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. May 2017 Inside: The following quote comes from one of my spiritual directors and retreat leaders, Richard Rohr. The quote fits the early summer season of May and the beauty we wake up to in all creation: Rohr begins by quoting a medieval spiritual writer And in everything that I saw, I could perceive nothing except the presence of the power of God, and in a manner totally indescribable. And my soul in an excess of wonder cried out: This world is pregnant with God! Angela of Foligno ( ) [1] Just as the Trinity is foundational to understanding the loving, inclusive, and participatory nature of God, a proper notion of the Cosmic Christ brings the mystery even closer to home. The health and survival of our planet and all its inhabitants may depend upon recognizing the inherent sacredness of all materiality. The God many Christians worship is far too small. God is not and never has been a tribal God, somewhere out there, belonging only to Judaism or Christianity. It s no wonder so many educated, postmodern people have given up on such a God. This God is not nearly as big as science is discovering the universe itself to be. How could the Creator be smaller than the creation and less loving than most creatures? The mystery of Christ is much bigger than Christianity. And if we don t make that clear, we re going to have little ability to make friends, build bridges, understand, or respect anybody other than ourselves and finally not even understand ourselves. Jesus did not come to create an elite country club with an arbitrary list of requirements for who s in and who s out. Jesus came to reveal something that has always been true everywhere for everyone and for all time. Otherwise it is not true! Happy Early Summer! LV PD Prayer List Confirmation Thank you Tent of Abraham Book Club Quilting News SNAGS CROP Walk Finance Committee Wedding Blessing Community Supper Sunday School News Annual Picnic/Worship VBS Shepherd s Pantry Knit or Crochet Happy Birthday Treasurer s Report

2 2 The Shepherd s Voice Members: Linda Bespuda, Eileen Holleran, Diane Hensel, Eileen Remlin, Gordon Cleland, Ron Haven, Arlene Juliano, Don Juliano, 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: Dave & Jean, friends of Walt & Becky Bills; Lynne, friend of Vic & Ellie Noll & Sam Barate; Rachel, friend of Barbara Dembin; Antoinette, friend of Barbara Dembin; Dave, brother of Donna Duessel; Claudine, friend of Becky & Walt Bills; Kevin and family, friends of Becky & Walt Bills; Orlando, relative of Donna Duessel; Andy, father of Chris Wesche; Janet, mother of Chris Wesche; Ruth, mother of Donna Duessel; Don, uncle of Donna Duessel; Elaine, friend of Lil Tesoriero; Ron, son-in-law of Joan & Ray Doherty; RJ, grandson of Joan & Ray Doherty; Faith, friend of Bill & Veronica Serrano; Kelly, daughter of Bob McFarland; Pauline, friend of Janet Szulga; Cora, granddaughter of Sue Stockman. 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). Confirmation Sunday, June 4, :30 a.m.

3 3 The Shepherd s Voice Covenant to Care Thanks You Thanks to everyone for once again stepping up to the challenge and fulfilling our gift list with beautifully decorated Easter baskets that have brightened the day for the at-risk kids on our list. Your ongoing generosity is deeply appreciated.

4 4 The Shepherd s Voice The next Book Club meeting will be on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. We will discuss The Zookeeper s Wife by Diane Ackerman. 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, May 6 & 20, 2017 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. Here s a win/win opportunity: Help defray the costs of fabric, batting and shipping, while taking a chance to win a quilt of your choice. Good Shepherd's quilting ministry, led by our capable and talented Ellie Noll, has for many years been sending quilts worldwide for warmth and comfort to those in need through Lutheran World Relief. This year's expectation is to ship more than 50 quilts on May 17th. The quilts, made throughout the year by many helpful and willing hands, will be on blessed at the church on Sunday, May 7th. The winner of the raffle will be drawn at that time and will have the pleasure of having "the pick of the litter". Please see Eileen Holleran to purchase your $2 for 1 or $5 for 3.

5 5 The Shepherd s Voice Sunday Night At Good Shepherd We welcome anyone to join us for any reason that may be helpful to you on May 7 & 21, 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. Sunday, May 7, :30 pm 5:00 pm Start Location: Seaside Park, South End of Park Avenue, Bridgeport For more information, speak with Trudi Black. Finance Committee Meeting The Finance Committee will meet on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. (date to be verified the week before). 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, Billie Flaherty.

6 6 The Shepherd s Voice Rachel Lilly, daughter of Lisa and the late Norman Lilly married Jake Sanner on 4/8/17. Their marriage ceremony was held at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD, where Jake s grandfather, Theodore Tietge, had been a Pastor. Jake is the son of Denver and Paula Tietge Sanner. Rachel and Jake currently reside in Anne Arundel County in Maryland with their dog Daisy. A Blessing of their Marriage will be held at Good Shepherd on May 28, 2017 at the 10:30 worship service. Everyone is invited to attend a champagne luncheon after the service. Community Supper - June 7, 2017 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!

7 7 The Shepherd s Voice Save the Date for these Upcoming Events Planting Sunday - Ice Cream Sundae The Sunday School year ends on Sunday, June 4th and we will again be planting the annuals around the church and then enjoying ice cream sundaes to celebrate another faith-filled year! June 11, 2017 The Annual Church Picnic and Worship Service will be held at Wolfe Park in Monroe at 10:00 a.m. Come for an inspiring worship service, great food, wonderful fellowship and fun outdoor games for all ages. July 31 - August 4, 2017 Counselors from Camp Calumet are once again coming to Good Shepherd this summer and will run a full day vacation bible school program. This summer we are offering a half day for ages 4-5 and a full day for ages Watch the bulletins and upcoming newsletter for registration forms, etc. Teens and adults who are interested in volunteering, please contact Veronica Lenzen or the church office.

8 8 The Shepherd s Voice We need: Cooking oil Salad Dressing Ketchup Mustard Cereal Snacks Baked Beans Juice Bread crumbs Mashed Potatoes 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 gold coins 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. Christmas at Sea Calling all knitters and crocheters...we are getting ready to send another shipment of hats and scarves to Seafarers International. If you have any to contribute, please bring them to church and/or speak with Kathy Goulet. Participation Guidelines Knitters and crocheters may choose any of the patterns published by SCI. Please use machine-washable yarn for your projects washable wools and wool-blends are preferred. Our projects require worsted weight yarn, except for the sock pattern, which calls for sock-weight yarn. When choosing colors, remember most mariners are men, and their work environment can get dirty. Rose, pink, lavender, and other pastels are not appropriate colors. You may add stripes to your projects, or use ombre, variegated, tweed, or flecked yarns. We cannot accept hats and scarves with pom-poms, tassels, or fringe as these embellishments present a safety hazard in maritime workplaces. There are pattern sheets for you to take on the table or if you prefer to get them online go to and select the pattern you would like to knit or crochet.

9 9 The Shepherd s Voice Molly Lenzen 1-May Dorothy Mackey 12-May David Wang 1-May Cathryn Lee 16-May Scott Chin 2-May Howie Holleran 17-May Riley Immel 2-May Emily Juliano 19-May Lauren Bespuda 3-May Brian Mahoney 22-May Barbara Dembin 4-May Christian Steinnagel 23-May Maggie Dixon 5-May Howard Dembin 24-May Kim Mora 7-May Kristina Qubick 27-May Bill Uhde 7-May Thomas Glines 28-May Maggie Smith 8-May Robert Troesser 28-May Eileen Holleran 11-May Lisa Pelella 29-May Paul Amado 12-May Anne Marie Carlson 30-May 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.