Tuesday, April 19
7:00 p.m. – Congregational Council

Wednesday, April 20
7:30 a.m. – Men’s Breakfast
1:00 p.m. – Prayer Shawl Ministry, Jane Kemp hosts
6:00 p.m. – My Neighbor is Muslim Study Series
III. ISLAM & JEWS/CHRISTIANS – Jane Kemp, moderator
6:00 p.m. – Choir rehearsal
7:00 p.m. – Band Rehearsal

Thursday, April 21
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study
5:30 p.m. – Community Meal at First Lutheran

Friday, April 22
11:00 a.m. – Stewardship Committee

Sunday, April 24 – St Grubby’s Day
9:30 a.m. – Worship with Holy Communion, 5th Sunday of Easter
10:30 a.m. – Short Fellowship Hour
10:45 a.m. – No Adult Forum, Youth SS/Confirmation or Sunday School

The New Fresh Five, a Luther College student ensemble under the supervision of Professor John Cord, will perform works by Holst, Bach, and others on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Members of the quintet, all first-year students, are Elliott Douma, Elyse Grothaus, Maddy Ihde, Gavin Shaeferly, and Michael Winkler. The recital is free and open to the public. Contact Jonathon Struve, congregation and Luther music faculty member, for additional information.

Good Shepherd will recognize and celebrate its status as a Reconciling In Christ (RIC) congregation at its 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning service of worship and Holy Communion. Pastor Amy Larson will preside; congregation member Amalia Vagts will serve as preacher. Amalia is Executive Director of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM), an organization which affirms and supports LGBTQ Lutheran rostered leaders and those pursuing a call to rostered leadership while engaging allied congregations and ministries to proclaim God’s love and seek justice for all.

The Reconciling In Christ program is for Lutheran communities – congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, organizations – that publicly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Good Shepherd was added to the RIC roster in 2007 after an enthusiastic endorsement vote at its annual congregation meeting and approval of its Welcome Statement by RIC. At present, it is one of three congregations in Winneshiek County on RIC’s roster, joining the Luther College Student Congregation and most recently, First Lutheran Church.

Good Shepherd’s commitment to RIC is visible by the use of the RIC logo on the exterior sign, entry doors, and website. The Welcome Statement appears in all worship bulletins, newsletters, and prominently on the website with links to additional information about RIC . And, the congregation lives this commitment through its mission, witness, and outreach.

My Neighbor Is Muslim: Exploring the Muslim Faith

Good Shepherd announces and invites your participation in this 6-part study-discussion series. The sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings in April and May, 6:00-7:00 p.m., in Good Shepherd’s Fellowship Hall. Participants are welcome to bring their own simple supper.

Wednesday, April 13 – II. Islam & Jesus – Leader: Pastor Amy Zalk Larson

Wednesday, April 20 – III. Islam & Jews/Christians – Leader: Jane Kemp

Wednesday, April 27 – IV. Islam & Charity – Leader: Janeen Christy

Wednesday, May 4 – V. Islam & Violence – Leader:  Makayla Marinack

Wednesday, May 11 – VI. Islam & Finance – Leader: Jaci Wilkinson

Wednesday, May 18 – VII. Islamic State – Leader: Lyle Otte

This study-discussion series resource was developed in 2015 by Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota (LSS) to help Lutherans in the state welcome Muslim neighbors. Lutheran Immigration and Refugees Services (LIRS) now provides this resource to congregations and discussion groups throughout the country.

Todd Green, Luther College Associate Professor of Religion contributed the seven sections that explain the basic tenets of the faith. Luther Seminary professors wrote responses and provided discussion questions for each section that bring the Christian perspective into conversation with the Muslim faith.

It is the hope of those who developed this resource and the Good Shepherd congregation that it will open doors, minds, and hearts, dispel stereotypes and myths, and start more conversations. Advance preparation and attendance at all sessions is not required. However, a limited number of copies are available from the church office; the study resource can be downloaded or a free print copy ordered from LIRS: lirs.org/myneighborismuslim

 For additional information about the study-discussion series and its resource, consult Good Shepherd’s website or contact the church office: goodshepherddecorah.org; Phone – 382-3656; Email – decorahgoodshepherd@gmail.com