Announcements and photos to share with our parish family are always welcome!

Please email your contributions to David Baggett.

The deadline for newsletter submissions is Wednesday at 2 PM. Thank you!

Announcements may be edited for content and space.

Parish Office Hours

Monday-Thursday, 9 AM - 5 PM; Fridays by appointment

Please note: the Parish Office will be closed for the

Christmas Holiday, December 24-January 1, with the following exceptions:

Tuesday, December 24 from 9 AM until 1 PM

Monday & Tuesday, December 30 & 31 from 9 AM until 1 PM.

Pastoral Care Emergencies

Please call the Pastoral Care Support Line 919.831.2008

Prayer Requests

Please CLICK HERE to submit a prayer request.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19th

Top Of Mind

Parish Office Closed for Christmas Holiday

The Parish Office will close at 5 PM on Monday, December 23rd and re-open at 9 AM on Thursday, January 2nd, with the following exceptions:

Monday, December 24 from 9 AM until 1 PM
Monday & Tuesday, December 30 & 31 from 9 AM until 1 PM.

While the Parish Office is closed,

For Pastoral Care needs, please call the Pastoral Care Support Line 919.831.2008; this number is monitored 24x7.
For any other emergency, please contact Parish Administrator David Baggett or text/call 919.368.1215.

Vestry Nominations Due by January 3!

The Parish will elect four new vestry members at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 26, 2025. New vestry members will serve a three-year term beginning February 1, 2025. If you would like to serve or know someone who would make a great candidate for vestry, please get a nomination form by CLICKING HERE. Self-nominations are encouraged! Please contact Esther Hall Nominating Committee chair to chat further about serving. Nomination forms must be received by Friday, January 3, 2025.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to read more about the vestry and what it means to serve.

Planning Your End-of-Year Giving

Some folks have been asking how to ensure end-of-year gifts are properly credited to their 2024 giving contributions, especially since the Parish Office is closed between Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Here are some options for your consideration:

Make your online contribution by December 31.
Mail your contribution to the Parish Office (check dated December 31 or earlier & envelope postmarked by December 31).
Hand-deliver your contribution to the Parish Administrator during Parish Office hours:
Monday-Thursday, 9 AM - 5 PM (regular office hours thru Monday, December 23rd)
Tuesday, December 24, 9 AM - 1 PM
Monday, December 30, 9 AM - 1 PM
Tuesday, December 31, 9 AM - 1 PM
Place your contribution in the alms basin during worship services on December 24, 25, and 29.

If you are planning to make a stock transfer to the church, please contact Parish Administrator David Baggett (919.831.2018) prior to December 24th for instructions.

If you should have any questions, please contact David Baggett (919.831.2018).

Help Needed!

Again, this year we will have lots of poinsettias with which to decorate our beautiful church. If you ordered a plant and wish to pick it up after the services on Christmas or Christmas Day please do so. If you are available to help deliver poinsettias on Monday, December 30th to beloved parishioners who are in need a bit of Christmas cheer this year, please contact Molly Propst (919.523.8142)

An Update on Livestreaming

Until further notice, we will not be livestreaming services, but please don't fret! The Sunday 10:15 worship service (and other services, as announced) will be video recorded. The recording will be available for viewing shortly after the recorded service.

Recordings are always available on our CGS YouTube channel (which is also accessible from the parish website). In addition, an email will be sent out with a link to the recording after the recording is uploaded to YouTube. If you have any questions, please contact David Baggett (919.831.2018).

Outreach Opportunity!

Needed: Men's Winter Clothing and More!

Cleaning out your closets? Food Not Bombs is a long-running mutual aid group in need of men's winter clothes and shoes, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, underwear, sleeping bags, and tents for distribution every Saturday in Moore Square. Items should be clean and in decent condition. Please place your donations in the labeled bins in the PLC foyer during church and Parish Office hours. Contact Bethany Pergerson with any questions! Thanks for helping us spread the warmth!

Wednesday Noonday Eucharist Services

The Wednesday Noonday Eucharist services will return on January 8th.

Stewardship Update

Your financial commitment to sustain The Church of the Good Shepherd is a strong testament to how God is showing up in all manner of ways. Thanks be to God!

To date:

Pledged: $777,365 (104% of our $750,000 pledge goal)
Number of pledges received: 173 (93% of 2024 pledges)

If you ordered 2025 pledge envelopes, they are expected to arrive in the Parish Office by January 5th. A notice will be sent out when the envelopes are available.

Advent at Good Shepherd

What's Happening This Sunday

In addition to our Eucharist services at 8 and 10:15 AM this Sunday, the following events and activities are taking place:

Nursery This Weekend

Please note: the nursery will be open and available during the 10:15 AM service but will not be staffed this weekend as our wonderful nursery caregivers enjoy time away with loved ones.

9 AM

Christmas Pageant Prep Contact: Rev. Hershey

Adult Formation--The Infancy Narratives in Advent led by Rev. Nancy in the Ennis Suite

This class is a joint offering with the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study.

10:15 AM

Christmas Pageant & Holy Eucharist

11:30 AM

Fellowship Time

Sunday, December 22nd at 10:15 AM

Christmas Pageant

All babies, children, and big kids are invited to participate in our parish-wide Christmas Pageant this weekend. Haven’t signed up in advance? No worries - we have a part and a costume waiting for you!

For costumes, check in/drop off your child with Hershey and Beth between 9 AM and 9:30 AM in the nursery. Littles will receive their costume and hang out until the 10:15 service starts.

After the pageant (about halfway through the service), little participants may sit together with Hershey and Beth or return to sit with their families through the Eucharistic Prayer. After the service, please return all costumes to the nursery.

Please note: the nursery will be open and available during the 10:15 AM service but will not be staffed this weekend as our wonderful nursery caregivers enjoy time away with loved ones.

Tuesday, December 24th

Christmas Eve at The Church of the Good Shepherd

2:00 PM Interactive Kids and Family Service
4:30 PM Festival of Carols, presented by our choir and guest instrumentalists
5 PM Festival Eucharist
7:30 PM Festival of Carols, presented by guest instrumentalists
8 PM Holy Eucharist

Parking Notes for Christmas Eve:

200 W Morgan Street (former Diocesan lot) all services
First Baptist after 7 PM only

Wednesday, December 25th

Christmas Day Eucharist at 9 AM

Parking Notes for Christmas Day:

200 W Morgan Street (former Diocesan lot) available
First Baptist available

Please note:

Nursery Care will be available for Christmas Eve services at 2 & 5 PM
The following services will be recorded and made available on the parish's YouTube channel: Christmas Eve (2 & 5 PM); Christmas Day (9 AM). Email announcements will be sent out as the recordings are available.

The First Christmas Crèche

Did you know that the Christmas custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus, owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi over 800 years ago? You see, Francis had a special devotion to the Child Jesus. This devotion inspired him to create the first Nativity scene (or Christmas crèche) on Christmas Eve in 1223. CLICK HERE to read more...

Responding to Hurricanes Helene and Milton

The Diocese of North Carolina is suggesting ways to consider helping with hurricane relief efforts. PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.

And here's another opportunity to consider: North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is a central source for indicating volunteer and donation assistance interest.

God, we ask You to bless each and every person affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and surround them with Your love, protection and angels. Let them know of our prayers for them and their loved ones. We give You all the praise and glory forever, Lord, and know that even in the darkest hours, You are always with us. For the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Keep Reading...Because There's More!

Be sure to see below for more news, including

Info about kids and youth programs and activities
Parish Life
Photos from Last Sunday
St. Nicholas Tree
ONE Wake Update
DOK Invitation
Battery Recycling
November Finance Update
Vision Accomplished Updates
Opportunities to Serve
Parish Prayer List
News from the Diocese

Please keep reading...more news follows!

A Note to Parents, Grandparents, and Caregivers of

Our Youngest Beloved

Are you receiving emails and updates about childrens activities and events? If not, be sure to CLICK HERE so we're able to be in touch. Thank you!

Let the children come together and grow in faith and friendship!

Sunday School for kids 4-12 years old happens each Sunday at 9 AM.

Children’s Ministry Advent Activities

Parents and Caregivers

Please be sure to see information and details above about this Sunday's Christmas Pageant! Contact Rev. Hershey with any questions.

Episcopal Youth Community

Looking Ahead...

2024

Dec 22 - All-Ages Christmas Pageant (10:15 AM)
Dec 29 - EYC Open House

2025

Feb. 14-16 - EYC Retreat at the Trinity Center

For information about the Episcopal Youth Community at The Church of the Good Shepherd, EMAIL THE REV. JUSTIN GABBARD or give him a call at 859-630-2835.

To receive text messages about upcoming EYC events, CLICK HERE to be added to the list.

Parish Life

Thanks to Peter Jezierny for sharing photos from last Sunday!

Our altar on Gaudete Sunday

Rev. Justin and Nora Gabbard lighting the Advent wreath.

Bishop Sam was the celebrant and preacher at the 10:15 worship service.

Lola Mestas was confirmed by Bishop Sam during the 10:15 worship service.

St. Nicholas Tree, Again!

Folks from Episcopal Farmworker Ministry have sent their thanks for all the many gifts we sent. The gifts were distributed to children on the 17th, and "the kids had an absolute blast." Below are some photos to enjoy.

Jennifer Tlusty helped Patricia and Mauritzio from EFM load the gifts.

ONE Wake Status and Update on St. Agustine University Fight

PLEASE CLICK HERE to read the latest update shared by Jeff Whitaker.

To All Ladies of The Church of the Good Shepherd

The Daughters of the King will be hosting a short "get to know us" in January. If you are curious, come, ask questions, and get to know us...what we are about and what we do. The time and date are to be announced shortly. Contact: Mary Jezierny

Battery Recycling Project

The Green Team is collecting batteries in the Parish Life Center lobby to dispose of them properly. To date, we have collected over 50 pounds of used batteries! Thank you and keep up the good work! Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Where do I leave my used batteries? There is a plastic bucket labeled for battery recycling in the lobby just inside the PLC front door. The recommendation we have received for storing used batteries is a non-metal container (preferably cardboard or plastic) in an indoor space at room temperature. The bucket was supplied by Raleigh’s Batteries Plus.
How often are batteries removed? We remove them every week.
What happens to them? The batteries are taken to the Wake Convenience Disposal Site on Deponie Drive and deposited in the large plastic containers marked for battery disposal.
How are used batteries recycled? It depends on the type of battery, but to learn more, please see: How Batteries Get Recycled: The Process Explained | GreenerIdeal

If you have questions about the Battery Recycling Project, please contact Beth Hahn

Ways to Serve

If you are looking for meaningful ways to serve the parish, please consider the ministries listed below. The contacts listed will be excited to provide more information.

Acolytes: David Roten
Altar Guild: Caryl Fuller
Beyond Our Doors: Gerard McNeill
Chalicists: Jennifer Tlusty
Daughters of the King: Mary Jezierny
Flower Deliveries: Lynn Wiss
Flower Guild: Judi Mathis
Lectors: Jennifer Tlusty
Lowes Foods Pick-up: Jan Harris
Livestream: Ed Sharp
Meals on Wheels: Jan Harris
Meal Train: Nan Boyne
Music Ministry (Choirs): Dwayne Holloway
Shepherd's Table: Jan Harris
Ushers: 8 AM Will Barbee; 10:15 AM Harold Ramsey
Wedding Guild: Esther Hall

Update!

Parish Finances

PLEASE CLICK HERE for a budget report (through November 30th). Thank you for your faithful financial support of our church and our ministries.

Vision Accomplished

Pledges Made: $242,495.25 (increase from last week: $200)
Pledge Payments and Gifts Received: $183,194.10 (increase from last week: $1,739)

Thank you for your generous support of the Vision Accomplished campaign!

Meet Our Partners

Learn More about Good Shepherd's Partners

From The Diocese

Be sure to check out the latest news and information from the Diocese.

The Church of the Good Shepherd Prayer List

Roy Wright; Catherine and Bob Williams; Janet Gilliam; Ralph Sanders; Pete Taylor;

Martha Bailey; Peggy Hawks; Darrell Dennis; Janie Ward-Newton; William Short; Paul Hoch;

Brinley Harris; Don Caudill; Shirley Caudill; Larry Bledsoe; Jane Mayhew; Janet Watrous;

The students, faculty, and community of St. Augustine’s University; Rebecca Lamb;

Bob Kirchgessner; Josephine Placa; Kathy Acton; Noah Cassion; Patricia Harris; Marilyn;

Amy Proseus; Reginald Fuller; Dawn Downs; Elise Abernathy;

The Rivers Family; The Owens Family; The Byrd Family; The Davidson Family;

The McComas Family; The Fuller, Longerbeam, and Spencer Families;

the people of Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon; the people of Ukraine and Russia;

victims of gun violence; and those affected by drought, heat, floods, and storms,

especially those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Diocese of Costa Rica.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Church of the Province of Uganda.

The people of The Church of the Good Shepherd are eager to join you in lifting your prayers to God. Please tell us how we can pray with you by CLICKING HERE to submit a prayer request.

Prayer requests added to our public prayer list will be refreshed every month; please feel free to resubmit them if you would like them to remain on the prayer list.