WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

It has been really quiet but busy around the office this week, with
Pastor taking some well-deserved time off to enjoy with her family.
I'm getting ready to prepare the Annual Meeting folders, as well as do
a brief newsletter and calendar as we look ahead to 2013. Until we
get the information to you, please feel free to call me here in the
office at 815-886-4354 if you have questions about times or
activities.

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

1. Sun. Dec 30- Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am (announcements begin 10
minutes before each service) with Connection Café between services

2. Mon. Dec 31-Special New Year's Eve worship at 7pm

3. Tues. Jan 1, 2013-HAPPY NEW YEAR!

4. Thur. Jan 3-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Study at Stoughton's at 7pm

5. Fri. Jan 4-ALL ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE IN THE OFFICE TODAY

6. Fri. Jan 4-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

7. Sun. Jan 6-One Worship Service at 9:00am and will be followed by a
Budget Forum. All are encouraged to attend and help plan our 2013
budget.

8. Mon. Jan 7-Monday Study at the Suchomel's meets at 7pm

9. Tue. Jan 8-Shepherd's Food Pantry will be open from 6:30-8pm at 2
Belmont Dr. at Rt. 53

10. Tue. Jan 8-Ministry Night at church at 7pm. All are welcome to
hear reports and help plan our various ministry activities.

11. Wed. Jan 9-First Wednesday Study of 2013 will meet at 6:30pm at
church. All are welcome!

12. Thur. Jan 10-FLY (Finally Loving Yourself) Lady meets at 7pm at
Lydia Faber's. Start 2013 out right by getting organized and learning
to love yourself as well.

13. Fri. Jan 11-Friday Study will meet at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

14. Fri. Jan 11-Crafters Night from 6pm at church. Bring your craft
projects and join us!

15. Sat. Jan 12-Shepherd's Food Pantry will be open from 9:30-11:30am
at 2 Belmont Dr. at Rt. 53. Helpers are always welcomed!

16. Sun. Jan 13-Worship at 8am* and/or 10am with Connection Café
between services (*new time)

New Year's Eve Worship - Before you ring in the New Year, why not give
thanks for the year that was? Join us on New Year's Eve at 7pm for a
special service of thanks and looking to the future. Holy Communion
will be offered.

A Vendor Fair is coming to Good Shepherd on February 9, 2013. Anyone
who is a direct selling vendor interested in a table should contact
Carrie Worthington via email carriejo.worthington@gmail.com for more
information.

Manna cards were successful (we made almost $300!) and will be offered
on a monthly basis. The next order form is ready and will be in
church this Sunday as well as being attached to this email. Orders
will need to be turned in by January 6, with delivery the following
Sunday. Use the cards for routine purchases and also to have on hand
at home for "extra" gift occasions that may come up.

Annual Reports Reminder - Council members, Ministry teams, and
financial folks - please remember that your annual reports are due to
Renea by Friday, January 4. The sooner you can get them done, the
better. Please email the reports to Renea, and copy Pastor Suzanne,
in a word document format. This makes it easier for editing purposes.
Questions? Please contact a Council member or Pastor Suzanne.

Romeoville Recreation Center Open House - Pastor Suzanne is looking
for a 4 or 5 people willing to serve at our table for this Open House.
It takes place on Tuesday, January 15 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. If you are
able to assist us, please email Pastor Suzanne. We basically need
someone to hand out flyers about the church, answer any questions that
come up, and invite people to church. This is an important, FREE way
for us to get the word out about our church. We hope you'll help!

Thank you!!! Pastor Suzanne and her family would like to thank the
congregation for the generous Christmas gift. They will use it to do
something together as a family. Thanks, again! May God bless you in
the coming year.

Pastor Suzanne is on vacation through January 2 in order to spend time
with her family. If you need to reach her for a confidential,
pastoral matter, please call her cell phone (815-355-2397).
Non-urgent messages can be left at the office with her assistant,
Renea, or via email and she will get back to you ASAP. Church matters
should be addressed by one of our church Council members - Sue
Hattimer, Camille Garcia, Judy Jordan, or Ronn Young-Black. Thanks!

Recap from last Sunday: Last Sunday, we lit our fourth candle on the
advent wreath - the candle of love. Pastor Suzanne reminded us of the
lyrics of a song by Foreigner, "I want to know what love is. I want
you to show me." We talked about how love is a verb and that how we
should people our love, or how we prove our love of God through our
action is very important. Who have you shown love to this week? Can
they tell what love is based on your actions?

Preview of this Sunday: Using text from Colossians, we'll talk about
how we are called to live as God's "chosen people." As we look to the
coming year, we'll think about how God might be moving us to change -
in our hearts, minds, and spirits, both as individuals and as a church
family.

Remember Grace, our Mooved by Eggsample cow. We can, with a few more
dollars, begin providing food pantry clients with milk and eggs by
February!

I am wishing you all the blessings of peace, love, hope, and joy as
well as health in 2013. Have a Happy New Year!

Renea Horn Johnson
Pastoral Assistant
Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

In anticipation of the bad weather forecasted, both G2R and the
Shepherd's Pantry Quarterly Mtg. & Holiday Pot Luck have been
cancelled. While we may not get a lot of snow, both events would
rather everyone stays safely at home. The Pantry plans to reschedule
their event and we will pass along the information as soon as it is
determined.

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

1. TODAY-Thur. Dec 20-Deadline for submitting reports for the January
2013 Rod and Staff newsletter

2. Fri. Dec 21-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

3. Sat. Dec 22-Shepherd's Food Pantry is open from 9:30 to 11:30am at
2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53)

4. Sun. Dec 23-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am (announcements begin 10
minutes before each service) with Connection Café between services

5. Sun. Dec 23-Special "Light in the Midst of Darkness" Worship
service begins at 4:30pm (see information below)

6. Mon. Dec 24-Special Family Christmas Worship Service begins at 4pm
at the church

7. Mon. Dec 24-Special Candlelight Christmas Worship Service begins at
11pm at the church

8. Tues. Dec 25-Merry Christmas

9. Fri. Dec 28-Friday Study will meet at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

10. Sun. Dec 30- Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am (announcements begin 10
minutes before each service) with Connection Café between services

11. Mon. Dec 31-Special New Year's Eve worship at 7pm

12. Tues. Jan 1, 2013-HAPPY NEW YEAR!

13. Wed. Jan 2-Wednesday Bible Study at 6:30pm at church

14. Thur. Jan 3-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Study at Stoughton's at 7pm

15. Fri. Jan 4-ALL ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE IN THE OFFICE TODAY

16. Fri. Jan 4-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

17. Sun. Jan 6-One Worship Service at 9:30am will be followed by a
Budget Forum. All are encouraged to attend and help plan our 2013
budget.



"Light in the Midst of Darkness" - join Pastor Suzanne and others this
Sunday, 12/23 at 4:30pm as we lift up and worship with those who have
lost loved ones, are struggling with mental health issues, or just
have a hard time making it through the holidays. This service will
include songs and Scriptures that will offer hope to those who feel
they are in "darkness." We hope you'll help spread the word about
this service and maybe join us as we welcome others into our church.

Christmas Eve Worship - Join us at 4pm for our family-oriented worship
service or at 11pm for our traditional candlelight service. Both will
offer Holy Communion.

New Year's Eve Worship - Before you ring in the New Year, why not give
thanks for the year that was? Join us on New Year's Eve at 7pm for a
special service of thanks and looking to the future. Holy Communion
will be offered.

A Vendor Fair is coming to Good Shepherd on 2/9/13. Anyone who is a
direct selling vendor interested in a table should contact Carrie
Worthington via email carriejo.worthington@gmail.com for more
information.

Manna cards have all been distributed. Thank you to those who
participated in this fundraising program. We plan to offer the
opportunity to buy these gift cards from various vendors on a monthly
basis. The next order form will be included with the January Rod and
Staff newsletter and will need to be turned in by January 6.

World Finds gifts will be available at church once again on Sunday.
All sale profits will go to our Matthew 25 fund. Stop at the table
and look over these reasonably priced quality items that were first
offered at this summer's Music for Malaria Event.

Annual Reports Reminder - Council members, Ministry teams, and
financial folks - please remember that your annual reports are due to
Renea by Friday, January 4. The sooner you can get them done, the
better. Please email the reports to Renea, and copy Pastor Suzanne,
in a word document format. This makes it easier for editing purposes.
Questions? Please contact a Council member or Pastor Suzanne.

Recap from last Sunday: Our theme for the Third Sunday of Advent
was, "Joy." With our hearts still heavy from the news from Newtown,
CT, we talked together about how we can still find joy even in the
midst of pain and sorrow. Reading from Philippians 4, we were
reminded that the action of joy is rejoicing, something we are called
to do every day. We also revisited Paul's 4-Step Plan for Peace, from
Philippians 4 - Pray about everything; worry about nothing; tell God
what you need; thank Him for all He has done...then you will
experience His peace.

Preview of this Sunday: For this Fourth and final Sunday of Advent,
our theme will be "Love." As we make final preparations for the
celebration of Jesus' birth, we think about the love that brought Him
here, to be among us - Emmanuel, God with us. We'll think about how
this love changed the world and how it can continue to change the
world through all of us.

After the horrific tragedy in Connecticut last Friday, the need for
prayers and "light in the midst of darkness" is really great. It
makes us realize just what a blessing and how precious life really is.
I am wishing you all the blessings of peace, love, hope, joy and
health always. Have a Merry Christmas.

Renea Horn Johnson
Pastoral Assistant
Good Shepherd Church

Fwd: sshhhhhh...gift for Pastor

I have been asked to pass along the following message from Chris Daniels.  Pastor and Steve have been omitted from the list of those receiving this message, so please help us keep it a secret.  Also, please don't feel an obligation to gift Pastor.  You know it will be appreciated, but certainly is not expected.

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chris Daniels <chris_audrey4196@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Sun, Dec 16, 2012 at 8:03 PM
Subject: sshhhhhh...gift for Pastor
To: Renea Horn <revassistant@gmail.com>

Hi Renea, Can you send out an email to folks that I will be collecting money for a Christmas gift and giving it to her on Christmas Eve...at the midnight service..thanks so much, Peace, Chris

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Morning!

A fence is being built around the field across from church, so we're getting a preview of the noises we can expect when they start to construct the new community center.  It will be interesting to watch the progress, won't it?

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

1. TONIGHT-Thur.  Dec 13-FLY (Finally Loving Yourself) Lady will meet at the home of Lydia Faber beginning at 7pm

2. Fri. Dec 14-Crafters Night at church from 6pm to midnight.  All crafters and their projects are welcome to come for an evening of crafty fellowship.  You can even learn scrapbooking if you are interested!

3. Fri. Dec 14-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

4. Sat. Dec 15-Church Council Meeting at 8:30am

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

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

7. Mon. Dec 17-Monday Study at 7pm at the Suchomel home

8. Mon. Dec 17-3rd Monday Study at 7pm at the Sanchez home

9. Wed. Dec 19-Advent Lite Dinner will be served at 6pm-be sure to sign up so we have enough food for everyone. This will be followed by

10. Wed. Dec 19-Advent Book Study begins at 6:30pm and will be followed by

11. Wed. Dec 19-Advent Worship beginning at 8pm

12. Thur. Dec 20-Shepherd's Pantry Quarterly Mtg. and Holiday Pot Luck begins at 7pm at the Pantry

13. Thur. Dec 20-Deadline for submitting reports for the January 2013 Rod and Staff newsletter

14. Fri. Dec 21-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

15. Sat. Dec 22-Shepherd's Food Pantry is open from 9:30 to 11:30am at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53)

16. Sun. Dec 23-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am (announcements begin 10 minutes before each service) with Connection Café between services

17. Sun. Dec 23-Special "Light in the Midst of Darkness" Worship service begins at 4:30pm (see information below)

18. Mon. Dec 24-Special Family Christmas Worship Service begins at 4pm at the church

19. Mon. Dec 24-Special Candlelight Christmas Worship Service begins at 11pm at the church

Readers wanted!!!

Pastor Suzanne is still looking for 5 or 6 people willing to share a Christmas story at our 4pm Christmas Eve service.  You are welcome to read a Christmas related story from your childhood or just a story that you enjoy.  This 4pm service is geared toward families with children and is a great place for special stories to be shared.  Please email Pastor Suzanne by this Sunday, 12/16, as she is already working on the services.  

"Light in the Midst of Darkness" - join Pastor Suzanne and others on Sunday, 12/23 at 4:30pm as we lift up and worship with those who have lost loved ones, are struggling with mental health issues, or just have a hard time making it through the holidays.  This service will include songs and Scriptures that will offer hope to those who feel they are in "darkness."  We hope you'll help spread the word about this service and maybe join us as we welcome others into our church.

Manna Gift Cards will be in church on Sunday.  Thanks to all who placed orders and helped to make the church almost $200!  We plan to continue the program on a monthly basis throughout the year, so please consider ordering gift cards for your everyday needs.  If you have questions or would like details about the program, please talk with Carrie Worthington or call the church office.

World Finds gifts will be available at church once again on Sunday.  All sale profits will go to our Matthew 25 fund.  Stop at the table and look over these reasonably priced quality items that were first offered at this summer's Music for Malaria Event. 

Annual Reports Reminder - Council members, Ministry teams, and financial folks - please remember that your annual reports are due to Renea by Friday, January 4.  The sooner you can get them done, the better.  Please email the reports to Renea, and copy Pastor Suzanne, in a word document format.  This makes it easier for editing purposes.  Questions?  Please contact a Council member or Pastor Suzanne.

Recap from last Sunday:   Our theme was, "Preparation."  We lit the second candle of our Advent wreath, the Candle of Preparation.  Using some of the text from Luke 3, about John the Baptist, we talked about how we prepare for Jesus.  We talked about the difference between preparing for the celebration of Jesus birthday, on Christmas, and preparing for the second coming of Jesus.  At our second service, Debbie Suchomel put it so wonderfully - the preparation for Jesus' first coming is about preparing externally; the preparation for Jesus' second coming is about preparing internally.  So, how are you preparing for Jesus?

Preview of this Sunday:  This Sunday, we'll light our Candle of Joy and, fittingly, our theme will also be, "Joy!"  We'll hear a song of praise from the prophet, Isaiah and the Psalmist, David.  We'll also hear from the apostle, Paul, in his words about rejoicing and finding peace.  As we come closer and closer to Christmas, we hope you'll take time to gather with your brothers and sisters in Christ to raise up our own praise and joy for the gift we have in Him.

Looking ahead-- Please mark your calendars now to reserve the following important dates--

January 6, 2013 - One service Sunday followed by a Budget Forum

January 27 - One service Sunday followed by Annual Congregational Meeting

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

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

Britt Kinder's mom's services

All,

We would like to ask, if you are able, that you come to Anderson Memorial Chapel, across from the church, at around 3:15p tomorrow (Sunday) for the wake of Joyce Kinder, Britt's mom.

At about 3:30p, Pastor Suzanne will ask Good Shepherd folk to gather around the family in a circle/blob and we will pray the Lord's Prayer together.

This "ritual" has come to mean a lot to the families for whom we do it, as well as to the people who are there to pray.

If you are not able to join us at that time, that is fine.  Pastor respectfully asks that, if you go prior to this, you don't inform the family, as we prefer to do it as a gift to them, of sorts.

Questions?  Please talk to Pastor at church and/or text her.

Thanks!

ARRANGEMENTS FOR JOYCE KINDER

Visitation and services for Britt Kinder's mother, Joyce, will held on Sunday, December 9th at Anderson Memorial Chapel.  She will be waked from 3 to 7pm with the funeral service taking place at 7pm.

Please keep the Kinder family in your prayers.

--
Renea Horn Johnson
Pastoral Assistant
Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Welcome to December!

Hope that you have all received your December Rod and Staff newsletter which is chock full of information.  We ran out of space to post everything, so be sure to check this weekly email for the latest and any additional updates of activities.  

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

1. TONIGHT-Thur. Dec 6-G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Study at 7pm at the Stoughton home

2. Fri. Dec 7-Friday Study at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

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

4. Sat. Dec 8-Praise Band Rehearsal at 1:30pm at the church

5. Sun. Dec 9-Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am (announcements begin 10 minutes before each service) with Connection Café between services

6. Sun. Dec 9-Last day to turn in your Manna Gift Certificates order forms to the church

7. Sun. Dec 9-"Radical" Book Study will meet at 4pm at Pastor's home.  Please let her know ahead of time if you are planning to be there.

8. Mon. Dec 10-Monday Bible Study will meet at 7pm at the Suchomel's home

9. Tue. Dec 11-Ministry Night at church at 7pm  All are welcome to attend!

10. Wed. Dec 12-Advent Lite Dinner will be served at 6pm-be sure to sign up so we have enough food for everyone. This will be followed by

11. Wed. Dec 12-Advent Book Study begins at 6:30pm and will be followed by

12. Wed. Dec 12-Advent Worship beginning at 8pm

 

13. Thur. Dec 13-FLY (Finally Loving Yourself) Lady will meet at the home of Lydia Faber beginning at 7pm

14. Fri. Dec 14-Crafters Night at church from 6pm to midnight.  All crafters and their projects are welcome to come for an evening of crafty fellowship.  You can even learn scrapbooking if you are interested!

15. Fri. Dec 14-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

16. Sat. Dec 15-Church Council Meeting at 8:30am

17. Sun. Dec 16- Worship at 8:15 and/or 10am (announcements begin 10 minutes before each service) with Connection Café between services

18. Sun. Dec 16-Sunday School for ages 4 through 5th grade will meet at 9:15am in the church office

Sunday Book Study - Just a reminder that we'll be meeting at the home of Pastor Suzanne this Sunday.  If you are planning on attending the study, please email Pastor Suzanne so she knows how many to cook for...even those who come regularly should email her so she expects you.  Thanks!  Need her address or directions, please email or text her.

Ministry Night - Please join us next Tuesday, 12/11 at 7:00pm at church for our December Ministry Night.  We'll take a look back at our 2012 ministry events, give feedback on what worked and what we need to do differently.  We'll also look forward to 2013 and what God might be calling us to do.  All are welcome..whether you are part of a team or not!  Come, join us as we work and plan together!  Questions?  Please contact Sue Hattimer, Council President.

Readers wanted!!!

Pastor Suzanne is looking for 5 or 6 people who would be willing to share a Christmas story at our 4pm Christmas Eve service.  You are welcome to read a story from your own library or she can provide one for you.  If you are interested in participating, please email Pastor Suzanne by Sunday, 12/16, as she is already working on the services.  This 4pm service is geared toward families with children and will include stories, Christmas songs, and a special ending to take us out into the evening.

Manna Gift Card Order Forms are due in church on Sunday.  This is a perfect way to shop for those hard to get for people on your gifting list.  If you are interested in participating, please be prepared to place your orders by this Sunday, Dec. 9.  Order forms are available in the office or church.  You can also check our website for further information.

World Finds gifts will be available at church on Sunday.  All sale profits will go to our Matthew 25 fund. Stop at the table and look over the reasonably priced quality items that were first offered at this summer's Music for Malaria Event. 

Mooved by eggsample- Have you checked out our cow yet?  What do you suppose will be the next color of the heart spots that appear on Grace?  Do you know how to get them there?

Annual Reports Reminder - Council members, Ministry teams, and financial folks - please remember that your annual reports are due to Renea by Friday, January 4.  The sooner you can get them done, the better.  Please email the reports to Renea, and copy Pastor Suzanne, in a word document.  This makes it easier for editing purposes.  Questions? Please contact a Council member or Pastor Suzanne.

Recap from last Sunday:  Pastor Bergh gave us a message as we began the Sunday Advent season.  We lit the first candle on our wreath - the candle of Prophecy.  We heard from the prophet, Isaiah, as he prophesied about the future glory of Jerusalem.   We sang songs that reminded us of God's plan to bring Jesus into the world, a plan spoken about through the prophets, including Isaiah.  Who are the prophets of our day and what is God saying through them?

Preview of this Sunday:  This week, the second Sunday of Advent, we will light the candle of Preparation.  We'll hear from the prophet Isaiah again, as well as from the New Testament prophet, John the Baptist.  We'll think about what it means to both prepare ourselves, and others, for the coming of Jesus.  What exactly does it take to "be prepared?"  We hope you'll join us and invite a friend or two to join us too.

Looking ahead-- Please mark your calendars now to reserve the following important dates--

January 6, 2013 - One service Sunday followed by a Budget Forum

January 27 - One service Sunday followed by Annual Congregational Meeting

Please pray for the Kinder family on the passing this morning of Britt's mother, Joyce.  When information regarding services is available, we will post it on Facebook, or you can call the church office tomorrow.

Can you feel the anticipation building in readiness of celebrating the miraculous gift of Jesus?  That's what this holiday is all about.

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

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church