Pumpkin Pie Social
Please plan to join us for our holiday pumpkin pie social on Sunday, December 17, after the service in the Fellowship Hall. All types of pies and desserts are welcome and appreciated. Drinks will be provided.
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
4th Wednesday Monthly Prayer Service
There will be NO monthly prayer service in the month of December.
Advent Midweek Services
On December 20 there will be Advent Midweek Services in the Sanctuary at 7:00 pm. We will be streaming all our Advent Midweek Services on YouTube & Facebook.
Blue Christmas
Things seem sad for you over the holidays. Whether it’s the death of someone you loved; someone battling a serious illness; loss of a job; or just feeling blue. Together, Harmony Creek & Good Shepherd, will be having a Blue Christmas service for anyone just not feeling excited and happy about Christmas this year. The service will be in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, December 18 at 8:00 pm. Come and see how Jesus is joining with us in the ups and the downs of the Christmas Season.
Christmas Eve Services
Please join us on Christmas Eve at 4:00 pm for Christmas Carols and 4:30 pm for service; our Chancel Choir will be leading the service. We will also have a 7:00 pm Christmas Carol and 7:30 pm service lead by our Praise Team. Both services will be candlelight services. Hope to see you at one of our Christmas Eve services!
OUTREACH AND SERVICES
A Different Type of Advent Calendar
This year we want to try a different Advent calendar idea. For each day we buy a food item for the food bank. We have a list of foods to buy on each day on the counter in the Narthex. This is a wonderful way to share Christmas with the families who are food insecure. Thank you for considering this holiday event.
Bags Needed
Not sure what to do with plastic bags you get from the grocery store and other places. Feeding Friends Food Pantry (run by Harmony Creek and some other churches) are in need of those bags as they use them to prepare food to give to needy families in the Kettering area. You can bring them to church with you or drop them off in the Church office and we’d be glad to get them where they are needed.
Food Pantry News
Next Food Pantry Sunday is January 7, 2024
Your generous donations for the month of November totaled 290 items. It is always an amazing site to see all that food filling the donation bin. Thanks for your continued faithfulness to this important ministry. On December 4, food was delivered to four different feeding ministries (Feeding Friends, Neighbor-to-Neighbor, South Community, and Marshall Road Church of God) and helped support their efforts to provide food for families in these difficult economic times. We are also providing some additional support to the “Little Food Pantry” project at Oakview Elementary School. It would be very helpful to avoid food in glass containers so that nothing can be broken. Please remember the Advent Food Pantry Project during the weeks of Advent.
Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays
This year, our church will be adopting 2 families for the holidays. Family # 1 is a family of nine- dad, mom & their 7 children. Family #2 is a family of four- dad, mom, & their 2 daughters. The tree is set up in the narthex and the gift tags have been placed. Gift ideas/clothing sizes/etc. are written on the tags. 2 tags are attached together. Place one of the tags in the basket on the counter & keep the other tag as a shopping guide. Please wrap the gift & place that tag on the outside. There are plenty of gift tags, so feel free to take several if you want! All gifts must be returned to church by December 17 at the very latest. Please contact Lisa Connelly or Sandy Rosholt if you have any questions. Thank you for helping brighten the holidays for these two families!”
Annual Poinsettia Project
To raise money for Hannah’s Treasure Chest we are asking for donations to the Poinsettia Project. Donations can be made “in honor of” or “in memory of” in ANY amount. Order forms are available in the Narthex. If you would like to take a Poinsettia home, there will be a place on the form to check, and we will make sure enough poinsettias are purchased. All donations in honor or memory of a loved one will be acknowledged by a card on the poinsettia Tree in the Narthex and listed in an insert in the Christmas Eve bulletins. You can use an envelope from the pew and make checks to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and indicate Poinsettia Project. Hannah’s Treasure Chest is in Centerville and provides clothing, diapers, and supplies for infants & children in the local area. All forms need to be submitted to the office by Sunday, December 17. Click here for the order form.
Jeremiah’s Letter – December 17
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.
Are you a member and want to serve at GSLC?
Well becoming a Commissioner is a great way to be involved in the day to day ministries at Good Shepherd. We are looking for several commissioners to take over on October 1, 2023. Specifically, we are looking for a Finance and Administration Commissioner, a Parish Life & Response Commissioner, and a Worship & Celebration Commissioner. If you have any questions about these positions feel free to talk with Pr Jamie, Roger Bauser, or the current commissioner serving in that position. This is a great way to get involved as GSLC continues to carry out its mission to the community and the world.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
CONTINUING OPPORTUNITY for ALL
Consider reading Psalm 23 as part of your Advent devotions. Let the abundance of God’s love for you flow into your heart as we wait and watch together for the coming of Christ our Lord and Savior on Christmas Day.
DON’T GIVE THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE: It’s Time to Win the Battle of your Mind. This study is based on Psalm 23. Our online and in-person groups are underway. We can and will make room for you at the table of your choice! Let Pastor Jamie or Pam Bauser know the day/time you prefer.
Coming up in December:
Monday, December 18 at 4:00 pm – Lounge
Watch for JANUARY 2024 dates to come!
Email lifelonglearning@goodshepherd.com or contact Pam Bauser (937-602-8385) to request information.
Lifelong Learning
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Youth Sunday School will resume on January 14, 2024.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Current Topic: Discipleship
This study will resume in January 2024.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY for Men
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Reading for worship
This study will resume in January 2024.
FRIDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY DISCUSSION for ALL
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Readings for worship
This study will resume in January 2024.
Griefshare
Good Shepherd is offering GriefShare 4 in January 2024.
GriefShare is a place for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one to find support and comfort in the company of others who are also experiencing loss. This ministry offers biblical, Christ-centered teaching on topics associated with the death of a loved one. The video seminar series 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 offers the 13-week GriefShare program in person and online from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Sundays. Our Winter series begins on Sunday, January 7, 2024. If you or someone you know is interested, please register online at www.griefshare.org, call the church office, or come. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385).
A Devotional about Women in the Bible for ALL!
Take and READ. Marvel and praise the Lord.
Do you know the stories of these amazing women? Shiphrah and Puah, Hannah, Hagar, the daughters of Zelophehad, Ruth, and Naomi. Let their journeys be an inspiration to you!
December 2023 Advent Devotional: “Topsy-turvy” by Rev. Hannah Hawkinson
Available here: https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023_Gather_Advent_devotional_Topsy_Turvy.pdf
In the Gospel of Luke, Mary responds to the angel’s message singing praises to God! God is doing something to turn the world upside down or perhaps, God is continuing even today to turn the world right-side-up! This devotional is written in four parts, one for each week of Advent. Be blessed by reading the stories of these amazing women who trusted in the Lord. Copies will also be available in the Narthex.
Coming in 2024
Scripture and nature: Teachers of Faith by Rev. Sara Olson-Smith
January – Weather, powerful force for change
February – Creatures, our siblings in praise and trust
March – Rivers, springs of life and hope
April – Food, daily bread for the health of the world
Our next study is on Wednesday, January 10th at 10:30 am or 7:30 pm.
The next Bible study will be available in the January/February issue of Gather
Magazine. More information is also available online at www.gathermagazine.org
Contact Pam Bauser at psbauser@me.com or call 937-602-8385 with any questions.
Please hold ALL those living in the Holy Land in fervent prayer this Advent season.
MISCELLANEOUS
Offerings:
For the full year 2023/2023 offerings are as follows:
Offerings $239,200 vs budget of $242,067 excluding Harmony Creek contribution.
Harmony Creek receipt of $28,750 vs budget of $25,000
Expenses $259,197 vs budget of $256,906
Net Income of $8,753 vs a budget of $10,161.
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 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! Click here to fill out the form: Gift Card Order Form
A PLACE FOR NEWS
ELCA NEWS:
ELCA Good Gifts. Click here.
Lutheran Disaster Response. Click here.
Lutheran World Relief. Click here.
ELCA Global Links. Click here.
ELCA World Hunger. Click here.
ELCA Disabilities Ministry. Click here.
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES
The Wonder of Christmas
Centerville Community Chorus is presenting a free concert. The Wonder of Christmas will be on Saturday, December 16 at 3:00 pm with the doors open at 2:30 pm. Located at Epiphany Lutheran Church at 6430 Far Hills in Centerville. Donations will be welcome.
Christmas Spectacular
Centerville Pops Presents “The Meaning of Christmas.” Featuring the Centerville Community Band and Centerville Community Chorus. Come out on Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 pm for a free concert. Located at Carillon Historical Park, Eichelberger Pavilion Ballroom at 1000 Carillon Blvd. in Dayton. Visit “A Carillon Christmas” with the admission.