THE FLOCK S NEWS DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY 2018 ADVENT: A TIME TO EMBRACE CHRIST S VISION Advent is a season where we as Christians are quite intentional about preparing our lives for the coming of Christ. Now, you may be thinking, Pastor, Christ already came. What's to prepare for? Isn't that the whole point of a manger scene because our Lord and Savior was born some 2000 years ago in Bethlehem town? Yet, this past event has powerful implications for the here and now as we prepare our lives and our world for the second coming of Christ. Our society places many stumbling blocks in our way so as to distract us from the true gift we are preparing our lives for in this season of Advent, which is love. Therefore, so as not to get consumed by our consumeristic society, we must be diligent as we strive to be countercultural by putting Christ at the center of all we say and do. In This Issue Church Decorating Pg 2 Advent Appeal Pg 2 Holiday Schedule Pg 3 Jesus in Our Midst Pg 3 Women Connecting Pg 3 Cookies for Shut Ins Pg 3 Hope Served Pg 4 Taryn s Reception Pg 4 Movie Night Pg 5 Recipes Wanted Pg 5 VBS Planning Pg 5 And in a powerful way, this is the focus we are being challenged with at Good Shepherd by our new vision statement: Build a strong community of faith - - actively sharing God's abundant grace by improving the world in which we live. The Long-Range Planning Ministry Team took this vision and presented it to the congregation at the Ministry Building Workshop that took place on Saturday, November 4 th. At this well planned and worthwhile workshop, leaders from the various ministry teams were given tools to help them be intentional in the planning of our ministries so our programming is focused not on ourselves, but on Christ. And this kind of intentionality is important because even in the midst of being the church, we can get so caught up in the trees, or the tasks of making our ministries happen that we lose sight of the forest, or the big picture of what God is calling us to do and be as a people of faith. And Advent is most certainly a big picture season as we prepare our hearts for a love that is always poised and ready to help us build our faith by setting us free to share abundant grace and giving us the courage to improve the world in which we live. Peace, Pastor Janell Wigen SHARING GOD S ABUNDANT GRACE
OUR VISION BUILD A STRONG COMMUNITY OF FAITH -- ACTIVELY SHARING GOD'S ABUNDANT GRACE TO IMPROVE THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE. Pastors The Rev. Peter D. Kuritz The Rev. Janell D. Wigen Director of Music: Sandra Keator Sexton: Delwin Parsons Officers President: Daren Bernecker Vice President: Chris Casazza Secretary: Kay Korb Treasurer: Libby Yeager Congregation Council Daren Bernecker Chris Casazza Harry Heck Tammy Ioanna Kay Korb Lynn Muchler-Stash Mollie Rance Gary Smith Ministry Team Leaders Worship: Elizabeth Keator Faith Formation: Guy French Connection Building: Lynn Muchler-Stash Witness and Service: Deb McGuiness Outreach: Guy French Finance: Libby Yeager Property: Brook Yeager Administrative: Kay Korb Office Phone: (570) 824-2991 Fax: (570) 825-3508 E-Mail: churchoffice@goodshepherdwb.org Web Site: goodshepherdwb.org ADVENT: A TIME TO PREPARE OUR LIVES AND OUR SANCTUARY FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST The Connection Building Ministry Team invites everyone to come and prepare our sanctuary for the coming of Christ. This will involve doing a lot of fun activities like putting the Chrismon decorations that tell the story of Christ on the Christmas tree. We will also be putting up the candle poles for the Christmas Eve candlelight service as well as the other festive decorations to adorn our worship space. Please come join us after the 11:00 service on December 17th in the sanctuary, to help us prepare our worship space for the coming of Christ. All who join us will be treated to a pizza lunch when our work is done. ADVENT APPEAL At this time of the church year, we are reminded of the hope we have through our faith. Scripture recalls the proclamation of peace to the shepherds, the bright star shining for the wise men. In the midst of darkness, we anticipate the coming light. Hope lifts our vision from what is, to what can be. Our congregation remains committed to being a worshipping community in downtown Wilkes-Barre. We are committed to our mission of learning, celebrating and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we engage in a vigorous ministry to our members and to all people. Having marked the 500th anniversary of our Lutheran tradition in various ways this past year, we have a clearer vision of where the Holy Spirit is leading us. And this is our hope: - to continue to build a strong faith community, - to share God s abundant grace through all that we do and say, - to improve the world in which we live. Scripture and sacraments tell us that God is with us. We also need your support. Please use the enclosed envelope to make an Advent offering to support our mission as we work towards our vision. Pastor Peter Kuritz When submitting your Advent Appeal offering please include your name and envelope number. 2
JESUS IS IN OUR MIDST DECEMBER 17 PROCLAMATION The Incredible Creations Kids' Club is a new group for younger youth that formed last summer through the inspired leadership of Becky Phillips and Matt Buckman. The kids had so much fun last summer meeting once a week and exploring their God given talents that the ICKC has continued to meet throughout the fall. On Sunday, December 17th, the ICKC will be proclaiming during the season of Advent the truth that Jesus is indeed in our midst through dramatizing the moving short story by Leo Tolstoy entitled, Where Love is, There God is Also. A story more popularly known as, Martin, the Shoemaker. Members of the ICKC will meet on Saturday, December 16th, at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary with Becky and Matt to practice their parts in the play. The play will be proclaimed during the 11:00 worship service on December 17th. After the 11:00 service on that day, there will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall where children will receive a gift from the Amy Hurst Ellis Memorial Fund. Parents are invited to bring cookies or cupcakes to share at the reception. COOKIES FOR SHUTINS Call to all our bakers...every year we make trays of cookies for our Pastors to take to our shut-ins... so start off the season of giving by giving a dozen to this wonderful project. For more information call the church office and leave a message. Please bring cookies to the church by December 10 th. Thanks, and enjoy this wonderful time of the year. HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday, December 24 9:30 am Fourth Sunday of Advent - spoken Communion 3:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight - Holy Communion 7:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight - Holy Communion Monday, December 25 10:00 am Christmas Day - Holy Communion Sunday, December 31 9:30 am (one service) First Sunday after Christmas - Holy Communion CONNECT THROUGH WELCA Would you like to join other women for Bible study, discussion, and social connections? If so, the Women of the ELCA (WELCA) monthly meetings are for you! This month's meeting on Tuesday, December 12 will continue with Pastor Janell's Bible study on the Apostles' Creed. The group meets at 10:30 a.m. in the Good Shepherd Center. You'll need the October and November issues of "Gather" magazine. (Call the church office if you don't know how to get the magazine.) The meeting on January 9 (same time and place) begins a four-part Bible study by Mark Allan Powell on "Multiple Meanings: Learning from Other Interpretations." The January/February issue of "Gather" will be needed. All women are welcome to attend! Church Women United of Wyoming Valley has decided to dissolve after much discernment. They thank everyone for their past participation and support. 3
HALLOWEEN: A PARTY WITH A PURPOSE Thanks to the wonderful leadership of Debbie Habib, who is part of the Connection Building Ministry Team, Good Shepherd was able to invite families from both the congregation and the community at large to our Fellowship Hall for a safe and fun-filled Halloween celebration on Saturday afternoon, October 21st. There is a lot of debate whether it is appropriate to have a Halloween Party in a church setting. In truth, though, the word, Halloween, means, Hallowed Eve, or the blessed night before All Saints Day on November 1st. Thanks to an Action Team Grant from Thrivent Financial, families enjoyed coloring treat bags and playing a wide array of games that both youth and adults helped supervise. The finale was opening two candy filled piñatas, not with a stick, but with special ribbons which was followed by a pizza lunch served up by Franks Pizza. And, of course, everyone who came was invited to come back the next day for Family Faith Journey by the Faith Formation Ministry Team leader, Guy French. As Dionne Fisher shared in the midst of the festivities, she has so many fond memories of Halloween Parties growing up at Messiah Lutheran Church, and is happy that her children can also enjoy having these special memories as well. Indeed, we all had a good time in God's house where God's joyous love embraces us as God's own. NOT JUST SPAGHETTI SERVED, BUT HOPE Having a health issue without proper medical insurance to cover that care is a terrifying prospect that many in the Wyoming Valley face each day. The Wilkes-Barre Free Clinic that began as a dream of Lois Myers back in 2002 has grown into a health facility housed at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church that provides care through volunteer nurses, physicians and dentists for people who are under insured or without insurance to cover their health costs. The Wilkes Barre Free Clinic has always been near and dear to Good Shepherd with its founder, Lois Myers being a member and the clinic being initially housed at the Good Shepherd Center. On October 14th, Good Shepherd hosted a Spaghetti Dinner to raise money for the Wilkes-Barre Free Clinic. A special thanks to Harry Heck and his brother, Mike for cooking the delicious spaghetti and meat balls as well as doing all the shopping for the meal that served over a hundred people who ate in or took their meals out. Thanks to our servers who were coordinated by Wilma Gardner who included Marilyn Zimmerman, Brooke Fisher, Dionne Fisher, Deb Dervinis, Gabby Gregiore, Cheyenne Zyskowski, A.J. and Alex Gribble. Thanks to Emma Lipfert who coordinated the bake sale along with her helpers who included Jane Hensley, Joyce Rutherford and Lynne Brensha. Thanks to Lois Myers and Bea Bryan for coordinating the craft sale. And thanks to all who donated the beautiful handmade crafts. And a special thanks goes out to Thrivent for their ActionTeam Grant so that all the money raised was able to be directed to the Wilkes-Barre Free Clinic. The event raised $1,174.00 for the Wilkes-Barre Free Clinic. Money that will give the hope of health to many in the community God calls us to serve. RECEPTION FOR TARYN CRAYTON A reception will be held for our former office secretary Taryn Crayton next Sunday, December 10th at Noon in our Fellowship Hall. This will be an opportunity to say thank-you and Godspeed. JOIN US AS WE WISH FAREWELL AND GOODSPEED TO TARYN 4
MOVIE NIGHT AT GOOD SHEPHERD The WELCA Bible Study that meets on the second Tuesday of each month had a brain storm at their last Bible Study. In their discussion of the second article of the Apostles' Creed, all about believing in our Lord and January 18 th Savior Jesus Christ, the 6:00pm group began Good Shepherd Center talking about the play/movie, Jesus Christ Super Star. The WELCA group decided it wanted to show the movie in January of the new year in the evening and discuss it with all who attend. So, Movie Night featuring, Jesus Christ Super Star, will be happening on Thursday night, January 18th, beginning at 6:00 in the Good Shepherd Center. After the movie, there will be a discussion and, of course, popcorn will be served. There might be a change of time and date so please stay tuned as we get closer to our movie night. This movie is the favorite of many in the WELCA group, so if you haven't seen it, come experience the life changing story of Christ in a modern-day context. THINK SPRING THINK SUMMER THINK VBS!!!!!!!! Please plan to join us to continue planning VBS for 2018. We will meet at the church on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 10:00 to 11:30 am. ("snow date"...saturday, January 20,2018). Our theme for 2018 is "HELPING HANDS--- --GOD'S PLAN"... focusing on life in Bible Times and the Bible story, The GOOD SAMARITAN. Your time---talents---energy- --and ideas are greatly appreciated...please mark your 2018 calendar and plan to join us. VBS 2018,,,,,June 18-22 LIGHTNING BOLT SUNDAY How does God's love you? This was the question posed to the congregation on October 1st, on Lightning Bolt Sunday. In keeping with the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, the Witness and Service Ministry Team, headed up by Debbie McGuinness along with Tammy Ioanna, challenged the congregation to explore how God's love makes us different. Kind of like how the namesake of our church, Martin Luther, was propelled in a whole new God centered direction after coming close to being struck by lightning. A near death experience that brought about a 180 degree turn in Luther's life from law school to becoming an Augustinian Monk. The worship on October 1st, also took us in a whole new direction. In addition to the Chancel Choir singing a rousing anthem, Pastor Steve Perillo got the congregation rocking to the glory of God with his upbeat band. And instead of a sermon, the congregation was moved by personal testimonies from Libby Yeager, Matt Buckman and Becky Phillips, Chris Casazza and Guy French, all about how the power of God's love inspires them to live their lives differently. The Lightning Bolt Sunday banner that still adorns the back of the sanctuary, is a thunder cloud filled with the testimonies of how God's love acts upon your life to make you new and inspiringly different. A collective testimonial of how God is at work through your lives as the members of Good Shepherd. So, whether God moves you in big ways, like a lightning bolt, or small ways, like a peaceful flowing stream, the Witness and Service Ministry Team asks you to continue to embrace the power of God's love at work in your lives as reflected in the giving of your time, talents and treasures. RECIPES WANTED Share your favorite recipes for our new church cookbook. Let out those family secrets that are so delicious. Good Shepherd will be publishing a new church cookbook in time for Christmas 2018. Please use the recipe forms provided in the back of the church. Completed forms can be returned in the box provided or to one of the team members (Lois Myers Wilma Gardner, Charlene Moules, Karen Figel, Kay Korb). Please submit recipes as soon as possible so we can begin compiling the book. 5
DECEMBER WORSHIP ASSISTANTS DECEMBER WORSHIP ASSISTANTS 8:30 Worship Service December 3 Communion: Lois Myers, Sally Ritchie Lector: Gary Smith Greeters: Helen Johns Ushers: Cliff Jones, Richard Raspen December 10 Communion: Helen johns, Diane Martin Lector: Diane Martin Greeters: Diane Martin Ushers: Carl Hurst, Cliff Jones December 17 Communion: Evelyn Jones, Lois Myers Lector: Jane Hensley Greeters: Doris & Barry Romanowski Ushers: Doris & Barry Romanowski December 24 Candlelight 3:00pm Communion: Helen Johns, Evelyn Jones Lector: Dan jacobs Ushers: Cliff Jones, Dan Jacobs, Doris & Barry Romanowski December 24 Candlelight 7:30pm Communion: Brooke & Libby Yeager Lector: Melody Hawkey Acolyte: Ushers: Brooke Yeager, Guy French, Harry & Elizabeth Heck December 25 Christmas 10:00am Communion: Lector: Richard Raspen Ushers: Brooke Yeager, Richard Raspen 11:00 Worship Service December 3 Communion: Kay Korb, John Daley Lector: Susan Patsko Acolyte: Lauren Martin, Audrina Martin Greeters: Bea Bryan Ushers: Brooke Yeager, Matt Buckman, Brian & Fran Yekel Counters: Maggie & Victoria Yeager, Guy French, Kay Korb December 10 Communion: Kay Korb, Elizabeth Keator Lector: John Daley Acolyte: Opelia Gishel Greeters: Charlene Moules Ushers: Harry & Elizabeth Heck, Preston & Samantha Perkins Counters: Liz Keator, Jane Newman, Gary Smith, Chris Casazza December 17 Communion: Brooke & Libby Yeager Lector: Fran Yekel Acolyte: Giana Valenti, Sawyer Scaramastro Greeters: Brian & Fran Yekel Ushers: John Douglas, Debbie Dervinis, Chris Casazza, Brooke Yeager Counters: Sally Ritchie, Daren Bernecker, Gary Phillips December 24 (9:30am) Communion: Kay Korb, John Daley Lector: Libby Yeager Acolyte: Cheyenne Zyskowski, Ophelia Gishel Ushers: Brooke Yeager, Richard Raspen Counters: TBA December 31 (9:30am) Communion: Lector: Richard Raspen Acolyte: Gabby Gregoire, Elijah Scaramastro Greeters: Linda Accurso Ushers: Brooke Yeager, Linda Accurso Counters: Jane Hensley, Lynn Muchler-Stash, Carol Phillips, Debbie McGuinness October Alter Guild: Kay Korb, Charlene Moules, Carol Phillips, Brooke Fisher 8
JANUARY WORSHIP ASSISTANTS JANUARY WORSHIP ASSISTANTS 8:30 Worship Service January 7 Communion: Helen Johns, Lois Myers Lector: Gary Smith Greeters: Jane Hensley Ushers: Cliff Jones, Richard Raspen January 14 Communion: Sally Ritchie, Diane Martin Lector: Diane Martin Greeters: Doris & Barry Romanowski Ushers: Carl Hurst, Richard Raspen January 21 Communion: Evelyn Jones, Carl Hurst Lector: Doris Romanowski Greeters: Gary & Donna Smith Ushers: Doris & Barry Romanowksi January 28 Communion: Sally Ritchie, Richard Raspen Lector: Jane Hensley Greeters: Doris Romanowski Ushers: Dan Jacobs, Richard Raspen January Alter Guild: Wilma Gardner, Lisa Cardoni, Betty Derr, Susan & Mary Alice Patsko 11:00 Worship Service January 7 Communion: Guy French Lector: Elizabeth Keator Greeters: Karen Figel Ushers: Daren Bernecker, Matt Buckman, Guy French, Bob Ward Counters: Liz Keator, Jane Newman, Gary Smith, Chris Casazza January 14 Communion: Kay Korb, Elizabeth Keator Lector: Richard Myers Ushers: Debbie Dervinis, Chris Casazza, Preston & Samantha Perkins Counters: Sally Ritchie, Daren Bernecker, Gary Phillips January 21 Communion: Wilma Gardner, John Daley Lector: Kay Korb Ushers: Gary & Wilma Gardner, Brian & Fran Yekel Counters: Jane Hensley, Lynn Muchler-Stash, Carol Phillips, Debbie McGuinness January 28 Communion: Wilma Gardner, Elizabeth Keator Lector: Lisa Martin Ushers: Linda Accurso, John Douglas, Harry & Elizabeth Heck Counters: Maggie & Victoria Yeager, Guy French, Kay Korb Please notify the coordinator if you cannot serve when scheduled. Coordinator 8:30 Worship 11:00 Worship Communion Assistant Lectors Acolytes/Crucifers Greeters Ushers Lois Myers Kay Korb (570) 735-2877 (570) 829-4748 Helen Johns Melody Hawkey (570) 822-9923 (570) 855-2202 Debbie Derviness Diane Martin (570) 824-0242 Evelyn Jones (570) 654-3402 Betty Derr (570) 822-5411 Brian Yekel Counters must find a substitute if unable to count as scheduled. 9