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