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
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.
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!!
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 $430.00 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.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
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. Past participants have related how meaningful the information and follow-up discussions are in their lives.
Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life routines. Tears are welcome. Expressing emotions is important in this healing ministry. Confidentiality is very much a part of this program.
Your bereavement experience may be recent or not so recent. You will find encouragement, comfort and help in grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, other family member, or friend. No matter what the cause of your loved one’s death, this is an opportunity to be connected with people who understand what you are feeling. Come renew your hope for the future.
Good Shepherd currently hosts this ministry for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one online for the health and safety of all participants. Losses can 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 and those experiencing grief speaks with the group followed by discussion and prayer. This ministry is shared via Zoom on Sundays from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Kathy Seim and Pam Bauser facilitate this ministry to those who are healing from the challenges of grief and loss. Please keep in prayer all those who suffer loss, affliction, and griefs.
The next session of GriefShare at Good Shepherd begins on January 10, 2021 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. We will meet in the Lounge every Sunday through March 28, concluding at the beginning of Holy Week.
You can learn more about this important ministry at griefshare.org or talk with Kathy Seim, Pam Bauser, or Pastor Jamie. We will be glad to help with the online registration that allows each participant to view the weekly sessions on their own devices whenever it is convenient. This can enhance the personal connections with the weekly seminar discussions.
Lifelong Learning
Welcome 2021! Begin this new year choosing to learn more about God’s Word. Join us for any of the learning opportunities at GSLC.
Our ADULT Lifelong Learning Classes are ONLINE! Everyone is welcome! Please contact the church office for the links below to join in the conversations. Many holiday traditions have to be set aside for the health and safety of our community. 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.
Our YOUTH classes (Kindergarten – 6th grade) are online. Our youth have been serving the Lord by making holiday cheer to share with our homebound members. If you received one of these surprises, they were made especially for you by our youth and their teachers. 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 15.Learn about the challenges the early church faced when not all believers agreed on how Jews and Gentiles could live out their faith as God’s people. 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. If you experience any difficulty, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
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: $3,172.54
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.
Devotionals
GSLC has the new January – March 2021 Devotionals on the table in the Narthex or in the church office. Stop by the church if you would like to get one.
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.
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.
NEW Lutheran World Relief Sustainable Development. Click here.
ELCA Global Links. Click here.