SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

November 7, 2025

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

The Twenty Second Sunday After Pentecost

"Imagine a Different Way"

November 9, 2025

One 10:00 AM Worship Service

Worship Bulletin: 10:00 AM | Announcements

Sunday Readings: click here

Printed copies of Pastor Karen's sermons are available each Sunday on the Welcome Desk.

You can also watch the10:00 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.

Donate Online

CONSECRATION SUNDAY

Are you willing to help our dreams become a reality and step into the next part of God’s journey through our hands? We fervently pray that you are.

Galatians 6:9 tells us not to grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. With God’s help, we can do this! Please join the Stewardship Committee as we pray for Good Shepherd and our future. How is God asking you to use your heart, your hands, and your treasures? 

Please return your Stewardship intent cards by November 9th, for Consecration Sunday.

Didn't receive your 26-27 Stewardship packet? All the forms are located on our website.

SEMI-ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

On Sunday, November 9th, we will have one worship service at 10 AM. Following the service will be our Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting. A Special Sheep Buzz went out to all members last Monday evening, with all the meeting details, including the Council Nominee Biographies and the Annual Report. A few hard copies will be available on Sunday.

Following the Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting will be our Annual Thanksgiving Lunch. Please bring a side dish, bread, drinks, salad or dessert to share and plan to stay and enjoy the food and fellowship.

NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR OUR LIVESTREAM SERVICES

Have you noticed the new cameras in our Sanctuary? A team of Good Shepherd AV and Sound specialists (Damon and Donna Garges, Steve Frink & Drew Dickerson) has installed new pan, tilt and zoom cameras that offer clearer perspectives of our services and allow us to see almost every corner of the sanctuary. In addition, we have improved the sound quality, integrating with our house sound system to give our livestream viewers a much-improved worship experience. If you get a moment, go to our YouTube channel or Facebook Page and check out last week's service. Give us a "Like" too, while you are there!

A FEW OF THE MANY THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR

Thank you for all of the votes for our Good Shepherd Scarecrow! We took 5th place in the competition. This was such a fun way to get our name out into the community.

Also, check out all the "Thanksgivings" on the Praise and Prayer Wall in Fellowship Hall. Maybe you will be inspired to add one of your own!

CONTINUING TO FILL THE NEED FOR FOOD

Consider bringing canned foods to our front porch a little more regularly. Think of food items that are more of a meal and have pop tabs instead of the need for can openers. Pick up some extra items and drop them off at any time. Pat and Harry Halverson have graciously offered to pick up extra loads to drop off with MUST during the week if needed.

CARING FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED

With the government shutdown impacting the release of SNAP (“food stamps”) benefits on Nov 1, GSLC’s Social Justice group is supporting our local assistance programs by collecting personal care items. These are the things that SNAP does not cover, but are necessities just the same, and are not typically donated in large amounts. Specifically, we are collecting feminine hygiene products, diapers, and baby wipes. A bin will be in the Entryway through Sunday, November 16.

If any of our current Good Shepherd members are affected and/or need assistance in any way as a result of the current government shutdown, please contact the church office.

If you feel moved to donate beyond what GSLC does, below is a list of local pantries and their wish lists, along with some smaller programs that are also helpful. Additionally, many food banks purchase food from the Atlanta Community Food Bank at substantial discounts, so monetary donations go further. Additionally, if you are a Thrivent member and you have not used your Action Team dollars up for the year, you might want to consider using them in conjunction with the current food insecurity situation.

Link to additional resources

HEALTH & SAFETY

Recently, Good Shepherd put together a Health Safety Team to investigate and update our health and safety measures here at church. It is our hope to continue to create a safe environment for our congregation and community. We have now added a LifeVac choking device to our safety area in the Foyer near the AED machine. The LifeVac device has saved thousands of lives when the Heimlich maneuver is not successful at removing an airway obstruction. Please take a moment to watch the video linked below on how to use the LifeVac device. Thank you for your time, and if you have any questions, please contact Michelle Provost in the church office.

https://youtu.be/Mjo8R9nq6Js

A simple recap after watching the above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uHKaL7AIBM

SUNDAY SERVANT SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER

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 by the 15th of the previous month to Office@gslutheran.org. 

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

CELEBRATION OF LIFE - JILL JENNINGS

A Celebration of Life service is planned for former member Jill Jennings on November 11, 2025 at 11 am. The ladies of the congregation are planning a small finger food/dessert reception following the service. Please reach out to the church office if you can help donate a food item or help with the event.

HOLIDAY CRAFT MARKET
The Girl Scout troop 7843 that meets at Good Shepherd is hosting their annual Holiday Craft Market right here at Good Shepherd, Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 am - 4 pm. Would you like to represent Good Shepherd and pass out some flyers about Good Shepherd, including announcements about our Advent/Christmas services? We could use about 4-6 people to sit at a table to represent Good Shepherd. Sign-up in Fellowship Hall.

LADIES NIGHT OUT

Our next event is scheduled for November 18, at 7:00 pm

Chili’s Bar & Grill

l460 Towne Lake Parkway

Woodstock, GA 30189

Please sign up in Fellowship Hall.

CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

We are looking for three banner carriers for each service on Sunday, November 23rd. The banner carrier will process in and out during the worship service as a seasonal song is sung by the congregation which will highlight all the seasons of the church year. 

Sign up here

TWO OUTREACH CHRISTMAS TREES

The first tree is an Angel Tree to help families at Carmel Elementary. The Angel tree will have about 70 angels. Take one angel and follow the directions on the back. The angels need to be returned on the wrapped gift no later than Sunday, December 7th. 

The second tree is a Star Tree to help the homeless veterans. The Star tree will be in the Fellowship Hall. Take one star, purchase a gift card from Kroger or Ingles (the amount is up to you), attach the card to the star, and write something on the back. (Example - Merry Christmas or Thank you for your service). These need to be back on the tree no later than Sun., Nov. 30th. 

Both trees will go up after our Thanksgiving meal Sunday. If you have any questions, see Molly Maher, Cathy Mattocks or Sharron Ryan.

CHRISTMAS JUBILEE OF LIGHTS PARADE

Good Shepherd will represent our Church in the Woodstock Christmas Jubilee of Lights Parade on Sunday, December 7th. The parade begins at 5:30 and ends at 7:00. Our theme: The Good Shepherd.

Would you like to march or ride in the Jubilee of Lights parade on December 7'th? We are still looking for a few kids and adults to represent Good Shepherd.  A sign up sheet is located in Fellowship Hall.

Do you have left-over candy from Halloween? Consider donating it for the parade! Let the Church office know.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Join us as we give the gift of service and bring Christmas joy, Saturday, December 13th. Meet in Fellowship Hall at 10 AM. We will go out into the community to share the gift of Christmas in music and song with residents at local assisted living facilities. Afterward we will meet back at church at 11:30 AM for hot cocoa and cookies. Wear your Christmas sweaters and hats! All ages welcome.

Sign up in Fellowship Hall after Nov. 16th and please indicate next to your name if you play an instrument and are willing to share your talent.

HOME COMMUNION

We are thrilled to have a group of lay members now trained to provide home communion, including David and Beth Abbott, Sandy Sheffler, Jeff Nugent, and Janice Swinford. These volunteers will augment Pastor Karen's role in providing pastoral care. The elements will be consecrated during worship and then taken to the individual homes of those who are unable to attend worship. If you know of someone who would value home communion, please reach out to the church office.

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES

Monday Evening Social Justice Study: Unclobber, by Colby Martin, Mondays, at 7:00 on Teams, it is not too late to join us! What does the Bible say about the LGBTQ+ community? What are the Bible verses most often quoted? Using the book Unclobber, we'll discuss these verses and explore their context and history.

Word on Wednesday: "Inspired" by Rachel Evans will be our study on Wednesdays, at 10 AM in Fellowship Hall. As always, a Teams option will also be available each week. Email the office or Lori Peters if you need the link.

Lunch and Learn: Wednesdays from 11:30 - 1 PM, bring your lunch and join us. We are starting a new Bible study on November 12th: "The Marvel & Miracle of Advent." The book is available from Amazon. We will take off the week of Thanksgiving and finish the study on December 10th. Then we will be on break until January 7, 2026. Great discussions amongst great people, come and check us out.

Theology On Tap: For November, we will meet at Hickory Flat Kitchen in Canton at 6:30 PM. Our next meeting date is Wednesday, November 19. Hope you can join us! We will break for the holidays after this last date and resume sometime in January.

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. 

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY

All classes begin at 9:45 AM next Sunday.

Youth Classes

Pre-K & Elementary School - Room 111

Middle School and High School - Downstairs Youth Room

Confirmation Next Sunday! Room 115. Lesson continues on the Lord's Prayer.

Adult Classes

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 monthly at Marlow’s Tavern in Woodstock, at 7 PM, usually on the first Monday of the month.

Faith Stories: We will begin a new study on November 16th titled “The Essential Jesus” by Whitney Kuniholm. The book has 100 readings, split into different sections (the parables of Jesus, the miracles of Jesus, the hard sayings of Jesus, prophecies about a Savior, to name a few). The group will be taking a section at a time (we may take a break and come back later), starting with The Birth of Jesus. Sundays at 9:45 AM. We meet in room 117.

Coffee and Conversation: We will begin a study of the book of Matthew. This is from the "Together by Grace" series from Augsburg. We will meet in room 118.

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.

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. 

MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION

MORE FREE MONEY FOR GOOD SHEPHERD

Take advantage of free money from both Kroger and Thrivent (if you're a member).

Here is how to do it!

DID YOU KNOW?

There are two authors in our midst with recent releases! Chuck Storla has just launched the book, "Murder Two Doors Down". If interested, the easiest way to purchase is to purchase on Amazon. (Use the link below.) The book is also in stock in many local Barnes & Noble locations and can be ordered through independent bookstores. 

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Two-Doors-Down-Homicide/dp/B0DT3LZ55Q/

Our second author is Barbara Bauer. You can purchase her new book on her website (barbbauer.com) and at https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=OfCyvdC9chLrKfFfi5tk3QgyGPHWNukxyLYLlZb2FkP.

Barb has written a children’s picture book titled "Neil the Seal: A Wild Adventure", based on the true story of Neil the Seal (who can be found on Instagram!) It is intended for children in 1^st grade to 3^rd  grade - although it can be read to children of any age!

Both authors greatly appreciate Good Shepherd's support!

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.