E-Blast 1/31/20

E-Blast 1/31/20

 – CLOSING ALERTS –

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

In the case of bad weather or other emergency situation, the most important thing is for everyone to be safe.  Please do not travel to Good Shepherd for worship services or other events if you feel that doing so would be unsafe.  In the event that services or activities have been cancelled, it will be announced on local TV channels and when possible an email blast. We will post closings on the following local TV stations: WHIO – TV 7, WDTN – TV 2, WKEF – TV 22 & 45.

Scout Sunday It is with great pride and appreciation that we welcome Scout Troop 193 to our worship service on Scout Sunday, February 9.  Thank you for your dedication and outstanding service, and the many blessings you have provided to us here at Good Shepherd.

Devotionals Please pick up the new January – March 2020 Devotionals on the table in the Narthex.

February Event and Worship Ministry Calendars are available in the Narthex.

Stewardship Snippets – February 2, 2020
Matthew 5:9 –Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Stewarding and nourishing a heart of love helps us to live out Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes. As children of God we strive for peace, justice, and dignity for all God’s beloved creation. In Christ, we are called to love.

Helpers Needed Twice a month we serve breakfast to the hungry at First Lutheran Church in Dayton on Sunday mornings. Due to a variety of reasons, the number of people who help with this has been dwindling. We would like to get about four – six more people to help us once a month. If you are interested, please contact either Mary Ann Sauer or Don Bennett.

Souper Bowl Sunday It is almost time for the Super Bowl. That means, it is almost time for Good Shepherd’s annual SOUPER BOWL. ‘Soup’er Bowl is our opportunity to collect non-perishable food items for the local food bank in Kettering. What is your favorite part of the Super Bowl – the NFC team, the AFC team, or the commercials? Please bring in items and place in the in bin of your favorite choice. We will tally items and let you know Good Shepherd’s choice. Items will be collected each week until Super Bowl Sunday, February 2. Thanks for your help supplying the food bank. Go, team!!
Here are updated stats for GSLC 2020 ‘Soup’er Bowl:
NFC – 271 items
AFC – 57 items
Commercials – 54 items

Food Pantry Sunday GSLC is friend and contributor to “Neighbor to Neighbor” food pantry on Woodman Drive.  We are collecting our monthly donations on Sunday, February 2. Some of the most welcome items are: canned items including, chicken/tuna fish, fruits and vegetables. Ready-to-go meals like beef stew and chili with meat. Snack items for kids: juice boxes, applesauce, granola bars, and small boxes of raisins. Bring your food or cash donations to the church on or before February 2 – every gift to the pantry helps!

City Barbecue Fundraiser Our Youth Fundraiser is back the first Monday of each month! Please come on out and show your support for Good Shepherd’s new youth fundraiser with City Barbecue on Monday, February 3 from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm.   The location is at 5 E. Franklin Street, Centerville, OH 45459. GSLC will get 25% of the sales back!  Show any of the printed flyers and make sure to have the cashier scan the barcodes.  You can find a copy of the flyer in your bulletin.

Griefshare Our next Griefshare series has begun. If you or someone you know is experiencing the loss of a friend or family member, please encourage them to join us on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm in the GLSC Lounge. Often we forget that grief has lingering hurts. Even if the loss is not recent, please consider joining the group in January. This is a wonderfully informative and supportive ministry for all whose hearts are experiencing loss. If you have any further questions, please contact Kathy Seim or Pam Bauser, our GriefShare facilitators.

Financial Peace University
Stop and think about this for a second. Imagine what the people of God, could do for the Kingdom of God, if they were debt free. What would you be able to do if you were debt free?  Imagine what it would feel like to be able to give freely and generously toward needs you feel passionate about, whenever God leads you to.
Financial Peace University will walk you through the process that will get you there and make it incredibly practical in your daily life. And if you know anything about Dave Ramsey you know it’s going to be a lot of fun!
The first class is always free if you want to see what it is all about!  To learn more about the class, visit the Financial Peace University website at www.daveramsey.com or register for the class at http://www.fpu/1056463.  Also come to the free class preview on Tuesday, February 4, at 7:00 pm in the Chapel to find out more.  You’ll be glad you did!  Classes begin Tuesday, February 11 at 7:00 pm in the Chapel.  If you have any questions, contact Martin Pierce at 287-4021 or Kathy Seim at 294-1145. 

Lifelong Learning Opportunities:

Jesus teaches the disciples to bring the little children to him. He reminds us to live our lives with the faith of a child. Come discover the wonders of learning about God’s Word. Pray about joining the opportunities at GSLC to share in fellowship and study.

Saturday Morning Bible Study9:00 am – 10:30 am
Meets in the GLSC Lounge
Breakfast will be served at 9:00 am followed by the Bible Study on the Lectionary for the weekend’s worship. No prior study or experience necessary. Drop in and join the discussion. Discover for yourself the power of anticipating the coming of Christ in this Advent season through the weekly Gospel lessons. 
Facilitated by Roger Bauser

Thursday Morning Bible Study6:30 am – 7:30 am
Meet at Bob Evans on Dorothy Lane
Discussion on Weekly Lectionary for Sunday.
We have begun the new church year in the Gospel of Matthew. 
Facilitated by Roger Bauser

Sunday Morning Learning Opportunities

Youth
Kindergarten – Grade 5 – 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Whirl Lectionary Study
Meet in the Chapel
ALL youth are welcome to join in the weekly study that relates to the scripture lessons shared in our weekly worship services. Come see for yourself the wonders of learning and exploring God’s World.  We are beginning the new church year in the Gospel of Matthew.
Facilitated by Karin Linch and Sandy Rosholt

Adults (young and older) 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Meet in the Lounge
Facilitated by Roger Bauser

Lay School of Theology: 2020 Spring Course at GSLC
“The Holy Spirit. Have you met?”  “In this course, we will explore how does the Bible view the Holy Spirit. What is the Holy Spirit? How does it work? Is it at work in the world and our lives today? Is there a Holy Spirit in the Old Testament? How do we know the Holy Spirit when we see it?” The dates are:  February 15; March 21; April 18; May 16, and classes run from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The cost of the course is $50.00, payable before February 6. The course will be led by Rev. Steve Kimpel, retired pastor Faith and St. Mark Lutheran Churches in Dayton. He is a graduate of Miami University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Registration forms are in the Narthex. 
Course description: In this course, we will explore how does the Bible view the Holy Spirit. What is the Holy Spirit? How does it work? Is it at work in the world and our lives today? Is there a Holy Spirit in the Old Testament? How do we know the Holy Spirit when we see it? Please note: this course will only be offered Winter Spring 2020 at Dayton.
Texts: The Bible, Old and New Testament Source of Life, Jurgen Moltmann, Fortress Press, 1997
Prior to February 6, 2020 each person attending needs to register and remit tuition of $50.00 for the course. Make your check or money order payable to Southern Ohio Synod. Do not send cash. Complete the form, send with your remittance to the LST registrar, Nancy Hoffman, 1352 Schwilk Rd SE, Lancaster, OH 43130

Lent

Ash Wednesday Services will be held on Wednesday, February 26 at Good Shephard Lutheran Church starting at Noon and in the evening at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary.  This will be the beginning of our Noon Midweek Lenten Worship Services that will run every Wednesday from March 4 to April 1. The location will be at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  
Soup Suppers Soup, Salad, and Volunteers needed! Good Shepherd is hosting Soup Supper Meals on March 18 in the Fellowship Hall.  If you can provide any help with our Soup Supper Meal please add your name to the sign-up sheets in the Narthex. Contact Eileen Hunter if you have any questions.

Lent Schedule for 2020

The churches involved:

  • Faith Lutheran Church – FLC
    3315 Martel Dr., Dayton, OH 45420
  • Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church – MFLC
    2841 Dorothy Lane, Dayton, OH 45420
  • Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – GSLC
    901 E Stroop Rd, Kettering, OH 45429

Offering: Loose offering will go to the host congregation each week. Envelopes will be returned to the churches.

Schedule:

February 26
Ash Wednesday GSLC
Fellowship Meal 6:00 pm
Worship 7:00 pm

March 4
Noon Lenten Worship @ GSLC
Mid Week 1 MFLC
Soup Supper 6:00 pm
Worship 7:00 pm

March 11
Noon Lenten Worship @ GSLC
Mid Week 2 FLC
Fellowship Meal 6:00 pm
Worship 7:00 pm

March 18
Noon Lenten Worship @ GSLC
Mid Week 3 GSLC
Fellowship Meal 6:00 pm
Worship 7:00 pm

May 25
Noon Lenten Worship @ GSLC
Mid Week 4 MFLC
Soup Supper 6:00 pm
Worship 7:00 pm

April 1
Noon Lenten Worship @ GSLC
Mid Week 5 FLC
Fellowship Meal 6:00 pm
Worship 7:00 pm

April 9
Noon Lenten Worship @ GSLC
Maundy Thursday MFLC
Worship 7:00 pm – No Meal

April 10
Noon Lenten Worship @ GSLC
Good Friday FLC
Worship 7:00 pm – No Meal

April 11
Noon Lenten Worship @ GSLC
Easter Vigil GSLC
Worship 7:00 pm – No Meal

Who needs a ride to Lenten Midweek Services?  
Good Shepherd is now offering rides to our Lenten Services.  If you do not like to drive at night, or are not sure where you are going, we have plenty of people who are willing to pick you up at your home and provide transportation to and from our services. If you are interested in riding along with someone, or you know some who would be, please sign up in the Narthex.  You will be contacted soon!  If you are interested in being a volunteer driver, we have a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for you too!

Counseling Assistance
Good Shepherd is a member of the Covenant Society for Pastoral Counseling of Miami Valley Hospital. Trained and certified counselors are available to congregational members at any time, whether for a crisis or for ongoing help. This service is confidential, and anonymous if you choose. You do not have to go through the pastor or church to access this service. If you have a need simply call  (937) 438-3486, tell the staff you are a member of Good Shepherd, our church is part of the Covenant Society for Pastoral Counseling through Premier. Because Good Shepherd is a member the cost to you is one-half of any non-reimbursed portion (for example, through insurance coverage) of the normal charge. For further information on this service you can call the above numbers, or talk to Pastor Jamie.

GSLC Lutheran Youth Corps (LYC) – Gift Card Program 
Did you know there is a way that you can financially support Good Shepherd at no cost to you?  Through the LYC, you can order gift cards from a variety of merchants and restaurants at face value and a portion of each purchase is donated to the church to support youth programs and the First Lutheran Breakfasts. Although the percentage donated to the church may seem small, a few percent of our collective purchases can add up to a significant donation to Good Shepherd over time.
Order forms are available in the Narthex.  Orders placed on the weekend are normally available for pick up the following week, with the exception of some holiday periods and weeks where we do not reach the minimum threshold for placing an order.  Please contact Don Bennett if you have any questions.  What a great way to be faithful stewards of our resources!

Electronic Giving Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church is now offering the option of electronic giving for regular offerings and special offerings.  Giving is done using the company Tithe.ly which is the only one endorsed by the ELCA.  There are three ways to give: 

  1. Via smartphone using the Tithe.ly app (download via the App Store or Google Play)
  2. Online at https://tithe.ly/give?c=329631

The process to create an account and give is simple because it is tied to a debit or credit card.  There is also a processing fee of less than 3% that you can choose to cover if desired.   Benefits of Electronic Giving:  

  1. Ability to give from anywhere including other countries – you only need an internet connection via smartphone or computer.
  2. Ability to give 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  3. Ability to choose from a variety of options where your gift goes.
  4. Can give more than one gift at a time with the “Add Gift” option.

Questions:  Contact Martin Pierce (937) 287-4021 or Denise Wilson (513) 913-0133.     

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES:

St. Therese Brass – Free Community Concert
The St. Therese Brass will be giving a public concert at David’s United Church of Christ on 170 W. David Road, Kettering, OH 45429 on Sunday, February 9 at 3:00 pm.  They will be taking a free will offering to donate to the Dayton Foundation to benefit the families of the shooting tragedy as well as those affected by the Memorials Day tornadoes.  The St. Therese Brass, based out of Little Flower Parish in Mt. Airy, have performed hundreds of concerts since 2006.  Besides their brass sextet, they will be bringing their vocalist, pianist, and drummer to play a variety of swing, New Orleans jazz, classical and modern favorites.  Please invite friends and family to come play away the winter blues by listening to some topnotch jazz.

Benefit Concert – “The Second Time Around”
Where fine music, great acoustics and a good cause unite. Sunday, February 23, 2020 4:00 pm. Reception Afterward. Classical and light classical works by Franz Schubert, Astor Piazzolla, Ohio composer Rick Sowash, and others (Synchronicity Trio – Bruce Posey on ‘cello, Dick Reuning on violin, Sharon Walton on piano, with guest artist Denise Spires on clarinet). Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 35 E Stanton Ave, 43214 (614-885-4319). 3/4 mile north of Morse Rd, one building east of High Street.  Freewill Donation Accepted for Faith Mission Homeless Shelters. Please write CHECKS to Faith Mission.

Spring Discernment Retreat!
Are you feeling a “sense of call”? Has anyone ever suggested that you would make a good pastor, deacon or other type of church leader? Do you feel God’s Spirit tugging or nudging you to explore spiritual gifts, passions, interests? Do you have a willingness to lead God’s people? Are you curious about becoming a leader in the ELCA?  If you are wrestling with these questions, this retreat is for YOU!  ELCA Region 6 Spring 2020 Discernment Retreat
Friday, March 6, 11:30 a.m. @ Holiday Inn Express, Bowling Green, OH
Saturday, March 7, St. Mark’s, Bowling Green, OH ending @ 1:00 p.m
Contact the Southern Ohio Synod Director of Candidacy, Dr. Lynn Nakamura for more information at lnakamura@southernohiosynod.org