WORSHIP
Online Option to Worship Only
Good Shepherd is going back to worshiping online until further notice. We will continue to offer online worship on Sundays and our parking lot Holy Communion on the first and third Sundays from Noon – 1:00 pm.
Please use the following links below to connect online to the Sunday Church Service:
Facebook click here: Facebook
YouTube click here: Youtube
Online Events Information
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be doing a Streaming Devotional with Pr. Jamie Vannoy every Wednesday at Noon. We will also be including Read Aloud Stories with Don Bennett every weekday, Monday – Friday, at 2:30 pm. Please come, connect, and enjoy.
Please use the following links below to connect:
Facebook click here: Facebook
YouTube click here: Youtube
Offering Envelopes
Offering Envelopes are available. You can pick them up in the office or when you come to Communion. You can also call the office to get them delivered or mailed to you at (937) 298-0136 or email to office@goodshepherdkettering.com.
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 or Denise Wilson (513) 913-0133.
OUTREACH AND SERVICES
Jeremiah’s Letter
Sunday, January 17 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, backpacks, sleeping bags, broth based soups, canned goods, cereal, laundry or cleaning supplies.
Updated Poinsettia Project
Here are the results of the Poinsettia Project for 2020. There were 34 poinsettias given “In Honor Of… or In Memory Of…” for a total of $790.63 donated. Thank you for your generous donations, all monies raised will go to support the ELCA Good Gifts ministry throughout the year. Thank you again as we spread the grace of God throughout our local community.
Souper 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 3. Items will be collected each week until Super Bowl Sunday, February 7. Thanks for your help supplying the food bank. Go, team!!
Week # 2 of the Souper Bowl. The commercials added 27 additional items for a grand total so far of 79 items. The NFC is currently at 52 items. 0 items added. (Come on Packers, Bucs & Saints fans!). The AFC added 32 additional items for a grand total so far of 84 items. (Keep it coming Chiefs, Ravens, Bills & Browns (can you believe it?!) fans!). We only have 4 Sundays to go. We will keep you updated each week. Thanks!
CONTINUING EDUCATION
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 (coming soon).
Also come to the free class preview coming in March to find out more. You’ll be glad you did! Classes will begin in the first part of March, further details coming soon. If you have any questions, contact Martin Pierce at 287-4021 or Kathy Seim at 294-1145.
Care Callers
We have been apart. We have felt isolated in our homes. We want to be connected. The Commissioners are implementing a new ministry to connect us. A team of about 20 folks have graciously agreed to be Care Callers. They will be reaching out to be in touch. Plans are in place to be in touch with all of our GSLC families. When you receive a note or a call or an email from your Care Caller, take a moment to share what’s happening in your world. Who knows? Maybe you will meet a new friend.
While this ministry stems from our desire to be connected with one another, the plan is to continue reaching out even when we can safely gather again in worship. Care Callers have agreed to be in touch with their families on a monthly basis. If you have a need that arises, you can contact the church office or let your Care Caller know. If you prefer not to be contacted, please let us know that as well. Thank you for supporting this new way of caring for one another with prayers for our Care Callers and one another. If you have questions, please contact Eileen Hunter (eileenhunter@netscape.net)
Griefshare
This ministry features biblical, Christ-centered teaching on topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about the weekly topic and personal grief experiences.
Good Shepherd currently hosts this ministry online for the health and safety of all participants. Your bereavement experience may be recent or years ago. Some losses are compounded by other life experiences. GriefShare offers a safe community in which to share feelings, fears, and tears. Each Sunday we view the video session led by experts followed by discussion and prayer. This ministry is available using Zoom on Sundays from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. We will meet every Sunday through Palm Sunday on March 28, 2021. Please keep in prayer all those who suffer loss, affliction, and griefs.
Further information and registration is available at www.griefshare.org or by calling the GSLC office (937-298-0136).
Topic: GriefShare – From Mourning to Joy (13 sessions)
Facilitators: Kathy Seim and Pam Bauser
Time: Sunday, January 17
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Place: comfort of your home
Lifelong Learning
It’s the season of Epiphany! Have your own epiphany. Join us for any of the learning opportunities at GSLC.
Our ADULT Lifelong Learning Classes are ONLINE! Everyone is welcome! Use the links below to join in the conversations. Take this opportunity to “zoom” in and discover the quality adult education we have at GSLC. Our Bible studies are open to ALL near and far. If you haven’t checked any of these out, please consider this invitation to join us now.
Our YOUTH classes (Kindergarten – 6th grade) are online. Karin Linch and Sandy Rosholt are the teachers for our youth classes.
CATECHISM is being offered online this year. Catechism is for our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in preparation for confirmation, affirming the baptismal promises. If you have an interest in our studies of the Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, and Lutheran heritage, please contact the church office for more information. Pastor Jamie and Don Bennett teach our catechism classes.
SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST BIBLE STUDY DISCUSSION for ALL
This study will meet on Saturday mornings in 2021.
Topic: Lectionary for Sunday worship
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Place: comfort of your home – connect online!
Bring your own coffee and breakfast along with your BIBLE. The focus is on the Lectionary Lessons for the upcoming Sunday. Come join the discussion facilitated by Roger Bauser. Use the Zoom meeting link to join the conversation. Everyone (ALL ages and genders) 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. If you experience any difficulty connecting, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Topic: ACTS of the Apostles: a Biblical study on The Book of ACTS!
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Place: Comfort of your home – connect online!
Bring your coffee. Have your Bible handy. COME BE RENEWED by the power of the Holy Spirit! COME LISTEN to God speak to each of us through the Book of ACTS. This week read and ponder Acts chapters 16:11-40.When Paul and his fellow companions set out for Macedonia, they arrive in Philippi and began to speak attracting the Lydia, the seller of purple cloth. Paul becomes annoyed with a slave girl who tells fortunes following them. Read on. The plot thickens again. If you experience any difficulty connecting, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY for Men
This is an ongoing study that meets regularly on Thursday morning. Drop in any Thursday!
Topic: Lectionary for Sunday worship
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Place: comfort of your home – connect online!
The Men’s breakfast Bible Study is ONLINE on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Bring your own coffee and breakfast along with your BIBLE. The focus is on the Lectionary Lessons for the upcoming Sunday. Come join the discussion facilitated by Roger Bauser. Use the following link to join the conversation. If you experience any difficulty, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY for Women
Topic: Journeys with Angels
Winter-Spring ELCA Women’s Bible Study from Gather Magazine
Leader: Pam Bauser
Time: Fourth Tuesday of January, February, March and April
January 26, February 23, March 23, and April 27
10:00 am OR 7:30 pm (same content for each session – choose time that is best for you on that date)
Place: Your choice – connect online!
Did you think angels were only part of the Christmas story? Do you have angels in your home? Where do you see angels? What do angels do?
Come on an adventure noticing angels and learning from these heavenly messengers from God. On the fourth Tuesday of January, February, March and April, we will journey through Scriptures discovering angels and hearing the messages they proclaim along the way. This is a time to invite a friend, a neighbor, someone near or far. We will be meeting online using Zoom. If you need a copy of the Bible study, please contact the church office or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385). Mark your calendar now. First session is Tuesday, January 26th.
MISCELLANEOUS
E-Bulletin
GSLC now has the bulletin on our website. It’s set to go live on our website under the “Worship” and the “More” menu tabs at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings. We hope this makes the worship service more meaningful to you now that you will be able to follow along.
Offerings for last week: $5,638.69
Church Directory
We are updating our church directory. Please send any updated information to the church office at (937) 298-0136 or at office@goodshepherdkettering.com. After the corrections have been made we will have directories available in the New Year! Thank you for helping us keep our records straight.
Need a Treasurer
Denise Wilson resigned from being Treasurer after serving faithful and we are in need of a Treasurer. Please pray that we fill this crucial position on the Council will be filled quickly. If you are interested in knowing more information about the position feel free to call the Church Office and ask to speak to Pr. Jamie. Attached below is more of a description of the responsibilities of the committee and the chairperson as you discern serving in this way. Click here: Memorial Committee Description
CHURCH PROGRAM DONATIONS
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 website for Youth Donations, Good Shepherd Youth Donations, scroll down and 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.
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!
A PLACE FOR NEWS
ELCA NEWS:
ELCA Disability Ministry God’s work. Our hands. Click here.
Lutheran World Relief Sustainable Development. Click here.
ELCA Global Links. Click here.
A Note from Bishop Dillahunt
Grace and peace be with you in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior.
The Gospel of John reminds us in the opening verses of Chapter 1: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
People of God in SOS, from telling the story of the Wise Men coming to see Jesus by following the light of the star (some of us even were able to see the astronomical event of the “Bethlehem Star”) to the baptism of our Lord (as we remember we are washed in those waters forgiven and sent with purpose to proclaim the news of Jesus) to preparing for yet another Ash Wednesday and Lent (which might look a lot like last year), Epiphany reminds us we are given every day an opportunity to bring HOPE, GRACE, LOVE to our neighborhoods, communities, state and nation because of Jesus.
What is obvious is, 2021 began as 2020 ended, with a global pandemic. Deaths and the spread of COVID have not stopped. We pray for those who grieve, those who are sick and those recovering. We pray for healing and strength for those who care for and work in hospitals and care facilities. We pray for those who are facing unemployment, that they may find work and for those businesses that are struggling, that they may find a way to survive. Murders and deaths have not stopped. We pray for healing, a stop to senseless killing and for those who grieve the loss of loved ones, family and friends. We remember we have the promise of resurrection.
The events of this past Wednesday brought all kinds of emotions and feelings: fear, anger, resentment, disbelief of the threats to our government and nation. Actions and scenes from Washington DC, of violence, hate speech, racism, and death, were seen and heard across this nation. We prayed. And we continue to pray for peace and justice. I signed on to the Ohio Council of Churches letter condemning the attacks on the Capitol. As the days unfold, we pray for an orderly and calm transfer of power on January 20th. In 2019, at the prompting of the Churchwide Assembly, the ELCA developed this ‘ Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement in the United States’, which may be helpful to you for your own reflection and discussion and discernment within your family and congregation.
Psalm 25:4-5 “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
In the next week or so our medical expert who has been helping us navigate the waters of COVID, Dr. Curt Passafume, will again lead us through some FAQs about the vaccine and some ways we can safely distribute the ashes that remind us of our humanity and the fragility of life on Ash Wednesday. We will let you know when this information is available.
When a vaccine is available to me, I will get it. As I have said many times over the last 10 months, we, in the bishop’s office, miss seeing you in person. Thank you for the worship services you are providing. One of the good things that COVID has provided is that we are able to “visit” more congregations online for worship on Sundays. Many of you have invited us to “join” remotely and we appreciate the invitations. Keep inviting us, send links and bulletins, since we will not visit in person or attend in person meetings through February. These online worship services and your bulletins keep us connected, even as we are apart. In February, I’ll reassess where things are and let you know about travel plans in March.
THANK YOU for your continued Mission Support through SOS congregations. We have been blessed by your generosity and faithful giving. Keep it up! Just a gentle reminder that the fiscal year ends January 31st and we need to have year-end giving to us no later than January 29th to be recorded for the year. If by chance you want to drop off your donation for Mission Support at the Synod Office, you can do so by slipping it under the door of Suite 140 at 9200 Worthington Road, Westerville, OH (please place checks in an envelope so the check doesn’t get lost) OR send your check to our lockbox location at PO Box 0604, Lewis Center, OH 43035. Please send checks well in advance of January 29th as there continues to be significant delays with the US Mail system. Anything received after January 31st will be recorded for the 2021-22 fiscal year. Again, THANK YOU! You are awesome!
Finally, we trust and know that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. We share that message of hope with those around us in our communities and in our world. Stay healthy, stay safe, pray and know that we will see each other again, soon!
Stronger and Better Together…Joining Jesus in the Restoration of the World,
Bishop Dillahunt