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. November 21 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
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.
Griefshare
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. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385). GriefShare sessions continue this fall through Sunday, December 5. The winter/spring session will begin on Sunday, January 9. We will continue to offer hybrid class sessions, both in person and online. The spring sessions will conclude on Sunday, April 8.
MISCELLANEOUS
October Stewardship Snippets – October 31, 2021
Mark 12:33 –To love God with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself –this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Church stewardship is often preoccupied with money, but what does God really want? Today’s Gospel explains it succinctly: Truly loving God and neighbor is worth more than offerings and sacrifices. When we achieve this kind of love, giving generously comes much more easily.
Offerings for last week: $2,515.00
The amount reported applies to contributions used towards the annual ministry plan which requires contributions of $5,243 every week.
GSLC Council Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2021 in the Lounge, GSLC, Kettering, OH from 7:05 pm – 8:25 pm
• Council members present: Pr. Jamie Vannoy, Martin Pierce, Roger Bauser, June Newell, Wayne Rosholt, Judy Treadway, Jeff Wehmeyer, Becky Cook, Lisa Donovan
• Quorum existed: 9 of 9 council members were present
• Other attendees: Pam Bauser
Call to Order: Martin Pierce opened the meeting at 7:05 PM
Devotions: Pastor Jamie led devotions.
Commissioner Update:
• Pam Bauser, Life Long Learning Commission, provided updates on several commissions:
o Worship is going well.
§ All Saints’ Service is scheduled for Nov. 7 at 4:00 pm
§ There are no indicators that this is a good time to stop requiring masks during worship
o Property & Facilities: Boy Scouts plan to rake leaves next weekend
o Witness & Outreach
§ Intake of quilts and aid kits for Lutheran World Relief was successful; lunch was provided by Parish Life Commission
§ Breakfast at First Lutheran continues twice a month, looking for volunteers
o Life Long Learning
§ The chapel is safe for use; Sunday school has returned to the chapel; all other education programs continue online
§ GriefShare is taking place in-person and online and has had up to 14 participants
o Communication & Public Relations has been updating the signs; food pantry donation numbers have been added to the outdoor sign messages
Minutes: Wayne R. motioned to approve the minutes from the September 9, 2021 meeting; Lisa D. 2nd. All were in favor.
Treasurer’s Report:
• June N. has not yet met with the Bookkeeper yet, so report is informal
• Figures from fiscal year end reports show we were about $16,600 short on income, but also about $32,000 short on expenses
• We have money in the checking account; the Heritage Fund looks good
• If Council would like June to work on anything in particular, please let her know
• The PPP loan has been forgiven, and this money has been added to income
Pastor’s Report:
• See handout
• Thrive Campaign: Pr Jamie would like GSLC leadership to attend an initial zoom meeting with Pr Larry Donner on Wed. Oct. 20 to learn about what is involved. More information will be forthcoming
• GSLC online presence: $500 grant from the Synod is being used for advertising on Facebook ($5.00 per week) – it will be interesting to see the impact
• Question: Have we signed up to be able to access resources from the Center for Generosity? Answer: Pr Jamie will sign us up
o Maybe, along with the Commissioners, Council members can view some of these programs and report back
Digital Committee Update: N/A, except for information on Facebook statistics in Pastor’s Report
Council Positions for 2021-22:
• The following are willing to serve:
o Roger Bauser – President
o Wayne Rosholt – Vice President, and Chair of Nominating Committee
o Jeff Wehmeyer – Secretary
• Becky C. motioned to accept these nominees; Lisa D. 2nd. All were in favor.
Open Discussion:
• The AV team intends to put together a proposal to purchase an OWL and computer to allow for combination in-
person and online meetings
o Question: Could PPP funds be used for this? Answer: PPP money is primarily for payroll but some might be able to be used because the need is related to the pandemic.
o Other funding sources could be tapped too
o Maybe a computer the church already owns could be used
• Is there a President’s manual?
o Martin P. will consult with Roger B. and Pr Jamie to devise a calendar of items to be accomplished
• Property and Facilities Commission is working on a solution for the Chapel ceiling mildew problem
• Several new people have been attending worship lately. Do we have ways of following up with them?
o List of Commissions responsibilities says Witness and Outreach Commission “Oversee[s] efforts to identify, contact and welcome prospective members”
o Best way to follow up is probably through person-to-person contact
• Praise music vs. traditional hymns
o Michele Weyhrauch, Worship Commissioner, and Mark Shoemaker, Director of Music are the contacts for music suggestions
o The single service on Sunday is not an attempt to combine the 8:30 (more traditional) and 11:00 (more contemporary) services. Rather, it is a response to the pandemic
· Pr Jamie is looking for 2 Council members to serve on a taskforce to sort through ideas and make recommendations on how to use the $20,000 gift given to GSLC. Let him know if interested.
• Should Council meet in person or via zoom for upcoming meetings? Consensus is to meet in-person until OWL technology is in place and “hybrid” meeting is possible.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:25 pm
Meeting closed with the Lord’s prayer led by Pr Jamie
Minutes submitted by Jeff Wehmeyer
Handouts:
• Pastor’s Report
• Last Month’s Council Meeting Minutes
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
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 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