Two Minute News for March 28, 2024

Holy Week Livestream Schedule

For those unable to attend in person, we are blessed to be able to livestream these services at three online locations: ourshepherd.net/osathome

ourshepherd.news/youtube

ourshepherd.news/facebook

The videos will be available live, and later as recordings at ourshepherd.news/youtube.

Maundy Thursday - March 28, 6:30 PM

Good Friday - March 29, 1:00 PM

Good Friday - March 29, 6:30 PM

Holy Saturday - March 30, 6:00 PM

Easter Sunday - March 31, 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM

This Weekend's Theme:

"The Day of Resurrection"

Mark 16:1-8

The women arrived early in the morning, and they were wondering who would roll the stone away. Upon arriving, they found the stone had been rolled back. They entered the tomb, and they saw a young man sitting on the right side. He told them that Jesus, the crucified one, has risen. The good news of God had already been at work, but the women arriving early in the morning saw the good news.

Throughout the Bible there are remarkable events that are discovered in the daylight. Our nights may be filled with worry, but that does not mean that God is absent. God is at work. Death is defeated, and in the daylight of the resurrection we are invited to see the good news and tell others what we have seen. The day has arrived, and the good news can be seen.

What does “Maundy” Thursday Mean?

The word “Maundy” likely comes from the Latin mandatum (from which we derive our English word “mandate” or command). After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet in John chapter 13, He gave a “new mandate” to them, and to each of us, which we remember each Maundy Thursday: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” It is also thought that the word “Maundy” could have come from the delivering of “maundsor baskets” to the poor by the King of England on “Holy Thursday,” as a tangible response to Christ’s command to “love one another.”

Maundy Thursday worship at Our Shepherd begins at 6:30 PM on Thursday, March 28th.

LWML Spring Event

April 13 @ OSLC

Ladies, please gather with us in Our Shepherd's Lower Level on Saturday, April 13 for a special LWML Spring Event. Our speaker is Master Gardener Carol Swenson. We'll be collecting vegetable seeds, gloves, and gardening tools for Camp Restore's Community Garden. Chid care is provided! Please RSVP by April 8th to Jill Hoegemeyer: 248.890.0830 or [email protected].

Please click here for a flyer with more information.

Veterans Resource Fairs Offer Assistance

Do you know a veteran who needs some assistance? Oakland County holds several Veterans Resource Fairs throughout the year. Veterans, widows of veterans, and their families are all invited to atend.

Veterans and families are provided with free food boxes and Meijer gift cards, as well as a myriad of support services including housing, health care, transportation, and much more.

Click here to learn more and register for the next fair, which takes place Thursday, April 25 at the Troy Civic Center. Check out more fairs here.

Please note that you must bring a copy of the veteran's DD214.

Our Shepherd member Paul Dwight has attended these fairs and can answer your questions. Please contact him at [email protected] / 248.672.5407.

This Week's Next Steps for

Gather, Nurture and Serve

GATHER

We Gather with All the Saints!

This Holy Week as we gather together in the upper room, at the foot of the cross, and outside the empty tomb, we do so with the apostles, the prophets, the martyrs, and all of God’s saints in Christ, as we hear in the words of the ancient hymn Te Deum Laudamus: “The glorious company of the apostles praise you, the goodly fellowship of the prophets praise you, the noble army of martyrs praise you, the holy church through the world acknowledges you.” And we sing in present tense so we are reminded that we truly gather with all the saints who have come before us, because they live forever before God. The redemption Christ won for us on the cross, and through the empty tomb, has accomplished this!

NURTURE

New Wednesday Women’s Study

The Women's Bible Study at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church will return to meeting on April 3 at 6:30 PM with a new study: “Myth or Faith.”

“Myth or Faith” will not be about trying to "prove" anything. We will identify the starting point from which all sinners must start, the truth. We will use the term myth to point to misconceptions people have concerning God, the church, people, and our relationships with God and other people. We will use the term faith to denote beliefs that are anchored in the reality that God has revealed to us in His Word.

The world has a way of trying to squeeze us into its own mold. People around us hold to all kinds of "myths" concerning God, eternity, the human destiny, and other ultimate questions in life. They have all kinds of misconceptions concerning those things that God has revealed to us in Scripture and that pertain to the realities of human existence, purpose, and destiny. The myths held by those in the world around us do influence us. Therefore, it is important for our eternal well-being that we distinguish between fact and fiction, myth and God-given faith.

SERVE

Join the Quilters & Serve the World

You can serve and support people all over the world as you serve right here at Our Shepherd. Join the Our Shepherd Quilting Team and serve with sisters in Christ to make quilts that are sent worldwide by Lutheran World Relief. No previous experience needed - we can teach you all you need to know! Join us in the Lower Level every Monday & Friday from 10am -12 noon. Questions: Contact Gretchen Swanson at [email protected] or (248) 875-5491.

Detroit Lutheran Singers Concert at Our Shepherd April 21, 3:00 PM

Featuring the Peaceable Kingdom

by Randall Thompson

The Detroit Lutheran Singers, in their 56th season, will be performing at Our Shepherd on Sunday, April 21, at 3:00 PM in their "Lions and Lambs" concert series.

Click here for all the details, and to purchase tickets.

Invite Others to Holy Week Services

Holy Week is coming up quickly. Our Shepherd has a handout that you can use to easily invite others to our services. Printed copies are available on the Welcome Center, or you can forward this email. Let's fill our pews with people who need to know that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose for them!

Camp Shepherd is Open for Summer 2024

Camp Shepherd registration is now open is for students who have completed Kindergarten through 12 years of age!

Camp Shepherd’s mission is to provide a Christian day camp experience that motivates children to approach life with courage and confidence.

Please head to to the camp website for more information & enrollment.

For additional information click here, or contact Camp Director Sarah Kosciuk at [email protected] or by calling 248.645.5273 x320.

Men’s Breakfast at Redeemer April 27

Men: Join brothers in Christ at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (1800 West Maple Road, Birmingham) on Saturday, April 27th from 8:00 to 10:00 AM for a great meal and a special presentation from Rev. David Davis, President of the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Questions and more information contact Gary Priskorn [email protected].

Luncheon Honoring OS Member Howard Adams April 28 @ Historic Trinity

Congratulations to Our Shepherd's own Howard Adams, who has been named 2024 Lutheran Layman of the Year by the Lutheran Luncheon Club! You can read the press release and Howard's bio here.

Plan to attend a banquet in Howard's honor on Sunday, April 28, 5:00 PM at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit.

Cost for the dinner and program honoring Howard is $40 per person. Checks should be made payable to the Lutheran Luncheon Club of Metro Detroit. Please contact Dave Priskorn to sign up - [email protected] or 248.646.6100 ext. 115.

Help Us Invite Former Members and Old Friends to the 75th Anniversary Celebration

Do you know someone who used to attend Our Shepherd in the recent or distant past? Help us contact them with a warm invitation to the anniversary service and gathering on October 6, 2024. Please send names and email addresses to [email protected].

Many thanks from the 75th Anniversary Committee!

This Weekend's Readings

EASTER SUNDAY

(31 March 2024)

Isaiah 25:6–9

1 Corinthians 15:1–11

Mark 16:1–8

The Risen Christ Has Swallowed Up Death Forever!

The entire fallen world is veiled in a funeral shroud “that is spread over all nations” and “cast over all peoples” (Is. 25:7). But the Lord of hosts, in the Person of the incarnate Son, Jesus Christ, has removed that terrible pall and swallowed up death forever. By submitting Himself to death, He burst it apart from the inside out. Now He wipes away all tears from our faces, and He invites us to “be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (Is. 25:9). His body and His blood, crucified and risen, are given and poured out for us as a feast “of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined” (Is. 25:6). We enter that feast through Holy Baptism, whereby our old man is buried with Jesus Christ, and we are raised up in Him, “dressed in a white robe” of His perfect righteousness (Mark 16:5). What St. Paul and the other apostles received “by the grace of God” is also “delivered to you” by the preaching of Christ, “in which you stand, and by which you are being saved” (1 Cor. 15:1–11).

Take Five to Nurture

March 31 - April 6, 2024

EASTER WEEK

Matthew 28:5-6

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”

Take five minutes to do these five things with family or friends!

1. SHARE your blessings and challenges.

2. READ the Bible passage.

3. TALK about the Bible passage.

4. PRAY for your blessings and challenges.

5. BLESS one another.

For additional study, read Matthew 28:1-10

IN BRIEF

GATHER

Maundy Thursday Worship - March 28, 6:30 PM
Good Friday Worship - March 29, 1:00 PM; Tenebrae Service 6:30 PM
Easter Vigil Worship - March 30, 6:00 PM
Easter Sunday Worship - March 31, 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 AM
Sunday, April 21, 3:00 PM: Detroit Lutheran Singers concert. Click here for details.
Worship in-person and online livestream: Saturday 6 PM; Sunday 8:30 and 11:00 AM
Worship anytime: a large library of worship services can be found on our YouTube channel. Choose the "Worship Services" playlist. ourshepherd.news/youtube.
Last Tuesday of October, November, January, February, April, and May at 12:00 Noon: Older Wiser Lutherans Luncheon with entertainment in the Lower Level. Dr. Mark at [email protected] or 248.646.6100 ext. 118
Our Shepherd Spiritwear: oslsptl.memberhub.com/store. Call 248.645.0551 w/questions
Fourth Monday of the Month 7 PM: Mothers Praying for Adult Children (Crossroads)

NURTURE

Sundays: The nursery is open for infants and toddlers ages 2 and younger
Sundays 9:45 AM: In-person Bible studies. Get your copy of the Bible Class Schedule at "Bible Study Central" across from the coat rack in the atrium.
Sundays 9:45 AM: Ladies' study in the Crossroads Room
Wednesdays 10:00 AM: Dr. Mark's Adult Bible Study
Tuesdays 5:30 PM: Women's Bible Study - read through the Bible - Crossroads
Tuesdays 7:00 PM: GriefShare. Contact Mark Nimtz ([email protected])
Wednesdays 6:30 PM: Women’s Bible Study– church library
Thursdays 6:30 AM: Men’s Bible Study – church library
Thursdays 9:30 AM: Women's Lifelight study. Contact Phyllis Chewning (248) 252-1512
Saturdays 7:00 AM: (first and third Saturday of each month) Men of Integrity Bible study meets in the Lower Level. Dr. Mark Nimtz ([email protected])
Online: check out Our Shepherd's blog at ourshepherd.net/our-blog/.
Video Devotion Library: An extensive library of morning and evening prayers and "60 Essential Bible Stories" is available on our YouTube channel. Choose the "Devotions" playlist. ourshepherd.news/youtube.
Print: Get your copy of Portals of Prayer in the back of the church, or at the Welcome Ctr.

SERVE

Support Missionaries: Mites weekend is the first full weekend of each month
Support people worldwide by joining the OS Quilters in the Lower Level Mon. & Fri. 10am -12 noon. Quilts are sent worldwide by Lutheran World Relief. We can teach you!
Volunteer for Sunday School Live! Contact Kim Kern at [email protected]
Help set up, serve, or clean up after OWLs luncheons - [email protected]
Serve a meal at Family of God in Detroit - typically the third Tuesday of each month. Contact Terry Hynes at [email protected].
Help the mission of St. Paul Pontiac: sorting and handing out clothing, odd jobs, repairs, serving meals, cleaning up, and a host of other opportunities. Call (248) 758-9019 or email [email protected].
Support or Sign Up to Help at Camp Restore Detroit: detroitcamprestore.org.
Support Garuna Ministries as they bring the Gospel to Cambodia
Support Ukrainian refugees: Send your donation to Lutheran World Relief or Support the work of Life Church, an LCMS church providing on-the-ground support.
Support OS members: donate to the Love For Others fund. Go to ourshepherd.net/give or write a check to Our Shepherd and include "LFO" on the subject line.
Learn More and Support Arabic Lutheran Ministries and encourage students in Syria.
Short-term mission trips or local support with MOST Ministries! mostministries.org

Would you like to publish a news item in the Two Minute News?

Deadline for submissions is Tuesday 5:00 PM.

Find Publications Online

You can find "Notes and News, "Just Pray," Shepherd's Voice, Bible Study Notes monthly birthday and baptism lists, and all our publications in one place. Go to ourshepherd.net/publications/ to read them online or download them for later.

OS@home

Live-streaming of services and Bible studies

Our Shepherd Online Directory

Click here for a complete library on YouTube of worship services, devotions, Bible studies, sermons, and more

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Our Shepherd Lutheran Church

is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Please visit our website to learn more about our church,

child care, preschool, and K-8 day school ministries.

Join us for worship in-person or on YouTube or Facebook:

Contemporary worship Saturday 6:00 PM

Traditional worship Sunday 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM