SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

May 16, 2025

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

VBS Training will take place this Saturday, May 17th at 10AM. If you are signed up to help or are thinking about helping, please attend this session. We will host another identical training session on the Saturday before the week of VBS on June 7th.

Sunday School

All youth classes meet: in the courtyard outside Fellowship Hall for some games outdoor activities and popsicles. We will celebrate the end of our Sunday School year.

Faith Stories: Rm 117: Come join us. We will continue to explore a new book titled, "Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers" by Anne Lamott.

Coffee and Conversation: Rm 118:  We will engage in "Responding to God's Grace" series.

Men in Mission: Rm 116: Various topics and discussions just for men.We will continue to meet during the summer.

Other Events to Recognize this Sunday

Senior Sunday

We will honor and bless our graduating High School Seniors. Take a moment to look at the graduation board in Fellowship Hall and congratulate these young adults as they move into the next phases of their lives.

New Drivers

Did you get your learner's permit this past school year? We would like to acknowledge all of our new drivers with a special blessing during worship.

Inspiritus

During worship and between services at 9:45 AM we will welcome Sarah Burke from Inspiritus. She will give us a little more insight about their organization and how we can help. 

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR VBS!

We are going on a road trip with God! Why don’t you come along? It might just be your best adventure of the summer. It’s happening June 9 –13th, 9 AM—12 PM. We are still looking for lots of volunteers. Sign up today! Have a little one or an elementary aged child in your family? Registration is open. Go to gslutheran.org/vbs to register today. Spots are filling up fast.

We will also need all available hands to help decorate on Sunday, June 8th, prior to our opening on June 9th. 

SUMMER VACATIONS - Are you a visitor?

Are you traveling this summer and plan to visit another church? Have you always wanted to attend the church down the street? Or on the other side of town? Or a mega church, tiny church, or a different denomination?

If yes, Evangelism needs you!

We want you to attend another church and ask yourself how it felt to be a visitor. Then consider how it feels to be a visitor at Good Shepherd.

We’ve got some questions to help you ponder this. Please pick up a copy from the entryway desk or from this link before you travel, then on Sunday, August 17, join us either between services or after the 10:45 service 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.

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

CARMEL ELEMENTRY SCHOOL

We have been partnering with Carmel Elementary School in numerous ways this past year, including the Angel Tree at Christmas time, which was coordinated by Molly Maher. This spring, we took on a challenge during Lent and collected money to offset the delinquent accounts for families that struggled to afford lunch for their students. This week, we are excited to announce that we brought a check for just over $2,700. 

As our partnership continues to grow, a team of volunteers, Susan Epling, Joella Molway, Melinda Mundis, Karen Gardell, Cathy Mattocks, and Pat Freeman, assisted at the school media center by either reading or helping with tasks in the Media Center. This reading program was set up initially as a test pilot program and after its great success, we are excited to implement this program again this fall and potentially increase our volunteer base. The school overall is thrilled and overjoyed with the help that our Good Shepherd members contribute, and we are looking for additional ways that we can continue to support them.

STAFF HOURS

Please note, the physical church office is closed on Mondays until June 2nd. We can still be reached via the church phone number or email. The office will not be open in any capacity on Monday, May 26th, in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday.

SUNDAY SERVANT SCHEDULE- MAY and JUNE

Consider serving in a new capacity. We need 8:30 Acolytes and Crucifers, it is not a role for just youth! Please advise the office of your vacation plans so we can schedule to the best of our abilities.

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

TEXT LINKS FOR SHEEP BUZZ COMMUNICATIONS

It has come to our attention that the software program "Remind" we have been using that sends a text message link to your cell phone is not working for everyone. If you wish to continue to receive these types of notifications, We must obtain your permission and you must download the remind app on your device, put in your phone number and change your notifications.

If you already have the Remind app, you may need to change your notifications in the app.

To change notifications:

1. Click on the 3 stacked dots in top right hand corner.
2. Select account settings
3. Select Notifications
4. Add your phone number if it is not listed
5. To receive text notifications, click the 3 stacked dots next to your phone number and select to turn on notifications. You can also find the remind app in the Apple Store or the Google Play store.

If you have never received text messages and would like to be included, text @gslc1 to 81010 and download the app and then set the notifications as instructed above.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Donna, our Media Coordinator at 770-924-7286 x5.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP

Our next Caregivers Support Group in connection with the Alzheimer's Association is scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd, 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.

CONSTITUTION UPDATE

A special Sheep Buzz was sent to the congregation via e-mail, on May 7th that includes changes that need to be voted on during our next Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting, which will take place on June 8, following our combined worship service at 10 AM.

On June 1st, between services, our Council President and members of the Constitution Task Force and representatives from the Finance Committee will be available to answer any questions concerning the changes to the constitution and the proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

CONFIRMATION/PENTECOST

On June 8th, we will honor our 2025 Confirmand, G. Swordsma during our Combined Worship Service at 10AM.

FUNERAL PLANNING

Pastor Karen will be leading a funeral planning seminar June 22nd, after the 8:30 AM service and June 29th, after the 10:45 AM service. If you are curious about how to plan for this celebratory transition into eternal life and ease the burden of your loved ones, consider attending one of these sessions.

LADIES NIGHT OUT

Ladies Night Out for April will be on May 20th, at 7:00 pm.



Nuevos Amigos Cocina Mexicana

3740 Sixes Rd.

Canton, GA 30114

Please sign-up in Fellowship Hall.

EMPTY NESTER’S - SAVE THE DATE!- FLAVORS OF THE WORLD DINNER

DATE: Saturday, July 12, 2025

TIME: 4:00 – 8:00 pm 

Save the Date cards are up on the Fellowship bulletin board, take one home!

A Sign up Genius will go out in June. In the meantime, start thinking of your favorite international recipe, your most memorable dessert from vacation, or your immigrant grandma's best comfort food to share! Mine will be Ukranian or German! How about you? You can also just make your own favorite dish, no rules here! 😃

YOUTH & FAMILY EVENTS

NOW HIRING A YOUTH COORDINATOR

We have a shared Youth Coordinator position open and we're accepting resumes if you know of anyone that might be a good candidate to apply. Please pass them the following link to apply or let them know to reach out to our church office with any questions. This will be a shared Youth Coordinator between GSLC, Christ Lutheran Church of Marietta and First United Lutheran Church in Kennesaw. We are looking to have an expanded youth program to incorporate more families together. We plan to have Middle and High School youth join up for service projects, fun youth outings as well as mission trips. We also plan to have joint confirmation classes together as well.  

https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=6a8cbe8612456a00&from=shareddesktop_copy

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.

GRADUATION cards are now available, look for them on the card table in the Fellowship Hall. 

NEW SEED PAPER cards are also available. Each Seed Paper card will be adorned with butterflies or other embellishments that are made out of paper embedded with flower seeds. These pieces can be removed from the greeting card and planted in soil. They will bloom into beautiful flowers for your pot or garden. Each card includes planting instructions. A lovely gift to send to a friend or relative!



Look in the card bins for LARGE PRINT cards. They will be distributed throughout the bins, but labeled as Large Print

We have a new donation supply of HAND PAINTED cards from a local artist. If you enjoyed the hand-painted cards previously, check out the new ones in our card bins.

Word on Wednesday 10:00 AM Fellowship Hall. We will meet in Fellowship Hall this week for our study, "Searching for Sunday". Please contact the church office for Teams link. This is our final class.

Wednesday Lunch and Learn: We will meet at 11:30 AM in Mtg. Room. We continue our new study by Priscilla Shirer titled, "He Speaks to Me". Our last class is May 28th.

Thursday Bible Study:  We are now on break until July 10th.

Theology On Tap: We will meet at Hickory Flat Kitchen, at 6:30 PM, on May 28th.

CARING FOR CREATION

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

NEW WAY TO RECYCLE THOSE PLASTIC BAGS

Mostly Mutts Market is accepting plastic bags from various businesses - Target, WalMart, Publix, Kroger, etc. to use at the store. They are also accepting cardboard boxes, flattened or not, as well. Their address is 5505 Bells Ferry Rd. Acworth 30102.  

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

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.