Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Cincinnati

What does it mean to be on a mission from God? Sharing our wealth and time. Forgiving others. Acting out of love. These simple, everyday actions are signs we are participants in God’s mission in our world. Re-connect with last weekend’s sermon: https://youtu.be/VaxYNRKPSGQ?t=1741.

Does the presence of doubt mean the absence of faith? Thankfully, no. Similar to how Thomas needed to see Jesus’ wounds to overcome his doubts, we need look for how God is blessing and working in our lives to do the same for us.

It's more than ancient history. Jesus continues to shape and influence our lives, even to this day. When we give generously of ourselves, advocate for those on the margins, care for the sick, and forgive those that have wronged us we are living a life inspired by the resurrected Christ.

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross affects us all in different ways. Don’t skip ahead to Easter this Holy Week; walk with Christ as He journeys to the cross. Bear witness to the ways that His sacrifice stirs within you. Reconnect with Sundays sermon (https://youtu.be/7rUrku9DCMo?t=2198). Worship services for both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will be held at 12 pm and 7 pm in-person or online (http...

All means all. No matter what you have or have not done. No matter how good or bad you think you are. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is for you, the person across the street, the person on the other side of the world, and everyone in between. All means all.

Where have you seen someone exhibit care that could only be described as “prodigious?” Pastor Alice shares the story of the prodigal son and challenged our understanding of the word “prodigal.” “Prodigal also means giving profusely, lavish generosity, wild wasteful abundance…” Where have you seen wild, wasteful, and lavish generosity? Not just financial genrosity, but lavish in generosity of spiri...

With all the suffering and hurt in the world, what can we possibly do that will actually make a difference? Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what you can do to tackle problems that are so big. Rest in the fact that it is not all on you – but that reassurance doesn’t mean that we aren’t called to act. Reconnect with this past week’s sermon (https://youtu.be/q5AnWd6A018?t=1808) and hear Pastor He...

What does the fox say? Foxes may say a lot of different things, but the intent is always clear: to divide us and prey on the weak and vulnerable. Find those instances in your life where someone or something is promoting division or discord and you tell that fox that you are going to keep doing what God has called you to do: to share the Good News with anyone who will listen. Reconnect with last we...

How many times have you gone into Lent without a Lenten discipline already picked out? Are you going to give up chocolate again this year? Maybe it’s back to not watching YouTube on your phone… OR MAYBE, think about doing something just a little bit different this year. Write a note to a friend. Give a neighbor a helping hand. Give generously of your time and resources. We never know how the seeds...

How many times have you been cut off in traffic? Probably happened a few times in your life. And then, you responded by driving more aggressively around that car, yelling at the person, honking your horn, or done something else to escalate the situation? Pastor Alex reminds us that Jesus’ message of loving our enemy is about us taking control of ourselves in a situation and ending the conflict.

If you have trouble hearing God’s talk to you it might be because His voice is being crowded out by the many distractions and noises of our modern lives. In the final episode of Pastor Alex’s three-part series on improving our discernment of God’s call for us, we talk about how and when to listen for when God may be talking with us. Listen to the entire series: https://soundcloud.com/goodshepherdl...

How can you develop a faith that is deeply rooted in a trust of the Lord? Pastor Heidi talks about the importance of how practicing faithful living each day and how it strongly roots our trust in God’s plan even in the difficult times.

How can you better improve your discernment God’s voice in your life? Pastor Alex give us some advice on how to look for the things that are weighing on our soul that we can lift up to God during our time with Him. Listen to last Episode 14 to hear Pastor Alex talk about STOP.

Do you find that you avoid getting involved with something because you don’t think it’s one of your spiritual gifts? Pastor Alex tackled this question on Sunday and gave us some simple ways that we can live out our faith in everyday life, regardless of if we feel ill-equipped for what God is calling us to do.

How many times in your life have you heard God’s voice come booming down from Heaven to tell you what to do? Many of us have never had that experience. Instead, maybe you just hear whispers that leave you wondering where God is leading you. Over the next three weeks, Pastor Alex will provide ways to help us hear these whispers more clearly. This week is all about stopping.

Pastor Heidi invites us to “look for ways to follow Paul and his beautiful words on how to put love into action – to make love a verb in your life”. To connect with our full online worship services: https://goodshepherd.com/Worship.

Pastor Alice walks us through icon gazing, a type of contemplative prayer that utilizes images to bring one closer to God. Note that you will need a visual picture pulled up on your phone of Jesus (or a different icon) in order to do this contemplative prayer.

You cannot solve all the world’s problems: the hunger, the poverty, the brokenness. But you can address it when YOU see it. You can forgive the debts of those in your life – monetary or otherwise. You can feed the hungry in your community. You can share of your gifts where you have abundance. You can help set people free from whatever is holding them down. And we can do those things today. Don’t w...

A centering prayer is a silent form of prayer similar to a traditional mindfulness meditation but with a focus on God’s presence in our lives. Join Pastor Alice for this brief prayer practice and see how it helps deepen your connection with your faith.

How have others been a sign of Jesus’ love to you? What is one way this week you are called to be a sign of Jesus’ love to your neighbor? Give yesterday’s sermon another listen and ponder those questions this week and share your experiences with others in the comments below!

Take a walk and slow down with a meditation practice facilitated by Pastor Alice Connor that you can take on the move. Grow your faith online with Good Shepherd on Wednesdays with the weekly Good Shepherd Refresh video & podcast series. Available on-the-go via all of your favorite podcast apps.

Be who you are and do what you are called to do knowing that you are called into God’s family through your baptism. Worship with Good Shepherd on-demand anytime at https://goodshepherd.com/Worship.

Pastor Alex and Scott talk about how God taking on flesh helps us understand the nature of who God is in this week’s sermon refresh. To hear the full sermon: https://youtu.be/XvM-zCQcFSg. Take this weekly online spiritual practice with you on the go by subscribing on to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on your favorite podcast app (https://goodshepherd.com/Worship/Sermon-Podcast. We’d love to hear fr...

"The Word became flesh and moved into your neighborhood" - Pastor Heidi Johns. To connect with our online worship resources, visit us at https://goodshepherd.com/Worship

Scott takes you for a hike and talks about making change from a place of loving who you already are. Connect with the Good Shepherd Refresh on the go by subscribing to us on your favorite podcast app!