Face Masks Love your neighbor as yourself. – Mark 12:31
Please wear your mask to keep you and your neighbor safe from the spread of COVID19. Please wear your mask when you are inside the church building. Masks are required for worship at GSLC. GSLC leadership monitors the health advisories for our area. Under the current conditions, health officials recommend wearing a mask indoors for everyone’s safety. This includes people who are fully vaccinated. Given the current rise in COVID19 cases in our area, we are requiring MASKS during worship at GSLC. You may remove your mask for Holy Communion and then put it back on to return to your seat. If you prefer not to wear a mask, please join us for worship online. From the CDC website: To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Montgomery, Greene, Preble, Butler and Warren counties are all areas with substantial transmission.
WORSHIP
Parking Lot Communion will be offered on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 12:00 pm -1:00 pm. October 17 will be the next time we have it.
Worship With Us Online!
Good Shepherd will continue to offer online worship on Sundays and our parking lot Holy Communion on the third Sunday 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
All Saint’s Sunday
On November 7 there will be a 4:00 pm service for ALL SAINTS. It is Holden Evening with special music by the Choir. It is a beautiful service and GSLC highly encourages everyone to come and worship together. If you have a loved one who has passed away in the last year and would like their names added to the All-Saint’s Sunday service, please let the office know at (937) 298-0316, email to office@goodshepherdkettering.com, you can pick up a form in the Narthex, or click here: Form
Outreach and Services
Jeremiah’s Letter
Sunday, October 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, back packs, sleeping bags, broth based soups, canned goods, cereal, laundry or cleaning supplies.
Food Pantry News
The primary food pantry donation bin is in the narthex; so, if you come to church on Sunday morning you can bring your donations and place them there. During the week, you can still place your donations inside the fellowship hall doors. Monetary donations may still be made by placing a check (payable to Good Shepherd with “food pantry” in the memo line) in the offering or mailing it to the church office. The food pantry has told us that the following items are among the most needed and useful for donation: noodles and pastas, cereals, canned fruits and vegetables, kids’ canned pastas, boxed “helper” meals, canned meats, chicken and tuna, instant potatoes, canned soups (Campbell’s Chunky soups or Progresso soups – if on sale – are especially useful because they can be stretched by adding pasta and making a casserole meal). Thank you to everyone for the 225 food items donated in the month of September and delivered on October 4. Next Food Pantry Sunday is November 7, but you can bring donations any time during October. Watch for those bargain purchases and stock up the pantries.
Fall Craft Fair – November 6 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 2 hours of 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. There is a Volunteer Sign-up Sheet in the Narthex.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Lifelong Learning
Learn more about God’s Word for us. Join us ONLINE to learn together.
Our ADULT Lifelong Learning Classes are ONLINE. Everyone is welcome! 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.
Sunday School for K-8 youth: Our youth have returned to the chapel on Sundays at 9:15 am. ALL youth are welcome!
FRIDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY DISCUSSION for ALL
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Readings for Sunday worship
Continuing on FRIDAY mornings! Bring your own coffee and treats along with your BIBLE. The focus is on the Lectionary Lessons for the upcoming Sunday. Come join the discussion facilitated by Roger Bauser. 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.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Topic: Letter to the Ephesians
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 8:50 am – 9:50 am
Come discover the nuggets of inspiration in the Letter to the Ephesians. This Biblical study will be an in-depth exploration of Ephesians. If you haven’t tried our Sunday morning discussions before, this is an excellent time to join in the discussions that continue through November.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY for Men
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Reading for Sunday worship
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Place: comfort of your home – connect online!
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 Sunday. Come join the discussion. This is a chance to go deeper before hearing the lessons on Sunday. If you experience any difficulty, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
OCTOBER MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY for Women TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021
Topic: The Gift of the Holy Spirit: a divine wild goose chase (October Bible Study from Gather Magazine)
Leader: Pam Bauser
Time: 10:30 am OR 7:30 pm (same content for each session – choose time that is best for you on that date)
Session two: Breath of God, reviver and reformer
Sara Olson-Smith, the author of our fall studies shares, “While you listen, share and pray with one another, you will not only see how God is active in your lives; you will be living and breathing the Spirit.” Diving in to Ezekiel, John, and Acts, we will discover how the Spirit revives us with hope and reforms the communities in which we live. Delve into the Spirit portion of the Trinity! Experience the Breath of God! Come with questions. Come with experiences. Come. Be open to the presence of the Spirit in our midst. If you need a copy of the study, please contact Pam Bauser at psbauser@me.com or 937-602-8385
Griefshare
Surviving the Holidays – This is a ONE TIME session focused on the challenges of facing the holidays without our loved ones. “I just want to go to sleep the night before Thanksgiving and not wake up until the new year.” This quote expresses how many folks feel when facing the upcoming holidays, but there are strategies to help cope with the unexpected changes. This session is open to anyone who is interested. Attendance at other GriefShare sessions is not required. The resource book is $5 payable at the session. Register at www.griefshare.org with your name and email OR contact the church office (937-298-0136), Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385). Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 10:00 am – Noon
Mourning to Joy – Good Shepherd is hosting a fall session of GriefShare. This ministry offers 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 personal stories, followed by a small group discussion about the weekly topic and personal grief experiences. Good Shepherd is offering 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 or call the church office. When registering on the GriefShare website, there are two GSLC GriefShare classes listed (one online and one in person) to allow us to offer a hybrid option. Choose the class method you prefer. No prior registration is required for folks coming in person. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385).
MISCELLANEOUS
October Stewardship Snippets – October 10, 2021
Mark 10:42-44 – Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” Jesus gives us a reality that’s topsy-turvy from what we know! We achieve greatness by serving others? Why is this so hard? What kind of heart-transformation does it require?
Offerings for last week: $3,415.00
The amount reported applies to contributions used towards the annual ministry plan which requires contributions of $5,243 every week.
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
AmazonSmile
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
Estate Planning and Taxes Event at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
On Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 10:30 am to Noon, please join us in the Fellowship Hall for a special educational event at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Controlling and Preserving Your Assets: Basic Estate Planning and Financial Concepts to Reduce Taxes and Transfer Wealth. Bob Emerson, a former Financial Advisor, will discuss the necessary estate documents required and flow of estate assets. We’ve asked Thrivent Financial Advisor Terry Powers to discuss various topics including Tax Efficiency, Roth Conversions, Qualified Charitable Contributions, and Wealth Transfer Efficiency. Light snacks and drinks will be served.
Living Our Faith Together
Registration Form click: LOFT
A self-supported program of the Southern Ohio Synod The Rev. Suzanne Dillahunt, Bishop Living Our Faith Together “LOFT” is the new name for the former Lay School of Theology. The goal of Living Our Faith Together– “LOFT”- is to provide opportunities to grow and strengthen our faith to live in love and community with each other and with our Lord Jesus Christ. In Fall 2021, LOFT will be offering two FREE events. Registration is required for each event. Participants can choose from the location for in-person attendance, or attend virtually from home. Questions may be directed to the LOFT registrar, Nancy Hoffman by phone: 740-654-3602, or by email: put LOFT in the subject line nahoffman537@gmail.com or to Pr. Larry Novak, LOFT chair. email: lnovak@flcbellefontaine.org
The first Free 2021 Fall Event is October 16, 9:00 am – Noon.
Title: “Coping with Life: Recovering from Pandemics and other Crises”
Description: Together we will examine the wonderful array of tools God has given us as Christians to survive these anxious times. By focusing on relational and emotional dynamics, we’ll discover ways to cope as individuals and ways to thrive in our families, congregations, and communities.
Facilitator: The Rev. Martin Billmeier, has been the pastor of St. Lucas Lutheran, Toledo, Ohio, for over 20 years. He is a graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, and has been affiliated with “Healthy Congregations” since 2010.
In-Person Location information: Good Shepherd Lutheran, 901 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH, 45429; Phone: 937-298-0136. The building is handicap accessible. A meal will not be offered.
The second Free 2021 Fall Event is November 13
Title: “Healthy Functioning in a Pandemic World”
More information will be coming
COVID protocols will be sent by e-mail two days prior to the event.
ELCA NEWS:
Lutheran Disaster Response Click here.
Lutheran World Relief Sustainable Development. Click here.
ELCA Global Links. Click here.
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES
Normandy Bazaar
When: Wednesday, November 3 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Normandy United Methodist Church at 450 W. Alex-Bell Rd, Centerville, OH 45459 (Exit 4, West Off I-675)
What: Crafts, antiques, flea market, baked goods/candy, needlework, etc.
Questions contact: 937-433-1636
Cash and local checks only.
Holiday Book and Bake Sale
All proceeds support ALC research, in memory of Dick Bowden and Bob Madden.
When: Thursday, November 11 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (early birds $5.00 from 8:00 am to 9:00 am)
Friday, November 12 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday, November 13 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 14 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (bag sale! – $5.00 per bag)
Where: Zion Lutheran Church at 5550 Munger Rd, Dayton, OH 45459
What: 10,000+ of sorted books: Harcovers $1.00, paperbacks $.50, selected collectible titles and new children’s books $2.00+, DVDs and puzzles $1.00, etc. $1.00. 80% from retiring bookseller’s collection, 80% nonfiction, and 60% hardcovers. Cash or check only, please.
Contact Questions: pcsbooks6200@gmail.com
Donate to ALS research at: zionelc.org/Book&Bakesale