SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

August 1, 2025

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

SERMON SERIES

Sunday is the last of our four-week sermon series, The Tears of Things, shaped by Richard Rohr’s latest work on the prophetic path—from righteous anger, through grief, into courageous, compassionate truth.

If you borrowed a book from the church and would like to pass the book forward so others can read it, please bring it back to the church. Thank you.

Here is this week's study guide.

Come sit with us in the “blue”—in the grief that doesn’t end the story, but deepens it.

BACKPACK BLESSINGS

Attention all teachers and students: Are you or have you headed back to school? Bring your backpacks and bags this Sunday. We will bless these items during the Children's Message during both worship services.

YOUTH SUNDAY-Get signed up today!!

Youth Sunday is scheduled for August 10th, at the 10:45 AM service. Please use the link below to secure the role(s) your youth member would like to serve during the service. An additional sign up sheet is also located in Fellowship Hall.

TRUNK OR TREAT

The Outreach committee is collecting Halloween candy and trinkets throughout the month of August so we can make treat bags on God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday to give out at Trunk or Treat. There are bins to drop off your items are located in the Entryway.

SUMMER VACATIONS - Are you a visitor?

Did you attend another church and ask yourself how it felt to be a visitor? We want your feedback using this form. On Sunday, August 17, join us between services 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!

SUNDAY SERVANT SCHEDULE- AUGUST

Consider serving in a new capacity. We need Acolytes and Crucifers, Assisting Ministers and Altar Guild.

Please advise the office of any 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.

ACOLYTE/CRUCIFER TRAINING

Following each service on August 10th, our high school youth members will conduct acolyte and crucifer training for anyone interested in taking a part in these worship servant opportunities. This is not only for youth. If you feel drawn to help bring the light of Christ and the cross into our sanctuary on Sunday mornings, then join us for training. We would love to have you serve.

GARDEN OF GRACE

This week's harvest, thank you to all of our gardeners!!

TEXTING SOFTWARE

Our new texting software "Gloo" will be launched early next week. If you were previously receiving texts from Good Shepherd, you should continue to receive them, unless you have let us know you would like to opt out of receiving texts. The text message will clearly indicate it is coming from Good Shepherd. You can always reply "STOP" to no longer receive these text messages from Good Shepherd. We will typically only text to announce when the Sheep Buzz is sent and any Special Sheep Buzz announcements.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP

Our next Caregivers Support Group in connection with the Alzheimer's Association is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 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 is invited to attend and become a part of this group.

LADIES NIGHT OUT

Our next event is scheduled for: August 19 at 7:00 pm

Marietta Fish Market

3185 Canton Rd.

Marietta, GA 30066

Please sign up in Fellowship Hall

SOCIAL JUSTICE

The next meeting for the Social Justice group will be on Saturday, August 23^rd , at 2:00. Our next book group discussion will not meet on August 4th but will resume on August 11th, at 7:00 on Teams as we continue our discussion of Beth Alison Barr’s The Making of Biblical Womanhood.

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, August 24th.

The Stewardship Committee is sponsoring a Ministry Fair. This is a great opportunity to see where your gifts of time and talent can be used in service for the church and our community. We will highlight many of our small groups, outreach partnerships, church committees Sunday Servant roles and Bible Studies. Grab a cup of coffee in between services at 9:30 AM on August 24th and see all the wonderful things that Good Shepherd is doing and find the place or two where you might fit in! More details will be coming soon. If you are interested in being a part of this fair, showcasing your group or committee, please be sure to reach out to Jaime Escamilla or the church office so we can accommodate the correct amount of space.

Later that afternoon around 12:30 PM, the Youth and Family Committee is sponsoring a Day at the Lake, at Galt's Ferry Beach, for a picnic and swimming. SIGN UP NOW and get this date on your calendar and build some new friendships at the lake. All are welcome to attend, just bring your own picnic lunch, sunscreen and floaties! The address is: 7299 Rocky Ln, Acworth, GA 30102.

GOD'S WORK OUR HANDS SUNDAY,  September 7^th

Sign-up at Sign-Up Central. You have several choices this year:

• 10 teens and 10 adults can sign up to work at Mostly Mutts Market on Bells Ferry Rd. from 12:00 – 3:00 pm/
•  20 Adults can sign up to work at the Homeless Veterans Thrift Store on Bells Ferry Rd. from 12:00 – 3:00 pm/
• Middle and high school youth and adults can sign up to stuff goodie bags for Trunk or Treat.
• Middle and high school youth and adults can sign up to make gummy snack gifts for Child’s Play students.
•  Families with elementary and preschool- age children can color and decorate placemats that we will deliver to The Oaks Assisted living and Sonabella Assisted living.

Please be sure to sign up as we will feed you a quick lunch before you get started. Thank you!

LUTHERAN COALITION TASTE OF HABITAT

The 21st Annual Taste of Habitat Fundraising Event returns on September 12 from 7 – 9 PM at St. David's Episcopal Church at 1015 Old Roswell Road, Roswell, GA. This is located between Holcomb Bridge Road and Mansell Road.

The goal this year is to raise $40,000 to build Habitat homes in Metro Atlanta. More than 60 fabulous chefs from the Lutheran Coalition for Habitat churches will be sharing the foods they love to make. It’s a fun “date night” (adults only) with outstanding food & drink, great fellowship and most enjoyable live music. There will also be a Silent Auction and trivia contest! See additional details on the Taste of Habitat

Would you consider being a chef? or donating a silent auction item? See Max Epling or Mike Dooley for more information. We have loved all the previous creations of all our Good Shepherd Chef representatives. Join in on the fun with this elite group.

EMPTY NESTER'S

DATE: Saturday, September 20, 2025

From 11:00 am – 5:00-ish pm (Castle 11 - 1:00, then early dinner and touring Helen from 2:00 - "your choice to go home o'clock!")

See Sign up Central to sign up before August 24 so that we can be sure to get tickets. If' you're not able to sign up, email Karen yerkesk@comcast.net or Tammy tammy.frink@comcast.net and we will add you to the list.

We'll have an Early dinner at a restaurant TBD in Helen, approximately 2:00 Saturday afternoon.

• Castle 11:00 am until everyone is finished touring by 1:00 pm
• Drive to a restaurant in Helen TBD to eat an early dinner @ 2:00 pm
• Cost for Uhuburg Castle (payment goes to GSLC cash or check with "Empty Nester's Castle" on the memo):
• Seniors (65+) and Military: $30
• Adults: $35
• Please arrange your own carpooling: 
• Some people may choose to book a hotel for the night or weekend, since Helen is such a fun town to visit. There are a few chains such as Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hampton, Wyndham, or if you prefer, many individual and unique hotels. Just Google "hotels in Helen Ga" and you're on your way! 😃 Hotel Helendorf is right across from the mountain coaster and a short walk into Main Street.
• More information on Uhuburg.

Peace,

Karen and Tammy

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES

Monday Evening: "The Making of Biblical Womanhood." 7 PM on Teams. Contact the church office if you need the link. We will not meet on August 4, but will resume on August 11.

Thursday Bible Study:  We will return to the study of the weekly Lectionary that precedes each Sunday service. All are welcome, even if you can just attend occasionally. We meet in Fellowship Hall at 10 AM. 

Theology On Tap: We will meet at Game Day during August, at 6:30 PM. Our next meeting date is this Wednesday, August 6. Hope you can join us!

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. Our next outing for Marlow's Tavern in Woodstock, for Burgers and Beers, is August 4th at 7 PM.

Coffee and Conversation

We continue our study, "Responding to God's Grace," on Sundays at 9:45 AM. We will not meet August 3-August 10.

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.

By popular request, we have a new supply of MAGNETIC BOOKMARKS that have Bible verses on them, still only $1.00 each. Pick one out for yourself or tuck one into a greeting card to send to someone else. It makes a nice, tiny gift for someone special.

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 small 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. METAL/ALUMINUM (near garage)
6. POPTABS
7. PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE BOTTLES; Please remove labels.

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

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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.