Church Directory We are updating our church directory. Please check the Master Directory located in the Narthex to ensure your contact information is correct. After the corrections have been made, we will have directories available in the New Year! Thank you for helping us keep our records straight.
Book – The Invitational Christian: Does anyone have a copy of The Invitational Christian by Dave Daubert that they would be willing to share? Two years ago many members of Good Shepherd received this book in preparation for a Saturday training session with Pastor Katie Kerrigan. This small, white book has a front cover that looks like an envelope with a postage stamp in the corner. I would like to review this book with Council and Commissioners as part of our long-term planning. If you have a copy that you would be willing to share, please leave a voice message for Judy Treadway at 937-434-9407.
Merry Christmas A Christmas Card from Pastor Bob Swanson
Dear Good Shepherd Congregation, Wanetta and I wish each of you a very merry Christmas, and a healthy, peace-filled 2025! Your warmth and sincere welcome are a great testimonial of Jesus working through you! I am truly honored to be able to be a small cog in your ministry. May the love that was born in Bethlehem continue to grow in your hearts. A blessed Christmas to all!
In Christ’s Love – Pastor Bob and Wanetta
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
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. This will be cancelled in the month of December for the holidays!
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
Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Adopt-A-Family program this year. The gifts have been sorted and will be delivered to our two families very soon. I appreciate your generosity which will help make Christmas special for the families. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season. Sincerely, Lisa Connelly, Outreach Commissioner.
Annual Poinsettia Project To raise money for ELCA Hurricane Disaster Relief 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 cross 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. Click here for the form and submit it into the office.
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. This event will be cancelled for the month of December for the holidays!
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
If you are interested in participating, please contact Pam Bauser at psbauser@me.com
CONTINUE FAITHFULLY into the new year with PRAYING!
Lifelong Learning
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
IT’S HAPPENING! Don’t miss out!
IN PERSON ALL our youth K – 9 are welcome to come!
Meet in the Chapel!
Gather at 9:30 am
Lessons from 9:40 am – 10:20 am
Teachers Karin Linch and Sandy Rosholt.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Topic: 2024 Advent Devotions: Christmas in the Neighborhood
John 1: 14 – “And the Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” (The Message)
What was Jesus’ neighborhood like? Who were his neighbors?
What is our neighborhood like? Who are our neighbors?
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 8:50 am – 9:50 am
Place: Comfort of your own home – connect and discuss with others online!
In a study, sponsored by one of our benevolence project partners, Global Health Ministries, featuring a variety of Scripture lessons and the thoughts of one of the most renowned Biblical interpreters and theologians of our time, The Reverend Dr. Walter Bruggeman, we are going to discuss how Jesus INVITES US to step out of our front door and get to know our neighbors – next door, down the street, in our community, and around the globe. 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.
GRIEFSHARE GriefShare ministries at GSLC will resume in March 2025. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
MISCELLANEOUS
NEW Council Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2024
Click here for the Report
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.
Lutheran Global Links. Click here.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Canadian Brass Christmas – Kettering Praise Orchestra
On Saturday, December 21 at 5:00 pm the Kettering Praise Orchestra is presenting a free holiday concert featuring the musical arrangements of Canadian Brass at the Kettering SDA Church.
Harmony Creek UCC Right to Love Event, Saturday, January 11
Harmony Creek Church and community partners are looking for volunteers for their upcoming event, The Right to Love: Legalizing LGBTQ+ Families Wedding Ceremony and Legal Documentation Workshop on January 11, 2025. The wedding ceremony will be held at the Brick and Beam Event Venue Noon -1:30 pm. The Legal Document Workshop will be held in our Fellowship Hall 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm.
Harmony Creek and its partners felt this workshop and wedding ceremony was one way to provide support and assist during uncertain times. There are many questions to answer and worries to calm to ensure LGBTQ+ families feel safe and secure in knowing their wishes will be honored.
For more information please visit the website https://www.harmonycreekchurch.org/right-to-love-event For those interested in volunteering to help make the Right to Love Event a success, the Signup Genius link is here: Volunteer Group Right to Love: Right to Love: Legalizing LGBTQIA+ Families Help is especially needed with Set-up and Clean-up of the Fellowship Hall before and after the legal workshop.
Click here for the flyer and article.