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. January 2019 Inside: Council Highlights 2 Prayer List 2 Annual Report 3 Content New Year! Happy as in be happy! Come on be happy! Yeah - happy - that s the way you should be - is not a helpful idea. Psychologists tell us that happy is really a string of happy moments that our minds try to knit together. Happiness is a transitory if not an illusory pursuit. Rather, I m for content as in - I am content with who and what has been given to me. Emphasis on given. Content - equanimity seems a healthier, spiritual, faith based understanding. Being content and appreciating what is. That it is enough, more than enough that we have been given. So Content New Year to All! Lv PD Inclement Weather 3 Offering Boxes 3 Altar Flowers 3 Covenant to Care Thanks 4 Pajamas & Books Thanks 4 Angel Tree Thanks 4 Quilting News 5 Confirmation Reunion 5 Book Club 5 Sunday Night Worship 6 Shepherd s Pantry 6 Calendar Collection 6 Snack Collection 6 Directory Update 7 Community Supper 7 Happy New Year 8 Happy Birthday 9 Treasurer s Report 9

2 2 The Shepherd s Voice Highlights from Your Church Council Council did not meet in December. Their next meeting will be a retreat on January 26th. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak with a council member or Pastor Doug: Barbara Abraham Walt Bills Trudi Black Tricia Bobowick Sue Chin Thelma Cleland Billie Flaherty Brian Immel Jeff Jackson Lisa Lilly Karen Merrick Renee Shoop Dave Wang D.J. Bobowick - Youth Representative Members: Elizabeth Cukan, George Hassinger, Ray Doherty, Karen Merrick, Vicki Creutz, John Gennette, Diane Hensel, Gordon Cleland, Miriam Kursawe, Brian Amado, Sarah Mora. Family & Friends of Members: John & family, friends of Barbara Dembin; the Corey Kennedy Family, friends of the McElaneys; Diane, friend of the Rubin family; Ron, relative of the Rubin family; the Coy family, friends of the Noll family; the Douglas Coy family, friends of the Noll family; Carolyn and family; daughter of Lil Tesoriero; Karin and family, daughter of Bob Carlson; Leah, friend of Janet Szulga; Catherine, friend of Lil Tesoriero; Joan, friend of Beck & Walt Bills; Joanne, sister of Veronica Serrrano; Terri, friend of Karen Jackson; Joan, sister of Miriam Kursawe; Jean, aunt of Janet Szulga; John & Kathy, friends of Vic & Ellie Noll; Peter, friend of Joan & Ray Doherty; Lauren, friend of Dagny Hassinger; Phil & Janet, friends of Karen & Jeff Jackson; Scarlet, great granddaughter of Peg Weshche. Special Prayers for Armed Forces Personnel: Tyler, AJ, Matt, Kenny, Brian. 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. 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).

3 3 The Shepherd s Voice Annual Congregational Meeting Copies of the 2018 Annual Report are on the table in the narthex. If you were unable to attend the Annual Congregational Meeting in December and would like to know what happened here at Good Shepherd in the past year, please take a copy. Inclement Weather Notice In the event of inclement weather cancellation notices are posted: On the church website News page at On WTNH Channel 8 news On Good Shepherd s Facebook page Please use your best judgment on the safety of driving and walking in poor conditions. Offering Envelope Boxes Offering Envelope Boxes for 2019 are on the table in the narthex. Please take yours home with you. For the first few weeks, we ask you to write your name on the envelope so that we may check the names and envelope numbers for accuracy. If you have any questions, please speak with Roy Remlin. If you would like to donate flowers, please sign up on the flower chart in the hallway and be sure to include the dedication you would like to appear in the bulletin with your offering. A donation of $50 is requested. In addition, please indicate if you would like to take one or two arrangements after the services or if you would prefer to have one or two arrangements taken to a shut-in. To help balance the budget, flowers will be on the altar only on Sundays when a donation is received.

4 4 The Shepherd s Voice THANKS FROM OUR COVENANT TO CARE FAMILIES Your generosity has made for a wonderful holiday for our Covenant to Care families. We fulfilled all the gift requests for Christmas and once again, we ve received a lovely note from our social worker, Donna, thanking us for the Thanksgiving food donations. You ll find her note posted in the narthex. They are still in need of items for a baby girl due in January to a first-time mother who is starting off with nothing. Please contact Jane Fieberts if you can help. May God bless each of you with peace, good health, and prosperity in Jane Fieberts Pajama and Book Christmas Gifts Thank You Thank you all for your wonderful gifts of pajamas and books. Every request was filled. The Monroe Social Worker was so grateful for your generosity in helping children in need. You have made a difference in the lives of many families. The light of Christ shines brightly in your outreach to those in need. Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Gifts Thank You Members from Good Shepherd not only generously filled all of the gift tags to the Salvation Army Angel Tree but several also helped in the distribution of the Angel Tree gifts. Thank you to all who participated in this effort by giving gifts, helping with the preparation work, and joining other volunteers in giving the gifts out to those in need. It is a blessing to be part of a congregation so filled with kindness! Thank you!!!!!! Trudi Black

5 5 The Shepherd s Voice Quilting News Please join us on Saturday, January 5th and 19th from 9:30 a.m. 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. We will also quilt on Tuesday, January 8th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feel free to come and go as you need. Confirmation Class Reunion On Sunday, January 6th at 10:30 am Confirmands from the last eight years are invited to a Confirmation Class Reunion at Good Shepherd. To renew our relationship with our students, the GSLC Council is inviting recent Confirmation students to be part of the service on January 6th. We hope you will attend and help out as a greeter, usher, reader, singer or musician. Or read a poem or special prayer, create artwork-- all talents are welcome. Or simply be there! We hope you'll stay for a few minutes afterward for cake and coffee hour and tell us about where you are now. High School? College? Working? Thank you for considering being part of the day! RSVP to Cindy Carlson at cindyclementcarlson@gmail.com. The Book Club s next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. We will discuss The Gift by Richard Paul Evans. 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. This past year we read the following books: Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom Shanghai Girls by Lisa See Henry s Sisters by Cathy Lamb Gilead by Marilynne Robinson Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly The Rosie Project by Graham Simsion The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles The Accidental President by Albert J. Baime Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

6 6 The Shepherd s Voice Sunday Night Worship in January, February and March We will not meet in January, February or March due to the possibility of inclement weather. In April we will once again celebrate a relaxing and meditative Service of Word and Sacrament. Watch future newsletters for the 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 nar- We need: Canned Tomatoes Apple juice Soups Mayonnaise Ketchup Mustard Salad dressing Canned chicken Peanut butter Jelly Syrup Pancake mix Calendars Again this year, please bring any extra 2019 calendars you may receive to church. They are given to a Mental Health clinic for distribution to clients to keep track of appointments. We are continuing to collect 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.

7 7 The Shepherd s Voice Updated church directories will be issued in January. Please notify the church office of any changes in address, telephone number, or address. You may call the church office at or the update to office@gslc-ct.org Thanks for your cooperation. Community Supper - February 6, 2019 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! Thank You from Golden Hill United Methodist Church I am grateful for your continued commitment to the Community Supper Program at Golden Hill UMC...Thank you for your help to alleviate hunger in Bridgeport. I hope you know that your efforts make an ongoing difference in the lives of many. Again, I appreciate and thank you for all that you do in so many ways. Peace and blessings, Melody Merola Director of Outreach Ministry

8 8 The Shepherd s Voice Are you making New Year's resolutions? Are you willing to give one or two hours a month to help others? Would you like to get more involved in activities at church? Joining a committee to utilize your time and talents may be the answer for you. Committees meet once a month either in person here at church or online. Please check the church calendar for the date of the next committee meeting and join in the fun! Here is a list of the committees at Good Shepherd and the chairperson or contact name: Altar Guild - Donna Duessel Christian Education - Veronica Lenzen, Donna Duessel, Alison Rubin, Bob McFarland Shepherding (Evangelism) - Lisa Lilly Finance - Vic Noll Memorial - Bob McFarland Property - Mickey Pelella, Bob McFarland Social Outreach - Diane Hensel Stewardship - Billie Flaherty Worship and Music - Charlie Simon Check out the Annual Report to see what they have done in the past year and come be a part of a rewarding, fun experience. There are also multiple outreach programs that happen at Good Shepherd. The Shepherd s Flock Quilters meet a few times a month and would love to have you join them in creating quilts for those in need. Please speak with Ellie Noll to find out more. If you have time on a Sunday morning, your help would be greatly appreciated by the ushers, greeters, assisting ministers, communion assistants, lectors, and counters. Please speak with Nina to get on the schedule. The commitment is once every 6-8 weeks for help with the worship service. Counters are scheduled for two weeks about 5 times a year. If you have good news to share, please or call the church office. It will be included in the next newsletter.

9 9 The Shepherd s Voice Connor Flaherty 2-Feb James Crawford 14-Feb Hannah Lee 2-Feb Nancy Johnson 15-Feb Donna Lindsay 3-Feb Heidi Gendron 16-Feb Bill McDonough 5-Feb Ray Goulet 16-Feb Dakota McDonough 7-Feb Jewelianna Crawford 18-Feb Julia Schwarz 7-Feb Amanda Gorman 18-Feb Emily Pelella 9-Feb Tristan McDonough 19-Feb Collin Hoffman 9-Feb Julianna Kusinski 20-Feb Brent Dreher 12-Feb Ingrid Kessler 22-Feb Noelle McElaney 12-Feb Fred Aubrey 23-Feb Sydnie Chin 13-Feb Diane Hensel 24-Feb Ken Furnes 13-Feb Ethan Paquin 26-Feb Ellie Noll 13-Feb 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.