Pastor Eric’s Note, April 2018

Dear members and friends of Good Shepherd, This year, Easter Sunday is on April 1st—April Fools Day! I am reminded of the long tradition of telling jokes on Easter—since Jesus’ resurrection is like a joke that God plays on the powers of evil in the world that thought...

Liturgical Art Team

Liturgical Arts Liturgical Arts is coming up with some new and exciting ideas for the Season of Advent. I know it is a couple of months away and it is still September but we are planning something new and thought provoking. Stay tuned!

February 2016

Dear friends of our Good Shepherd, This month is a milestone for my family and me – we are celebrating five years of being members of Good Shepherd and the Rockford community. We are so thankful to walk with you through the good times and the hard times of our life...

January 2016

Dear friends of our Good Shepherd, It is a new year – a new beginning. As a pastor, the new year begins for me during Advent, the time of waiting for the coming of God before Christmas. Merry Christmas! But there is something renewing about beginning a calendar year....

December 2015

Dear friends of our Good Shepherd, Loss. Sadness. Grief. Anguish. Mourning. We know about these realities. We see them every day. We experience them ourselves. We all know loss. We all know sadness. We all miss family and friends who were once present for us and are...

Novermber 2015

Dear Friends of our Good Shepherd, From my sermon on the story of Jacob wrestling with God: This past week God has been wrestling with me. Breaking down my defenses. Waking me up in the middle of the night. Trying to pin me down. God has my full attention. Wrestling...

September 2015

Dear Members and Friends of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, The great Spanish poet Antonio Machado wrote, Wanderer, your footsteps are the road, and nothing more; wanderer, there is no road, the road is made by walking. By walking one makes the road, and upon...

August 2015

Dear Members and Friends of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, From mid-June until mid-August, we are hosting the Summer Lunch program for neighborhood children: thank you to all who volunteer with that important ministry. Most of our Youth group – the Youtherans –...

July 2015

Dear Members and Friends of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Here is an excerpt from my sermon on June 14, about the kingdom of God being like a mustard seed – growing, multiplying, and spreading through the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 4): I cannot help but...

June 2015

Dear Members and Friends of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Our mission is Living and Sharing Jesus. Good Shepherd has been living and sharing Jesus for 68 years! In 2017, we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of this congregation, which was planted in this...