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