Eblast 9/20

Eblast 9/20

Online Worship & Holy Communion

While Montgomery County COVID-19 indicators remain on a Level 3 alert at the recommendation of Governor DeWine and Bishop Dillahunt, Good Shepherd will continue to worship as a community online. We offer Holy Communion twice a month on the second and fourth Sundays from Noon – 1:00 pm.  Please join us for worship and communion.

Online Worship Information

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will continue doing a video of our church service. Online worship will be available on Sunday at 10:30 am. Come and enjoy GSLC’s service online. 

Please use the following links below to connect to the Sunday Church Service:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodshepherdkettering/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFjr6taytoTncrtHVY9TGQw

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be doing a Streaming Devotional with Pr. Jamie Vannoy every Wednesday at Noon. We will also be including Read Aloud Stories with Don Bennett every weekday, Monday – Friday, at 2:30 pm.  Please come, connect, and enjoy.

Please use the following links below to connect:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodshepherdkettering/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFjr6taytoTncrtHVY9TGQw

Offerings for last week:  

$5,523.28

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 https://tithe.ly/give?c=329631  
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 or Denise Wilson (513) 913-0133.  

This Week’s Article

This week’s article is by William Willimon @ Ministry Matters.

If you have been preaching a series of sermons on divine deliverance, then that series continues with a story from Exodus that follows the deliverance from Egyptian slavery. We have, in our proclamation for the past couple of Sundays, focused upon God as Deliverer. Who is God? God is the One who freed the slaves from Egyptian bondage.

This Sunday’s first lesson is actually the second story of Israel’s journey through the wilderness. By a series of dramatic divine acts, the slaves find themselves delivered to the other side of the Red Sea. Yahweh has triumphed decisively over Pharaoh and his hosts. The now freed slaves rested at the oasis of Elim; then they set out into the wilderness. The wilderness is aptly named. There in the desert they will find themselves in a daily life-and-death struggle for survival. The Sinai Peninsula will be for the Israelites not only a place of deprivation and want but also a place of moral and spiritual testing. If they thought Pharaoh’s troops were a threat to their survival, wait until they are in the wilderness. (Later, Jesus endured forty days of hunger and temptation by the devil himself in the wilderness, Luke 4:1-13).

The basic question behind the complaining is, “Can God be trusted or not?”

We all already know what happens to people away from home, under stress, hungry. That’s not really news. That’s the way people act when they are under stress. The interesting thing about this story may not be the complaining Israelites but rather the God who has delivered and who is still with Israel, even amid the complaining.

Moses and Aaron are the targets of the people’s complaining in verse 3. They accuse the brothers of having led them in the wilderness in order to “kill all of us with hunger.” Not much gratitude for Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership. How does God react to the complainers? God promises to “make bread rain down from the sky” (v. 4).

There are conditions. The bread that rains from heaven will last only for a day except before the Sabbath. On day six they are instructed to gather enough of the heaven-sent bread for the seventh day—perhaps because God will rest? God’s people are also ordered to rest on the Sabbath. “In this way [of just enough but not too much], I’ll test them” (v. 4).

It’s odd that Moses, when he reports to the people on his conversation with God, never mentions the bit about the Sabbath test or the rules against storing up the daily bread. Rather, Moses says, “This evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. And in the morning you will see the Lord’s glorious presence, because your complaints against the Lord have been heard. Who are we? Why blame us?… The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning because the Lord heard the complaints you made against him. Who are we? Your complaints aren’t against us but against the Lord” (vv. 6-8).

Moses mainly seems intent on accusing the people of complaining against God when they have complained against him and Aaron. He focuses on their complaints, not on God’s offer of miraculous bread. Moses says that the bread from heaven comes so that the people will know for sure that God is their deliverer.

Moses goes on to tell the Israelites that they will behold God’s glory (strange, since God has not told Moses about a cloud) which then appears in verse 10. There’s thus a gap between what God actually says to Moses and how Moses reports what God said to the people. Moses also implies that the Israelites will have to see the bread in order to believe that Yahweh is good.

There is the possibility, in Moses’ rhetorical leaps and bounds, that Moses means his words to be heard by Yahweh more than the Israelites. Perhaps Moses means to say, in effect, “Lord, these folks are hungry and scared. They don’t need a bunch of rules about the Sabbath. They need reassurance of your continued presence and care.”

After God’s dramatic, stunning acts of deliverance in the Passover from slavery to freedom, the Israelites have now settled in with God for the long haul. Can God be depended upon in the day-to-day struggles of survival in the wilderness?

To any of the people’s possible questions and doubts, we should note that God responds with a reassuring promise and with visible, tangible nourishment. God is giving Israel distinctive rituals and practices whereby they can be united as a people and survive amid all the temptations to wander towards and bow before false gods. They must organize themselves in order to collect the food and to prepare for the Sabbath. They will have to share with each other and learn to trust God for their survival. The keeping of the Sabbath will become an identifying feature of the children of Israel down through the centuries.

The slaves are free from Egyptian slavery. But they are not thereby relieved of all responsibility. They no longer serve the Pharaoh, but that does not mean that they are no longer in service. God has plans for the tribe of Israel. Yahweh intends to make out of them a people who will be a showcase to all the nations of what a true and living God can do.

Through it all, in spite of the complaining and doubting, God stays with Israel, continues to make a way when there seems to be no way.

Stewardship Snippets – September 20, 2020

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous? So the last will be first, and first will be last.” – Matthew 20:15-16
. In this parable Jesus reminds us that it is God’s nature to be generous and that God has special concern for the poor and marginalized. We often assume that everyone gets what we deserve by the strength of our own will and bootstraps. God has other ideas and loves all people.

Annual Meeting

As we all know this has been a strange year. Our Annual Meeting will be different this year also. GSLC is making the voting members list right now and then we will do the following:

  • On Monday, September 28 all the ballots are due. You can mail them in, drop them off, put them in the mailbox if the office isn’t open, or bring them to our drive thru communion (if we aren’t meeting in person).

Jeremiah’s Letter on September 20

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. Thank you to all who generously support this ministry!

Open Positions

Are you thinking about opportunities to help with Good Shepherd’s mission? The Church Council is looking to fill 2 positions.  They are 3 year terms beginning October 1. Here is a chance to participate in planning and administering Good Shepherd’s ministries and operations. If you have any questions you can contact Dave Seltzer 937-643-9679, Cindy Grove 937-371-5905, Martin Pierce 937-287-4021, or Pastor Jamie 937-248-9996.

QUILTS & KITS “InGathering” OCTOBER 2-3

Good Shepherd is the InGathering location for Southwest/Central Ohio, parts of Northern Kentucky and Indiana. We are the drop-off point for hundreds of boxes filled with Quilts & Kits collected over the past year by churches, groups, and businesses. Our InGathering is a big event that utilizes many hands and good hard work. Volunteer to help, and join us Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 as we work together to fill a semi with gifts that will touch the lives of people around the world. Please contact the church office at (937) 298-0136 if you are willing to volunteer for this wonderful ministry.   There will be social distancing guidelines sent to us by LWR that GSLC will use for both days in October.

Live Streaming

When we put in the sound system a few years ago, we had mentioned the possibility of expanding the system to be able to record videos with it as well. This pandemic has let us know how much people appreciate our worship services online. So with that feedback and the potential of live streaming funerals, weddings, confirmations, and other services that loved ones might not be able to attend in person throughout the year the Council put the AV Team on the task of coming up with a way to live stream events in the sanctuary. So we are looking to invest $6,500 in cameras and software to allow us to live stream events, and we will be upgrading our internet speed to allow us to live stream also but that will be reflected in the Ministry Plan presented at the Annual Meeting. The Memorial Committee has already committed $2,800 toward the project, and we are asking you to consider contributing to this project. We are going to initially pay for this project from the Heritage Fund, and then reimburse the Heritage Fund from your contributions and the Memorial Committee. If you would like to contribute to this project feel free to put a check or cash in an envelope and mark the envelope “Live Streaming Fund” so we will track it. We are hopeful to have this project up and running by Christmas, what a beautiful time of year to help people feel closer to their church than that special time of year.

ELCA Disaster Relief Fund Request

Please look at the following link, which explains the ways in which the ELCA is providing support to those affected by recent natural disasters, such as the gulf coast hurricanes and the wildfires in the west. Lutheran Disaster Response
Please pray for those affected by these natural disasters. Prayerfully consider making a donation to help those in need. GSLC will collect donations throughout the month of September. All monetary amounts will be tabulated and  sent to the ELCA in October. 

GriefShare

GSLC continues to offer an active GriefShare support community. If you or someone you know is interested, please be in touch with Pastor Jamie or call Pam Bauser (937-602-8385) or Kathy Seim (936-901-0532). GriefShare is a faith based ministry that combines group discussion, video input from experts and others who know the grief journey, and individual study in the resource book. This ministry is available to all who have experienced the loss of a loved one at any time. Further information and registration is available at https://www.griefshare.org or by calling the GSLC office (937-298-0136). 

GriefShare – MOURNING to JOY (13 weeks) BEGINS this week!
Sunday, September 13 – Sunday, December 6 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
GriefShare will be ONLINE in September. At this time plans for in person sessions as the fall progresses are still pending for the safety and welfare of all participants. This fall we will watch the video sessions together and continue our discussions via the Zoom link. Participants will be able to view the videos with the group. We have resource books available for $15.00 that we will deliver to each registrant. The resource book is an essential part of the GriefShare experience. Contact Pastor Jamie, Kathy Seim, or Pam Bauser for more information.  

Topic: GriefShare
Time: SUNDAY 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Once again, anyone who registers with an email address will have an access link to all of the video sessions throughout the 13 weeks. This can be helpful to view the materials in the comfort of your home, to watch with family or friends, or to prepare to participate in the weekly discussions. For more information, give Kathy or Pam a call. 

Looking ahead: 
GriefShare’s – SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS
Saturday, October 24, 2020
10:00 am – Noon
Currently we plan to gather in person for this special Surviving the Holidays session. Located in the Fellowship Hall (to allow easier social distancing). 

Lifelong Learning   

Our ADULT Lifelong Learning Classes are ONLINE! Everyone is welcome! Please contact the church office for the links below to join in the conversations. This is a great time to “zoom” in and discover the quality adult education we have at GSLC. Our Bible studies and Sunday morning studies are open to ALL online. If you haven’t checked any of these out, please consider joining the conversations.

Our YOUTH classes have resumed. The WHIRL curriculum is based on the weekly lectionary for the church year that allows the students to connect what they learn in class with what they hear in worship. If you have any questions, please call the church office or contact Pam. Karin Linch and Sandy Rosholt are the teachers for our youth classes. 

Questions?? – Please contact Pam Bauser at 937-299-5186.

SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST BIBLE STUDY DISCUSSION for ALL 
Topic: Lectionary for Sunday worship 
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time:  9:00 am – 10:00 am
Place:  comfort of your home – connect online!
Join Zoom Meeting Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.
The Saturday Morning Breakfast Bible Study ONLINE is on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Bring your own coffee and breakfast along with your BIBLE. The focus is on the Lectionary Lessons for the upcoming Sunday. Come join the discussion facilitated by Roger Bauser. Use the Zoom meeting link to join the conversation. Everyone (ALL ages and genders) is welcome! If you experience any difficulty connecting, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.

Topic: ACTS of the Apostles:  a Biblical study on The Book of ACTS! 
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Place: Comfort of your home – connect online!
Bring your coffee. Have your Bible handy. 
COME BE RENEWED by the power of the Holy Spirit! 
COME LISTEN to God speak to each of us through the Book of ACTS. 
This incredible book invites us into the story moving forward from the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Come delve into the power of the Holy Spirit to change the world and ignite the flames of faith in the early church. If you are a reader who enjoys intrigue, adventure, and unexpected twists in the plot, this is the narrative for you. We will continue to meet ONLINE. The Zoom link, meeting ID and password remain the same. Roger Bauser will serve as the facilitator. ALL are welcome any Sunday you are available.  Sundays at 9:00 am on Zoom.

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY for Men
Topic: Lectionary for Sunday worship 
Facilitator: Roger Bauser
Time:  9:00 am – 10:00 am
Place:  comfort of your home – connect online!
The Men’s breakfast Bible Study continues ONLINE on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Bring your own coffee and breakfast along with your BIBLE. 
The focus is on the Lectionary Lessons for the upcoming Sunday. Come join the discussion facilitated by Roger Bauser. Use the following link to join the conversation. If you experience any difficulty, please contact Roger at rebauser@me.com or call 937-299-5186.

Food Pantry Donations

Thank you to all who continue to support the Greenmont-Oak Park-Ascension “Neighbor-to-Neighbor” food pantry with your monthly donations.

The designated Food Pantry Sunday is the first Sunday of each month, but you can drop items off any time during the month. The food collection box is just inside the fellowship hall entry doors and you can drop off food any time during regular church office hours. Just ring the bell for access to the building and place your donations of non-perishable food items in the box. If you are not shopping regularly in the grocery and would like to make a monetary donation, just mail or deliver a check (“Payable to Good Shepherd”) to the church office.

AmazonSmile

In 2018, we received $15.95 in donations from AmazonSmile. In 2019 we received $19.64. Would you like to help go over those amounts for 2020? It’s easy to do. Go to our web site, goodshepherdkettering.com, and on the front page on the right side 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.

Counseling Assistance

Good Shepherd is a member of the Covenant Society for Pastoral Counseling of Miami Valley Hospital. Trained and certified counselors are available to congregational members at any time, whether for a crisis or for ongoing help. This service is confidential, and anonymous if you choose. You do not have to go through the pastor or church to access this service. If you have a need simply call  (937) 438-3486, tell the staff you are a member of Good Shepherd, our church is part of the Covenant Society for Pastoral Counseling through Premier. Because Good Shepherd is a member the cost to you is one-half of any non-reimbursed portion (for example, through insurance coverage) of the normal charge. For further information on this service you can call the above numbers, or talk to Pastor Jamie.

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!

ELCA NEWS:

ELCA Disability Ministry God’s work. Our hands. Click here.
Lutheran World Relief Sustainable Development. Click here.
ELCA Global Links  Click here.

Season of Creation Devotions Offered by Four Heads of Communion

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions to observe the Season of Creation 2020, September 1 – October 4.

The season, which begins with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, is a time to join with the global Christian community in renewing, repairing and restoring commitments to God, to one another and to all of creation. For the four churches, it is also a time for strengthening relationships with one another. Through Scripture, hymns, advocacy and action, the weekly devotions, which begin Sept. 6, invite people to live out their vocation as stewards of creation.

In addition to Eaton, the devotions were contributed by the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop and primate, The Episcopal Church; the Rev. Susan C. Johnson, national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; and the Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, archbishop and primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.

The Season of Creation devotions are available here.

https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/8045

Hunger in the Time of COVID-19

Life for Today and Hope for Tomorrow. An online benefit for ELCA World Hunger.

Rick Steves, guidebook author and travel TV host; the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); and the Rev. Shelley Bryan Wee, bishop of the ELCA Northwest Washington Synod, invite you to an online benefit — the first of its kind — for ELCA World Hunger. Together, we hope to raise $250,000 to confront hunger in the time of COVID-19 at this event.

When: Thursday, September 24, 7:00 pm. Central time.
Where: Zoom virtual event.

Register: Here

We are in a historic moment, facing a once-in-a-century pandemic and a global change in hunger unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes. Domestically and internationally, hunger is increasing at alarming rates. At this event, you will learn about the unique ways ELCA World Hunger is responding. Our hosts will also discuss the ongoing root causes of hunger and poverty addressed in Rick Steves’ recent special Hunger and Hope: Lessons From Ethiopia and Guatemala. And you will hear from ELCA World Hunger partners on the front lines of the current hunger crisis, who will tell you firsthand how your gifts make a difference.  We are called by God to share hope in this time of challenge. Join us to face this global hunger crisis head-on and to continue moving toward a just world where all are fed.