SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

October 18, 2024

STEWARDSHIP PACKETS

This Sunday, the Stewardship Committee will continue to pass out the 2025-2026 Stewardship Packets. This year we are focusing on Abundance. Please be sure to pick up your packet to reduce the cost of mailing. Over the next few weeks, we will be hearing from members of Good Shepherd as they share their personal stories of Abundance. We would like all the forms back to us by November 10th.

A big thank you to those who have already returned their offering forms.

O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.

1 Chronicles 29:16

GSLC HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF

If you're interested in helping GSLC respond to the needs of those impacted by Hurricane Helene, please read the detailed announcement that went out yesterday with more information on the trip members of GSLC are taking, to Augusta and ways you can help. If you would prefer to drop off supplies instead of a financial contribution, we are accepting Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 AM—4 PM:

 Gatorade

Yard Rakes

Nutritious non-perishable snacks

Water

Tarps (minimum16’ x 20’)

Roofing nails

Work gloves

2 cycle oil for chain saws 

WORSHIP ATTENDER SURVEY

Our congregation has been given the unique opportunity to participate in a national study of worship attenders. The study is being conducted by Faith Communities Today (FACT), a research partner of the ELCA. Since 2000, FACT has conducted research that provides religious leaders of all traditions with critical information about the changing nature of congregational life and how to respond effectively.

For participating in this survey, our congregation will receive a $200 Amazon gift card and, if at least 10 people respond, a report of our responses.

Anyone 18 or older who is a regular participant can complete the survey. It should take between 12 to 15 minutes. Our Good Shepherd goal is to have a minimum of 50% of our regular worship attenders complete the survey. To take the survey, please click the link below.

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

Please complete the survey by Friday, Nov. 22.

If you are interested in learning more about this study, please visit: https://www.covidreligionresearch.org/attender-survey/

Thank you for your participation.

MUST MINISTRIES

THANKSGIVING BOUNTY

GSLC is now accepting monetary donations to help provide turkeys and hams that MUST can purchase from local retailers at a negotiated discounted price. 

Please place your donations in the offering plate or in the gold wall slot outside the bookkeeper's office. Please designate MUST Thanksgiving on the envelope or memo line. Our collection will end on November 3.

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

• Based on feedback from the Long Range Planning Task Force and additional congregation conversations, there is a strong need to develop a robust evangelism strategy. To become a reality, we need volunteers to help get it started. Is God calling you to this ministry? Reach out to Pastor Karen or one of the Council members.
• A job description for a three hour a day, four days a week Office Coordinator is being put together and will be ready to send out soon. Pastor Karen is in conversations with two local congregations to determine needs of each church for a Youth and Family Coordinator and if the desire is to go forward jointly to hire.
• After Hurricane Milton has passed through and Inspiritus reconvenes their work on site for the Hurricane Helene response, Pastor Karen will be planning a trip to a site in Georgia to bring supplies, donations and volunteers from Good Shepherd. Prayerfully consider how you can join in these vital responses to our local communities.

ACCOLADES

• Pam Hough for repairing the bindings in the pew ELWs
• Nominating Committee for providing a full slate of candidates for the upcoming Council election
• Gail Setzer for her diligent work to clear up and suggest moves of no longer active funds and for setting up the Thrivent account 

REMINDER: Coffee with Council is this Sunday, October 20th, in between services. Our discussion will center around stewardship, staffing and our dementia group.

GSLC CALL COMMITTEE NEWS

Good afternoon! The Call Committee wanted to reach out with a brief update on our status, as well as next steps in the process. As you know, the Ministry Site Profile is now complete, and has been submitted to the Synod. We have spoken to Pastor Jonathan (our Synod contact), and he is actively working with the Bishop to finalize our first slate of candidates.

So what happens next?

• Pastor Jonathan will finalize our initial candidate list, and forward the names to the Call Committee along with their paperwork and pertinent information for review.
• The Call Committee will then meet with Pastor Jonathan in person, and walk through the interview process itself. We will finalize a standard list of questions to ask each candidate, as well as begin to work on candidate-specific questions based on their paperwork. 
• Interviews will begin!

We expect the slate of candidates to be finalized within the next 10 days, and the committee expects to meet with Pastor Jonathan very shortly after that. Please continue to keep us in your prayers for wisdom and guidance, as God guides us down this path. As always, if you have any questions about any part of this process, please don’t hesitate to ask any member of the Call Committee. 

Thank you!

GSLC Call Committee

Matt Provost, Chairperson, Max Epling, Kris Hebeisen, Lori Peters, Erik Storla, Karen Yerkes

Ask a committee member to share one of the orange prayer cards with you, updated for October. It is our hope that you will take these home and keep GSLC in your prayers as this process continues.

If you have any questions, please ask us! We invite you into a conversation with as much information as we can give, understanding that some information must remain confidential. Look for our blue name tags or email us at callcommittee@gslutheran.org.

THEOLOGY ON TAP is at GAME DAY IN OCTOBER

Theology on Tap will meet next at GAME DAY, on Wed. October 23rd located at, 2990 Eagle Dr., Woodstock, GA 30189.

Topics change each time we meet so no need to worry about missing anything. As always, everyone is welcome to share some food, laughs, and open conversation in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

LOOKING FOR CAR DECORATORS for OCTOBER 30TH!

This is such a fun time to participate in with our local community and GSLC friends. It's easy to do, premade kits are available on Amazon and thru Oriental Trading or just get creative on your own. See last years photos!

New information: On the 29th and 30th of October, Child's Play Preschool will parade through our hallways. If you would like to join in watching the parade or join in the fun by wearing a costume, they will begin at 11:30 AM sharp. We will distribute treats that were made during God's Work Our Hands Sunday or you are welcome to bring some of your own that are preschool friendly.

SIGN-UP: Car decorating and candy/trinket purchase sign-up

Sign Up is also available in Fellowship Hall.

REFORMATION SUNDAY - ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

Next Sunday, October 27th is Reformation Sunday (wear your red attire) and we celebrate with many Protestant religions across the globe. Read a blog post from Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church, in Woodlands, TX about why Reformation Sunday remains important today, highlighting these three points.

1. Reformation Sunday gives us a chance to tell our story – a chance to remember.

2. Reformation Sunday reminds us of the most important things.

3. Reformation Sunday challenges us to do better

Following Reformation Sunday is All Saints Sunday on November 3rd. If you would like to honor a person who has entered into eternal life in the past year please email Pastor Karen. We will read these names during both worship services.

ELECTRONIC RECYCLE EVENT

Start cleaning out those junk drawers and closets and start making space for all those new electronic gizmos and gadgets you have your eye on come Black Friday and Christmas. On our website you can find a complete list of all the things you can recycle this day, November 2, 2024, 10 AM - 2 PM. If you would like to volunteer to help on this day, please sign up in Fellowship Hall. Share this news with your neighbors!

Altar Guild will be holding a training class on Sunday, November 3rd at 9:45 AM. This class is for those interested in learning more about Altar Guild and potentially joining this important group and for current members as we will be discussing what is coming up as we approach the Advent/Christmas season. We will meet in the Sacristy.

The next Ladies Night Out will be on

Tuesday, November 19, at 7:00 PM at

Chili’s Restaurant

1460 Towne Lake Parkway

Woodstock, GA 30189

Please sign up in Fellowship Hall

SUNDAY SCHOOL | 9:45 AM

All youth classes will meet downstairs. K-5 in B3, 6-8 in B8 and High School will meet in B1.

Faith Stories: Rm 117: Book study on “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  

Coffee and Conversation: Rm 118: "Hope in the Lord" series. The series draws from numerous parts of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. The author writes that "Through our study of God's word, Christ's Spirit strengthens us to people who hope in the Lord.

Men in Mission: Rm 116: Various topics and discussions just for men. 

WHAT'S NEW

Thursday Bible Study (10 AM in Fellowship Hall) we will be munching on popcorn while watching "The Prince of Egypt" this coming week. Anyone is welcome to join us.

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES

We are blessed to have great lay leadership to host weekly Bible studies on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Roughly 40+ people attend these studies each week. Check out the Bible Study page on our website to see where you might want to join us.

HANDMADE CARD MINISTRY AT GSLC

ALL OCCASION cards are available, most for a suggested donation of $2.00 per card. All proceeds will 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.

LOOK FOR WAX SEALS!

Look for new cards that have beautiful wax seals on the fronts. Once again, the cards provided are mostly one of a kind and a wonderful gift for anyone who receives one. Also, there are a few hand painted cards left that were donated to GSLC from a local artist. Surely someone you know would love to get one in the mail!

CARING FOR CREATION

We continue our recycling initiatives. We appreciate all help from congregation members to keep these items out of landfills. Looking for more info? Visit our website page.

1. ORAL CARE WASTE

2. HEFTY ENERGY BAGS: (first Sunday of the month)

3. BATTERIES: (Size D and smaller) 

4. OLD EYEGLASSES

5. POPTABS

6. CLEAN-NO LABEL-PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE BOTTLES

7. DRAKE HOUSE: SEASONAL, PROFESSIONAL, WOMENS CLOTHING,

8.METAL RECYCLING: Drop off your scrap metals in the white 55-gallon drum located at the north side of the garage and we will take it to the Metal Recycler in Woodstock.

We had a beautiful day last Sunday and a great turnout of people at our youth led service, Stewardship Harvest Festival and concluded with a fun afternoon at Cagle's Family Farm. Check out our Facebook Post for more photos!

Chase would love to SEE MORE YOUTH in both the Chancel Choir and Bell group. Please contact him if you have questions or interest.

These rehearsals will continue weekly or as noted by Pam or Chase.

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.