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Weekly Update for August 20, 2026

Top of Mind...

Building Together in Love Part Two

This year, we have experienced God’s love at work at Good Shepherd most powerfully through our Outreach Ministry. Time and again, we have watched this congregation not only respond to a need, but go beyond what is asked with extraordinary generosity. When we needed 40 backpacks for the Farmworkers Ministry, our congregation provided 56. For the Enloe students, we were overwhelmed by the love shown—providing more than 100 sacks filled with supplies and so many extras. The White Flag Ministry required a tremendous commitment from volunteers night after night, and they faithfully showed up. Every month, the Beyond Our Doors lunches are prepared and shared with our community, our Little Free Food Pantry is stocked daily, and we have supported the Cheshire House Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, clothing drives, the St. Nicholas Tree Collection Drive, the Renew Mobile Showers Program, and our new water fountain. The list goes on, and we are continually amazed by all that Good Shepherd has sponsored and supported this year.


We are also deeply grateful for the generous financial support given to Outreach. Every gift makes it possible for us to respond to needs and to say, in tangible ways, that our community is loved. Through all of these efforts, we have seen that God is always at work, and love is always at work. The grace and true compassion of our clergy, staff, and parishioners have overwhelmed us this past year. We know that wonderful things are still to come because of the hearts that make up this church.


-Suzanne Prince and Gerard McNeill 

EYC Summer Pool Party

Once again, Nan and Jack Boyne have graciously offered to host the EYC Summer Pool Party. The Boynes have a gorgeous home in the Five Points neighborhood, and their private patio and pool is the perfect place to spend the last weekend of summer.


All EYC members and their families are invited to attend. This is also the perfect opportunity to introduce an interested friend to our community in a casual environment.


The festivities will begin this Saturday, August 22nd at 5:30 PM and continue until 7:30 PM. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided, and guests are invited to bring a side, salad, or dessert.

Back to School Blessing

Students of all ages, teachers, college professors--anyone starting (or has already started) a new school year--you are invited to bring your backpack, book bag, or briefcase with you to church this Sunday, August 23rd for our annual Back to School Blessing during the 10:15 worship service. 

EYC Fall Parents Meeting

The Fall Parents Meeting for the Episcopal Youth Community will be next Sunday, August 30 from 5:30-7:30 PM. All youth and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend.


During this meeting we will discuss the fall calendar, the 2027 Summer Pilgrimage, and other future plans. Dinner will be provided. Contact the Rev. Justin Gabbard for more information.

You Can Vote at September and October BOD Lunches

At the First Sunday BOD community lunch in September and October, a representative from You Can Vote will be present. You Can Vote is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit that educates and mobilizes North Carolinians to take civic action, know their rights, and successfully cast a ballot in each election. Please click here for more information about the organization or contact Shirley Sullivan.

On the Road with the Green Team

Come join us for a private tour of the beautiful JC Raulston Arboretum. It is a nationally acclaimed botanic garden located in Raleigh, with one of the largest collections of garden plants adapted for the southeast United States. The mission of the NC State’s JC Raulston Arboretum is to diversify the landscape by sharing our passion, our plants and our knowledge to plan – and plant for a better world. It is not only a teaching and research facility as plants are collected and evaluated, but also a magnificent pleasure garden that is a reprieve to enjoy nature for all. The arboretum has broad paths that are easy to navigate and benches to rest throughout.


Details:

  • When: Wednesday, September 16th
  • Time: 10 AM – tour lasts approximately 90 minutes
  • Where: 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh NC 27606
  • Whom do I contact to sign up: Beth Hahn (or text/phone (919-274-0660)


Additional Information

  • Meeting Place: We will gather at the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center near the Brick Circle.
  • Parking: Available in the small onsite lot or on Beryl Road.
  • Accessibility: Two wheelchairs are available onsite on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Policy: Tours proceed rain or shine but are canceled in the event of thunder or dangerous weather.
  • Dress: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather

(layers, sun protection, or rain gear).

  • Resources: Water stations are available at the Visitor Center, McSwain Education Center, and "The Necessary" in the garden.
  • The Visitor Guide is available for review prior to arrival.


Also: Please join us for lunch after the tour at Neomonde Mediterranean Restaurant – a short distance from the arboretum at 3817 Beryl Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Reminders

Music Ministries Update

Church of the Good Shepherd Music Ministries rehearsals are returning the week of September 7th. Please reach out to Kirsten Homdrom with any questions or interest in joining any of our wonderful ensembles. We are specifically looking to grow our Handbell Choir which plays in worship services seasonally. No prior ringing experience required!



  • Good Shepherd Choir - Grades K-2 (Tuesdays from 4:30-5:20 PM)
  • Handbell Choir (Wednesdays from 6-6:45 PM)
  • Chancel Choir (Wednesdays from 7-8:30 PM)
  • Senior Choristers - Grades 3-12 (Sundays from 12-1 PM)

August Book Study

Brett MacDonald's class on Peter Enns’ book The Bible Tells Me So continues this Sunday after the 10:15 service and continue through the rest of August in the Adult Formation Room (PLC 323). See below for the class reading schedule. 

Contact: Brett MacDonald


● August 23: Chapters 5–6

● August 30: Chapter 7 and concluding discussion

Let’s Build a Community Prayer Chain

Don’t forget to contribute to the Community Prayer Chain! At the end of the summer, the chain prayers will be blessed and offered to God during Sunday services on Rally Day, Sunday, September 13th!  


Throughout the summer,


  1. Pick up a colored strip of paper in your worship space or PLC foyer. 
  2. Jot down a prayer--for yourself, for your loved ones, for our community, for our nation. Don’t feel limited to one prayer! Contribute as many prayers as you’d like, using one strip of paper for each prayer. 
  3. Leave your prayer(s) in the basket on the round table in the PLC foyer. 

Did You Know?

Help Wanted! Meals on Wheels

Good Shepherd presently delivers to 5 Meals on Wheels routes twice per month. We would love to be able to increase our number of PERMANENT routes, but we really ALSO need people willing to be SUBSTITUTES when one of our drivers needs to be off … it happens! Delivering a route takes around 2-2.5 hours out of your day - about 10 AM till 12 PM on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. You will be trained … not throwing you to the wolves here! This is a wonderfully fulfilling service - I promise!!


You get to deliver a balanced, nourishing meal to people who may otherwise be lacking - but maybe above and beyond all that, you may be the ONLY person that person has contact with that day - and you have just a few minutes to make that person’s day a little brighter. How in the world can your day get any better knowing that? Please see/contact Jan Harris (or 919-815-2556) for more info!!

Volunteer Opportunity

Each week Lowe's Foods on Strickland Road donates baked goods to the Shepherd's Table. And we need volunteers to pick up these donations and get them to the soup kitchen. Our wonderful volunteers sign up for one month at a time, covering each Sunday of that month. The commitment entails picking up the items after 10:15 AM and delivering them to the soup kitchen before 12:00 PM We are currently looking for volunteers to pick up during November and December. To help us with this wonderful ministry, please contact Paula Andrews at paula.andrews2112@gmail.com or (919)880-5701. 

St. Ambrose Episcopal Church Women

Save the Date

Our friends at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church ae putting on an Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Women's Retreat. It will be on Saturday, September 19th from 9-3:30 PM. More details to come.


Come Worship & Learn This Sunday


The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost


8 AM

Holy Eucharist, Rite I


8:30 AM - 12 Noon

Nursery Care Available (infant-5 yo)


10:15 AM

Holy Eucharist, Rite II


11:30 AM

Next Week (Monday-Saturday)


Monday, August 24

  • 9 AM Morning Prayer
  • 6 PM Vestry Meeting in PLC Room 303


Tuesday, August 25

  • 9 AM Morning Prayer


Wednesday, August 26


Thursday, August 27

  • 8:30 AM Books & Bagels Book Group at Starbucks (3800 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607)
  • 9 AM Morning Prayer


Friday, August 28

  • 9 AM Morning Prayer


Saturday, August 29

News & Updates

Note in the Pocket Clothing Drive

What a haul! The Note in the Pocket clothing drive was a huge success! I cannot thank y'all enough for all of the donations. I was truly blown away by how everyone showed up to help serve our community. I am so grateful for you all! -Allison Elliott 


Note in the Pocket is a 501c3 organization with a location in Raleigh. Their mission is to provide quality clothing to homeless and impoverished children and families with dignity and love.

Our Altar Flowers this past Sunday

Photo Courtesy of Peter Jezierny

Parish Prayer List


Catherine and Bob Williams; JoAnn Kistler;

Roy Wright; Janet Gilliam; Ralph Sanders;

Pete Taylor; Martha Bailey;

Janie Ward-Newton; William Short;

Brinley Harris; Don Caudill; Margaret Park;

The Rev. Sallie Simpson; Patricia Harris;

Larry Phearse and Family;

Mike Newton-Ward; Rock Kershaw;

Bill White; NY Mike Smith;

Tamara Gregory; Lynda Terrell-Rea;

Elise Abernathy; Marsha Sample; Susan Doty;

The Fyfe and Simon Families;

The Pursley Family; The Cooke Family;

The Rahal and Anderson Families;

The Smith and Acton Families;

The Vitaglione Family;

the people of Colombia;

the people of the Middle East;

the people of Ukraine and Russia;

victims of gun violence; and those affected

by drought, heat, floods, storms, and fires.


And we pray for those who mourn,

including the family and friends of,

the Rev. Janet Watrous, Mary Best,

A.B. Swindell, Peggy Hawks, Charles Latimer,

Nolan Simon, Karen Pursley,

Deborah Cooke, Susie Rahal,

Jerry Smith, and Guy Vitaglione.


In the diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for

Emmanuel, Southern Pines and

Chapel of the Transfiguration, Southern Pines. 


In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for

The Church of the Province of West Africa.

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. 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.

Support Our Parish

Thank you for Supporting the

Life and Ministries of Good Shepherd

BUDGET UPDATE


January 1 - July 31, 2026

Actual Income: $692,596

Budgeted Income: $632,046

 Actual Expenses: $593,084

           Net:  $99,512


July 2026

   Pledge Income: $56,651

Budgeted Pledges: $60,185

            Net:  $3,534


Ministry Opportunities

If you are looking for meaningful ways to serve, please consider the ministries listed below. The contacts listed can provide more information. More opportunities are listed on our webpages: Serve our Parish / Serve our Neighbors



News from the Diocese & The Episcopal Church

Parish Partners

Connect with Us

Parish Office Regular Hours

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


Pastoral Care Emergencies

Please call the Pastoral Care Support Line 919.831.2008


Prayer Requests

Please CLICK HERE to submit a prayer request. 


Thank you for reading the Parish News. 
Announcements and photos to share with our parish family are always welcome! 

A Friendly Reminder…

Have you moved? Changed your phone number or email address? If so, please be sure to contact Parish Administrator David Baggett or 919.831.2018. Thank you!

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The Church of the Good Shepherd | 121 Hillsborough St | Raleigh, NC 27603 US