A project called Education for Peace will be presented  by Luther College students from Afghanistan during Adult Forum on Sunday, May 15, at 10:45 am.  Mustafa Muhammadi and Ali Yazdani will explain their project to provide a better educational environment by supplying benches for Paymori School, located in a rural area of central Afghanistan.  Their project was selected as a Davis Projects for Peace for summer 2016. They will travel back to Afghanistan this summer to oversee the successful completion of the project.

 The Day of Pentecost, occurring fifty days after Easter and the last day of the Easter Season, is one of the great festivals of the church year. It celebrates Christ’s giving over of his Spirit to the church. The liturgical color for the day is red. In the sanctuary, the altar and pulpit paraments, gates in the weavings, pastor’s stole, altar candles and flowers will be red. Signs and symbols of the Spirit also will be evident outside the church. The worship service begins with the ringing of the church bell for three minutes in remembrance of former Pastor Joan Mau who died in an automobile accident on Pentecost, 2015. A festive procession of children and youth carrying staffs with red ribbons, balloons, pinwheels, and bells will follow. Two young people will be confirmed, affirming the promises made at their baptism. The Paschal Candle, which has burned throughout all worship services during the Easter Season, will be extinguished at the conclusion of the communion liturgy.

A reception honoring the confirmands will follow the service. Worshipers are invited to WEAR RED to church. All are welcome!

My Neighbor Is Muslim: Exploring the Muslim Faith

Good Shepherd continues this discussion-study series on Wednesday, May 11 focusing on Chapter VI, Islam & Finance with Jaci Wilkinson as leader. The sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings in May, 6:00-7:00 p.m., in Good Shepherd’s Fellowship Hall. Participants are welcome to bring their own simple supper.

FUTURE SCHEDULE:
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.  The resource can be downloaded or a free print copy ordered from LIRS: lirs.org/myneighborismuslim

Tuesday, May 10
9:30 a.m. – Anna Circle – Carol Hasvold hosts
2:00 p.m. – Pr. Amy and Jutta Anderson at Wellington Place
5:15 p.m. – Evangelism Committee

Wednesday, May 11
7:30 a.m. – Men’s Breakfast
1:30 p.m. – Membership Records Task Force
2:00 p.m. – Miriam Circle – Carol Hasvold hosts
3:30 p.m. – Education Committee
6:00 p.m. – My Neighbor is Muslim Study Series: VI. ISLAM & FINANCE- Jaci Wilkinson, moderator.
7:00 p.m. – Choir rehearsal
8:00 p.m. – Band Rehearsal

Thursday, May 12
10:00 a.m. – Adult Bible Study

Sunday, May 15 – Day of Pentecost and Confirmation Sunday
9:30 a.m. – Worship with Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. – Fellowship Hour
10:45 a.m. – Sunday School in Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. – Adult Forum – Project for Peace Presentation by Mustafa Muhammadi and Ali Yazdani

Join Jim Martin-Schramm, Professor of Religion at Luther College,  to discuss “Our Christian Response to Climate Change in Our Church and in our Homes” at Adult Forum on Sunday, May 8.  Martin-Schramm will lead discussion on how we can take further action to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels at Good Shepherd, in our  homes, within our community, and throughout Iowa.