WORSHIP
Worship With Us Online! Join us now in worship online!
Connect with us on Sundays for an encouraging Word from God and a time of worship. Are you ready to worship together?
Please use the following links below to connect online to the Sunday Church Service:
Facebook click here: Facebook
YouTube click here: Youtube
OUTREACH AND SERVICES
‘Soup’er Bowl Sunday
It is almost time for the Super Bowl. That means, it is almost time for Good Shepherd’s annual SOUPER BOWL. Souper 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 it in the marked bins inside the connector entrance. Make sure to put on your bags which group you choose: “AFC”, “NFC”, or “Commercials “. We will tally the items and let you know Good Shepherd’s choice.
Please bring in items beginning the weekend of January 7. Items will be collected each week until Super Bowl Sunday, February 11. Thanks for your help supplying the food bank. Go, team!!
First Lutheran Update
As you may already know, First Lutheran Church has stopped hosting weekly Sunday morning meals. Their last meal was on December 24 and Good Shepherd members provided this meal. For many years, Good Shepherd members have faithfully prepared and served the breakfast meals, twice each month. I would like to personally thank everyone who has shopped for food and prepared and/or served these meals. I would also like to thank everyone who has financially supported this ministry. There is money remaining in the First Lutheran Breakfast account. I will have a discussion, with council, to determine ways in which the remaining funds can be best used. Thank you all! Contact Lisa Connelly with any questions.
Food Pantry News
Your generous donations for the month of November totaled 290 items. It is always an amazing site to see all that food filling the donation bin. Thanks for your continued faithfulness to this important ministry. On December 4, food was delivered to four different feeding ministries (Feeding Friends, Neighbor-to-Neighbor, South Community, and Marshall Road Church of God) and helped support their efforts to provide food for families in these difficult economic times. We are also providing some additional support to the “Little Food Pantry” project at Oakview Elementary School. It would be very helpful to avoid food in glass containers so that nothing can be broken.
Jeremiah’s Letter – January 21
The mission of Jeremiah’s Letter is to bring congregations together from the greater Dayton community so that together they can enhance the daily lives of individuals and families of the inner-city who find themselves in need. To help support the works of Jeremiah’s Letter, Good Shepherd will be collecting bath and bedroom linens, personal hygiene products, canned foods and cleaning/laundry supplies.
Are you a member and want to serve at GSLC?
Well becoming a Commissioner is a great way to be involved in the day to day ministries at Good Shepherd. We are looking for several commissioners to take over on October 1, 2023. Specifically, we are looking for a Finance and Administration Commissioner, a Parish Life & Response Commissioner, and a Worship & Celebration Commissioner. If you have any questions about these positions feel free to talk with Pr Jamie, Roger Bauser, or the current commissioner serving in that position. This is a great way to get involved as GSLC continues to carry out its mission to the community and the world.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
DON’T GIVE THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE: It’s Time to Win the Battle of your Mind. This study is based on Psalm 23. Our online and in-person groups are underway. We can and will make room for you at the table of your choice! Let Pastor Jamie or Pam Bauser know the day/time you prefer.
JANUARY 2024
All groups meet in the GSLC Lounge unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, January 9 Online
Thursday, January 11 1:30 pm
Wednesday, January 17 10:30 am
Sunday, January 21 6:30 pm
Monday, January 22 4:30 pm
Email lifelonglearning@goodshepherd.com or contact Pam Bauser (937-602-8385) to request information.
Lifelong Learning
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
IT’S HAPPENING! Don’t miss out!
IN PERSON ALL our youth K – 9 are welcome to come!
Meet in the Chapel!
Gather at 9:30 am
Lessons from 9:40 am – 10:20 am
Teachers Karin Linch and Sandy Rosholt.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Current Topic: Discipleship
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 8:50 am – 9:50 am
Place: Comfort of your own home – connect and discuss with others online!
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY for Men
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Reading for worship
The Men’s Bible Study is ONLINE on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Bring your own coffee along with your BIBLE. The focus is on the Lectionary’s Gospel Lesson for the upcoming weekend. Come join the discussion. This is a chance to go deeper before hearing the lessons on Sunday.
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Place: comfort of your home – connect online!
If you experience any difficulty, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
FRIDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY DISCUSSION for ALL
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Readings for worship
Come on FRIDAY mornings! Bring your own coffee along with your BIBLE. The focus is on the Lectionary Lessons for the upcoming weekend. Come join the discussion. Everyone is welcome! No prior experience is needed. Each week the study relates to the Scripture lessons for Sunday’s worship. Drop by and learn what’s behind the message on Sunday.
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
For more information, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
Griefshare
Winter/Spring session January 7 – April 7
Meeting in the Fellowship Lounge on Sundays from 1:00 – 3:00 pm
GriefShare is a place for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one to find support and comfort in the company of others who are also experiencing loss. This ministry offers biblical, Christ-centered teaching on topics associated with the death of a loved one. The video seminar series features nationally respected grief experts and real-life personal stories, followed by a small group discussion about the weekly topic and personal grief experiences. Good Shepherd offers the 13-week GriefShare program in person and online from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Sundays. If you or someone you know is interested, please register online at www.griefshare.org, call the church office, or come. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385).
Women’s Bible Study
Scripture and nature: Teachers of Faith by Rev. Sara Olson-Smith
January 10 Weather, powerful force for change
February 7 Creatures, our siblings in praise and trust (date is a week early because Ash Wednesday is Feb 14)
March 13 Rivers, springs of life and hope
April 10 Food, daily bread for the health of the world
We meet in person or online at 10:30 am OR online in the evenings at 7:30 pm
Studies available online at www.gathermagazine.org or in the January/February and March/April issues of Gather Magazine.
Contact Pam Bauser at psbauser@me.com or call 937-602-8385 with any questions.
MISCELLANEOUS
Church Offerings
Church Offering envelopes have been ordered and will be in the back of the Sanctuary on the pews. Please stop by and pick yours up today!
Offerings:
For November YTD (Oct/Nov), results are as follows:
Offerings $41,254 vs budget of $39,433 excluding Harmony Creek contribution.
Harmony Creek receipt of $7,500 vs budget of $5,000
Expenses $37,727 vs budget of $43,179
Net Income of $11,025 vs a budget of $1,254.
Electronic Giving
Don’t forget to send in your weekly tithe/offering to the church at 901 East Stroop Rd, Kettering, OH 45429 or go to our online Electronic Giving:
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 Tithe.ly
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.
CHURCH PROGRAM DONATIONS
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! Click here to fill out the form: Gift Card Order Form
A PLACE FOR NEWS
ELCA NEWS:
ELCA Good Gifts. Click here.
Lutheran Disaster Response. Click here.
Lutheran World Relief. Click here.
ELCA Global Links. Click here.
ELCA World Hunger. Click here.
ELCA Disabilities Ministry. Click here.
An Epiphany Note from Bishop Dillahunt
Pick up Your Story and the Gospel and Let’s Go!
The 12 Days of Christmas end as Epiphany begins: where the star led people to Jesus. A star that showed people from different lands, languages, and customs that hope had been born in a manger in Bethlehem, the Savior of the entire world.
They knew this child was different. The Good News about this child named Jesus didn’t stay in Bethlehem, the shepherds and the Magi heralded this story to others as they traveled home. The travelers got back home and told a story of the journey, of the star that led them to Jesus and led them back again, for their own protection, by another way.
The journey of Advent is done and yet we continue to watch and wait for Jesus to come again. Christmas journeys and celebrations are a memory and decorations, for the most part, are put away. Yet, Jesus, God with us, continues his journey through the season of Epiphany.
Epiphany is a time of journeying, a time of wandering, a time of exploring led by the star. Journey with me in what it means to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus, who came to us as a human baby because of God’s love and desire to have a relationship with us. This is Good News that we can talk about – we can be a STAR which leads someone to know Jesus. Who knew stars could be heralds, too?
Here we are just 12 days after the Christmas journey, in the beginning of January, with a road ahead in a new year, with new opportunities and stories to share as those followers of Jesus.
The Season after Epiphany is an in-between time which gives us a new way of thinking about faith. It’s a new journey of excitement and a chance to SHINE, to share the Good News of Jesus with the world.
Epiphany pushes us to move forward knowing what is coming next in Jesus’ life and ministry.
Epiphany shows us a different way of looking at the world. It’s not about us.
Epiphany guides us to focus on where we fit in the story of God in Jesus.
Epiphany invites us into God’s story of life, love, grace and forgiveness.
Epiphany moves us beyond ourselves to share our story of faith, with another.
Epiphany signals a shift from keeping quiet about Jesus to sharing the Good News.
Epiphany is about discipleship and what that means in 2024 and into the future to let our star shine to others.
My prayer for you this Epiphany season is that the star leads you on a journey of discovery of the potential of sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in new ways without being afraid of what might come of the invitation to follow. Epiphany is a time for us to both Come and See and Go and Tell.
Blessed Epiphany, Season Southern Ohio, as we journey together knowing we walk along side each other arm in arm, as shining stars ready to share Jesus with those we meet along the way as we clarify, collaborate, and cultivate. We are Stronger and Better Together … Joining Jesus in the restoration of the world.
Find out more about the journey of discipleship by listening to our Synod podcasts, checking in on what’s happening with MomenToUs and Paraclete Post.
You can find the Southern Ohio Synod podcast on your favorite podcasting platform & searching ‘Southern Ohio Synod’. Here are a few links to help you get connected:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
AmazonMusic
YouTube
Pick up your story and let’s go! God has given us everything we need to share the Good News with the world.
In Christ, Bp. Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES
Steak and Thyme on Wilmington Pike will be open for business on Sundays! They are back in business and ready to serve the public. Prior to COVID a lot of the GSLC members were regulars at the Wilmington Pike restaurant. Steak and Thyme at 4040 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, OH 45440.