SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

August 15, 2025

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

Visitor Feedback Meeting

Did you attend another church this summer and ask yourself how it felt to be a visitor? We want your feedback! This Sunday, August 17, join us between services in the Meeting Room, to share your experiences. We hope to learn how we can make others feel more welcome at Good Shepherd, here in this place we all love. Here is a form to get your thoughts organized before the meeting.

If you can’t attend our meeting, consider filling out the form and giving it to Pastor Karen. We’d love to hear about your experiences!

TEXTING SOFTWARE HAS LAUNCHED

Our new texting software "Gloo" has launched with this Sheep Buzz. If you were expecting a text and did not receive it, please inform our Media Coordinator, Donna, at media@gslutheran.org. Please include the cell phone number you would like used in that correspondence.

If you were previously receiving texts from Good Shepherd, you should continue to receive them, unless you have let us know you would like to opt out of receiving texts. The first text message will clearly indicate it is coming from Good Shepherd. Save this number (833-8xx-x924) as Good Shepherd in your contacts. This is not a two-way communication, so please do not use this service to correspond with the Good Shepherd office staff. You can always reply "STOP" to no longer receive these text messages from Good Shepherd. We will typically only text to announce when the Sheep Buzz is sent and any Special Sheep Buzz announcements.

TRUNK OR TREAT

The Outreach committee is collecting Halloween candy and trinkets throughout the month of August so we can make treat bags on God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday to give out at Trunk or Treat. There are bins to drop off your items are located in the Entryway.

SUNDAY SERVANT SCHEDULE

AUGUST

Consider serving in a new capacity. We need volunteers to serve in all of our Sunday roles!

Direct all updates, vacation plans, and changes to the schedule to Office@gslutheran.org. Please remember to try and find your own replacements. Thank you.

GARDEN OF GRACE

This week's harvest, thank you to all of our gardeners!!

HIGHLIGHTS

• A large class of new members will be joining Good Shepherd on August 31st - 9 families! Come, meet our new members and share cake with them in Fellowship Hall.
• We finished our fiscal year with receipts well over budget. Thanks be to God! It's time for GSLC to start reaching for those long-term goals for the church God is growing with our stewardship!
• GSLC Ministry Fair is August 24th. Please come in between services to Fellowship Hall to see where you are called to use your spiritual gifts.
• ELCA Congregational Attender survey from the fall will be posted with Council meeting minutes. No items from the survey are actionable for GSLC.

ACCOLADES

• Thanks to Tracy Launders, who has accepted the chairperson role of the Fellowship Committee. Thanks to Cathy Mattocks for her service as chairperson of Fellowship and her continued willingness to serve on that committee. 
• For the countless hours spent in upgrading the sanctuary sound system, kudos to Pam Weinelt, Drew Dickerson, Steve Frink, Scott Panhorst, Anna Louise Panhorst. 
• Thanks to all who donated to the Inspiritus Diaper and Wipe Drive - we delivered a literal mountain of items to help those in need. 
• Appreciation for the youth who led our worship service on August 10, at 10:45, including Emily, our youth preacher for that morning. 
• Thanks to all who continually keep the barrel full and to those who each week deliver the food to MUST Ministries. MUST has extended a heartfelt thanks to Good Shepherd for our support. 
• Personnel Committee for their tireless work in finding an organist and hunting for a youth coordinator: Jenny Champion, Kristin Freeman, Gina Crittenden, Gordon Swordsma, and council Liaison Deborah Ezell. 
• Additional kudos to our interview team for organist that included personnel members plus Pam Weinelt, Drew Dickerson, Alan Boda
• Carrie & Jaime Escamilla for refreshing our flowers outside.

LADIES NIGHT OUT

Our next event is scheduled for: August 19 at 7:00 pm

Marietta Fish Market

3185 Canton Rd.

Marietta, GA 30066

Please sign up in Fellowship Hall

SOCIAL JUSTICE

The meeting for the Social Justice group will be on Saturday, August 23^rd , at 2:00. Our next book group discussion will be on August 18th, at 7:00 on Teams as we continue our discussion of Beth Alison Barr’s The Making of Biblical Womanhood.

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, August 24th.

The Stewardship Committee is sponsoring a Ministry Fair. This is a great opportunity to see where your gifts of time and talent can be used in service for the church and our community. We will highlight many of our small groups, outreach partnerships, church committees, Sunday Servant roles and Bible Studies. Grab a cup of coffee in between services anytime between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM on August 24th and see all the wonderful things that Good Shepherd is doing and find the place or two where you might fit in! More details will be coming soon. If you are interested in being a part of this fair, showcasing your group or committee, please be sure to reach out to Jaime Escamilla or the church office so we can accommodate the correct amount of space.

Watch for a "Special Sheep Buzz" containing a new electronic Spiritual Gift Form coming next Thursday, from the Stewardship Committee.

BIBLES FOR OUR YOUTH

On August 24th, we'll also be celebrating First Communion with 8 new communicants and also fulfilling our baptismal promise to "place in their hands the holy scriptures" by distributing Bibles to 18 of our children and youth.

LAKE DAY 2025

Later that afternoon around 12:30 PM, the Youth and Family Committee is sponsoring a Day at the Lake, at Galt's Ferry Beach, for a picnic and swimming. SIGN UP NOW and get this date on your calendar and build some new friendships at the lake. All are welcome to attend, just bring your own picnic lunch, sunscreen and floaties! The address is: 7299 Rocky Ln, Acworth, GA 30102.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP

Our next Caregivers Support Group in connection with the Alzheimer's Association is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, at 1 PM in the Meeting Room. Anyone in the community who is supporting and/or caring for a loved one experiencing dementia or other long-term debilitating issues is invited to attend and become a part of this group.

GOD'S WORK OUR HANDS SUNDAY,  September 7^th

Sign-up in Fellowhsipp Hall, at Sign-Up Central. You have several choices this year:

• 10 teens and 10 adults can sign up to work at Mostly Mutts Market on Bells Ferry Rd. from 12:00 – 3:00 pm
•  20 Adults can sign up to work at the Homeless Veterans Thrift Store on Bells Ferry Rd. from 12:00 – 3:00 pm
• Middle and high school youth and adults can sign up to stuff goodie bags for Trunk or Treat.
• Middle and high school youth and adults can sign up to make gummy snack gifts for Child’s Play students.
•  Families with elementary and preschool- age children can color and decorate placemats that we will deliver to The Oaks Assisted living and Sonabella Assisted living.

Please be sure to sign up as we will feed you a quick lunch before you get started. Thank you!

LUTHERAN COALITION TASTE OF HABITAT

The 21st Annual Taste of Habitat Fundraising Event returns on September 12 from 7 – 9 PM at St. David's Episcopal Church at 1015 Old Roswell Road, Roswell, GA. This is located between Holcomb Bridge Road and Mansell Road.

The goal this year is to raise $40,000 to build Habitat homes in Metro Atlanta. More than 60 fabulous chefs from the Lutheran Coalition for Habitat churches will be sharing the foods they love to make. It’s a fun “date night” (adults only) with outstanding food & drink, great fellowship and most enjoyable live music. There will also be a Silent Auction and trivia contest! See additional details on the Taste of Habitat. A wonderful African Photo Safari Trip is also being offered in conjunction with this evening.

Tickets are now available for $40. Would you consider being a chef or donating a silent auction item? See Max Epling or Mike Dooley for these details. We have loved all the previous creations of all our Good Shepherd Chef representatives. Join in on the fun with this elite group.

EMPTY NESTER'S

DATE: Saturday, September 20, 2025

From 11:00 am – 5:00-ish pm (Castle 11 - 1:00, then early dinner and touring Helen from 2:00 - "your choice to go home o'clock!")

See Sign up Central to sign up before August 24 so that we can be sure to get tickets. If' you're not able to sign up, email Karen yerkesk@comcast.net or Tammy tammy.frink@comcast.net and we will add you to the list.

We'll have an Early dinner at a restaurant TBD in Helen, approximately 2:00 Saturday afternoon.

• Castle 11:00 am until everyone is finished touring by 1:00 pm
• Drive to a restaurant in Helen TBD to eat an early dinner @ 2:00 pm
• Cost for Uhuburg Castle (payment goes to GSLC cash or check with "Empty Nester's Castle" on the memo):
• Seniors (65+) and Military: $30
• Adults: $35
• Please arrange your own carpooling: 
• Some people may choose to book a hotel for the night or weekend, since Helen is such a fun town to visit. There are a few chains such as Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hampton, Wyndham, or if you prefer, many individual and unique hotels. Just Google "hotels in Helen Ga" and you're on your way! 😃 Hotel Helendorf is right across from the mountain coaster and a short walk into Main Street.
• More information on Uhuburg.

Peace,

Karen and Tammy

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES

Monday Evening: "The Making of Biblical Womanhood." 7 PM on Teams. Contact the church office if you need the link.

Thursday Bible Study:  We study the weekly Lectionary readings that precede each Sunday service. All are welcome, even if you can only attend occasionally. We meet in Fellowship Hall at 10 AM. 

Theology On Tap: We will meet at Game Day during August, at 6:30 PM. Our next meeting date is Wednesday, August 20. Hope you can join us!

Men in Mission

We continue to meet on Sundays, in room 116 at 9:45 AM. Come and check us out. We are a great group of men doing marvelous things together in fellowship and service. We also meet on the first Monday of the month at Marlow's Tavern in Woodstock, for Burgers and Beers, at 7 PM.

Coffee and Conversation

We continue our study, "Responding to God's Grace," on Sundays at 9:45 AM.

GREETING CARD MINISTRY

ALL OCCASION handmade greeting 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.

We have a new supply of HAND PAINTED cards from our local artist who donates them to Good Shepherd. Check them out in the card bins.

By popular request, we have a new supply of MAGNETIC BOOKMARKS that have Bible verses on them, still only $1.00 each. Pick one out for yourself or tuck one into a greeting card to send to someone else. It makes a nice, tiny gift for someone special.

CARING FOR CREATION

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

We also recycle all types of METAL near our garage and ELECTRONICS during our Electronic Recycling Drives in April and November.

We need to remove labels from the prescription bottles and Hefty Energy recyclables. 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

PLASTIC BAGS and SMALL CARDBOARD BOXES can be recycled at our partner Mostly Mutts Market.  Their address is 5505 Bells Ferry Rd. Acworth 30102.  

MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION

BEWARE OF IMPERSONATION SCAMS

A recent article from the Federal Trade Commission shows a more than fourfold increase in reports of impersonation scammers stealing tens and even hundreds of thousands from older adults and in some cases, their life savings. Read the article, which includes tips and things you should be aware of to protect yourself and loved ones.

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

ONLINE CALENDAR

Use this as a resource for all Good Shepherd Events. Need to add an event? Contact our Media Coordinator and she will get it on the calendar for you.

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.