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The Our Redeemer Church Herald | |
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PASTOR'S CORNER AND CALENDAR | |
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Rev. David Boisclair
Senior Pastor
pastorboisclair@ourredeemerstl.org
(For Pastoral Calls)
314-853-9904
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Fourth Sunday of Easter: The Excellent Shepherd
Traditionally, one of the seven Sundays of Easter has been devoted to the central theme: “Jesus, the Good Shepherd.” This Sunday we shall observe what could be called, “Good Shepherd Sunday.”
John 10:11-18 is this Sunday’s Gospel. It begins with the words of Jesus: “I am the Good Shepherd.” The original Greek uses the word “kalos,” which means “beautiful” or “excellent.” Jesus is the “Excellent Shepherd” because He is unique. He is one of a kind because He is the Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep unlike the “regular” shepherd, whose task it is not to die for the sheep but care for them, although he might risk his life in defending them from predators.
As the Excellent Shepherd, Jesus lays down His life and takes it up again for His sheep. He followed His own “mission statement”: “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). He saves His sheep by dying to take away their sins, and He provides for their justification before God by taking up His life again in His resurrection. “He was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification (Romans 4:25).
As God would have it: nothing but this could save us from the devil, sin, death, and hell, and bring us to the overflowing cup of eternal life (Psalm 23:5). Jesus does this not because He has to, but because He wants to. The truth of this is shown in these words of our Gospel: “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father” (Jn. 10:17-18 NASB). This indicates how wrong those people are who portray Jesus as the powerless victim of circumstances.
We are comforted in being told that He knows us as the Father knows Him. As Christians we are comforted in the knowledge that God has chosen us to salvation in Jesus Christ from the foundation of the world. Later in John 10 Jesus will tell His listeners, “they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (Jn. 10:28b-29).
Jesus understands what it is like to be a sheep, a human being, because He was “made flesh” of our flesh and bone of our bone. He is unique in being the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” If He has taken away the world’s sin, each of us can say, “He has taken away my sin.”
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Church Calendar
Sunday, April 21, 2024
8:00 a.m. Traditional Divine Service with Holy Communion
9:30 a.m. Bible Class-Studying Genesis
10:45 a.m. Blended Divine Worship with Holy Communion
Monday, April 22, 2024
7:00 p.m. Board of Finance Meeting
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
9:00 a.m. Quilter's
6:30 p.m. Womens' Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Board of Elders' Meeting
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
6:15 p.m. Adult Handbell Rehearsal
7:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, April 25, 2024
5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Chimi's Fundraiser
6:30 p.m. Mentorship Men's Group
Friday, April 26, 2024
9:00 a.m.Quilter's
5:30 p.m. Rock n Roll Bingo (Gym)
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
8:00 a.m. Divine Worship-Traditional
9:30 a.m. Bible Class-Genesis
10:45 a.m. Divine Worship-Blended
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Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Master Calendar | | | | | |
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We Belong Together, part 1
by Rev. Stefan Huppert
We all remember, in one way or another, how the great COVID lockdown affected all aspects of society, with many individuals in all age groups as well as businesses and organizations, still trying to recover from its affects.
One such victim of COVID recovery is organized religion. Many congregations in every religion, centered around local gatherings of those faithful to that religion’s doctrine, which by necessity adapted the practices of virtual worship services online, have suffered sharp declines in attendance now that local gatherings are once again permitted.
On the one hand, the live broadcasts of worship services continue to be a blessing to many, who, like myself, are home-bound and have no other way of participating in corporate worship. On the other hand, the general broadcasting of religious services with only the service leader and a token few worshipers, which was done exclusively for such an extended period of time, has caused many not only to fall out of the habit of attending worship services, but also to drop out of church altogether.
The decline in church membership is not a new problem by any means, but the lockdown of three years ago greatly accelerated an already growing trend and problem. In a recent article for the publication, The Atlantic, writer Derek Thompson, who is a professed agnostic, exposed the problems of what he called the “de-churching of America.”
The latest research from the Public Religion Research Institute has found one-quarter of Americans now identifying as “religiously unaffiliated.” As a matter of fact, they have found that “unaffiliated” is the only “religious” group experiencing growth in the United States. Tens of millions of Americans have stopped attending church over the past twenty-five years, with the sharpest rate of decline within the past five years.
As Thompson observed, there are many benefits to organized religion. It provides people with infrastructure critical to cultivating not only meaning, but a flourishing life. He wrote:
“Relationship with organized religion provided these things at once: not only a connection to the divine, but also a historical narrative of identity, a set of rituals to organize the week and year, and a community of families.
It has been found that the most important feature of religion for the dwindling number of Americans who still attend services a few times a year included “experiencing religion in a community” and “instilling values in their children.”
As I noted above, Thompson also observed: “the de-churching phenomenon has coincided with the ‘historically unprecedented decline in face-to-face socializing,’ and the rise of technology. This presents a problem. Not only are Americans now with a less divinely inspired community, but, as he observed, one which has “embraced a new relationship with a technology that, in many ways, is the diabolical opposite of a religious ritual: the smartphone.”
Thompson goes on to explain that the smartphone has this created a “digital life,” which is by its nature “disembodied, asynchronous, shallow and solitary.” On the other hand, religious life—its community, rituals, and value systems—is inherently “embodied, synchronous, deep, and collective.” Religious life, then, “works a bit like a retaining wall to hold back the destabilizing pressure of American hyper-individualism, which threatens to swell and spill over in its absence,” wrote Thompson.
[To be continued]
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Our Members
Juanita Key
Don Burkhardt
Perry Beger
Michael Smith
Andrea Kies
Sara Kies
Celia Kies
Robin Renner
Tom Phillips
Bernadette Phillips
George Griffith
Bonnie Griffith
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Jane Baucom
Stefan Huppert
Doug Clayton
Ruth Ann Gaylord
Janice Wones
Helen Harl
Evelyn Wesche
Sharon Smith
Ron Luecker
Ruth Leibach
Mel Young
Sharon Smith
Dan Flaschbart
Billie Riebeling
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Please notify the church office when someone needs to be removed from the prayer list. Thank you!
Robert Walkenhorst, cousin of Laura Luebke
Jerzee & Lilah, mother and daughter, loved ones of Brittany Matthews
Katrina Green, co-worker of Millie Diehl
Joseph Rafetery, father-in-law of Heather Kies
Marjorie Donze, mother of Laura Luebke
Carrie Ann Swaim, friend of Gary & Mary Mueller
Jim Butler, friend of Gary & Mary Mueller
David Berger,cousin of Mary Mueller
Mark Mueller,brother of Cindy Kaercher
Kathy Luecker,daughter-in-law of Ron Luecker
Rev. Martin Schoenfeld, son-in-law of Ralph Luebke
Cheryl Teil, sister of Ed Heitman
David & Elsie Osterholt, friends of the Bishops
Phyl Mueller,sister-in-law of Gary & Mary Muller
Kathy Kern, sister of Cindy Heitman
Margaret Chen,cousin of Stefan Huppert
Connie Gamache,sister-in-law of Michelle Wesche
Ruth Dee,great aunt of Maribeth Esteep
Paula Dains, mother of Sherry & Angela Dains
Elizabeth Cash, granddaughter of Roger Koepke
Ava & Sophia Kappelmann, family friends of the Dowling family.
Michelle Wilson, daughter of Jackie Bohlmann
Theresa Proffer, daughter of Jerry & Carol Rose
Shari Roberson, daughter of Alice Rau
Josh Riegelspergers,grandson-in-law of Alice Rau
Carol Rathle,cousin of Shirley Clayton
Gail Oliver, friend of Shirley Clayton
John Broyles,friend of Shirley Clayton
Tracy Broyles, friend of Shirley Clayton
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SUNDAY'S HYMN OF THE DAY
The King of Love, My Shepherd Is LSB 409
A paraphrase of Psalm 23, Henry Baker (1821-1877) expressed his trust in and dependence on Jesus by writing this hymn. Note that the word “unction” in Stanza 5 was historically used to refer to the Sacraments. Though that word has fallen into present day disuse, we sing that word mindful that the Sacraments bestow God’s grace. The tune is Irish, having been composed in the 19thCentury. It’s named after St. Columba, a 6th Century Irish monk and missionary to Scotland.
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
(21 April 2024)
Acts 4:1–12
1 John 3:16–24
John 10:11–18
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Lays Down His Life for the Sheep
The Lord Jesus is “the good shepherd” who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). His life is not taken from Him, but He lays it down willingly, of His own accord, because He knows and loves the sheep. As the One sent by the Father, He has the “authority to lay it down” and the “authority to take it up again” (John 10:18). So has He done, and now He continues to love and serve as the Good Shepherd of the sheep by the voice of His Gospel. He thus calls all people into the fold of His Church, so that there may be “one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). That is why the apostles “were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). Since “there is salvation in no one else,” His voice rings out to this day through the preaching of His name, “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). His voice comforts our hearts against all condemnation and gives us courage to “love one another” and “to lay down our lives for the brothers,” as He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16, 23).
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If you would like to reserve flowers for the altar, please call Jenny in the church office. Orders must be made by Wednesdays for publication in Sunday's bulletin. It is $30 for both sides. You can make the payment out to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. | |
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To receive text messages, we must have an email linked to each person in the household who would like to receive a text message.
Once we have your correct email address an invitation from Church 360 will be sent to you.
You can email the church office at: elcoroffice@gmail.com
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Attendance for Worship and Holy Communion | You now have 3 ways to enter your attendance: 1. Enter it online. 2. Fill it out in the attendance books at the end of the pew. 3. Complete a form on the table at the back of church. | | | |
My twin is missing. If you took it home on Easter Sunday, could you kindly return to the church office so it can adore our pedestals by the altar the remainder of this Eastertide. Thank you! | | |
" We have several members living in the Overland area who need a ride to church on Sunday mornings. (Some attend 8:00 service and others attend the 10:45 service) If you are able and willing to drive a fellow member to and from church some Sunday mornings, please contact the church office at (314) 427-3444, or Daryl Wesche at (314) 680-3044. Thank you! " | | |
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Please join us at Chimi's in Overland on Thursday April 25 from 5-8 p.m. as we raise some money for our Pre-School. If you can print out the attached flyer, please do so as I believe the staff at Chimi's will attach the flyer to your charge ticket when you pay at the counter.
Please invite your friends and family as well! We appreciate your support!
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You can buy tickets your tickets before services on Sunday or at the door the night of the event. | | |
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Mission of the Month for April
Our Redeemer Preschool
Our playground area behind the annex building is in desperate need of a facelift to accommodate our fast growing preschool class of 2 year olds. Our littlest schoolchildren deserve a clean and safe place to run and play outside. Your extra gifts this month will help convert this already fenced yard into a great play space.
Please consider supporting our mission to help reach families in our community. Simply include a little extra gift with your tithes and offerings through the month of April by noting “MOM” or “Mission Of the Month” on your envelope.
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WITNESS AND OUTREACH
John 10:11-18: Jesus taught His disciples and, by extension, we as His people, that He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. What can stop the witness of those who no longer fear death? Every enemy has been vanquished by the Good Shepherd. What Good News this is for our comfort and all of the sheep not yet in the fold. So, boldly share the Good News that there is a very Good Shepherd in the Risen Jesus Christ who came for the sake of all of the sheep.
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT
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John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” What does it mean to know the Lord? It starts with being known by the Lord: He claims us as His own and calls us by name. Then, once we are His, we learn to know Him, and in knowing Him, we learn to imitate Him. That is how the Christian life of good works and generosity grows from the Lord’s grace.
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Card Ministry
The Card Ministry of Our Redeemer is an opportunity to minister to members of the congregation who may need a note of encouragement or a reminder that someone is praying for them. Cards can mean so much to those who are facing challenges or who are unable to get out and be with others. We have moved the cards and names to the table in the back where you pick up the bulletins. Please consider taking a name and a card, or more than one! Share a bible verse, or a short note, even something as simple as, "I said a prayer for you today," And then mail it to the name and address on the name card. Thank you so much for joining in this ministry.
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Sharing the faith through her retirement
nmerila@charter.net
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As a society, we have become more isolated. Our communication tends to be via text or email. We’ve become focused on leaving others alone and being left alone. Yet, that is not what our Bible describes as how we are to live. In 1 Corinthians 12 we read, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” We can only function as Christ’s body when we are social, interacting with one another.
I came across an interesting article about some studies that have shown the importance of talking with strangers. It seems that chatting with people we don’t know has been linked with better mood and a sense of belonging, which have been shown to prolong life.
Friendliness builds on itself. When we acknowledge strangers, they may start to do the same. If enough of us were to just say hello to passers-by, we might start a trend. We would learn to feel a part of a community that can flourish. It’s been shown that people who feel part of an area, tend to have fewer strokes and lower incidence of diabetes. They are more likely to get cholesterol tests, mammograms and yearly flu shots.
If talking to strangers is so beneficial to health and feels good, why don’t we do it more often? Smartphones are part of the problem. Just think about sitting in a waiting room. If we put our phones away, we could actually interact with one another. But would we? We are often reluctant to talk to strangers, because it feels risky. We might be rejected by them. It’s difficult for shy people and for introverts.
We’ve all been taught as children that we shouldn’t talk to strangers. That can be difficult to overcome in adulthood, but it’s worth trying. We probably don’t want to talk to strangers in dark alleys, but in stores, offices and other safer areas we can begin to do what appears to work. By approaching strangers repeatedly, we will learn that people are usually nice and can be enjoyable to talk with. We’ll be less fearful of being rejected and more confident in chatting with people we don’t know. Being active in the community will put us in situations where we have more contact with people we don’t know. Because we are in a particular situation, we may find we have commonalities for good conversations.
We often have visitors in church. How often do we talk with them? They are new to our building and our way of worshiping. If we can only step out of our comfort zone, we might be able to make them feel welcome and willing to return. Taking the time to tell someone our name and ask them what their name is, will set the stage for them to feel welcome. Letting them know we are happy to have them with us is an opportunity to find out more about them and tell them a little more about us and our church. Speaking to people we don’t know is the only way to make new friends. When we become friends, we have more opportunities to follow Jesus’ final instructions to us, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”
Thought for the week: The kindness planned for tomorrow doesn’t count for today. - Unknown
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MINISTRIES AROUND THE AREA | |
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KFUO Radio, the broadcast voice of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, shares Christ for you anytime, anywhere on KFUO.org via worship services, Bible and theology studies, practical talk programs, and sacred music. Find programs on demand at kfuo.org and wherever you get your podcasts! Find us on social: @KFUOradio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
CHRIST FOR YOU this week on KFUO AM850 & kfuo.org: Study Isaiah 63-66 and Lutheran Service Book 487 on Sharper Iron (weekdays at 8:00 a.m.), study Proverbs 8-12 on Thy Strong Word (weekdays at 11:00 a.m.), and hear about Love Fulfilling the Law in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession on Concord Matters (4/27 at 10:00 a.m.). Find your favorite programs on demand at kfuo.org and the KFUO Radio app!
| DEFENDING THE FAITH, TEACHING THE TRUTH… Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week's subjects include: Biblical Christianity vs. Progressive Christianity, The Movie “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” Polygamy in the Bible, Responding to Roman Catholic Proof Texts and more. You can tune in live weekdays from 3-5 p.m. on KFUO, 850 AM in St. Louis. You can also listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider. | Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Chesterfield will present a Piano Concert on Sunday, May 5th at 3:00 P.M., featuring Dr. Mark Laverty. This concert will feature several Preludes and Fugues and the Italian Concerto by Bach, Chopin’s famous complete set of Preludes (patterned after Bac h’s works) and a Prelude on ‘A Mighty Fortress,’ preceding Martin Luther’s famous hymn of the same name. A reception will follow. No tickets or reservations are needed, but a freewill offering will be received. Lord of Life Lutheran Church is located at 15750 Baxter Road in Chesterfield. For more information, visit: www.lordoflifelcms.org. | |
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Dear Our Redeemer Lutheran Church,
You still have time to register to the More Than Words Gathering on May 4th!
Social Hour: 4 - 5 pm
Program and Dinner: 5 - 8 pm
Stillhouse Farms in Oak Grove, MO
- Unite in worship & prayer
- Hear from local leaders in the Bible translation movement
- Connect with Lutheran Bible Translators leadership
Learn more about Bible translation and the impact of people getting access to the Scripture for the very first time.
Register Now
About Stillhouse Farms
Located just 30 minutes east of Kansas City and nestled among acres of tree-lined rolling hills.
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Our Redeemer Lutheran Church | 314-427-3444 | |
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