From the Pastors Desk - November 07, 2021
I honestly never know what the date is anymore. I know the day of the week, but never the date. I think it’s because I am always thinking of things I have to do and deadlines for things upcoming. Between school event dates, church event dates, college and scholarship deadlines, I am constantly in a state of perpetual future.
One future date I am excited for is October 31st. Special thanks to Ed for arranging for Pastor Mitch Phillips, Assistant to the Bishop, to preach on Reformation Sunday. Afterwards there will be a coffee and cookie meet and greet with Pastor Phillips. Please enjoy your time with him. Be honest and open about what is wanted and needed in a new pastor for Good Shepherd. Let him know that we welcome his help and are willing to work with him. My apologies for not being there, however the Perry band always ends up in state competition on Reformation Sunday. It really irritates me, but the director chooses Sunday so the band kids who are in speech and debate, and there are many, can attend their tournaments on Saturday. I figure I only have three more years to go- and then TWO kids in college-YIKES!
Christ the King Sunday will fall on November 21st this year. I am not a fan! This sounds terrible, but preaching the crucifixion story in November just seems off and wrong. According to Lutheran Forum, Frank C. Senn wrote “Pope Pius XI established Christ the King Sunday in 1925 to counter what he regarded as the destructive forces of the modern world: secularism in the west and the rise of communism in Russia and fascism in Italy and Spain, harbingers of the Nazism soon to seize Germany. In the reform of the Roman liturgy after the Second Vatican Council, the festival of Christ the King moved to the last Sunday of the church year.” Since this is a rather strange festival anyway, we may or may not keep the traditional lessons. Ed and I will be working to create a service that, hopefully, does not include the Good Friday lessons and is much more uplifting!
Pastor Eli will be with us the 14th and 28th of November. Believe it or not, the 28th is the first Sunday of Advent! Personally, I don’t want to believe it!! Considering that Thanksgiving is only a month away sort of makes my stomach drop! I just hope someone reminds me what date to start thawing my turkey!
Faithfully,
Lei Fahrner
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Thanks Plus More
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november Voice 2021
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Introducing Junior Church