WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

 

Most of you know that our sister Arlene Bambule passed away Tuesday evening after a long fight with cancer.  Information regarding Saturday's visitation and prayer service are noted below.  Please pray for the family as they mourn their loss.  May she rest in peace.

 

With all that has been happening around the office this week, (including a power failure on Tuesday) vacation is just a distant memory.  We did enjoy our time off, though I think both of us missed our work routines a bit! 

 

The October Rod and Staff newsletter is almost ready for copying and will be available for you in church on Sunday, so this report will be a brief one.  Here is What's Happening at Good Shepherd Church...

 

1.      TONIGHT-Thur. Sept 27 Shepherd's Food Pantry will have their quarterly meeting beginning at the Pantry at 7pm.  All are welcome to attend.

 

2.      Fri. Sept 28 – Friday Study will be held at the home of Laura Voruz beginning at 7pm.  Thanks to Laura for offering her home for the Friday Study, as well as to Sheri Valintis for hosting the group in the past.  You are appreciated by many!

 

3.      Sat. Sept 29-Arlene Bambule's visitation will be at Anderson Memorial Chapel from 3 to 9pm, with a prayer service at 7pm.  Please try to join the Good Shepherd family for our sister's prayer service.

 

4.      Sun. Sept 30-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.

 

5.      Mon. Oct 1-Monday Study at the Suchomel home begins at 7pm

 

6.      Tues. Oct 2-Shepherd's Food Pantry is open 6:30 to 8pm at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53)

 

7.      Tues. Oct 2-M&M's (Mary & Martha's) Women's Bible Study meets at the home for Jan Sanchez beginning at 7pm

 

8.      Wed. Oct 3-Wednesday Bible Study at the church begins at 6:30pm

 

9.      Thur. Oct 4-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Bible Study meets at the Stoughton home beginning at 7pm

 

10.  Fri. Oct 5-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

 

11.  Sun. Oct 7- Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.

 

12.  Sun. Oct 7-Sunday School for age 4 through 5^th grade will meet in the church office at 9:15am

 

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE MOVIE on John is that was in our lending library?  One of your study groups would like to use it, so please return it to the office or church for them.  Thanks!

 

LOOKING AHEAD--Elmhurst College Speaking Engagements – During October, Elmhurst College hosts some great speakers on a variety of topics.  Here are a few that Pastor Suzanne will be attending.  Admission to these events is $10 and tickets are available at the door or online at www.elmhurst.edu/tix.  10/4 - 7:00pm - Bishop Gene Robinson will speak on, "Justice and Compassion in An Age of Demonization."  10/9 - 4:00pm - Simon LeVay will speak on "The Science of Sexual Orientation."  10/11 - 7:00pm - Ross Douthat will speak on "Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics."   10/18 - 7:00pm - Rev. Barbara Rossing (from our own Lutheran School of Theology) will speak on "Apocalypse Now: Revelation - So No One Is 'Left Behind.'"  If you're interested in attending, let Pastor know and maybe we can set up car pools. 

 

Recap from last Sunday:  Our theme was "Draw Close to God and He Will Draw Close to You."  Using James 4, we talked about how we can humble ourselves before God; how we can draw close to God and, as we do, how we begin to feel His presence in a deeper way.   We also talked about what it means to put ourselves last instead of first, using Jesus' words from the Gospel of Mark.

Preview of this Sunday:  Our theme will be, "The Power of Community."  We'll finish our discussion on the book of James, chapter 5.  We'll think about what it means to be in community; how we care for each other, pray for each other and how the power of prayer can make a difference in our lives.  We hope you'll join us and invite a friend to join us too.

REMINDER-Our Facebook page link is https://www.facebook.com/#!/goodshepherdromeoville for those of you who have been having trouble reaching us.

 

Be sure to get your October Rod and Staff newsletter at church on Sunday.  There is a lot of important information for you to read through.

 

Last Friday marked 3 years of my being your Pastoral Assistant.  The years have truly been a blessing for me—especially your kindness, caring and welcoming.  Thanks for making this more than a job.  I wish everyone peace, hope, joy, health, and love always.  

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Morning to You!

 

Wouldn't you know that while I'm on vacation next week, the weather forecast is calling for cooler temperatures!  Guess that rules out water sports for us, but camping should be good.  With the cooler weather, wouldn't it be nice to bake some cookies in the oven?  We have just over a week to place orders for the annual Preschool Cookie Dough fundraiser.  Be sure to check it out in church on Sunday.

 

Here is What's Happening at Good Shepherd Church. . .

 

1.      TODAY- Thur. Sept 13-Reports for Church Council meeting on Saturday are due in the office today

 

2.      TONIGHT-Thur. Sept 13-FLY (Finally Loving Yourself) Lady meets at 7pm at Lydia Faber's home

 

3.      Sat. Sept 15-Church Council Meeting at 8:30am

 

4.      Sat. Sept 15-Family Fun & Food Bags Tournament at the home of Laura Voruz begins at 3pm (see details below)

 

5.      Sun. Sept 16-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.

 

6.      Sun. Sept 16-Sunday School for children age 4 through 5^th grade will meet in the church office at 9:15am

 

7.      Sun. Sept 16-Founder's Day Parade kicks off at 2pm.  Come cheer on our Preschool!

 

8.      Mon. Sept 17-3^rd Monday Study at the Sanchez' home begins at 7pm

 

9.      Wed. Sept 19-Wednesday Study meets at church at 6:30pm

 

10.  Thur. Sept 20-Deadline for submitting Rod and Staff October newsletter information

 

11.  Thur. Sept 20-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Study meets at Stoughton's at 7pm

 

12.  Thur. Sept 20-Matthew 25 Group Meeting at 7pm at the church.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend as we develop

 

13.  Sat. Sept 22-Shepherd's Food Pantry will be open from 9:30 to 11:30am at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53).  Help is always welcomed.

 

14.  Sat. Sept 22-Praise Band rehearsal at 1:30pm at church

 

15.  Sun. Sept 23- Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.

 

16.  Sun. Sept 23-Book Study will meet at 4pm at the home of Judy Jordan

 

Bags Tournament - Looking for a fun activity and a place to informally get to know other church members?  Then join us this Saturday, Sept. 15 at the home of Laura Voruz for a family bags tournament.  We'll be having hamburgers, hot dogs and Portillo's beef.  All you need to bring is a side dish or dessert to share and your own beverage.  If you have a bags game, bring that along too.  Hope to see you there!

 

A Synod Discipleship Gathering is going to be taking place at St. John's in Joliet this Sunday, Sept. 16 from 2 to 3:45pm.  Pastor is hoping to attend and encourages anyone interested to attend also.  St. John's is located at 2650 Plainfield Road, just east of Louis Joliet Mall.

 

Sunday Book Study - Just a reminder that our book study group has started a new book and we'd love to have you join us for the next discussion.  We're reading Shane Claiborne's book, "The Irresistible Revolution."  Books can be purchased at Amazon.com and also at  hpbmarketplace.com for a reasonable cost.  If you don't have time to get a book, join us anyway, as several extra copies were ordered.  This next study will take place Sept. 23 at the home of Judy Jordan - her address is 450 Montrose Drive in Romeoville.  We meet at 4:00pm with supper and then our study.  Questions about the group?  Contact Pastor Suzanne.

 

Matthew 25 Group meeting - Thursday, 9/20 at 7:00pm at the church.  Join us as we continue to work on our Dairy Fundraiser to help our food pantry families.  We'll also be thinking about other ways we might be able to help those in our Romeoville community.  Our group is based on Jesus' words in Matthew 25:35-40.  We want to be about the business of doing these things for the least in our community.  Come, be a part of our group!

 

Ministry Night was AWESOME!  Our Ministry Night this past Tuesday evening was great!  Unfortunately, our special guest couldn't make it BUT, as usual, God had other plans anyway.  No walking happened Tuesday night but don't be surprised if you see some Good Shepherd family members walking around a Romeoville neighborhood in the very near future.  We're looking for people to join us in walking the neighborhoods, being prayerful observers of what is around us.  Using Acts 1:8-9 as our starting point, Pastor Suzanne reminded us that Jesus called us to start telling people about him starting first, in "Jerusalem," our own backyards and then going out from there.  Check out the pictures on Facebook to learn more about our discussion about meeting the needs of our community, our "Jerusalem."  We definitely felt the moving of the Spirit in the room and look forward to sharing more with all of you in the weeks to come!

 

LOOKING AHEAD--Elmhurst College Speaking Engagements – During October, Elmhurst College hosts some great speakers on a variety of topics.  Here are a few that Pastor Suzanne will be attending.  Admission to these events is $10 and tickets are available at the door or online at www.elmhurst.edu/tix.  10/4 - 7:00pm - Bishop Gene Robinson will speak on, "Justice and Compassion in An Age of Demonization."  10/9 - 4:00pm - Simon LeVay will speak on "The Science of Sexual Orientation."  10/11 - 7:00pm - Ross Douthat will speak on "Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics."   10/18 - 7:00pm - Rev. Barbara Rossing (from our own Lutheran School of Theology) will speak on "Apocalypse Now: Revelation - So No One Is 'Left Behind.'"  If you're interested in attending, let Pastor know and maybe we can set up car pools. 

 

Recap from last Sunday:  Our theme last week was, "Dead or Alive...Faith."  Continuing our study on the book of James, we talked about his challenge that "faith without works is a dead faith."  We talked about the difference between faith saving us and works proving our inward beliefs.  We also talked about the story of the healing of the woman's daughter and the deaf mute man from Mark 7.  Pastor suggested that perhaps Jesus was the first one to use "reverse psychology."  He told the people not to tell everyone what they had seen, with the miracles... not surprisingly, the people didn't listen.  The more he told them not to tell anyone, the more they spread the news.  So, DON'T tell anyone about Jesus this week.  DON'T tell anyone about our church.  DON'T share your story of faith with anyone.  Gee, let's see how that works.

 

Preview of this Sunday:  Our theme this week is, "Praises and Curses."  We'll continue to look at the book of James; this week we'll focus on chapter 3, talking about controlling our tongues... not an easy one to talk about.  We'll all be challenged!

 

Our Facebook page link is https://www.facebook.com/#!/goodshepherdromeoville for those of you who have been having trouble reaching us.

 

Friday the 21^st of September is the third anniversary of my being your Pastoral Assistant.  Those years have passed quickly and truly been a blessing for me.  I'll be missing and thinking of you all next week, and wish everyone peace, hope, joy, health, and love always.  

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Hello!

Now that Labor Day has passed, several of our small groups have resumed their schedules.  Check over the list and try them out.  All are always welcome!  Sunday kicks off the annual Preschool Cookie Dough Fundraiser, and they have added special incentives this year.  Be sure to look for details Sunday at church!

 

Here is a summary of What's Happening at Good Shepherd Church. . .

 

1.      TONIGHT- Thur. Sept 6-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Bible Study meets at 7pm at the Stoughton's

 

2.      Fri. Sept 7-Friday Bible Study meets at 7pm at the home of Sheri Valintis

 

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

 

4.      Sun. Sept 9-One Worship Service will take place at 9:30am and be followed by a Special Congregational Meeting.  All are encouraged to attend this important follow-up to the August 19^th Congregational Meeting.

 

5.      Sun. Sept 9-The Book Study will meet at 4pm at the home of Carrie Worthington.  They are starting on a new book, "Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne.  All are welcome.  Extra books are available.

 

6.      Mon. Sept 10-Monday Bible Study at 7pm at the Suchomel's.

 

7.      Tue. Sept 11-Special Ministry Night Activity begins at 6:30pm with a light supper.  Wear walking shoes—all are welcome!

 

8.      Wed. Sept 12-Wednesday Bible Study at 6:30pm at the church

 

9.      Thur. Sept 13-Reports for Church Council meeting are due in the office today

 

10.  Thur. Sept 13-FLY (Finally Loving Yourself) Lady meets at 7pm at Lydia Faber's home

 

11.  Fri. Sept 14-Friday Bible Study meets at 7 pm at the home of Sheri Valintis

 

12.  Sat. Sept 15-Church Council Meeting at 8:30am

 

13.  Sat. Sept 15-Family Fun & Food Bags Tournament at the home of Laura Voruz

 

14.  Sun. Sept 16-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.

 

15.  Sun. Sept 16-Sunday School for children age 4 through 5^th grade will meet in the church office at 9:15am

 

 

Special Congregational Meeting – This Sunday, Sept. 9^th we'll have one service at 9:30am, followed by a Special Congregational Meeting.  This is a follow-up to the August 19th meeting and we'll be discussing and possibly voting on the proposal Pastor Suzanne presented, as well as discussing concrete ideas for growing our church - numerically, spiritually, and financially.  Hope you will make it a priority to join us for this meeting.

 

Bags Tournament - Looking for a fun activity and a place to informally get to know other church members?  Then join us on Saturday, Sept. 15 at the home of Laura Voruz for a family bags tournament.  See Laura or the Info Table at church for more info on time, location, etc.

 

Wednesday Study Group - The Wednesday Study group is up and running again and has decided on what they'll be studying.  They'll begin next Wednesday, 9/12 with a study on the book of Ruth, followed by a study on the book of Ephesians.  The study meets at 6:30p for prayers, 7p for Bible study, and 815ish for closing prayers and communion.  Join us!  All are welcome!

 

Sunday Book Study - Just a reminder that our study is starting a new book this Sunday and we'd love to have you join us for the discussion.  We'll be reading Shane Claiborne's book, "The Irresistible Revolution."  Books can be purchased at Amazon.com and hpbmarketplace.com for a reasonable cost.  If you don't have time to get a book, join us anyway, as several extra copies were ordered.  This week's study will take place at the home of Carrie Worthington - her address is 638 Kingston Drive in Romeoville.  Questions about the group?  Contact Pastor Suzanne.

 

September 11 Ministry Night - Mark your calendars now and plan on joining us for this special Ministry Night.  We'll begin at 6:30pm with a light supper and invite/encourage those coming to wear your walking shoes.  Join us and invite someone to come with you!  All are welcome!

 

Matthew 25 Group - Pastor Suzanne will host another meeting of this group on Thursday, September 20.  She will be sharing the ideas discussed by her and Rodney at the last meeting, notes regarding a dairy fundraiser to assist our pantry families.  We'll also be looking at other opportunities to serve our communities.  If you have the gift of serving, helping, compassion, etc. and are looking for a place to use your gifts, please join us.  The meeting will begin at 7pm.

 

Are you missing a Bible?  There is one in our office that's in a black zippered case.  It was left in church several weeks ago and as yet is unclaimed.  HINT—There's a bookmark in it and a small piece of paper with a certain young lady's name printed on it.  Please call the office if you think it might be yours. 

 

Recap of last Sunday:  Last week, our theme was, "Let the 'James' Begin."  We started a study on the New Testament book of James.  Pastor shared that the book of James would challenge us into thinking about what it means to live out our faith in our daily lives.  We also spent time looking at Jesus' words from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 7, regarding how it is not what we put into our body that defiles us and makes us unclean but, rather, it is what comes out of our mouths - from our hearts and our thought-life - that makes us unclean.  We talked about big "T" traditions versus little "t" traditions and how man-made rules and traditions can get in the way of us living a life with God.  It was a great discussion.  Weren't able to be with us?  Check out a CD from our 10am service.

 

Preview of this Sunday:  This week, our theme will be, "Dead or Alive...Faith."  We'll continue our study on the book of James, looking deeper into the idea of how our faith is connected with our works and deeds.  We'll also hear words of faith from a woman who talks to Jesus and be reminded of how our faith has the power to heal us and those around us.  Join us for another lively discussion!

 

My husband Greg and I are planning to take a vacation the week of Sept. 17^th, so you won't be getting a What's Happening report that week.  Be sure to keep your report or refer to your Rod and Staff newsletter for the latest report of events.  We're hoping to do some camping and boating that week, weather permitting.

 

Wishing you the blessings of peace, hope, joy, health, and love always.  

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church