Witness and outreach at Good shepherd reaches from right here in the greater Dayton and Miami Valley area to people and organizations all over the world. Our members support these ministries not only with their pocketbooks, but also with their time and their energy. Created, saved and gifted by God we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ. To volunteer or to learn more about these or other opportunities to serve, contact the church office.
Adopt–A-Family: Buy or deliver Christmas gifts. This is a long-standing service to the Dayton community. Each year presents are provided to parents in need who cannot provide gifts for their children during the holidays. Sometimes the parents are given presents also such as gift cards to help with groceries or other necessities.
Acolyte: Light and extinguish altar candles during the worship service, assist with the offering and other duties as needed.
After School Homework Club: Volunteer one or two days per week during the academic year. Good Shepherd coordinates with teachers from Oakview Elementary School in Kettering and offers a place for 4th and 5th grade students to accomplish homework tasks in a relaxing, caring and nurturing atmosphere. Good Shepherd volunteers help the students with their teacher assignments and provide them with healthy snacks. Several Good Shepherd computers are available to the students that are connected to the Oakview School learning portal.
Altar Guild Ministry: Prepare the bread and wine that is utilized during Communion during all four worship services. Keep the paraments up to date.
Assistant Minister: Help at the Altar during the worship service.
Christmas Poinsettia Project: Share help in lieu of flowers. Every Christmas season monetary donations for special programs can be offered instead of poinsettias. Funds can be designated in memory or honor of others.
Communion Assistant: Help with communion during the worship service.
Feeding the Hungry: Prepare and Serve breakfast up to two Sundays each month. Good Shepherd volunteers prepare and serve breakfast at First Lutheran Church, Dayton, to those who are hungry and in need. The cost of food is provided through Good Shepherd donations, support from local business and funds provided by Thrivent Financial Group.
Financial Support of the ELCA: Donate to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Good Shepherd supports the ELCA which, in turn, provides a variety of blessings in a myriad of ways: The ELCA supports congregational renewal and the planting of new congregations; forms and supports new lay, ordained and global leaders for mission; encourages and forms lay youth and young adult leaders; supports the church’s disability ministry; bolsters commitment to walk with global companion churches in shared witness; and expands efforts to address poverty and hunger. For example, the ELCA supports a comprehensive approach in nearly 60 countries to solve challenges that perpetuate hunger and poverty.
Flower Ministries: Take the flowers used to decorate the worship service to a homebound or hospitalized member of Good Shepherd.
Food Pantry: Donate non-perishable food and can goods for distribution to the local Greenmont Food Bank during the first Sunday of each month.
Greeters and Ushers: Welcome visitors and members and gather the gifts.
In Lieu of Easter Lilies Project: Share help in lieu of flowers. As with the Poinsettia Project, monetary donations are designated for local ministries as well to replenish gift cards that are distributed to the needy in our local area. Funds can be designated in memory or honor of others.
Jeremiah’s Letter: Support Jeremiah’s Letter, a local nonprofit organization that brings organizations together to enhance the daily lives of individuals and families of the inner-city who find themselves in need. Good Shepherd donates clothing, blankets, books, Bibles, and hygiene products that are distributed during the Project Blessing meals.
Lectors: Read the Word during the worship Service.
Lutheran Outdoor Ministry: Support LOMO. This organization serves as the outdoors ministries for three Ohio Synods, reaching out to all people regardless of race, national origin, sex, disability or ancestry. Through the years, Good Shepherd youth have benefited by the programs at LOMO while experiencing spiritual renewal through scripture, worship, learning and relationship building.
Music Ministry: Share the gift of music by singing or playing an instrument with the Chancel Choir or with the Praise and Worship Team. Our music ministers alternate weeks leading the service. On fifth Sunday services, traditional and contemporary styles are joined to accommodate all. Visit the music page for more information.
Nursery: Care for the youngest members and visitors to Good Shepherd during the worship service.
Sound Technician: Operate Audio Visual (slides) equipment during the worship service.
Video Technician: Operate the camera during the worship service.
Stephen Ministry: Bear another’s burdens to fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians6: 2, NRSV) Stephen Ministry provides high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. Stephen Leaders oversee the ministry; Stephen Ministers pray, listen, and walk with the Care Receivers; Care Receivers have problems and concerns and need someone to walk with them in their journey.