Reaching Pastor Suzanne

Pastor Suzanne is currently without a cell phone.  If you need to reach her for an emergency only, please text her daughter, Courtney, at 815-608-5300.  Please DO NOT text this number unless it is an emergency.

As soon as Pastor's phone has been replaced, we will send another email to let you know.

As a reminder, Renea, our Pastoral Assistant is on vacation this week and not in the office.  However, Pastor Suzanne will be checking messages as she stops in the office on Thursday and Friday.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

God bless and Happy New Year!

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

 We hope everyone had a blessed Christmas.  Our Christmas Eve services seemed to set a wondrous tone to the awesome miracle of Jesus' birth—the true reason for the season!

 Here is what's happening around Good Shepherd Church in the near future. . .

 

     

TOMORROW-Fri. Dec 27-Friday Study will meet

         

at 7pm at the

home of Laura Voruz

 

Sun. Dec 29- One Worship Service will be held at 9am followed by Connection Café

 

Fri. Jan 3- Friday Study will meet at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

 

Sun. Jan 5- One Worship Service will be held at 9am and followed by a Budget Forum when we will create a budget for 2014.  All members are urged to attend and provide their suggestions and feedback.

 

Mon. Jan 6-Ministry Team reports are due in the office today for the 2013 Annual Meeting packets

 

Tues. Jan 7- M & M's Women's Bible Study will be at 7pm at the home of Jan Sanchez

 

Wed. Jan 8- The first of three Cottage Meetings will be held at church from 7 to 8:30pm

 

Fri. Jan 10- Crafter's Night will take place at church beginning at 7pm.  Bring your craft project and join us.  All are welcome!

 

Fri. Jan 10-  Friday Study meets at Laura Voruz' home beginning at 7pm

 

Sat. Jan 11- The second of three Cottage Meetings will be held at the church from 1 to 2:30pm

 

Sun. Jan 12-One Worship Service will be held at 9am followed by Connection Café

 

Sun. Jan 12-The third of three Cottage Meetings will be at church from 11am to 12:30pm

 

Cottage Meetings – The Church Council is hosting three cottage meetings to offer a smaller, more informal setting for discussions on the embezzlement case, as well as other issues facing the church.  These meetings will be held on Wednesday, January 8 from 7-8:30pm; Saturday, January 11 from 1-2:30pm; and on Sunday, January 12 from 11am-12:30pm.  We invite you to attend one of these meetings and ask that you please sign up starting this Sunday.  We want to, if possible, keep the groups under 15 people for each session.  Questions?  Please contact a Church Council member: Judy Jordan, Ronn Young-Black, Carrie Worthington, or Pastor Suzanne.

 

Crafter's Nights will be continuing with our first one in January being on January 10 at 7pm at the church.  Is there a craft you want to share and enjoy with others?  Bring it to the church on Crafter's Night and enjoy some fellowship with other crafters.  If you're interested in learning the art of scrapbooking, Carrie Worthington would be glad to get you started! 

 

Can Tabs Needed!  We are helping children at Irene King Elementary School reach their goal of collecting 1,000 pounds of tabs from all sorts of canned beverage, soup, vegetable, and pet food  for the Ronald McDonald Children's Home, so they can have their school's name placed on a leaf plaque inside one of the "local" house.  Feel free to take cardboard Ronald McDonald collection boxes/houses, fill them up and bring them back to church.  We'll then get the tabs collected to Irene King.  Tell all of your friends, family and co-workers to save them too!  Thanks!

 

Our Preschool is on their Christmas Break until Monday, January 6, 2014.  Also, this Pastoral Assistant will not be in the office from December 30^th until January 6, 2014, so this is my last What's Happening report for 2013.  I want to thank you all for your kindness, caring and friendship.  This is the most pleasant job I've ever had, thanks to all of you, and I'm looking forward to our sharing 2014 with joy, peace, hope, faith, love, grace and health!

 

 

Renea

Renea Horn Johnson
Pastoral Assistant
Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon,

We are sending a short version of What's Happening this week as we begin to wind down the year of 2013.  One thing we need to note is that the Friday Study will not be meeting tomorrow.  

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

TONIGHT-Thur. Dec 19-FLY Lady (Finally Loving Yourself) will meet at 7pm for their annual Christmas party, with guests bringing either an appetizer or a dessert as well as a gift wrapped "White Elephant". This is a good time for those curious about FLY Lady to come see how much fun it is to be organized. All are welcome to join the fun!

Sun. Dec 22-The Fourth Sunday Advent Worship will be held at 9am with Connection Café immediately following

Sun. Dec 22-"Light in the Darkness" Christmas Service will be held at 4pm

Tue. Dec 24-Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship at 7pm & 11pm (see details below)

Fri. Dec. 27-Friday Study will meet at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

Sun. Dec. 29-One Worship Service will be held at 9am and followed by Connection Café

Fri. Jan 3-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

Sun. Jan. 5-One Worship Service at 9am, followed by a Budget Forum Meeting

Mon. Jan. 6-Reports for the Annual Meeting folders are due to the office today

 "Light in the Darkness" Christmas Service will be held December 22 at 4pm. This service is designed for those who have lost loved ones or for whom this holiday season is difficult due to loneliness, depression, etc. If you know someone who might benefit from this service, please invite them to join you in attending—your support will mean a lot to them. Questions? Please contact Pastor Suzanne.

Christmas Eve Worship plans include two traditional candlelight services at 7pm and 11pm with Holy Communion offered at both services. We will offer a special time for children (and adults?) at the end of our 7pm service and we invite the kids to come in their pajamas.  Please remember that the parking lot fills up quickly but you can also use the parking lot at Anderson Memorial Chapel across from the church.

 Matthew 25 Fund update – we were blessed to receive a donation of $1,000 toward this fund but we are still looking for donations to help two families in need.  If you have a little extra to give at this time of year, please consider donating to this fund.

Cottage Meetings – The Church Council will be hosting three cottage meetings in January.  The purpose of these meetings is to offer a smaller, more informal setting for discussions on the embezzlement case, as well as other issues facing the church.  The meetings will offered on Wednesday, January 8 from 7-8:30pm; Saturday, January 11 from 1-2:30pm; and on Sunday, January 12 from 11am-12:30pm.  We invite you to attend one of these meetings and ask that you please sign up starting this Sunday.  We want to keep the groups under 15 people for each session, is possible.  Questions?  Please contact a Church Council member: Judy Jordan, Ronn Young-Black, Carrie Worthington, or Pastor Suzanne.

New Procedures – The Church Council is working on new policies and procedures and has set a new procedure for check requests and/or reimbursements.  Check request forms will be available at the church on Sunday mornings and need to be filled out and then signed by a Council member before submitting them to the church treasurer.  In addition, the form must include both the original receipt, along with a copy, for the church records.  If you have any questions about this, please contact a Church Council member.

Weapons Policy – The Church Council has issued a new policy regarding the possession of weapons on church property.  Effective 11/19/2013, Good Shepherd Church is instituting a no weapons policy for the building and surrounding property.  Please direct any questions to the Church Council.  

Pop Tabs - We are trying to help some local school children at Irene King Elementary School reach their goal of collecting 1,000 pounds of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald Children's Home.  If they collect that much, they will have their school's name placed on a leaf plaque inside one of the "local" houses.  Feel free to take one of the little cardboard Ronald McDonald collection boxes/houses and fill them up and bring them back to church.  We'll then get them to Irene King.  Tell your friends, family and co-workers to save them too!  Thanks!

The Preschool extends a big THANK YOU to those who donated toys to The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.  It is a wonderful way to help children have some fun times as they fight the ravages of cancer.

Excitement is mounting in the Preschool as they are having Christmas parties during their last hour of class today and tomorrow.  Things will be sure be quiet around here then when they are on Christmas Break until January 6, 2014. 

On behalf of the Council, as we come closer to the end of another year, please consider giving an extra gift to the church general fund.  As you might imagine, our finances have taken quit a hit this year and any extra giving is definitely appreciated and helps us continue to ensure the ministries we all enjoy can continue.  Thank you, in advance, for your generosity!

 

Peace.

Pastor Suzanne Anderson-Hurdle

office - 815-886-4354

cell - 815-355-2397

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon,

 

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

 

Tonight - 7p - Informational meeting with update on legal case

 

Fri. Dec. 15-Friday Night Study at the home of Laura Voruz

 

Sat. Dec 14-Decorating Day at church for the WHOLE family starting at 3pm. (See details below)

Sat. Dec 14-The 2nd Saturday Study will NOT be meeting this week.  Instead they will be sharing a meal together on Sunday.  Please contact George or Jan Sanchez for more information.

Dec 15-Third Sunday of Advent Worship will be held at 9am and be followed by Connection Café

Mon. Dec 16-The Church Council will meet.

Wed. Dec 18-Our second and final Soup Supper ($2 donation) will begin at 6:30pm and be followed by Advent Program/Worship.

Thur. Dec 19-FLY Lady (Finally Loving Yourself) will meet at 7pm for their annual Christmas party, with guests bringing either an appetizer or a dessert as well as a gift wrapped "White Elephant". This is a good time for those curious about FLY Lady to come see how much fun it is to be organized. All are welcome to join the fun!

Fri. Dec 20-Friday Study at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

Sun. Dec 22-The Fourth Advent Worship will be held at 9am with Connection Café immediately following

Sun. Dec 22-"Light in the Darkness" Christmas Service will be held at 4pm

Tue. Dec 24-Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship at 7pm & 11pm (see details below)

 

December 14 is a Church Decorating Day for the WHOLE family. Join us at church starting at 3pm as we decorate the church for the Christmas season and decorate Christmas cookies to be shared. All ages are welcome and we invite you to bring a special Christmas ornament for our tree or another decoration you'd like in our display. You are also welcome and encouraged to bring a snack to share. We'll also be singing Christmas carols and just having an afternoon of "family" fun. Get into the spirit of the season; join us!

"Light in the Darkness" Christmas Service will be held December 22 at 4pm. This service is designed for those who have lost loved ones or for whom this holiday season is difficult due to loneliness, depression, etc. If you know someone who might benefit from this service, please invite them to join you in attending—your support will mean a lot to them. Questions? Please contact Pastor Suzanne.

Christmas Eve Worship plans include two traditional candlelight services at 7pm and 11pm with Holy Communion offered at both services. We will offer a special time for children (and adults?) at the end of our 7pm service and we invite the kids to come in their pajamas.

 

Manna cards have been received and sorted and can be picked up in the office tomorrow or at the church on Sunday. This was the largest Manna order we've ever placed, and we realized a profit of $222.44 on the order!  Thanks to all who placed a Manna order.

 

 

Special Help Needed:

1.  Our preschool is collecting new toys for The Treasure Chest Foundation.  All new toys should be dropped off to the church by this Sunday.  Toys will be delivered to the foundation, who will then deliver them to children and teens with cancer in some of the Chicagoland hospitals.  Questions?  Please contact our preschool staff at 815-886-4356.

 

2.  Our Matthew 25 Fund has been slowly dwindling down as we've helped people throughout the year.  Now, we have two families we are trying to assist.  One is an elderly woman recovering from a stroke, who is behind in her rent.  We are trying to raise $300 to help her.  Another family had a rather unexpected death in their family and are now trying to raise $5,000 to cover funeral costs.  Any money given through the Matthew 25 Fund is held in our Special Collections Savings Account and used to assist families in need.  Please consider giving during this holiday season.

 

3.  Pop Tabs - We are trying to help some local school children at Irene King Elementary School reach their goal of collecting 1,000 pounds of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald Children's Home.  If they collect that much, they will have their school's name placed on a leaf plaque inside one of the "local" houses.  Feel free to take one of the little cardboard Ronald McDonald collection boxes/houses and fill them up and bring them back to church.  We'll then get them to Irene King.  Tell your friends and co-workers to save them too!  Thanks!

 

Peace.
Pastor Suzanne Anderson-Hurdle
office - 815-886-4354
cell - 815-355-2397

ADVENT ACTIVITIES CANCELLED FOR TONIGHT

Due to the extreme cold weather and anticipated increase in the wind and wind chill late this afternoon and evening, the Council has decided to cancel Advent activities and worship for tonight, December 11.

Please stay warm and check on friends, family, and neighbors, especially those who are most vulnerable.

If we can do anything for you, please don't hesitate to call the church office at 815-886-4354.

 

Peace.
Pastor Suzanne Anderson-Hurdle
office - 815-886-4354
cell - 815-355-2397

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

Welcome to the Advent season!  We conducted our first week of Advent worship on Sunday, yesterday the manger

and Christmas lights display were put up outdoors, and last night we held our first Advent Soup Supper and Program/Worship.    We hope you will take time out of your holiday preparations to come worship and hear what the season is all about.

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

       

 Fri. Dec 6-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

 Sat. Dec 7-Teller's Meeting in the church office at 9:30am.  All tellers and those who are interested in becoming tellers are asked to attend.

 Sat. Dec 7-Financial Meeting will be held at 11am in the church office.

 Sun. Dec 8-Second Week of Advent Worship will be held at 9am and be followed by Connection Café

 Sun. Dec 8-Manna orders and checks are due today (or to the office on Monday)

 Sun. Dec 8-Book Study will meet at 2pm at the Texley's

 Tue. Dec 10-Ministry Night will begin at 7pm at church.  Bring your favorite cookies or dessert to share and come join us!

 Wed. Dec 11-Soup Supper ($2 donation) at 6:30pm followed by Advent Program/ Worship.  All are welcome!

 Thur. Dec 12-Reports for the next Church Council Meeting are due in the office today

 Fri. Dec 13-Friday Study will meet at the home of Laura Voruz

 Sat. Dec 14-Decorating Day at church for the WHOLE family starting at 3pm. (See details below)

 Sat. Dec 14-The 2^nd Saturday Study meets at 6pm at the home of George and Jan Sanchez

 Sun. Dec 15-Third Sunday of Advent Worship will be held at 9am and be followed by Connection Café

 

Mon. Dec 16-The Church Council will meet beginning at 5:30pm

 

Wed. Dec 18-Our third and final Soup Supper ($2 donation) will begin at 6:30pm and be followed by Advent Program/Worship.

Thur. Dec 19-FLY Lady (Finally Loving Yourself)  will meet at 7pm for their annual Christmas party, with guests bringing either an appetizer or a dessert as well as a gift wrapped "White Elephant".  This is a good time for those curious about FLY Lady to come see how much fun it is to be organized.  All are welcome to join the fun!

Fri. Dec 20-Friday Study at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

 

       

Sun. Dec 22-The Fourth Advent Worship will be held at 9am with Connection Café

         

immediately following

 Sun. Dec 22-"Light in the Darkness" Christmas Service will be held at 4pm

 Tue. Dec 24-Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship at 7pm & 11pm (see details below)

Manna Card Info:  The December Manna and/or gift box order forms are due this coming Sunday, or to the church office on Monday.  Manna gift cards are a great way to cut your holiday shopping list and allow the recipients to choose what they want so you don't have to fret about the size, color, or style, and they'll be able to take advantage of end-of-year sales!  Department, discount, drug and grocery store cards are also popular to be used when you wish, and there are many to choose from.  The Manna cards only cost what the face value of the card is.  There are no hidden charges, and Good Shepherd benefits from each card ordered.  If you have any questions about the Manna program, please call the office or talk with Carrie Worthington.  Thank you for considering placing a Manna order.

 Advent Sunday Worship – Just a reminder that we will be offering ONE service on Sunday mornings in December at 9am.  The services will include Holy Communion and will offer songs and readings reflecting the Advent journey.  All are welcome!  Help spread the word about the time change.

  Advent Midweek Activities – Join us on Wednesdays, December 11^th and 18^th for our Advent Midweek Activities which includes our Soup Supper ($2 donation) at 6:30pm followed by a brief discussion time and then worship at 7:30pm.  Our theme for our services is "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus".  Join us.

 December 14 is a Church Decorating Day for the WHOLE family.  Join us at church starting at 3pm as we decorate the church for the Christmas season and decorate Christmas cookies to be shared.  All ages are welcome and we invite you to bring a special Christmas ornament for our tree or another decoration you'd like in our display.  You are also welcome and encouraged to bring a snack to share.  We'll also be singing Christmas carols and just having an afternoon of "family" fun.  Get into the spirit of the season; join us!

 "Light in the Darkness" Christmas Service will be held December 22 at 4pm.  This service is designed for those who have lost loved ones or for whom this holiday season is difficult due to loneliness, depression, etc.  If you know someone who might benefit from this service, please invite them to join you in attending—your support will mean a lot to them.  Questions?  Please contact Pastor Suzanne.

 Christmas Eve Worship plans include two traditional candlelight services at 7pm and 11pm with Holy Communion offered at both services.  We will offer a special time for children (and adults?) at the end of our 7pm service and we invite the kids to come in their pajamas.

 As I said last week, while we try to be sure our church family is kept informed, sometimes we fall short.  Please, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, talk to one of our Church Council members, Pastor Suzanne, or call the church office.  We are here for you and would like to hear from you!

 I'm wishing you peace, hope, love, joy, faith, grace and health.  Keep warm!

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church