Good Shepherd News 2017

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1 Good Shepherd News 2017 WORSHIP SCHEDULE 8:30am Worship 9:30am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Children's Sunday School 10:30am Worship THE SHEPHERD S STAFF Pastor Secretary Choir Directors Handbell Director Organist Custodian Nursery Food Pantry Larry Grunden, Jr. Emly Dye Nancy Davis, Mike Morris Nancy Davis Larry Halpern Coverall Custodial Services Donna Knasel Denise Roberts CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL Jenny Rousculp-Miller, President Marcia Morris, Vice President Deb Botkin, Secretary Diane Timmons, Treasurer Barb Bendure, Ron Green, Jeff Henning David King, Ginny Martycz, Rebecca Sanders Mark Shirk, Rachel Tune, Chris Zechman OUR MISSION Called and sent into the world, we seek to serve as the living expression of God's compassion, love & forgiveness. Monday, Sept. 5 Offices will be closed. Wednesday, Sept. 7 9:30am Miriam Circle Saturday, Sept. 9 "God's Work. Our Hands" day Sunday, Sept. 10 New liturgical setting-setting 8 Sunday, Sept. 10 RALLY DAY! Thurs., Sept. 21 5:30pm-7:30pm Food Pantry The Good Shepherd News is a monthly publication from Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church 712 N. Fountain Avenue Springfield, OH (937) gselc@sbcglobal.net, pastorlarrygselc@gmail.com Web site: jointheflock.org. Facebook at facebook.com/goodshepherdspringfield

2 During the third week of August I was able to attend Mission Development training through the E.L.C.A. in Denver, Colorado. It was an intensive process designed to train pastors in the specific areas of ministry surrounding new church start-ups and formal redevelopments. Now, to be clear, Good Shepherd does not fall into either of these categories, so much of the training was good information, but not necessarily applicable in our setting. On the contrary, as I sat through the hours of speeches and testimonies on what parishes should be doing in order to turn their situations around, I kept thinking one thought over and again; My church already does that. Yes, we are welcoming. Yes, we are inclusive. Yes, we are standing for justice in our community, and yes, we are reaching out to our neighbors; not only to teach, but to learn! Good Shepherd has ministries in motion that are healthy and vibrant. We are active and there is energy We are a living and thriving community of believers. This is most certainly true! Yet, there is always room to grow even more. With the addition of the Community Mission Team, our parish will increase its ministries to and with our neighbors. They will concentrate on sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with our neighbors and reinforcing the reality that Good Shepherd is a safe place in which to worship and to be in community with other children of God. Our participation in God s Work. Our Hands. day joins Good Shepherd to all other E.L.C.A. congregations in service to our communities. There are five service oriented options in which to participate, so I hope that you will consider joining in just one of them on September 9 th from 9am-1pm! If you are unable to participate, then consider spending just five minutes of your time in prayer with God concerning world peace, hunger, or the many other needs of this world. The conversation surrounding the possibility of a community garden and recreation area on our property, is certainly uplifting, at the least! This is just one more way that we can offer ourselves and our resources to our neighbors for the Glory of God. Quilters, Food Pantry people, our youth, Property Committee people, musicians, teachers, Worship Assistants, Ushers, Altar Guild people, the wisdom and dedication of our older generation, Home Communion Ministers, IHN volunteers, Fellowship Committee, all of the small group ministries and all of the individual sharing of time, treasure and talents are what makes this parish a living, thriving, growing and blessed community of which to be a part. You are disciples and you are living out your faith here at Good Shepherd! So, one last item of conversation September 10 th is Rally Day. On this day, we celebrate the end of our summer break for our choir, our Sunday school and Faith Formation and some other ministries. On this day, we rally around Good Shepherd and its mission in the world. We rally around each other as we welcome the return of vacationers and those who live elsewhere for part of the year. And we rally around our new members, who for many reasons, have joined the flock here at Good Shepherd! This is truly a day of celebration! Blessings to you all! Pastor Larry

3 JESUS WANTS TO BORROW YOUR LUNCH Matthew's story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matt. 14:13-21, the Gospel Lesson read on August 6, the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost) is among the most revealing and profound New Testament passages which give insight into our understanding of Christian Stewardship. Please grab your Bible and join me in walking prayerfully through this lesson. Though saddened and confused, maybe even depressed, by the news of his cousin John's beheading, undoubtedly wondering when they were coming for him, the human Jesus yet sets aside his own grieving to respond to the crowd, with healing for "their sick." Not preaching, but healing. No questions asked or qualifications checked; just healing for all who came, forming a line that went on far into the evening. As the hour grew late, his disciples made a sensible, practical suggestion: send the crowds to the villages to buy some food for themselves, before the shops close. Can you believe Jesus' response: "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."? But sir, there is NOTHING here but "five loaves and two fish," about enough food for a very modest meal for two or three people. Seriously, that is all we have here! "Bring them here to me." What??? How are we going to pull that off? What are we going to tell the fellow who had enough good sense and foresight to bring his own lunch? About all we can say is Jesus wants your lunch. We have no idea what is going on with him. All he said was, "Bring the food to me." (Spoiler alert: Maybe we modern post-resurrection folks just have to trust that entrusting our lunch to Jesus might be the beginning of something we cannot even fathom until we see it happen.) Jesus does not feed anyone personally. He hands the now blessed food back to the disciples, and they miraculously feed 5,000 people -- well, maybe even 10,000 people or more, counting the women and children! What is given to God is given back to us to distribute. And, is it just barely enough? Hardly! People eat until they are filled, and then there is still enough left over to fill twelve baskets! Back to the title above, Jesus does not really "take" the lunch from the farthinking person who had the foresight to be prepared for a long day away from home. He simply "borrows" it. Jesus doesn't ask for everything I have so that I will be poorer. No, he asks for it for a "little while" so he can make me richer. And others will become rich as well. Pretty amazing; said again, pretty "faithfully" amazing! A simple matter of trusting Jesus and trying it. If only it were that simple. But wait a minute. It IS that simple. Pray about it. Try it. God's economy is amazing. Thanks be to God. Ron Green

4 Food Pantry Our Thursday pantry was hot & humid as we served 222 people. They appreciated the cool fans & cold drinks. To promote healthy eating, we served cucumber roll-ups & sent ingredients of cream cheese, flour tortillas, seasonings & of course cucumbers to make at home. Many thanks to our caring pantry heroes who pick up, shelve & store food as well as check in, serve, carry & load for people in great need : Carla Canales, Nick & Vicci Lubbers, Ellyn & Mark Shirk, Rick Broderick, Phil Winchell, Elise Schwenn, Abby & Betsy Frock, Ginny Martycz, Deb Botkin, Pastor Larry, Mark Roberts & Sharon Veale for the cat food, cards & calendars. Finally, thank you Ken Rush for your home grown cherry tomatoes- clients loved them. How about you? Could you help in some way? God's work. Our hands. denise roberts Good Shepherd Yarners Yarners will be meeting Wednesdays, September 6 and 20 at 7:00 pm at the home of Barb Bendure, 136 Roosevelt Dr. Bring a craft to work on or just come to talk, it s always a fun time of sharing and laughter. Questions? Marcia Morris or Barb Bendure Miriam Circle The Miriam Circle will be meeting on Wednesday, September 6 at 9:30 am. Hostesses are Marcia Morris and Barb Bendure who will also present a program after a light continental breakfast. All women are invited to attend. Questions? Contact Marcia Morris or Barb Bendure God's Work, Our Hands Save the date! Saturday, September 9, from 9am to noon - join in this opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor! With different projects in our church building and in the community, there is plenty of opportunity to serve. Contact the church office for more information. Rally Day 2017 Following "God's Work. Our Hands. Day" will be Rally Day! Join us on Sunday, September 10, as we "kick off" our fall ministries. Join in the celebration here at Good Shepherd! Sunday School adults 9:30am & children 10:00am to 10:45am beginning September 10. Bell choir 6:30pm Thursdays, Choir at 7:30pm on Thursdays. Bible study at 9:30am Tuesdays beginning September 5. Catechism after church on Sundays until 2pm beginning September 17. Women's Book Group The Women s Book Group will be meeting Monday, September 18 at 7:00 pm in the kitchen area. We ll be talking about all the great books we read over the summer and planning our selections for the coming year. If possible, bring a copy of the book you would like the group to read this year. All women interested in reading are invited to attend. Questions? Barb Bendure

5 IHN Our next opportunity to serve at the Interfaith Hospitality Network is Thursday, September 21st. Please mark your calendars! As always, we will be looking for folks to provide a main dish, a side, and dessert, as well as volunteers to serve the meal. A sign-up sheet is posted in the hallway. Contact Deb Botkin, , if you have questions. SMALL GROUP Small Roberts' will begin Monday September 7pm. This group meets every 2nd & 4th Monday. We discuss Biblical perspectives on current topics as well as fellowship and light refreshments. Any questions call denise Thank you! Thank you all so much for your generosity and support! Thank you for the reception and the love you all have given me. Wish me luck at Capital! Meghan Smith SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 3 Ann Dollhopf 5 Stephanie Falkner 12 Melinda Jud 13 Nancy Davis 16 Carl Goldsberry 19 Alma Rutherford, Lisa D Allesandris, Hank Jud 21 Harold Jacobs 22 Jeannie Buckles 24 Patricia King, Janis Bell 26 Dick Broderick 28 Carolyn Shuirr, Peder Tune SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 3 Dan & Angie Hill 5 Hank & Melinda Jud 12 Ron & Diane Timmons Kevin & Vickie Martin 19 Jeff & Lisa D Allesandris 25 Pastor Larry Grunden & Angela Barber

6 First Rehearsal on Thursday 9/7-- Bells at 6:30pm and Choir at 7:30pm!!! Choir will sing on Rally Sunday, September 10. Welcome to returning faithful members, new members, young people, instrumentalists!!! Thanks to all who provided your wonderful music ministry this summer. Summer was not long enough to get everyone in, so in the fall we hope to have some more music: special solos, duets, ensembles. Martin Luther and Music continued... Martin Luther has given us so much about music it is difficult to choose which quotes to highlight. Here are a few: This precious gift has been given to man alone that he might thereby remind himself that God has created man for the express purpose of praising and extolling God. I truly desire that all Christians would love and regard as worthy the lovely gift of music, which is a precious, worthy, and costly treasure given to mankind by God. A person who gives this some thought and yet does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God, must be a clodhopper indeed and does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of as... and the grunting of hogs. My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary. Music is a discipline, and a mistress of order and good manners, she makes the people milder and gentler, more moral and more reasonable. Paul Westermeyer, in his book Te Deum: The Church and Music gives four insights of Martin Luther s theology of music (pp ): 1. Music is a gift of God s good creation. Luther regarded music as such a wonderful gift, he could not find words to describe it. The riches of music are so excellent and so precious that words fail me whenever I attempt to discuss and describe them. In summa, next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits Music bears the Word of God. Luther s chief concern was to bring the Word of God, particularly the Gospel, to the listener s soul. He wrote statements like: God has the Gospel preached through the medium of music.... Therefore we have so many hymns and Psalms where message and music join to move the listener s soul. Music and notes do help gain a better understanding of the text. 3. Music joins praise to proclamation. Luther wrote, The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to human beings to let us know that we should praise God with both word and music, namely, by proclaiming the [Word of God] through music. 4. Music awakens by the Gospel Luther stated, For God has cheered our hearts and minds through His dear Son, whom He gave for us to redeem us from sin, death and the devil. He who believes this earnestly cannot be quiet about it. But he must gladly and willingly sing. The good news of Christ s great deliverance tunes the heart to sing. Music is a powerful and important way in which the church corporately celebrates and gives expression to the victory Christ has won. Westermeyer writes, Bold, vigorous rejoicing tells the story of God s victory and our deliverance. The battle is won in Christ, and we sing with jubilation, (p. 147).

7 GIFTS FROM THE EARTH By Angela Barber Make-ahead Oatmeal It's back to school time - and we know that the most important meal of the day is breakfast. Here's a really easy way to have a nutritious and delicious breakfast on a busy morning: Oats in a Jar: 8oz Jelly Jar used for canning (with the lid and band) 3/4 Cup instant oats 1 tsp brown sugar 1/4 tsp cinnamon milk Add the oats to the jar. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the milk to fill to the top. Seal the jar with the lid and band and refrigerate overnight. Open the jar and mix or shake the contents. Can be eaten cold (it's good!) or warmed in the microwave (remember to take off the lid and band because they are metal and put the contents in a bowl) Add other ingredients to the jar! I use almond milk instead of regular milk. I also add a tablespoon of chia seeds. You can add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup in place of the brown sugar. Enjoy!