Please find a copy of the announcements via the link to view this week’s information. Click here: November 2/3 -Announcements
Pastor Bob Swanson to Serve as Vice Pastor GSLC is pleased to announce that the Congregation Council of Good Shepherd has signed a Vice Pastor Agreement with Pastor Bob Swanson. As vice pastor, Pastor Bob will be available to provide pastoral care on an emergency basis for congregational members as needed. Additionally, Pastor Bob will attend Council, Commissioner, and Transition team meetings to provide ongoing guidance and support to our congregational leaders. Pastor Bob will frequently lead worship, but other pulpit supply pastors will periodically lead worship as well.
The Southern Ohio Synod continues searching for an interim pastor to lead our Good Shepherd congregation as we work toward calling a new pastor. Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit motivates, guides, and sustains us in our journey. If you have questions, please contact Council President Judy Treadway or another Council member.
Pastoral Call Process – Ministry Site Profile (MSP) Team As part of the Pastoral Call process, each congregation creates a Ministry Site Profile (MSP). This profile is a report that introduces prospective pastoral candidates to each unique congregation and community. Our Congregation Council has appointed the following members to serve as the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) team: Judy Treadway, Mary Pierce, Paula Bennett, June Newell. In the coming months our MSP team will gather and summarize information to clearly and concisely describe the life and work of our Good Shepherd congregation. Once complete, the profile will be available for congregational review and feedback. After revisions, Council will review and approve our Ministry Site Profile before it is submitted to the Synod. If you have questions, please contact Judy Treadway.
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
Communion The congregation communes 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, let the ushers know if you would like the communion assistants to serve you in your pew. If you prefer communion all-in-one cups may be picked up from the Narthex before service, or you may 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, November 27 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. All are welcome to join us!
Christmas Eve Service You are invited to join us for Christmas Eve at 4:00 pm for Christmas Carols and 4:30 pm for our service. Our Chancel Choir will be leading as we prepare for Christmas through music, prayer, and lighting of the candles.
OUTREACH AND SERVICES
Communion Visitation Ministry All are welcome at the Table. All are welcome to join this communion visitation ministry. Good Shepherd is developing a ministry that is new for us, but not new for God’s people. Pastor Bob Abrams, our Synod liaison, joyfully affirmed this ministry stating, “Communion of homebound members from the table on Sunday is an ancient practice dating from the earliest Christians, and is a wonderful sign of God’s love.” Now we need folks who are willing to learn more about Communion Visitation. This ministry involves taking communion to members who cannot join us at the Table. Volunteers go in pairs to the home of the member. They take a bulletin, any news from the congregation, and the elements for communion. The communion service with prayers is provided. The blessings of this ministry go both ways. Prayerfully consider. Come learn more. Contact the church office or Pam Bauser to let them know of your interest.
As we sing, “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,” may we be one at our Table. Please lift our homebound members and this ministry in your prayers.
Food Pantry News Our OCTOBER food donations were delivered to local food pantries on November 4 – totaling 190 food items. Thanks to Denny Irby for helping with these deliveries. Thank you for remembering the families who are served by the food pantries in our community. As you make your personal 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 December 1, but food donations can be dropped off any time you are in the building.
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, November 16 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. Some
groups are underway. Others are starting later. Find a time that works for you.
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
Time: 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 concludes this month.
Everyone is welcome to explore with us. May we each experience God’s grace as we gather together. May we extend God’s grace to others.
Living as children of the light
What did the writer of Ephesians imagine grace would look like in Christian life and
relationships? How do we live our lives differently because we have received God’s grace?
Wednesday, November 13
10:30 am in the Lounge or online
7:30 pm online
Download the study.
Watch the video.
PRINT COPIES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX.
The Bible study information is accessible online at www.gathermagazine.org.
Print copies of Session One, Is grace real? AND the upcoming October 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).
MISCELLANEOUS
OWLS LUNCHEON All of Good Shepherd’s silver-haired seniors are invited to the next OWLs (Older & Wiser Lutherans) luncheon on Saturday, November 9. We will meet at 12:30 pm at Bob Evans on Far Hills in Centerville (near the Southminster Presbyterian Church). Sign up in the narthex, leave a phone message for Judy Treadway (937-434-9407), or just show up for lunch. See you then.
Pumpkin Pie Social Please join us for the annual Pumpkin Pie Social, on Sunday, November 24, immediately after service, in the fellowship hall. All pies and desserts of any kind are welcome. Drinks will be provided.
Decorating for Christmas Saturday, November 30 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. We welcome anyone who would like to help decorate the sanctuary for the Advent/Christmas season. Any questions please feel free to contact Michele Weyhrauch at 937-510-4264.
Offerings:
The updated final financial results for the full fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 are as follows:
· Net Income ended the year at $256,752 vs. a budget of $266,600, including Harmony Creek
· Harmony Creek is at budget of $30,000
· Budgeted Offerings are $9,848 less than budget.
· Expenses $261,198 vs budget of $265,185
· Net loss of $4,446 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
We Care Arts You are cordially invited to Donor Appreciation Night on November 8 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at 3035 Wilmington Pike in Kettering. Please joint them for a night of appetizers, refreshments, an early preview of the collaborative work from Together We Care, and a special gift for the first 40 to RSVP at weblink.donorperfect.com/DonorNightRSVP.
Choral Vespers On Sunday, November 17 at 4:00 pm Westminster Presbyterian Church at 125 N. Wilkinson Street in Dayton will have a Choral Vesper. The Westminster Choir with organ, brass, and Timpani including handbell music by the Westminster Ringers will be playing with a harvest dinner following at 5:15 pm. Reservations are required at www.westminsterdayton.org or (937) Ample lighted parking will be available across from the church on First Street, additional parking at the corner of Perry and Second Street.