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Please be aware that clergy and staff never send emails requesting
discreet assistance or soliciting gift cards or cash transactions.
| | Weekly Update for July 23, 2026 | |
Important Parking Reminders
Please read this Parking Announcement also sent out via email on Wednesday, June 17. It contains several short and long-term parking updates.
In addition to the information shared in the email, please be aware of the following reminders regarding parking at First Baptist Church.
We give profound thanks to (and for) our friends and neighbors at First Baptist Church for generously offering their parking lot to Good Shepherd on many, many occasions! Please keep in mind that parking in First Baptist's lot is available only for specific events (such as funerals, weddings, Holy Week services, and fellowship events) with the prior explicit permission from First Baptist. When we are able to park there, that information will be announced by the Parish Office. Also, keep in mind:
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Parking on Sundays is not available to Good Shepherd.
- Permission to park does not mean parking is reserved for Good Shepherd. Parking is on a space-available basis only.
Thank you for your cooperation! Please contact David Baggett or the Parish Office with questions.
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Sthephanie Sierra and Logan Dreifuss Thank You
This summer, the Church of the Good Shepherd will be saying farewell to two of our magnificent staff members who are both headed off to exciting education opportunities this coming fall. Sthepanie Sierra, our wonderful children’s Sunday School teacher, will be attending Virginia Theological Seminary to study Christian Formation and Family Ministry, and Logan Dreifuss, our terrific Facilities Assistant will be attending UNC Charlotte to study Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Motorsports.
As a token of our love and appreciation for all they have done at Good Shepherd, we invite you to contribute to a parting financial gift to help get them settled at their new schools. Checks may be sent or dropped off at the church with “Sthephanie/Logan Thank You” in the Memo line. Alternatively, you may Give with Realm. Once there, use the dropdown menu to direct your donation to Sthepanie or Logan.
Today is the deadline to have donations into the church office or delivered through Realm.
Thank you for your generous support as these two wonderful people head off to a new season of discovery and flourishing.
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Youth Programs and Worship Survey
The Church of the Good Shepherd is participating in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina’s “Let the Children Come” program to design new intergenerational worship and prayer practices for children, youth, and people of all ages to develop their discipleship. As part of Phase One, our program team is conducting a survey on children's (ages 0-18) programs and worship. We appreciate responses from all parishioners, whether or not you have children ages 0-18.
Please complete the survey here.
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David Is on Vacation
David Baggett, Parish Administrator, is on vacation now through July 26. While he's away, please make note of the following contacts:
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Facilities (including key FOBS and PLC space reservations): Stephen McCann (919.832.2004)
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Finances (including pledges and gifts): Laura Dearth (919.831.2002)
- General Information: Parish Office (919.831.2018)
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Newsletter: Sean Dye (919.831.2005)
- Pastoral Care Support Line (monitored 24x7): 919.831.2008
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Prayer List (to add someone): Parish Prayer List
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EFWM Backpack Drive
Thank you for the strong response in purchasing backpacks and supplies to benefit the Episcopal Farmworkers Ministries. For those that signed up, if you haven’t already, please remember to leave your backpack filled with school supplies in the lobby of our Parish Life Center by Sunday, August 2nd. The blessing of the backpacks will be held during the 10:15 am service on that day. Thank you!
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Bible Amnesty
This summer, the CGS Newcomers Committee is excited to announce the return of Bible Amnesty. Once again, we have invited a select panel of our resident Bible scholars to answer all the questions about Holy Scripture that you’ve always been too afraid to ask. Bible Amnesty will be held in the Ennis Suite at 11:30 AM on July 26 and August 5. This event is designed for newcomers but all are welcome to attend. If you would like to submit a question in advance, place a card in the question box located in the hallway leading into the sanctuary. These cards can be signed or submitted anonymously. You can also email questions to Justin. Stupid questions are not only permitted, they’re encouraged! Contact the Rev. Justin Gabbard for more information.
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Let’s Build a Community Prayer Chain
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, let’s begin with prayer by joining together to build a community prayer chain! Everyone from Good Shepherd, Raleigh Mennonite Church, and St John’s MCC is invited to contribute prayers (both intercessions and thanksgivings) to the prayer chain over the summer.
As the prayer chain grows, it will be displayed on all floors of the Parish Life Center. The prayer chain is a symbol of connection and shared faith among the three groups worshiping at Good Shepherd. 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,
- Pick up a colored strip of paper in your worship space or PLC foyer.
- 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.
- Leave your prayer(s) in the basket on the round table in the PLC foyer.
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Call for Vacation Photos
The summer is a time when many of us are traveling out of town and even out of country! As you are traveling, do consider sending us some travel/vacation photos along with a quick note about where you are. Throughout the summer months we will publish these pictures in the weekly newsletter. Please send your photos to Communications Specialist, Sean Dye.
This week's pictures are certainly no vacation! They are of our wonderful EYC, Chaperones, and Rev. Justin Gabbard during their Mission Trip to Johnson City, TN last week! Please enjoy the pictures here.
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Come Worship & Learn This Sunday
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
8 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite I
8:30 AM - 12 Noon
Nursery Care Available (infant-5 yo)
9 AM
Kids Sunday School (5 yo-5th grade)
10:15 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Children's Chapel and Godly Play
11:30 AM
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Next Week (Monday-Saturday)
Monday, July 27
- 9 AM Morning Prayer
- 6 PM Vestry Meeting in PLC Room 303
Tuesday, July 28
- 9 AM Morning Prayer
- 10:30 AM Bible Study in the Ennis Suite
- 5:30 PM Bible Study at Van and Gigi Giersch's Home (6433 Chapman Ct, Raleigh, NC)
Wednesday, July 29
Thursday, July 30
- 8:30 AM Books & Bagels Book Group at Chanticleer Café & Bakery (6490 Tryon Road, Cary 27518)
- 9 AM Morning Prayer
Friday, July 31
Saturday, August 1
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Chorister Registration
The Chorister Program at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd provides musical education, community building, and faith formation through singing in choirs. Singers in grades K-12 have the opportunity to sing their faith and learn about the tradition of sacred choral music, which is musically enriching, challenging, and satisfying. This is one of the few opportunities for fostering intergenerational relationships in the community, as the choristers will regularly have opportunities to sing with the Chancel Choir. Choristers also learn that their voices are a gift from God and their love of singing will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Singing in a choir at church is also a wonderful way to share time and talents. And it’s fun, too! Registration for the 2026-2027 choir season is open now! Register here and contact Kirsten Homdrom with any questions.
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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;
NY Mike Smith; Tamara Gregory; Nancy and Gregory Clemmons; Elise Abernathy; Lynda Terrell-Rea; Tom; David Yates; Glenna Musante and The Gregory Family; Susan and Jane Jackson and Family;
The Fyfe and Simon Families; The Pursley Family; The Cooke Family; The Rahal and Anderson Families; The Smith and Acton Families; The Spagnoli Family; The Dillard Family; Meredith Sparrow and Family;
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 have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
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 Gerard Spagnoli.
In the diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for Church of the Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount;
St. Andrew’s, Rocky Mount; and St. Mark’s, Roxboro.
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Tanzania.
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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.
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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
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News from the Diocese & The Episcopal Church
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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!
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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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