Holy Communion
Good Shepherd will offer Holy Communion once a week for our in person worship every Sunday. We will also continue to offer Holy Communion twice a month on the first and third Sundays from Noon – 1:00 pm in the parking lot.
Online Worship
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
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:
$6,029.36
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.
Our first lesson for this Sunday is Joshua’s exhortation to Israel to choose to worship and serve God and God alone. Joshua’s very Jewish warning against idolatry gives us the opportunity to reflect upon some of our idolatries in the present age.
A covenant is made at Shechem at the end of the conquest of the land. Joshua previously performed a covenant ceremony at Shechem (Joshua 8:30-35); now all the people are engaged and made to vow three times that they will serve God. The requirement for the threefold vow surely indicates that idolatry is an inclination that is not easily overcome with a single resolution not to do so.
Joshua begins with remembrance (you may recall last Sunday’s sermon and reflection on the power of remembering our past with God): “Long ago your ancestors [all the way back when lived in the land beyond the river Euphrates, all the way back even to Abraham’s father Terah]…served other gods” (24:2).
God is the active maker of history in Joshua’s account who took Abram’s hand and led him into a new land. Abraham didn’t seem to have much choice in the matter. I guess Abraham could have stayed in that land, clutching his false gods. Yet now God became the God of Abraham and his progeny. Curiously, the lectionary doesn’t include verses 4-13, a further elaboration of Israel’s history with God. However, we cannot let that trick us into saying something this Sunday which neglects that Israel’s faith in God is based upon Israel’s historic experience with God’s mighty deeds.
As we noted when we went through the Exodus narratives, the Israelites have been freed from slavery in Egypt, but their freedom is freedom to serve and to be obedient to Yahweh. Joshua thus presents faith as a matter of choice rather than God’s coercion, declaring, “my family and I will serve the Lord” (v. 15).
All the people vow that they will always serve the Lord and never hanker after other gods. Their acclamation of God seems to be based upon their recollection of what God has done for them in bringing them out of Egypt (vv. 17-18) and protecting them along the route of the Exodus. Verse 18 also adds “he is our God.” They worship God because God, in covenant, has self-declared to be their God. The relationship between them and God is personal.
Yet before the lection ends, we are thrown a curve ball. After all this noble vowing and affirming of God, Joshua tells the people, “You can’t serve the Lord!” (v. 19) God is holy, jealous, and righteous: if the people slip up and break their vow and forsake the covenant, God will not forgive. In the face of Joshua’s pessimistic warning, the people stoutly respond, “No! The Lord is the one we will serve” (Joshua 24:21).
Was Joshua just trying to provoke them to rise up and obey their better angels? Is this meant to be a double affirmation; one declaration of faith is not enough? They affirm again in verse 24, so it’s three times. At last there is a public covenant-making ceremony where there are written vows and even a stone set up as a witness.
I wonder if Joshua challenges the people’s declarations of faith because Joshua (whose name the Septuagint renders Iēsous, Jesus) knows that idolatry is an ever present danger for God’s people, no matter what they vow. A major intention of scripture seems to be the critique of our false gods. Our good intentions to stay focused upon the God who has focused upon us are never fully realized. We keep being distracted by other gods, continually devising false gods that are easier to worship and serve (we presume) that the true and living God. Joshua-Jesus is telling us to stick to worshipping the Lord.
Jeremiah’s Letter is on November 15
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!
Food Pantry News
Our November 3, Good Shepherd delivery of 270 food items to the Greenmont-Oak Park-Ascension Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry was greatly appreciated. Many thanks to the Good Shepherd members and our generous neighbors for continuing donations each month. 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. As you are doing your grocery shopping, please remember the food pantry recipients for these life-sustaining gifts. If you prefer, you can send a check, (payable to Good Shepherd and marked for food pantry) to the office. You can drop off food or checks during the week by ringing the fellowship hall entry bell and placing items in the donation box immediately inside the door or you can bring them to church on Sunday if you choose to attend in-person worship at 10:30 am.
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.
Advent Midweek Services
On Wednesdays from December 2, December 9, and December 16 there will be Advent Midweek Services at 7:00 pm via GSLC Facebook and Youtube channels.
Please use the following links below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodshepherdkettering/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFjr6taytoTncrtHVY9TGQw
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. 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. In 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
GriefShare
GSLC continues to offer GriefShare to our 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’s Mourning to Joy is OPEN to ALL!
Now through Sunday, December 6 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Topic: GriefShare
Time: SUNDAY 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
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 are open to ALL online. If you haven’t checked any of these out, please consider joining the conversations.
Our YOUTH classes (Kindergarten – 6th grade) are resuming in person on November 1. The WHIRL curriculum is based on the weekly lectionary for the church year that allows our students to connect what they learn in class with what they hear in worship. Karin Linch and Sandy Rosholt are the teachers for our youth classes.
CATECHISM is being offered online this year. Catechism is for our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in preparation for confirmation, affirming the baptismal promises. If you have an interest in our studies of the Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, and Lutheran heritage, please contact the church office for more information. Pastor Jamie and Don Bennett teach our catechism classes.
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.
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.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
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 chapters 8-9.Hear more of God’s love as the Holy Spirit leads the disciples to share the Good News in Samaria and God calls Saul to be a follower of Jesus. If you experience any difficulty connecting, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
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 is 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.
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 website, 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.