Welcome

to our Weekly

Sheep Buzz Newsletter

November 17, 2023

Please print your bulletins from home if you are able.


Worship Bulletins: 8:30 AM | Booklet Insert (8:30)

10:45 AM | Insert


We are excited to welcome Pamela Wilhoit into the body of Christ, through the sacrament of Holy Baptism at the 10:45 AM service.

The 8:30 AM Worship Service will be livestreamed on our Facebook page at facebook.com/gslcwoodstock/videos


Following the service we will post any recorded services to our YouTube channel and our website on the sermon page gslutheran.org/sermons.

 

You do not need a Facebook account to view our livestreamed services.

Donate Online

Sign in for online attendance

The church office will be closed Thursday, November 23rd and Friday November 24th, for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

Coffee with Council: December 10th

On December 10th, at Coffee with Council in between services, communication with our Long Range Planning Task Force will be the main topic for discussion. Please save this date and plan to attend.

The Long Range Planning Task Force (LRPTF), consisting of Gina Crittenden, Pete Dumpis, Tony Endozo, Michael Epstein, Donna Garges and Anna Louise Panhorst, met for the first time this week. This group, selected by Council, is being guided by our Interim Pastor Karen Boda and will be utilizing multiple tools, including the books How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going by Susan Beaumont and Abundance: Creating a Culture of Generosity by Michael R. Ward. The Chair of the task force is Tony Endozo and Donna Garges and Gina Crittenden will co-chair Communication duties, providing updates to both Council and the Congregation.

Council has now posted information including Council Minutes and more detailed financial numbers, in the Fellowship Hall.

Use this QR code or link to our giving platform. Look for the colorful tile labeled Southeastern Synod Pledge and make your donation.

Synod Pledge


Looking for a way to contribute to the Southeastern Synod? The easiest way is through our Vanco Mobile Online Giving Platform. You can donate any way you like, 1 time or set something up as a recurring donation using a credit or debit card. We will also gladly accept any contributions by check, be sure to put "synod pledge" in the memo line and place in the bookkeeeper wall slot or offering plate.

Thank you.


Donate Now

Click to visit our online calendar for ALL other upcoming meetings and dates

STEWARDSHIP

Consecration Sunday is November 26th. Two families in the congregation have challenged us to collect at least 110 intent cards by that date. If we do, GSLC will receive an extra $2000! We currently have 66. Just 44 more to go! You may leave the cards in the box at the altar during the offering, in the offering plate or in the bookkeeper's mail slot.


If you still need an intent form, you may click the button below to access the form. If you are not able to drop off at church, you may:

  1. Print the form
  2. Complete the form
  3. Scan or take a photo of the completed form
  4. Email it to our bookkeeper at [email protected]


Additional information and forms can be found on our Stewardship Page on our website. Thank you.

I need an intent form
Stewardship Page on Website

YOUTH AND FAMILY

Looking for all the news for our Youth? Be sure to read your Wednesday, Weekly Lamb Buzz Email. Some exciting things are happening at GSLC for all ages of our youth. Access each week on our website under the Youth Tab, the button below or sign-up to be on the e-mail list. Let Mel know at [email protected] if you want to be included in the email blast. 

 


Read the Weekly Lamb Buzz newsletter for more details.

Weekly Lamb Buzz

SMALL GROUPS

This Friday join us!

Ladies Night Out


Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 Time: 7 PM

Tuscany

250 Cinema View

Woodstock, GA 30189

Sign up in Fellowship Hall.

Click here for more information about initiatives from our Social Justice Task Force. This week we are learning more about Native American Indigenous Month. Click this button to see what you know or don't know.

I want to learn more
winter_village_snow.jpg

Card ministry at GSLC

We now have Beautiful HANDMADE CHRISTMAS CARDS are available for purchase! There will be single cards (minimum donation of $2.00), as well as 3 card bundles which are available for a minimum donation of $5.00 - a great value.


HANDMADE GREETING CARDS are available in the Fellowship Hall for a minimum donation of $2.00 per card. When you need to send a card, this is a handy way to pick up a beautiful card and support Good Shepherd’s outreach efforts, as each card has a Good Shepherd label on the back. All proceeds will support our Good Shepherd Youth Mission Trips. This ministry is being hosted by Molly Maher, Linda Rowell and Pam Hough

SERVE

HELP SERVE!!!


Thank you!! We have what we need for additional servant opportunites for November 26th.


For Sunday's in Advent at both services (Dec. 3, 10 17 & 24), we are looking for family units to read a short litany while lighting the Advent wreath. Click button below.


We also have sign up opportunities in the Entryway to serve during the Christmas services.


Please consider volunteering.

Advent Candle Lighting

You May Have Been Assigned a Servant Role


If switching to a new role, please email our Office Coordinator, Melina, so she can add you to our schedules. Also, please let the office know in advance if you are scheduled, or future plans have you going away and cannot serve. Thank you.

Sunday Servant Schedules

CARING FOR CREATION

October Harvest for Forever Fed


CARING FOR CREATION

We will not meet in December due to midweek Advent services. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. on Teams

GARDEN OF GRACE: Fall plantings include radishes, lettuce, spinach and carrots. We have already been harvesting radishes and lettuce. and expect to have carrots in a few weeks. The peppers have produced abundantly all summer, but were killed by the recent freezing weather. All produce harvested from the Garden of Grace is donated to Forever Fed.

 

Some of our older garden beds were falling apart. These have been repaired with new boards by the generous efforts of Clint Gruwell and Ken Eggers.

 

CARING FOR CREATION: Our recycling initiatives are going well including collection of oral care waste, small batteries, used eyeglasses, and Hefty energy bags for hard to recycle items. We recently added collection of beverage pull tabs. We will resume collection of prescription medicine bottles tin January. If you have questions, please see any member of the committee.

 

We will be exploring ways everyone can care for God's creation by reducing our carbon footprint. Look for tips and suggestions in upcoming newsletters.

POP TABS for Ronald McDoanld Charities

Hooray! We have found a way to continue this important ministry. Please continue to save your pop tabs and place them in the bin in Fellowship Hall.

WORSHIP AND MUSIC




We are always looking for new singers or instrumentalists to enhance our worship, and we would especially love to have new voices during the Advent/Christmas season. Please contact Pam through the link below for more details and expressions of your musical gifts.

The Praise Team rehearses some Saturdays 9-11 and some Thursday evenings from 7-9 PM. Contact Pam if you are interested in being in our Praise Team.


Click here to email Pam, our Praise Service Coordinator

Do you like to deocare for Christmas?

We need decorators and ladder climbers to help get the sanctuary ready for Christmas. Please come out on December 2nd at 10:30 AM to help. With many hands, it should only take about an hour. All ages welcome. Contact the church office if you have any questions. Please sign up in Fellowship Hall.

ADVENT RESOURCES

Here are a couple resources for the Advent Season, one is from Luther Seminary that you can either download in it's entirety or you can have emailed to you daily.

Daily e-mail can be found here: 

https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/advent-devotional/


 

Complete Downloadable version:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hid5hRLafyOv2bLWiRmwl55XngHypSm_/view


A second resource is from ELCA World Hunger. It is a four week study that follows the lectionary.


World Hunger website with additional resources:

https://lamaz.org/news-blog/elca-world-hunger-advent-resources-2023


Complete World Hunger Downloadable Advent study. 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e418e3f25b2cd34176c17d9/t/651b4a26beae2529c4d724e3/1696287273864/Advent_Study_2023_FNL.pdf

News from the  SES Synod and ELCA

Connect with the ELCA and Southeastern Synod

Southeastern Synod

Latest Edition (11-7-23): Southeastern Synod E-News

 Upcoming Events from latest edition:

ELCA News

Nov. 16th Edition: ELCA Monthly publication "Seeds Monthly"

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Available for any and all ages!!

Sunday School 

Coffee and Conversation meets Sunday mornings at 9:45 AM, and is engaged in a study titled, God's Law is Love" that includes excerpts from several books of the New Testament. We will continue to meet on this study unitl shortly after the new year. Ben Setzer continues to lead this group.


Fatih Stories: is starting a new four week study Sunday, Nov. 26th: Walter Brueggemann, Names for the Messiah: An Advent Study. We meet at at 9:45 AM in rm. 117. We encourage new faces to join us at anytime. The book can be purchased on Amazon.


Men in Mission: We are currently working through the Master Builders Bible for Men. We meet Sunday Mornings at 9:45 AM in rm. 118. Join us for good conversation and reflection.

WEEK DAY BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday Lunch and Learn: We are engaged in a new study of Hebrews titled, "Without Wavering" by Alexandra Hoover. This is a small group study with a video. We will meet in the Meeting Room at 11:30 AM. Bring your lunch and join us for this lunchtime study. We are always looking for new study partners.


We will not meet next Wednesday, Nov. 22. The week after Thanksgiving, we will start the study, Bless the Advent We Actually Have by Kate Bowler.

Word of Wednesday (WOW): Word on Wednesday meets at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Virtual options will be available for those not able to attend in person. We invite you to join us in our journey along the path of life with God as we study "The Serenity Prayer - a simple prayer to enrich your life" by Trevor Hudson. Lori Peters continues to lead this group.


We will not meet next Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Thursday Bible Study: The Thursday Bible Study is engaged in a study on the theology of Paul, then we will move into a study of his letters to Thessalonica. Bring your Bible! We will not meet on Thursday, Nov. 23.

Theology on Tap is a casual, friendly gathering where we can grab a meal, a beverage, and have honest, thought provoking conversation about faith, philosophy, ethics, and ideals in a safe, non-judgemental environment. Topics change each time we meet so no need to worry about missing anything. Everyone is welcome to share some food, laughs, and open conversation about stuff that matters.

Theology on Tap meets next Nov. 29, at 6:30 PM


Theology on Tap continues to meet at Game Day. 

 

We gather around 6:30 to order food, begin our discussion around 7 PM and continue till about 8:30 PM.


We will take a break for Advent/Christmas after this meeting on Nov. 29th. We hope to resume in January.

OUTREACH

NEXT OUTREACH MEETING

Our next outreach meeting will be held between worship services this Sunday, November 19th, at 9:30 AM. Please plan to attend if you are able.

This Month Two Can Sunday is sponsoring a food drive for Papa's Pantry. See the top 15 Urgently Needed Donations below. Use the Shopping Cart in the Entryway or the bins in Fellowship Hall.


We will be running this drive the entire month of November. In December, we will collect for Timothy's cupboard.

Christmas Angel Tree

An Angel Tree has been set up in the Meeting Room to benefit youth and families from Oak Grove Elementary School in Acworth. Select an angel from the tree. Purchase ONLY 2 gifts from the list.  In other words, do not shop the entire list. We want all children in the families to be represented fairly. Purchase one need and one want, wrap them and place the angel back on the gifts and bringing back to GSLC, by December 10th.  Share the love of Christmas!

MUST Ministries

Consider bringing a food donation and leave in the barrels on our front porch.


Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us - Ephesians 5: 1-2a.


Must Ministries Website

Eye on the Magi - Written by Justin Lind-Ayres | Illustrated by Krista Schrock


As your family journeys toward Christmas and the birth of Jesus, you are invited to keep your Eye on the Magi. Through art, scripture, and prayer, this children's book offers twenty-five days of brief devotions intended to immerse families in the Christmas story. Each day in December leading to Christmas, children locate the three magi (cutouts provided) moving throughout the home in their search for Jesus. Once the magi are found, families open to the appointed day and share in a short devotional together. It is a playful way to deepen faith and enhance the Advent season. Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior -- the traditional names of the magi -- welcome you to keep your eye on them, follow in their footsteps, and experience the wonder and waiting of the Advent season.


Buy on Amazon


Pastor Justin Lind-Ayres was also a featured writer of November 1 -15th, in the current edition of the "Light in Our Home" devotion booklet.

PRAYER MINISTRY

This is our submission form for you to submit prayer concerns. Prayers will be posted to the Prayer Circle, via e-mail, during normal business hours. 


If you would like to pray for others, as part of our prayer circle, please contact our Office Coordinator and she can add you to the Prayer Circle group.

Submit a prayer request
Current Prayer List

Please print your bulletin from home if you are able.

Worship Bulletins: 8:30 AM | Booklet Insert (8:30)

10:45 AM | Insert


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Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

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