SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

July 26, 2024

Bring your backpack/work bag to worship this Sunday for a special blessing!

DIRECTORIES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, pick up your financial giving statements and a new pictorial directory in the Entryway. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped to put the directory together the past couple of weeks. This is always a big project and we are grateful for the extra hands.

ASSITING MINISTER TRAINING

Attend the training that follows each service on JULY 28TH in the Meeting Room, pertaining to the service you are interested in assisting. All current and new servants are asked to attend.

JULY HIGHLIGHTS

• A motion was made and approved, per the Personnel Committee recommendation, to extend Pastor Karen’s contract through December 2024.
• GSLC finished the fiscal year ahead by $8,150. The Finance Committee will explore options for these funds and make recommendations to Council
• Heard a presentation from Alzheimer’s / Dementia Peer Support Committee. Need to determine whether we as a congregation have the heart and volunteers to do this work. A presentation will need to be made to the congregation and feedback secured before we can move forward.
• A Committee Chair and Council Liaison meeting has been set for Tuesday, August 20 at 6:30pm to coordinate calendar activities as far out as possible. An email was sent from Pastor Karen to all involved.

JULY ACCOLADES

• Everyone who assisted in any way with VBS from leading and helping to donations and prayers, including: Bill, Pastor Karen, Jenny, Lily, Paul, Cynthia, Susan, Karen, Deborah, Eleanor, Alexis, Anna, Isaac, Kristin, Pat, Donna, Hudson, Clint, Julie, Mason, Misty, Donna, Barb, Linda, Joella, Vincent, Melinda, Brooke, Gwen, Sara, Emily, Leanne, Linda, Joyce, Ally, Janice, Marge, and Eileen.

• Everyone who assisted in any way with our education wing painting project including Pastor Karen, S. Cerstvik, The Champion Family, P. Christensen, G. Crittenden, The Dumpis Family, K. Eggers, M. Epling, The Frink Family, D. Garges, P. Gehring, C. Gruwell, R. Homer, M. Johnson, The Kidder Family, The Maher Family, The Myers Family, E. Phillips, The Reynolds Family, The Rowell Family, E. Roberts, S. Ryan, G. Setzer, The Stichtenoth Family and The Swordsma Family. Special thanks to S. Panhorst and A. L. Panhorst for all their work getting this project coordinated and completed.

• Pastor Karen, members of the Personnel Committee, members of the Worship & Music Committee and everyone who assisted in seeking and securing a church organist and choir leader.

• Alan Boda for the many times he adds his lovely violin to our worship music

GSLC CALL COMMITTEE NEWS

The Call Committee continues its work on the search for a new pastor. A special Sheep Buzz was sent last Friday with an update from the Call Committee. You can read that update here.

Keep an eye on the road in Fellowship Hall to see our progress! A great visual to track the Call Committees progress.

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.

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

BACK TO REGULAR OFFICE HOURS

The church office will return to normal operating hours Monday -Thursday 9 - 3 PM. The office remains closed on Fridays. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers that helped in the office during the summer while Mel was out with our youth.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HYMN OR PRAISE SONG?

Although we are no longer accepting requests, as summer continues, we will sing some of your favorite songs and hymns. We are grateful for all large amount of responses we have received. Please note that we had more submissions than there are weeks of summer, so we may not be able to use all the songs that have been submitted

This week’s Favorite hymn or song, “On Eagle’s Wings”, was selected by Heidi Nugent. “The first women’s retreat I ever attended, On Eagles Wings was the theme. The song has always held a special place in my heart from that retreat.”

 Find some additional commentary on this song in this Sunday's worship bulletin. 

THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY

Thursday Bible study with Pastor Karen continues this Thursday, at 10 AM. Please bring your Bibles. We have moved on from the book of Genesis and are now into Exodus. All are welcome.

THEOLOGY ON TAP

Theology on Tap will meet next at GAME DAY, on Wed. Aug 7th 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.

OUR YOUTH TRIPS ARE COMPLETE

As a thank you for your prayers and support, next Sunday, August 4, we will hear from a few of our youth that were on trips over the summer. They also invite you for an ice-cream party in between services to gather in thanks and appreciation and give everyone an opportunity to engage in conversation about their journeys in service this summer.

Thank you for all the PEW to PULPIT submissions.

The remaining topics are as follows:

August 4: How does the Bible teach us to love and welcome all?

Selected Readings

August 11: Does God really hear my prayers?

August 18: Relationships and Forgiveness

August 25: Why? (theodicy)

Prior to each week, we will link to the readings for the week. Pastor Karen is grateful for all the submissions and conversations that this has generated. We may have to visit this again as we had more topics than we had time allotted for this series. Please know that pastor is open to any discussions if your topic is not one that has been selected. We thank everyone that has participated to make this possible.

Sunday, August 11, Rally Day, will be our "official" kick off of the fall programming activities. The day will include a special gathering in the Fellowship Hall in between services to learn about fall programming activities and meet the teachers/leaders. We will give thanks for the summer break and will celebrate our return to fall scheduling.

 A recent survey (read about it here) has indicated that "overall, 41% of the formerly churched said they would return to the local church if a friend or acquaintance invited them. Younger adults are even more influenced by the power of the invitation. Approximately 60% of those 18–35 would consider returning to church if someone they knew asked them to come back."

We will encourage all congregation members use our provided postcards available on the welcome desk, to invite a neighbor, friend, or someone they haven't seen at church recently. This might be the invitation needed to come and see how GSLC is spreading the word through our Education and Music offerings. We'd also love to see everyone share our invitation widely via social media, so let's all help to get the word out!

GETTING READY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL

Interested in being a part of the youth programs and helping drive their faith journey? Consider being a teacher for the 2024/25 Sunday School year! Duties would include: leading curriculum that is already printed and ready-to-go, being willing to answer questions (and being ok with not knowing all the answers!) and having a smiling face that the youth are excited to see each week. Even if you're just curious what this may entail, Mel is happy to send you more information. Questions? Email Mel at youthfamministry@gslutheran.org

LUTHERAN COALITION FOR HABITAT

September will be here before you know it.

The Lutheran Coalition for Habitat, due to management changes at The Metropolitan Club this year, will hold the annual "Taste of Habitat" event at The Phase Family Center/Phase Events Center, 12150 Morris Road, Alpharetta. This is not far from the Metropolitan Club.

The date is set for Friday, September 13th.

Calling all chefs! If you can continue again as a chef, a big thank you. Please seek others that may also want to be a Chef. If you need to take off this year, we understand and thank you for volunteering in the past. We appreciate your help to make this taste event a success and hope you can provide either a main "taste" or dessert "taste". We will adhere to the same serving procedures as in previous years.

Entrees will be served, 7-8 PM and desserts will be served 8-9 PM.

As always, setting up for serving the main entree will be no later than 6:30 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact me. Max Epling

Also, check out the flyers in the Fellowship Hall.

Handmade Card ministry at GSLC

ALL OCCASION cards are available 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.

NEW CARDS THIS WEEK!

We received a limited supply of HAND PAINTED CARDS from a local artist. They are beautiful and unique. Get yours while they last! Most of the cards we provide are “one of a kind” cards, making them special for anyone who receives one.

The next Ladies Night Out will be on

Tuesday, August 27, at 7:00pm, at:

Game Day

2990 Eagle Drive

Woodstock, GA 30189

Sign up in Fellowship Hall

TWO -CAN SUNDAY | Hefty Recycling

Next Sunday, Aug. 4th

There has been a change to our "Hefty Orange Bag Recycling Program". You will no longer need to use an orange bag at home; just use a white regular kitchen garbage bag for these hard to recycle items (look for numbers 4-7), and bring those bagged recyclables to church on the first Sunday of the month. The orange bags will be put over these white bags when we bring them to the recycling facility. This request is being made by the recycling facility. More information about the Hefty program can be found here. We will continue to collect a free will donation to offset the cost of the orange bags in Fellowship Hall.

Pictures from the GARDEN OF GRACE - Thanks be to God!

Metal Recycling

Caring for Creation is now recycling scrap metals. Help preserve our Planet.

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.

Click the button below for more information about what can be recycled.

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 the 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

BRING IN YOUR LADIES CLOTHING

Caring for Creation continues to support the Drake House, collecting SEASONAL, clean and like new donations. Look for the big orange drop-off bin in Fellowship Hall.

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!

DATES TO REMEMBER

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 Office Coordinator and she can add you to the Prayer Circle group.