GATHERING BEFORE THE THRONE by Rev. John Schmidt

I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hand, and crying out with a loud voice saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” Revelation 7: 9, 10

Jesus warned and encouraged His disciples before going to His crucifixion, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16: 33). In other words, we should not be surprised when difficult times overtake us  as Christ’s people, and we suffer for the sake of His name.

Our Baptism sets us apart from the world, but it also marks us as a target for the devil. We suffer because our old nature does not want this new sort of life, and the devil continues to hound us. Meanwhile,  we have God’s Spirit and strive to live according to His will, so we honestly feel bad when we sin and fail.

Our Lord Christ and His Spirit encourage us in many different ways. Here we see this vision of the grand collection of believers, whom God gathers through the preaching of His all-conquering Son. They have come from every nation under the sun, and they appear before God in the pure white robes of Christ’s righteousness (Is. 6: 10; Mt. 22: 1-14).

In God’s eyes, and for the sake of His Son, He already sees us so clothed, even though we struggle under the pressures of temptation and guilt. We fear the trials and tribulations that add to our distress in this world, but we have a wonderful promise from our Lord: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (Jn. 10: 27-29).

The Lamb who reigns and who secured salvation for us is the great Shepherd of the sheep. He will guide us to the fountains of living waters, where our robes are washed in His blood (v. 14, 17). Though we went astray, He has called us back to life. He bore our sins and atoned for us; now He holds the future of the Church and the world in His nail-pierced hands. He died for all nations. Are you part of the world? He died for you!

Our Lord Jesus died as the sacrificial Lamb, yet He took up His life to defeat the devil and the grave. Death could not hold Him, and it will not hold us. We join the song of heaven, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen!” (v. 12).


News:

October Is Pastor Appreciation Month
Take a moment to recognize our faithful pastors, Pastor Moline and Pastor Goodroad, for the ways in which they serve our congregation, pray for us, bring us God’s Word, and administer the Sacraments every week. Consider dropping a note of thanks, expressing your gratitude to them personally, and praying for them.

Theological Library Book Cart
The book cart in the narthex now features books from the Theological Library with a focus on Advent and Christmas. Please feel free to browse the cart and check out anything you’d like to read. If you have not gotten a library card yet and would like one, please stop by the church office.

Picture Directories Are Here
Our brand new picture directories have arrived! If you have not yet gotten one, please check with the church office during regular hours.

Older Wiser Lutheran Seniors
The OWLS fun and fellowship group will meet on Friday, November 1st at 2 pm. You may bring a snack to share, your favorite board game, and a beverage for yourself. Games that have been a part of this event in the past are: Mexican Train, Pitch, Hand and Foot (similar to Canasta), and Marbles and Jokers (similar to Sorry). It’s a great time to get to know other Good Shepherd members and lots of fun!

Family Board Game Day
The next family board game day will be on Sunday, Nov. 3rd at 2 pm. Bring a board game, a snack or drink if you would like, and enjoy some fellowship time playing board games with your brothers and sisters in Christ!

College Student Treat Bags
It’s that time of year again!  We will be collecting snack items and money for the College Treat Bags to support our college students as they prepare for the last weeks of the semester.  If you would like to donate, please place snacks, fun pens/sticky notes, gum, or other fun treats on the table in the narthex of church.  To donate money, please see the News & Notes for more information. We are aiming to make 30 bags. All donations must be at church by Wednesday, November 6th.  Treat bags will be assembled on Saturday morning, November 9th and handed out on Sunday, November 10th. Thank you!

Gift Cards for Our Seminary Students
Good Shepherd’s Lutheran Women in Missions group has chosen a project for this fall. We would like to present to the seminary students who have previously worshipped at Good Shepherd  and are currently students at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne with a VISA gift card. Please donate any amount of your choosing toward the purchase of these gift cards. There will be donation envelopes available in the narthex. Please make checks payable to LWIM. We would like these donations by November 11th so that we can purchase the gift cards.

Preparing for Thanksgiving Meal
We look forward again to hosting our pre-Thanksgiving celebration at Good Shepherd for members aged 75+ and shut-in members on Thursday, November 21 with the meal at noon and Divine Service immediately following. We need help to make this happen! From donating ingredients and pies, to prepping and serving the food, to setting up and decorating, to picking up or arranging for transportation — please consider volunteering! All the sign-up sheets are in the narthex, and more info can be found in the News & Notes.

Thursday Bible Study
The Thursday afternoon Bible study and Matins service will be taking a break on November 21st and November 28th. We will be having the Thanksgiving meal for golden-agers followed by a Divine Service with communion on the 21st and celebrating Divine Service with communion on Thanksgiving Day.