Worship

Many consider intentional interim ministry a crackpot profession: You’d have to be crazy or broken in some way to consider it.  But there are advantages to being viewed in that way.  All pastors are just temps; sooner or later they will be replaced.  They are not the Savior but point to him.  If the pastor is “a little off” it is easier to  remember that.

When writing about the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ––the light which Pastors strive to reflect––the apostle Paul explained,
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:6–7 ESV)

When a pastor doesn’t serve you the  way you expect, ask yourself, “What more can I expect from a cracked pot?” But it is dangerous to disregard his message because the container is unimpressive, annoying, and/or ugly (physically, emotionally, spiritually). God offers us the treasures of his grace in Christ in such brittle, easily broken containers. This fall the Sunday morning adult Bible Study is examining issues of church and ministry starting with the understanding that God offers the riches of his grace in Christ in such brittle, easily broken containers. Neither pastor nor lay people are perfect and precious in and of themselves, but God pours his treasures into jars of clay so his grace can overflow into the world. Please join us.      Pastor Roger L Mackie

On July 11, 1971, I was installed as the Pastor of First Lutheran Church of Neosho.  All my life, and that of Gerry’s, up to that point had been directed toward that event.  At that moment, what I thought my life was to be and for what we had worked for so hard, had come true. I was a Pastor.  We had our whole life ahead of us.

That was a long time ago, now, and here we are at the other end of our lives.  I am retiring.  I will officiate my  last worship service with you as your Pastor on Sunday, July 12.

It is hard for me to imagine what it will be like, not being the Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Carthage.  Your joys and happiness, and your sorrows and hurts, have also been mine.  Together we have stood with Jesus in good times and bad times.  As your Pastor, you have shared your lives with me in so many meaningful ways.  It has been my honor and privilege to be here at Good Shepherd.  This is hard to give up.  I will miss this relationship with you, me being your Pastor.  However, I find comfort in knowing the Good Shepherd Jesus will be with you in your next Pastor.

We have worked well together, you and I.  Certainly, it is not to our credit, but to God’s glory.  You have been very gracious and forgiving to me and for that I am eternally grateful.  I have watched with joy and some amazement the faith you have exhibited and your forward-looking attitude at all times.

You are not only a big part of my life, but Gerry’s and my family’s as well.  We have not only worshipped here as a family, but also come together here as a family to do family things.  It is like a home to us.  My retiring changes that, too.  It still remains unclear as to what this means for us and our continued involvement with you.  I know in God’s good time it will be worked out.

While my retirement brings changes and adjustments to us all, I do not fear for you.  God is here in your midst.  He is not retiring.  He is not going anywhere.

As God has blessed our work together in the past, He will continue to give His blessings to you in the future.  There are so many good things ahead for you that a new Pastor will be a part of and will aid with his gifts and talents.  Yes, it will be different, but the most necessary thing will most necessarily not change.  You will continue to hear the Good News of God’s love for you in Jesus proclaimed from this pulpit and God’s precious Sacraments administered according to His will from this altar.  There is nothing better than that.

Beloved in the Lord . . .I have spoken these words to you often as your Pastor.  They are still true.  You are beloved to me.  But my role as to how those words are acted out will change with my retirement.  Thank you, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  I do love you.

The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.  The Lord lift up His Countenance upon you and give you peace.  Amen.

Finally, this is all we can really say:  Amen!  With God so shall it be!

The Voters’ decided to use an Intentional Interim Pastor during the calling process after Pastor Schnackenberg retires.  You will be hearing more about this later this Spring.

We thank God for all our blessings and continue to ask Him to guide us as we seek to do His work here at GSLC

11:00 am & 7:00 pm

Lent starts Wednesday, February 18, and we will again hold an additional service each Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.  This is to give those who do not drive at night or who have evening activities an opportunity to attend the midweek services.

The Ash Wednesday service, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season, will again have the dispensation of ashes and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  Portions of the Passion story will be read during each midweek service.

Christians have observed this season of the church year since the fourth century.  It is traditionally a time of  reflection, penitence and spiritual renewal before Easter.

During Lent, some Christians give up something that hinders their relationship with God.  Others do something  extra for their spiritual growth or make a special sacrifice.  The key is to make Lent a memorable season of sincere  spiritual growth — a time that can set the tone for the rest of the year.  We pray that these midweek services will enable people to focus on the passion of our Lord and its meaning in our lives.