WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon and Happy National Day of Prayer to you all! 

What a beautiful day we've had so far today.  I will be on vacation next week and hope we get a few days of this kind of weather then!  Be sure to get your Rod and Staff newsletter for May and June at church on Sunday.  It is packed with news, the May and June calendars, as well as information about ELCA Mission Sunday on May 20^th.

 

Here is What's Happening at Good Shepherd Church over the next few weeks. . . .

 

1.       TONIGHT-Thur. May 3-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Bible Study meets at 7pm at the Stoughton's

 

2.       Fri May 4-Friday Bible Study meets at the Valintis home at 7pm.  Children are welcome!

 

3.       Sun. May 6- Worship Services at 8:15 and/or 10am (announcements begin 10 minutes before each service)

 

4.       Sun. May 6-Sunday School at 9:15am for 3 year olds to Grade 5

 

5.       Sun. May 6-Radical Book Study begins at 4pm at the Texley's home

 

6.       Mon. May 7-Monday Study at 7pm at the Suchomel's.  They will be starting a new study on the Book of Matthew.  All are welcome to join them!

 

7.       Tues. May 8-Ministry Night meeting at 7pm at the church

 

8.       Wed. May 9-Wednesday Bible Study at 6:30pm at church

 

9.       Thur. May 10- FLY (Finally Loving Yourself) Lady meets at 7pm

 

10.   Fri. May 11-Friday Bible Study meeting at 7pm at the Valintis home

 

11.   Sat. May 12-Shepherd's Food Pantry is open from 9:30-11:30am at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt.53)

 

12.   Sat. May 12-The Youth Group is going to the Museum of Science & Industry.  Meet at church around 11am.  Cost is $15 for admission and youth should plan to bring some money for lunch.

 

13.   Sat. May 12-Praise Team Rehearsal at 1:30pm at the church.  If you'd like to provide snacks for the team, please get in touch with Pastor Suzanne or Audrey McDaniel.

 

14.   Sun. May 13- Worship Services at 8:15 and/or 10am (announcements begin 10 minutes before each service) with Fellowship coordinating a Mother's Day Tea celebration

 

15.   Sun. May 13-LWR Mother's Day In-Gathering of Child Care Kits

 

Congratulations to our Preschool!!!

Just in case you didn't hear about this last week, our preschool was named, "Best Preschool" in the Romeoville Patch.com "Readers' Choice" contest.  Several current and former parents of students wrote wonderful reviews about our Good Shepherd Preschool and our staff, Marilyn and Judith.  So, next time you see them, be sure to congratulate them and tell your friends and neighbors about our great "award-winning" program.

 

Radical Book Study

Our May sessions will be on May 6 and 20 at 4pm.  Thank you to the Texley's for hosting Sunday's study, which will begin at 4pm.  Please let them know by tomorrow if you are planning to attend, so they know how much food to prepare.  If you are interested in joining us for this study, also please contact Pastor Suzanne and she can get you a copy of the book.

 

Long-Range Planning Forum

Join us on Saturday, May 19 from 4:30-6:30pm for our next forum.  the team will continue a discussion from our last forum about ways to grow our church—financially, numerically, spiritually, etc.  We'll also have an update from the team as to plans for our space, what we're doing, etc.  A light supper will be provided.

 

REMINDER--Bullying Town Hall Meeting

The Valley View School District, which serves the Romeoville and Bolingbrook communities, will be hosting a town hall forum/local television show on the topic of bullying.  It will be held on Thursday, May 10 at the Bolingbrook Village Hall.  We would like to let you know about this event and encourage you to attend.  You're asked to arrive between 6:30 and 6:45pm and filming will begin at 7pm.  Please contact Pastor Suzanne for more information.  We believe our church can be a leader in bullying prevention and education in our communities and we'd like your help in doing this.  This event will be a great way to learn more on how we can all help.

 

Music for Malaria Event

We'll be having a planning meeting on Tuesday, May 22 at 7pm for this upcoming summer event.  We'll need lots of help and ideas.  Join us!

 

Recap of last Sunday - Using Luke 24:35+ for our focus, Pastor Suzanne talked about "Doubts and Faith...in Action."  She talked about Doubts - Don't understand; Open yourself up; Use your brain; Believe anyway; Trust anyway - and Faith - Finding Answers in the Heart.  She reminded us that, even though the disciples had doubts, Jesus still called them to action - to share the Good News with others!  And, Jesus is calling us, out of our doubts, in faith...to action.  Are you doubting?  What would it take for you to believe anyway?  To trust anyway?  As Pastor reminded us, sometimes we can come to a deeper trust and belief through our actions and service to Christ.

 

Preview of this Sunday-This Sunday we move into the Gospel of John and hear Jesus talking about the vine and the branches.  Our theme will be, "Fruit and Love."  We'll talk about how we can bear fruit for God, especially as we serve in love.  Join us and invite a friend to join us too!

 

One final note--the VBS Meeting that was scheduled for May 12 has been postponed until the beginning of June.  We are still looking for volunteers!  Please pray about lending a hand.

 

Because I will be on vacation next week, there will not be a "What's Happening" sent out until May 17.  Check us out on Facebook or call and leave a message at church if you have any questions regarding any of our activities. 

 

Wishing you peace, hope, joy and love always! 

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church