If you can help, please contact Elaine Cote, or call the church office to sign up.

4/05 Maundy Thursday Worship at 7:00 pm

4/06 Good Friday Worship at 7:00 pm

4/08 Easter Worship at 8:00 am and 10:15 am

4/08 Easter Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt at 9:00 am

4/09 Ashland Community Chorus Annual Easter Cantata at 7:00 pm

April 2012 Newsletter

Annually, on the 5th Wednesday in Lent, the handbell choirs from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, The Methodist Church in Gilford, and the Congregational Church in Laconia hold a combined Lenten Handbell Service.

The location of the service rotates between the three churches.

This year, we will be at the Congregational Church in downtown Laconia.

All are welcome!

March 2012 Newsletter

February 2012 Newsletter

A simple soup supper will be served at 6:00 pm.

Pastor Dave’s Luther class will begin at 6:45 pm.

Soup and Luther will meet on:

February 29

March 1

March 7

March 14

All are welcome!

Come for Soup, come for Luther, or come for both!

Ash Wednesday Services at noon and 7:00pm

The noon service will be an informal service with the imposition of ashes and communion

The 7:00 pm service will be a traditional Ash Wednesday service with the imposition of ashes and communion.  This service will include music.

In today’s Gospel, we hear the story of Jesus’ transfiguration, on the mountain.

We hear about how Jesus’ clothes become the whitest of white.

We hear about how Elijah and Moses appear, and talk with Jesus.

We hear about how Peter, and James, and John, are there, with Jesus.

We hear about how Peter wants to build three dwellings, so that Jesus, and Elijah, and Moses, can all stay on the mountain.

And in today’s Gospel, we hear God speak.

Just as at the beginning of the Season of Epiphany, when God spoke at Jesus’ baptism,

today, at the end of the Season of Epiphany, at Jesus’ transfiguration, God speaks, again.

In today’s Gospel, God says this, about Jesus:

God says:

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”

In today’s Gospel, God tells us to listen to Jesus.

Listen.

Not Follow, or obey, or believe, or worship, or trust, or confess, or talk about, but listen.

Listen.

All that other stuff comes elsewhere, but in today’s Gospel, God simply wants us to listen.

In today’s Gospel, God wants us to listen to Jesus.

Throughout the four Gospels, there is a lot to listen to.

We can listen to Jesus’ words of comfort.

Numerous times, in the Gospels, Jesus says to the disciples, and to us:

“Do not be afraid.”

On the cross, in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus says to one of the criminals being crucified beside him:

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says to the crowd:

“Come to me, all you that are weary, and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In his ministry, Jesus’ words brought comfort to those he encountered.

And in our lives, Jesus’ words bring us comfort, as well.

In your life, Jesus’ words have comforted you.

In today’s Gospel, God says:

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Listen to Jesus’ words of comfort.

We can listen to Jesus’ words of promise.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus speaks words of promise to the disciples, and to the people.

And much of what Jesus promises, also provides comfort.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus promises:

“In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places.

I will come again, and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you will be also.”

In John’s Gospel, Jesus also promises:

I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.”

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus promises:

“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

One day we will be where Jesus is.

Jesus gives us abundant life.

The kingdom of heaven belongs to little children.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus speaks many words of promise to the crowds, to the people, to the disciples, and to us.

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Listen to Jesus’ words of promise.

We can listen to Jesus’ words that point us to our neighbors.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus challenged a crowd about to stone a woman to death.

And Jesus said to the crowd:

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

And one by one the men in the crowd put down their stones, and walked away, sparing the woman’s life.

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us to seek out the lost.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to “love our enemies.”

In all of the Gospels, Jesus tells us to “love our neighbors.”

In all of the Gospels, Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowds that gather.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us to provide food for the hungry, and drink for the thirsty,

and to care for the sick, and to visit the stranger, and the prisoner.

Repeatedly, throughout the Gospels, Jesus’ words point us toward our neighbors, and to our neighbors needs.

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Listen to what Jesus says about our neighbors.

We can listen to Jesus’ words that challenge us.

Those words that point us to our neighbors, and challenge us to care for our neighbors.

Those words that point us to our enemies.

Those words that challenge us about how we live our lives.

In both Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells a rich man to sell everything he owns, and give it to the poor.

Much of what Jesus says about money, and about giving, is challenging for us.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus challenges the Pharisees to not be so legalistic,

in their interpretation of God’s Law, and of God’s commandments.

Those same words of Jesus are sometimes challenging for us, as well.

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Listen to Jesus’ words of challenge.

And listen to Jesus tell us about what he is about to do.

In our Gospel, today, we hear one of Jesus’ most important words to anyone, when, at the very end of our Gospel,

Jesus orders Peter, and James, and John, to tell no one about what they had seen,

until after the Son of Man has risen from the dead.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus foretells the resurrection.

Jesus foretells what he is about to, do for us, and for you, and for our neighbors, and for the world.

Numerous times, throughout the Gospels, Jesus foretells his death and resurrection.

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him” God says, in today’s Gospel.

Listen to what Jesus says is about to happen.

Listen to what Jesus says about death and resurrection.

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Listen to what Jesus has done, for us, and for the world.

2000 years ago, Jesus walked down off of the mountaintop, and headed toward Jerusalem,

and toward the cross,

and toward his own death, for our sakes.

Only, that death wasn’t the end of the story.

Three days later, as he had promised, our Lord rose victorious over sin, and death..

2000 years ago, our Lord Jesus died and rose to save us, and to give to us the gift of life.

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Listen to what Jesus has done, for you, and for the world.

In our time, we also have the opportunity to listen to the ways that Jesus speaks to us.

In our time, Jesus still speaks to us.

Through his words in the Bible, certainly.

And also through our neighbors, as they reach out to us in need.

Mrs. Driscoll, across the way, who needs someone to carry in her groceries, and who maybe also needs someone to talk with, or tell a story to.

Peter, down the street, whose been going through a rough time, and needs someone to listen.

Paul, across town, who needs a shoulder to cry on.

Mary, who is looking for people to rejoice with her, and to celebrate all that is good, in her life.

Or whatever the needs of your neighbors, might be.

In our time, we also have the opportunity to listen to the ways Jesus speaks to us, through the needs of our communities.

At the end of April, members from Good Shepherd will be serving another Tuesday night meal at Hands Across the Table.

But anyone can volunteer to help at other times, too.

Folks from Good Shepherd are also looking into helping to serve lunches at the Salvation Army, again.

The Got Lunch! program to help feed children in Laconia during the summer is already gearing up for the upcoming summer.

Maybe you read the article about Got Lunch! in Thursday’s Daily Sun.

This summer, they are preparing to feed as many as 600 children each week.

I know that they are looking for volunteers to help.

You might’ve heard that there is a relatively new mentoring program that has been established at Laconia Middle School.

They are looking for volunteers to be mentors to children.

And many other organizations in Laconia, and throughout the Lakes Region are always looking for volunteers,

to help to care for our neighbors, in so many wonderful ways.

If you don’t live in Laconia, what needs exist in your community?

What needs does Jesus speak to you, through?

Perhaps you are a volunteer at your local school.

Perhaps you serve on a town board, or committee.

Perhaps you volunteer at a local library.

Perhaps you are a driver for meals on wheels.

Perhaps you help with Habitat for Humanity.

Perhaps you have dresses or gowns to donate to the annual Gowns for Girls Dress Drive, sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Foundation.

In what ways has Jesus spoken to you, through the needs of your community?

And in what ways have you reached out to your neighbors, in response to what Jesus has said to you?

In our Gospel, today, Jesus is transfigured on the mountain, and then heads for Jerusalem, and for the cross, and the empty tomb, for us, for you.

While they are on the mountain, God speaks to Jesus, and Peter, and James, and John, and Elijah, and Moses.

And God says:

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

And even though God was literally only speaking to the few of them on the mountain at that time,

God was also speaking to the disciples, to the people, and to all of us, as well.

Listen to Jesus.

Listen to Jesus’ words of comfort, and promise, and challenge.

Listen to Jesus’ words of concern for neighbors.

Listen to Jesus’ own words about his death and resurrection.

And listen to the ways that Jesus speaks to us, through the needs of our neighbors, and

through the needs of our communities.

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Amen.

Currently her family has a large van with a lift that has been Jen’s mode of transport. Recently Jen was fitted for a new wheelchair and the van they use cannot accommodate it. They are in need of a new van. They also very much need to remodel some of their home to be handicap accessible. This will all cost a small fortune.

There is a fundraiser for Jen and her family at Camp Restaurant on Sunday Jan. 29. The cost is $20.00 per person and includes your entire meal (salad, rolls, choice of Chicken Kiev, Meatloaf, or Scrod), Chef’s dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage. There will also be a silent auction that evening.

You can purchase tickets or make a donation through the family. Jen’s mother-in-law, Carole, is coordinating the fundraiser. You can contact her at:
Carole Taylor
21 Parker st.
Laconia, NH 03246
524-4602 or 520-5619
Qwazyq@aol.com

You can also purchase tickets at Good Shepherd.  Please contact the church office at 528-4078 or email the church at: office@goodshepherdnh.org