Posts by Communications Team
Virtual Town Hall Meeting – June 28th, 2020
Read the July 2020 Edition of The Messenger
Get the latest edition of The Messenger The July 2020 issue of Good Shepherd’s monthly newsletter “The Messenger” is now available to read online. Print copies have also been mailed…
Read MoreIn Memoriam: Pastor Dave Swenson
In Memoriam Today we share the sad news that a former Lead Pastor of Good Shepherd, Pastor Dave Swenson, has died of cardiac arrest. Pastor Dave had been at his…
Read MoreMid-Week Worship | June 24, 2020
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Included
Sheray of Meadowood Health Partnership shares her story of being Included at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Read MoreInvited
Tyler and Emily share how a culture of invitation at Good Shepherd helped them find their place and has encouraged them to extend that invitation to others.
Read MoreMusic Mondays: “Amazing Grace”
Music Mondays: “Amazing Grace”
A reminder of God’s grace that spans the centuries is singing. The church hymnal is a distillation of our collective Christian heritage. This week, we focus on one of the most beloved and well-known hymns: “Amazing Grace.” By taking a musical journey through the ages, we will hear this hymn as it was sung in the 18th century when it was composed, an organ arrangement by Frederick Swann emulating the haunting sounds of bagpipes, and three contemporary Christian adaptations: “Grace Like Rain” by Todd Agnew, “Broken Vessels” by Hillsong Worship and Faith’s Review and Expectation” by Sandra McCracken.
“Amazing Grace” was published by John Newton in 1779. When he penned the words “that saved a wretch like me,” he was not expressing remorse for some personal failing, such as intemperance or infidelity. John Newton came to see himself as a “wretch” because of his participation in the African slave trade. This was Newton’s great sin. When the words of this song exclaim “I was blind, but now I see,” Newton’s blindness was specifically to the damage of systemic racism, and his participation in it for economic gain. “Amazing Grace” is a song about one man’s sin — the sin of slavery. At the same time, it is a song about the power of forgiveness, a song about looking into the depths of evil and, even there, especially there, finding grace that is bigger than all the hate. –Derek Flood
That light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. –John 1:5
Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come: ’tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease: I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine; but God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.
Inspired
Charlie shares about the musical inspiration he has experienced at Good Shepherd as he has grown up in the church and how those experiences inspire him to share his gifts with others.
Read MoreInvested
Alan and Kris share about the ways they have been invested at Good Shepherd and how they have seen God’s multiplication at work.
Read MoreLivestream Worship | Sunday, June 21, 2020
Watch on Facebook Worship Bulletin To Print: Click the “pop out” button and select print in the new window. Online Offering Click here to make an online donation
Read MoreMid-Week Worship | June 17, 2020
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Difficult Conversations: Walking alongside all God’s children
A new weekly discussion starting later this month. A 4 week course on “Difficult Conversations: Walking alongside all God’s children” will be offered on Tuesdays via Zoom beginning June 30…
Read MoreA New “Music Mondays” Series Makes its Debut
We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. —Romans 8:28
“In the late 1950s, life for many was a scary proposition. The Cold War had escalated to a point where duck-and-cover drills were practiced on a regular basis in schools. Thousands of preachers were also using the nuclear age as a signal for the end of the world. Many people believed a war between the United States and Soviet Union would soon bring about the destruction of mankind. A newspaper editorial of the day signaled the attitudes of millions when it announced, “God Is Dead.” And with the power to destroy billions resting in the hands of just a few people, it at least seemed like God had stepped back and become a spectator.
In the midst of all this hopelessness, a child’s voice reassured the world that God was still in charge. Laurie London, a young British boy, stepped into the recording studio and cut an American song that was likely a century and a half old. When released, millions seized “He’s God the Whole World in His Hands” as if it were life preserver thrown to a drowning shipwreck victim. Audiences the world over simply couldn’t get enough of the affirmation that God was out there and caring about them.
“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” was born in the fields of the American south. It was written by a slave whose name we will never know. [By someone who] likely experienced more trouble and suffering than any person in the modern age. So the writer of this hymn was not in charge of the present and had no control over the future. Yet in the face of a life with no promise of freedom, [they] found solace in faith. Somehow still believing that a loving God was in charge.”
Written by Ace Collins.
Let us pray…
In this time of pandemic and calls for racial justice, we pray that we might be like God our Divine Parent, Father and Mother, loving beyond our comprehension. Through this love you birthed the universe, the vastness of galaxies and the preciousness of infants. Father God: teach us to embrace our siblings with the love that only a parent knows. Mother God: give us your patience to never give up on one another or the causes of justice in our world.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Livestream Worship | Sunday, June 14, 2020
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An Evening With Percy Brown Jr. | Forum Talk from February 4, 2020
What is racial equity? Why is it important? As people of Christian faith, why does this matter?
This past February, Good Shepherd Church welcomed Percy Brown, Jr., the Director of Equity and Student Achievement for the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District. In 2016, Madison365 recognized Percy Brown, Jr. as one of the most influential African-Americans in the state of Wisconsin. Check out this video from his forum talk at Good Shepherd’s Madison Campus from February 4th.