Eblast 9/17

Eblast 9/17

Voting
Voting for our ministry spending plan and council candidates will be available on September 16 & 17 and September 23 & 24.  Please keep our ministry plans and our congregational leadership in your prayers.

Memorial Service 
The family of Denise Wilson will have a Memorial Service at Faith Lutheran Church at 3315 Martel Dr, Dayton, OH 45420 on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 11:00 am followed by a luncheon to visit with the family.

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 worshipAre 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  
Do you need some time away from the busyness of life? On the 4th Wednesday of the month 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 Wednesday, September 27 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. All are welcome to join us!

Stewardship Snippets – September 17, 2023
Then Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times.”  – Matthew 18:21-22.  Jesus teaches us how to be stewards of God’s love and mercy. Though our world encourages us to hold grudges and “get even,” Jesus tells us to be forgiving, just as God is forgiving to us. God’s love and mercy helps us become more loving and merciful.

OUTREACH AND SERVICES   

Food Pantry News  
Your generous donations for the month of August totaled a whopping 675 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 September 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.  Food pantry donations can be placed in the donation box in the narthex and monetary donations can be placed in the offering plate or mailed to the church office. The food pantries have 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). It would be very helpful to avoid food in glass containers so that nothing can be broken.

Jeremiah’s Letter September 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

A Study on Civic Life and Faith 
Do you want to have a voice in how the ELCA connects faith to the world? There is still time! SIX surveys can be completed to voice your opinions on the sessions for Civic Life and Faith. Pr. Jamie has copies of the surveys that can be submitted to the ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith. The information gathered will help guide the task force in developing a social statement about religious liberty and the proper role of the church in relation to government along with other critical topics. Surveys must be completed by mail or online by October 15, 2023. 
From the ELCA: Your participation matters as part of the work toward a social statement on civic life and faith. Social statements address the great social systems or most controversial issues of contemporary life. The ELCA does not have a comprehensive teaching and social policy document on civic life and faith. 
To learn more about the task force and its work, visit elca.org/civicsandfaith. For further information, please contact Pr. Jamie. 

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITY for ALL


It’s time. Sign up now to join a small group for fellowship study on Louie Giglio’s book, DON’T GIVE THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE: It’s Time to Win the Battle of your Mind. This is a six-session study based on Psalm 23. Share your top choice for the day and time you prefer to meet. Use the bulletin insert to sign up! Place it in the collection plate. OR email lifelonglearning@goodshepherd.com to share your information. Turn in your preferences by Wednesday, September 27th. Our first round of small groups will meet in October.  To learn more about the author check out:  https://louiegiglio.com

Lifelong Learning   
Our ADULT Lifelong Learning Classes are available online.  

YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Begins this week, Sunday, September 17!
IN PERSON
Meet in the chapel, accessible walking through the church office or coming downstairs from the lounge.
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: Biblical Stewardship: Our Duty and Delight
Facilitator:  Roger Bauser
Time: 8:50 am – 9:50 am
Place: Comfort of your own home – connect and discuss with others online!
Stewardship means “belonging to God” – all that we are and all that we have comes from God. We are grateful to God for it all, and responsible to God for how we use it. There is a connection between stewardship and spirituality: generous giving as a spiritual discipline helps us to grow in Christ. This study includes a series of video chats with Dr. Mark Allan Powell, professor emeritus from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Come discover the “Good New” of Biblical giving. 

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.  

WELCA (Women of the ELCA) Bible Study
The fall study is called Holy Places prepared by the Rev. Dr. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni.
Our next study is HOLY PLACES: Sanctuary. We will meet Wednesday, October 11 at 10:30 am or 7:30 pm.  
The Bible study is available in the September/October issue of Gather Magazine or online at www.gathermagazine.org 
Contact Pam Bauser at psbauser@me.com or call 937-602-8385 with any questions. 

Griefshare   
This fall Good Shepherd is offering GriefShare 4, the newly updated, revised version of the grief support we trust. The video content and the participant guides are all new.   Our Fall Series is underway. Come and see what a loving, supportive community can provide in the midst of loss. We meet in the Lounge at 1:00 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 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: 
July year to date offerings are as follows:
Offerings $207,059 vs budget of $201,723, excluding Harmony Creek contribution.
Harmony Creek receipt of $21,250 vs budget of $20,000
Expenses $211,938 vs budget of $214,088
July monthly offerings $23,335 vs. budget of $22,672, including Harmony Creek contribution.

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.
NEW  ELCA Global Links.  Click here.
ELCA World Hunger.  Click here.
ELCA Disabilities Ministry.  Click here.

Trinity Days – Trinity Lutheran Seminary
September 21-22, 2023
Keynote: The Rev. Dr. Julie Faith Parker
The Rev. Dr. Julie Faith Parker will serve as the keynote speaker at Trinity Days 2023.  Dr. Parker, former Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Trinity, currently serves as Visiting Scholar at Union Theological Seminary.  Her lectures will explore the topic of children in the Bible.  This year’s event will also feature a book signing with Dr. Parker’s newest book, Eve Isn’t Evil: Feminist Readings of the Bible to Upend Our Assumptions, which is being released by Baker Press in September 2023. 
Advent Text Study
Join the Rev. Dr. Rachel Wrenn, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, and Tim McNinch, Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, co-hosts of First Reading: The Old Testament Lectionary Podcast, for a live recording of the podcasts for the four Sundays of Advent.
Schedule
Thursday, September 21, 2023
1:30-1:45 pm Welcome by Dean Kit Kleinhans
1:45-2:45 pm First Presentation by the Rev. Dr. Julie Faith Parker
2:45-3:15 pm Coffee Break
3:15-4:15 pm Second Presentation by the Rev. Dr. Julie Faith Parker
4:20-5:00 pm Book Signing: Eve Isn’t Evil, the Rev. Dr. Julie Faith Parker
5:00-6:30 pm Dinner
7:00-8:00 pm Worship
Friday, September 22, 2023
09:00-10:30 pm First Readings: Advent Lectionary
10:30-10:45 pm Stretch Break
10:45-11:45 pm Workshop with the Rev. Dr. Julie Faith Parker: “So What Now?”
11:45-12:00 pm Blessing and Sending
All sessions will be held in the Gloria Dei Worship Center of Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2199 E. Main Street, Columbus, Ohio. Dinner will take place in the Koinonia Center on the ground floor of the building.  To Register click HERE.

A Taste of Cultivate Ministries
Wondering what Cultivate Ministries are all about?
Cultivate ministries are “fresh expressions of church” that bring Jesus to the places where people are gathering.  What does that look like? Come and see! Bring your imaginations!  Our team is rolling out a roadshow of experiential events to locations near you, starting with the Cincinnati and Dayton Conferences. At each event, we’ll talk about the theological, spiritual, and practical underpinnings of these outside-the-box ministries.  But we won’t just be talking, we’ll be experiencing!
Each event will feature:
1.     A Dinner Church session, during which we’ll share a Jesus Story and worship while gathered around our lunch table.
2.     A second experiential session in which we take part in another example of what a fresh expression of church can be.  This session will vary from location to location, so you can go to multiple gatherings at different locations and experience different forms of church.
Meeting Locations:
Cincinnati Conference Location

Corryville Branch Library
2802 Short Vine St.
Cincinnati, OH
Dayton Conference Location
Dayton Metro Library, West Branch
300 Abbey Ave.
Dayton, OH 
Click here to register so we can be ready for you!
Curious about other things happening within our Cultivate ministries? Join our Facebook group!

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES

Kettering Noon Optimist Club for a Community Blood Drive  
Good Shepherd has been invited to join with the members of the Kettering Noon Optimist Club for a Community Blood Drive on Saturday, October 21, in the Good Shepherd parking lot from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm using the Community Blood Center’s mobile unit.  You can give the gift of life with your gift of blood. For an appointment time, please contact Roger Bauser (937 299-5186  or rebauser@me.com). 

Previous
Eblast 9/10