GSLC Family Corner
There is a new space in the Narthex that is intended to invite folks of all ages to encounter God through PLAY or sit a spell and encounter God in HOLY REST. Come and explore. Click here for a photo!
Memorial Service
Phyllis Wietelmann, wife of former Good Shepherd Pastor, Bob Wietelmann, passed away on 2/1/23 at 98 years old. Services will be held at 11:00 am at Solomon Lutheran in Woodville on February 25th.
WORSHIP
Worship With Us Online!
Good Shepherd will continue to offer online worship on Sundays.
Please use the following links below to connect online to the Sunday Church Service:
Facebook click here: Facebook
YouTube click here: Youtube
4th Thursday Monthly Prayer Service
It’s back! GSLC will be gathering again for a monthly prayer service every 4thThursday, starting on February 23 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. More details coming soon.
Ash Wednesday – Service and Ashes
On February 22, GSLC will have an Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 pm. You can see the service in person or online. There will be drive through ashes from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, with a meal at 6:00 pm.
Ash Wednesday Lenten Soup Supper
Our traditional Lenten soup supper will return at 5:30 pm on Ash Wednesday, February 22, prior to service. We will need soups, salads and servers. A sign-up sheet will be in placed the narthex to sign up. Thank you to all who have asked about it. We have all missed this fellowship over the past few years.
Lent Schedule for 2023 – “Water and Spirit”
Schedule:
February 22 Ash Wednesday In-Person & Online
Ashes & Holy Communion in the GSLC parking lot from 11:30 am -1:30 pm
Meal 6:00 pm
Worship service 7:00 pm
March 1 Mid Week 1 In-Person & Online
Lenten Worship @ GSLC 7:00 pm
March 8 Mid Week 2 In-Person & Online
Lenten Worship @ GSLC 7:00 pm
March 15 Mid Week 3 In-Person & Online
Lenten Worship @ GSLC 7:00 pm
March 22 Mid Week 4 In-Person & Online
Lenten Worship @ GSLC 7:00 pm
March 29 Mid Week 5 In-Person & Online
Lenten Worship @ GSLC 7:00 pm
April 6 Maundy Thursday In-Person & Online
Holy Communion in the parking lot before worship from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Worship 7:00 pm
April 7 Good Friday In-Person & Online
Worship 7:00 pm
April 9 Easter Vigil In-Person & Online
Worship 7:00 pm
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, April 2, we will be having one service at 10:30 am. There will be no Saturday service. It is a time for all of us to come together as one Body of Christ by celebrating Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.
OUTREACH AND SERVICES
Souper Bowl Sunday Who will win this year’s Super Bowl?
The Chiefs? The Eagles?
These are the 2 teams remaining after week #3. Our Bengals gave it a great try!
You can still vote for your favorite Conference by participating in our ANNUAL SOUPER BOWL FOOD DRIVE where everybody wins – especially the families who are served by the four food pantries we support with our food donations each month.
After the third week, the Commercials and the NFC made big jumps to narrow the gap, There was a total of 123 food items this past week, and the scoreboard now reads:
AFC +16 to 245; COMMERCIALS +45 to 121, and NFC +65 to 153. Total 519
Last year we had almost 1000 food items for the Super Bowl Competition; so, we have a way to go to meet or exceed that effort.
With a SOUPER effort, we can pass that total.
Please remember your food donations for THIS FINAL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12.
Poinsettia Project Update
As a result of the generosity of Good Shepherd members, I am pleased to report we raised $2,214.10 from our Poinsettia Project during the Christmas season. The money raised has been sent to ELCA Good Gifts, which helps provide necessary items for people and communities in need across the globe. Pastor Jamie and I met to choose items from the Good Gifts catalog. I am thrilled to report we chose the following items to purchase: goats, chicks, a piglet, a cow, honeybees, a vegetable garden, seeds and gardening tools, water filters, mosquito nets, childhood vaccinations, child clinic visit, hygiene kits and a month of necessities for a disaster survival kit. We also designated the remaining balance ($114.10) to be used where needed most. More detailed information will be set up soon in the display case in the narthex. Please check it out when you get the chance. As always, thanks so very much for your continued support of our outreach projects! Peace, Lisa Connelly, Outreach Commissioner
Food Pantry News
Your generous donations for the month of December totaled 220 items Thanks for your continued faithfulness to this important ministry. Food was delivered to three food pantries on January 10 and helps support their efforts to provide food for families in these difficult economic times. As one of the food pantry volunteers said: “THANK YOU, ALL SO, MUCH. Blessings to your congregation for your on-going support.” You can bring donations at any time. 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 or brand name Chunky soups or Progresso soups – if on sale – are especially useful because they can be stretched by adding pasta and making a casserole meal).
We Need Volunteers!
GSLC is in need of three new Commissioners (Parish Life and Response and Worship and Celebration). If you would like to volunteer for these positions, please let Pr. Jamie, Roger Bauser or Wayne Rosholt know.
Jeremiah’s Letter – February 19
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.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Financial Peace University
If you’ve ever felt like you just can’t get in control of your money, you’re not alone. This. Is. Your. Time. You’d be surprised how many people you know are struggling just like you. It’s time for that struggle to end—starting when you take a Financial Peace University class. In just nine lessons, you’ll learn biblical and commonsense ways of handling money. Class starts on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, and you can sign up at fpu.com/1159621! Contact Martin Pierce at 937-287-4021 for more info.
FAITH FORMATION: Luther’s Small Catechism
CATECHISM for EVERYONE! This SATURDAY! February 11th
YOU are invited to join our “household” as we study Luther’s Small Catechism on the Apostles’ Creed. What do we confess when we recite the creed during worship each week? Curious about this? COME.
Fourth Session:
The Apostles’ Creed
Saturday, February 11
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Dinner served at 5:30 pm. If you are interested in coming, please let Don Bennett know.
Lifelong Learning
Our ADULT Lifelong Learning Classes are ONLINE. Everyone is welcome! Use the links below to join in the conversations. 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: ALL YOUTH are WELCOME! Come! Explore! Discover! We would like to make all our youth welcome in our learning experiences. Come share what works for you and your child. Our youth meet in the Chapel from 9:30 – 10:20 am on Sunday morning. ALL youth K – 8 are invited. The Whirl curriculum is designed to connect the lessons in the church service with the discussions and projects in the classroom. For more information, talk with Karin Linch or Sandy Rosholt.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Topic: Romans: Living Faithfully
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 8:50 am – 9:50 am
Place: Comfort of your own home – connect and discuss with others online!
Romans, the letter of the apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome, was a central focus in the Lutheran Reformation. Martin Luther wrote in his introduction to Romans that “this epistle is in truth the most important document in the New Testament, the gospel in its purest expression…It is a brilliant light, almost enough to illumine the whole Bible.”
Join us this Epiphany season as we explore this letter and know more deeply the true light, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. No prior Bible knowledge is required. This is a chance to explore, wonder, and learn together.
The format is online to provide a convenient way to connect. The sessions are designed to allow folks to come to one or all of the conversations. If you experience any difficulty, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY for Men
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Reading for worship
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.
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
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Readings for worship
Come on FRIDAY mornings! Bring your own coffee and treats 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.
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.
WELCA Bible Study
For this study, the sessions are on The Ten Commandments. Check out the overview HERE Included on the website are links to a PDF of the January and February studies along with the videos by the author, Rev. Christa von Zychlin. Take a moment to appreciate God’s abundant love for us in the giving of the Ten Commandments. These studies are wonderful for personal devotion AND our monthly discussions. Do take a moment to check it out!
Our next session is on the Sanctity of Life and Love, commandments 5 and 6. We meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at both 10:30 am and 7:30 pm.
Griefshare
Good Shepherd offers GriefShare, a place for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one to find support and comfort in the company of others who are experiencing loss either in person or online. 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 offers the 13 week GriefShare program in person and online from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Sundays. Our winter/spring GriefShare Mourning to Joy will be available on Sundays from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm from January 8 – April 2. If you or someone you know is interested, please register online at www.griefshare.org or call the church office. No prior registration is required for folks coming in person. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385).
MISCELLANEOUS
Offerings for last week: $2,960.00
The amount reported applies to contributions used towards the annual ministry plan which requires contributions of $5,243 every week.
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! Click here to fill out the form: Gift Card Order Form
A PLACE FOR NEWS
ELCA NEWS:
ELCA Good Gifts. Click here.
NEW Lutheran Disaster Response. Click here.
NEW Lutheran World Relief. Click here.
NEW ELCA Global Links. Click here.
ELCA World Hunger. Click here.
ELCA Disabilities Ministry. Click here.
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES
Lutheran Marriage Encounter
From March 3rd to March 5th come and Refresh, Re-energize and Reconnect on a virtual Marriage Encounter Experience! Participate online from the comfort of your own home or anywhere your privacy can be ensured. It is a full weekend “unplugged” from your daily routine to enhance your couple communication skills. Apply now at GodLovesMarriage.org. You’ll like the difference a Marriage Encounter experience can make. To learn more, contact Randy and Jill Sigler at randjsigler@allophone.com or 402-560-3475