The Shepherd s Voice STAFF GIFTS CHRISTMAS SERVICE ECO NEWS JOYFUL NOISE OFFERING. December 2016 Volume I Issue 11 BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

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1 The Shepherd s Voice 2200 Saginaw Rd. SE Grand Rapids, MI Telephone Address GSPC2016@sbcglobal.net Facebook Page Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church Grand Rapids Website - GoodShepherdPres.com December 2016 Volume I Issue 11 STAFF GIFTS CHRISTMAS SERVICE Because Christmas Day is on Sunday, for the benefit of families with young children the service that day will be held at 11:00. The children will be singing Mary, Did You Know? at the service. Cindy Cook has volunteered to make the Advent wreath this year. ECO NEWS Pastor Mike, Jim Miller, and Henry Gachini represented Good Shepherd at the presbytery meeting in Logansport, IN. Laura Smit also attended. ECO reports welcoming ten new churches bringing the total number of ECO churches to 311. Included in this number is The Church of the Straits, Mackinaw City, MI. We now have a companion church in Michigan. That church is a combination of ECO and Methodist with the pastor being Methodist but recognized by ECO. Good Shepherd will be part of a Michigan Affinity Group (MAG) with them meaning we will meet together to exchange and learn each other s mission to make sure we are staying true to our individual church s mission. It also entails best practices of exchanging what we do and what works. Pastors have MAG s as well. Pastor Mike will meet with an ECO pastor in the Detroit area who is not currently serving an ECO church. It s that time of year when we express our love and appreciation to church staff for their work and dedication over the past year. We are asking for donations from the church members for Christmas love gifts for the Good Shepherd staff. This year gifts are designated for all paid staff including pastoral, musicians, and two Children s Ministry personnel. Please get your donations in by December 18. Make sure your donation is marked with Staff Gifts in the memo of checks or on the envelope in which your gift is submitted. Envelopes will be available on the table starting December 4. JOYFUL NOISE OFFERING The Joyful Noise offering for November & December will be going to Warming Ears. A check for $224 has been sent to Harbor House, the September & October recipient for the offering. BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES Birthdays Angie Wiley 12/6 Al Schumacher 12/14 Linda VanHeuvelen 12/20 Anniversaries Bob & Arlene Koenes 12/18 Alex & Emily Busman 12/19

2 A Minute with Mike Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 Warm and joy-filled Christmas greetings to you and yours! I didn't want to go! We were having a wicked snow storm; I wasn't feeling so hot; it was late and dark and I was just ready to kick back and watch some college football, but the promise made weeks earlier to a lovely woman, friend and Deacon in the church, tugged at my heart. I had agreed to join a few other Deacons for a Christmas Eve devotional at an area nursing home. I knew this place was tough, one of the most neglected facilities in all of Detroit. None the less, I dressed up and begrudgingly went. I had an attitude to be sure and truthfully, in my heart of hearts, was thinking I sure hope these people appreciate all that I'm doing for them. It didn't take long for the heart-warmth of the other Deacons to melt my ice-cold thumper. The pianist was already seated and had begun playing Away in A Manger. I looked around the room and was deeply moved by the poor and tattered souls who sat beaming in their mix-matched and stained clothes. I was truly humbled and soon came to feel that I was the honored guest, and it was these dear people who were doing for me. Fact is, it was one of the finest Christmas gifts I've ever received. Each year at Christmas time I ponder what it must have been for Jesus to empty Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant. Revelations gives us a glimpse of the glory of heaven and stirs our imaginations regarding that indescribable beauty. It was His home! How could He leave that? How, why would He set that all aside and come here for thieves and thugs, liars and perverts, cheats of every kind, brutal dictators, extortionists, and slavekeepers. Why? How? What was it like for Him? The joy of Christmas; thank God He came for us! The Christmas gift is Himself and He's still giving it away. He begs us to unwrap the gift and enter into a personal relationship with Him. Share the gift with those you love. Even the least of them who sit abandoned in local homes and jail cells, in hospital beds and office buildings. The joy of Christmas is upon us! Receive in your heart then the Humbled One who is indeed the King of all kings: For this reason, also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-10 May the peace and love and humility of our Christmas Gift bless you and yours now and forever! Mike

3 TREASURER S REPORT Treasurer s Report as of 11/16/16 $ 29, Balance on Hand less following committed funds: (5,234.83) Unspent Mission Funds (1,320.00) November Rent (224.00) Sep/Oct Joyful Noise Offering (300.00) Nov. Advertising $ 22, Uncommitted Funds Available (last month = $22,532 Vi Squires has volunteered to be the backup treasurer. She will also maintain the church directory. As you review the directory or have any changes on your information in the future, please notify Jim who will forward them to Vi. The Treasurer has sent out Stewardship letters. Consecration Sunday was November 20 so if you have not submitted a pledge for the coming year, please prayerfully consider your contribution so the Session can try to finalize a budget at their December meeting. HOME GROUPS If you have been considering joining one of the existing Home Groups, they are still welcoming people to join. Contact present leaders Bob Brooks, Dana Bilyea, Peter Johnson, or Pastor Mike for details. Perhaps you d like to consider starting a group in your area. Pastor Mike can help you get one started. Please note that for the time being Bob Brooks group will temporarily be meeting on Tuesday now. FOOD PANTRY COLLECTIONS Because there have been very few donations of food to the Food Pantry, the Missions Committee has decided that there will be no more collecting food for the Pantry on a routine monthly basis. OFFERINGS There have been requests to collect the offering and dedicating it to God rather than placing it in a basket in the hall. Session is honoring this request. Thanksgiving weekend we began collecting offerings. This does mean though that we will need people to volunteer to assist in collecting them. Thank you to Jo Cowan for her donation to purchase the offering plates. ESSENTIAL TENETS The Essential Tenets series has been completed and was well received. If you were unable to attend or missed any of the classes, they will be available on the church website, goodshepherdpres.com, under the education link. A POEM TO PONDER You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "I". You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "My". Nor can you pray the Lord's Prayer and not pray for one another, and when you ask for daily bread, you must include your brother. For others are included...in each and every plea, From the beginning to the end of it, It does not once say, "Me".

4 On November 13 th our congregation held its first of many Anniversary Celebrations. We were honored to have several guests that joined in on the celebration. We were provided with a video from Rev. Dana Allin, ECO Synod Executive with words of encouragement, Bob Azkoul provided special music, and Mayor Kepley gave a special address to the congregation. All followed their presentation with a special blessing for our church. Jim Miller and Peter Johnson provided personal testimonies. Good Shepherd also received a letter from Margaret L. Trent, Stated Clerk of the Great Lakes Presbytery. The following is a copy of the letter: November 12, 2016 Pastor Mike Baynai Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church 2200 Saginaw Rd. SE Grand Rapids, MI Dear Pastor Mike Baynai and the Congregation of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church: A special thank you to Greg McCormick, Anne & Dan Vanderberg and the many others that helped prepare and serve our Celebration Lunch. And, to Cindy Cook for the anniversary scrapbook so nicely done. On behalf of the ECO Great Lakes Presbytery Council and the whole Great Lakes Presbytery, we send greetings and prayers. Know that we celebrate with you as you celebrate your first of many birthdays as a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterian (ECO) Church. It is a privilege to link arms and hearts with a sister congregation that is holding to the tenets of our faith and overflowing God s Word into the community. It is our prayer that you would always see your new church family as a group that is committed to Him and His Kingdom. May God continue to bless you as you move forward bringing God s Word into the community and throughout the world. With joyful hearts, we celebrate your faithfulness and your dedication to grow as disciples of Christ. Blessings, Margaret L. Trent, Stated Clerk Great Lakes Presbytery Bethel Presbyterian Church 1735 Bethel Road Columbus, OH 43220

5 DECEMBER EVENTS Sunday 4 th Second Sunday In Advent; Dr. Laura preaching Holiday Choir sings Monday 5 th Beth Moore Study at Baynai s Tuesday - 6 th 6:30pm: Bob Brooks' Home Group Sunday 11 th Third Sunday In Advent Dana Bilyea special music Sunday - 11 th 4:30pm: Baynai's Home Group Wed th 6:30pm: Session Meeting Sunday 18 th Fourth Sunday In Advent Shauna Gipe special music Tuesday - 20 th 6:30pm: Bob Brooks' Home Group Sunday 25 th Christmas Day Worship at 11:00am Holiday Choir and Children's Choir singing Come worship with the Seminarians every Friday morning at chapel service (10:00 until 10:30am). Join pastor Mike and some of the students for coffee afterwards. DECEMBER DEVOTIONS SCHEDULE Good Shepherd Church is privileged to lead devotions Sunday afternoon in a number of area senior facilities where some residents are unable to get out for worship. Please feel free to share the love of Christ with others in this capacity. For more information or location of facilities, see Pastor Mike 4 th 3:30pm Samaritas (The Terraces) 11 th 2:20pm Samaritas (The Lodge) 18 th 3:00pm Railside 25 th 3:00pm American House Butterfinger Cookies Barb and Jean Bailey To submit a recipe for the newsletter turn in to Betty Rittersdorf by the 25 th of the month 7 Layer Cookies 1 stick oleo/butter melted 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup peanut butter chips (or other flavor) 1 cup walnuts 1 small can sweetened condensed milk Layer each ingredient in an 11x7 ungreased pan. Bake in a 350 oven for minutes 3 ½ cups flour 1 ½ cups sugar 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 2 large eggs ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup butter softened 1 ¾ cups butterfinger bits (10 oz. pkg.) Combine flour, soda and salt. Beat sugar and butter until creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in bits. Drop by slightly rounded tablespoon on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at minutes.

6 CHILDREN S DECEMBER BIBLE VERSE This month the children will be learning about the special talents God has provided and how to use them to glorify Him and to build each other up. The Bible verse they will be learning is, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34