Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Madison & Verona

What is Servant Leadership? How is it practiced? Who can lead? Where is it found?  Servant Leadership is not leadership reserved for the board room, but a way in which we can all lead in the many spheres of our life. This conversation will be valuable for people of all ages, vocations, and occupations. Our guest speaker is Tom Thibodeau, a distinguished professor at Viterbo University who created the first Master of Arts in Servant Leadership. He is a beloved professor, storyteller, and community member who has helped make Servant Leadership a community initiative in the LaCrosse area. About Tom Tom Thibodeau is a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and an active community member from Wisconsin Rapids who has done nothing since coming to Viterbo in 1984 but inspire students and change the world. Through the years his infectious enthusiasm, compassion, and commitment to leadership and service have also inspired countless colleagues and community members. He is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the first master's degree of its kind in the nation, and also a founding member of hospitality and fellowship resource Place of Grace, in La Crosse. Thibodeau is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and an extremely active community member who lives the Viterbo values. He regularly leads The Ethical Life seminars, often team teaching with Rick Kyte, and also offers a Serving the Common Good seminar focused on homelessness.

Good Shepherd Theologian-in-Residence Ryan Panzer sat down with Pastor Chris Enstad and Director of Spiritual Programming Sarah Iverson to extend the conversation on prayer and why it can sometimes be difficult even in a life of faith.

Conversation SundaysVocation or Occupation?  Our culture is more focused than ever before on jobs and occupations. There's a growing sense that our happiness, even our self-worth, depends on finding a purposeful, impactful, and fulfilling career. In today's culture, you're not just expected to do a job, you're expected to find a job that makes a difference – that is, if you want to be happy or fulfilled. Following up from the conversation that began on Conversation Sunday about this topic, Theologian-in-Residence Ryan Panzer and Director of Spiritual Development Sarah Iverson sit down to discuss the contrast between vocation and occupation. 

Created for Community Episode Four: Authentic Community Guests: Anna Knueve, Kirstin Poppen & Kylie Magnus On the precipice of a new chapter in life, three High School seniors sit down with Sarah Iverson to discuss how they've experienced authentic community in their life. From camps to teams and more - listen as they reflect on what it's looked like. 

Created for Community Episode Three: Deep Community over Decades Guest: Sara McCormack Pastor Chris Enstad sits down with Sara McCormack for a conversation on how she has found community within Good Shepherd over the years. Sara currently serves as the President of the Good Shepherd Church Board. In the conversation, Sara shares how the pandemic has changed how small groups and communities are able to gather, but how that has also opened up new opportunities for connection. 

Created for Community Episode Two: When Invitation Comes Knocking Guests: Esther & Dean Nelson For the second episode of Good Shepherd's Lenten Podcast, we sit down with Esther & Dean Nelson. For over thirty years they have been a vital part of the Good Shepherd Community. Learn about the unexpected way they first were welcomed in to the community and how they found ways to love and serve in many different ways big and small over the years. 

Created for Community Episode One: Exploring Fraternity & Sorority Community Guests: Jen & Eric Holmer The first episode of Good Shepherd's "Created for Community" Lenten Podcast features our host Sarah Iverson sitting down for a conversation with Jen and Eric Holmer about their experiences of community. Both Jen and Eric were members of the Greek system at the University of Illinois and had formative experiences within their Greek chapters. They share what they've learned about how healthy community is cultivated and sustained - even in unexpected places like a fraternity or sorority. 

Pastor Dara Schuller-Hanson Hear God’s words of welcome today, People of Good Shepherd, you are God’s beloved children and with you, with all of you, God is well pleased.  Hold on to your identity as beloved children of God and then use that identity to shine with the light of Jesus Christ. If we welcome as God welcomed us, who knows where God might lead us into the world where that message is needed most.

Originally recorded on September 15, 1985  Mark 7:31-37 Pastor Clem Peterson preaches at the Good Shepherd Madison campus on his last Sunday as lead Pastor. 

Action Required Loving Unconditionally The story of the Good Samaritan teaches us how to love others, no matter who they are. Pastor Joe Brosious preaches from the Good Shepherd Madison Campus on Sunday, July 14th 2019.   

Pastor Dara Schuller-Hanson preaches on John 14:23-29 on the sixth Sunday of Easter from the Good Shepherd Verona Campus

Pastor Joe Brosious preaches on John 14:23-29 on the Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 26, 2019 at the Good Shepherd Madison Campus. 

Pastor Chris Enstad preaches from the Good Shepherd Verona Campus on Sunday, May 19, 2019 

Pastor Dara Schuller-Hanson preaches on John 13:31-35.  Originally recorded at Good Shepherd's Madison Campus on Sunday, May 19, 2019 

When we embark on this Lenten season of prayer, contemplation, and almsgiving, we’re given an opportunity to step back from the daily grind, to see where God might be calling us. We’re given a chance to meditate on what it means to act as the hands and feet of Christ. We’re given space to pray to discern our response to God’s call in each of our lives - and to consider how to put God’s call into action. Today on the Good Shepherd Podcast, we hear how The Beatles’ sentimental and nostalgic hit “In My Life” speaks to the experience of reflecting on the shape and direction of our lives - and shows that our lives are always part of God’s ongoing story.

Psalm 63 is an expression of confidence in God’s faithfulness through all times - even in moments of thirst, fatigue, and discomfort. The seasons turn, one to another. Good times come, and good times inevitably go. But throughout it all, God upholds us and provides us shelter. Everything in this world has a quality of impermanence and change - yet God’s grace remains constant throughout it all.   Today on the Good Shepherd Podcast, we hear how Pete Seeger’s iconic folk ballad “Turn, Turn, Turn” can remind us of God’s presence and power - in all seasons of life.

Especially in America, there seems to be this popular image of the life of faith as a road to comfort and prosperity. If we put Jesus first, life would be easier. Some even think of Lent as a means to an end. If we give up the right things and focus more on God, then surely our troubles will fade away. But the Psalms suggest otherwise. These ancient expressions of the life of God’s faithful continue to remind us of God’s fidelity in times of fear and hardship. Through the Psalms, God promises to be present through our darkest journeys - providing shelter in our hours of need. Today on The Good Shepherd Podcast, we’ll hear how U2’s gospel-infused hit “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” reminds us of the realities of hardship, while calling us to lean into our faith - and to keep on walking.

This season on the Good Shepherd Podcast, we’ll hear what the Psalms have to say about faith and following - and how songs of our soul have influenced the journeys of the Good Shepherd community. Today, we hear Psalm 51 - the Psalm read every year on Ash Wednesday, a Psalm that prays for a renewed spirit. And as we hear this Psalm of David, we hear how Boston’s classic rock anthem “Longtime” invites us to look back on our dreams - to consider what we are chasing.

Pastor Joe Brosious preaches on Matthew 2: 1-12.    Originally recorded at Good Shepherd's Madison Campus on Sunday, January 6th. 

Pastor Dara Schuller-Hanson preaches on Luke 2:41-52.    Originally recorded at Good Shepherd's Madison Campus on Sunday, December 30th. 

"From the Margins"  Pastor Chris Enstad preaches on Christmas Eve from the Good Shepherd Madison Campus. Originally recorded December 24, 2018. To learn more about Good Shepherd visit gslcwi.com

Joyful Expectation | Advent Three For the four Sundays in Advent, there will be a new edition of the "Joyful Expectation" podcast - exploring the liminality or "in between" nature of the Advent season.  On this episode: The in-between of adolescence A Gospel reading from Luke 1:39-55 A reflection from Pastor Joe Broisous For more about Advent at Good Shepherd visit: gslcwi.com/advent

"What then should we do?" | Pastor Dara Schuller Hanson John gives us a picture of not only a need for repentance but a recognition of God’s forgiveness as a first fruit of the Holy Spirit that allows us to approach the altar of judgement and forgiveness in the first place. Originally recorded at the Good Shepherd Madison campus on Sunday, December 16.  For more about Advent at Good Shepherd, please visit:  gslcwi.com/advent

Joyful Expectation | Advent Three For the four Sundays in Advent, there will be a new edition of the "Joyful Expectation" podcast - exploring the liminality or "in between" nature of the Advent season.  On this episode: A story of normalcy disrupted  A Gospel reading from Luke 3:7-18 A reflection from Pastor Chris Enstad For more about Advent at Good Shepherd visit: gslcwi.com/advent

"Looking for the Fig Tree" | Pastor Sheryl Erickson In a season where we long for comfort John the Baptist calls us FIRST to an uncomfortable question: how have we prepared our world for the coming of Jesus?   Originally recorded at the Good Shepherd Madison campus on Sunday, December 9.  For more about Advent at Good Shepherd, please visit:  gslcwi.com/advent

Joyful Expectation | Advent Two For the four Sundays in Advent, there will be a new edition of the "Joyful Expectation" podcast - exploring the liminality or "in between" nature of the Advent season.  On this episode: A double major in divinity and engineering reflects on science & faith A Gospel reading from Luke 3:1-6 A reflection from Pastor Joe Brosious For more about Advent at Good Shepherd visit: gslcwi.com/advent

"Looking for the Fig Tree" | Pastor Chris Enstad The coming kingdom means new life.  We miss the new life when we focus only on what is passing away, torn down or lost.  Jesus calls us to look always for the buds of spring, the first signs of new life.   Originally recorded at the Good Shepherd Madison campus on Sunday, December 2.  For more about Advent at Good Shepherd, please visit:  gslcwi.com/advent

Joyful Expectation | Advent One For the four Sundays in Advent, there will be a new edition of the "Joyful Expectation" podcast - exploring the liminality or "in between" nature of the Advent season.  On this episode: An oncologist shares about the perseverance that can come from suffering A Gospel reading from Luke 21:25-36 A reflection from Pastor Dara Schuller Hanson For more about Advent at Good Shepherd visit: gslcwi.com/advent  

This Sunday's Gospel reading from Mark (Mark 13:1-8) is called the Little Apocalypse.  Don’t let that scare you though.  The word apocalypse usually brings up images for us of death, destruction and catastrophe.  It’s true that Jesus describes earthquakes and war and famine, but there is more than just destruction in this passage. The literal translation for the word apocalypse is “an uncovering or a revelation”.  It means something is being revealed.   Pastor Dara Schuller Hanson preaches on Mark 13:1-8. Originally recorded at the Good Shepherd Madison Campus on Sunday, November 18, 2018.   

What does it look like to give without asking for anything in return? We might know people who can live this out, but it sure isn’t easy.  As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to live with generosity, humility, and faith.  But how often we forget.  We have a hard time giving without asking for anything in return and when we do give we find ourselves complaining about it.  Not so for the woman in this story.   Pastor Dara Schuller Hanson preaches on Mark 12:38-44 - originally recorded at the Good Shepherd Madison Campus on November 11, 2018

Pastor Joe Broisous preaches on Mark 10:35-45 - exploring the meanings of the atonement.    Originally recorded at the Good Shepherd Madison Campus on October 21, 2018. 

"In this story about divorce and blessing children- Jesus reminds the Pharisees and the disciples and us -that all people are created by God and that our relationships are sacred.  The people we are in closest relationship too- our children, our spouses, our parents, our friends- and people we don’t know at all- were all made by God with love. "   Pastor Dara Schuller Hanson preaches on Mark 10:2-16.  Originally recorded at Good Shepherd's Madison Campus on October 7, 2018.

"It is a question that has been asked for thousands of years in one form or another. Who is the greatest, the disciples ask? Mirror mirror on the wall! But how do we know when we are being great? How do we know when we have made it? How do we know that we truly belong?"   Pastor Joe Brosious preaches at the Good Shepherd Madison campus on September 23, 2018.   

Pastor Sheryl Erickson preaches on Mark 8:27-38.    Recorded at Good Shepherd's Madison Campus on September 16, 2018

"Withholding Judgment" Pastor Chris Enstad preaches on James 2:1-17   Music Credits:  The Basket by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.

Pastor Joe Brosious preaches on Mark 7:24-37   Music Credits:  The Basket by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.

Pastor Dara Schuller Hanson preaches on John 6:56-59 from our Madison Campus.    Music Credits:  The Basket by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.  

Ephesians 5:15-20 God fills us with the Spirit, bringing joy and thankfulness to ordinary days.

Called to live differently This week’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2) is a particularly piercing word for the church today. Paul makes a powerful appeal that’s needed in a time when “truth” is a questionable commodity in our current society. Along with questioning “the truth”, we live in a culture where anger, malice and slander are met – and dished out – at every turn. Paul unequivocally reminds us, that as Christian disciples, we are to live differently. God has poured out his life in his Son, Jesus Christ, and has made us his beloved children. As children of God, our old life has been put away and we are growing into a new life together in Jesus Christ. That new life changes how we deal with one another. In our society, and in our Christian life together, anger emerges from our deep divides. Anger lashes out when people isolate themselves in their own realities and think their ways of going about life are the ONLY ways to go about life. When isolated individuals or groups collide, there can be no peace. Anger erupts.   Music Credits:  Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.

No Longer Strangers: Bound Together in Grace Part four of a six-part series from Ephesians   Responding to Grace Christianity is not necessary in our society in order to make “good” people.  Other religions preach most, if not all, of the same morals that our Christian Bible does.  Our civic laws perform much of the same function as the original Ten Commandments! Where Christianity differs is in how that goodness comes into play.  Christian ethics, values, and morals come as responses to God’s grace.  God’s grace comes first.  We, as God’s faithful people, are called, then, to live our lives in response to that grace. The word that we use for this kind of grace is “prevenient” grace.  God’s grace goes before any call to obedience to God’s commands.  God’s commands always come after a “therefore”.   Music Credits:  Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.  

No Longer Strangers: Gods Powerful Love Part three of a six-part series from Ephesians   Despite the walls around us, we can still find a way to love others as much as God first loved us.   Music Credits:  Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.

No Longer Strangers: Aliens Brought Near Part two of a six-part series from Ephesians   As human beings there will always be things that set us apart or cause us to be different from one another, there will be things that divide us.  And Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to one another, breaking down walls, mending relationships and showing us that we are united in Him.  In the household of God, Jesus is our cornerstone.  He is our foundation and what holds us up.  And God works through us, building up within us the very temple where God’s work is done.  We are the building materials and we need all of us to have a strong structure.  It is God’s grace that brings us together and gives us the chance to share God’s love with one another and the world.  Thanks be to God for the things that bring us together-for the gift of grace and the opportunity to serve others!   Music Credits:  Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.

  No Longer Strangers: The Family Part one of a six-part series from Ephesians   “[God] destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to his will, the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:5 Howard Hendricks, the great Baptist church leader, and Promise Keepers speaker, once compared the church to a football game. A stadium full of people who need exercise watching 22 grown tired men beating each other up and then retiring to their cars, water coolers, and armchairs to argue about how they would have done things differently. The point is this: the church is not meant to be an institution made up solely of paid staff, and key volunteers, doing hard and good work while the rest of the church watches and criticizes. By virtue of our baptisms into Jesus Christ, we are all called to get in the game! In baptism, each of us is adopted into God’s family. This makes all of us siblings. In Christ we are family. And, just like families, we have our disagreements and our conflicts… however, families also are called to be able to bear with one another through joys AND struggles.   Music Credits:  Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.  

Living by Faith: Living Powerfully Part six of a six-part series from 2 Corinthians What does it mean to be winning? And how does God’s winning look different than the worlds’.   Music Credits:  Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.

  Living by Faith: Living Generously Part five of a six-part series from 2 Corinthians   Giving is not optional.   How do we teach ourselves that we give, not because we are required to, but because we can? Music Credits:  Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.