks, the time of thanksgiving for first fruits and the ingathering of the harvest. The Christian Church retained the name to mark the completion of the 50-day period after Easter–and the first in-gathering of believers into the Church.

On Pentecost, Christians commemorate the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We recall how a humble fisherman, Peter, filled with the Spirit, boldly proclaimed Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead. We give thanks that a multitude of hearers repented and believed. Three thousand people, from all over the world, were baptized and received the gift of the Spirit. Sent by God the Father, and by His Son, Jesus Christ, the Spirit came to continue the Father’s work on earth.

The Spirit’s activity continues today. That’s why the Christian celebration of Pentecost is such a joyful one–and so vital for the Church to remember. Through the preaching of the Gospel and Baptism, the Holy Spirit calls and gathers believers to Christ and His Church. This gracious work is ongoing; it is not yet completed in our lives. The Spirit works among people of every nation and language–among all to whom the Church is sent to proclaim the Gospel. For this reason, Christians pray for the continued outpouring of the Spirit and for the fulfillment of His sanctifying work.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Stuenkel

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

More details as we get closer, but mark your calendar now for this exciting event!

Easter Day will begin with breakfast at 7:45 am and Easter Festival Service will begin at 9 am.

We invite you to join us for these services as we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior! Pastor James Stuenkel will lead all of these services.

If you would like more information, please call 217/496-3149 or email churchoffice@gsslcms.org

The preschool began over 35 years ago, and we are excited to still be able to offer these classes to the families in the community.

For more information, please contact the church office at 217/496-3149 or churchoffice@gsslcms.org