We are called gathered and blessed to be a community and instrument of grace for all sheep of the Good Shepherd. | | |
The Fourth Sunday in Advent
Worship Bulletins: 8:30 AM | 10:45 AM | Announcements
Sunday Readings: click here
Sunday School at 9:45 AM for adults only.
You can also watch the 8:30 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.
If you would like to submit an offering, please donate online.
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CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVANTS WE NEED YOU!
Sunday Servant schedule sign-up sheets for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Dec. 28th are now available in the Entry Way. Please consider serving during these services. It takes a village to pull this all together. Please consider serving. If you can serve, but can't get to the sign up sheet, please notify our Office Coordinator by emailing or calling 770-924-7286 ext.4 and leave a message including where you can help. Thank you!
December 24
4:00 PM - 2 Greeters, Crucifer, 1 Communion Assistant, 2 Ushers
7:00 PM - Family to Light the Advent Wreath, Acolyte, Crucifer, 1 Communion Assistant, 1 Usher, Assisting Minister
9:00 PM - Acolyte
December 25
10:00 AM - 1 Greeter, Acolyte, Crucifer, 1 Lay Reader, AV Operator
December 28
8:30 AM - 1 Greeter, crucifer
10:45 AM - 2 Greeters, Acolyte, Altar Guild, 1 Usher
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HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS
The office will be closed Christmas Eve at noon, Christmas Day, Dec. 26, New Year's Eve at noon, New Year's Day, and January 2. Please call before dropping by, as our staff will be working limited hours. Thank you.
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THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF GENEROSITY
Gift card delivery
There was a special delivery to the Cherokee County Homeless Vets Thrift Shop on Thursday, December 4th.
On behalf of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Molly Maher dropped off 66+ gift cards and 75 new stuffed toys just in time for the Veterans Christmas Party and Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 6th.
Viola Ross, the manager of the thrift shop, will help Santa pass out the gift cards and toys to the veterans and their families.
Pictured are Molly, Viola, and Laura, who is a trusted volunteer at the shop.
The gift cards were donated by members of Good Shepherd in cooperation with the Outreach Committee.
We also delivered stuffed animals to so many organizations this year, including the Humane Society of Cherokee County, the homeless veterans Christmas party, The Encouragement Project, Child's Play Preschool, Carmel Elementary Angel tree recipients, and our own Good Shepherd youth. Thank you to all the helpers who allowed us to spread this cheer around our community.
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ANGEL TREE
Carmel Elementary School
A huge shout-out to all of the elves who helped make Christmas a little brighter for some families at Carmel Elementary School. The gifts were delivered to the school this week.
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NEW FLOWER AND DONUT SIGN-UP SHEETS
Changes Ahead
The 2026 Flower and Donut sheets are posted in the Administration Hallway. Beginning in 2026, we will be making a change to the Altar Flowers. Altar Guild has purchased new sanctuary vases, along with take-home sleeves, making it easier to take home the flowers or donate. The sleeves will be located in the Sacristy, and the vase will remain in the sanctuary. If you purchased the flowers, they will be available to take following the second service.
On the flower chart, there is now a check box to indicate if you would like to donate the flowers to someone during the week. (This will also be indicated on the flower form.) If you choose to donate them, we have volunteers willing to deliver them to area nursing homes or members who could use a happy gesture from Good Shepherd. The cost for flowers remains $40 for 2026. The price for donuts/snacks also remains at $30. Both require a form to be submitted with a check made out to GSLC with "donuts" or "Flowers" in the memo line or via an online donation through our website.
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CARING FOR CREATION - ORANGE BAG RECYCLE UPDATE
The Caring for Creation Committee will no longer be collecting Orange Bag Recycling on the first Sunday of each month. Cherokee County Recycling Centers located on Blalock Rd. and Hobgood Park will no longer accept Orange Bag recycling after January 1, 2026. However, both sites still offer single-stream recycling, which includes paper such as junk mail, flyers, magazines, and newspapers, cardboard including flattened boxes, #1 and #2 plastics, and metal cans together in one bin, and glass of all colors in a separate bin.
The Orange Bag Recycling of hard-to-recycle plastics was a pilot program, and the processing facility that took these bags will no longer be operating.
We now have an enclosed collection area for metal where members are encouraged to bring metal, including aluminum cans for collection. These metal donations will be exchanged for money back to Good Shepherd.
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CPR CERTIFICATION
Please take a moment to fill out a brief questionnaire about CPR certification. We’d like to know if you are currently certified, if you’re interested in taking a future CPR class, and whether you’re willing to let others know you are certified by placing a sticker on your name tag. Your participation helps us better support the safety and preparedness of our church community. Simply click the button below to answer three simple questions. Thank you..
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SUNDAY SERVANT SCHEDULE
DECEMBER & JANUARY
Consider serving in a new capacity. We need volunteers to serve in all of our Sunday roles!
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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.
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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.
Christmas cards are available, single cards as well as bundles of “5 for $7.00”. Help support our youth by sending a beautiful handmade greeting card!
Available in limited quantity, 2026 DESK CALENDARS! Check out our new calendars for $7.00 each. These make a very nice and inexpensive gift for yourself or someone special on your holiday gift list! Get them while the supply lasts.
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WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES
Word on Wednesday: Will not meet at church this Wednesday. Watch your email for an announcement of where we will meet following the Advent noon Wednesday service on Dec 17th, for a Christmas lunch. We will break for the holidays and resume with a new study in January.
Lunch and Learn: Wednesdays from 11:30 - 1 PM, bring your lunch and join us. We will be on break until January 7, 2026. Great discussions amongst great people; come and check us out. New study in January
Theology On Tap: We will break for the holidays and resume in January 7th at Game Day.
Thursday Bible Study: No classes: Dec. 18 - Jan 1.
Youth Sunday School Classes are on break until January 4th
Adult Sunday School Classes-Last classes for 2025
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 just began a new study 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), Sundays at 9:45 AM. We meet in room 117. Drop in any time, any week.
Coffee and Conversation: We are engaged in “Faith That Glorifies God”. Lessons will focus on the family of Jesus, Elizabeth and Mary, and the Magi. Dec 21st. Rm. 118.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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