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.

Did you miss our Thanksgiving Eucharist on Tuesday evening?

PLEASE CLICK HERE to watch it now.

St. Francis of Assisi never celebrated an American Thanksgiving with the turkey and trimmings, nor did he experience the roaring sounds of NFL football booming in peoples' homes. But one thing is sure: he would approve of the idea of celebrating gratitude. After all, St. Francis was the saint of gratitude.

As a young man after being held prisoner of war for a year he returned home with a renewed sense of gratitude for all of God’s Creation. He saw himself as a creature of the universe with gratitude for the wind, water, and earth, gifts from God that sustain all of humanity. That vision of gratitude for creation still inspires millions, especially those who address the looming crisis of climate change.

Declared by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864, American Thanksgiving is our secular holiday with the deepest spiritual connection. A day set aside for giving thanks and praise to God. It is especially meaningful for admirers of Francis of Assisi who reflect the gratitude radiated by the medieval Italian saint who still inspires generations today.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27th

Parish Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

Please note that the Parish Office is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and will reopen at 9 AM on Monday, December 2nd.

Regular Parish Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 AM - 5 PM.

Pastoral Care Emergencies

Please call the Pastoral Care Support Line 919.831.2008. The Pastoral Care Support Line is monitored 24x7.

Prayer Requests

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. The prayer request link is also available on the parish website. 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.

Top Of Mind

Stewardship Update

Thank you to everyone who has already pledged your financial commitment for 2025! If you haven’t yet pledged, it’s not too late. You’re invited to support the parish and our ministries by submitting your pledge just as soon as possible so that your financial support can be considered as the vestry budgets for 2025. Thank you!

To date:

Pledged: $$740,365.00 (99% of our $750,000 pledge goal)
Number of pledges received: 163 (87% of 2024 pledges)
The deadline for submitting 2025 pledges is December 1st. All pledges received by December 1st will be counted toward the 2025 budget, which the vestry will approve by December 16th.

To submit your pledge:

Pop your pledge card in the mail to the Parish Office OR
Bring it with you to church on Sunday and place it in the alms basin OR
Take advantage of one of the quick & easy online options below:

Submit My 2025 Online Pledge Card

Submit My 2025 Pledge Using Realm

If you have any questions about submitting your pledge, please contact Parish Administrator David Baggett (919.831.2018).

Advent at Good Shepherd

What's Happening This Sunday

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

8:30 AM - 12 Noon

Nursery Care Available (for infant to 4 yo)

9 AM

Sunday School (for kids 4-12 yo) 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.

11:30 AM

Advent Wreath Making, Lunch & Fellowship

Immediately following the 10:15 worship service, we’ll gather outside the Parish Life Center for our monthly Beyond Our Doors Community Lunch and enjoy making Advent wreaths for our homes. Everyone is invited! Wreath supplies will be provided! Come enjoy lunch and fellowship and prepare your heart and home for the Advent season! Contacts:

Wreath Making: Rev. Hershey
Beyond Our Doors Community Lunch: Gerard McNeill

A Special Invitation...

Please join us this Sunday for Beyond Our Doors Community Lunch! In addition to being with our downtown neighbors, family members of our beloved Bob Goodale will be with us as well. For many years, Bob provided bottled water to the Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen. In memory of Bob, feel free to bring some bottles of water. No quantity is too small or too large; drop off location is the Parish Life Center. We will collect bottled wather through Thursday, December 12th, Bob's birthday. The water will be presented to the Soup Kitchen staff and volunteers as they will honor Bob's legacy on that day. Thank you in advance! Contact: Gerard McNeill

DOK Offering Healing Prayers This Sunday

During both the 8 and 10:15 worship services, Daughters of the King will be available during communion to pray with anyone desiring prayers. Daughters will be available during

8 AM in the West Transept (McDowell Street)
10:15 AM in the Bride's Room (small room at the back of the church, adjacent to the narthex).

Wednesday, December 4th

Funeral Service for Mitchell Lawrence

A service to celebrate the life of our dearly beloved sister in Christ, Mary Etta Mitchell Lee Lawrence, will be held at The Church of the Good Shepherd on Wednesday, December 4th at 11 AM. The family will host a reception at the church immediately following the service. Please continue to hold Mitchell and her family and loved ones in your prayers.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to read Mitchell's obituary.

Funeral parking options for your consideration:

200 W Morgan Street (former Diocesan House lot) at the corner of McDowell and Morgan Streets (directly across McDowell Street from the church) from 10:30 AM until 1 PM.
The Municipal Parking Deck at the corner of McDowell and Morgan Streets (diagonally opposite the back of the church) offers two-hour free parking.

Please note that First Baptist Church's parking lot (directly across Hillsborough Street from the church) is not available for this service.

Gifts Due by Tuesday, December 10th

St. Nicholas Tree Is Up!

This year our St. Nicholas Tree, located in the Parish Life Center lobby, benefits families served by Episcopal Farmworker Ministry. The tree is decorated with stars, and each star has the name of a child along with the child’s age, clothing sizes, and desired gifts. After you select your star(s) please use the notebook by the tree to list the star number(s) that you have taken and your contact information. Please wrap the gift and attach the child's star to the gift. If there are multiple gifts for one child, please label each gift with the child’s star number. Please return gifts to the church by Tuesday, December 10th. Thank you participating in this Good Shepherd tradition! If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Tlusty (919.414.2950).

Sunday, December 15th

Confirmations, Receptions, & Reaffirmations

When Bishop Sam visits on December 15th, we will have the opportunity to celebrate confirmations, receptions, and reaffirmations during the 10:15 worship service. Anyone who desires to be confirmed or received[1] or to reaffirm[2] their baptismal vows should contact

Rev. Imogen or Parish Administrator David Baggett (919.831.2018).

[1] Reception refers to the rite by which a baptized Christian, confirmed by a bishop in another faith tradition, is welcomed into the Episcopal Church.

[2] The rite of reaffirmation is celebrated when a confirmed Episcopalians wish to reaffirm their baptismal vows.

Sunday, December 15th at 5 PM

Celtic Service: Hope & Healing at Christmas

As we anticipate the birth of Christ, we recognize and honor that this season can be a time of sadness and grief. This worship service provides an opportunity for those seeking a liturgy that offers peace and comfort.

Sunday, December 22nd

All-Ages Christmas Pageant

It’s nearly advent, and it will soon be time for our annual Christmas Pageant! As we did last year, the pageant will be an all-ages affair, taking place during the 10:15 service on December 22nd.

With scripts in hand, we’ll tell the story of the first Christmas, as well as a few corny Good Shepherd jokes. We want this to be a simple and joyous experience that involves the whole Good Shepherd Family. We invite folks of all ages to sign up, especially the youngest among us, but there are roles and fun for anyone, in this celebration of our community.

There’s a signup form on the bulletin board outside the nursery for anyone of any age who wants to be a sarcastic census taker, a wicked monarch, or a humble visitor to the stable where our Lord was born. For more details, contact Ian Finley (919.931.2196).

A Note about Livestreaming

We are continuing to experience technical difficulties with the livestream and apologize for the frustration. Kindly note that this Sunday's 10:15 worship service will be livestreamed; however, if the quality of the livestream is not satisfactory, it will be replaced on Sunday afternoon with a video recording of the service. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact David Baggett (919.831.2018).

A special note of thanks to our Livestream Ministry Team (Ed Sharp, Craig DeShong, Sam DeShong, Jacob Ferguson, and Noom Baggett) for their dedication!

Next Week's Wednesday Eucharist Canceled

Due to Mitchell Lawrence's funeral on Wednesday, December 4th, our Wednesday Noonday Eucharist on that day is canceled. The service will resume on Wednesday, December 11th.

A Weekday Parking Option

The City of Raleigh has announced a new pilot program that offers two-hour free parking in several city-owned decks throughout downtown, including the Municipal Building Deck (201 W. Morgan Street.) The Municipal Building Parking Deck is located catty-corner from the back of the church (across McDowell Street). This parking option is especially helpful for those wishing to attend Good Shepherd weekday events (such as funerals and our Wednesday Eucharist service).

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
October Finance Update
Vision Accomplished Updates
Battery Disposal
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

The Advent Wreath, as the name somewhat implies, is a circle having no beginning and no end. Just as God has no beginning and no end. It can also remind us of the unending love of God for us that brought Jesus to earth to save us from our sins so that we might in turn have eternal life in Heaven! This Adventide the Children of The Church of the Good Shepherd will embrace the advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love in our time together each Sunday at 9 AM.

Sunday, December 1 - Advent Wreath Making

After the 10:15 worship service we will gather with our friends from Raleigh Mennonite Church in the yard to design Advent wreaths for our homes. We have everything you need! Wreaths, candles and greenery. Come prepare your heart and home for the Advent season and make your very own Advent Wreath.

Sundays in December - Pageant Practice

We are working with the incomparable Ian Finley, Elizabeth Gant and others to put on this year's pageant. Friends of God, ages 0-99, are encouraged to join the CGS Christmas Players. There is a role for everyone who would like to participate. Please email Rev. Hershey for more details.

To join in the fun this season meet us upstairs in Room 329 at 9 AM each Sunday morning!

Episcopal Youth Community

Looking Ahead...

2024

Dec 1 - EYC Meeting (5:30-7:30 PM)
Dec 8 - EYC Meeting (5:30-7:30 PM)
Dec 15 - EYC Christmas Party (5:30-7:30 PM)
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

News You Can Use from the Green Team

Battery Disposal - FILL THE BUCKET

Please remember--the Green Team has placed a Battery Disposal Bucket in the Parish Life Center lobby. Please be sure to tape lithium batteries before dropping them in the bucket. Tape is provided at the bucket. Thanks for your continued Creation Care efforts - important stewardship! Contacts: Carolyn Manley or James Joslin

Needed! Sunday Fellowship Hosts

Can you provide snacks for Fellowship Time after the 10:15 worship service? Hosting is really easy and very much appreciated by everyone — and extra fun if you do it with a friend or family member! You may sign up for an open Sunday by CLICKING HERE. Please contact Grace Sved (919.247.6426) if you have questions or would like more information. Thank you!

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

Parish Finances

PLEASE CLICK HERE for a budget report (through October 31st). Thank you for your faithful financial support of our church and our ministries.

Vision Accomplished

Pledges Made: $242,295.25 (increase from last week: $25)
Pledge Payments and Gifts Received: $175,390.10 (increase from last week: $145)

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; Ginny Byrd; 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; Alan L.; Bob Kirchgessner;

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

The Lawrence Family; The Tyson Family; The Rivers Family; The Owens Family;

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.

And we pray for those who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom, remembering especially Carolyn Owens and Teresa Burt.

In the diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Communion.

In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Province of the

Episcopal Church of South Sudan.

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.