WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

We have been working really hard to assemble 2013 Annual Meeting packets for you to get in church on Sunday.  If, for whatever reason, you don't get your packet on Sunday, please stop in the office during the week to pick one up.  You'll note that this has been an extremely active year in several different areas.  Please take the time to review the folders and make plans to attend the Annual Meeting on January 26 to provide your input in the future of Good Shepherd Church.

Here's the latest information on What's Happening at Good Shepherd Church. . .

Fri. Jan 17-Friday Study will meet at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

Sun. Jan 19-One Worship Service will be held at 9am followed by Connection Café

Report folders for the 2013 Annual Meeting on January 26th will be distributed

Mon. Jan 20-Bible Study at 7pm at the Sanchez home

Mon. Jan 20-Reports for the Church Council Meeting are due in the office today

Wed. Jan 22-Brainstorming Session from 7 to 8:30pm at the church

Thur. Jan 23-Church Council Meeting at 6:30pm

Fri. Jan 24-Crafter's Night beginning at 7pm at the church

Fri. Jan 24-Friday Study meets at 7pm at the home of Laura Voruz

Sun. Jan 26-One Worship Service at 9am followed by the 2013 Annual Congregational Meeting. Remember to bring your information packet.

Annual Congregational Meeting - Just a reminder that our Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 26.  We will have worship service at 9am, followed by the meeting.  Please bring some kind of breakfast or brunch item to share as we gather together to discuss the future of our ministries, current financial status, elect new Council members, and more.  Packets for the meeting will be available for pick up (one per family, please) this Sunday, January 19.

Sunday Book Study - The next study is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, January 26, following the Annual Meeting.  The location is yet to be determined so please contact Pastor Suzanne or Renea in the church office for more information.

Brainstorming Session - The Church Council and Pastor Suzanne invite you to join them on Wednesday, January 22 from 7-8:30pm for an evening of brainstorming; we'll be bouncing around ideas for increasing our income and decreasing our expenses as we look at our proposed 2014 budget.  The session will be held at church.  Bring a snack or dessert to share (food always makes us think better, right?) and your best ideas for ways we can grow our church - financially, spiritually, numerically, etc.

Wednesday Study - Our next study will be on Wednesday, January 29 at the church when we'll be continuing our study on the New Testament book of Romans.  We'll gather at 6:30pm with a bring-your-own supper (or feel free to bring something to share) and then begin the study around 7pm.  We close our time together with communion around 8:30pm.  

LOOKING AHEAD—

 

Preschool Sweetheart Dance - The Preschool will be hosting their annual Sweetheart Dance on Friday, February 7 from 6:30-8:00p

m

.  Our very own Pastor's "wife," Steve (with a little help from Courtney) will be our DJ; there will be plenty of opportunities for dancing, games, and lots of fun!  Start your Valentine's celebration early; bring your favorite valentine to our dance and make it a special night.  Tickets on sale soon!

Commitment of Love - Pastor Suzanne will be hosting a special worship service on Saturday, February 15 at 4:00pm, followed by a family-style dinner.  The service will offer the opportunity for those interested to commit to love - of spouse/partner, children, parents, friends, etc.  We encourage you to invite others to join us for this special time.  All are welcome...all means all!  Join us as we commit to and celebrate love!

Christmas Greenery - If you are interested in any of the live greenery used to beautify our worship space during the Advent and Christmas season, the Worship Team still has a few little trees available and invites you to "make an offer."  Questions?  Please talk to one of our team members:  Wendy Ploense, Jan Sanchez, or Pastor Suzanne.

Recap from last week:  Last Sunday, we heard the story of Jesus' baptism from the Gospel of Matthew.  We were reminded that we are "named and claimed," that we are marked with the cross of Christ forever and identified as God's own children, just as Jesus was in that moment.  How has your week gone, as you've carried that identity with you in your daily life?

Preview of this week:  This week, we'll continue to hear from the Gospel of Matthew, listening to John the Baptist proclaim Jesus as the "Lamb of God."  We'll also hear the apostle Paul's encouraging words to the church of Corinth, and to us, about all that they've been blessed with.  Finally, we'll hear special words of commissioning from the Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Have you lost your way?  Need to be reminded of your purpose?  Then come, join us, and hear what God has to say to you.

 

As always, I'm wishing you all peace, hope, faith, love, grace and health. 

--
Renea Horn Johnson
Pastoral Assistant
Good Shepherd Church