WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

 

We have been really busy trying to get the November Rod and Staff newsletter ready for you to get in church on Sunday.  If for some reason we aren't successful, it will be mailed to your home.

 

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

 

1.      TONIGHT-Thur. Oct 25-Rescheduled Church Council meeting at 7pm tonight

 

2.      Fri. Oct 26-Shepherd's Food Pantry fundraiser at Mongo McMichael's from 10am to 2am.  Be sure to get your flyer so 20% of your bill will be donated to the Pantry.

 

3.      Fri. Oct 26-Friday Study will meet at the home of Laura Voruz beginning at 7pm

 

4.      Sat. Oct 27-Shepherd's Food Pantry will be open from 9:30 to 11:30am at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53)

 

5.      Sun. Oct 28- Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.

 

6.      Sun. Oct 28-The Irresistible Revolution Book Study meets at 4pm at the Texley's home

 

7.      Mon. Oct 29-Monday Bible Study meets at the Suchomel's beginning at 7pm

 

8.      Tue. Oct 30-Growth Team Organizational Meeting at 7pm at church

 

9.      Wed. Oct 31-Wednesday Bible Study meets at 6:30pm at church

 

10.  Thur. Nov 1-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Bible Study at 7pm at the Stoughton's home

 

11.  Fri. Nov 2-Estate Sale Set-Up will begin at 4pm at the church

 

12.  Fri. Nov 2-Friday Bible Study will meet at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

 

13.  Sat. Nov 3-Estate Sale at church from 9am to 4pm

 

Remember to set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed tonight!

14.  Sun. Nov 4-One Worship Service at 9:30am at Romeoville Fire Station #3, 698 N. Birch Lane (just off Normantown and east of Weber Road)

 

15.  Sun. Nov 4-Estate Sale from noon to 5pm at the church

 

16.  Mon. Nov 5-Last day of Estate Sale at church from 10am to 4pm  (Institute Day-No school attendance)

 

17.  Mon. Nov 5-Monday Bible Study will meet at 7pm at the Suchomel home

 

18.  Tue. Nov 6-Clean-up from Estate Sale begins at 1pm (following Preschool class)  ELECTION DAY

 

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

 

Book Study - Our next gathering will be this Sunday, Oct. 28 at 4:00pm at the home of Bruce and Sharon Texley.  We are currently studying The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.  Interested?  Join us.  All are welcome.

 

Growth Team Meeting - Tuesday, October 30 - 7:00pm at church - The Church Council will be putting together a "Growth Team," as discussed at a recent Special Congregational Meeting.  If you are interested in helping to grow our church - financially, numerically, spiritually, etc. - please join us for this meeting.  Questions?  Please contact a Church Council member:  Sue Hattimer, Camille Garcia, Judy Jordan, Ronn Young-Black, or Pastor Suzanne. 

 

Estate Sale - We would welcome more volunteers/servants for our Estate Sale.  The set-up will begin at 4:00 on Friday, 11/2 (if you are able to help earlier in the afternoon to transport items from storage, please contact Steve Hurdle at 815-355-2549).  The sale will run on Saturday, 11/3 - from 9am-4pm; Sunday, 11/4 - from noon-5pm; Monday, 11/5 - from 10am-4pm.  We will then clean up from the sale on Tuesday, 11/6, beginning at 1pm.  We may be in need of assistance getting unsold items to places like Goodwill, etc.  If you are able to help with this, please contact Jan Sanchez or Pastor Suzanne, who are coordinating the sale.  Remember, all the money we raise for this sale goes to assist our sister in Christ, Darlene, with her medical bills and nursing home costs.

 

Recap of last Sunday's message:  Last week, our theme was, "Be a Servant."  Using Jesus' words in the Gospel of Mark, we talked about what it means to be a servant.  Pastor Suzanne reminded us of our discussion from the previous week, "What Holds Us Back," and said that until we let go of the things that hold us back from following Jesus, we cannot be the servant he has called us to be.  We talked about how being a servant means helping others for their sake, not for our own, just as Jesus did.  Think about the places you are serving; are they a reflection of your faith in God and journey with Jesus or are they self-serving?  A tough question, but one that begs an answer.

Preview of this Sunday's message:  This Sunday, in celebration of Reformation Sunday, our theme will be, "Faith and Reforming."  We'll talk about how our faith heals us, restores us, and reforms us.  We'll talk about "sola fide, sola gratia, sola Scriptura."  Join us to find out what these Latin words mean and what they mean to our lives as Christians...and Lutherans.

I don't think we realize how much we've come to rely on our computers and/or cell phones until, for whatever reason, we haven't got access to them.  It seems that no matter how fast we do things, without the support of these tools, we are at a loss.  I used to have telephone numbers memorized, but now just push a programmed button and haven't got a clue what the number is.  How about you?

 

Here's wishing you all peace, hope, joy, health, and love always.  Enjoy the last of our Indian summer weather!

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

 

Good Morning!

 

Welcome to Indian Summer!   The Preschool class just returned from their Fall Walk with rosy faces and big smiles.   It won't be long now (November 4) before we return to Central Standard Time and set our clocks back an hour.

 

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

 

1.      TONIGHT-Thur. Oct 18-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Bible Study meets at 7pm at the Stoughton's home

 

2.      TODAY-Thur. Oct 18-Deadline for ministry team reports for Council and Rod and Staff November newsletter reports.

 

3.      Fri. Oct 19-Friday Study meets at the home of Laura Voruz at 7pm (see below for more information)

 

4.      Sat. Oct 20-Viewing of "Telling amy's story" movie at church begins at 2pm with a discussion on domestic violence following the film.

 

5.      Sun. Oct 21-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.

 

6.      Sun. Oct 21-Sunday School for ages 4 to 5^th grade meets at 9:15am in the church office

 

7.      Sun. Oct 21-Worship Outreach at Joliet Job Corps-see below for more information and come join us!

 

8.      Mon. Oct 22-Monday Bible Study meets at the Suchomel's beginning at 7pm

 

9.      Wed. Oct 24-Preschool Cookie Dough Fundraiser pick-up from 3:30 to 5:30pm

 

10.  Thur. Oct 25-Rescheduled Church Council meeting at 7pm tonight

 

11.  Fri. Oct 26-Shepherd's Food Pantry fundraiser at Mongo McMichael's from 10am to 2am.  Be sure to get your flyer so 20% of your bill will be donated to the Pantry.

 

12.  Fri. Oct 26-Friday Study will meet at the home of Laura Voruz

 

13.  Sat. Oct 27-Shepherd's Food Pantry will be open from 9:30 to 11:30am at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53)

 

14.  Sun. Oct 28- Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.

 

15.  Sun. Oct 28-The Irresistible Revolution Book Study meets at 4pm.

 

16.  Mon. Oct 29-Monday Bible Study meets at the Suchomel's beginning at 7pm

 

17.  Tue. Oct 30-Growth Team Organizational Meeting at 7pm at church.

 

The Friday Study will be showing the John movie at their meeting on Friday as they begin a study of the book of John.  Come join them—all are welcome at any meeting for study, discussion, prayer and fellowship.  They meet at the home of Laura Voruz. 

 

Book Study - Our next gathering will be on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 4:00pm.  We are currently studying  The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.  Interested?  Join us.  All are welcome.

 

Matthew 25 "Mooved by Eggsample" Fundraiser - Carrie Worthington and Pastor Suzanne are finalizing the special "props" we'll be using for this fundraiser.  As a reminder, you'll be invited to "pin a spot" on our cow (coming soon to church) or "drop an egg" in the basket.  Spots are $8 each and will provide 2 pantry families with a gallon of milk and a carton of eggs; eggs are $4 each and will provide 1 pantry family with milk and eggs.  We'll soon be looking for people to shop for our dairy items, deliver them to the pantry on give-out days, etc.  If you are interested in helping with this, please contact Carrie or Pastor Suzanne.  Thanks!  And thanks to Roy J for coming up with our great slogan!

 

"Telling Amy's Story" - This Saturday, we'll have a special opportunity to host community members as we partner with Guardian Angel Community Services.  At 2:00pm, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, they'll be showing a movie, "Telling Amy's Story," at our church.  We are looking for people to provide cookies and other small desserts for our guests.  If you can help, please contact Renea in the church office via email or the office number - 815-886-4354.  Or, just bring your dessert donations to church on Saturday.  We hope some of you will also come to the movie screening and help us host this event...just another opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

 

Worship Outreach - This Sunday, at 6:00pm, Pastor Suzanne and several others from the congregation will be going to Joliet Jobs Corp (in Joliet) to share a meal and worship service with some of their lgbt youth.  Joliet Jobs Corp assists youth, ages 16-22, with job training and other life skills development.  We believe God has opened up a special opportunity here for us to partner with them and we're hopeful that the congregation will jump on board and be there for these youth...they are very excited about us coming.  If you're able to join us, please be in touch with Pastor Suzanne.  We'll either car pool together or meet at the facility.  We are also going to be providing desserts.  Pastor Suzanne has the likes/dislikes of the youth for food choices so, if you'd like to help with that, let her know.  Thanks!

 

Growth Team Meeting - On Tuesday, October 30 at 7:00p, the Council will host an inaugural meeting for the Growth Team.  This new team comes out of our various discussions at our most recent Special Congregational Meetings.  Anyone interested in growing our church - financially, spiritually, numerically, etc. - is invited and encouraged to join us.  This first meeting will help us discern the next direction for the team and those interested.

 

Estate Sale Help - Jan Sanchez and Pastor Suzanne are coordinating an estate sale to help our sister in Christ, Darlene.  A sign-up was provided last Sunday at church. If you weren't there or you missed it, please sign up this week.  Or, feel free to contact Jan or Pastor Suzanne.  Set up for the sale will begin at 4:00pm on Friday, November 2.  The sale will run on Saturday, November 3 from 9am-4pm; Sunday, November 4 from noon-5pm; Monday, November 5 from 10am-4pm.  Clean-up from the sale (and possibly delivery of non-sold items) will be on Tuesday, November 6, starting at 1:00pm.  Thanks, in advance, for helping us assist Darlene.  She is truly grateful for all that the congregation is doing to help her.

 

Recap of last Sunday's message:  Last Sunday, our theme was, "What Holds Us Back?"  Using the story of the rich young man and Jesus, Pastor Suzanne invited us, okay challenged us, to think about what holds us back from fully following Jesus.  For some of us it might be our wealth, or our possessions, or our jobs, or our families, or our habits, or our attitudes, or perhaps something else.  She challenged us to figure out what holds us back and then to decide what to do about it.  Are we going to be like the rich young man and walk away from Jesus because we just can't give it up, or are we willing to give up whatever we need to in order to walk toward, and with, Jesus?

Preview of this Sunday's message:  This week, our theme will be, "Be a Servant."  Using Jesus' words from the Gospel of Mark, along with Bible readings from Isaiah and Hebrews, we'll talk about what it means to be a servant of God; we'll think about how our attitude in serving is just as important as our physical act of serving; we'll see Jesus' example of being a servant and challenge ourselves to become more and more like him in our daily walks.  Join us...and invite a friend too!

Next Sunday, October 28, we are planning to have the November Rod and Staff newsletter ready to give you at church.  In the newsletter, we'll include another reminder about the time change which will take place the following Sunday, November 4.  Where has this year gone?

 

Here's wishing you all peace, hope, joy, health, and love always.  Enjoy our changeable fall weather!

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

 

nursing home worship CANCELLED!

Greetings, all.

Pastor Suzanne wanted to let you know that the worship we were hoping to have at the nursing home with two of our church family members has been CANCELLED.

Due to medical issues, we are not able to hold the service there and be with our members.

We hope to be able to do something in the near future.

Thanks.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Happy Thursday, 10-11-12!

 

At our Ministry Night on Tuesday, we had a guest from LSSI (Lutheran Social Services of Illinois) who introduced us to their Hands @ Work program.  Watch and listen for more information to be available soon.

 

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

 

1.      TONIGHT-Thur. Oct 11-FLY Lady (Finally Loving Yourself) meets at 7pm at Lydia Faber's home

 

2.      Fri. Oct 12-Friday Study begins at 7pm at the Voruz home

 

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

 

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

 

5.      Sun. Oct 14-Book Study Group will meet at 4pm at the Suchomel home

 

6.      Mon. Oct 15-3^rd Monday Study meets at 7pm at the Sanchez home

 

7.      Mon. Oct 15-Monday Bible Study meets at Suchomel's beginning at 7pm

 

8.      Tues. Oct 16-Harvest Saturday meeting at 7pm

 

9.      Wed. Oct 17-Wednesday Bible Study at church at 6:30pm

 

10.  Thur. Oct 18-Deadline for ministry team report for Council and Rod and Staff November newsletter reports.

 

11.  Fri. Oct 19-Friday Study meets at the home of Laura Voruz at 7pm

 

12.  Sat. Oct 20-Church Council meeting at 8:30am

 

13.  Sat. Oct 20-Viewing of "Telling amy's story" movie at church begins at 2pm with a discussion on domestic violence following the film.

 

14.  Sun. Oct 21-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.

 

15.  Sun. Oct 21-Sunday School for ages 4 to 5^th grade meets at 9:15am in the church office

 

 Book Study - Our next gathering will be this Sunday at 4:00pm at the home of Debbie Suchomel (please call her or Renea, at the office, for address and directions).  We are currently studying  The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.  Interested?  Join us.  All are welcome.

 

"Telling Amy's Story" - Next Saturday, October 20, in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are hosting a movie screening of an important movie, "Telling Amy's Story."  The movie will begin at 2pm and will be followed by discussion.  If you'd like to help us provide desserts such as cookies or brownies, please let Pastor Suzanne know.  If you know someone dealing with domestic violence, please invite them to this important event and tell them you'll come with them.  This event is sponsored by Guardian Angel Community Services of Joliet.

 

LGBTQ Youth Outreach - Next Sunday, October 21, we'll be heading to Joliet Jobs Corp to provide dinner and share in worship with an LGBTQ group.  The youth are ages 16-22 and are really looking forward to our visit.  Pastor Suzanne is looking for people to provide dessert for our meal with them.  She has some "likes" and "dislikes" from the youth, so, if you're willing to help, she'll give you a list.  We hope this will be the beginning of an ongoing relationship with some young adults who need some mentoring.

 

Nursing Home Worship - Pastor Suzanne and the Monday Study group will be heading to Manorcare Nursing Home in Naperville to share in worship with Marlene Stiff and Harriet Howard (Jackie Esquivel's mom).  The exact time is to be determined, but will probably be around 7p.  Manorcare is on Martin Avenue in Naperville, just west of Washington St., next to Edward Hospital.  Both ladies are looking forward to being with their church family members.  We hope you can join us.

 

Growth Team - The Council will be hosting a meeting of the new "Growth Team" on Tuesday, October 30 at 7:00p.  This team comes out of conversations at our Special Congregational Meeting, earlier this fall.  We are looking for people interested in growing the church - financially, spiritually, numerically (in membership), etc.  If this is of interest to you, please join us for the meeting on the 30th.  Maybe we'll even provide some pre-Halloween candy.

 

Estate Sale for Darlene - We are looking for people willing to help set up, work at, and clean up the estate sale we will be holding for our sister in Christ, Darlene.  All of the money raised at the sale will go toward offsetting Darlene's medical and nursing home costs.  The dates of the sale are November 3-5, with set-up on November 2 and clean-up on November 6 (yep, Election Day).  Set-up will begin at 4pm on Friday, 11/2.  The sale runs on Saturday, 11/3 from 9am-4pm; Sunday, 11/4 from noon-5pm; Monday, 11/5 from 10am-4pm.  Clean-up will begin at noon on 11/6.  We will have a schedule for signing up on Sunday at church.  Questions?  Please talk to Jan Sanchez or Pastor Suzanne, who are coordinating the sale.  Thanks!

 

At Tuesday's Ministry Night we received word that Shepherd's Pantry has arranged "food" fundraisers where two eateries have pledged to donate a percentage of food purchases.  The first event will be on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at At's-A-Nice Pizza to benefit Harvest Saturday.  The second event is taking place on Friday, Oct. 26 at Mongo McMichael's and will benefit Shepherd's Pantry.  Come eat so others may eat!

 

Recap from last Sunday:  Our theme was "Tough Topics."  Pastor Suzanne gave a message on the Gospel reading from Mark, about divorce.  She talked about marriage, divorce, and what God is calling us to, as we live our lives in relationships.  One of the challenges she gave us was to think about how we can take the love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness that we've received from God to our families and to the communities in which we live, work, and play.  How's that challenge going for you?

Preview of this Sunday:  Pastor Suzanne will be giving a message on, "What Holds Us Back."  Using Mark 10 and Hebrews 3, we'll talk about some of the things that hold us back from fully following Jesus and the things that harden our hearts and turn us away from God.  Be sure to join us and invite a friend to join us too!

I've recently changed the hours I am scheduled to be in the office.  On Monday and Friday I'll work from 11:30am to 2:30pm, and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am until noon.  However, I won't be in the office tomorrow (Friday) because Greg and I are going to Indiana to winterize our travel trailer and boat.  We really hate to say goodbye to our seasonal activities, but don't want to push our luck and have things freeze up! 

 

Here's wishing you all peace, hope, joy, health, and love always.  Enjoy our sunny fall weather!

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

 

Hope that you have all been enjoying our weather.  Last Saturday we had an awesome evening watching the Morris Corn Fest fireworks from the back of our son's boat, with the full moon shining across the water.  It was a remarkable God-sent evening.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

3.      Sun. Oct 7- Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am.  Announcements begin 10 minutes before each service with Connection Café between services.  The "Pin a spot on the cow/fill the basket" Fundraiser will kick off today.  See the October Rod and Staff for details!

 

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

 

5.      Mon. Oct 8-Monday Study at 7pm at the Suchomel home.

 

6.      Tues. Oct 9-Ministry Night begins at 7pm with a special guest, Rev. Dan Schwick from Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.  All are welcome.

 

7.      Wed. Oct 10-Wednesday Study meets at church at 6:30pm

 

8.      Thur. Oct 11-FLY Lady (Finally Loving Yourself) meets at 7pm at Lydia Faber's home

 

9.      Fri. Oct 12-Friday Study begins at 7pm at the Voruz home

 

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

 

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

 

12.  Sun. Oct 14-Book Study Group will meet at 4pm at the Suchomel home

 

13.  Mon. Oct 15-3^rd Monday Study meets at 7pm at the Sanchez home

 

14.  Mon. Oct 15-Monday Bible Study meets at Suchomel's beginning at 7pm

 

Matthew 25 Group – We're excited about our dairy fundraiser for the pantry.  Please join us on Sunday as we kick off with our new theme (thanks to Roy!).

 

 

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

--Telling amy's story, a documentary that follows the timeline of a domestic violence homicide, will be shown at 2pm on Saturday, October 20^th at the church as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.  A Guardian Angel Community Services representative will be present during the screening and to lead a community discussion afterward.  Call the church (815-886-4354) or email Pastor Suzanne (revhurdle@sbcglobal.net) to reserve your spot!

 

--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.  10/9 - 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 "The Power of Community."  Using both the Old Testament lesson from Numbers and the New Testament lesson from James, we talked about what it means to have the power of community and how this power can be used for good or bad.  We talked about how important it is to care for each other and bear each other's burdens.  Pastor Suzanne challenged us to think about our role in the community and how we can take what we get in this community of faith out into the world.

Preview of this Sunday:  This Sunday our theme will be, "Tough Topics."  We'll be discussing Jesus' words on divorce, along with other "tough" topics.  We'll approach them head-on.  If you've ever wondered about what Jesus has to say about this, be sure to join us.

The October Rod and Staff newsletter was passed out in church on Sunday.  Did you get your copy?  Remember that you can always call the church office for any information you may need.

 

I am wishing you all peace, hope, joy, health, and love always.  

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church