September 24-26
There are currently 27 ladies who are attending the Recipe for Life Retreat in Eureka Springs. We probably can make room for a couple more, so if you’d like to attend, please call as soon as possible to reserve a spot. Call Lora S., or the church office, 358-1325.
Rally Day, the day the Sunday School children celebrate the beginning of a new Sunday school year. Some will change rooms, while others might stay in the same room one more year, but all will have new “classmates”. It’s a fun day, an exciting day.
There are big plans for this year. It’s a Rally Day Round-up with a Chuck Wagon Lunch. We want everyone to take part in this year’s event. It’s promising to be a rootin’-tootin’ cowboy/girl good time. So kids, parents, and all you Good Shepherd cowpokes, dress in your western attire and join the fun.
Lunch will be served after the second service chuck wagon style with chili and ham/beans. Just rustle up a side dish or a dessert, bring it with you and join us for some cowpoke grub.
After lunch is when the real fun begins. There will be horse and buggy rides, train rides, an inflatable bounce room, a snow-cone vendor, and games. Of course it wouldn’t be Rally Day without the always exciting, and beautiful balloon launch.
So, pardners, corral your youngins’, and mosey on down to the fellowship hall for the Rally Day Round-up and Chuck Wagon lunch.
On Monday, August 23, the Shepherd’s Strings played for the residents at Autumn Place in Joplin. Linda D. introduced the members present for this performance. Janet C. gave a history of the dulcimer and harp instruments. Janet S. played a solo on her Banjo dulcimer, which is one of the newest instruments in the Shepherd’s Strings. While this was their first venture, the group felt their efforts were very appreciated and the residents sang along with enthusiasm. The ladies look forward to playing at Care Centers as a way of sharing the joy of music with those whose entertainment is limited. The group would very much appreciate adding a guitar and other string instruments. We encourage anyone with an interest in this ministry to come enjoy the fun. Leann B. was not able to join the group at Autumn Place, but we wanted to include her picture because she plays with the group and was very instrumental (no pun intended) in getting the dulcimer group started. The Shepherd’s Strings will be playing for both services on Rally Day, Sept. 12.
Friday The 13th, A Lucky Day
On Friday, Aug. 13, two of our three new stained glass windows were installed. They each represent an important aspect of Jesus’ life and work here on earth. One is the Good Shepherd window which reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for us, his sheep. Throughout Jesus’ ministry here on earth the cross was always there. He came to take the punishment of sin on himself so that we could once again be called children of God. The other window installed is the Resurrection window. Jesus did not remain dead, but rose again to conquer death once and for all time and to give life to all who believe in him. The Easter lilies remind us of the certainty of Jesus’ resurrection and the butterfly tells us that we too will rise to new life in him. The other window to be installed later will remind us of the birth of Jesus, who, being God, became man so that we might be saved through him. The window will show the Christmas star that shines over the manger of Jesus, who is Christ the Lord. The remaining windows on the other side of the sanctuary will display the stained glass windows from our previous sanctuary. The old windows will be reshaped to fit the new openings and a message will be added at the bottom of each to match the new windows. Two of the old windows are symbols that represent the sacraments of Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the third is Luther’s Rose, which represents the centrality of the cross in Lutheran theology. Right now you can see the old windows in the nursery, the conference room and Pastor’s office. Our thanks to everyone who is helping make our stained glass windows a reality. Our special thanks to Illusions in Stained Glass here in Carthage for their work and cooperation in making the new windows and their help in redoing the old windows.