An ELCA Congregation in Decorah, IA
National Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON), a United Methodist Immigration Ministry, posted a news release on February 3, 2016, called “Saving Starfish: Making a Difference in the Lives of Young Immigrants, One by One.” Good Shepherd has been a supporter of this initiative and is mentioned in the article. It is listed as one of eight local faith communities in the Decorah area that united to create the Path to Citizenship of Northeast Iowa. The link to the article is below.
Tuesday, February 9
4:00 p.m. – Anna Circle, Jane Borelli host
4:00 p.m. – Mary Circle, Marilynn Larson host (rescheduled)
7:00 p.m. – Adult Forum subcommittee meeting
Wednesday, February 10
7:30 a.m. – Men’s Breakfast
1:00 p.m. – Pr. Amy at Wellington Place
2:00 p.m. – Miriam/Ruth Circle, Bev Nelson hosts
6:00 p.m. – Choir rehearsal
7:00 p.m. – Ash Wednesday Worship
8:00 p.m. – Band Rehearsal
Thursday, February 11
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study
3:30 p.m. – Education Committee
8:00 p.m. – Worship and Music Committee Meeting
Sunday, February 14
9:30 a.m. – Worship with Holy Communion, First Sunday in Lent
10:30 a.m. – Fellowship Hour, Coffee Sale
10:45 a.m. – Adult Forum – March Ministry Team meets in Narthex
10:45 a.m. – NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
Lenten services this year will focus on the theme, “Coming to Our Senses: Opening Ourselves to God.” This Lenten season we will explore the call to come to our senses and open our whole lives to God. Daily devotions will be posted on this website and Facebook to remind us that God does not remain an abstract idea at a distance. Thankfully, God became flesh and comes to us still in ways we can touch, taste, see, hear and smell. We will let our physical senses awaken us to God’s presence, call us to prayer and help us return to God.
Ash Wednesday Worship will be February 10 at 7:00 pm. We will share in Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes. Lenten midweek services which follow Ash Wednesday will be held at 5:30 pm on subsequent Wednesdays February 17-March 16. The order of service will be shared using Holden Evening Prayer. The liturgical color for paraments, the weavings, pastor’s stole, and entry door wreaths will be purple. Worship will be followed by Lenten Soup Suppers in the Fellowship Hall.
The Lenten Puppet Ministry will be held after Wednesday Night Lent Worship. Congregation member Sue Blair will offer children 1-10 years old a quick mini Lenten message and song just after our half hour worship is over.
Recently Good Shepherd received a letter from Nathan and Sarah Wicks and their son Karl, updating the congregation on their first year at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque. Nathan is studying for the ministry while Sarah is completing her master’s degree in Social Work and considering her own work in the pastoral field. Click on the link below to read the entire letter.
The Transfiguration of Our Lord will be celebrated on Sunday, February 7, the Sunday before the beginning of Lent. The altar paraments and weavings will be white, the color of light, gladness, and joy in Christ. The white “gates” (interior, changeable part of the weavings) will feature the butterfly design on the left and gold crosses on the right. White ribbon is wound on the wreaths hung on the entry doors.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Good Shepherd is fully accessible to all. (Learn more)