Baptism
Receive God’s promises in Holy Baptism, where He makes us His own and gives the gift of new life in Christ.
Life Events
life's Seasons
Celebrating Life’s Sacred Moments Together
Good Shepherd is here for you through every season of life. From baptisms that begin a journey of faith, to weddings that celebrate love, and funerals that honor life and offer hope — we walk with you in God’s grace every step of the way.
Weddings
Celebrate Christian marriage as God unites husband and wife in a lifelong union grounded in His Word.
Funerals
A Christ-centered service proclaiming the resurrection hope and the comfort God gives through His Word.
BAPTISM
Baptism Of Children & Adults
Jesus gave us the gift of baptism when He said to the Apostles: "Go, make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28.19-20). In the early Christian church adults and families were baptized into Christ as God called them to faith by the Gospel. Baptism is a new beginning, a new birth given to us by God in the forgiveness of our sins.
Martin Luther provides a very simple summary of the Biblical teaching of Baptism in his Small Catechism:
"Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's word."
We believe that baptism is a miracle in which God seals our adoption into God's family by faith.
One of the most important aspects of Baptism is that we also plan for the ongoing instruction in the Christian faith as Jesus said to "baptize... teaching them."
Adults are normally baptized after receiving instructions in the Christian faith. Children and infants are baptized with the commitment by parents and sponsors to continue to teach them the faith of Christ.
Sponsors may be chosen to assist parents in raising their children in the Christian faith. Sponsors serve as witnesses to the baptism and to pray for and encourage the children in their Christian life.
1. Fill out the Baptism Request Form, and we will respond so that we can set up a meeting in order to plan for the baptism. You can also call the church office (618-344-3151).
2. Baptisms are normally conducted at our weekend services (Saturday at 5:30 p.m.; Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.).
3. For adults baptism is usually celebrated at the conclusion of the New Member Class.
1. Come to the worship service fifteen minutes early and be seated at the front left side of the church.
2. After the Gospel reading, the pastor will announce the baptism. He will meet you at the baptismal font.
3. If a baby is being baptized remove hat if necessary. Any family member or sponsor can hold the baby. If the baby cries, try to offer some comfort, but don't worry about this or be too distracted by it. It is better to listen to what the pastor is saying and let the baby cry.
4. Adults can place their hands on the baptismal font and lean over the water to be baptized.
5. After the baptism you can be seated. Infants and children will be given a baptismal banner and a shell to help remember the baptism.
6. You can take pictures and videos during the service as long as you stay in the front pew or chairs and don't use a flash camera. You're also welcome to take pictures after the service.
weddings
A Sacred Celebration Of Love
If you would like to consider having your wedding at Good Shepherd, please fill out the Wedding Information Form. We will contact you to set up an appointment to go over our wedding guidelines.
Wedding Guidelines
For Christians marriage is one of the greatest blessings God has given to us from the creation of the world. In Adam and Eve (Genesis 2) we see that God intends marriage to be a life-long union (“one flesh”) of a man and woman. Jesus (Matthew 19) and St. Paul (Ephesians 5) both affirm this in the New Testament. Our goal is to help everyone come to the Biblical teaching of marriage and to realize all the blessings that God intends for His people through the institution of marriage.
We cannot ask people to make vows with which they may disagree. Therefore to participate in a Christian wedding both persons should be of the Christian faith.
We are very sincere about our faith as all Christians should be, and we would love to see as many people as possible confess the Christian faith according to the Lutheran Confessions. We highly recommend that both persons considering marriage participate in Adult Catechism classes, but we do not necessarily require them to have made a public confession of the Lutheran faith before marriage. The pastors may decline wedding requests doctrinal or practical reasons.
The Christian life in general is the best preparation for marriage. But it is also important that marriage vows be entered into with understanding. We require at least three sessions with the pastor to go over the Biblical meaning of marriage, to consider each person’s specific needs, and to prepare for the wedding service. More sessions may be needed in some cases.
Many couples are choosing to live together before marriage for different reasons. One of the most common reasons is economics. But it is important to remember that according to the Bible, sexual relations are for marriage, and engagement is not the same as marriage. In a world where sex and marriage are going in so many different directions, it is important for us to hold firm to God's word. For that reason we ask couples that are living together to get married as soon as possible in a small, but God honoring ceremony. Then, when they have more time to prepare, we can celebrate the marriage further in a larger ceremony. This is the beginning of a marriage that will continue to follow God's word and be blessed by God.
For members of our church, there is a $150 fee for our wedding coordinator. The fee for our musicians is usually $150, and can increase depending on how much they are needed for extra practices, etc. There is no pastoral fee for members.
A wedding date and rehearsal date may be scheduled when a couple agrees to these guidelines and any special considerations discussed with the pastor.
Church activities will take precedence. Usually most weddings are held Saturday morning or afternoon up to 3:00 p.m. (We have a worship service at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday evenings which prevents later wedding times.)
Due to Bible Class setup each weekend and the 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening service, Good Shepherd cannot accomodate wedding receptions at this time.
1. Music, readings, special rituals, etc. used in the wedding service must be approved by the pastor.
2. Pastors of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod do not participate in worship services with pastors who hold to other confessions of faith since this can cause confusion about what the church teaches.
3. Flowers and other decorations must be approved by the pastor or wedding coordinator.
4. No rice or birdseed may be thrown after the wedding.
5. No flash pictures are allowed in the wedding service. Video cameras are allowed.
6. Wedding participants and guests are asked to conduct themselves in a godly manner; no smoking in the church building, no alcohol allowed on the premises.
7. Wedding guests who want to leave their cars overnight should park them in the Lower Lot.
8. Wedding photographers should follow the guidelines below in order not to interrupt the focus of the worship service on God's word.
Funerals
Honoring Life. Trusting God’s Promise.
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, yet shall he live" (John 11.25). Christians live in the sure and certain hope of eternal life. The death of a loved one is a very sad and painful event. But we also rejoice in the promises that God has given us in Jesus.
God created our bodies and by faith made them temples of His Holy Spirit. When we die, our spirit departs to be with the Lord (Ecclesiastes 12.7). At the time of death Christians gather together to hear God's word and to lovingly lay to rest the remains of our brother or sister to await the resurrection.
When a loved one is seriously ill, we strongly encourage families to call for one of the pastors to visit at home or in the hospital. Through Bible studies and sermons Christians learn to face death in faith. But when a person is near death it is important to surround them with all the help that we can provide, both medically and spiritually.
At the time of death one of the pastors will meet with the family to focus on God's word and to seek His help during this very painful time. When the family is ready the pastor can meet to plan the funeral service. You may use a Funeral Pre-Planning Sheet. These can be prepared far in advance and kept on file at the Church Office if you wish.
Many family members come together for funerals. While the worship service is the most important part of the healing, most families have a visitation that allows friends and relatives to view the body and share their prayers and words of encouragement.
Like the visitation, a funeral luncheon can be held giving family and friends further opportunities for encouragement. Luncheons may be held at Good Shepherd. Normally we ask the family to cover the costs of luncheon meat and bread. Members of Good Shepherd will provide additional dishes, desserts, and drinks. Families may make a donation to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (sponsoring group for funeral luncheons).