SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

January 31, 2025

STEWARDSHIP

This Ministry Fair was a grand success and was a great opportunity to see all the wonderful groups and committees that make Good Shepherd thrive. Spirtual Gift forms for 2025 continue to be available in the Entry Way and on our website. A big THANK YOU to all of those that had tables and worked hard to make this such a successful event.

Please make special note of some of the new opportunities. Evangelism, Card Ministry, Caregiver Support Group, Sound Board Operator (10:45 service). We are also in higher need of worship servants for Assisting Minster, Acolyte, Crucifer, Usher and AV Ministry Operator roles.

This Sunday, Feb 2nd, bring in two cans of food and place in the Shopping Cart in the Entry Way. This collection supports local food pantiry Timothy's Cupboard.

Remeber to bring your recyclables for the Hefty Orange Bag recycling program. We collect these items the first Sunday of every month. Place your bags in the trash receptable located near the front door.

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

On Sunday, January 19, members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church voted to extend a call to Pastor Karen Boda to be our next pastor. The vote was unanimous. I am pleased to report that Pastor Karen has accepted this call. She expects to be back with us for Sunday morning worship on February 2. The word 'Interim' will officially be removed from her title on February 15. Please continue to keep Pastor Karen and our congregation in your prayers.

On behalf of the Church Council and the entire Good Shepherd family of faith, I want to thank the members of the Call Committee for their Spirit-led dedication and perseverance over these many months.  

Craig Stichtenoth, Council President 

January Council highlights:

• An updated Endowment policy will be voted on in February to allow new members of Council time to review.
• December financials were still being finalized at the time of the January Council meeting. It was reported that the total dollar value of pledges received is up slightly compared to last year.

Accolades:

• All who assisted with Christmas Eve worship, including all musicians, assisting ministers, acolytes, crucifers, ushers, altar guild, lectors and mutual ministry
• All who decorated the sanctuary, including Carrie Finney who organized the youth
• All the staff who worked tirelessly to create wonderful worship experiences during Advent and Christmas, especially Donna, Chase and Pam
• Pastor Karen and Donna for worship video for January 12
• Bakers for Cookie Walk and those who supported financially
• Christmas pageant participants
• Steve and Aaron Frink, who worked on Sunday afternoon, January 19th to chip ice on the sidewalks and put down material to help ensure the safety of staff and students when they came to Child's Play when it was again in operation.

Februrary Sunday Servant Schedule

The February Servant schedule has been reposted, please note there have been some changes made to the schedule, so take a moment to look it over if you previously viewed it. Be reminded that it is most desirable for you to find a replacement if you can not serve on a particular Sunday. Direct all updates and changes to the schedule to our new Office Coordinator, Alissa at Office@gslutheran.org. Thank you.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Help us stay current.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVANTS

For the next few weeks, at a table near Sign-Up Central there are a couple copies (you only need to look at one of the copies, they are all the same) of our “Sunday Servant Worship Assistant groups” as they are currently recorded in our database. Please take a moment to check your name and the worship servant roles that you are currently involved with. Write in any corrections on the sheet and initial if you have looked it over. If you are new to Sunday worship servant opportunities, the Stewardship Committee will distribute Spiritual Gift Forms at the Ministry Fair where you can mark your interests. This process will help the office staff to update our database with correct information.

BIRTHDAY BASH

The Birthday Bash has been canceled. We are in the process of reworking this event. Stay tuned to your Sheep Buzz for when that event will occur.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICES

Roger Durst—February 8th, 11 AM-Luncheon will follow.

Luella Harris– February 15th, 11 AM-Luncheon will follow.

Please let Monica Smith know if you are interested in helping with these events.

THE LUTHERAN COALITION AND HABITAT BUILD

The Lutheran Coalition Website lutheranhabitat.org has been updated with the latest Habitat build information. Use the site for everything they need to know about the current build in Canton and signing up for it.

NEW MEMBER CLASS - FEB 16 AND FEB 23 (Tentative)

Use the button below to let Pastor Karen know you are interested in joining us.

Ladies Night Out

Tuesday , February 18th at 7 pm

El Ranchero

1025 Rose Creek Drive

Woodstock, 30189

Sign up in Fellowship Hall

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP

Our next Caregivers Support Group in connection with the Alzheimer's Association is scheduled for Thursday, February 27th at 1 PM in Fellowship Hall. Anyone in the community who is supporting and/or caring for a loved one experiencing dementia or other long term debilitating issues are invited to attend and become a part of this group.

EMPTY NESTERS Mark your calendars:

On Saturday, March 22, we will be visiting the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/visit-the-museum We'll tour the exhibits, garden, and walk through an actual replica of the Oval Office! We'll spend the day there and then have a dinner together on the way home. 

The next activity will be on Saturday, May 3 to Uhuburg Castle in Helen, GA. Did you know that there's a castle less than two hours away from Woodstock? We'll tour the castle and grounds and then go into Helen to enjoy the remainder of the day enjoying the "German" shops and dining as a group in one of the delicious restaurants that Helen has to offer. https://www.uhuburg.com/

HANDMADE CARD MINISTRY

ALL OCCASION cards are available, most for a suggested donation of $2.00 per card. All proceeds support our Good Shepherd Youth Mission Trips. This ministry is being hosted by Molly Maher, Linda Rowell and Pam Hough. Thank you for your wonderful support of this GSLC ministry.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by the Card Ministry table during Sunday’s Ministry Fair. We raffled off three handmade 2025 calendars on easels and there were many entries! The winners were Susan Epling, Michael Epstein and Donna Garges.

LOOK FOR VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS! Also there is a basket on our table in the Fellowship Hall with simple cards, some have messages inside and some are blank inside. Suggested donation is $1.00. Get a few to have on hand when you need to send a note to someone! Once again, the cards provided are mostly one of a kind and a wonderful gift for anyone who receives one.

Weekly Bible Studies

Word on Wednesday 10:00 AM Fellowship Hall. “More Beautiful Than Before-How Suffering Transforms Us” by Steve Leder.

Beginning February 12 - 26 our study will be: “Searching for Sunday” by Rachel Held Evans. We will be involved in a different study during the Lent season and will then resume this study again after Easter.

As always, Both in-person and Teams options are available for our group. Please contact the church office for Teams link.

Wednesday Lunch and Learn:11:30 AM in Mtg. Room. “Jesus & Woman: In the First Century and Now”

Thursday Bible Study: We will resume Feb. 6th.

Theology On Tap: Hickory Flat Kitchen, Canton, February 5th, 6:30 PM.  Join us for casual conversation over a meal and various topics in a non-biased format.

CARING FOR CREATION

We continue our recycling initiatives. We appreciate all help from congregation members to keep these items out of landfills. 

1. ORAL CARE WASTE

2. HEFTY ORANGE ENERGY BAGS: (First Sunday of month) Please remove labels (see below)

3. BATTERIES: (Size D and smaller) 

4. OLD EYEGLASSES

5. POPTABS

6. PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE BOTTLES

We need to remove labels from these bottles try these methods:

1. Warm the label in the sun
2. Use a hairdryer for heat
3. Put bottle in a glass of very hot water

MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION

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

CHURCH CALENDAR

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.