Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Today, much of the Western Church (including the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod) commemorates St. Polycarp of Smyrna, bishop and martyr.
St. Polycarp was perhaps the last living link to the last of the living apostles, being a disciple of St. John the beloved apostle. St. Polycarp (whose name means “much fruit”) was martyred about 155 [...]

Christmas time is a great time of anticipation. Children look forward to a couple of weeks off from school. Parents look forward to the break ending and children returning to school. But, I think there is a great bit of anticipation for all of us as we wait to see what our children or parents [...]

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

All Saints’ Day is one of those special days of the church year that we celebrate every year on November 1. It is a feast day, when we change the paraments to white [...]

Have you ever had your birthday fall on another holiday? I have a brother who’s birthday is Christmas Eve. The running joke for those like him is that they never really get to observe their birthday because it is always overshadowed by the greater holiday.
This Sunday we have two festivals of the Church [...]

These past several weeks we have pondered on the wounds that our Savior suffered during our Wednesday evening Vespers. As the hymn, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded led us on our way, we have seen how the wounds of betrayal, apathy, denial, and mockery were reflected in the events of the first Holy Week. Judas [...]

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.” 1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV)

Do you remember winning over your sweetheart? Perhaps you are still in that process of winning her/his heart. Part of that process of winning another’s [...]

Mark 1:21-28
Our Gospel reading from Sunday (Feb. 1) reveals to us how Jesus teaches with authority like those in the synagogue had never seen. “I shall put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak them all that I command him” (Deut 18:18). He teaches with divine authority. It also reveals to us the [...]

Christmas should make us merry shouldn’t it? It should make us down right giddy, just like children waiting to open gifts on Christmas morning. Think on it for a moment – God gives the greatest gift we can imagine. He gives us the gift of His Son for our salvation. What could make us merrier?