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