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