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

Tuesday, April 12
9:30 a.m. – Anna Circle, Joanne Ylvisaker hosts
5:15 pm – Evangelism Committee
6:30 p.m. – Adult Forum Subcommittee
8:00 p.m. – Worship & Music Committee

Wednesday, April 13
7:30 a.m.- Men’s Breakfast
12:00 p.m. – Property and Management Committee
2:00 p.m. – Miriam / Ruth Circles Mary Fritz hosts
2:00 p.m. – Pr. Amy at Wellington Place
3:30 p.m. – Education Committee
6:00 p.m. – My Neighbor is Muslim Study Series
6:30 p.m. – Choir rehearsal
7:30 p.m. – Band Rehearsal

Thursday, April 14
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study

Friday April 15
11:00 a.m. – Stewardship Committee

Saturday April 16
5:00 p.m. – Kid’s Movie Night in Fellowship Hall

Sunday, April 17
9:30 a.m. – Worship with Holy Communion, 4th Sunday of Easter
10:30 a.m. – Fellowship Hour – Coffee Sale
10:45 a.m. – Adult Forum – Prayer Retreat Opportunities at Good Shepherd led by Jane Jakoubek
10:45 a.m. – Sunday School in Sanctuary, Youth SS/Confirmation w/Pr. Amy

Good Shepherd welcomes participation in it’s upcoming 7-part study series – MY NEIGHBOR IS MUSLIM: EXPLORING THE MUSLIM FAITH. The first session will be held on Sunday, April 10, 10:45 a.m.; the following six sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota (LSS) developed this study-discussion series in 2015 to help Lutherans in the state welcome Muslim neighbors. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) now provides this study for use by congregations and discussion groups throughout the country. Todd Green, Luther College Associate Professor of Religion, who has written extensively on Islam, contributed the seven sections that explain the basic tenets of Islam. Luther Seminary professors wrote responses and discussion questions that bring the Christian perspective into conversation with the Muslim faith.

On Sunday, April 10, Professor Green will lead the first session titled Five Pillars of Islam. Congregation members will lead the remaining six sessions on Wednesday evenings: April 13 – Islam & Jesus; April 20 – Islam & Jews/Christians; April 27 – Islam & Charity; May 4 – Islam & Violence; May 11 – Islam & Finance; May 18 – Islamic State. On Wednesday evenings, participants will gather in Good Shepherd’s Fellowship Hall, 701 Iowa Avenue, and are welcome to bring their own simple supper.

It is the hope of those who have 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 is not required, however the study can be downloaded or a free print version ordered from LIRS – lirs.org./myneighborismuslim. Contact Good Shepherd’s office for additional information – 382-3963 or decorahgoodshepherd@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 5
4:00 p.m. Mary Circle, Marion Hanson hosts

Wednesday, April 6
7:30 a.m.- Men’s Breakfast
7:00 p.m. – Choir rehearsal
8:00 p.m. – Band Rehearsal

Thursday, April 7
5:00 p.m. – Community Meal at First Lutheran

Sunday, April 10
9:30 a.m. – Worship with Holy Communion, 3^rd Sunday of Easter
10:30 a.m. – Fellowship Hour
10:45 a.m. – Adult Forum, My Neighbor is Muslim: Introductory Session, Todd Green
10:45 a.m. – Sunday School in Sanctuary, Youth SS/Confirmation w/Pr.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Our themes from Desmond Tutu’s Children of God storybook are:
April 10^th – Ten Commandments, Exodus 20
April 17^th – Esther, Esther 1-10
April 24^th – St. Grubby’s Day – no Sunday School The children are invited to participate with their families and help with property projects during Sunday school time.

MOVIE NIGHT – Nathan Larson wants to invite kids of all ages to come for a movie night on Saturday, April 16 starting at 5:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Bring pillows, bean bags and blankets. We can adjust the time if needed. We’ll have pizza, popcorn and snacks. He’s looking for movie suggestions too. Is Star Wars Episode 4 OK? Email Pr. Amy amyzlarson@gmail.com to RSVP and give input on time/movie choice.