Wishing you a blessed Eastertide! | | Weekly Update for May 7, 2026 | | | | |
Important!
Pig Pickin' Rescheduled!
New Date: Saturday, June 6th!
The Mike Beard Pig Pickin' has been re-scheduled to Saturday, June 6th from 4-7! Please stay tuned for updates
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Music Celebration Series
Please join us as we celebrate The Church of the Good Shepherd's Music Ministry! As we approach the end of the program year, this is a great time to say thank you to everyone in Music Ministry and acknowledge their hard work this year.
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Sunday, May 10 - Chancel Choir and Good Shepherd Choir sing at the 10:15 service; choristers recognized; today's plate offering (i.e., undesignated or “loose” offering) goes to the Music Fund to support various music ministry programs and objectives. You may also contribute to the Music Ministry by giving online. Thank you for your generous support!
The church's annual operating budget supports the church's regular month-to-month music ministry expenses, but the Music Fund is used primarily to support large one-time purchases. For example, this past program year the Music Fund has been used for:
- Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday guest musicians.
- New choir robes for child choristers.
- Platform in organ pit.
- Palm Sunday Concert featuring the Lyricosa Quartet.
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Supporting Penick Village Mother's Day Offering
Nearly 70 years ago, Bishop Edwin Penick, with the support of the Diocesan Council, established the Penick Village Mother's Day Offering as the annual opportunity for churches and individuals to support Penick Village, a faith-based continuing care retirement community in Southern Pines with deep Episcopal roots. Since 1957, the Mother's Day offering has helped fulfill Bishop Penick's promise: "no resident should have to leave due to financial hardship." Your gift to the 2026 Mother's Day Offering helps fund around a million dollars' worth of financial assistance provided each year. Every donation, large or small, helps sustain this mission. Thank you for your generosity!
Mother's Day Offering envelopes are available at the Front Desk in the Parish Life Center. Envelopes may be mailed directly to Penick Village, or they may be left in the Parish Office to be mailed.
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Adult Formation Short Series on
Richard Powers and The Overstory
The Adult Formation Class will meet from 9–10 AM with Lynn Hoke on the next three Sundays (May 10, 17 & 24) in Room 323 upstairs in the Parish Life Center. Each week our focus will be Richard Powers and his Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel, The Overstory. Powers was a guest on “Trinity Talks” in 2023 for a live recorded conversation with the rector, the Rev. Phillip A. Jackson. This series remains available on Trinity’s website for use by interested persons or groups. In The Overstory, Powers explores our relationship with nature, our understanding of time, and the defiant act of hope in the face of the climate crisis. We will divide the video into three parts and follow each segment with group discussion. Reading The Overstory is not required, but some Public Library copies are currently available.
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Monthly Men's Fellowship
Come enjoy lively fellowship and a reasonably priced meal this Thursday, May 14--no reservation is required and all men are welcome! Men’s Fellowship Lunches take place on the SECOND THURSDAY of each month at 12 NOON at High Park Grill (625 E. Whitaker Mill Road). Contact: Jack Boyne (919.832.3641)
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Sunday Morning Adult Formation
Join us Sunday, May 17th at 9:00 AM in room 303 for a special Bible class. Michael Burkhart will present “Consider the Birds.” Explore how God uses the birds in Scripture (dove, sparrow, pigeon) to reveal profound spiritual truths about our Christian life.
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Youth Sunday
Next Sunday, May 17th, will be a special day in our parish as we celebrate and recognize your youth.
• During the 10:15 service, members of the EYC will lead us in worship. Our preacher will be graduating senior Camm Fyfe, son of Maggie and Paul Fyfe and brother of Anders. Please come next Sunday and support our youth!
• Sunday evening will be the EYC’s annual Red Carpet Dinner to honor graduating seniors. This year’s graduates are Camm Fyfe (son of Maggie and Paul Fyfe) and Maysie Hill (daughter of Megan and Frank Fee and the late Tony Hill). Congratulations Maysie and Camm!
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Brown-Rogers Building Demolition
Demolition on the Brown-Rogers Building located at 115 Hillsborough Street (that's the green building next door to the Parish Life Center) has begun and is expected to take 5-6 months. Parking spaces in front of that building will be unavailable during this time.
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Save the Date!
Out & About Dinner
OUT & ABOUT is a 20 + year longstanding CGS supper group affirming our LGBTQ families & friends. We gather regularly during the year at a host's home for a potluck meal, fun and fellowship. Our next gathering is Sunday, May 17 at 6 PM. Know anyone who would like to join us, or interested in hosting or co-hosting a future potluck supper? Just reach out to: Brother Paul Henry OSF by text at 954-448-8931. ALL ARE WELCOME!
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Movie Screening: Racist Roots
Our friends at Raleigh Mennonite Church (on the 3rd floor of the Parish Life Center) are hosting a screening of the short film "Racist Roots" on Monday, May 18th from 6:30-8:00 PM. See below for further information.
We'll gather in Shepherd's Hall with Noel Nickle, Executive Director of the NCCADP (North Carolina Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty) and Ed Chapman, NC death row exoneree and author. There will be a time to gather, view the film, and take part in a conversation with Ed Chapman. Snacks and drinks will be provided by the Hospitality Committee. The event is free and open to the public. Please invite anyone who may be interested. RSVP-ing is encouraged using the QR code on the flyer or this link, so that we can get a head count for the food.
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Readers Needed for Pentecost
Sunday - May 24
During our 10:15 worship service on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, the lectionary reading from Acts, which tells the story of the first Pentecost, will be read in several languages in addition to English. In past years we’ve had parishioners read in Spanish, French, German, Latin, Thai, Portuguese, American Sign Language, Japanese, Welsh and more! If you are able to read in a language other than English and would be willing to read a short passage this year, please contact David Baggett (919.831.2018). Thank you!
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Volunteers and Finger Food Needed
On Saturday, June 6th at 11 AM, The Church of the Good Shepherd will host the diocesan ordination of six candidates the Sacred Order of Deacons. A reception for families and friends of the ordinands will take place in Shepherd's Hall immediately following the ordination service. If you are able to contribute finger food to the reception, please contact Molly Propst (919.523.8142). Thank you!
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Vacation Bible School Registration Deadline Fast Approaching!
VBS 2026 for children pre-K through 5th grade will take place June 15-18, 9 AM-12 Noon. To register your child(ren) please CLICK HERE. The registration deadline is Tuesday, May 26.
Tshirts: Tshirts will go on sale starting next week. They will start at $20 per shirt and all proceeds will go towards our amazing VBS Program. You can also donate to the program through Realm.
Volunteers: Adult & youth volunteers are needed to make VBS a success! If you'd like to help out, please CLICK HERE. Thank you!
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2026 Summer Mission Trip -- Registration Is Open
July 19-25, 2026
Both adults and teenagers (over the age of eleven) are invited to join the Good Shepherd work crew. We have reserved twenty-five beds and are hoping to have equal numbers of teens and adults. We are especially interested in those who have construction or home improvement experience. Read more about it... Contact: Rev. Justin REGISTER HERE
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Baptism, Commissioning, New Members, Oh My!
It was a busy Sunday Morning at the Church of the Good Shepherd on April 26! We are thrilled that June Anna Linnell (child of Laura and Stephen Linnell) received the Sacrament of Baptism.
Stephanie Bias, Sarah Boney, Karen Boyne, Nan Boyne, Van Giersch, Gigi Giersch, William Hendrickson, Br. Paul Henry, OSF, Dar Jennings, Lisa Jennings, Vive Kershaw, Bob Kochersberger, Wendy Lapish, Susan Lewellen, Julie Lowe, Judi Mathis, Kristin Oliver, Diane Pergerson, Molly Propst, Randy Roberts, Marguerite Sullivan, Kathy Whittaker, and Lynn Wiss were commmissioned as Pastoral Care Ministers of this Church.
Lastly we welcomed those who have joined The Church of the Good Shepherd in the last year; Cassie and Matthew Brethen, Michael Burkhart, Winifred Dillon, Susan Doty, Frank and Peggy Fee, Megan Fee, George Hill, Mays Hill, Jill Hamilton, William Hendrickson, Linda and Gary Keeter, Dennis McKinnie, Jon and Sarah Sheldon, Shepherd and Ann Smith, Fig Rosenberger, Debbie and Holland West, Brittney and Wyatt Wille, and Fiona Peach Wille.
We offer thanksgiving for all our beloved siblings in Christ, especially those recognized above for their various milestones and works in Christ.
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Congratulations Sthepanie!
🎓✨ Good Shephard is bursting with pride as we celebrate Sthepanie Sierra-Medina who graduates from Shaw University this Saturday! ✨🎓
From the moment Sthepanie arrived from Honduras to study Business at Saint Augustine’s University, she has been unstoppable. In what felt like record time, she became a beloved leader, community builder, worship planner, and apparently… part-time campus superhero. After transferring to Shaw, she was elected Student Body Vice President her very next semester! 👏
Need someone to teach Sunday School? Sthepanie’s there. Need someone to organize community events? Already done. Need someone to explain voter registration only weeks after moving to a new country? Somehow, yes — she can do that too! Sthepanie has faithfully served the children and families of Good Shepherd while also racing off to El Buen Pastor to serve her own church community every Sunday. Her joyful spirit, deep faith, and gift for bringing people together inspire everyone around her.
Next stop: Alexandria! Sthepanie will begin pursuing a Master of Christian Education at Virginia Theological Seminary. Congratulations, Sthepanie! We celebrate you and can’t wait to see what God has in store next! 💜🎉
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Volunteers Wanted for This Year's Out Raleigh Booth
We are looking for volunteers who would be interested in helping out with The Church of The Good Shepherd's Out Raleigh booth on Saturday, June 27. Please contact Michael Springston for more information and to volunteer.
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Welcome St. John's MCC!
Our siblings in Christ of St John's MCC recently lost their regular worship space. For the next few weeks, as they prayerfully discern their future, they are meeting at 10 AM on Sunday mornings in Good Shepherd's choir room.
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Scammers Are Hard at Work
Please be alert! Clergy and staff never send emails soliciting gift cards or cash transactions. Also keep in mind that legitimate emails from The Church of the Good Shepherd always
- contain Good Shepherd branding, like this one does.
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come from a church email address ending in cgs-raleigh.org.
If you ever have a question or concern about an email received, please call the Parish Office (919.831.2000).
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Come Worship & Learn This Sunday
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)
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Adult Formation: Room 303, Debbie Moyer continues to lead our study of the Gospel of Matthew.
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Adult Formation: Room 323, 3 week series on Richard Powers and The Overstory led by Lynn Hoke.
10:15 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Children's Chapel, Godly Play, and Parish Musician Recognition
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Next Week (Monday-Saturday)
Monday, May 11
Tuesday, May 12
- 9 AM Morning Prayer
- 10:30 AM Bible Study with Rev. Imogen (Ennis Suite)
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5:30 PM Bible Study with Van Giersch at Van & Gigi Giersch's home (6433 Chapman Ct, Raleigh 27612)
Wednesday, May 13
Thursday, May 14
Friday, May 15
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Altar Flowers
Please note that effective June 1, the price for altar flowers provided by the Flower Guild will increase to $125 (or $62.50 per vase).
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Good Shepherd to Host Arts Together Summer Camps
A variety of exciting camps is being offered this summer, July 15-August 14, for kids ages 3-12 yo at both Good Shepherd and Arts Together's facility (114 Saint Mary's St, Raleigh 27605). Read more about it ...
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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; Jerry Smith;
Margaret Park; The Rev. Sallie Simpson; Patricia Harris; Susie Rahal; Larry Phearse and Family;
Mike Newton-Ward; Rock Kershaw; NY Mike Smith; Tamara Gregory; Holly Rogers; Patti Head;
Nancy and Gregory Clemmons; Bob Bogert; Susan and Jane Jackson and Family;
The Fyfe and Simon Families; The Pursley Family; The Cooke Family; The Crum 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,
remembering especially Pete Crum, the uncle of Jennifer Tlusty.
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, and Deborah Cooke.
In the diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for
St. Mark's, Huntersville and Church of the Saviour, Jackson.
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Church of Pakistan (United).
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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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Our Altar Flowers this past Sunday
Photo Courtesy of Peter Jezierny
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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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