WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Hello,

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our sister in Christ, Darlene Vasquez.  After a long battle with M.S. and a more recent battle with cancer, her fight is over and she can now rest in peace.  Honoring her wishes, there will be no wake or funeral.  However, Pastor Suzanne and Jan Sanchez will be coordinating an informal prayer service of remembrance in the coming weeks, so that those in our church family can share stories and offer prayers.  Please pray for her children, Cathy (John) Moyolt and Tom (Kim) Jansen, along with her beloved grandchildren, whom she adored.  Pray, too, for her many friends who mourn her loss - both long-time and new friends.  And, thank you, to all who made the last two years of her life a time of laughter and fellowship as we moved her out of her house and worked in her backyard, held the estate sale and more.  'She knew her Good Shepherd family was always around her, including all the prayer angels,' said Pastor Suzanne."

Join us on Sunday, July 28, at 9am when we will have one Worship service with Pastor Buchholz serving as our guest preacher.  Please come to once again welcome Pastor Buchholz and worship with your Good Shepherd family!

August Manna order forms are ready and will be passed out at church on Sunday.  Your completed order forms are due in the church office by Monday, August 5.  Orders will be delivered by Sunday, August 11th.  Manna cards are great for back to school giving!

During the month of July our Social Ministry team has sponsored a collection for the benefit of the Romeoville Humane Society, a non kill animal shelter.  In addition to monetary donations, they are in need of foster homes, animal handlers, dog walking, fundraising, cleaning supplies, etc.  Please drop any donations in the designated collection bin, and if you would like to donate money, please mark that it is for the Romeoville Humane Society and put it in the offering plate.  Wish lists are on the information table at the back of church.  Please consider aiding these innocent creatures to have a better life.

A week from today on August 1st,  Romeofest will begin!  We will be hosting a pared-down booth at the Fest again this year, through August 4th.  If you are interested in helping us welcome people to our booth and with crafts, please talk to Carrie Worthington or Pastor Suzanne (when she returns), as they are working to set up a schedule of volunteers.  We will also be hosting a Backpack Blessing on the Sunday of the Fest, place/time to be determined.

On Saturday, August 3 at 10am there will be a Bands and Bags for Breezy planning meeting at City Hall.  This event is to benefit communities that were affected by Superstorm Sandy and is planned for Sept. 27, 2013.  Come help in the planning!

 On Sunday, August 11 we have planned to have one Worship Service at 9am followed by a brown bag lunch (bring your own in a brown bag or your own lunch pail/box). After lunch, we'll travel together to all the local Romeoville schools to pray for the staff, administration, students, families, etc.  It's sure to be a time for fellowship and community outreach.  Join us!

The Preschool had their Annual Summer Reunion Picnic yesterday and is now officially on summer vacation.  There are still openings for the 2013-2014 school year in the 3 year old Tuesday and Thursday and 4 year old Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes.  If you, or anyone you know, is interested in enrollment information, please have them call the church office (815-886-4354) and we will be happy to assist.  The Preschool's school year will begin the day after Labor Day (September 3).

While Pastor and her family are on vacation, remember that Renea will be in the office daily during that time, and any one of our Church Council members can be contacted for your questions, concerns, and spiritual needs as well.  We're just a phone call away and we are here for you at any time during Pastor's absence.  *NOTE-If you have a confidential or urgent pastoral care need, you can call Pastor Suzanne and she will make arrangements to have someone tend to you or she will do what she can from where she is. 

When you come to church on Sunday, you'll be surprised to see the new sports complex walls are up!  They started erecting the precast cement walls on Monday and also started digging the retention pond across from us.  Believe me, it is noisy and there is a lot of dust flying around.

I'm wishing you peace, faith, hope, love, joy and health always.   Please keep Darlene and her family in your prayers.

--
Renea Horn Johnson
Pastoral Assistant
Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Hello!

 I hope that everyone is staying cool and keeping hydrated in this heat.  My water aerobics instructor informed us that, even if you are swimming, you can easily become dehydrated in this severe heat, so be sure to drink plenty of water regularly.

 Construction is in full swing across the street, though it is hard to figure out what their plan is.  Dirt and gravel is being moved around and piled up and large sewer pipes have appeared.  Along with that, there's a lot of dust being generated.

 The G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Study is not meeting tonight.  The Stoughton's are taking a summer break and won't meet again until September.

 This Sunday, July 21 and next Sunday, July 28, we will have one Worship service at 9am with Pastor Bucholz serving as our guest preacher.  Please come and extend a Good Shepherd welcome to him!

During the month of July our Social Ministry team is sponsoring a collection for the benefit of the Romeoville Humane Society, a non kill animal shelter.  In addition to monetary donations, they are in need of foster homes, animal handlers, dog walking, fundraising, cleaning supplies, etc.  Please drop any donations in the designated collection bin, and if you would like to donate money, please mark that it is for the Romeoville Humane Society and put it in the offering plate.  Wish lists are on the information table at the back of church.  Please consider aiding these innocent creatures to have a better life.

Two weeks from today – August 1-4 – Romeofest will begin!  We will be hosting a pared-down booth at the Fest again this year.  If you are interested in helping us welcome people to our booth and with crafts, please talk to Carrie Worthington or Pastor Suzanne (when she returns), as they are working to set up a schedule of volunteers.  We will also be hosting a Backpack Blessing on the Sunday of the Fest, place/time to be determined.

 On Sunday, August 11 we have planned to have one Worship Service at 9am followed by a brown bag lunch (bring your own in a brown bag or your own lunch pail/box). After lunch, we'll travel together to all the local Romeoville schools to pray for the staff, administration, students, families, etc.  It's sure to be a time for fellowship and community outreach.  Join us!

While Pastor and her family are on vacation, remember that I will be in the office during that time, and any one of our Church Council members can be contacted for your questions, concerns, and spiritual needs as well.  We're just a phone call away and we are here for you at any time during Pastor's absence.  *NOTE-If you have a confidential or urgent pastoral care need, you can call Pastor Suzanne and she will make arrangements to have someone tend to you or she will do what she can from where she is. 

I'm wishing you peace, faith, hope, love, joy, and health always.  Keep cool and hydrated!

Renea Horn Johnson
Pastoral Assistant
Good Shepherd Church

What's Happening - July 11, 2013

Hello and Happy 7-11!

 

Vacation is a pleasant memory.  We spent 5 days and a lot of money in Wisconsin Dells, and the weather was perfect for our trip!  Now it's back to work and reality for my husband and me.

 

I have no idea what is happening as far as the construction across the street goes.  Today is the first time since I've been back that there is anything being done and Alexander Circle is still open.  Hopefully the big trucks will be done before school starts next month.

 

Here is What's Happening around Good Shepherd. . . .

 

Fri. July 12-Preschool Slammer's Baseball Fundraiser Game begins at 7pm

 

Sat. July 13-We will be hosting the NIFB Mobile Food Truck at Irene King School, Murphy & Eaton.  Any assistance you can lend will be welcomed.

 

Sun. July 14-Worship at 8 and/or 10am with the Connection Café between services

                    -Manna card orders placed last Sunday will be ready for delivery

 

Mon. July 15 through Friday, July 19 is our last Summer Camp Week from 8:45 to 11:45am for children ages 3 to 5.  Cost is $55 for the week.  There are still a few openings available

 

July 17 through July 30 Pastor and her family will be on vacation.  I will be in the office during that time, and any one of our Church Council members can be contacted for your spiritual needs as well.  We're just a phone call away and we are here for you at any time during Pastor's absence.  *NOTE-If you have a confidential or urgent pastoral care need, you can call Pastor Suzanne and she will make arrangements to have someone tend to you or she will do what she can from where she is. 

 

Thur. July 18- G2R (Genesis to Revelation) Study will meet at 7pm at the Stoughton's home

 

Sun. July 21 and Sun. July 28-We will have one Worship service at 9am with Pastor Buchholz serving as our guest preacher.  Please come and extend a Good Shepherd welcome to him!

 

Wed. July 31 "Amish Grace" Book Study will start with a potluck cookout at 6:30p, followed by a continuation of the study at 7p.  All are welcome!

 

During the month of July our Social Ministry team is sponsoring a collection for the benefit of the Romeoville Humane Society, a non kill animal shelter.  In addition to monetary donations, they are in need of foster homes, animal handlers, dog walking, fundraising, cleaning supplies, etc.  Please drop any donations in the designated collection bin, and if you would like to donate money, please mark that it is for the Romeoville Humane Society and put it in the offering plate.  Wish lists are on the information table at the back of church.  Please consider aiding these innocent creatures to have a better life.

 

Looking ahead:

 

-Romeofest – August 1-4 – We will be hosting a pared-down booth at the Fest again this year.  If you are interested in helping us welcome people to our booth, please talk to Carrie Worthington or Pastor Suzanne, as they work to set up a schedule of volunteers.  We will also be hosting a Backpack Blessing on the Sunday of the Fest, place/time to be determined.

 

- Prayers for Schools and Brown Bag Lunch – August 11 – We will have one service at 9a, followed by a brown bag lunch (bring your own in a brown bag or bring your own lunch pail/box). After lunch, we'll travel together to all the local Romeoville schools to pray for the staff, administration, students, families, etc.  It's sure to be a time for fellowship and community outreach.  Join us!

 

Recap of last Sunday:  Last Sunday, we heard Jesus' words from the Gospel of Luke about the "harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few."  We talked about serving Jesus and giving up everything to follow him.  We also concluded our discussion on Paul's letter to the Galatian church, listening to his words about "reaping what we sow," not tiring of doing good, and remembering that "what counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people."  Pastor offered her thankfulness and appreciation to all those who have faithfully supported the ministries of our church, despite difficult times – recent and historic.  She encouraged all of us to continue to work together for the future of our church and our ministries, as we work and serve together.

 

Preview of this Sunday:  This Sunday, we'll hear some very special words from Jesus, "The Great Commandment," along with a story we know well, the Good Samaritan.  We'll also begin a study of another of Paul's letters to the early church – the Colossians.  And, we'll read Psalm 25, where we'll hear the Psalmist thoughts about being shown the walk in which to walk and seeking God's forgiveness for our rebelliousness.  Come, join us for another lively discussion as we study God's word together.

Peace, hope, and love.

Renea Horn Johnson, Pastoral Assistant

Amish Grace Book Study - Wednesday, 7/10

A reminder that our "Amish Grace" book study continues tomorrow evening (Wednesday-7/10).  Join us at 6:30p for a light supper, followed by our study.  Feel free to bring a snack or light side dish to share for supper, as no one is signed up to provide it.  Haven't joined us before?  Come anyway.  All are welcome as we talk about grace, forgiveness, and more.  We will conclude by 8:30p.

Thanks!

Peace.

Pastor Suzanne