From the Pastor May + In the Year of Our Lord + 2012

T H E G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

THE NEWSLETTER

Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus – greetings to you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior!

This month (May 23) marks my two year anniversary as the called and ordained servant at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Let me begin by telling you how much I appreciate this congregation. With close to 77 years under her belt, the congregation, by

the grace of God, continues to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I could bore you all with a list of “accomplishments” that have been made over the past two years, but that’s neither my nature or

desire. Suffice it to say that for the things that have been good we give thanks to God and where there have been shortcomings we

seek His forgiveness.

To be sure, there have been some changes over the course of the past 24 months, perhaps none greater than the “tone” of our

worship service. (Please see the accompanying article on our Order of Worship on p. 4.)

I have been asked by colleagues, friends, and members of this congregation what the greatest blessings and greatest challenges are

in coming to a church with such a long history as The Good Shepherd.

One of the blessings is the wonderful building – the house of God – that has been built and dedicated to

the proclamation of salvation by grace through Jesus Christ. That is also one of the challenges. Along

with such an edifice comes the responsibility of good stewardship. Having such a large building with

such great furnishings, including our wonderful 21 rank pipe organ, means that upkeep is a primary con-

cern. We will be faced with decisions this year and into the coming years as to how to wisely spend our

resources, and in doing so, how all glory is given to God.

Another blessing is the rich traditions of the congregation. Memories of years gone by continue to be

engraved in the hearts and minds of many of our members. However, again,

along with these blessings come challenges. Our numbers have shrunk since

the “heyday” of the congregation when there were many volunteers to as-

sume the variety of duties that must be undertaken to decorate, prepare, and

organize for special events and the seasons of the church. In the months to come we will be discussing

with various individuals, groups, and organizations their roles and abilities in continuing some long-

standing traditions in the congregation. Where possible, we will maintain, where necessary we will re-

frain, and, in some cases, new “traditions” may become a part of the legacy of our congregation.

We have tried, through the Newsletter, Table Talk, announcements, and the Voter’s Assembly meetings

to keep the congregation informed as to the “why” of decisions and also to seek input. We will continue

to do so.

What do we desire from you? We would ask for your prayers and your support as we stay focused on

Christ and Him crucified for the forgiveness of your sins – after all, that is why God has placed His Church

on earth and why He has maintained The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church throughout the years.

To God be all glory, honor, and power. Amen.

Pastor von Hindenburg

Inside this issue:

PERICOPES AND HYMNS

2

ASCENSION DAY 3

SING/SAY THE BLACK , DO THE RED!

4

PRAYER CALENDAR 6

CHURCH CALENDAR 8

CHURCH INFO 9

2 Pentecost (detail), El Greco, c. 1600

May 27, 2012—The Feast of the Pentecost

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Acts 2:1-21

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

795—Voices Raise to You We Offer

497—Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord

498—Come ,Holy Ghost, Creator Blest

This Month’s Pericopes and Hymns

Please use the following readings and hymns during the week

to prepare yourself for worship

May 6, 2012—Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 8:26-40

1 John 4:1-21

John 15:1-8

837—Lift the High the Cross

474—Alleluia! Jesus is Risen

465—Now All the Vault of Heav’n Resounds

May 13, 2012—Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 10:34-48

1 John 5:1-8

John 15:9-17

597—Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying

556—Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

700—Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling

May 2012

May 20—Seventh Sunday of Easter

Acts 1:12-26

1 John 5:9-15

John 17:11b-19

650—Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling

644—The Church’s One Foundation

856—O Christ, Who Called the Twelve

May 17—The Ascension of Our Lord (Thursday)

Acts 1:1-11

Psalm 47

Ephesians 1:15-23

Luke 24:44-53

492—On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build

493—A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing

3

May 2012

Ascension Day, the Forgotten Festival Since about the fourth century, Ascension Day (Ascensio Domini), a move-

able feast of the Christian Church, has always been commemorated on the

fortieth day after Easter (Acts 1:3), therefore, always on a Thursday. To the

Christian, the doctrine of the Ascension has manifold comforts. Faith and

hope for the future of God's kingdom rests secure in the knowledge that

Christ ascended and now is ever and everywhere present and governs and

protects His church on earth. Best of all the angels proclaimed the good

news, " He shall return."

On Ascension Day, the paraments and vestments are white. Since the 5th

Century, the Paschal Candle has been used in the Church from Easter

Sunday to Ascension Day. The Paschal Candle is lit for all Worship Services

during these 40 days, as a symbol of the Resurrection. The rest of the year,

the candle is to stand beside the Baptismal Font. The Paschal Candle is lit

for each Baptism and placed by the casket of each Burial, reminding us we

are baptized and buried into Christ our Risen Lord. Paschal means

Forty Days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Acts of the Apostles records Jesus' ascension into heaven.

The ascension is an important Christian feast attesting and celebrating the reality of the God-Man Jesus Christ's

returning to the Father, to return again in the future. The Ascension is the final component of the paschal mys-

tery, which consists also of Jesus' Passion, Crucifixion, Death, Burial, Descent into Hell, and Resurrection. Along

with the resurrection, the ascension functioned as a proof of Jesus' claim that he was the Messiah. The Ascension

is also the event whereby humanity was taken into heaven. Finally, the ascension was also the "final blow" so-to-

speak against Satan's power, and thus the lion (Jesus) conquering the dragon (Satan) is a symbol of the ascension.

Early Christian art and iconography portrayed the ascension frequently, showing its importance to the early

Church.

History

Evidence from John Chrysostom, Egeria, Gregory of Nyssa, and Church historian Socrates, suggest that Ascension Day probably originated in the 4th century AD. However, Augustine says the festival is apostolic, with ac-counts dating back to the year 68 AD. Often the feast was celebrated with a procession, symbolizing Christ's journey to the Mount of Olives.

Traditions, Symbols, & Typology

Traditions

Having a picnic on a hill with fowl/poultry as entrée

Procession with torches and banners

Extinguishing the Paschal Candle

(cont’d on p. 5)

4

May 2012

Say/Sing the Black – Do the Red In 2006 the new Lutheran Service Book (LSB) was unveiled. This hymnal was the result of more than 10 years of plan-

ning, study, evaluation, testing, and prayer. There are many praises that can be given to this endeavor, none greater,

however, than the best human effort to keep Christ the focus of our gathering to worship.

All of the members of this congregation have “gotten used to” this hymnal over the course of the past few years. There

were changes from some of the settings that congregations had grown accustomed to with the use of the old The Lu-

theran Hymnal (TLH) or the newer Lutheran Worship (LW). This included new hymnody, new tunes for sung responses,

and (in your pastor’s humble opinion) the best addition – that of Scripture references for the various parts of the ser-

vice.

We recently began using Divine Service, Setting One, on page 151. This is an adaptation of one of the services that ap-

peared in LW.

Something that is not new, but is often overlooked, are the rubrics. These are the lines that appear in red in the hym-

nal and are usually italicized. In short, these are the directions to be followed during the course of the service.

Why do we have them? To be blunt – the pastor is not a stage director or, as some say, the ring master. It is not his

role to bark out directions as to when to sit, stand, kneel, or sing. These are all given to the congregation in the hym-

nal.

One thing must be made clear – this does not mean that we shun visitors. Members of the greeting teams, Elders,

council members, everyone is encouraged to recognize folks who are visiting or not regular attendees. Invite them to

sit with you. Help them as the service proceeds. Make them feel welcome.

In order to make this more easily understood, what follows are the basics in proper church practice in the conduct of

the service.

Upon entering the sanctuary members are invited to silently meditate in preparation for worship. There are prayers

located in the front of the hymnal, as well as the psalms which may be read silently as the organist plays the prelude.

In our congregation, it is the custom for the pastor to welcome those who have come to worship and make any special

announcements regarding the service for that day.

Following that announcement, the organist will play an introduction to the Hymn of Invocation to be sung by the con-

gregation. The hymn # can be found in the bulletin.

At the end of that hymn (or for the last stanza of the hymn if it is marked with a Δ indicating a doxological stanza,

meaning words of praise addressed to the Triune God [see page xxiv]) the congregation stands.

The sign of the cross may be made by all remembering their Baptism. (This is not a must be, but a may be.) The sign of

the cross may be made at any point in the service where indicated by .

Appropriate places are the last line of the Creed; during the Verba, or the Words of Lord during which the elements of

Holy Communion are consecrated; after the reception of the host and/or the cup at Holy Communion; at the dismissal

following the Supper; and at the Benediction. In addition to making the sign of the cross, the AMEN is a recurring rubric

throughout the service. Many places, such as after the Invocation or after the Absolution, the AMEN is spoken and is

notated in the hymnal. Other places, the AMEN is a sung response. It is also appropriate to say the AMEN after the

apostolic greeting, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” or the

Trinitarian Invocation, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Other places (cont’d on p. 7)

5

May 2012

Ascension (cont’d from p. 3) Symbols

Ascending Christ (Also With Descending Devil)

Birds Flying Homeward — Open Gates

Lion Conquering a Dragon — Elijah's Fiery Chariot

Broken Chain

Old Testament Typology Foreshadowing the Ascension

Elijah's Fiery Chariot

The Lord Jesus remained for forty days on earth after His Resurrection from the dead, appearing continually in various places to His disciples, with whom He also spoke, ate, and drank, demonstrating His Resurrection.

On this Thursday, the fortieth day after Pascha, He appeared again in Jerusalem. After He had first spoken to the disciples about many things, He gave them His last com-mandment: to go forth and proclaim His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. But He also commanded them that for the moment they were not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there together until they receive power from on high, when the Holy Spirit would come upon them.

Saying these things, He led them to the Mount of Olives, and raising His hands, He blessed them. He was parted from them and taken up, and a cloud of light received Him; as a royal chariot, it bore Him up into Heaven, and after a short time He was concealed from the sight of the disciples, who remained where they were with their eyes fixed on Him.

At this point, two Angels in the form of men in white raiment appeared to them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11).

And so, having fulfilled all His dispensation for us, our Lord Jesus Christ ascended in glory into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God the Father. His sacred disciples returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, rejoicing because Christ had promised to send them the Holy Spirit.

The Lord ascended to Heaven not to sadden us with His departure, but in order to do what is best for us. “It is to your advantage that I go away,” He had told His disciples. For “if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you” (John 16:7) I will pray the Father and He will give you another Comforter, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth… The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things”. (John 14:16,26) The Savior saw that His mission on earth was accomplished. The goal of His incarnation was to proclaim the Divine Truth to the world, to direct men into the path of repentance and salvation, and deliver us from Eternal Death. The Lord accomplished our salvation and man acquires it through the action of the Holy Spirit.

Ascension is not just a feast that happens to fall in Eastertide: it is an integral part of the Easter mystery. Remember the Lord’s words at the Last Supper: “I am going to prepare a place for, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me.” The resurrection presumes the Lord’s return to the Father. This is therefore a feast of hope: our hope in the Lord’s return, as he went. Our hope that he will take us with him, when our bodies are raised as his was. Our hope that we will take our place in heaven, where he sits on the Father’s right.

Join us in a new tradition at The Good Shepherd for Ascension Day service at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 17. +

6

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7

Say/Sing the Black, Do the Red (cont’d from p. 4) where the AMEN should or may bespoken (as indicated by

the hymnal) are after the reception of the body and blood of Christ. Again, when the pastor dismisses the individual

tables with “Depart in peace,” the people respond, “Amen.”

Following the words spoken by the congregation: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive

our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – the congregation shall either remain standing or kneel.

The next rubric calls for reflection. This is a time for silent meditation and self-examination. You may, at this time,

silently confess sins that are on your mind prior to the general confession.

Following the Collect of the Day and the singing of the AMEN, the congregation sits to listen to the word of God read

by the pastor from the Lectern.

After the reading of the Epistle or Second Reading, the congregation stands to sing the Alleluia Verse in preparation of

hearing the Gospel of the Lord.

At the top of page 158 you might note that the Creed may be confessed following the Gospel reading or following the

sermon. In our congregation it is the practice to speak the Creed following the Gospel. We use the Nicene Creed be-

cause this is the Creed appointed to be used during any service where the Sacrament of Holy Communion is to be

offered.

Following the Creed, the congregation sits and sings the Hymn of the Day.

The practice at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is to collect the offerings to our Lord immediately following the

sermon. During this time, the pastor puts on the chasuble – a symbol of the abundant grace of God which flows to all

people.

The pastor receives the offering plates from the ushers, and, after having placed them on the offering table, returns to

the altar. At this point the congregation stands and, after a brief intro by the organist, sings together the Offertory.

With the congregation still standing the pastor prays the Prayer of the Church. The response to the petitions is always

printed in the bulletin or the entire prayer is included in the bulletin. The congregation may follow along with the

prayer if it is printed out….or they can listen and respond at the appropriate time.

Following the Prayer of the Church is the Service of the Sacrament. The congregation remains standing during the

Preface, Proper Preface, Sanctus, Prayer of Thanksgiving, Lord’s Prayer, and the Words of Institution. After the Pastor

has chanted, “The peace of the Lord be with you always,” the congregation responds with “Amen” and immediately

the organist begins playing the Agnus Dei.

The congregation remains standing, however, it is quite appropriate for those in the front pews to begin approaching

the altar during this singing. Once the Agnus Dei has been completed the congregation sits.

While the first table is being communed it is a good time to open the hymnal to the very front where prayers are print-

ed both for preparation to receive the sacrament and for thanksgiving after having received this precious gift. The

congregation is urged and encouraged to utilize these prayers. After all have communed the pastor “dresses” the altar.

The congregation stands and receives the “formal dismissal” and joins in singing the Post-Communion Canticle –

“Thank the Lord.”

The congregation remains standing for the Post-Communion Collect and

the Benediction and then sits for the singing of the closing hymn. + SAY the BLACK

DO the RED

May 2012

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310-6

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9

902 S Maple St.

Inglewood, CA 90301

310-671-7644

Royce Morton, Administrative

Assistant (M-Th: 9-2)

Jay Rogers, Organist

thegoodshepherdinglewood.org

+ Join Us for Liturgical Worship +

Reverend Bruce J. von Hindenburg, Pastor

Sunday morning Adult Bible Class—8:30 a.m.

Sunday Divine Service—10:00 a.m.

+ + +

Wednesday Bible Class/Midweek Service—7:00 p.m.

Private Confession and Absolution—By Appointment

+ + +

Preaching God’s Word to Inglewood and beyond since 1935

T H E G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

President—Norm Morton

Vice President—Mary Flett

Secretary—Stephanie Thorn

Treasurer—Clinton Galloway

Financial Secretary—Dick Huhn

Board of Elders—Leon Tarr, Chair; Jim Weishaar

Board of Trustees—Jim Weishaar, Chair; Leon Tarr

Board of Evangelism—Karina Lindsey, Chair; Royce Morton; Marlene Wood

+

Altar Guild—Gayle Tarr, Chair

LWML—Royce Morton, Gayle Tarr, Co-Presidents

Ushers—Norm Morton, Chair

Future Needs—Susie Fritts, Royce Morton, Gayle Tarr

Food Pantry—Stephanie Thorn, Chair; Gayle Tarr, Susie Fritts, Marie Knox, Royce Morton, Karina Lindsey

Special Services—Mary Flett, Karina Lind-sey

Council and Committee Members