WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Afternoon!

 

What a wonderful Easter holiday we all had!  Thanks to everyone for helping to make it all possible.  The sharing and camaraderie was fantastic.  Now it is time to get down to business and make some difficult decisions regarding the future of Good Shepherd Church.  ALL confirmed members are urged to attend the Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday following our worship at 9:30am and provide their input.

 

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

 

TONIGHT - Thursday, April 24-Church Council meets at 7pm

 

Friday, April 25-Let's go to the movies together to see Heaven Is For Real at the Bolingbrook Regal Theater.  Meet at 6pm in the lobby for the 6:20 showing

 

Sunday, April 27-Worship at 9:30am will be followed by a Congregational Meeting to hear reports from the 90 Day Challenge teams and to make decisions regarding Good Shepherd's future endeavors.  Please show your support and caring by attending this important meeting.  Bring a snack food to share if you would like to.  Food is always welcomed!

 

Monday, April 28-Care Group will meet at church at 7:30pm (see information below)

 

Wednesday, April 30-Bring your own light dinner at 6:30pm and we'll have Bible Study at 7pm

 

Sunday, May 4-Worship at 9:30am with Connection Café beginning at 8:45am

 

Sunday, May 4-Manna order forms and money are due today for delivery on Sunday, May 11^th

 

Let's go to the movie together!  We've planned an impromptu movie outing to see Heaven Is For Real at the Bolingbrook Regal Theater on Weber and Boughton tomorrow (Friday) evening.  The movie is rated PG and the cost is $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors.  We'll meet in the lobby at 6pm for the 6:20pm showing.  Afterward???  Come join us!

 

Care and Support Group meeting this Monday!

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Are you looking for a care and support group to have a safe place to share "life concerns."  Since Sunday mornings don't always offer the opportunity to talk with each other on a deeper level, we're offering an alternative time to meet and provide a safe place for talking about the daily struggles as we walk in faith.  We had our first meeting on March 31 and will meet again at 7:30pm on Monday.  If you are looking for a group of people to walk with you through the ups and downs of life, perhaps this is the place for you.  If you have any questions about the Care Group, please talk to Carrie Worthington, Rose Darguzis, Karen Ring, or Pastor Suzanne, and come join us!

 

90 Days Challenge Wrapping Up

The results of the 90 Day Challenge teams efforts were shared in an information packet handed out on Palm Sunday, April 13^th with a Financial Update shared in What's Happening last week and in church on Easter Sunday.  Information from the packet will be discussed, and possibly voted on, at our Special Congregational Meeting on April 27, following our 9:30am worship service.  Have questions about what we're doing?  Please contact a Council member: Carrie Worthington, President; Judy Jordan, Vice-President; Dave Darguzis, Secretary; Roy Jamason, George Sanchez, and Bruce Texley, Council members at large.

 

LOOKING AHEAD TO MAY

 

For Mother's Day Sunday, May 11^th, we are making plans to have a brunch following worship.  Now is a good time to seek out recipes to prepare and share!

 

You're invited to the Preschool's Stepping Up Program at the Rec Center on Sunday, May 18^th at 2pm.  Come see the four year old class as they cross over the bridge to kindergarten.  Mark your calendars now!

 

The roads around church got paved this week and, across the street, they're busy putting finishing touches on the parking lot and landscaping.

 

I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and wishes yesterday for Administrative Assistants Day (a Hallmark holiday).  I consider it an honor to know and work for Good Shepherd and you!  Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Sunday.

 

I'm wishing peace, faith, hope, love, grace and health for you all.  Please pray for our church and the difficult decisions we are facing.

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

IF YOU GET THIS ON SATURDAY BEFORE 8:30P

Sorry for the late, late notice everyone.

We're quickly coming together for a "secret" Easter Vigil service.  If you get this and want to join us, and are able to get to church around 8:30p tonight, please join us.

We'll car pool to our "secret" spot and share in a special service together.

If you get this too late, please accept my apologies.

This vigil came out of our Holy Weekend retreat and was definitely Spirit-led.

If we missed you tonight, we'll hope to see you for Easter services tomorrow morning - 6:15a at Resurrection Cemetery and 9:30a at the church!

Blessings to you all.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Hello!

As our Holy Week activities begin speeding toward Easter, our church is all set up and ready for tonight's Maundy Thursday service commemorating the Last Supper and the final seven words that Jesus spoke to his disciples.  We hope you'll join us, and invite others as well, as we gather together to recollect Jesus' last days, his ultimate sacrifice, and the miracle of Easter.

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

TONIGHT - Thursday, April 17-Maundy Thursday worship at 7:30pm.

Friday, April 18-Good Friday-11am worship; 4:15pm-showing of "The Passion of the Christ" movie; 7pm-Congregational Special Retreat; 7:30pm-worship

Saturday, April 19-8:30am-11:30am-Congregational Retreat continues; breakfast starts at 8am

Easter Sunday, April 20-6:15am-Easter Sunrise worship (held at Resurrection Cemetery); 9:30am-Easter Sunday worship and New Life celebration (be sure to bring your 2014 Commitments)

Monday, April 21-Reports for the Church Council meeting need to be in the office today.

Thursday, April 24-Church Council meets at 7pm

Sunday, April 27-Worship at 9:30am will be followed by a Congregational Meeting to hear reports from the 90 Day Challenge teams and to make decisions regarding Good Shepherd's future endeavors.  Please show your support and caring by attending this important meeting.

90 Days Challenge 

The results of the 90 Day Challenge teams efforts were shared in a packet of information handed out last week.  Information from the packet will be discussed at our Special Congregational Meeting on April 27, following our 9:30am worship service.  Have questions about what we're doing?  Please contact a Council member: Carrie Worthington, President; Judy Jordan, Vice-President; Dave Darguzis, Secretary; Roy Jamason, George Sanchez, and Bruce Texley, Council members at large. 

Holy Week info and schedule:

Our Holy Week worship schedule begins this evening, Maundy Thursday, at 7:30pm; this is a special service when we listen some of Jesus' final words to the disciples in the Upper Room; you won't want to miss it.  On Good Friday tomorrow, we'll have our traditional morning worship at 11am and then we're offering a special all-church retreat beginning at 7pm.  At 7:30pm, we'll have a special time of worship and then the retreat will continue through 10pm.  We'll gather again for the continuation of our special retreat on Saturday morning at 8:00 am for breakfast followed by the retreat at 8:30am; the retreat will conclude at 11:30am.  Finally, our Lenten season will culminate on Easter Sunday with an Easter Sunrise service at 6:15am (held at Resurrection Cemetery, pending weather) and an Easter Worship Celebration at 9:30am.  We'll also be presenting our 2014 Commitments as part of "New Life Sunday" during our Easter celebration.  Come join us and invite others as well!

Financial Update

Attached to this email is a financial update.  Please consider giving an extra gift this holy weekend in support of the ministries of our church.  And, as you feel moved to do so, consider giving a tithe (10%) of your tax refund, if you were lucky enough to receive one.  Thanks, in advance, for your generosity!

Wishing everyone a blessed Easter!

--
Renea Horn Johnson
Pastoral Assistant
Good Shepherd Church

HOLY WEEK INVITATION INFORMATION

The 90 Day Outreach Team would appreciate if you would share the attached Holy Week information with your family, friends and on your Facebook page or any social media sites.

Thanks for helping spread the Good Shepherd word!

The family of Good Shepherd Church, ELCA, would like to welcome you to Romeoville. 

We also invite you and your family to share in worship during Holy Week. 

All are welcome ... all means all. No Exceptions! 

Maundy Thursday- 7:30pm 

Good Friday-11:00am & 7:30pm 

Easter Sunday- 9:30am

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Good Morning!

Though our preschool and local school students are on Spring Break, work continues here in the office that includes preparations for Holy Week and our Special Congregational Meeting on April 27.  

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

Sunday, April 13-Palm Sunday Worship will begin at 9:30am.  Following worship, we’ll have an informal potluck brunch.  Please bring a dish to share.  Note that if you are bringing a “hot” item, you must provide your own way of keeping it hot, as we have no stove or oven.  Cold items can be stored in the church refrigerator.  Thanks!

Monday, April 14-The Monday Bible Study will meet at 7pm at the home of George and Jan Sanchez.

Thursday, April 17-Maundy Thursday worship at 7:30pm.

Friday, April 18-Good Friday-11am worship; 4:15pm-showing of “The Passion of the Christ” movie; 7pm-Congregational Special Retreat; 7:30pm-worship

Saturday, April 19-8:30am-11:30am-Congregational Retreat continues

Easter Sunday, April 20-6:15am-Easter Sunrise worship (held at Resurrection Cemetery); 9:30am-Easter Sunday worship and New Life celebration (be sure to bring your 2014 Commitments)

90 Days Challenge Packets

At our Annual Congregational Meeting in January, we voted to engage in a purposeful 90-day challenge.  Part of the challenge was to come up with ways to increase our income, decrease our expenses, and find ways to grow our church – spiritually, financially, and numerically.  The results of these efforts will be shared in a packet of information to be handed out on Sunday, April 13.  Information from the packet will be discussed at our Special Congregational Meeting on April 27, following our 9:30am worship service.  Have questions about what we’re doing?  Please contact a Council member: Carrie Worthington, President; Judy Jordan, Vice-President; Dave Darguzis, Secretary; Roy Jamason, George Sanchez, and Bruce Texley, Council members at large. 

Care and Support Group met on Monday March 31st!

The first gathering of the care and support group, which was established to have a safe place to share “life concerns”,  met on Monday evening, March 31.  Because we don’t always have the opportunity to talk with each other on a deeper level on Sunday mornings, we wanted to offer an alternative time to meet and provide a safe place for talking about the daily struggles as we walk in faith.  If you are looking for  a group of people to walk with you through the ups and downs of life, perhaps this is the place for you.  If you have any questions, talk to Carrie Worthington, Rose Darguzis, Karen Ring, or Pastor Suzanne.

Manna News!  Manna orders will be in church on Sunday, as well order forms for May.  Orders will be due on May 4 and delivered on May 11, 2014.  Keep in mind that Mother’s Day and graduations are coming up and Manna cards are a nice way to celebrate any occasion.  They’re good to give and receive!

Holy Week info and schedule:

Our Holy Week worship schedule will begin on Maundy Thursday at 7:30pm; this is a special service when we listen some of Jesus’ final words to the disciples in the Upper Room; you won’t want to miss it.  On Good Friday we’ll have our traditional morning worship at 11am and then we’re offering a special all-church retreat that will begin at 7pm.  At 7:30pm, we’ll have a special time of worship and then the retreat will continue through 10pm.  We’ll gather again for the continuation of our special retreat on Saturday morning at 8:30am; the retreat will conclude at 11:30am.  Finally, our Lenten season will culminate on Easter Sunday with an Easter Sunrise service at 6:15am (held at Resurrection Cemetery, pending weather) and an Easter Worship Celebration at 9:30am.  We’ll also be presenting our 2014 Commitments as part of “New Life Sunday” during our Easter celebration.  Come join us and invite others as well!

As always, if you have questions about our schedule or activities please check out our Facebook page, our website (welcome432.org) or feel free to call me in the church office.  Remember that the Flower Power fundraising event is coming to an end on Tuesday.  Here’s to warmer weather coming (and staying) soon!

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Hello!

Welcome to “April Showers” which bring May flowers.  Speaking of flowers, there is still time to order flowers for the Good Shepherd Church Flower Power Fundraiser if you haven’t already done so.  Be sure to pick up information in church on Sunday since the campaign ends on April 15th.  

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

TONIGHT-Thur. April 3-The 90-day Planning Teams will meet at church beginning at 7pm

Sun. April 6-Join us at the Connection Café at 8:45am and we’ll then Worship together at 9:30am

Sun. April 6-Manna orders and money are due today, and will be delivered next Sunday.  The forms are lilac colored this month.  Thanks for your continued support of the Manna program!

S P R I N G   B R E A K   F R O M   A P R I L   7   T O   A P R I L   1 1

Wed. April 9-Our final Lenten Soup Supper will begin at 6:30pm with Lenten Worship following at 7:30pm.

Sunday, April 13-Palm Sunday Worship will begin at 9:30am.                                                       

Monday, April 14-The Monday Bible Study will meet at 7pm at the home of George and Jan Sanchez.

90 Days Group

Our group continues to meet, discussing a variety of ideas including sources of income, space usage, membership, outreach, staffing, and more.  The next meeting will be tonight, Thursday, April 3 at 7pm, where we’ll be putting together recommendations for the April 27th Special Congregational Meeting to present to the whole congregation.  Have questions about what we’re doing?  Please come to tonight’s meeting or seek out a Council member: Carrie Worthington, President; Judy Jordan, Vice-President; Dave Darguzis, Secretary; Roy Jamason, George Sanchez, and Bruce Texley, Council members at large. 

Final Wednesday Lenten Soup Supper and Service on April 9th--Pastor Suzanne and the Worship Team invite you to join them for our last “Father, Into Your Hands I Commit” service during the season of Lent.  Our Soup Supper is at 6:30pm.  Please sign up for the supper in advance so those who are preparing the soup know how many to provide for.  Also, feel free to bring a dessert to share.  While we break bread together over supper, we also study the Bible, seeing where the Spirit leads us in God’s Word, so be sure to bring your Bible with you too.  Our Worship Service takes place at 7:30pm and is a great opportunity to invite friends, neighbors and coworkers to church.  All are welcome! 

 Care and Support Group met on Monday!

The first gathering of the care and support group, which was established to have a safe place to share “life concerns”, met Monday evening.   Because we don’t always have the opportunity to talk with each other on a deeper level on Sunday mornings, we wanted to offer an alternative time to meet and provide a safe place for talking about the daily struggles as we walk in faith.  If you are looking for a group of people to walk with you through the ups and downs of life, perhaps this is the place for you.  If you have any questions, please talk to Carrie Worthington, Rose Darguzis, Karen Ring, or Pastor Suzanne.

Manna order forms, which are light lilac for the month of April, are due to be turned in this Sunday, April 6, 2014, with delivery the following week on April 13th .  Thanks to those that continue to place Manna orders.  Forms for May will be available on Palm Sunday.  Watch for them!

Looking ahead to Holy Week:

The Monday Bible Study will meet on April 14th (instead of the third Monday) at the home of George and Jan Sanchez.  Tuesday, and Wednesday, we encourage you to spend some quiet time to reflect on all that we have discussed throughout the Lenten season, in our “Father, into Your hands I commit…” theme.  On Maundy Thursday we’ll come together in worship at 7:30pm.  On Good Friday we’ll have worship at 11am and a special all-church retreat that evening that begins at 7pm, with Good Friday worship at 7:30pm.  Our Lenten season will culminate on Easter Sunday with an Easter Sunrise service at 6:15am (held at Resurrection Cemetery, pending weather) and Easter Worship at 9:30am.  Come join us and invite others as well!

The Preschool has asked me to pass along another round of thanks to those of you who purchased Pastry Puffins which were delivered yesterday.  Our grand total profit was $951.50!  Your continued support is truly an appreciated blessing!

Pastor out of town

Pastor Suzanne will be out of town from Sunday afternoon (4/6) through Tuesday evening, 4/8.  If you have a pastoral emergency during this time, please contact one of our Council members or, during business hours, contact me in the church office.

I’ll be out of the office tomorrow in order to take care of some business in Indiana for my father-in-law, but since I don’t get a Spring Break, I will be here all next week in case you need anything.  Remember that you can always leave a message on the answering machine and you will get a return call.  

I’m wishing you all peace, hope, faith, joy, love, grace, and health and praying for sunshine too!  

Renea Horn Johnson

Pastoral Assistant

Good Shepherd Church