E_Blast 3/8

E_Blast 3/8

Daylight Savings
Time Don’t forget to move (spring) your clocks forward Saturday night.  Daylight Savings time is on Sunday, March 8.

Southern Ohio Synod
Because we care… The Ohio Department of Health recommends the following precautions/protocols for the Coronavirus. Please download a PDF of these precautions in the attachment.
There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio.  Please continue to protect yourself from all infectious diseases by using these precautions:

  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water (20 seconds or longer).
  • Dry hands with a clean towel or air dry your hands.
  • Cover cough with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands or after touching surfaces.
  • Clean and disinfect ‘high-touch’ surfaces often.
  • Call before visiting your doctor.
  • Practice good hygiene habits.

Public Service Announcement
Please be aware of the changes that were made when making any kind of phone calls in our area, whether calling GSLC locally or your friends & family who are long distance. You will need to dial all 10 numbers when calling, otherwise you can’t make a phone call.

INCLEMENT WEATHER ALERTS
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.

City BBQ Donations
Thank you to everyone who participated in the fundraiser this past Monday at City BBQ. You raised $59.66 which will go to help pay for the bi-monthly meals we serve to the hungry at First Lutheran in downtown Dayton. Our next fundraiser will be on April 6.

AmazonSmile
In 2018, we received $15.95 in donations from AmazonSmile. In 2019 we received $19.64. Would you like to help go over those amounts for 2020? It’s easy to do. Go to our web site, goodshepherdkettering.com, and on the front page on the right side you will see a little graphic labeled amazonsmile.  Click on that and follow the directions. Once you’ve done that, instead of going to amazon.com to make an online purchase, go to smile.amazon.com and for every purchase you make, we will get 0.5% of that price donated to us. It’s still Amazon, with all the features of the normal site, we just get a small cut. Over time those 0.5% donations add up. Please consider supporting us in this way. The proceeds go to help with youth events. If you have any questions, please contact Don Bennett.

Yearly Church Directories
Please pick up your updated 2020 directories.  They will be available on the counter in the Narthex. 

Nursery
If you would like to accompany your child down to the nursery please feel free to speak to an usher who will assist you in going to the nursery. Audio of the service is available in the nursery so you can keep track of where we are at during the service if you’d like to rejoin us at any time.

Stewardship Snippets – March 8, 2020

Psalm 121:1, 2 – I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. How does one steward the soul? Psalm 121 reminds us where our help comes from—the LORD. Today’s story of Abraham teaches us how to respond in faith, and the story of Nicodemus about asking questions and growing in faith.

Jeremiah’s Letter
Sunday, March 15 is Jeremiah’s Letter Sunday. Please consider donating any of the following items to Jeremiah’s Letter: sheets, bath towels, blankets, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant (full size or trial size), toothpaste, tooth brushes, feminine hygiene products, Depends, razors, shaving cream, denture cleansers and adhesives, back packs, sleeping bags, broth based soups, canned goods, cereal, laundry or cleaning supplies.

OWL Luncheon
To all OWLs out there! Please join your fellow OWL’s for a luncheon at 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 21, at Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen, 3002 Woodman Dr. Kettering. A signup sheet will be placed in the narthex so we know how many OWLs are attending. You can also call the office to reserve your spot.  Questions? Call Eileen Hunter or Ginny Herbeck.

Craft Fair Fundraiser
The Hamilton family is holding a Craft Fair Fundraiser at GSLC on Sunday, March 28 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. All proceeds will go to Austin Hamilton who has cerebral palsy to raise funds for him to go to the 2020 Summer Paralympics in August. Please come and join us here at GSLC to make this wonderful fundraiser a success!

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.

Camp Noah At Peace Lutheran Church Seeks Volunteers 
Camp Noah is a week-long camp for 50 elementary school aged children to help them process the events from the Memorial Day Tornado, build resiliency, and prepare them for future natural disasters. The camp was developed through Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota and provides 30 hours of resiliency training with trained staff as well as an on-site mental health professional. Several camps are being planned around the city in areas that were hard hit by the tornadoes.  To read more about this opportunity to be of service, help, and support please see the attached information sheet.

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 Study – 9:00 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 Study – 6:30 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
Facilitated by Roger Bauser

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!
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.  Martin Pierce and Kathy Seim will be presenting Financial Peace University.  The class runs for nine weeks and will be held on Tuesdays in the Lounge from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The next class will be on Tuesday, March 10.

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

 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:

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

Schedule:

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!

Palm Sunday, April 5
We will be having a combined service at 10:30 am. It is a time for all of us to come together as one Body of Christ by celebrating Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.

Easter Lilies
For our Easter season, we are doing “in Lieu of Lilies” again this year. You will be able to make a donation in any amount to honor or remember friends and loved ones.  The monies collected will be updated soon.  Each week we will place a paper lily on the cross in the Narthex with the name of those you wish to remember this Easter Season. An order form will be available in the Narthex.  As members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we believe that God is calling us into the world – together. And with generous, loving hands, we can make a difference.

Craft Show Help Needed – Saturday, May 2 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Good Shepherd will be having a Spring Craft Show with local vendors. This is a BIG event! We need your help to run the show. To volunteer please contact Rich Kellstrom or sign up in the Narthex.

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  
  3. Via the GSLC Website which has a link to the Tithe.ly website to give directly to GSLC

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.     

ELCA NEWS:
ELCA World Hunger [40 Days of Giving] “What are you giving up for Lent?”
As the church begins the 40-day journey of the season, this question will be repeated in many a coffee-hour conversation. The question reflects some of the central themes of Lent: self-sacrifice, repentance and humility. The invitation to reflect this Lent is not “What will you give up in repentance for your past?” but “What will you take on in hope for our future?” It is an austere season of self-reflection on sin, death and fallibility. Sandwiched between the bright lights of Christmas and the glowing pastels of Easter, Lent is a somber reminder of the distance yet remaining between the world as it is and the world as we know, by faith, that it one day will be. That may be why it seems odd for this year’s 40 Days of Giving theme to be “Hope.” Lent, certainly, is a season for reflection on temptation, sin and loss. But it is also a season for reflecting on hope. What else but God-given hope could have sustained the spirits of the ancient Hebrews wandering in the wilderness? What else but hope could have nourished Jesus’ resistance to temptation and sustained him on his march to the cross?
ELCA invites you to join them throughout the season in reflection, prayer and action.
https://community.elca.org
ELCA Global Mission

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES:

Lenten Choral Vespers – Sunday, March 8 at 4:00 pm
Westminister Presbyterian Church at 125 N. Wilkinson Street, Datyon.
www.westminsterdayton.org or (937) 223-7285
Ample free parking across from the church on First Street.
From 75, turn south on 48, turn right on Monument, left on Perry Street, and left on First Street.
A Treasury of Choral Gems:

  • “Salvation is Created” – Pavel Tschesnokoff
  • “Let Thy Holy Presence” – Pavel Tschesnokoff
  • Cantique de Jean Racine – Gabriel Faure
  • Requiem – Maurice Durufle

The Westminster Choir with organ and Handbell music by Westminster Ringers.
John Neely, Organist Director and Brent Manley, Handbell Director.
Freewill Offering and childcare provided from infant to grade 2.

Attention Church Clergy of the Miami Valley
The Dayton Police Department will be sponsoring a Crisis Intervention Training for Members of the Church clergy and members in the Miami Valley on March 31, 2020 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Montgomery County Business Solutions Center @ 1435 Cincinnati St.  No Cost. RSVP: Patricia.tackett@daytonohio.gov or 937-333-7109
Topics Discussed:

  • Mental health stigma
  • De-escalation of a person in crisis
  • Homelessness
  • Resources
  • Your role
  • Role playing
  • Follow up with a police ride along or interaction with a local MH agency

WOMEN CALLED TO SERVE – Celebrating Anniversaries of 50 Years of Lutheran Ordination of Women/100 Years of American Women’s Right To Vote
Dayton Conference
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
SPRING GATHERING
On April 4, 2020 at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
7700 Dog Leg Rd, Dayton, OH 45414 from 11:00 am – 3:30 pm with Registration beginning at 10:30 am.
Lunch: $5.00 (suggested)
Speakers: Representative from League of Women Voters: Dianne Herman.
Ordination of Women: Pastor Joyce Gerwin-Grimm.

Alisha Minamyer | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
937.298.0136 | fax 937.299.1170 | goodshepherd.gslc@gmail.com
901 E. Stroop Road| Kettering, OH 45429

Previous
E-Blast 2/29/20
Next
Pentecost Sunday