WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Morning!

I hate to confuse you, but thought it would be better to send What’s Happening on Wednesday again this week, since there will not be Bible Study tonight.  We are in the process of printing the September Rod and Staff newsletter for you to receive at church on Sunday.  Remember, there will be one worship service Sunday at 9:30am.

Here is “What’s Happening” in the next few weeks. . . . . .

1.      TONIGHT-Wed. Aug. 31-Cropwalk Recruiter Rally at UPC Church.  Contact Teresa Linaweaver or Kim Hanahan for details on this year’s walk. (Note:  There will not be Bible Study tonight)

2.      Sat. Sept. 3-Founder’s Day Parade practice at church from 1 to 3pm.  All are welcome!  (See information below.)

3.      Sun. Sept. 4-Worship at 9:30am

4.      Tues. Sept. 6-First day of Preschool for 3 year olds.

5.      Tues. Sept. 6- M&M’s (Martha’s & Mary’s) Women’s Bible Study meets at 7pm at the home of Jan Sanchez

6.      Wed. Sept. 7-First day of Preschool for 4 year olds.

7.      Wed. Sept. 7-Wednesday Night Bible Study at 6:30pm at church

8.      Sat. Sept. 10-Shepherd’s Pantry open from 9:30 to 11:30am at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53)

9.      Sat. Sept. 10-Founder’s Day Parade practice at church from 1 to 3pm.

10.  Sun. Sept. 11-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am with Connection Café between services

Calling out to anyone interested in leading a team for this year's crop walk.  This year’s walk has been challenged to get 10 new teams--we will receive $50.00 for every team up to $500.00. If you want to help feed America come out to the recruiter rallytonight-- Wednesday August 31, 7 PM  at United Presbyterian Church( Rt. 53 and Belmont).  Any questions?  Please contact Teresa Linaweaver.

The Evangelism team invites folks to participate in the Founder’s Day Parade on September 17^th with us.  This year’s theme is Recreation Rocks..and from our point of view...our Recreation involves God...so we are focusing on Jesus Rocks...and Jesus being our Rock...and plain old Rocking for Jesus...so we will be walking with T-shirts that state that..and periodically doing our Flash Mob...rocking to the music...I Refuse...!!!!  We’re hoping lots of people come out to join the fun with us...we will be practicing the next 3 Saturdays at the church from 1-3..join us.  Call Chris 815-212-0574 with questions....  Peace out!

LWR School Kits:  We had a great time cutting, ironing, sewing, threading the rope through the back packs, encouraging, visiting and snacking!!  If you took material home to make bags, please return them by Sept. 11^th for filling.  Thanks to everyone for your support of this worthwhile project. 

Be sure to get your family copy of the September Rod and Staff newsletter on Sunday!  Here’s wishing everyone the blessings of peace, hope, faith, joy, health and love!

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Morning!

I am sending you this week’s What’s Happening on Wednesday because I will be out of town the rest of the week.  Please remember to go over the financial information sent to you last week, and bring your questions and thoughts with you to the meeting on August 28^th which will follow our single 9:30am worship service.  Your input is important.

Here is “What’s Happening” in the next few weeks. . . . . .

1.      TONIGHT-Wed. Aug. 24-Wednesday Night Bible Study at 6:30pm at church

2.      Thurs. Aug. 25 and possibly Fri. Aug. 26-LWR (Lutheran World Relief) School Kits Sewing Bee at 6pm at church (see details below)

3.      Thur. Aug. 25-Deadline for submitting ministry team articles/information for the September Rod and Staff newsletter.

4.      Sat. Aug. 27-Shepherd’s Food Pantry at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53) from 9:30 to 11:30am

5.      Sun. Aug. 28-Worship at 9:30am with  Congregational Meeting immediately following

6.      Mon. Aug. 29-Pantry Grand Opening Team Meeting at 6:30pm at the Pantry.  If you would like to help with planning the Grand Opening (scheduled for Tues. Sept. 20), please come join us at this planning meeting.  All help is welcomed!

7.      Tues. Aug. 30-Preschool Open House from 6:30 to 8:00pm at the Preschool.  All are welcome to come meet and greet the parents and staff as they kick off the 2012 school year.

8.      Wed. Aug. 31-Cropwalk Recruiter Rally at UPC Church.  See Teresa Linaweaver or Kim Hanahan for details on this year’s walk. (Note:  There will not be Bible Study tonight)

9.      Sun. Sept. 4-Worship at 9:30am

LWR School Kits:  Even if you haven’t signed up to come to the Sewing Bee at 6pm tomorrow, please come join us if you are available.  We need all kinds of help:  cutting, ironing, sewing, threading the rope through the back packs, encouraging, visiting and snacking!!  Also, remember to pick up a supply list for filling the school kits at the Information Table on Sunday.  Any questions?  Talk to Lydia Faber or Pat Hurdle.  Thank you for your support. 

Calling out to anyone interested in leading a team for this year's crop walk.  This year’s walk has been challenged to get 10 new teams--we will receive $50.00 for every team up to $500.00. If you want to help feed America come out to the recruiter rally on Wednesday August 31, 7 PM  at United Presbyterian Church( Rt. 53 and Belmont).  Any questions?  Please contact Teresa Linaweaver.

Recap from last Sunday:  Using Romans 12, Pastor Suzanne talked about how important it is to allow God to transform our mind.  Our theme, "A Mindshift," helped us to remember that we must change our minds before we can change our actions.  She challenged us to be aware of our thoughts this week and to try to keep our minds focused on God.  How is your challenge going?  Are you starting each day in God's presence, seeking Him as you begin your daily routine?

Preview of this Sunday:  Our theme this week will be, "Action!"  We'll again be taking a look at Romans 12 and how the apostle, Paul, tells us we should behave and act as followers of Jesus.  We'll also think about what Jesus means when, in Matthew 16, he reminds us that we must lose our lives in order to follow Him.  Come, join us and invite a friend, too.

Isn’t it hard to believe the schools are back in session?  It seems like I’m seeing school buses everywhere, and they've added time to my short commute.  Summer has flown by. 

Remember I will be gone the rest of the week.  Please call Pastor’s cell phone (815-355-2397) if you have any questions or need assistance.  Here’s wishing everyone the blessings of peace, hope, faith, joy, health and love!

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

The letter and copy of the budget from our Church Council is in the mail on the way to you.  Please take the time to go over the information and bring your questions and thoughts with you to the meeting on August 28^th which will follow our single 9:30am worship service.  Your input in shaping our church’s future is important.

Here is “What’s Happening” in the next few weeks. . . . . .

1.      TONIGHT-Thurs. Aug. 18- G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Bible Study meets at 7pm at the Stoughton’s

2.      Sun. Aug. 21-One worship service at 9:30am.  This will be our annual Backpack Blessing Sunday, and is being held indoors.  Immediately following we will be having our back-to-school lunch activity.  See information below.

3.      Sun. Aug. 21-PFLAG Joliet Chapter meets at 2pm

4.      Mon. Aug. 22-Monday Bible Study at 7pm at the Suchomel’s home

5.      Tues. Aug 23-Church Council Meeting at 7pm

6.      Wed. Aug. 24-Wednesday Night Bible Study at 6:30pm at church

7.      Thurs. Aug. 25 and possibly Fri. Aug. 26-LWR (Lutheran World Relief) School Kits Sewing Bee at 6pm at church (see details below)

8.      Thur. Aug. 25-Deadline for submitting ministry team articles/information for the September Rod and Staff newsletter.

9.      Sat. Aug. 27-Shepherd’s Food Pantry at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53) from 9:30 to 11:30am

10.  Sun. Aug. 28-Worship at 9:30am with  Congregational Meeting immediately following

11.  Tues. Aug. 30-Preschool Open House from 6:30 to 8:00pm at the Preschool.  All are welcome to come meet and greet the parents and staff as they kick off the 2012 school year.

12.  Wed. Aug. 31-Cropwalk Recruiter Rally at UPC Church.  See Teresa Linaweaver or Kim Hanahan for details on this year’s walk. (Note:  There will not be Bible Study tonight)

What was your favorite school lunch treat?  Twinkies?  Cookies?  Snickers bars?  Jaw breakers?  Fellowship invites you to bring your favorite treat to share, along with condiments to accompany the meat sandwich fixings provided, as we enjoy lunchbox style lunches following Sunday’s backpack blessing worship service.  We’ll even have good ‘ole PB&J (peanut butter and jelly) sandwiches for your enjoyment!  All are welcome.

LWR School Kits:  If you haven’t already done so, please sign up and come to the Sewing Bee at 6pm next Thursday, August 25 (and maybe 26).  We need all kinds of help:  cutting, ironing, sewing, threading the rope through the back packs, encouraging, visiting and snacking!!  Also, remember to pick up a supply list for filling the school kits.  Both things can be done at the Information Table on Sunday.  Any questions?  Talk to Lydia Faber or Pat Hurdle.  Thank you for your support. 

Recap from last Sunday:  Using Matthew 15, we talked about where purity comes from.  Jesus reminds us that it’s not about what goes into our mouths but what comes out of them that reflects who we are.  Pastor challenged us to use our words carefully and to think about how we act, as others can see Jesus reflected in what we say and do.

Looking ahead to this Sunday:   Using Paul’s words in Romans 12, we’ll be talking about how God can transform us through our thinking.  As he is transforming us, it should be reflected in our attitudes and actions.

Remember to bring your good old lunch treat and join us for Backpack Blessing/School Lunch this Sunday.  Here’s wishing everyone the blessings of peace, hope, faith, joy, health and love!

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

Isn’t this relief from the high temperatures refreshing?  Hopefully it will hold out for our crews that will be painting at the church on Saturday.  Didn’t sign up but would like to lend a hand?  Come to the church Saturday between 1 and 3:30pm or between 5 and 7:30pm. 

Road (Set-Up) Crew help is needed on Sunday morning to prepare the church for worship.  Please text Steve (815-355-2549) or leave a message at church, if you can help set up before the 8:15 worship on Sunday.

Here is “What’s Happening” in the next few weeks. . . . . .

1.      TONIGHT-Thurs. Aug. 11-Cropwalk planning meeting will be held at 6:30pm at the Food Pantry (2 Belmont Dr. at Rt. 53).  If you are interested in more information about this year’s event that is being held on Sat. Oct. 8, please come to this meeting.  We plan to make this event bigger and better and YOU might be the one to help us achieve that!

2.      Sat. Aug. 13-Shepherd’s Food Pantry is open from 9:30 to 11:30am at 2 Belmont Dr.

3.      Sun. Aug. 14-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am at the church.  See which layout was chosen for our newly remodeled (and painted) facility

4.      Tue. Aug. 16-Ministry Night at 7pm at the church.  All ministry teams should plan to attend!

5.      Wed. Aug. 17-Wednesday Night Bible Study at 6:30pm at church

6.      Thurs. Aug. 18- G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Bible Study meets at 7pm at the Stoughton’s

7.      Sun. Aug. 21-One worship service at 9:30am.  This will be an outdoor service, weather permitting, and is our annual Backpack Blessing Sunday.

8.      Sun. Aug. 21-PFLAG Joliet Chapter meets at 2pm

9.      Mon. Aug. 22-Monday Bible Study at 7pm at the Suchomel’s home

10.  Tues. Aug 23-Church Council Meeting at 7pm

11.  Wed. Aug. 24-Wednesday Night Bible Study at 6:30pm at church

12.  Thurs. Aug. 25 and possibly Fri. Aug. 26-LWR (Lutheran World Relief) School Kits Sewing Bee at 6pm at church (see details below)

13.  Sat. Aug. 27-Shepherd’s Food Pantry at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53) from 9:30 to 11:30am

14.  Sun. Aug. 28-Worship at 9:30am with a Congregational Meeting immediately following

SHEPHERD’S PANTRY UPDATE- With the help of volunteers, we’ve finished tiling and painting at our new location! Many, many thanks to those who volunteered to make this all come together.  A grand re-opening is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20^th, so mark your calendar now and plan to come see our expanded facility.  If you come to the Cropwalk planning meeting tonight or the Food Pantry this Saturday morning, you’ll get a sneak peek of our new location!  Won’t you come see us soon??  All are welcome!

LWR School Kits:  If you haven’t already done so, please sign up and come to the Sewing Bee at 6pm on Thursday, August 25 (and maybe 26).  We need all kinds of help:  cutting, ironing, sewing, threading the rope through the back packs, encouraging, visiting and snacking!!  Also, remember to pick up a supply list for filling the school kits.  Both things can be done at the Information Table on Sundays.  Any questions?  Talk to Lydia Faber or Pat Hurdle.  Thank you for your support. 

Looking Ahead-Please watch for a letter in the mail next week regarding a called congregational meeting to be held after one worship service at 9:30am on August 28th.  This is a change for the Rod and Staff newsletter calendar.  Your attendance is important.

Recap from last Sunday:  Last Sunday at Romeofest, Pastor Suzanne, with the use of readings from Romans 10, talked about the importance of believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord.  She challenged us to think about what we believe and why we believe it.

Preview of this Sunday:  Using Matthew 15, we will talk about where purity comes from.  Jesus will remind us that it’s not about what goes into our mouths but what comes out of them that reflects who we are.

Have you been looking for a unique inexpensive way to instantly help the hungry?  Someone from church recommended buying gift certificates from McDonalds (or any other fast food chain) and giving them to the hungry person or persons you encounter instead of money.  Many a smile has been received when accepting the cards!  It may not be much, but it will put food in their stomachs for at least one meal.

Remember to let Steve know if you can help out the Road Crew Sunday morning.  Here’s wishing everyone peace, hope, faith, joy, health and love!

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Morning!

I hope that you got your August Rod and Staff newsletter last Sunday at church.  If not, please stop by the booth at Romeofest and pick yours up so you can read the notices and reports prepared especially for you.   There was an email sent earlier today looking for help with painting at the church/preschool on Saturday, August 13^th.  Please let us know if you can help!

Here is “What’s Happening” in the next few weeks. . . . . .

1.      TONIGHT-Thurs. Aug. 4 through Sun. Aug. 7   Romeofest Come join us at our booth and help spread the Good Shepherd word.

2.      Sun. Aug. 7 Community Worship at 9:30am on the Main Stage at Romeofest.  We have once again been invited to conduct worship services for the community at the Fest, and have the opportunity to show that all are welcome at Good Shepherd!  Come join us!

3.      Sun. Aug. 7-GLBT Study group will meet at 1pm at the Good Shepherd Romeofest booth

4.      Mon. Aug. 8-Monday Bible Study will be at Suchomel’s beginning at 7pm

5.      Wed. Aug 10-Wednesday Night Bible Study at 6:30pm at the church

6.      Thurs. Aug. 11-Cropwalk planning meeting will be held at 6:30pm at the Food Pantry (2 Belmont Dr. at Rt. 53).  If you are interested in more information about this year’s event that is being held on Sat. Oct. 8, please come to this meeting.  We plan to make this event bigger and better and YOU might be the one to help us achieve that!

7.      Sat. Aug. 13-Shepherd’s Food Pantry is open from 9:30 to 11:30am at 2 Belmont Dr.

8.      Sun. Aug. 14-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am at the church.  See which layout was chosen for our newly remodeled facility

9.      Tue. Aug. 16-Ministry Night at 7pm at the church.  All ministry teams should plan to attend!

10.  Wed. Aug. 17-Wednesday Night Bible Study at 6:30pm at church

11.  Thurs. Aug. 18- G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Bible Study meets at 7pm at the Stoughton’s

12.  Sun. Aug. 21-One worship service at 9:30am.  This will be an outdoor service, weather permitting, and is our annual Backpack Blessing Sunday.

FOOD PANTRY UPDATE- We’ve been blessed with volunteers and are almost finished tiling the floors in our new location!  Many, many thanks to those who have volunteered to make this all come together.  A grand re-opening has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 20^th, so mark your calendar now and plan to come see our expanded facility.  Watch for more details.

LWR School Kits:  Remember to sign up to come to the Sewing Bee at 6pm on Thursday, August 25 (and maybe 26).  We need all kinds of help:  cutting, ironing, sewing, threading the rope through the back backs, encouraging, visiting and snacking!!  Also, remember to pick up a supply list for the school kits.  Both things can be done at the Information Table on Sundays.  Thank you for your support.  If you have any questions, talk to Lydia Faber or Pat Hurdle.

Recap from last Sunday:  Last Sunday, Pastor Suzanne came to us via video.  Pastor's message focused on the Gospel reading for the day, from Matthew 14, the story of the feeding of the 5000.  She talked about how this story relates to both our individual and church lives, particularly as this relates to finances.  She encouraged us to have an attitude of abundance vs. an attitude of scarcity as we look at our lives and all the resources we've been given.

Preview of this Sunday:  Using readings from both Romans 10 and Matthew 14, Pastor Suzanne will be talking about what it means to have faith - in words and actions.  She'll challenge us to think about whether we just say "we believe" or whether we really believe in our hearts, minds, and spirits and how our belief can be seen in and through our actions.  Come, join us at 9:30a at the mainstage at Romeofest, located behind the Romeoville Municipal Building on 135th Street.

I hope you are enjoying the reduction in temperature and humidity and that you will come help spread the all are welcome message at Romeofest.  Peace, hope, faith, joy, health and love!

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church