WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Hello and Happy December!

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and counted the many blessings we tend to take for granted in our daily lives.  The Rod and Staff newsletter was mailed on Monday, so this will once again be an abbreviated version of "What's Happening" at Good Shepherd in the next few weeks. . . .

 

1.       TONIGHT-Thur. Dec. 1-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Bible Study at the Stoughton's begins at 7pm.

 

2.       Fri. Dec. 2-Friday Bible Study meets at 7pm.  Parents are welcome to bring their children.

 

3.       Sat. Dec. 3-Baby Shower at 2pm

 

4.       Sun. Dec. 4-"Bread of the World" Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am

 

5.       Sun. Dec. 4-Sunday School at 9:15am for age 3 to 5^th grade.

 

6.       Sun. Dec. 4-Youth Laser Tag event will be held following the 10am worship.  Contact Debbie Suchomel for details.

 

7.       Mon. Dec. 5-Monday Advent Bible Study at 7pm at Suchomel's

 

8.       Tue. Dec. 6-Shepherd's Pantry, 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53) will be open from 6:30 to 8pm

 

9.       Wed. Dec 7-Wednesday Advent Bible Study at 6:30pm

 

10.   Wed. Dec. 7-Advent Worship Service at 8pm

 

11.   Thur. Dec. 8-FLY (Finally Loving Yourself) Ladies will meet at 7pm at Lydia Faber's home.

 

12.   Fri. Dec. 9-Friday Bible Study meets at 7pm.

 

13.   Sat. Dec. 10-Shepherd's Pantry will be open from 9:30 to 11:30am at 2 Belmont Dr. (At Rt. 53)

 

14.   Sun. Dec. 11-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Praise Band rehearsal will follow the last service.

 

Budget Forum:

The Council would like to thank those who attended the Budget Forum this past Tuesday.  We appreciate your input - your questions, ideas, etc.  We would like to ask everyone to put January 8 on your calendar and make it a priority to be at our next Budget Forum.  It will be immediately following our one service on that day.  This forum will be an opportunity to see the proposed 2012 budget, to ask questions, to give input, etc.  It is the goal of the Council to have all questions answered and discussed at this meeting so that our Annual Meeting on January 29 can be focused on lifting up our ministries and the mission of our church.  Please do your best to be at the meeting on January 8.  ALL are welcome!

 

"Journey with Jesus" - Midweek Advent Services

We hope you'll join us for our midweek Advent services.  They take place on Wednesdays at 8pm.  Our theme this year is "Journey with Jesus."  Last night, we heard from Jesus' mother, Mary.  Next week, we'll hear from his earthly father, Joseph.  Come, take time out of the busyness of this season to refresh your spirit and reconnect with the meaning of the season.  Join us as together we journey with Jesus.

 

Check out our display of holiday help pleas from various organizations which will provide you with an opportunity to extend assistance in many ways, large and small, that are guaranteed to warm a lot of hearts (including your own).   Isn't that what the season is all about??

 

Do you need a printer?  One of our members is giving away a HP printer/copier/scanner to anyone who needs it.  Call the church office (815-886-4354) if you are interested.

 

The 50th Anniversary Team is looking for photos from any of our events to be placed on a display board for the January 15^th "Final Fling".  If you have any pictures that you are willing to share, please let one of the  team members know.  Also, if you would like your pics returned after the event, the team will be glad to do so.  Thanks!

 

Recap from last Sunday:  We began the season of Advent with the lighting of our Advent wreath.  The candle of hope was the first candle lit.  Pastor Suzanne shared the beginning of Jesus' New Testament story through the reading of the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 1.  She also talked to us about the importance of hope, especially in our world today.  How are you connecting your faith story with having hope?

 

Preview for this Sunday:  As we continue our Advent journey, we'll light the second Advent candle - of peace.  Pastor Suzanne will share readings from Mark, 2 Peter, and Isaiah.  We'll see how the prophet of old and Jesus' disciple connect and still are relevant to us today.  We'll think about what it means to be a messenger preparing the way for Jesus' coming.

 

Please call church (815-886-4354) to let us know if you didn't get your Rod and Staff newsletter, or if we need to correct your address in our records.  Have a warm, wonderful week and remember the real reason for the season! 

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church