June Newsletter Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Pastor Nat. Continued on next page. Inside this issue:

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1 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pastor Nat June Newsletter 2018 Inside this issue: Women s Bible 2 Affirmation of Bap- 3 Youth Sunday 4-5 LSI/Quilter s 6 Youth News 7 Church Info 8 June Volunteers 9 July Volunteers 10 June Calendar 11 July Calendar 12 There s a place in John s gospel (Jn 15:15) where Jesus says, I no longer call you servants I have called you friends. Believe it or not, the actual Greek verb that appears here is have called (what grammar experts refer to as the present perfect tense ). Jesus doesn t say I now call you friends (as if to suggest that the disciples have somehow become something that they previously weren t). Instead, he says I have called you friends, and the implication here is this: the prior event of Jesus friendship continues to have present meaning. In other words, the disciples have been Jesus friends all along (whether they knew it or not). The nature of Jesus relationship with them hasn t changed (Jesus continues to call them friends ). What has changed: the nature of the disciples relationship with Jesus (and presumably, one another they are no longer slaves ). It is the disciples who are changed by a personal encounter with God in the midst of their living. That change unfolds over the course of Jesus ministry. The twelve log several thousand steps together. They sail in rough seas together. They share meals. They witness miracles. They pray and they serve together. By way of their following, the disciples find themselves emancipated in some way. The action here is passive. The disciples transformation happens offstage, or more to the point, on the way. All the while, the past event of Jesus friendship continues to shape his friends present (and future) identity. This is my last newsletter, Good Shepherd (and I bet you didn t see a grammar lesson coming ). GSLC, I now call you friends (because I haven t always known you). I have come to know you through this interim time by way of some following. I now call you friends even as Christ has called you friend from the very beginning. What a privilege it s been to come to know you. What a blessing it s been to sail, and share, and witness with you. By way of all that activity (and together), we ve been changed in some way, I m sure of it. That action has been Christ s own, and the past event of Jesus friendship continues to shape each of us in life-giving ways. Continued on next page

2 Page 2 Shepherd s Staff Pastor Nat Continued And with that, goodbye (my friends). I give thanks for you, and for the friend we share in Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless and keep you as the journey of faith continues. Peace, Nat Thank you, Nat! The women meet the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 AM in the library. Join them June 14 as they study Session One: The Paradoxes of Prayer from the Let Us Pray series in the Gather Magazine. In prayer we, we call upon a God who may respond in unexpected ways. Everyone is welcome to attend.

3 Shepherd s Staff Page 3 Affirmation of Baptism Sunday, May 20, we celebrated with Olivia Maasdam, Isabella Day-Suhr, their families, mentors, and friends as Olivia and Isabella affirmed their baptisms in worship. Confirmation is a big milestone on the journey of faith marking the fulfillment of some very important promises made long ago. Congratulations Olivia and Isabella; we celebrate you as we celebrate the Spirit s continuing work in and through you!

4 Page 4 Shepherd s Staff Youth Sunday Sunday, May 13, was Youth Sunday. The youth participated by ushering, providing special music, reading the lessons, assisting Pastor Nat, providing the children s sermon and more! During the worship hour some of the confirmation students painted their thoughts on canvas.

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6 Page 6 Shepherd s Staff LSI Happy Father s Day! At Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), we strive to build up and empower Iowa kids and families. For us, Father s Day is a time to celebrate all the fathers and male role models we see every day. Many of the boys and young men that LSI serves in our Bremwood and Beloit Residential Treatment Centers have never had a positive male role model in their lives. But our caring volunteers are there to help guide them. In our Early Childhood fatherhood program, young men are learning to become dads. They re becoming confident and active in their child s life, and they are creating loving, bright futures for their families. You are making all of this possible through your support of LSI. Thank you for responding to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service! Our Mission: Lutheran Services in Iowa responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. LSI is an affiliated social ministry partner of the Iowa congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and a member of LSA (Lutheran Services in America). We proudly serve people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. Learn more at LSIowa.org and Facebook.com/LSI.iowa. On the Road to Success As everyone was preparing for the Christmas season last year, Ali was eager to finally give his family a gift he d been dreaming of: a second car. After Ali came to the U.S. as a refugee from Somalia in 2014, he dedicated his time to finding a job and building a better life for his family. But he and his wife struggled to keep up with both of their busy jobs and caring for their four children with one vehicle. It was a very stressful time for my family, especially when emergencies happened or schedules changed, Ali says. Ali decided to make it his goal to set aside money for a second car. He used LSI s Refugee Community Services Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program to save the money he needed. Through the program, Ali has received guidance through basic financial literacy classes and one-on-one coaching to prepare him for the new car-buying experience. Now, Ali and his family are thriving. They have reliable transportation, and Ali feels confident knowing his family s needs will be met every day. I m very thankful for LSI and this opportunity, Ali says. It is really good of The Quilter s A thank you was received from the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics for the four quilts donated to their Hospice Program. The Good Shepherd Quilting Group has donated 12 homemade quilts since this program began in 2017.

7 Shepherd s Staff Page 7 Youth News During the summer of 2017, Good Shepherd Youth, parents, and quilters made 106 school bags which were shipped to Lutheran World Relief for Distribution. We have been notified that those school bags were distributed in March to children in Honduras, one of the poorest countries in Central America. Though there are public schools in Honduras, the children must have school supplies in order to attend. Absent those supplies, they may not have access. A link is posted to a more detailed story of those who received our school kits and the supplies donated. Thank you so much for your help with this important project! School Bag Project, Summer, 2018 We will again make school bags for distribution by Lutheran World Relief, later in the summer. Three afternoons with strong and devoted groups of Volunteers resulted in 106 school bags in The school bags were filled with supplies gathered donated during Vacation Bible School, and thanks to a grant from Thrivent Financial For Lutherans. Our dates for cutting and sewing the school bags will be July 19, August 2 and August 19. The times will be 1pm-3:30pm each of those dates. We will be seeking a grant or donations for the school supplies. Can we break our record of 106 bags? More Youth News Thanks to all who helped to make the Youth Worship on Mother's Day a success. Kids' voices reading; giving the Children's Sermon; contributing with Nat to the Sermon; and speaking the liturgy create a different worship experience for all. Music performances were contributive as well and important reminders of the work our kids are doing to develop their skills. The art work on the sidewalk welcoming us to worship, and the Artists in residence on Sunday morning creating their paintings throughout the worship were inspiring to all. We are thankful for the youthful ushers who carefully carried our offering and ushered us to communion. We see the s every Sunday and appreciate their contribution to our worship service. Their delivery of the bread and wine of Communion remind us again of the importance of youth to our faith community. Thanks also to the moms, dads, grandpas and grandmas who made sure the kids arrived prepared to do their parts. Thanks to Nat and Maryann Sterling for their guidance of our Confirmation class artists. It was a great Sunday! Congratulations to Bella Day-Suhr and Olivia Maasdam on their Confirmation. Watch for more information on these upcoming Youth events: Good Shepherd Day at Slideways Karting Center Service Day at Hope Ministries, Des Moines

8 Page 8 Shepherd s Staff 1506 S. Attica Rd. Knoxville, IA Phone: (641) gslcknoxville@gmail.com Church Web Page: gslchurch.us Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Thursdays 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Church Staff: Nat Bothwell, Interim LuJean Bennett, Office Administrator The people of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church are a welcoming community committed to living and growing as witnesses to Jesus Christ in our daily lives. Our Gifts and Income to our Ministry Offering: $8,715.32; Vanco Offering: $1,325 June Birthdays Jason Mark Martin Josh Brenda Ashlyn Hollis Miller Birdie Jacob Janet Madeline Mary Dwight Phil Maasdam Young Adkins Cook Mater Finarty Feldman Feldman Eldredge Kramer Brunt Anderson Mater Hoffman Good Shepherd Leaders EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE/OFFICERS President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Financial Secretary Pat Stockton Matt Edwards Liz Finarty Diane Wilson Susan Bristor COUNCIL MEMBERS/COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Christian Education Outreach /Social Ministry Property Stewardship Worship Youth Sponsor Youth Rep Jerry Ayers/Jill Edwards Ann Fields/ Verlin Goodyk Jan Haugen Jay Rosdail Ruth Haugen / Julie Wallace Rita Schacherer Colton Edwards

9 June 2018 Volunteer Schedule Sunday, June 3 Sunday, June 10 Sunday, June 17 Sunday, June 24 Mel Suhr Gary Anderson Jack Edwards Julie Wallace Lu Bennett Lily Wahl Darcee Ayers Marty Adkins Isabella Suhr Angie Mitchell Robin Braun Logan Caudill Pat & Jane Stockton Marty Adkins Diane Nelson Krisi Kranz Ann Fields Kurt & Julie Wallace Jill Edwards Deanna Wahl Randy Flack Chris Meyers Lu Bennett Becky McCleery Barb Persoon Deanna Wahl Randy Flack Jackie Duffy Rita Schacherer Chyrl Spoon Rita Schacherer Barb Persoon Dwight Mater Praise Band Announcements Julie Wallace Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Psalm 81: Corinthians 4:5-12 Mark 2:23-3:6 Announcements Julie Wallace Genesis 3:8-15 Psalm Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35 Announcements Julie Wallace Ezekiel 17:22-24 Psalm 92:1-4, Corinthians 5:6-10 [11-13] Mark 4:26-34 Announcements Julie Wallace Job 38:1-11 Psalm 107:1-3, Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41 Altar Guild: Phil & Carol Hoffman and Angie Mitchell Fellowship: Marlin & Susan Bristor and Verlin & Lesley Goodyk (Co-coordinators), Jan& Ruth Haugen, Mike Long, Cathy Miller, Conrad & Diane Nelson and Kurt & Julie Wallace Ushers: Brad McWilliams (Coordinator), Phil & Carol Hoffman and Steve Mitchell

10 July 2018 Volunteer Schedule Sunday, July 1 Sunday, July 8 Sunday, July 15 Sunday, July 22 Sunday, July 29 Marty Adkins Verlin Goodyk Mel Suhr Melissa Caudill Lu Bennett Ron Sterling Julie Wallace Rod Braun Darcee Ayers Tonya Cook Caleb Cook Joe & Julie Ferguson Olivia Maasdam Jan & Ruth Haugen Delaney Caudill Phil & Carol Hoffman Joe Ferguson Dwight & Brenda Mater Ashlyn Finarty Pat & Jane Stockton Marty Adkins Barb Persoon and Dwight Mater Ann Fields Jill Edwards Steve Mitchell and Ron Sterling Chris Meyers Barbara Persoon Steve Mitchell and Ron Sterling Jackie Duffy Rita Schacherer Pat Stockton and Julie Ferguson Praise Band Pastor Josh Pat Stockton and Julie Ferguson Jackie Duffy Announcements Announcements Announcements Announcements Announcements Lamentations 3:22-33 Psalms 30 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43 Ezekiel 2:1-5 Psalms Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13 Altar Guild: Lu Bennett and Monica McWilliams Amos 7:7-15 Psalms 85:8-13 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29 Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalms 23 Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, Kings 4:42-44 Psalms 145:10-18 Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6:1-21 Fellowship: *Steve & Angie Mitchell, *Karen Van Hauen, LuJean Bennett, Angela Caughey, Phil & Carol Hoffman, Dean & Barbara Larson, Becky McCleery, Jay & Ruth Rosdail, Mark & Denise Young Ushers: *Kurt Wallace, Julie Wallace, Gary Anderson, Mary Anderson

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