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
All Saints Sunday On the first weekend in November there will be services for ALL SAINTS. If you have a loved one who has passed away in the last year and would like their names added to the All-Saints Sunday service, please let the office know at (937) 298-0316 or email to office@goodshepherdkettering.com or you can pick up a form in the Narthex.
Communion This September the congregation will return to familiar practices communing around the altar. Parishioners will follow the directions of the ushers to come forward. You may pause at the baptismal font and then move to the left or right to stand or kneel at the rail. We will start in front of the altar and continue around to the back. Please leave a space on either side of the baptismal font for those with mobility issues. After receiving communion, return to the pews using the side aisles, placing the communion cup in the tray by the pillar on either side. For those choosing to remain in the pews during communion, there are communion all-in-one cups available in the Narthex. You may pick one up before the service or request one from the ushers during communion.
Lingering with the Lord Do you need some time away from the busyness of life? On the 4th Wednesday of the month come join us at GSLC to linger with the Lord followed by a time of prayer. Enjoy the chance to come together in singing and praying, while also getting a moment to spend with the Lord in prayer by yourself. There will be “stations” to help you focus on open different parts of our life if you need that, you can stay in your pew and pray, or you can just walk around the Sanctuary if that is what helps you enter some prayerful space for the Lord. Come join us Wednesday, October 23 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. All are welcome to join us!
OUTREACH AND SERVICES
Items for Hygiene Kits Harmony Creek Church is collecting items for hygiene kits for the hurricane relief fund. Please bring your items on Sunday, October 13 and Sunday, October 22 and place them in the container in the Narthex. Harmony Creek will assemble the kits on Sunday, October 27 after worship.
One hand towel measuring approximately 15” x 28” for 16” x 32”
- (No fingertip, bath, dish towels, or micro-fiber
One washcloth
One wide tooth comb removed from the package
- Must be sturdy with at least 6 inches of teeth
- No pocket combs or picks
- Rattaiil and combs without handles are acceptable
One fingernail or toenail clipper removed from the package (either is acceptable)
One bath size bar of soap in the original package
One toothbrush in the original package
Ten standard size band-aids
Food Pantry News Our AUGUST food was delivered to local food pantries on September 9 – totaling 259 food items. Thank you for remembering the families who are served by the food pantries in our community. As you make your food purchases, consider adding a few items for these families. It will be a wonderful way to help those around us. It is very helpful to avoid donations of food in glass containers so that nothing can be broken. If you would like to volunteer on a Thursday at the Feeding Friends Pantry on Bigger Road near the former Victoria’s Secret Building, go to https://signup.com/go/FjrnKG Next Food Pantry Sunday is October 6, but food donations can be dropped off any time you are in the building. To date in this fiscal year from September 1, 2023 – September 1 2024 we have donated almost 3000 food items.
Helping Hands Our Property and Facilities Commission will have a recurring “Helping Hands Service Initiative” to help maintain and keep our church grounds and facilities in optimal shape as we strive to make it an inviting place. We will have a monthly event on the third Saturday, October 19 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM to work on timely projects and seasonal tasks. Additionally, if you have ideas or recommendations on areas to improve, please send them to the Office Manager at office@goodshepherdkettering.com or to one of the commissioners. Thank you.
Fall Craft Fair – November 2 at 9:00 am Good Shepherd is proud to host our annual Fall Craft Fair! Our Fall and Spring Craft Fairs have become well-attended events in our community. This is a BIG event with all proceeds going toward local GSLC supported ministries. Our craft fair would not be successful without our dedicated volunteers and the many talented crafters who rent a space from us. Consider volunteering your time to help with this fun and amazing event. Your gift of time will not only help support our ministries, but will also afford you an opportunity to meet many wonderful people and be an ambassador for Good Shepherd. If you would like to know more about volunteering or how to be of service, please contact Rich Kellstrom. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
NEW OPPORTUNITY for ALL
PATIENCE and PRAYER!
Join with others in a Small Group Fellowship Bible Study based on THE LORD’S PRAYER!
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools:
An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer by Tyler Staton in 2022
In the Narthex, you can sign up with the DAY and TIME of DAY that you prefer.
Groups that are getting started:
Wednesdays 5:30 – 7:00 pm Don Bennett is the facilitator
Mondays 4:30 – 6:00 pm
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Join one of these groups or form a new time. Each study group can choose when and where to gather. Setup the FIVE meetings – day, dates, time. Each group will need someone to be the host/facilitator for each session.
Books are available for purchase in the Narthex. The set of book and study guide is available for $20. LET”S GET STARTED with PRAYING!
Lifelong Learning
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Regular educational sessions for our youth are in the planning.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Topic: PETER, an apostle of Jesus the Christ
Come, hear, and ponder the Word of God.
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 8:50 am – 9:50 am
Place: Comfort of your own home – connect and discuss with others online!
If you have any questions, please contact Roger Bauser at rebauser@me.com
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY for Men
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.
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Reading for worship
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
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.
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Readings for worship
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
ime: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
For more information, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
Women’s Bible Study for FALL
Receiving Grace: A Study of Ephesians by Rev. Heidi Haverkamp
The study of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians is underway.
November 13 – Living as children of the Light
The Bible study information is accessible online at www.gathermagazine.org.
Print copies of Session One, Is grace real? AND Session Two, “Grace-filled living — ancient and new” are available in the Narthex. Please take a copy and feel the blessings pondering GRACE in God’s Word.
GRIEFSHARE GriefShare is underway. Good Shepherd is offering GriefShare for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one. This ministry offers biblical, Christ-centered teaching on topics associated with the death of a loved one. It is a place to find support and comfort in the company of others who are experiencing loss. The video seminar series and participant guide feature nationally respected grief experts and real-life personal stories. Each week there are group discussions about the weekly topics and personal grief experiences. Good Shepherd is hosting the 13-week program, GriefShare: Your Journey from Mourning to Joy, in person and online from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Sundays. If you or someone you know is interested, please register online at www.griefshare.org or call the church office. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385).
Surviving the Holidays 4.0
COMING UP – Saturday, October 26th
Spread the word. ONLY one session that is powerfully packed with real experiences and expert advice. This single session focuses on the challenges of grief during the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holidays intensify our feelings of loss amidst the emphasis on family and holiday gathering. The experts offer both practical suggestions and hope for remembering and cherishing our loved ones who are not gathering with us.
Saturday, October 26
GSLC Fellowship Lounge or online
10:00 am – Noon
Resource book for this session is $10.
If you or someone you know is interested, you may register online at www.griefshare.org or call the church office. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385). Mark your calendars now!
MISCELLANEOUS
Trunk or Treat All children are welcome to a Trunk or Treat hosted by Harmony Creek Church and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in the parking lot. Make sure to bring a candy bucket for some treats on October 27 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult. We are requesting that anyone who would like to participate with a trunk full of candy in the parking lot please contact the church office at office@goodshepherdkettering.com.
Offerings: The financial results for the full fiscal year ending September 30,2024 are as follows:
· Net Income ended the year at $255,142 vs. a budget of $266,600, including Harmony Creek
· Harmony Creek is at budget of $30,000
· Budgeted Offerings are $11,458 less than budget.
· Expenses $261,198 vs budget of $265,185
· Net loss of $6,056 vs budgeted income of $1,415.
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. 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:
Lutheran Disaster Response. Click here.
Lutheran World Relief. Click here.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
48th Annual Apple Butter and Fall Festival (October 13 from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
Come celebrate the fall season with us at our annual Apple Butter Festival! Enjoy a wagon ride through camp, sample tasty apple butter, grab a meal, and let the kids have fun in the supervised children’s activity area. This year we are excited to offer craft vendors, food trucks, wine, and beer vendors, and so much more! Also, enjoy our NEW pumpkin patch while you are there. Come and buy pumpkins of all shapes and sizes and even bring them to paint during our festival! At our annual Apple Butter Festival, we raise funds for camp scholarships (camperships). Your support can make a big difference — $590 can send a child to summer camp, and $2,235 can send a family of four to camp at Luther. Last year, thanks to your generosity, 269 campers were able to attend camp. Help us make camp accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Every contribution matters — thank you for your support!
The Annual Memorial Organ Recital Joshua Stafford (first prize winner of the 2016 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition, Minister of Music at First Congregational Church in Columbus, Director of Sacred Music at the Chautauqua Institution in New York) will be presenting an organ recital on Sunday, October 13 at 4:00 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Wilkinson Street in Dayton. This event will be open to the public without charge. The organ console will be visible through a large screen projection system. Ample parking across from the First Street entrance from I-75, take the Main Street exit, turn right onto Monument Avenue, left on Perry Street, and left on First Street. Questions: contact Westminster Presbyterian Church at (937) 223-7285 or www.westminsterdayton.org.
The Music of Leroy Anderson The Kettering Praise Orchestra presents a concert featuring the music of Leroy Anderson on Saturday, October 19 at 7:00 pm. Blue Tango, Sleigh Ride, The Typewriter, Bugler’s Holiday, and The Syncopated Clock, are just a few of his best-known works that will be featured on the fun program. The Fritzsche Center for Worship and Performing Arts at Spring Valley Academy will be the location of this free concert.