The Shepherd s Voice. Inside: Our mission is to be more visible, to become more connected, and to draw closer, with Christ as our center.

Transcription

1 The Shepherd s Voice Our mission is to be more visible, to become more connected, and to draw closer, with Christ as our center. October 2018 Inside: Council Highlights 2 Francis Bernardone ( ) from the Italian town of Assisi is honored in the month of October in many Christian denominations including the Lutheran Tradition. A young nobleman with a rich father, Francis sought his life's meaning in business, war and fine living. Demoralized by these very things after tasting them first hand (he was a POW and MIA for some time and suffered PTSD) Francis sought healing and meaning in the church. Once again demoralized by corruption and materialism in the church around him, Francis sought Christ, that little poor man who preached love, in nature and in visits to a broken down church building which had been abandoned. He felt inside of him a call from God to "rebuild my church which is in ruins." Simplistically, Francis believed he was to restore the little broken down building. Giving away everything he owned, Francis gathered others and his reform movement 300 years before Luther did much to renew the Christian church. Francis' creativity led to the use of the Christmas Creche, Nativity sets and the Stations of the Cross. Sometimes you see "Catholic" birdbaths with a statue of Francis in them but he is worth much more than that to us today. In early October we bless and praise and thank God for our pets and our animals. In a day when many insist on despoiling nature and short shortsightedly deny the ways in which nature is being ruined for generations to come so that profit margins can be maintained; in a day when many children suffer from "nature deficit disorder" rarely if ever going into forests or deserts or enjoying sunrise and sunsets; Francis reminds us of God the Creator who LOVES the creation that we ourselves are a part of. Thanks Brother Francis! Bring your pets and the pets of neighbors to our Blessing of the Animals! LV PD Prayer List 3 Festival of Trees 3 Book Club 4 Community Supper 4 Adult Bible Study 4 Shepherd s Flock Quilters 5 Blessing of Pets 5 Committee Meetings 5 Council of Churches 6 Oktoberfest 6 Sunday Night Worship 7 The Noteables 7 Make It Simple 7 Sunday School 8 Snack Collection 8 Happy Birthday 9 Treasurer s Report 9

2 2 The Shepherd s Voice Highlights from Your Church Council September 17, 2018 Attendees: Pastor, Susan Chin, Trudi Black, Billie Flaherty, David Wang, Jeff Jackson, Donna Hoffman, Thelma Cleland, Lisa Lilly, Anne Marie Carlson, Cindy Carlson and Walt Bills. Finance Report: Motion to approve the minutes passed. All ayes. Billie looked into tax implications and determined that we don t jeopardize our tax-exempt status by leasing our space. All services, i.e. janitorial, must be included in a rental property lease otherwise we have to file an income tax return. Next month council will discuss which spaces we are willing to rent out. Pastor Report: Pastor attended the Summerfield Pool Party on September 1 st hosted by Trudi and Larry Black. Pastor and Sue Chin attended a continuing education program on September 14 th entitled Teaching Fish to Walk which discussed the challenges the church faces and how we have to adapt. September 23 rd, Pastor will officiate at the wedding of Norman and Evelyn Westphal. Pastor will be on vacation from October 25 th to October 31. He will obtain coverage. Pastor is beginning an adult class on World Religions which will be held every Thursday at 11:15 a.m. in the lounge starting on September 20 th and running through November 8th. The Confirmation Class of 9 students got off to an energetic start. Blessing of Animals is slated for October 7 th at 2:00 p.m. Property Committee: Mickey and Dave finished the family bathroom. Many thanks for a job well done. A generous donation by Mrs. Haven (Veronica Lenzen s mother) in memory of her husband, provided for the renovation. Left over money from Mrs. Haven s donation will be used to install two handrails, one along the handicap walkway and one at the side entrance by the parking lot. Dave will install them. There is a mildew odor near the entrance to the side door. Billie has generously offered to donate two dehumidifiers and Dave will check for leaks and spray to eliminate the odor. Stewardship: Many thanks to Billie who is running this year s stewardship campaign. The campaign is from October 7 th through Commitment Sunday on November 4th. This year s theme is Make It Simple. Nina will help with Bulletin inserts and commitment cards. Other Committees: Trudi and Larry held a pool party for the Summerfield kids. Some had never had the opportunity to go to a private pool. The Council of Churches is holding a cocktail reception fundraiser on October 10 th at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport. They are also hosting a Virtual Food Drive and Group Purchasing Program which we will discuss potentially participating in at the next council meeting. A former student of Trudi s is looking for a space to make fleece blankets for Shriners childhood cancer patients. Council agreed to let him use our hall. Counter Training: Billie prepared detailed instructions for counters which attempt to make the process simpler and more straightforward audit: Ray Schmidt did the audit. There were no issues. Pastor noted that Ray conducted the audit while his mother has been seriously ill. Many thanks to Ray for conducting the audit during this very difficult time. Festival of trees: Twelve trees have been confirmed and 8 more trees are needed. Billie suggested that we ask our vendors to sponsor a tree. Alison asked Sue what the budget for this event is and if her friend could buy a table to sell her own Christmas crafts. Council agreed that Alison s friend could buy a table. Sue will ask Alison how much money she may need for the event. There is no line item in the budget as this is a new event, so we will need to look at where money may be in the budget--perhaps in Worship and Music s Special Events Program. Proceeds from the event will go half to Lutheran World Relief and half to The Good Shepherd Foundation - Haiti Clinic. Respectfully submitted by Donna Hoffman, Secretary If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak with a council member or Pastor Doug: Walt Bills Trudi Black Cindy Carlson Sue Chin Thelma Cleland Billie Flaherty Donna Hoffman Eileen Holleran Brian Immel Jeff Jackson Lisa Lilly Karen Merrick Dave Wang Anne Marie Carlson - Youth Representative

3 3 The Shepherd s Voice Members: Emilie Schmidt, Karen Merrick, Vicki Creutz, John Gennette, Diane Hensel, Gordon Cleland, Miriam Kursawe, Brian Amado, Sarah Mora and the Forte family The Prayer Requests Notebook is on the counter in the narthex. If you would like to add a loved one to the list, simply write the name in the book. If you would like a prayer card sent to your loved one, please include the full name and address. Prayer requests may also be made by or phone and will be included in the notebook by the church office. Should a loved one need prayers for longer than three months, simply add their name to the list again. To keep the list current and up to date, only the names recorded in the Prayer Request for Family & Friends Notebook will be listed on the prayer list. If you have not recorded a loved one s name, please do so. Family & Friends of Members: Lauren, friend of Dagny Hassinger; Phil & Janet, friends of Karen & Jeff Jackson; Rosemary, friend of Lil Tesoriero; The Bacsik family, relatives of the Noll family & Sam Barate; Kandi, friend of Janet Szulga; Jack, cousin of Janet Szulga; Janet, mother of Chris Wesche; Kay Leone, friend of the congregation; Scarlet, great granddaughter of Peg Weshche; Serge, friend of Dagny & George Hassinger; Andrew, relative of Joan & Ray Doherty; Pat, father of Nina Furnes. Special Prayers for Armed Forces Personnel: Tyler, AJ, Matt, Kenny, Brian. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147 vs. 3 Should you be in need of pastoral care, please contact Pastor Doug Ryniewicz by cell phone ( text if you like!) or by his address (dearynos@gmail.com). Festival of Trees December 2, 2018 is the date for the first Annual Festival of Trees at Good Shepherd. Many hands make light work and Mike & Alison Rubin need your help to make this wonderful event happen. It s only two months away and there is a lot of work to be done. They have sign up sheets to help with specific tasks and ask you to sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex to help with the fun event!

4 4 The Shepherd s Voice The Book Club s next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. We will discuss A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Kathy Goulet is delighted to answer any questions you may have about the book club and looks forward to having you join in the discussion. Community Supper - October 3, 2018 at Golden Hill Methodist Church, Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport Cooks and set up crew needed. We start at 2:30-3:00 p.m. If you haven't already signed up and would like to help, please put your name on the list in the narthex. We can discuss car pooling if you want to. Any questions, please speak to Peg Wesche or anyone who has attended a supper before. Thank you! Religions of the World Pastor Doug is offering an Adult study on World Religions, Thursdays at 11:15 a.m. Join us in October on October 4, October 11, and October 18. We will explore beliefs and practices of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. If you can only come occasionally that is fine. We are meeting in the Lounge.

5 5 The Shepherd s Voice Quilting News Please join us on October 6 and 20, 2018 from 9:30 am to noon as we sew, iron, cut and assemble quilts for the needy. Feel free to come and go as you need. If you have questions, please speak with Ellie Noll. No experience is needed just your willing heart and hands. "Blessing of Pets" at Good Shepherd!! "all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small... all things wise and wonderful the Lord God loves them all" Sunday, October 7 at 2 p.m. Return to church with your pets to celebrate the blessing that all earth's creatures are to us from God the Creator and Sustainer of all life. We will meet out on the lawn in a wondrous cacophony of yipping and meowing and singing. Use of cat carriers, dog leashes and safe containers for smaller pets like hamsters and snakes is highly recommended! PLEASE invite friends, neighbors and other family members to bring themselves and their pets as well!! Please come even if you wish to remember and give thanks for the pets you used to have. Having a pet is not even required to attend! It will be a joyful sacred time! Committee Meetings The Finance Committee and the Worship & Music Committee will each be meeting on Monday, October 8th at 7:00 p.m. Each committee welcomes new members and invites you to participate. If you have any questions, please speak with either Vic Noll, Finance Chair or Charlie Simon, Worship & Music Chair.

6 6 The Shepherd s Voice Oktoberfest Progressive Dinner Saturday, October 13, :00 p.m. Get ready for the third Annual Oktoberfest Progressive Dinner - an adult social event that s a lot of fun. The evening will begin with appetizers at Good Shepherd. Then we'll divide into smaller groups (probably 8-10 people) for the main course to be served in members' homes. The final course will be dessert back at the church. Sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex. We are asking for a donation of $8/person, and also ask you to bring an appetizer or dessert and a side dish. Your dinner host will contact you with suggestions for the side dish. If you would like to host the dinner portion at your home or be part of the clean up crew, there s a place on the sign up sheet for that as well. Karen Jackson and Eileen Holleran are happy to speak with you if you have any questions or concerns.

7 7 The Shepherd s Voice Sunday Night Worship in October We welcome anyone to join us for any reason that may be helpful to you on Sunday, October 14, Please note this is the only date we will meet in October. We celebrate a relaxing and meditative Service of Word and Sacrament. It is a calm, reflective, slowing down presence and is held in the Narthex area or the Lounge. Bring a friend or neighbor and experience worship in a different style and at the hour of Vespers, sundown and "the lighting of the lamps." We gather at 5:30 p.m. The Noteables Led by Vic Johnson Invite you to a performance at Good Shepherd on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Make It Simple Each Sunday from October 7th to November 4th, we will focus on simplicity, generous living, and the faithful use of God s abundant blessings to help us grow as stewards. Following Jesus - Matthew 6:25-33 We are pieces of God s abundant creation, adorning God s world and cherishing God s abundant blessings. Facing the Truth - Mark 4:37-41 The parades of our lives are often disrupted as we face the truth that faithfulness, simplicity, and generosity are not always easy to live out. Acting Together - John 13:34-35 Looking beyond ourselves, we see clearly that we are not alone in living out God s will for the world. We are disciples in the body of Christ. Sharing Enough - Philippians 4:11b-13 Our lives are blessed with the gift of God s enough, and so we can be satisfied with what we have.

8 8 The Shepherd s Voice The Sunday School team is doing something new this year. We have a small group of children in Sunday School which is perfect for an Intergenerational Sunday School approach with people of all ages participating in sharing our Christian faith. Are you willing to help us and read a bible story to the children? If you can help, please speak with anyone on the Sunday School team or call ( ) or Nina in the church office and let us know. If you have a favorite story, just tell us what it is and a date that works for you to read the story. If you don t have a favorite, we are happy to pick a story for you, just let us know what date works for you. Sunday School begins at 9:15, with a brief welcome. We d ask that you plan to read between 9:15 and 9:30 after all the children have arrived. If you would like to stay afterwards and join us for the activity, we d love to have you. We are excited to embark on this intergenerational journey with you! Sincerely, The Sunday School Team Veronica Lenzen Donna Duessel Bob McFarland Emily Kuszinski Alison Rubin Anne Marie Carlson We are collecting snacks for Summerfield United Methodist Church in Bridgeport for Project Learn and their youth programs. A large blue container is in the narthex for your donations. The need is great! The Social Ministry and Community Outreach Committee invites you to contribute items to the Shepherd s Pantry located in the narthex. The items are delivered to the Monroe Food Pantry once a month. The Pantry also accepts gold Big Y coins which can be put in the basket that has been placed on the Shepherd s Pantry shelves in the narthex. We need: Comfort Food for the cooler weather - Soups Pasta Sauces Macaroni and cheese Canned stews

9 9 The Shepherd s Voice Linda Bespuda 1-Nov Donna Duessel 20-Nov Bob Mc Farland 1-Nov Hans Liechti 22-Nov Justin Thom 1-Nov Robert Wheeler 23-Nov Kristen Baron 2-Nov Cheryl Aubrey 25-Nov Vicki Creutz 12-Nov Dorothy Miller 27-Nov Ewald Steinnagel 12-Nov Joan Doherty 28-Nov Jill Schmidt 16-Nov Nancy Johnson 28-Nov Lori Wheeler 16-Nov Sam Barate 30-Nov Lauren Nordvall 17-Nov Kristen Cavaliere 30-Nov Hilary Vojtek 17-Nov Linda Suhr 30-Nov Ethan Hoffman 19-Nov The current month s birthday listing is posted on the bulletin board outside of the Pastor s office. If your birthday is not listed, please contact the church office and the files will be updated. We do not want to miss anyone s birthday.