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. Summer 2016 Inside: Happy Mid-Summer! Something Different Sundays - Let's do a couple this month. Summer has a nice, laid back feel to it. We hold one Worship Service and it's fun to change things up a bit. So on July 10, I will distribute the time used for a sermon to do a teach-in on Worship. As we pray and sing together I'll take a bit of time to explain each part of the Service, what it is, why we do it, how it relates to scripture based faith, what some of the current thinking is on each part of worship. We love something or someone more deeply as we grow in knowing and understanding of the other. This is my hope in offering this on July 10. On July 17, also a Something Different Sunday- I"ll dedicate the sermon time for a "ASK ANY QUESTION YOU WANT" about Christian belief or practice. We will listen and respond to each other's questions and ideas. So, start thinking about questions you've always wanted to ask and remind yourself that "the only stupid question is the question you don't ask." I hope that these summer Sundays will be useful and enjoyable for you. Invite friends to church! Eat some tomatoes. Sit by water. Wear sunscreen. Experiment safely with gin. Come to church. LV, PD Council Highlights Thank You Prayer List Book Club Quilting News SNAGS Pantry Garden Finance Meeting Treasurer s Report Shepherd s Pantry Community Supper VBS Backpacks Usher & Greeters Needed Congratulations Lutheran Home Fair Food Pantry Help Church Picnic Vacation Bible School Happy Birthday Prayer Summer Reading Lay Ministry Schedule

2 2 The Shepherd s Voice Highlights from Your Church Council June 20, 2016 Attendees: Pastor Doug, Walt Bills, Bob Carlson, Cindy Carlson, Marc Carlson, Susan Chin, Donna Duessel, Donna Hoffman, Eileen Holleran, Karen Jackson, Charlie Simon, Jessica Thom and David Wang (Jeff Jackson, Clare McElaney - guests) Synod Convention Pastor Doug, Karen and Jeff Jackson, and Clare McElaney provided a summary of what went on at the NE Synod Convention. The theme of the convention was No Reservations Required A Place at the Table for Everyone. Ending hunger was the focus. The future of seminaries was also discussed. The Synod has created a Fund For Leaders with the goal of being able to provide seminary education without cost. The Council decided to use the July meeting to figure out how Good Shepherd can contribute to the Fund for Leaders and support our own seminarian, Clare McElaney. Flat Roof Replacement - Refinancing the church mortgage is complete. The details of the roofing contract are being worked out and the flat roof replacement will be scheduled soon. Worship Space The new baptismal bowl has been placed in the sanctuary. Please do not try to pick up or move the bowl because it is adhered to the font. Moving the bowl will break the seal. Bob Carlson is working on under-lighting the bowl. Finance The giving continues to be behind what was budgeted. Thanks Council thanks Karen & Jeff Jackson and Clare McElaney for attending Synod Convention on our behalf. Next Council Meeting July 18th details to follow Respectfully submitted, Donna Duessel, Council Secretary If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak with a council member or Pastor Doug: Walt Bills Bob Carlson Cindy Carlson Sue Chin Donna Duessel Billie Flaherty Donna Hoffman Eileen Holleran Karen Jackson Eric Lee Charlie Simon Jessica Thom Dave Wang Marc Carlson - Youth Representative Thank you! Our gracious thanks to Eric and Cathryn Lee and Jeff Jackson for trimming the trees around the parking lot and the exit to Lover s Lane.

3 3 The Shepherd s Voice Members: Arlene Juliano, Don Juliano, Lil Tesoriero, Ron Haven, Bob Carlson, Eileen Remlin, Miriam Kursawe, Brian Amado, and Sarah Mora. 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: Arlene, friend of Dagny Hassinger; Marge, friend of Dagny Hassinger; Debbie, friend of John & Ray Doherty; Ann, friend of Miriam Kursawe; Mary, neighbor of Eileen & Howie Holleran; Elaine, friend of Lil Tesoriero; Don, cousin of Vic & Ellie Noll; Joyce, cousin of Eileen Remlin; Carolyn, daughter of Lil Tesoriero; Karl, uncle of Donna Duessel; Lynne, friend of Vic & Ellie Noll & Sam Barate; Frances & family, friends of Pastor Doug and Noelle; Dave, friend of Joan & Ray Doherty; Gloria, friend of Janet Szulga & Sarah Mora; Antonietta, friend of Barbara Dembin; Keith, friend of Janet Szulga. Special Prayers for Armed Forces Personnel: AJ, Matt, Kenny, Ryan, Brian, Phillip. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to: The family and friends of + Ron Basala+, husband of Elaine Basala, father of Lynn Kusinski & Kristen Cavaliere. The family and friends of + Gladys Kearney +, sister of Arlene Juliano. 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).

4 4 The Shepherd s Voice The next Book Club meeting will be on Tuesday, July 5th at 1:30 p.m. We will discuss A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman. 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. Quilting News Please join us on Saturday, July 9 and 16, August 6 and 20, 2016 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 hearts and hands. Sunday Night At Good Shepherd In September we began to celebrate a 5:30 p.m. Service of Holy Communion. Gathering twice a month (for now) the addition in worship opportunities has proved helpful to many! The Service has a setting of calm, reflective, slowing down presence and is held in the Narthex area or the Lounge. Various musical guests come to lead us in song. Even if you do just fine with Sunday morning worship, come and join us for a visit to experience worship in a different style and at the hour of Vespers, sundown and "the lighting of the lamps." July Schedule: July 10 and July 24 God s work. Our hands. Do you want to help feed people in need in the town of Monroe? We welcome volunteers of all ages to help weed and harvest the garden we planted at the Monroe Food Pantry. Sign up on the bulletin board or call the church office. If you have questions, please speak with Dave Wang, Larry Black or Donna Duessel. We also need volunteers to weed and water the flowers at church. They are a cheerful and welcoming sight to visitors and those passing by the church.

5 5 The Shepherd s Voice Finance Committee Meeting The Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. If you have an interest in finance we invite you to attend the meeting. If you have any questions, please speak with any member of the committee: Vic Noll, Tim Carlson, Peg Wesche, Roy Remlin. We need: Relish Ketchup Mustard Mayonnaise Bbq sauce Peanut butter Baked beans Sauerkraut Hamburger rolls Hot dog rolls Juice Vegetable oil snacks 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 Big Y coins (gold and silver) which can be put in the basket that has been placed on the Shepherd s Pantry shelves in the narthex. If you have any questions, please speak with Diane Hensel.

6 6 The Shepherd s Voice Community Supper - August 3, 2016 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, Cathryn Lee, Amanda Lee or anyone who has attended a supper before. Thank you! Vacation Bible School August 8-12, 2016 The talented counselors from Camp Calumet will once again be here at Good Shepherd to run a fun, faith-filled week of Vacation Bible School. Contributions of dinners, breakfast foods and snacks are needed. GSLC has also committed to having as much adult presence as possible so please consider spending a few hours here in the air conditioning with a good book in the unlikely event the Calumet counselors need an adult church member to turn to. To contribute and/or help out, please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex or speak with Veronica Lenzen. Thank you! Registration is now open! See the form on page 10 to register for this wonderful week for children ages New this year: for ages 4-5 camp is a half day; for ages 6-14 camp is a full day. COVENANT TO CARE BACKPACKS As in the past, we d like to ask your help in providing backpacks for our Covenant to Care kids as they head off to another year of school. The last two years, we experimented with a choice of two drop-off dates to accommodate vacation schedules and it worked out well, so this year there are again two dates for leaving your backpacks - August 7th or August 14th. Backpacks will be picked up on August 15th. Since Vacation Bible School will be taking place from the 8th through the 12th, be sure to leave your backpack in the narthex toward the front wall (street side) of the church to keep them out of the way. Names will be in the narthex on July 17th. As usual, most of the kids are high school age. Thanks for your continuing generosity! Jane Fieberts

7 7 The Shepherd s Voice Ushers and Greeters Do you enjoy being greeted at the door with a smile and a good morning? Can you help welcome people to church on a Sunday morning? Right now we have 4 teams with two people on a team. With your help, we can continue this wonderful ministry! Would you be willing to help usher during the worship service? Ushers hand out the bulletins, collect the offering, bring the gifts to the altar, lead people to communion, count the worship attendees and collect the worship guides after the service. We have a limited number of ushers and generally schedule you once every two months. Please call the church office or send an to goodshepherdlutheran@snet.net. If you have any questions, please speak with Howard Holleran. Amber Serrano graduated with a bachelors degree in human performance and has been accepted into a master degree program for higher education counseling with Central State University. Kelly Turner graduated from Northeastern University with a Master s of Science Degree in Speech- Language Pathology. Morgan Turner graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor s of Science Degree in Allied Health Sciences and will attend the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as a student in their Physician s Assistant Master s program beginning this fall. Sydnie Chin graduated from Masuk High School and is going to Susquehanna University, where she plans to study Graphic Design and has been accepted into the Honors program as well as the orchestra. Hannah Lee graduated from Masuk High School. She will attend Manhattan College dual majoring in education and special education with a concentration in Spanish. She received a music scholarship and will participate in music ministry and sing with the Manhattan Singers. Brian Lilly graduated from Masuk High School and will be attending University of Delaware, and will major in Bio/Chemistry. Joseph Pleva graduated from Trumbull High School and will be attending Roger Williams University in September. More graduation news will be in the September newsletter.

8 8 The Shepherd s Voice The Southbury Lutheran Home Fair on June 4, 2016 was a great success. You may recognize Bob McFarland, Dottie Kaiser and Peg Wesche from the Plant Booth Team! The fair offered many items for sale and included great entertainment. Thanks to all who supported the efforts to raise funds for the residents of the home through your donations, time, and attendance. Monroe Food Pantry Wendy Jolls, Food Pantry Coordinator is in need of adult volunteers to help at the Monroe Food Pantry on Wednesdays and possibly one Saturday a month. If you are willing to help out or have questions, please contact her at

9 9 The Shepherd s Voice On Sunday, June 26, 2016, The Annual Church Picnic Worship was held at Wolfe Park in Monroe with beautiful weather, wonderful fellowship and delicious food! Special thanks to Zac Chin and Ben Lee - grilllmasters, Jeff Jackson grill owner/supervisor, David Wang - grill transporter. The Church Picnic group photo will be coming soon! Thanks to Dagny Hassinger for her photography talent and Donna Duessel for the above photos!

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11 11 The Shepherd s Voice Linda Pleva 5-Aug Elaine Basala 9-Aug Tammy Crews McDonough 9-Aug Jessica Hoffmann 11-Aug Doris Schwarz 11-Aug Cindy Carlson 12-Aug Victor Noll 12-Aug Lillian Thiede 12-Aug John Carlson 13-Aug Edward Kusinski 13-Aug Leslie Forte 14-Aug Stephen Bespuda 15-Aug Anthony Cavaliere 15-Aug Gordon Cleland Janet Reck Roy Remlin Ellis Hensel Brian Lilly Robin Hoffmann Catherine McElaney Jackson Thom Vic Johnson Walt Bills Mark Schwarz Seth Boland 16-Aug 19-Aug 19-Aug 20-Aug 21-Aug 23-Aug 24-Aug 25-Aug 26-Aug 27-Aug 27-Aug 31-Aug Nora Paquin 2-Sep Carly Lindsay 16-Sep Lynn Kusinski 3-Sep Garrett Uhde 16-Sep Renee Shoop 3-Sep Paul Schwarz 18-Sep Megan Aubrey 4-Sep Clare McElaney 19-Sep Sandy Troesser 9-Sep Bill Serrano 19-Sep Amy Wood 9-Sep Joshua Smith 20-Sep Brigette Vojtek 10-Sep Ronald Stockman 24-Sep Dylan Dembin 11-Sep Ken Lee 25-Sep Brian Immel 11-Sep Adele Buck 26-Sep Beth Noll 11-Sep Danielle Noll 26-Sep Thomas Wheeler 11-Sep Scott Lindsay 28-Sep Kathy Goulet 12-Sep Amy Lee 29-Sep Callie Rubin 13-Sep Jerry Onofrio 30-Sep Erin Schwarz 13-Sep Kaitlyn Rogg 30-Sep Linda Gorman 16-Sep Lisa Schmidt 30-Sep 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.

12 12 The Shepherd s Voice A Prayer May the Lord who made the majestic mountains, the tenderness of tear drops, the raging rivers, the innocence of a child, the fiery sun and the cooling wind, give us ears to hear His word, eyes to see His glory, tongues to sing His praises, hearts to know His grace and mercy and a will to follow Him all the days of our lives. Special thanks to Lil Tesoriero for sharing this with us. Summer Reading Looking for something to read this summer? We have lots of books! Check out the large selection in the narthex. If you see something you would like to read, we ask you to donate 50 cents per book to the Hunger Fund and help us feed the needy. Proceeds go to the Monroe Food Pantry and to ELCA World Hunger. There is a container for your donations on the book cart.

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