From the Pastor March + In the Year of Our Lord + 2013

T H E G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

THE NEWSLETTER

ARE LCMS LUTHERANS BETTER THAN OTHER CHRISTIANS?

Believe it or not, that’s a question that, as a pastor, I’ve had posed to me on more than one occasion. Ok, usually the person asking says, “Do LCMS Lutherans think they are better than other Christians?” Ok, most of the time it comes, not in the form of a question, but as an accusation, “You guys (LCMSers) think you’re so much better than other Christians!” I’ve heard this question/accusation so often that I thought it deserved a written answer. Now, I want to “set the stage” for the answer and why it is being offered now. Last Sunday, the first in March, the 3rd in Lent, the Gospel text had Jesus being told about some Galileans (folks from his area – it would be like one of us saying people from the South Bay or from LA) who had been murdered and their blood mingled with that of the sacrifices. We don’t know why – we don’t know where – we can make assumptions, but as we can see from how Jesus responds, those ques-tions are not really important. Jesus uses these folks as an illustration. He’s in the middle of a longer discourse and the point he wants to make about these Galileans or the residents of Jerusalem who were “unlucky” enough to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when the tower of Siloam fell on them and killed them is this: they weren’t any worse than any of those who were with Jesus at that very moment. What happened to them wasn’t the result of some specific sin – it was just the result of living in a sinful world where bad things happen. How does this relate to Lutheranism and the question posed above? Well, Lutherans aren’t any worse – nor are they any better – than any other Christian. Any one of us (LCMSers) could fall victim to a manmade or natural disaster at any time. Being Lutheran doesn’t exempt us from having bad things happen to us. What makes us a little unique (some might say strange) is that we rejoice in our suffering. That doesn’t mean that when something bad happens to us, like a death in the family or when we receive bad news from the doctor, that we kick up our heels and say, “Let’s party!” No, we suffer and grieve and mourn just like any other Christian – but we realize that suffering is a way that God points us to His Son Jesus Christ. He is our hope and our salvation and ONLY through Him can we have comfort and peace. Only through Him do we have the assurance that this life – lived in a cesspool of sin – is not all there is. Only through Him do we know He has guaranteed us eternal life through His suffering, death, and resurrection. The key word in that last paragraph is assurance. We Lutherans (LCMSers), through Word and Sacrament, have the assurance from God that we are His children, bought with a price, and saved. And this doesn’t depend on what we do. Other Christian denominations believe in Jesus, but then there are always questions:

Are you one of the elect? Are you sincere in your belief? Is your faith strong enough? What if…what if….what if…….??????

Through Holy Baptism we believe that we are adopted into God’s family. Through Confession and Absolution we come to God with nothing but a contrite heart and faith in His promise and hear Him say we are forgiven. Through Holy Communion we receive the very body and blood of our Lord which was given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins. We reap the benefit of all Christ has to offer without any merit or worthiness on our part. In just a few short weeks we will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. Once again, for Luther-ans, this is a celebration of Jesus’ physical coming forth from the grave. He has conquered death and the strangle hold of the tomb. His victory is our victory. His resurrection is our resurrection. Of this we can be certain – of this we can be assured. This is most certainly true! Blessed Easter!

~ Pr. von Hindenburg

Inside this issue:

PERICOPES AND HYMNS 2

MISSIONARY MOMENTS 3

PRAYER CALENDAR 4

LENT/EASTER SERVICES 5

CONVOCATION INFO 6

MARCH CALENDAR 8

2

March Sundays Pericopes and Hymns

Please use the following readings and hymns during the week

to prepare yourself for worship

March 3, 2013—Third Sunday in Lent

Jeremiah 1:4-10

1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13

Luke 4:31-44

729—I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus

842—Son of God, Eternal Savior

659—Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation

March 10, 2013—Fourth Sunday in Lent

Isaiah 12:1-6

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

686—Come, Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing

571—God Loved the World So That He Gave

609—Jesus Sinners Doth Receive

March 2013

March 24, 2013—Palm Sunday

Deuteronomy 32:36-39

Philippians 31:9-16

John 12:12-19

441—Ride On, Ride On in Majesty

442—All Glory, Laud and Honor

444 No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet

March 17, 2013—Fifth Sunday in Lent

Isaiah 43:16-21

Philippians 3:4b-14

Luke 20:9-20

791—All People That on Earth Do Dwell

430—My Song Is Love Unknown

433—Glory Be to Jesus

March 31, 2013—The Resurrection of Our Lord

Isaiah 65:17-25

1 Corinthians 15:19-26

Luke 24:1-12

462—All the Earth with Joy is Sounding458—

Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands

466—Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia

3

From the Board of Evangelism

Missionary Moments

Reverend May recently returned from Burkina Faso, where he is assigned to the young church as vicarage supervisor, as there are no ordained Lutheran ministers in this country. He reports that “It was very encouraging to see how they continue to be Evangelical Lutherans, meaning they continue to evangelize and proclaim the saving faith to all nations and villages. Hopefully they will complete their assignments in the next year or so.” During his time in Burkina Faso, people came from neighboring villages to be baptized, as they heard that an actual ordained minister was coming to visit! Thirty-six people of all ages came to be baptized this day.

The Newsletter

Quotes and photos courtesy

Rev James E. May, Jr.

Although Rev. May was physically not well at

the end of the day, he is shown here with the

children who were baptized. In his arms are

two very tiny, very young sons of God!

The bicycles of those who came from

neighboring and not-so-neighboring vil-

lages to receive the gifts of God from an

ordained Minister of The Word.

The practice and custom of beginning the bap-

tismal ceremony outside the main part of the

church

Rev. May baptized six more souls at this congregation.

Note the 8-sided font!

This church in Burkina Faso was founded when Rev.

May was serving in-country and was its first pastor. He

catechized and confirmed all the members. This was

their first Communion in six months because there is

no one ordained there to serve them. That is why pasto-

ral education is so important and for the vicars to be

fully trained and educated as to be ordained.

If you have any questions about Rev May,

his family, or the fine work of Lutherans in

Africa, please contact Karina.

4

Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

For the month of March, you may use the following list

to remember your brothers and sisters in prayer.

1 Matt Meilner, Carmen Miller

2 Dorris Kelley, Ralph Prey

3 Jane Anderson, Lou Pankonin

4 Marjorie Haener, Deniece Cotton

5 Church Council, Jim Weishaar

6 Royce Morton, Johnathan Thomas

7 Emily Meliner, Renee Shorte

8 Pr. Von Hindenburg, Alice Huhn

9 Jay Rogers, Marlene Wood, Gayle Tarr

10 Dick Huhn, Nicole Hayes, Lena Jordan

11 Adena Yates, Margaret Smith

12 Susie Fritts, Beverly Sarafolean

13 Robert Knox, Dalton Benson

14 LWML, Marion Cotton, Eunice Thode

15 Lynette Hurd, Erika Martinez, Anita

Shoff

16 Norm Morton, Brittany Cotton

17 Melda Schoenbaum, LCMS Pres. Har-

rison

18 Clinton Galloway, Sharon Weishaar

19 Wilma Dierker, Arlene Lisko

20 Jocella Collins, Jean Peterson

21 Cynthia Conley, Stephanie Thorn

22 Claudio Miller, Susan Marquardt

23 Barbara Hurd, Lutherans in Africa

24 Karina Lindsey, Mary Flett

25 Ken Lange, Marie Knox, Mark Thorn

26 Brent Tilley, Thelma Ryan

27 Art Dawson, Church Council

28 Marion Shorte, Marjorie Haener

29 Beverly Bergeron, Jane Anderson

30 The Altar Guild, Dorris Kelley

31 Leon Tarr, Matt Meilner

March 2013

5

The Newsletter

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6TH

Where is This Written?

Rev. Mark Jasa

ULC, Los Angeles

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13TH

What is the Benefit of This Eating

and Drinking?

Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz

Redeemer, Huntington Beach

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20TH

Who Receives This Sacrament Worthily?

Rev. Wiley Smith

Christ the King, Redlands

THIS IS MY BODY: THE LORD CHRIST, HIS SUPPER

AND HIS CHURCH

LENTEN PILGRIMAGE MID-WEEK

SERVICES at 7pm

MAUNDY THURSDAY

March 28th at 7:00PM

Divine Service

Stripping of the Altar

GOOD FRIDAY

March 29th at 7:00PM

Divine Service

EVENTS OF EASTER

HOLY SATURDAY

March 30TH AT 7:00PM

THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER

The Service of Light

The Service of Readings

Holy Communion

EASTER SUNDAY

March 31ST

THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD

10:00AM - Festival Service of the

Resurrection of our Lord

EVENTS OF HOLY WEEK

6

THIS IS MY BODY:

THE LORD CHRIST, HIS SUPPER

AND HIS CHURCH A Catechism Convocation for the People

SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH, 2013

9:00 a.m.—3:30 p.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.)

at

The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

902 S. Maple Street, Inglewood, CA 90301

PRIMARY PRESENTERS:

REV. DR. MATTHEW C. HARRISON

PRESIDENT,

LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD

REV. DR. DANIEL N. HARMELINK

SR. PASTOR,

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA Please pick up a flyer in the Narthex for more information and pre-

7

Church Balcony Updates Yes, on March 3, we said goodbye to the Reuter organ that had been in place

at The Good Shepherd since 1959. A new organ was installed at The Good

Shepherd the week of March 4, and Jay has already been practicing on it.

In addition, a new ceiling has been installed up there for better acoustics!

The organ will be dedicated Sunday, March 17 as part of the Divine Service.

The Newsletter

The loss of a loved one is always difficult. For pet owners whose “little ones” have become a part of the family,

this can be especially difficult.

It’s very easy for some to scoff at the death of a dog, cat, hamster, bird—I mean, after all, they’re just animals.

But for those who have known the joy and unconditional love of a pet, there certainly is a sense of loss, emptiness,

even despair.

Just recently, Karina and I experienced this up close and personal. Her friend for the past 15 years and my buddy

for the past 5+, Leonardo, came to the end of his life. On February 24th, at approximately 2:30 pm, Leo breathed

his last.

Now, mind you, this came on the heels of the death of one of our members, Evelyn Sibbing, and the next morning,

the 25th, Karina and I were headed to Oakhurst where I would be officiating at the funeral of a member of my for-

mer congregation and a dear friend, Wilhelm Schick, who had died on Friday.

In some ways, the death of a human is easier than the death of a pet because of the assurance of everlasting life

promised to us through our Savior Jesus Christ. We know that this is not the end. That

death is a portal—a time of rest for the body until that glorious Last Day when Christ

comes again and body and soul are reunited.

But what of our pets and all the other animals that God has created? I’m not pushing

for doggy or kitty heaven, but I do find comfort in the Scriptures where we are told that

not one sparrow falls to the ground without the knowledge of God. (Matthew 10:29)

Martin Luther is reported to have said to his young daughter: “What would heaven be

without animals. Indeed what would a new earth look like without them?”

We give thanks to God for the joy and love His companions provide to us.

~Pastor Leonardo

What Of Them?

8

Repeats Weekly Sunday

Bible Study—8:30 a.m. Divine Service 10:00 a.m.

SEE PAGE 5 for HOLY WEEK and EASTER SERVICES. Sunday, March 3 —Mite Box Sunday: Bring your change to drop in the LWML Mite Box to help support LWML projects. Sunday, March 3—Voter’s Assembly Meeting, Budget, after Divine Service Thursday, March 7, 6:00 a.m. —Men's First Thursday Devotional Breakfast, Denny’s at Hawthorne Blvd and Inglewood in Hawthorne. Thursday, March 14, 9:00 a.m. —Board of Elders meets Friday, March 15, Noon-3 p.m. —Private Confession and Absolution (Or anytime by appointment) Sunday, March 17 —Refreshments after Divine Service, hosted by Marie and Susie Tuesday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. —Church Council meets Please call the church office with any questions. Dates in italics commemorate immovable feast days of the Church Year.

The Newsletter

9

902 S Maple St.

Inglewood, CA 90301

310-671-7644

Royce Morton, Administrative

Assistant (M-Th: 9-2)

Jay Rogers, Organist

thegoodshepherdinglewood.org

+ Join Us for Liturgical Worship +

Reverend Bruce J. von Hindenburg, Pastor

Sunday morning Adult Bible Class—8:30 a.m.

Sunday Divine Service—10:00 a.m.

Tuesday Matins—9:00 a.m.

+ + +

Wednesday Bible Class/Midweek Service—7:00 p.m.

Private Confession and Absolution—3rd Fridays from Noon-3 and By

Appointment

+ + +

Preaching God’s Word to Inglewood and beyond since 1935

T H E G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

President—Norm Morton

Vice President—Mary Flett

Secretary—Stephanie Thorn

Treasurer—Clinton Galloway

Financial Secretary—Dick Huhn

Board of Elders—Leon Tarr, Chair; Jim Weishaar

Board of Trustees—Jim Weishaar, Chair; Leon Tarr

Board of Evangelism—Karina Lindsey, Chair; Royce Morton; Marlene Wood

+

Altar Guild—Gayle Tarr, Chair

LWML—Royce Morton, Gayle Tarr, Co-Presidents

Ushers—Norm Morton, Chair

Future Needs—Susie Fritts, Royce Morton, Gayle Tarr

Food Pantry—Stephanie Thorn, Chair; Gayle Tarr, Susie Fritts, Marie Knox, Royce Morton, Karina Lindsey

Special Services—Mary Flett, Karina Lind-sey

Council and Committee Members

Newsletter: khouriakarina@gmail.com