Shepherd's Heart 09/25/26
A Baby Cried. I Smiled.
Last Sunday, I heard a baby cry during worship, and I smiled. To the parents who brought that little one… thank you. Getting a baby dressed, out the door, and to church is practically a miracle before worship even begins! And once you made it here, that little voice had a place in worship, too. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14). I’m glad you brought your baby, sounds and all. It reminded me of God’s abiding love, the faith that we share with the next generation, and one of the first words in Good Shepherd’s mission… “everyone.”
Our mission here at Good Shepherd says, “We invite everyone to walk together in the calling of Christ for a life of eternal impact.” After one month here, I’m beginning to see what those words look like in the life of this congregation. And I’m discovering that walking together begins with getting to know one another. I’ve met so many of you, and I’m doing my best to remember your names. Please be patient if I ask you twice…or, let’s be honest, three times. I’m grateful there isn’t a names quiz after worship! Getting to know you is helping me get my feet under me and learn the DNA of Good Shepherd. I love what I’ve seen and heard so far.
The welcome that you’ve given me has me thinking about the next person who walks through our doors… and about that word “invite” in our mission. An invitation can be as simple as, “Come sit with me,” or “Would you like to grab coffee in the café?” Those small moments can mean a great deal to someone who is here for the first time. A warm hello opens the door… taking time to learn someone’s name and hear their story helps them feel at home. We all want to know and be known, and we can help make that possible for the next person who walks in.
I see “walking together” when we gather for worship. Whether we worship in the chapel or the sanctuary, we find one another before and after… in the hallways, in the café, and in conversations that make it easy to lose track of time. (I was late for worship my very first Sunday…oops.) Worship has been powerful for me here, and so has the fellowship that surrounds it. I’m grateful for our pastoral team and staff, whose faithfulness and care help us grow in Christ together.
I see “Christ's calling” in the connection and outreach ministries that shine his light in our
community and around the world. Good Shepherd is an outpost of the good news of Jesus, and there is still more for us to be and do, together.
Thank you for welcoming me as one of your pastors. I’m grateful to walk with you, and I’m excited to see the “eternal impact” that God has made and will make through this congregation. So, let’s keep walking together and follow where the Spirit leads! And I hope we keep hearing babies cry in worship. That little voice reminds me why we invite everyone… there is life here, love here, and room for all of us.
Pastor Tim Nybroten
Last Sunday, I heard a baby cry during worship, and I smiled. To the parents who brought that little one… thank you. Getting a baby dressed, out the door, and to church is practically a miracle before worship even begins! And once you made it here, that little voice had a place in worship, too. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14). I’m glad you brought your baby, sounds and all. It reminded me of God’s abiding love, the faith that we share with the next generation, and one of the first words in Good Shepherd’s mission… “everyone.”
Our mission here at Good Shepherd says, “We invite everyone to walk together in the calling of Christ for a life of eternal impact.” After one month here, I’m beginning to see what those words look like in the life of this congregation. And I’m discovering that walking together begins with getting to know one another. I’ve met so many of you, and I’m doing my best to remember your names. Please be patient if I ask you twice…or, let’s be honest, three times. I’m grateful there isn’t a names quiz after worship! Getting to know you is helping me get my feet under me and learn the DNA of Good Shepherd. I love what I’ve seen and heard so far.
The welcome that you’ve given me has me thinking about the next person who walks through our doors… and about that word “invite” in our mission. An invitation can be as simple as, “Come sit with me,” or “Would you like to grab coffee in the café?” Those small moments can mean a great deal to someone who is here for the first time. A warm hello opens the door… taking time to learn someone’s name and hear their story helps them feel at home. We all want to know and be known, and we can help make that possible for the next person who walks in.
I see “walking together” when we gather for worship. Whether we worship in the chapel or the sanctuary, we find one another before and after… in the hallways, in the café, and in conversations that make it easy to lose track of time. (I was late for worship my very first Sunday…oops.) Worship has been powerful for me here, and so has the fellowship that surrounds it. I’m grateful for our pastoral team and staff, whose faithfulness and care help us grow in Christ together.
I see “Christ's calling” in the connection and outreach ministries that shine his light in our
community and around the world. Good Shepherd is an outpost of the good news of Jesus, and there is still more for us to be and do, together.
Thank you for welcoming me as one of your pastors. I’m grateful to walk with you, and I’m excited to see the “eternal impact” that God has made and will make through this congregation. So, let’s keep walking together and follow where the Spirit leads! And I hope we keep hearing babies cry in worship. That little voice reminds me why we invite everyone… there is life here, love here, and room for all of us.
Pastor Tim Nybroten