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
SCHEDULE FOR 2024
“You Shall Love the Lord Your God”
The churches involved:
· Faith Lutheran Church – FLC
3315 Martel Dr., Dayton, OH 45420
· Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – GSLC
Schedule:
March 28 Maundy Thursday In-Person
7:00 pm Lenten Worship @ FLC
March 29 Good Friday In-Person
7:00 pm Lenten Worship @ FLC
March 30 Easter Vigil In-Person & Online
7:00 pm Lenten Worship @ GSLC
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, March 24, 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.
Palm Sunday Carry-in with Harmony Creek
This coming Sunday’s carry-in is a traditional carry-in where you can bring whatever you dish you want. Harmony Creek is not bringing taco stuff and we are bringing other things like the eblast has said in the past, we did that last year. This year anyone attending can bring whatever dish they’d like to the Palm Sunday Carry-in.
Palm Sunday Prayer Walk
On Palm Sunday (March 24) following the meal, at 12:45 pm, those who are interested in participating will be going on a prayer walk through our local neighborhood.
We will be stopping at various points such as the Government Center and Lincoln Park to pray for the parts of our community and world that those points represent. The walk will take approximately 1.5 – 2 hours.
Maps will be provided for those who would like to take cars and meet at the designated stopping points. If you have any questions, please ask Pr. Jamie or Don Bennett.
In Lieu of Lilies Project
It is now Lent and very soon we will be celebrating Easter and the Resurrection of our Lord. Our altar will be adorned with beautiful lilies on Easter Sunday. It has been Good Shepherd’s custom to allow members to purchase these lilies in honor or in memory of their loved ones. The money raised is used to purchase the lilies needed for the altar and any extra money has been donated to a designated outreach ministry.
You can find the lily order forms by clicking here or on the table in the Narthex. Please return them back to the office by March 25.
This year, the excess money will be donated to Lesotho Nutrition Initiative: Reversing the long-term effects of malnutrition.
Lesotho Nutrition Initiative: Reversing the long-term effects of malnutrition.
The Lesotho Nutrition Initiative is a student-led organization based in Springfield, OH that packs meals across the Midwest and partners with organizations across Lesotho to combat childhood malnutrition. We provide meals containing nutritional supplements to children in Lesotho who have been diagnosed as suffering from severe/chronic malnutrition and stunting, also known as wasting. The meals we provide are proven not only to halt malnutrition, but to also reverse the long-term effects. Most of the 3,300 children who receive our meals on a daily basis are under the age of 5; we target this age group as they constitute the most vulnerable segment of society, as well as the fact that 95% of our cognitive development occurs during this time. Without proper nutrition, their brains will not fully develop, robbing them of their full human potential. Many of the children who receive our meals are also HIV+ and/or orphans.
OUTREACH AND SERVICES
Commissioner Remarks
Feb 17/18—Witness & Outreach Commissioner—Lisa Connelly
Lisa reminded us her Commission reaches out to the community in different ways. – We collect money for organizations with Poinsettia Project & In Lieu of Lillies each year, as well as other special collections. – We distribute food collected to 4 food pantries and 2 community cupboards (like the one at Oakview Elementary). Roger Bauser will always welcome help making those deliveries each month. – We have for a long time participated in serving breakfast twice a month at First Lutheran downtown. First Lutheran decided to stop their feeding program due to not enough volunteers and so that ended at the end of December. For the money given for First Lutheran Breakfast we will divide that money into 4 to financially help the 4 food banks we support. So that money will still go to help people with hunger issues. – Lisa is open to suggestions of places we could possibly serve in the community or organizations that could use financial assistance too.
Feb 24/25—Properties and Facilities Commission—Wayne Weyhrauch & Chris Connelly
We were told about all the projects that had been done over the last year. – We were told of a new monthly event where people can come to the church and work on small projects needing done. – We were told different ways we can help like mowing grass, landscaping, and such things.
Mar 2/3—Worship & Celebration Commissioner—Michele Wehyrauch
We told that the Worship & Celebration commissioner deals with all the behind the scenes efforts to make worship happen. Such as greeters, ushers, assisting ministers, altar guild, acolytes, and fellowship events after worship. – We are in need of people to help with greeting before worship, A/V help (slides and streaming), and someone to help refill the cards in the pews (usually monthly).
March 9 & 17—Life Long Learning Commissioner—Pam Bauser
We were told about the responsibilities and needs of this commission: – Develop ongoing, educational opportunities related to the Christian faith. Currently there are opportunities in these areas: o Lectionary Bible Studies (online) o Adult Sunday morning studies (online) o Youth Sunday morning (in person) o Women’s Bible study (monthly) o Fellowship study groups – NEEDED: Folks willing to plan and facilitate or lead studies. Folks who are willing to invest their time in attending. Folks with new ideas and suggestions. – Develop and coordinate special educational events. You might recall • the THRIVE Campaign to support ministries of the Southern Ohio Synod. Commissioner Remarks – NEEDED: Folks who have an idea for an educational event and can help coordinate the details of making it happen. – Maintain library – Jeff and Susan Weymeyer completely sorted, purged and organized the current library prior to pandemic. There are now boxes of books that need to be added to the collection. – NEEDED: someone who has an interest in maintaining and promoting the use of the books available in the library. – Oversee the functioning of the nursery In January 2023 we transitioned to the Family Center to have an easily accessible area for families to utilize before, during, or after worship. We moved the soft bags to the Family Center. Improvements that have emerged: • snacks are kept in one container on top of shelves for all to choose, • stickers and cardstock are available, • colored pencils & crayons are in basket as well as in the soft bags. • stools have been added to bathrooms and in Family Center. – NEEDED: the elusive Nursery Fairy, a person to maintain the Family Center on a weekly basis. – Tasks would include maintaining the soft bags, purchasing snacks, weekly wiping off toys, and periodically switching out toys or books to keep the area interesting, making recommendations for additions/changes to the area. Next
Up Mar 23/24—Finance & Administration Commissioner—Jim Kempf
Food Pantry News
Your generous donations for the month of February totaled 90 items. Part of February was dedicated to Souper Bowl. Continued faithfulness to this important ministry. On March 5, food was delivered to two of the 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 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, click here.
Jeremiah’s Letter – April 21
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.
Spring Craft Fair – Saturday, April 27 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Over 40 Crafters and Vendors will be set up on the GSLC Campus! Some of our vendors are local favorites and many creative and unique products will be featured! Come out and shop, buy a raffle ticket, and enjoy lunch – this is a fun event with something for everyone. We look forward to seeing you!
Craft Show Help Needed Good Shepherd will be having a Spring Craft Show with local vendors. This is a BIG event! We need your help to run the show. To volunteer please contact Rich Kellstrom or sign up in the Narthex.
Mark Your Calendars!
Good Shepherd is hosting a Day Camp over the dates from June 24 through June 28. Each daily session starts at 9:30 am and ends at 12:30 pm.
Gathering 24 News
Rowan Linch is attending the Lutheran National Youth Gathering in July 2024. She travels by bus with 30 other youth from Epiphany Lutheran and other churches to New Orleans for a week. They are camping in churches and sightseeing along the way. All participants are raising funds with Epiphany Lutheran. We are asking for your support for this faith journey. The National Youth Gatherings have been important to youth faith formation at Good Shepherd for over 60 years.
How Good Shepherd can help:
· Put her and all participants in your prayers.
· Help by attending fundraising events at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Centerville.
· Ask how her events and the group-building activities are going.
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
We have a table set for YOU!
Mark you calendars for Sunday, April 28! Meet in the lounge at GSLC at 6:30 pm.
All our groups will have a chance to fellowship together!
Hearty snacks. Laughter. Sharing ideas.
If you came to one or all the sessions, come share reflections on this study.
This is a chance to share what you liked, what you learned, what you would change. Looking forward to being together!
DON’T GIVE THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE: It’s Time to Win the Battle of your Mind. This study based on Psalm 23 is drawing to a close.
Our final sessions are:
MARCH 2024
Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00 pm (off site) – Session 6
APRIL 2024
Tuesday, April
Sunday, April 21 at 6:00 pm – Session 6 (rescheduled from March)
Email lifelonglearning@goodshepherd.com or contact Pam Bauser (937-602-8385) to request information.
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
Current Lenten Topic: Living PURPLE
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 8:50 am – 9:50 am
Place: Comfort of your own home – connect and discuss with others online!
We are expanding our understanding of discipleship following Jesus’ command to “Love one another. As I have love you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 Come join this lively discussion as we wrestle with what it means to live as God’s people in our fractured world.
The Southern Ohio Synod Authentic Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice Team (ADIJ) prepared a Lenten resource to help us expand our ability to have conversations with one another that are rooted deep within our faith. From the introduction, “We are saved, not through having the right politics or ideologies. We are saved by the grace of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. …Dwelling on this common ground, we can repent of our fallenness, and we can engage in a way of communication that is faithful to God and honors the integrity of others. This is what it means to LIVE PURPLE.”
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 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.
Griefshare
Winter/Spring session – January 7 – April 7
GriefShare will NOT meet on Easter Sunday.
Meeting in the Fellowship Lounge on Sundays from 1:00 – 3:00 pm
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. 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).
Women’s Bible Study
Scripture and nature: Teachers of Faith by Rev. Sara Olson-Smith
www.gathermagazine.org
Looking ahead:
April 10 – Food, daily bread for the health of the world
These studies are offered in the morning or in the evening so folks can choose the time that is most convenient for them. Studies available online at www.gathermagazine.org or in the January/February and March/April 2024 issues of Gather Magazine. Contact Pam Bauser at psbauser@me.com or call 937-602-8385 with any questions.
MISCELLANEOUS
Offerings:
For January YTD, the financial results are as follows:
Offerings $90,957 vs budget of $88,867 including Harmony Creek contribution of $10,000 actual and budget.
Expenses $81,736 vs budget of $86,308
Net Income of $9,221 vs a budget of $2,559.
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.
Message from Bishop Dillahunt: Call for Prayer
Siblings in Christ,
Late on Thursday evening, several communities within our Synod experienced storm damage from tornadoes and high winds. We continue to hold these communities in prayer, especially Russells Point & Lakeview.
Cleanup crews have been hard at work since the storms since the storms cleared on Thursday night. There is still much work to be done.
I have been in regular contact with Pr. Karen Torrez (Galilee Lutheran Church, Russells Point) and Lutheran Disaster Response, to coordinate a response that meets the most immediate needs.
Indian Lake High School is serving as Command Center for the response. This afternoon, Galilee Lutheran Church is receiving a variety of categories of supplies to continue serving as a Distribution Center for the community.
Local authorities are still requesting that those who want to help continue to hold off as roads are still being cleared and should be used for EMS, First Responders, and supply vehicles. If you are curious for ways to help, please be in touch with the Southern Ohio Synod Office for more information.
If you would like to donate to the relief efforts across our Synod, you may:
- Mail a check to the Southern Ohio Synod’s P.O. Box
- Donate online, designating it for “SOS – Disaster Relief”
Thank you all for your prayers and your willingness to serve your neighbors! We are Stronger and Better Together … Joining Jesus in the Restoration of the World.
In Christ, Bishop Dillahunt
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES
Lenten Choral Vespers
Westminster Presbyterian Church is having Lenten Choral Vespers along with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday events.
Maundy Thursday on March 28 from 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm for a light supper at $7.00 and 7:00 pm with Communion and a Worship Service. Come and experience the story of Jesus’ last night, from the Last Supper to his arrest.
Good Friday on March 29 from 12:10 pm – 1:00 pm. Experience the despair and drama of Jesus’ last words through scripture and music. Music by the Westminster Choir.
Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 125 N. Wilkinson Street in Dayton.
Feeding Friends Food Pantry
If you would like to volunteer at the Feeding Friends Food Pantry (sponsored by Harmony Creek, Fairhaven, and St. Charles Churches, you can use the link here to sign up. We help support this ministry with our monthly food donations and several members have been volunteering on Thursdays – generally from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Feeding friends is located on Bigger Road in the strip mall near the old Victoria’s Secret complex.
Tactics & Firearms Handling Class Countryside Nazarene Church, in Lebanon, Ohio will be hosting a 4 hour “Tactics & Firearms Handling” class for Armed Protectors on Saturday, May 4 from 8:00 am – Noon. This course is for anyone who currently carries a firearm or for those who are interested in learning more about how to handle a firearm in and around a crowd. This is a “dry practice” non-live fire class held inside the church and all skill levels are welcome. This is for congregation members, law enforcement, family and beginners. We will discuss realistic responses for those in church along with reducing risk through proper training. Handgun License NOT required and you do not have to be on a church security team to attend. Training guns/holsters will be provided and class size will be limited to 35 participants. If the first class fills up we will run an additional class at 1pm. Please click on the video link for more information about the class. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to email or call me.
Tactics & Firearms Handling Video
To register: Online Registration
Facebook: Event Share