WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Morning!

Here comes the end of summer Labor Day holiday!  Didn't our summer fly by?  On Tuesday, September 3 there will be a pre-fundraising event at Culver's in Romeoville.  Flyers will be passed out in church on Sunday and are also available in the office.

Here's What's Happening around Good Shepherd over the next few weeks. . . .

TONIGHT-Thur. Aug. 29-from 6:30 to 8pm is our Preschool Open House for incoming preschoolers and their families.  All are welcome to come and help celebrate!

Sun. Sept. 1-Worship at 8 and/or 10am with Connection Café between services

Sun. Sept. 1- Sunday Book Study - 4:00p Sunday, 9/1 - Pastor Suzanne's house - We will conclude our study on "The Irresistible Revolution" and begin our study on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book, "Life Together."  All are welcome at our study.  Please contact Pastor if you need directions to her house.

Mon. Sept. 2-Labor Day Holiday – The Preschool and church office will be closed 

Tue. Sept. 3-M&M's (Mary & Martha's) Women's Bible Study meets at the home of Jan Sanchez beginning at 7pm.  All women of the church are welcome to join us.

Tue. Sept. 3-act USA fundraiser at Culver's in Romeoville

Wed. Sept. 4-Bible Study on the New Testament book of Romans will start at 6:30pm with supper and the study from 7:00 to 8:30pm, followed by Holy Communion.  We will conclude no later than 9pm.  Bring your Bibles and join us—all are welcome!

Thur. Sept. 5-Synod Discipleship Gathering from 6 to 8pm at New Life Lutheran on Rte. 53 in Bolingbrook (see information below)

Fri. Sept. 6-Crafter's Night at church beginning at 7pm  Bring your craft projects and join the fun and fellowship!

Sat. Sept. 7-"Bands and Bags for Breezy" Planning Meeting at 9am (please note change in time) held in the church office

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

Sun. Sept. 8-Manna order forms and money are due today for delivery next Sunday

Tue. Sept. 10-Buona Beef fundraiser at the Buona Beef in Bolingbrook from 3pm until they close.  Be sure to get a flyer that can be used for the drive-thru, carry-out, or eat-in orders. The flyer must be presented when ordering.

Tue. Sept. 10-Ministry Night at 7pm at church.  Come hear Ministry Team reports and plans.

Wed. Sept. 11- Bible Study on the New Testament book of Romans will start at 6:30pm with supper and the study from 7:00 to 8:30pm, followed by Holy Communion.  We will conclude no later than 9pm.  Bring your Bibles and join us—all are welcome!

OUR PRESCHOOL OPENS TUESDAY - PLEASE KEEP OUR PRESCHOOL STAFF, MARILYN AND JUDITH, IN YOUR PRAYERS, AS WE OPEN OUR PRESCHOOL FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR NEXT WEEK.  Here's to a great year of learning and fun!  If you know of anyone interested in enrolling their child(ren) in Preschool, we still have a few openings available.  Have them call Marilyn at 815-886-4356 for information.

The Northern Illinois Synod Discipleship Gathering takes place on Thursday, September 5 from 6 to 8pm at New Life Lutheran on Route 53 in Bolingbrook.  Join our Bishop and Synod staff for an evening of learning about stewardship, giving and connection with the church. 

"Bands and Bags for Breezy" Pre-fundraising event - Tuesday, 9/3 - Culvers in Romeoville - Join us for supper and help support a good cause as we continue to promote our 9/27 "Bands and Bags for Breezy" event and raise a little money too.  For more info on times for this event, please check out the website: www.acommunitytogether.com or the Facebook page.

Manna order forms, which are green for the month of September, are available in church or in the office and need to be turned in by September 8th.  Cards that are ordered will be delivered by September 15th.  Look over the extensive list to see if there isn't something you would like to give, or even use yourself.  NOTE that the Darden Restaurants card includes Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, or any other Darden restaurant.  Call the office with any questions you may have about the Manna program.

Our Preschool will be kicking off their annual cookie dough fundraising event on Sept. 9th, so get ready to choose from their many popular, delectable, flavor varieties.  Baked samples will be available at their Open House tonight as well!

Wednesday Bible Study - Join us starting this Wednesday, 9/4, as we begin a 12-week study on the New Testament book of Romans.  Join us at 6:30p for supper, followed by our study at 7.  We conclude with communion around 8:30p.  Bring your Bible, a side dish to share, and an open mind for learning and sharing.  All ages welcome!  Invite a friend, too.  This study takes place at the church.

Sermon Recap from last Sunday:  Last Sunday, our theme was, "Living in Peace."  Using the reading from the book of Hebrews, we talked about what it means to "try to live in peace with everyone" and how, if we don't have peace within ourselves, it makes it difficult to have peace elsewhere.  We also talked about caring for one another, as the writer of Hebrews instructs us to do.  This week, as we mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, and as we see a world desperately crying out for peace, what are we doing to work to bring God's peace to our lives and the lives of others around us?

Sermon Preview for this Sunday:  This Sunday, we will be talking about love, strangers and angels, being satisfied, and pride.  Using both the New Testament book of Hebrews and Jesus' words in the Gospel of Luke, we'll see how all these subjects are related to our journeys of faith.  Come, join us.

I'm wishing you peace, faith, hope, love, grace and health always.  Have a wonderful, and safe, end of summer holiday weekend!  

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

What's Happening - August 23, 2013

Hello!

We trust that you are all enjoying these last bursts of summer weather.  We had a nice turnout at the At's A Nice Restaurant fundraiser on Tuesday and want to thank those who participated.  Watch for more tasty Tuesday food fundraising events in the coming weeks and be sure to extend an invitation to friends and family too!

Here's What's Happening around Good Shepherd over the next few weeks. . . .

Fri. Aug. 23-Crafter's Night at the church beginning at 7pm.

                   -Friday Study will meet at the home of Laura Voruz at 7pm

Sat. Aug. 24-Family Bags Tourney at the home of Laura Voruz beginning at 1pm

Sun. Aug. 25- Worship at 8 and/or 10am with Connection Café between services

Wed. Aug. 28-6:30pm-Potluck supper followed by a "Grace" worship service at 7:00pm-Note that this will be our final event, for now, for our "Amish Grace" study.

 Thur. Aug. 29-6:30 to 8pm-Preschool Open House

 Sun. Sept. 1-Worship at 8 and/or 10am with Connection Café between services

 Mon. Sept. 2-Labor Day Holiday – The Preschool and church office will be closed

 Tue. Sept. 3-M&M's (Mary & Martha's) Women's Bible Study meets at the home of Jan Sanchez beginning at 7pm.  All women of the church are welcome to join us.

 Tue. Sept. 3-act USA fundraiser at Culver's in Romeoville

 Wed. Sept. 4-Bible Study on the New Testament book of Romans will start at 6:30pm with supper and the study from 7:00 to 8:30pm, followed by Holy Communion.  We will conclude no later than 9pm.  Bring your Bibles and join us—all are welcome!

 Thur. Sept. 5-Synod Discipleship Gathering from 6 to 8pm at New Life Lutheran on Rte. 53 in Bolingbrook (see information below)

Manna order forms, which are green for the month of September, will be available in church on Sunday and are due back to church by September 8^th.  Cards will be delivered by September 15^th.  Look the extensive list over to see if there isn't something you would like to give, or even use yourself.  NOTE that the Darden Restaurants card includes Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, or any other Darden restaurant.  Call the office with any questions you may have about the Manna program.

 

Our 12-week Bible Study on Romans begins Wednesday, September 4 and goes until November 20.  We'll start at 6:30pm with supper and the study will run from 7:00-8:30pm, followed by Holy Communion.  We will conclude no later than 9:00pm.  Bring your Bibles and join us!  All are welcome!

The Synod is hosting their annual Discipleship Gathering on Thursday, September 5 at New Life Lutheran on Route 53 in Bolingbrook.  It goes from 6:00-8:00pm and will include a discussion on giving, stewardship, etc.  Several of our Council members will be attending so if you'd like to go and need a ride, please contact one of them.

We will again be participating in this year's Romeoville Founder's Day Parade on September 15^th.  Big Top is the theme for 2013.  If you are interested in helping us with a float or our presence in the parade, please contact Carrie Worthington.  Our preschool will also be participating and would love to have you join them!

Recap of last Sunday:  Our theme was, "What Slows Us Down?"  We talked about stripping off the weights that slow us down - sin and other issues - so that we can run with endurance the race that God has set before us.  Using Hebrews 12 as our theme verses, we thought about how we can move past the things that slow us down and, with Pastor's visual of the weights in her pockets, we saw how easy it is to be weighted down and, likewise, if we lay these "weights" down, how much lighter we can be.  What weights are you laying down this week?  What are you "stripping off?"

Preview of this Sunday: Our theme this week will be, "Living in Peace" and we'll again be looking at the book of Hebrews.  This is very topical, for our life  as a church, for our lives as individuals, and for the world.  We hope you'll come be a part of the conversation and invite someone to join you too.  All are welcome!

 

I'm wishing you peace, faith, hope, love, grace and health always.  Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Greetings from Construction Central!

Currently the water is shut off for water main valve repair and the road is torn up as well.  We have one lane access to our parking lot, and it is expected to be that way for six weeks!!  With school starting tomorrow, it will be interesting to see the traffic jam resulting from having both Alexander Circle and Town Hall Road closed.  

Here's What's Happening around Good Shepherd over the next few weeks. . . .

Sun. Aug. 18-Worship at 8 and/or 10am with Connection Café between services

Mon. Aug. 19-All Ministry team reports are due today for the next Council meeting

Tue. Aug. 20-Bands and Bags for Breezy fundraising event at At's A Nice Pizza from 10am to 10pm.  Please get a coupon to present to cashier or driver so we receive 20% or your purchase. Be on the lookout for a schedule of other fundraising events that you can attend to support our efforts for our 9/27 event.

Wed. Aug. 21-6:30pm Potluck cookout supper followed by our Amish Grace book study @ 7pm

Thur. Aug. 22-Church Council will meet beginning at 5:30pm

Fri. Aug. 23-Crafter's Night at the church beginning at 7pm.

                   -Friday Study will meet at the home of Laura Voruz at 7pm

Sat. Aug. 24-Family Bags Tourney at the home of Laura Voruz beginning at 1pm

Wed. Aug. 28-6:30pm-Potluck supper followed by a "Grace" worship service at 7:30pm-Note that this will be our final event, for now, for our "Amish Grace" study.

Thur. Aug. 29-6:30-8pm-Preschool Open House

Coming to good shepherd soon:

M&M's Women's Bible Study-This monthly small group study for women resumes on Tuesday, September 3 at 7:00pm at the home of Jan Sanchez.  All women of the church are welcome to join us.

12-week Bible Study on Romans – Join us September 4-November 20 on Wednesday evenings for a study on the New Testament book of Romans.  We'll start at 6:30pm with supper and the study will run from 7:00-8:30pm, followed by Holy Communion.  We will conclude no later than 9:00pm.  Bring your Bibles and join us!  All are welcome!

Discipleship Gathering-Thursday, September 5; The Synod is hosting this annual event at New Life Lutheran on Route 53 in Bolingbrook.  It goes from 6:00-8:00pm and will include a discussion on giving, stewardship, etc.  Several of our Council members will be attending so if you'd like to go and need a ride, please contact one of them.

Founder's Day Parade-We will again be participating in this annual community event.  If you are interested in helping us with a float or our presence in the parade, please contact Carrie Worthington.  Our preschool will also be participating and would love to have you join them!

The Prayers for Schools went well last Sunday.  We were even joined by some school district personnel at a few of the schools.  This is such a great way to begin the school year. Let's plan to do it again next year!

Remember to enjoy a meal out at At's A Nice on Tuesday from 10am to 10pm and support the Bands and Bags for Breezy Event planned for September 27, 2013.  A coupon is attached and we have more available at church and in the office.  Share them with your friends and neighbors as well.  Thanks in advance for your continued support!

I'm wishing you peace, faith, hope, love, grace and health always.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

Letter from Church Council

To ensure everyone received the letter sent by the Church Council last week, we are sending via email, as well.  We ask that if you have any questions, you would please speak to one of the Council members:  Judy Jordan, Ronn Young-Black, Carrie Worthington, Chris Soja, or Pastor Suzanne.

Here is the text of the letter that was sent.  It is also attached.

August 7, 2013

Greetings from Good Shepherd Church.

It is with deep sadness that we write this letter to inform you of a decision regarding our Shepherd's Food Pantry ministry.

As you may know, at our Special Congregational Meeting on June 30, a heated discussion was had regarding this ministry – where it's been, where it is now, and where it was headed.  Many things were shared by all involved.  A motion was passed by the congregation to direct the Church Council to meet with the food pantry team leaders and congregational members-at-large to discuss the future of this ministry and then to reconvene another Special Congregational Meeting to vote on our options.

Several weeks ago, this group met for the first time.  They discussed a number of things, including three possible options for our congregation to vote on regarding the future of this ministry.

Last night, a second meeting was held to continue this conversation.  Unfortunately, the Council and congregation members-at-large were informed by the food pantry team leaders that they had already been working on forming a new organization, the RCP (Romeoville Community Pantry), and are in the process of getting their own 501c3 status.  Because it takes time to get that status and because they need it in order to continue to partner with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, the leaders have been working with Pastor Huff from the United Presbyterian Church to move under their 501c3 status.  None of this was discussed with our Council or our Pastor, nor were any of them included in an "emergency" meeting held just last week.

Many of us at the meeting were both shocked and saddened by these turn of events and felt that we needed to inform the rest of the congregation as soon as possible.  Despite our honest and faithful efforts to move this process forward in a healthy way, the decision has been taken out of our hands, in one sense.  However, there are still decisions to be made as to whether the Shepherd's Food Pantry will continue…in another place or at all.

The Council was also made aware of an email that was sent to a number of Good Shepherd volunteers who serve the pantry.  Though there were several items shared in the email that were not true, we have decided to not respond but, instead, invite anyone who has questions to come and speak with us in person.  We will be happy to discuss any emails, and non-confidential conversations and discussions that were had between us and the pantry team leaders.    

This is a very difficult time for our church between this and the embezzlement situation.  We ask that you pray for our church and all our ministries.  We have been, and will continue to be in touch with the Bishop and Assistant to the Bishop at our Northern Illinois Synod office regarding these matters and will continue to seek their input as we move forward.

As Pastor Suzanne has told us many times, we don't know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.  We trust that God has a plan in all of this, even if we cannot see it right now.  We hope you will trust in that, as well.

We will be coordinating a Special Congregational Meeting in the near future to update you on this situation, as well as the embezzlement, as soon as we have more information to share.  Until that time, again, we ask that if you have any questions, please contact one of us.

Thank you for your continued support of our congregation – in prayers, serving, giving of resources, etc.

In Christ,

The Good Shepherd Church Council

Judy Jordan, Council President                                  Ronn Young-Black, Council Vice-President

Carrie Worthington, Council Secretary                     Chris Soja, Council member

Rev. Suzanne Anderson-Hurdle, Council member

Cc:      Bishop Gary Wollersheim

            Rev. Gary Erickson, Asst. to the Bishop

What's Happening - week of August 8

Greetings from Good Shepherd Church!

A few things to share with you this week:

1.  The Project Engineer for the new building across the street from the church stopped in to let us know they are going to close Alexander Circle from Rte. 53 up to our driveway beginning today (Friday).  You will only be able to enter and exit our parking lot from west of our building for the time being.  The street is being closed for installation of underground utilities.  Please plan on coming on Sunday via Dalhart by R.C. Hill School or Town Hall Drive by Harris Bank.

2.  Please be on the lookout for an important letter from our Good Shepherd Church Council regarding the pantry ministry.  Letters were sent in the postal mail today and will be sent via email on Saturday.  If you have questions after reading the letter, please contact one of our Council members:  Judy Jordan, President; Ronn Young-Black, Vice-President; Carrie Worthington, Council Secretary; Chris Soja, Member; Pastor Suzanne, Member.

3.  This Sunday - August 11 - we'll have one service at 9a with blended music and worship; following the service, we'll have our bring-your-own brown bag lunch...don't forget to bring your favorite old lunch pail or new lunch bag too.  Then, we hope you'll stay and join us for our Prayers for Schools event - we'll be travelling to the local public schools to pray over them - their staff, students, families, etc.

4.  Sunday Book Study - This Sunday the book study will again be meeting.  Please contact Judy Jordan or Carrie Worthington for location information.  They meet at 4:00 p.m.

5.  Monday, August 12 - Cropwalk Meeting - Please talk to Chris Soja for more information on this event.

6.  Tuesday, August 13 - 7:00 p.m. - Ministry Night Meeting - All Ministry Team leaders and members are asked to be present for this meeting, along with anyone interested in getting more involved in the ministries of our church.  We'll be working on planning fall events.  Come, join the fun!

7.  Our Manna order has been received; cards are ready for pick-up before noon tomorrow or at church on Sunday.

Looking ahead:

8/18 - Sunday worship - 8a & 10a

8/21 - Wednesday Amish Grace Study - 6:30p potluck cookout; 7p study

8/22 - Church Council meeting - 6:30p

8/24 - All-church Bags Tournament

8/25 - Sunday worship - 8a & 10a

8/29 - Preschool Open House - 6:30-8p

We hope you are taking advantage of the beautiful weather we've been having and that you are finding time to enjoy God's creation with family and friends.

May God bless your day and we'll hope to see you soon!

What's Happening - August 1, 2013

Hello and Happy August 1^st!

Here's What's Happening at Good Shepherd Church. . . . . 

·       Romeofest - Be sure to join us again this year as we take God to the streets, so to speak.  Our church has a booth at this annual town festival and will be open Thursday and Friday evenings, Saturday from about 3-10p and Sunday all day and evening.  The festival at the Romeoville Village Hall and Recreation Center, located on 135^th Street/Romeo Rd and our booth is right next to the Village Hall, near the music stage.  If you'd like to volunteer to serve - greeting people, talking with people, "manning" the booth which will offer various handouts and info on our church and ministries, upcoming events, etc. - please contact Carrie Worthington or Pastor Suzanne, as they are coordinating the booth this year.  We will have crafts for kids, as well, but we've simplified the booth and scaled back a bit to make things easier.  Pastor Suzanne is also working on a survey through which we can engage the community on resources needed and needs that are going unmet.  We hope to use the results of these surveys in the coming months as we focus on who we are and what we do, as a body of Christ.  Romeofest is always lots of fun - meeting new faces, getting to know one another, and chatting with "old" friends.  Come, join us!  All are welcome! 

·       Saturday, Aug. 3-The next planning meeting for the "Bands and Bags for Breezy" event will be at 10a at church (please note the change in location).  This event, which will take place on Friday, September 27, will benefit communities affected by Superstorm Sandy.  Come join the team in planning the event, as well as activities leading up to it.  A lot of volunteers are needed to help toward rebuilding the affected communities. 

·       Sunday Service info - CORRECTION - We will be having a service at 9a this Sunday - at church - with Holy Communion.  At 11a, the Praise Team will lead a worship celebration with music and a few short readings/words on the mainstage at Romeofest, followed by a Backpack Blessing for local students and teachers.  Come on out and support them and join us in praising God in His creation!  If you are on Facebook, check out our event page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1399774876908928/. 

·       August Manna orders are due in the church office by Monday, Aug. 5 and will be delivered on or before Aug. 11^th.  You can turn your order in at church or to Carrie Worthington at Romeofest on Aug.4, or to the office on Aug. 5.  Thanks to those who continue to support the Manna program for our church.  It gives something for everyone! 

·       Tuesday, August 6 – Team meeting for Council, Food Pantry leaders, appointed church members; meeting will take place at church.  Please contact Judy Jordan to confirm the time of the meeting. 

·       Wednesday, Aug. 7-Our Amish Grace book study will meet beginning at 6:30pm with another potluck cookout (hot dogs provided), followed by the study.  Please bring a side dish or dessert to share for the potluck.  The study has been very helpful, as we are all taking something from each of our sessions that has helped us to experience a bit more peace in our daily living.  Come join us! 

·       Sunday, August 11-Prayers for Schools – We will have one service at 9a at the church - with Holy Communion.  Following our service, we'll have a "sack lunch" and then head out to our local Romeoville schools to pray over them, their staff, students and families, etc.  Dig out your old lunch pail or box, bring your lunch and join us for an afternoon of fun, memories, etc. 

·       Tuesday, Aug. 13-Ministry Night begins at 7pm at the church/preschool.  Come and hear all the various church team programs and plans and provide your input as well.  Lots to think about for the upcoming fall season!  All are welcome!

Looking ahead:

On Saturday, August 24, we're planning on another Bags Tournament at the home of Laura Voruz.  More information to come. Mark your calendars now!

Thursday, August 29-Preschool Open House-Join Miss Marilyn and Miss Judith in welcoming our new students and families.  The Open House takes place from 6:30-8:00pm.  Check out all that our school offers to the community through our early education program.

It is hard to believe that the local Valley View schools will be starting on August 16, and our Preschool will officially open for the new school year in just over a month on September 3.  Registration is still open for the 2013-2014 school year for our 3 year-old Tuesday/Thursday and 4 year-old Monday/Wednesday/Friday sessions.  If you know of anyone who might be interested, please have them contact the school at 815-886-4356 or the church office at 815-886-4354 for further information or to enroll.

Peace.

Renea Horn-Johnson

Pastoral Assistant