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:
$2,778.14
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.
Because the RCL’s Alternate First Lesson gives us a series of readings this fall from the Exodus, some of you have chosen to do a sermon series from the wonderfully crafted Exodus narrative. You may have called the series, “Deliverance!” Whether you have done a sermon series this past month or not, we have had ample opportunity to focus upon the nature of Israel’s God who promises deliverance to the captives and then keeps promising to preserve them in the Exodus from slavery to freedom.
In this week’s text, we continue journeying with the Israelites in Exodus’ narrative of the wilderness trek. Last Sunday the prescribed Exodus text gave us the opportunity not only to reflect upon the miraculous work of God but also to ponder our human relationship to God and God’s gifts in a time of stress and difficulty.
It seems to me that a key to interpretation of this passage is the pregnant question that is asked at the end of this Sunday’s lection: “Is the Lord really with us or not?” (17:7).
The context for this episode is significant in understanding its implications. The freed slaves making their way through the wilderness need water. The first instance of water deprivation was when they were without water for three days (Exodus 15:22). Upon finally arriving at the oasis of Marah, they found the water there bitter and undrinkable.
In their thirst, the people complain and Moses beseeches God. On that occasion God provides a piece of wood, which, when tossed into the water makes it sweet (15:23-25a). Right after this, we are told that God “put them to the test” (15:25b). If the people would listen to God’s voice and endeavor to keep God’s commandments, then God would not inflict them with diseases like God visited upon the Egyptians, “for I am the Lord who heals you” (15:26).
In Exodus 16, the Israelites have a tough time obeying God’s commands about the gathering of manna. The command not to store up manna is particularly difficult. Moses intervenes and the people do better. The chapter ends with, “The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to livable land. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan” (16:35). It seems that at last the freed slaves are getting the hang of surviving faithfully in the wilderness.
But then, in Exodus 17, the Israelites’ difficulties continue. Making camp at Rephidim, they find that there’s no water. The complaining resumes. They quarrel with Moses demanding, “Give us water to drink” (17:2). Moses, exasperated, accuses the people not only of annoying him but also of testing the patience of God: “Why are you arguing with me? Why are you testing the Lord?” (17:2).
In spite of Moses’ contention that the people are testing God, they mostly seem to be doubting Moses as a leader. Has Moses overstepped in claiming that the Hebrews have been chosen for special divine care? Have they really been called to be God’s special people? Pharaoh chose the Hebrews for slavery (Exodus 1:11) and even for genocide (Exodus 1:16). In short, is Yahweh just another all-powerful but utterly uncaring god like Pharaoh?
Their complaints cause Moses to go back and complain to God (this image of Moses as the go-between of God and the people presents him as the ultimate priest). How dare they challenge Moses’ leadership? “What shall I do with this people?!” God tells Moses to take the staff (the one he used at the Nile River) and to meet God on the rock at Horeb. Moses is to strike the rock with the staff.
What is more lifeless than a rock? Dry. Hard. But surprise! Water comes gushing from the rock. There is life where there was nothing but death. Is this meant to be not only a means for Israel’s survival but also a metaphor? God is bringing a lively people, a new, holy nation out of death and death-dealing enslavement.
The question “Is God with us or not?” is being given an answer. God is present in the heaven-sent bread and meat and, in this Sunday’s lection, now present in life-giving water. Through these miraculous divine interventions, God is schooling Israel in God’s character. God is with the former slaves, guiding them, setting up structures for their life together, giving them daily nourishment for their survival. Their quarreling will not be punished by God; rather, a loving God will see their complaint as a call to loving action.
The Exodus writer doesn’t tell us how the people received the miracle of water from the rock at Massah and Meribah. However, Moses can’t seem to get out of his mind that here was yet another place where his leadership was tested. Moses names the place as a reminder of the people’s complaining and testing, a memorial to the frightening yet basic question, “Is the Lord really with us or not?” (17:7).
Stewardship Snippets – September 27, 2020
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4 . When we consider the interests of others something beautiful happens: Our own interests seem less important, our wants fewer, and relationships flourish. Only by aligning our wills and lives with Christ may we grow into the fullness of life God desires and intends for us.
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).
City Barbecue
Our Youth Fundraiser is back the first Monday of each month! Please come on out and show your support for Good Shepherd’s ongoing youth fundraiser with City Barbecue on Monday, October 5 from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm. The location is at 5 E. Franklin Street, Centerville, OH 45459. GSLC will get 25% of the sales back! If you order online or by phone, just tell them you’re with the fundraiser. Please let any of your friends and family know about this wonderful fundraiser, so they too can give back to our youth! GSLC wants to especially thank you for continuing to support us even when business is slow.
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) is OPEN to ALL!
Sunday, September 13 – Sunday, December 6 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Spread the word. Come share in this ministry of healing and hope. It’s easy to join online and participate in the sessions. Contact the church office (937-298-0136), Kathy Seim (937-901-0532) or Pam Bauser (937-602-8385) for more information.
GriefShare will be ONLINE through October. We are following the same format as in-person sessions. We gather online, share the devotions, watch the video sessions, and discuss. We connect via the same Zoom link each week. Participants will 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
Join Zoom Meeting
Anyone who registers at www.griefshare.org 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.
**ONLINE GROUP DISCUSSION **
Does Racism Exist in the Church? GSLC Discussions on Racism- Part 2
In Part 1 of GSLC discussions on Racism, we used the Southern Ohio Synod Statement on Racial Justice as the foundation of our discussions. The third section of the document stated, “As Church together, we ask God to help and guide us in joining Jesus in the restoration of the World.” The statement listed three commitments:
- Commit ourselves to listen to the voices who have been harmed and silenced by racism,
- Commit to listening and sitting with discomfort, and
- Commit to work through local, state, and national advocacy efforts to support public policies that seek justice in our world. Synod Council Statement On Racial Justice 2020
Those commitments take us to Part 2 in our discussions.
TOPIC: Racism and Justice and Church
WHEN: FIVE Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm
September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28
WHERE: Online from the comfort of your home
HOW: via ZOOM (This link is for all discussion weeks.)
We plan to honor our commitment to addressing racism by actively learning together, sharing our experiences, watching two videos by Phil Vischer (creator of Veggie Tales) and engaging in possibilities to make a difference. The videos are both by Phil Vischer: Holy Post: Race in America.
It is not necessary to have attended GSLC first online discussion in order to participate in Part 2. We hope you will be able to join us!
NEW: MONTHLY WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
TOPIC: Holy Time Women of the ELCA
WHEN: Tuesday, September 29 at 10 a.m. OR 7:30 p.m.
The same material will be offered in the daytime and again in the evening to allow more women to participate.
LEADER: Pam Bauser
WHERE: Online from the wherever you have internet access
HOW: via ZOOM
This is the first of three studies on Holy Time focused on Holy Memory: Why we remember; and how God re-members us. This is open to all women to come together and reflect on “holy time” — GOD’S TIME! With the challenges the pandemic creates on our time to fellowship with one another, this is an hour to come together and remember what we learn in Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Holy Time is the September Bible study in GATHER for Faith and Action, the monthly magazine of the Women of the ELCA. If you have the magazine, the study is on pages 20-25. IF you do not have the magazine and want a copy, please contact Pam Bauser (937-299-5186). We will meet on the fourth Tuesday in September, October, and November.
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.
NEW 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.