SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

October 30, 2026

 We are called gathered and blessed to be a community and instrument of grace for all sheep of the Good Shepherd.

🌟Indicates something NEW this week!

REFORMATION CONCERT - Friday, October 30, 2026, 7:30 pm

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, will host Echoing Air, an Indianapolis-based vocal ensemble with Baroque instruments. “A Mighty Fortress” is an inspiring concert of music showcasing the music of 16th to early 18th-century Lutheran composers. Admission and parking are free, and a reception will follow the concert. https://www.facebook.com/events/1728055265189198

BLOOD DRIVE THIS SATURDAY

Oct. 31 - Quarterly Blood Drive at Good Shepherd ( 8am - 1 pm). Make appointments at redcrossblood.org, sponsor code: goodshepherdlutheran. Free Halloween T'shirt with donation.

SCARECROW INVASION IN WOODSTOCK

Current Rank: 10th place.

Continue to cast your votes for your favorite scarecrow in downtown Woodstock until 5 pm on Oct. 31st. Last week we rolled back to 10th place. Good Shepherd's scarecrow is located at #150 on Main Street, just north of Towne Lake, in front of “The Chambers at City Center”. It costs $1 to vote. In-person voting is at the Woodstock Visitors Center.

🌟DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS

Remember to turn your clocks back before heading to bed this Saturday, or you might just end up being the first one at church for services.

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

This Sunday, we celebrate All Saints Sunday. (November 1). On this day, we remember all the saints who were baptized and the saints who have entered into eternal life. If you have a loved one who passed away in the past year and would like their name to be read during our worship services, please email their name to Pastor Karen.

🌟 ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

November 1, 2026

8:30 AM Traditional Worship | 10:45 Praise Worship

Worship Bulletins: 8:30 | 10:45 | Announcements | Readings

We have large-print bulletins available for the service. If you would like a copy, please ask one of the ushers, who will be happy to provide one.

You can also watch the 8:30 AM service LIVE this week on our Facebook Page. (You do not need an account to view the service.)

If you join us online, please sign our attendance book.

If you would like to submit an offering, please donate online.

🌟SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES:

Youth Sunday School Classes at 9:45 AM

PreK/Elementary: Room 111

Middle/High School/Confirmation: Youth Room Downstairs

Adult Sunday School Classes: 9:45 AM

Coffee and Conversation: We will continue our study entitled “Disciple and Mission”. The lessons in this study will cover passages from various books of the Bible in New Testament.  

Faith Stories: Room 117. We are continuing with our study from the book, “The Essential Jesus”. All studies are independent, so you can join us any time. We will begin a new study on Nov. 15th titled "Voices of Advent." The book is available on Amazon for $10.79 for paperback or $9.99 on Kindle.

Men in Mission: Room 116. This is a casual group studying the Bible together. We will gather for our monthly outing at Marlow’s Tavern next on Nov. 2nd in Woodstock at 7 PM. 

🌟NEXT SUNDAY - ONE SERVICE 10 AM - Nov. 8th

A busy day, but a most grateful day at Good Shepherd. We will begin our day with one worship service at 10 AM, which will include the consecration of our gifts. Please remember to fill out your intent forms and bring them with you on this Sunday. They were also included in your stewardship packet.



Following the service, we will have a short Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting and vote for the candidates running for our 2027-28 Council. A special Sheep Buzz will be sent next week to all voting members of the congregation. We will conclude the day by gathering together for our annual Thanksgiving meal. Please sign up this Sunday in Fellowship Hall to bring something to share.

🌟TWO CAN SUNDAY AND HEFTY ENERGY RECYCLE - November 1

Bring two cans of food or two canned dinners and add it to our shopping cart for

those less fortunate in our local area. We are supporting Encompass Ministries

in Canton with our donations.

We will also collect Hefty Energy Recycle bags this Sunday. Remember, Good

Shepherd does not provide the orange bags, and all items must be placed

inside these bags. They can be purchased locally at Target, Kroger, Publix, and

Walmart. All items to be recycled in this program have to be labeled 5 or

above.

🌟TRUNK OR TREAT

Thank you to all who participated in our annual Trunk or Treat. We had a beautiful evening and met so many wonderful people in our community who were overjoyed to engage in games, conversation, and, of course, candy. Thank you to all who made this evening special. You can see all our decorated cars here!

🌟SUNDAY SERVANT SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER

Consider serving in a new capacity.

We are looking for a few volunteers to serve in our Fellowship role, serving coffee and snacks after both of our Sunday worship services. Please contact the office if you are interested.

Please direct all updates, vacation plans, and changes to the schedule by the 15th of the previous month to Office@gslutheran.org. 

Please remember to try and find your own replacements. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA ORDERS

 You may have seen it already in the stores and maybe even cringed a bit, but Christmas planning is in the works, and it is time to order and write dedications for those Christmas poinsettia plants. Plants cost $12 each, and forms need to be returned by Nov. 8th. Please make checks out to GSLC and drop them in the offering plate or wall slot outside the Office Coordinator's office. If you order online, be sure to drop off a dedication form and use the altar flowers category online.

OUTREACH BEDDING DRIVE - Last Chance

The Outreach committee is collecting for Sleep in Heavenly Peace during the month of October. We are happy to announce that they have built almost 200 beds since they started at the beginning of 2026. Please use their website shpbeds.mindfulgiving.org to order the items they most need and have them sent directly to the organization. When on their website, select GA Cherokee County.

If online ordering is not for you, you can purchase pillows and twin bed-in-a-bag sets. They can be sent to Ron Mixon. If you need his address, please contact the church office. We encourage everyone to use the SHP website or send directly to Ron, since there are many events and activities happening in Fellowship Hall this fall. 

🌟COULD THIS BE YOU? WE COULD USE THE HELP!

We are looking for a couple of creative people to help drive two projects.

GOOD SHEPHERD SWAG

We would like to create some new Good Shepherd T-Shirts/Sweatshirts with our new logo. Is this a project you would like to lead or help us get started? Let Pastor Karen or the church office know as soon as possible.

CHRISTMAS HELP NEEDED

If you didn't see our parade float for the Woodstock Christmas parade last year, you missed out! But good news! We need an interested group to plan and build the float. The parade date is Sunday, Dec. 6, and we need to have our float registered by Nov. 23rd. If you have some creative thoughts to contribute or can swing a hammer or hang some lights, please let Janice Swinford know. The more the merrier!

Nov. 4 - Theology on Tap - 6:30 pm at GameDay in Woodstock. Casual conversations and discussions on topics you may never have thought to ask in church. A great group of faithful people.

Nov. 7 - Electronic Recycling Event and Good Shepherd's Garage Sale (cash only) 10 AM - 1 PM. Sign-up to help at Sign-up Central. More details on the attached insert.

Nov. 14 - Fall Outdoor clean up at 8 AM and Service of Hope at Good Shepherd, 4 PM. All are welcome.

🌟PANCAKES AND TRIVIA

What's not to love?

Save the date: Nov. 15th - at 12:00 PM for a Pancake Breakfast and Trivia youth fundraiser to help support our youth interested in attending next summer's youth gathering in Minnesota. Come enjoy good food, friendly competition, and fellowship while supporting our youth. $10/person, $30 max per family.

🌟COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG

A Christmas planning team has met and found a wonderful way to share the spirit of Christmas with those around us. Save the date: Dec. 12 at 5 PM for a community sing-a-long taking place in our lower parking lot. This is a free event and will include cookies, hot chocolate, and lots of singing! To end the evening, we will have a tree lighting too! Invitation cards will be available soon to invite your friends and neighbors.

WORD ON WEDNESDAY

Word on Wednesday now meets on Wednesdays in the Fellowship Hall at 10 AM. Please join us as our study leader, Lori Peters, guides us as we explore “What Grows In Weary Lands” by Tish Harrison Warren, which can be purchased on Amazon. Next week, we will be meeting in the sanctuary and will not be running the Teams option.

THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY

This class meets at 10 AM on Thursdays in Fellowship Hall and is led by Pastor Karen. We focus on the lessons that are coming up for the next Sunday.

Feel free to drop in at any time. Bring your Bible.

🌟CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

We are a group of facilitators trained by the Alzheimer's Association to assist in communication, prayer, and support for those caring for others. We meet regularly on the second Saturday and the fourth Thursday of every month at 1:00 PM, at Good Shepherd. Anyone is welcome to attend these group sessions. Our next meeting is November 14th. We will be meeting in the Meeting Room.

Enjoying the Fall weather? Consider this local event put together by the Alzheimer's Association:

The 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's – Cherokee County/Canton, GA takes place at Etowah River Park in Canton, Georgia, on October 31, 2026.

Event Details

• Arrival Time: 9:00 AM
• Opening Ceremony: 10:00 AM
• Location: Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, GA 30114
• Route Length: 2 miles
• Contact: Norma Barragan at nbarragan@alz.org

Registration & Participation

• Cost: There is no registration fee, though personal fundraising and donations are strongly encouraged.
• Registration: Every participant (including children) must register online and sign a waiver through the official Alzheimer's Association Walk Page.
• T-Shirt Incentive: Registered participants who raise the minimum of $100 receive an official Walk T-shirt.

GREETING CARD MINISTRY- new cards available

TAKE NOTE! Our card bins are FULL of new greeting cards, with lots of new designs! We also have a new supply of HAND-PAINTED cards, which are generously donated to GSLC by Liane Dolezar, a local Woodstock artist. All donated proceeds support our Good Shepherd Youth Mission trips. This ministry is being hosted by Molly Maher, Linda Rowell, and Pam Hough.

🌟LADIES NIGHT OUT

Meets regularly on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 PM. This is an evening out and a break from cooking, with good conversation and good food among sisters in Christ. In November, we will meet on Tuesday, November 17th. Please sign up in Fellowship Hall.

Henry’s Louisiana Grill

4835 N. Main Street

Acworth, GA 30101

MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION

If you have young adult GSLC members either living in your household or living outside the home who may still want news and information about Good Shepherd, please consider updating their contact information with the church office at office@gslutheran.org

Do you love your church? Consider giving Good Shepherd a 5 Star review on Google and/or Yelp. It helps other know about who we are and what we do!

BUILDING ACCESS REQUEST

& CHURCH CALENDAR

Online Calendar & Calendar Submission and Entry Request Form

Use this as a resource for all Good Shepherd Events. Need to add an event to the calendar or request access to our building use the form below. Questions? Contact our Media Coordinator.

Please note that all building access requests will not be added to the calendar. The office is primarily using one form to streamline the office processes for building entry and events.

This is our submission form for you to submit non-urgent prayer concerns. Prayers will be posted to the Prayer Circle, via e-mail, during normal business hours, usually around 3 PM. As always, if you have an urgent prayer request, please contact Pastor by cell or email. 

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