He did not wait for the perfect time. He came when the need was deep and great. He dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine.

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1 December The Shepherd s Crook is published for GSPC members and friends. PH: FAX: WEB SITE: During this holy season I find myself especially drawn to more creative reflections on the season, so wanted to share with you two pieces that I have read recently. The first a poem by Madeleine L Engle. Pastor: Rev. Bill Davis Office Manager: Barbara Mitchell Organist/Choir Director Becky Carlisle Treasurer: Jerry Zarret Assistant Treasurer: Joyce Matthews Custodian: Buzz Speer Nursery Attendant: Becky Brizzolara Events Coordinator Diana Bennett Clerk of Session: Mary Archuleta Session Members: Diana Bennett Erick Hartman Noel Matthews Mary McCarron Teddie McConnell Pat McCune Marsha Morton Sara Tyburczy Jerry Wetsel First Coming He did not wait till the world was ready, till men and nations were at peace. He came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release. He did not wait for the perfect time. He came when the need was deep and great. He dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine. He did not wait till hearts were pure. In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt. To a world like ours, of anguished shame he came, and his Light would not go out. He came to a world which did not mesh, to heal its tangles, shield its scorn. In the mystery of the Word made Flesh the Maker of the stars was born. We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful voice, for to share our grief, to touch our pain, He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice! And second, a writing by St. Thomas Aquinas: Light of lights! All gloom dispelling, Thou didst come to make thy dwelling Here within our world of sight. Lord, in pity and in power, Thou didst in our darkest hour Rend the clouds and show thy light. Praise to thee in earth and heaven Now and evermore be given, Christ, who art our sun and shield. Lord, for us thy life thou gavest, Those who trust in thee thou savest, All they mercy stands revealed. During this Advent season, may you be filled with the love and light of Christ as we wait and watch together for his coming! Bill 1

2 1st Sunday of Advent November 29 2nd Sunday of Advent December 6 Children s Christmas Program Potluck Lunch after Worship Youth Group - White Elephant Gift Exchange - SH - 6:30 pm Choir Cantata at Boulder Adventist Church December 12 2:30 pm Parents Day Out (sponsored by Youth Group) - Saturday, Dec am - 2 pm (SH) 3rd Sunday of Advent December 13 Combined Choirs Christmas Cantata at Good Shepherd 10:00 a.m. -- Reception following 4th Sunday of Advent December 20 Christmas Joy Offering received Join the Youth caroling at Sunny Acres Following worship Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service Thurs., Dec pm Office & Food Bank closed Dec. 25 and the week of Dec. 28 to Jan. 1 Thank you to everyone who donated boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We collected 81 boxes!! 2 KEEPING THE PROMISE OF THE ADVENT SEASON-- CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING During this Advent season, we reflect on the influence a promise can have on our lives. God promised each of us salvation, and kept that promise with the birth of Jesus. That promise sustains and uplifts us, during good times and challenging ones. When we understand this deeper meaning of a promise, we also understand each of us has a special responsibility to make, and keep, faithful promises of our own. The Christmas Joy Offering is one way to do that. Each gift received equally supports two vital promises for our faith. Through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, the Christmas Joy Offering assists church workers and their families during times of need, giving back to those who have spent their lives in the service of the church. The program provides grants for housing supplements, income assistance, and pastoral vocational leadership needs. The Christmas Joy Offering also supports the education and development of our future leaders at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges. These schools are dedicated to nurturing opportunity and creating environments where diverse students can succeed from a foundation of Christian values. The Offering benefits Menaul School and Presbyterian Pan American School, two secondary schools that ready students for a path of higher learning, as well as Stillman College, where graduates are prepared for lives of leadership and service. When you give to the Christmas Joy Offering, you help sustain these promises and uplift our brothers and sisters in Christ by reducing their burdens and opening new paths of opportunity. Please give generously on December 20th when the offering will be received here at Good Shepherd. Offering envelopes are in the pews and in your box of envelopes. Or text JOY to to give $10. You may also give online at: presbyterianmission.org/give/christmas joy Links for more information are as follows: AssistanceProgram/Pages/default.aspx Or resc/

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4 Dec. 6 December Gretchen Caudill s 8th birthday Dec. 13 OPEN Buzz Speer Gretchen Caudill Betty Harvell Julie Klahn Estephen Greenwich Angela Caudill Myrna Criswell Alexis Watson Powell Warner Anna Bond Dorothy Bennett Pee Wee Holland Jerry Wetsel Tania Wirz Dec. 20 1) Angelle Myers 1st birthday 2) Dorothy Bennett s 13th birthday Dec. 27 Jerry Wetsel s 90th birthday Arrangements are $20 each. Please pay one week in advance so that we can order the flowers. Thank you! If we have inadvertently missed your birthday, please notify the church office so we can update our records. Our deepest sympathy to: Debbie Brown Jerry & Jacque Noland Chet and Tanner Luann Anderson Margree Mitchell Lori Boesl Daniel Leieritz Sue Coleman Betty Casady Tom McConnell The Presbytery of Zimbabwe Our military men & women Clients of our Food Bank Clients of Growing Home Connie van der Vegt & Family on the death of her husband Harmen on November 19, The Keck Family on the death of Linda s brother-in-law Jon Davis on November 19, Tim Schneider & Family on the death of Tim s aunt, Gracie Michaelis. 4

5 CONGREGATIONAL LIFE It s time for a Potluck, and a trip down memory lane. Join us on Sunday, December 6 after worship for a potluck lunch. Please bring a dish to share, and look through the photo albums I ve assembled of past Good Shepherd Congregational Life activities. I do need help in the kitchen with setup and cleanup, so PLEASE help out if you can. LAY READERS for December Dec. 6 Kyle Feusner Dec. 13 Steele Dove Dec. 20 Joan Moore Dec. 24 Angela Caudill Dec. 31 Becki McConnell * * * On Sunday, December 13, we will serve a reception following the Good Shepherd/Boulder Seventh Day Adventist Choir Cantata, at 11 am. We want to have a really nicely-done reception this year. Please try to bring vegetarian food (cheese and eggs are OK.) We need people to bring food, as well as servers and preparation help in the kitchen. Marsha Morton, Congregational Life Elder CHRISTIAN EDUCATION The beautiful God s Creation calendars for 2016 are on sale after worship in the Narthex. They are just $10 for a beautiful calendar you will be glad to hang on your wall. Get several for gifts! The proceeds help fund our Christian Education activities here at Good Shepherd, including the Youth mission trip and Vacation Bible Camp. Thanks for investing in our young people! WARMING TREE Please join GSPC Christian Education to collect children s gloves, mittens, hats and socks for our Warming Tree located in the Narthex. We will be collecting these items from December 1-31, 2015 and all items will be donated to Growing Home. Please help us fill up our Warming Tree to help those keep warm during the 5

6 Growing Home Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program Good Shepherd is once again adopting a Growing Home Family for Christmas. Below are the family members and suggested gifts. Please label the gifts for each individual family member (i.e Daughter, 1) and return the gifts to the Church Office by December 10th for delivery to Growing Home on December 11th. Dad - Age 32 Ross gift card Target or Walmart gift card Broncos Pajama set - size medium Mom - Age 30 Leg Warmers (dark colors) Infinity Scarf (dark colors) Target gift card Mission The PEACE AND GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING, received on Oct. 25, collected $ A portion of this has been donated to Growing Home, our recipient of choice this year. In addition, through the Mission Working Group, Good Shepherd has again adopted a Growing Home family for Christmas. Please see the list on this page showing specifics about our family. If you choose to participate, please let the church office know what you will bring so that we do not duplicate. Thank you for making Christmas brighter for a struggling family! Son - Age 8 Walmart gift card Pikachu stuffed toy Sock Monkey Son - Age 6 Angry Bird toy Big Sponge Bob Square Pants stuffed animal Sock Boy Daughter - Age 1 Potty training seat Toys (Lego) Books Items needed for Food Bank in December: Holiday food items such as canned yams, instant mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing mix, etc. Please place items in the bench in the Narthex or bring to the Food Bank. Thank you! During October the Food Bank gave out 190 orders to 142 households serving 489 people, including 191 children. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission. Note: Food Bank will be closed Dec. 25 and Dec Jan. 1. 6

7 December 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat SA Sanctuary FH Fellowship Hall SH - Shepherds Hall NOTE: Barb Mitchell will be on vacation Wed., Dec. 16 thru Friday, Dec Church Women United (FH) 9 am 1 pm Mission 1 pm 2 Bible Study 3:30 pm Choir 7 pm 3 4Choir Reh. at Becky s 7 pm SH 7-9 pm FH 7 9 pm 5 SH 9:30am - 3 pm 6 Children s Program Potluck Lunch 11:15 am Youth 6:30 pm SH 8:30-11:30am SA & FH 1 4 pm Bible Study 3:30 pm No Choir 7 pm SH 7-9 pm FH 7-9 pm 12--Cantata at Boulder Church 2:30 pm --Parents Day Out 9am - 12 pm (FH) --SH 9:30am-3 pm 13 Christmas Cantata In Worship 10am NO Youth SH 8:30-11:30am SA & FH 1-4 pm 14 Daisy Troop (FH) 6:30-8 pm 15 Retired Nurses (FH) 8 am - noon Session (FH) 6:30 pm 16 Bible Study 3:30 pm Choir 7 pm SH 7-9 pm FH 7-9 pm 19 SH 9:30am - 3 pm 20SH 8-11:30 --Youth Caroling at Sunny Acres after Worship --Christmas Joy Offering received SA & FH 1-4 pm NO Choir 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion 6 pm 25 SH 7-9 pm 26 SH 9:30am - 3 pm 27 Hymn Sing NO Youth Group 28 OFFICE 29 AND 30 FOOD 31 BANK 1 CLOSED SH 8:30-11:30am SA & FH 1-4 pm 7

8 Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church Melody Drive Northglenn CO Offices: Shepherds Hall 650 Kennedy Drive Northglenn CO Website: thegoodshepherd.org PH: FAX: Adult Classes 8:30 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Nursery provided all morning The mission of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church as a Christian community is to grow in faith through worship, fellowship, and service as we share the love of Jesus Christ with all people. Revised and Adopted January