Water and Spirit Devotionals
Throughout the season of Lent, there will be Water & Spirit devotionals available for anyone who would like to pick one up. Pr. Jamie will be using the meditations from them as part of his sermons. They are on the counter in the Narthex.
Online Calendar
As we continue to partner with Harmony Creek using this facility that God has provided to sustain both congregations, we will need to be especially attentive to the GSLC calendar. Please make sure to view the online calendar for all events you would like to schedule at goodshepherdkettering.com under the events tab. Contact the office at 937-298-0136 or office@goodshepherdkettering.com to make an appointment.
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
Do you need some time away from the busyness of life? On the 4th Thursday of the month (beginning Thursday, March 23) come join us at GSLC for a prayer service. Enjoy some time together singing and praying, while also getting some time 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. Come join us Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. All are welcome to join us!
Lent Schedule for 2023 – “Water and Spirit”
Schedule:
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.
Palm Sunday Prayer Walk
On Palm Sunday (April 2) 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.
OUTREACH AND SERVICES
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. This year, the excess money will be donated to Wernle Youth and Family Treatment Center in Richmond, Indiana. (Some of you may remember Chris Parker, Youth Relations Director for Wernle, who gave a temple talk to our congregation in the fall.) Wernle Youth & Family Treatment Center is a family focused, child center agency providing opportunities for the growth and development of troubled children and their families through caring programs and healing relationships which are reflective in God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ. Wernle also provides residential treatment for severely emotionally disturbed youth who suffer from psychiatric challenges such as mood & anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders and a history of trauma. The average length of residential stay is between 6 and 12 months. Lily order forms will be available soon. If you would like to receive a plant, please indicate on the order form and we will be sure to save one (or more!) for you. If you do not wish to receive a lily, any excess money will be donated to Wernle.
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 four new Commissioners (Commissioner for Finance, 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 – March 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
Think about The Lord’s Prayer.
We pray the Lord’s Prayer every week in worship. Often we pray this when we gather in small groups. We pray it at meetings. We pray the Lord’s Prayer with family. At GSLC we had the practice of holding hands to remind us physically that the Lord’s Prayer begins, “Our father…” – not just my father or your father but all of us united together. There are questions that arise about the Lord’s Prayer. What are we praying when we offer the Lord’s Prayer to God? Why do we pray it as we do? When praying with those of other faith traditions, is it “trespasses” or “debts”? There is a “contemporary” version of the Lord’s Prayer in the hymnal that uses “sins”. Have your prayed it? Come consider these and other questions as we gather for dinner and discussion with our youth. ALL are invited to bring your questions and your beliefs to the table.
Saturday, March 11
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Dinner served at 5:30 pm. If you are interested in coming, please let Don Bennett know.
In conjunction with our middle school youth, all folks at GSLC are invited to come and discover the gems of Luther’s Small Catechism. Luther believed that being connected to God and one another in faith grew from common practices and understandings. Lutherans still value the roots of faith that are shared through God’s Word and Luther’s Small Catechism. Make plans to come join the conversation!
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
No class meeting on Sunday, March 5th.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY for Men
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Reading for worship
This Bible study resumes on Thursday, March 16th.
FRIDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY DISCUSSION for ALL
Topic: Gospel Lectionary Readings for worship
This Bible study resumes on Friday, March 17th.
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. NEW DATE FOR MARCH: Monday, March 13, 2023. This will be offered ONLY at 10:30 am on Monday. If you have an interest in an evening study, please contact Pam Bauser at 937-602-8385.
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 through 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
OWL Luncheon
GSLC’s Owl luncheon will be at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 9 at Doubledays Restaurant, 101 East Alex Bell Rd. A sign-up sheet will be in the Narthex.
Stewardship Snippets – N/A
Offerings for last week: N/A
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
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.
Book Discussion: Learning to Walk in the Dark
“In Learning to Walk in the Dark, Barbara Brown Taylor asks us to put aside our fears and anxieties and to explore all that God has to teach us “in the dark.” She argues that we need to move away from our “solar spirituality” and ease our way into appreciating “lunar spirituality,” since, like the moon, our experience of the light waxes and wanes. Through darkness we find courage, we understand the world in new ways, and we feel God’s presence around us, guiding us through things seen and unseen. Often, it is while we are in the dark that we grow the most.”Join us for a multi-congregational discussion of Learning to Walk in the Dark as we examine our preconceptions of light, darkness, goodness, and God, and learn to discover the beauty of the Divine in places and times we least expect it. This five-week study will meet on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm via Zoom, beginning March 2 and ending March 30. Click here for more information & to register!
Vibrant Church Conference (VCC) – Expanding Creativity Workshop: Joining God in Holy Imagination
On Saturday, March 11 from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 7393 Dimmick Road, West Chester, OH 45069. Do you feel stuck doing the same old thing in worship and ministry? EVERYONE CAN BE CREATIVE! Learn how to unlock your potential and expand your creativity. This workshop is open to all lay and rostered people. Registration is $10/participant and includes supplies and lunch. Payment will be collected the morning of the workshop day. Click here to register!
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.
Celtic Celebration Concert – Sunday, March 12 at 7:00 pm
Donal Huff and the Kettering Praise Orchestra present the twelfth annual Celtic Celebration concert at the Kettering Adventist Church at 3939 Stonebridge Rd. in Dayton. The program is subtitled Scotland the Brave, featuring music from Scotland. Featured soloists include Greg Martin on the Highland Bagpipes, Chris Braun on Trumpet, and Vocalists Sam Pomales and Christian Coffee-Rondeau. Admission is Free!