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