Installation of Church Leadership
This weekend we celebrate the Installation of new leadership here at GSLC at all services. Help me in welcoming them all. ~ Pr. Jamie Vannoy
Online Worship & Holy Communion
While Montgomery County COVID-19 indicators remain on a Level 3 alert at the recommendation of Governor DeWine and Bishop Dillahunt, Good Shepherd will continue to worship as a community online. We offer Holy Communion twice a month on the second and fourth Sundays from Noon – 1:00 pm. Please join us for worship and communion.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will continue doing a video of our church service. Online worship will be available on Sunday at 10:30 am. Come and enjoy GSLC’s service online.
Please use the following links below to connect to the Sunday Church Service:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodshepherdkettering/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFjr6taytoTncrtHVY9TGQw
Online Worship 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: https://www.facebook.com/goodshepherdkettering/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFjr6taytoTncrtHVY9TGQw
Offerings for last week:
$14,100.51
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 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.
This Week’s Article
This week’s article is by William Willimon @ Ministry Maters.
So now they had been waiting an awful long time, long enough that it was time to get moving again. But with the Lord stuck up on top of the mountain, cloaking it in darkness, busy downloading the Torah to Moses, it seemed that the Lord was not planning on going in front of them to the place where they had heard that the Lord intended to take them. Something else would have to go in front.
So, Aaron obliged. He gathered up all the gold they got from the Egyptians on the way out after the Passover (gold which had ever since resided in the women’s ears). Through a prodigious display of innate proclivity for metalwork (Aaron the heir of Tubal-cain?), all that gold-wealth became a bull calf, became virility, potency, energy, a far more electable sort of a god than the one stuck up atop the mountain, a god to go at the front and take you where you think you want to go.
It’s pretty easy to see how Aaron and Co. mistook this gold bull calf for the Lord: the Lord had been going in front, had been taking them where they wanted to go. Like us, they wanted action and the Lord had shown the Lord’s self to be a God of Action. Like most Christians trying to read the economy, they conflated the Lord’s action with bullishness, with up, up, up optimism.
However, the Lord is a jealous Lord who doesn’t take well to being conflated with anything. The folks at the bottom were trying their best to stick to the pattern of the Lord’s action which they had been following up until then, they did not mean a conflation, and they were just getting a little stir-crazy, but none of that counts for much with the Lord.
So, the Lord gets rather heated, ready to go back to the Lord’s ways in the days of Noah: wipe the slate clean, start anew with Moses, make the nation out of Moses instead of Israel, but Moses manages to talk the Lord out of it for the Lord’s name’s sake. The Lord may not be pleased with the folks at the bottom of the mountain, Moses argues, but would the Lord remember where they came from? Didn’t the Lord just get done getting them out of Egypt? What would the Egyptians think?
And for that matter, Moses continues, does the Lord remember whose kids they are? Didn’t the Lord like their great-great-great grandparents? Abram and Sarai whom the Lord summoned out of Haran and changed their names to Abraham and Sarah, the ones to whom the Lord gave Isaac but not because they deserved him; the same Isaac whom the Lord gave back to Abraham and Sarah even though Abraham was willing to bind Isaac on the Lord’s altar; the same Isaac for whom the Lord found a wife Rachel and two sons Esau and Jacob; and though that same Jacob was a devious trickster, the Lord still wanted to wrestle with him and rename him Israel, the God-wrestler. To those folks, the Lord made some promises: The Lord promised, “I’ll make your descendants as many as the stars in the sky. And I’ve promised to give your descendants this whole land to possess for all time.” (Exod. 32:13, author’s translation).
Moses’s argument before the Lord is that wrathful though the Lord may be, those upon whom the Lord was ready to visit the wrath were the same ones whom the Lord had elected, those to whom the Lord had declared that the Lord would be their God and they would be the Lord’s people. And somehow in this story, the Lord’s election to be Israel’s God was greater than the Lord’s wrath that Israel got impatient and conflated the Lord’s action with bullishness.
Stewardship Snippets – October 11, 2020
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. – Philippians 4:6 “Will there be enough?” Many are asking this question in the midst of growing economic uncertainty and fear. Christians know that this is the wrong question. With God there is always enough and a little bit more—enough to share. If this question crosses your mind, remember Paul’s words to the Philippian church. Don’t worry; give thanks and pray. God will provide a way.
Election of Officers
Last night at Council we elected new Officers form the Council Members. You officers for our 2020-2021 fiscal year are: President- Martin Pierce; Vice President- Cindy Grove; Secretary- Jeff Wehmeyer.
Returning to in-person worship
The leadership has been discussing the possibility of when we can come together for in-person worship again. At this time I’d like to announce that we are aiming to have in-person worship, and a live streaming option, on Sunday, November 1 (All Saints Sunday). A letter will be physically mailed out to some and sent out to everyone else in next week’s e-blast will more details. Some of those details will be how we came to this decision, what might cause us to postpone the date for meeting in person for worship, some changes we will be making to the protocols that we had put in place when we re-opened in July.
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.
We need A/V Help
As we begin preparing for in-person worship again we also want to have live streaming available. To do that we need some help. Now we have the screen that need to have some operating during worship, and now we will need someone to also help with the cameras for the live streaming. You don’t have to be tech savvy, but you do need to be able to pay attention and follow along in the service. We need some more people to help out. The more people we have the less often everyone has to do it. If you have any questions about helping please call the office and ask to talk with Don Bennett or Pr Jamie.
Live Streaming
Our Audio Visual team has been working hard getting our live streaming capabilities up and running. They are now in need of folks to train. If you are willing to help and love being able to volunteer you are the ones we want. (or could say you are the ones we welcome or need) The more volunteers we have the less times you have to do it per month. We will be streaming one service a week and it will be a rotating schedule. Don has assured me it is not difficult, you just have to be able to pay attention!! Please, if you are on the fence about this come and see what it is all about. I n other words, no obligation, try before you “buy” in. Any questions contact Don Bennett at don.bennet@goodshepherdkettering.com or call the church at 9237-298-0136. ~ Michele Weyhrauch, Worship Commissioner
Jeremiah’s Letter on October 18
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. Thank you to all who generously support this ministry!
ELCA Disaster Relief Fund
Thank you to those members of the congregation who made donations to Lutheran Disaster Response during the month of September. The funds raised will help those affected by the US Wildfires in the west. With the support of the congregation, $300.00 has been sent to the ELCA.
GriefShare
GSLC continues to offer an active GriefShare support community. If you or someone you know is interested, please be in touch with Pastor Jamie or call Pam Bauser (937-602-8385) or Kathy Seim (936-901-0532). GriefShare is a faith based ministry that combines group discussion, video input from experts and others who know the grief journey, and individual study in the resource book. This ministry is available to all who have experienced the loss of a loved one at any time. Further information and registration is available at https://www.griefshare.org or by calling the GSLC office (937-298-0136).
GriefShare – MOURNING to JOY (13 weeks) is OPEN to ALL!
Sunday, September 13 – Sunday, December 6 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Spread the word. Come share in this ministry of healing and hope. It’s easy to join online and participate in the sessions. Contact the church office (937-298-0136), Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385) for more information.
GriefShare will be ONLINE through October. We are following the same format as in-person sessions. We gather online, share the devotions, watch the video sessions, and discuss. We connect via the same Zoom link each week. Participants will view the videos with the group. We have resource books available for $15.00 that we will deliver to each registrant. The resource book is an essential part of the GriefShare experience. Contact Pastor Jamie, Kathy Seim, or Pam Bauser for more information.
Topic: GriefShare
Time: SUNDAY 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Anyone who registers at www.griefshare.org with an email address will have an access link to all of the video sessions throughout the 13 weeks. This can be helpful to view the materials in the comfort of your home, to watch with family or friends, or to prepare to participate in the weekly discussions. For more information, give Kathy or Pam a call.
Looking ahead:
GriefShare’s – SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS
Saturday, October 24, 2020
10:00 am – Noon
Currently we plan to gather in person for this special Surviving the Holidays session. Located in the Fellowship Hall (to allow easier social distancing).
Lifelong Learning
Our ADULT Lifelong Learning Classes are ONLINE! Everyone is welcome! Please contact the church office for the links below to join in the conversations. This is a great time to “zoom” in and discover the quality adult education we have at GSLC. Our Bible studies and Sunday morning studies are open to ALL online. If you haven’t checked any of these out, please consider joining the conversations.
Our YOUTH classes have resumed. The WHIRL curriculum is based on the weekly lectionary for the church year that allows the students to connect what they learn in class with what they hear in worship. If you have any questions, please call the church office or contact Pam. Karin Linch and Sandy Rosholt are the teachers for our youth classes.
Questions?? – Please contact Pam Bauser at 937-299-5186.
SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST BIBLE STUDY DISCUSSION for ALL
Topic: Lectionary for Sunday worship
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Place: comfort of your home – connect online!
Join Zoom Meeting Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.
The Saturday Morning Breakfast Bible Study ONLINE is on Saturday 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 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.
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 5:1-11. Read on Acts 5:12 -8:1.
This incredible book invites us into the story moving forward from the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Come delve into the power of the Holy Spirit to change the world and ignite the flames of faith in the early church. If you are a reader who enjoys intrigue, adventure, and unexpected twists in the plot, this is the narrative for you.
We will continue to meet ONLINE. The Zoom link, meeting ID and password remain the same. Roger Bauser will serve as the facilitator. ALL are welcome any Sunday you are available.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY for Men
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 continues 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.
**ONLINE GROUP DISCUSSION **
Does Racism Exist in the Church? GSLC Discussions on Racism- Part 2
In Part 1 of GSLC discussions on Racism, we used the Southern Ohio Synod Statement on Racial Justice as the foundation of our discussions. The third section of the document stated, “As Church together, we ask God to help and guide us in joining Jesus in the restoration of the World.” The statement listed three commitments:
- Commit ourselves to listen to the voices who have been harmed and silenced by racism,
- Commit to listening and sitting with discomfort, and
- Commit to work through local, state, and national advocacy efforts to support public policies that seek justice in our world.
o Synod Council Statement On Racial Justice 2020
Those commitments take us to Part 2 in our discussions.
TOPIC: Racism and Justice and Church
WHEN: FIVE Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm
September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28
WHERE: Online from the comfort of your home
HOW: via ZOOM (This link is for all discussion weeks.)
We plan to honor our commitment to addressing racism by actively learning together, sharing our experiences, watching two videos by Phil Vischer (creator of Veggie Tales) and engaging in possibilities to make a difference. The videos are both by Phil Vischer: Holy Post: Race in America.
It is not necessary to have attended GSLC first online discussion in order to participate in Part 2. We hope you will be able to join us!
Food Pantry Donations
Our October 5, Good Shepherd delivery of 356 food items to the Greenmont-Oak Park-Ascension Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry was greatly appreciated. In addition to the food items our property commission donated a box of about 50 still very usable light bulbs which had been replaced around our facility with new cost-saving LED bulbs. It was a win-win for Good Shepherd and for the families receiving help from the food pantry. Many thanks to all who continue to support this vital ministry with their donations. With Congress and the President currently unable to reach an agreement on economic assistance for pandemic victims our donations now are more important than ever. If you are coming by church for drive-in communion this Sunday, it would be a great time to drop off a food donation. Or if you prefer, you can send a check, payable to Good Shepherd and marked for food pantry to the office. You can also drop food off during the week by ringing the fellowship hall entry bell and placing items in the donation box immediately inside the door.
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.
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!
ELCA NEWS:
ELCA Disability Ministry God’s work. Our hands. Click here.
Lutheran World Relief Sustainable Development. Click here.
ELCA Global Links Click here.