April 2014 - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

April 2014
“B” All You Can Be!
Is growing in faith an inside-out process or an outside-in one? Or both?
Think about the flower gardens being planted this spring. How do they
grow to be their very best? It’s the outside environment—the sun, soil,
and water—that has the greatest influence on flowers becoming their
brightest and most beautiful. Can your outside environment affect the
growth of your faith too?
Yes! In fact, how we live on the outside has a great deal of influence on
our inside growth. And one thing is sure, God did not intend for us to
grow alone. He desires for us to live in close fellowship with other
Christians, like flowers in a garden, because it’s there where we
befriend others who believe in Jesus, find a place to belong, share what
we believe, and together become all God designed us to be—at our
brightest and most beautiful.
The outside life we live is where we are part of the garden—and part of
God’s planting for the display of his glory. So how do we grow more
from the outside in? There are four basic principles, the “4 B’s,” of
outside-in living, that will help you to be all you can be:
Befriend. There are different types of flowers planted all around you.
Be intentional about being part of God’s garden—make friends, be a
friend, share faith and fun with friends.
Belong. Well-designed flower gardens have borders and are planted
with flowers that have similar needs for sun, soil, and water. Find, join,
or create groups where you feel a sense of belonging and share
common interests. Don’t try to bloom on your own; stay in close
connection with your friends in faith.
Believe. Food, water, and light are necessary for flowers to grow.
Study, worship, share, and pray regularly together with other Christians.
Become. Show off your brightness and beauty! Be your part of God’s
garden as you put love on display and become all God created you
to be!
Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church
Church
Gretna
(402) 3323323345
Kindred Spirirts
Spirirts
TH E W ORD
“In their righteousness, they will
be like great oaks that the Lord
has planted for his own glory.”
— Isaiah 61:3
Think About It
Who are the people—the
“flowers”—in your life that
God has planted in the garden
around you?
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April 2014 | Page 2
New Every Morning
“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each
morning.” Lamentations 3:23
Just like the mercies of God, morning glories bloom anew
each day, making it a favorite faith-inspiring flower that is
easily grown in gardens or containers. Follow these simple
steps this spring, and you will be rewarded with vibrant
blooms every morning through the first frost of fall.
1. Lightly file the morning glory seeds, and soak them in
water for 24 hours before planting.
2. Sow seeds indoors in pots six weeks before the last
frost in cold climates or outdoors in the garden when the
temperature is above 60 degrees.
3. Cover seeds with ¼ inch of soil; as seedlings grow, thin to 6 inches apart.
4. Grow morning glories in full sun, and provide a trellis, fence, or other support for climbing vines.
5. Water when dry, and do not over fertilize.
6. Enjoy! Butterflies and hummingbirds will love the big blooms and fragrance of your morning
glories, too!
The Original Morning Glory Muffin
These cinnamon-scented muffins, filled with delicious fruit, nuts,
carrots, and coconut, are an irresistible morning treat! Created by
chef Pam McKinstry in 1978 for her Morning Glory Café on the
island of Nantucket, this recipe has been chosen by Gourmet
magazine as one of its top 25 from the past 50 years. Yum!
Morning Glory Muffins (makes 16 muffins)
1¼ cups sugar
1 large apple (peeled and grated)
2¼ cups flour
1 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 cups grated carrots
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
½ teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
½ cup shredded,
1 cup vegetable oil
sweetened coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup raisins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking
soda, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in coconut, raisins, apple,
pineapple, carrots, and nuts. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with
oil and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients, and mix well. Fill
greased muffin tins, and bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick
inserted in the middle comes out dry. Cool in pan for 10 minutes
before removing muffins and placing on rack to complete cooling.
These muffins taste even better the day after baking—
but you may have trouble waiting that long!
4 Friends and
4 Flowers
Try this fun way to apply the 4
B’s of growing in faith with your
friends this month:
Pick a different flower to
represent each of the 4 B’s:
Befriend, Belong, Believe,
Become, and make a bouquet
with one or more of each kind.
Use the bouquet to remind you
to plan 4 faith-growing activities
with 4 friends this month that fit
each “B” category. And don’t
forget to share the
flowers with the
friends in your
garden!
April 2014 | Page 3
Media Morsels
Book Review
Idol Lies: Facing the Truth about Our Deepest Desires
Author: Dee Brestin
Publisher: Worthy Publishing
When you open this book, be ready to find yourself staring back
from its pages. Dee Brestin has written a book that all women can
relate to—whether we want to believe it or not. She identifies
various forms of idolatry in our hearts and some of the objects to
which they attach themselves.
Brestin calls us to stop lying to ourselves, admit to our idolatry, and
“open our hearts to God and let him replace our idols with himself.”
Her tone and purpose are not cruel or condemning, but reflect her
desire to help us find freedom.
The book includes a Bible study and discussion guide in the back,
so it makes an ideal resource for small groups.
CD Review
Where I Find You
Artist: Kari Jobe
Release Date: January 2012
Kari Jobe, worship leader at Gateway Church in Southlake, TX,
may be best known for leading her church’s worship team in
“Revelation Song.” Millions have worshiped along with a YouTube
video of her church singing this powerful song.
But Jobe has a solo singing career as well, and it is no less focused
on worship. In this, her second album, Jobe’s sweet and clear voice
will bring comfort and point you to the true source of peace.
“Steady My Heart” has had a lot of radio play and serves as a good
reminder that God will serve as our stability when life is hard. “Find
You on My Knees” is a less-known song that will encourage you to
go right to God in those times, and to find him through prayer.
This page is designed to inform and educate you and is not an endorsement. Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what you see, read, and listen to.
April 2014
A Taste of What’s
Happening for Women at
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Sun
Mon
Tue
1
Wed
2
5:30am Fit
Club
9:00am Bible
Study
9:00am
Growth
Group
Thurs
3
Fri
4
5:30am Fit
Club
Sat
5
7
5:30am Fit
Club
8
9:30am
Women’s
Bible Study
12
10
6:30pm
5:30am Fit
MOPS
Club
9:00am Bible
Study
9:00am
Growth
Group
13
14
5:30am Fit
Club
7:00pm
Women’s
Bible Study
15
9:30am
Women’s
Bible Study
12
5:30am Fit
Club
9:00am Bible
Study
9:00am
Growth
Group
17
18
5:30am Fit
Club
19
20
21
5:30am Fit
Club
22
9:30am
Women’s
Bible Study
6:30pm
Quilter’s
Group
12
5:30am Fit
Club
9:00am Bible
Study
9:00am
Growth
Group
24
25
5:30am Fit
Club
26
27
28
5:30am Fit
Club
7:00pm
Women’s
Bible Study
29
9:30am
Women’s
Bible Study
12
5:30am Fit
Club
9:00am Bible
Study
9:00am
Growth
Group
6
11
12
5:30am Fit
Club
Design and base content © 2013 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO, group.com/women. Permission to photocopy granted for local church use only.
April 2014 | Page 5
GSLC’S KINDRED SPIRITS WOMEN’S
WOMEN’S MINISTRY
We hope that you will consider becoming involved in our Kindred Spirits Women’s Ministry. Pray about
getting involved as little or as much as the Spirit leads you! Below is a list of current and upcoming events and
opportunities. If you have suggestions for future ministry activities and/or Bible studies we would love to hear
about them!
Women's Ministries now has a Keurig that all Kindred Spirits Women's groups are welcome to use. They may
donate K Cups or money for to buy hot beverages in the office. If your group wishes to use it, contact Robin in
the office so she can give them instructions. It is locked in the office when not in use.
MONDAY EVENING WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY– A new study is starting April 14th called “The
Vine Speaks” by Cindy Steinbeck. This study is based on John 15, and talks of how we are the living branches
of the Vine… Jesus Christ. It will talk of how we are grafted to Him, He nourishes us with His Sacrament, and
He speaks to us in His Word. We will be meeting the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month. Hope you can join
us! Contact Lisa Stirtz for more information at [email protected] or 402-332-3544.
TUESDAY MORNING WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Please join us as Vicar Sam leads a Bible
Study on the Book of Genesis. We will discuss the creation, the flood, the tower of Babel, and Abraham’s
descendants. The class meets from 9:30-11:00 in the Noah room. We would love for you to join us!
WEDNESDAY MORNING WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY– Come join the Bible Study Gals in the
Library on Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11 am for this wonderful DVD led study “The Twelve Women of the
Bible”. Book cost is $10. Childcare is available. We will serve hot beverages and lots of friendship, fellowship,
and fun! Hope you can join us! Contact Monica Coldiron at 402-332-5324 or via email at [email protected].
NEW WOMEN’S GROWTH GROUP-- The new group has started but it is not too late to join us. At
present we are discussing “God is Able” by Priscilla Shirer. We have extra books for newcomers. We value
the relationships we are forming and we pray for one another. God has made each of us unique and precious
to him. We meet in the Sr. High Youth Room on Wednesday mornings from 9-10:30 am. For more information
contact Marian Schiemann at 402-896-0892.
QUILTERS GROUP – If you are interested in quilting, please join our Quilters’ Group on the 4th Tuesday
of the month at 6:30pm. All skill levels are welcome to join us for great conversation, creative inspiration, and
an occasional baked treat!
FIT CLUB – Join us Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 5:30am in the MAC for a free 30 minute
workout! For more information contact Lori Harmon at 402-215-3963 or facebook.com/turbolori.
PRAYER PARTNERS – If interested in learning more, please contact Sondra Harrold at 402-253-2280 or
Renee Boyer at 402-944-9833.
Design and base content © 2013 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO, group.com/women. Permission to photocopy granted for local church use only.
April 2014 | Page 6
Join us Thursday, April 10, 2014 6:30 – 8PM at
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Adult Christian Education Wing.
You are invited to a community of moms just for you!
For nearly 40 years, over one million moms have been in MOPS groups in the United States and in over 32
countries. Members of a MOPS group share the experience of having a child ages 0-6. A MOPS group is a
dynamic, inviting environment where women can come just as they are to build friendships, be encouraged by
each other and gain practical parenting strategies. Moms get together to share food, laugh and hear inspiring
speakers. In a MOPS group, you experience authentic community, mothering support, personal growth and
spiritual hope, all to help you be the best mom possible. We hope you consider joining us! If you have any
questions, please contact Tara Hess at 402-332-3345.
Design and base content © 2013 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO, group.com/women. Permission to photocopy granted for local church use only.