Greetings on this Thursday!
The Council would like to thank everyone who attended our "check-in/update" meeting last night. If you were not able to attend, please talk to a Council member or Pastor Suzanne about what you missed. After a discussion on upcoming events, small groups, etc., it was decided that we will keep many of our small groups going the way they normally do at this time of year; some of our activities will be curtailed or scaled back while others will continue; a new book study will be offered to assist us as we go through this process together. As Pastor Suzanne reminded us, if we are to get through this difficult time, we need to be sure we are spiritually strong - as individual believers and as a church. Being there to support each other will be very important and a wholehearted commitment to our church family and our ministries is one of the best ways we will come through this time in a healthy way. With that in mind, below is the current schedule of upcoming events, group meetings, etc. Please let us know if you have any questions.
TONIGHT- FLY (Finally Loving Yourself) Lady - meets at 7pm at Lydia Faber's home
Friday, 5/10 - Friday study at the home of Laura Voruz at 7pm
Saturday, 5/11 - 9:30am - Food Pantry open at 2 Belmont Dr. & Rt. 53
Saturday, 5/11 - 10am - act-usa planning meeting - meeting at church - NOTE location change - a discussion will be had about moving the date of this event
Saturday, 5/11 - 2pm - Diakonia graduation - join us in celebrating with Lydia Faber and George Sanchez as they graduate from their Diakonia program - held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Joliet (SE corner of Hennepin Dr. and Route 30).
Sunday, 5/12 - 8am & 10am - worship - Mother's Day Tea & Cookies between services - honor your mom and all the "moms" of the church
Sunday, 5/12 – Manna orders are due today
Monday, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27 - NO MONDAY STUDY (this group will be temporarily replaced by our special book study - meeting on Wednesdays-see below)
Tuesday, 5/14 - 7pm - Ministry Night
Wednesday, 5/15 - NO WEDNESDAY STUDY (this group will be temporarily replaced by our special book study - will meet on Wednesdays-see below)
Thursday, 5/16 - G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Study meets at 7pm at the Stoughton's
Friday, 5/17 - Craft Night at church begins at 6pm
Saturday, 5/18 - 10am - "How To" Meeting
Saturday, 5/18 - 1pm - Clever Containers party at church - raises money for the church - contact Lynne Hurdle (hostess for the event) or Pat Hurdle for more info
Sunday, 5/19 - 8am & 10am – Worship with Connection Café between services;
Sunday, 5/19 - 2pm – Preschool Stepping Up Ceremony at the Romeoville Recreation Center
Sunday, 5/19 - NO SUNDAY STUDY TODAY
Monday, 5/20 - Third Monday Study will meet at the Sanchez' home at 7pm
Wed. 5//22 & Thurs. 5/23 - Last day for Preschool/Preschool Picnics
Thursday, 5/23 - Church Council meeting
Saturday, 5/25 - 9:30am - Food Pantry open at 2 Belmont Dr. (at Rt. 53)
Sunday, 5/26 - 8am & 10am – Worship with Connection Café between services
Sunday, 5/26 - 4pm - Sunday Book Study
All-Church Book Study - Pastor Suzanne will be leading an "all-church" book study during the summer season. The book study will begin on Wednesday, May 22 and will continue on the following dates: 5/29, 6/12, 6/19, 7/10, 7/31, 8/7, and 8/21. The book to be studied will be determined in the next week. A few being looked at include: "Amish Grace," "Forgiveness: Finding Peace through Letting God," "Choosing to Forgive," and several others. For those who are not able to attend on Wednesday evenings, an alternate time will be chosen, based on those interested in participating. A sign-up sheet for the book study will be available on Sunday. Please contact Pastor Suzanne if you have any questions.
Bible Studies/Groups on Hold - The weekly Monday Study and Wednesday Study groups will be on hold during the summer months. Instead, we are encouraging regular group members to attend the all-church book study. See above for more info.
Financial update - As was shared at the check-in/update meeting, our financial situation continues to be a difficult one. The Church Council has taken the necessary steps to get our financial house in order but wanted to let the congregation know that "above and beyond" financial gifts to the church would be appreciated. Due to the potential costs of hiring an attorney, auditor, additional hours for our pastoral assistant, etc., along with our decision to pass a "congregational challenge" budget in January, we are finding our expenses to exceed our current income. Our monthly challenge is about $3,000 a month at this time. Please pray about how you can help the church in this way and be on the lookout for more detailed information on this in the weeks to come. You are also welcome to speak to a Church Council member.
Vacation Bible School - It was decided that we will offer VBS this summer. Carrie Worthington has stepped up to coordinate it. It will take place the last week of June - either 6/23-6/27 or 6/24-6/28. It will take our "village" to put this together well for the kids in our church, preschool, and community. So, if you enjoy being around kids, helping with crafts, making fun foods, etc., please talk to Carrie about helping out. A planning meeting will be set up soon.
Sermon recap: Last Sunday we heard from the Gospel of John, Jesus' own words about healing, as he healed the sick man by the pool. Pastor Suzanne shared the "wellness wheel" with us (https://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Vocation/Rostered-Leadership/Leadership-Support/Health/Wholeness-Wheel.aspx) and encouraged us to think about the places we are not healthy within that wheel and ask God to help us move toward health. We talked about how important it is to remember that all of our health pieces interconnect and when one piece is not doing well, the other pieces suffer. How is your challenge going this week? Have you found the places you need to find health? What are you doing to achieve it?
Sermon preview: This Sunday we'll hear the story of a "God-quake" from the book of Acts and think about how we can be witnesses to God and our faith in Jesus Christ, even in the midst of seemingly difficult circumstances. We'll see how Paul and Silas were able to witness to others in spite of their circumstances and challenge ourselves to do the same.
One final reminder; the pink Manna order forms are due this Sunday, May 12, for delivery the following Sunday, May 19th. Now is the time to purchase Manna Cards as gifts for graduations, weddings, birthdays, or even just for your use. They're also a great alternative to traveler's checks without any fees required!
Be sure to call the office (815-886-4354) if we can ever be of any information or assistance. Leave a message if no one answers and we'll get back to you!
Spring has finally arrived—enjoy it, and have a wonderful week!
Renea Horn Johnson
Pastoral Assistant
Good Shepherd Church
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