SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

November 14, 2025

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

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR & MARKET

Thank you to our volunteers who have signed up to represent Good Shepherd at the fair. Come out from 10 AM - 4 PM. This event is sponsored by the Girl Scout Troop 7843 that meets at Good Shepherd. They are hosting about 25 craft market vendors, including a couple of food trucks in our parking lot and in Fellowship Hall. Maybe you can get ahead and some of those holiday gifts, it should be a beautiful day!

The Twenty Third Sunday After Pentecost

"How Will We Know?"

November 16, 2025

Worship Services

8:30 AM Traditional

10:45 AM Praise

Worship Bulletins: 8:30 AM | 10:45 AM | Announcements

Sunday Readings: click here

Sunday School at 9:45 AM for all ages.

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

You can also watch the10:45 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

STEWARDSHIP

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 continue to return your Stewardship intent cards, leave in offering plate or gold wall slot in Administration Hallway.

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

Council Accolades:

• Those who helped with electronics recycling on November 1… Damon, Hudson & Donna Garges, Mike Dooley, Tom Hebeisen, Matthew & Michelle Provost. 
• Those who helped move and spread mulch around the church property… Scott Panhorst, Jaime Escamilla, Travis Bryan, Jason & Jenny Champion, Steve & Aaron Frink, Craig Stichtenoth, and a "secret mulcher" (there may be other names, as we did not get it finished on the 18th). 
• Those who helped with the Red Cross blood drive on November 1… Cathy Mattocks, Ben Setzer, Al Reynolds, Raelene & Garrett Swordsma, Aaron Frink. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 
• Debra & Rod Radcliff for creating the Good Shepherd scarecrow, which placed 5th overall out of 100 in the downtown Woodstock’s 6th annual Scarecrow Invasion. 
• Jim & Becky Mattocks who are working on a GSLC ‘float’ for the Woodstock holiday parade. 
• Trunk or Treat – Kudos to all 25 participants who decorated and delighted the children in the GSLC parking lot. 
• All those who helped with set-up, serving, and clean-up of our Thanksgiving meal on November 9. Thanks also to those supporting the meal associated with the memorial service on Tuesday

Council Highlights:

• A task force has been formed to seek improved security for GSLC. Quotes from companies are being gathered currently.
• Our giving is running ahead of expenses, currently. We are still looking to fill the Youth and Family Coordinator position, so staff costs are lower as a result.
• Intent cards continue to come in through Consecration Sunday on November 9th. They can still be turned in for those that have not yet done so, including those whose intents are staying the same or who give through Simply Giving or Vanco Mobile Giving.

Semi-Annual Meeting Highlights

• Elected Council members: Ruth Clark, Karen Epstein, Rob Homer, Jason Launders, Chuck Storla, Janice Swinford
• Approved via a second vote the changes to the Good Shepherd constitution. 
• Approved via a single vote, changes to the GSLC Constitution based on the ELCA Model Constitution changes approved by the Churchwide Assembly in August 2025
• Many thanksgivings and accolades.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

Place your orders for this year's Christmas poinsettia plants. Plants cost $15 each, and orders are due by November 30th. All submissions must include payment and a form. Checks can be made out to GSLC. Place the form/payment in the offering plate or in the gold wall slot. You can download a form here. Extra forms will be on the welcome desk this Sunday.

TWO OUTREACH CHRISTMAS TREES

The first tree is an Angel Tree to help families at Carmel Elementary. The Angel tree has about 70 angels in the Entryway.

Instructions: Each child has 2 angels on the tree…one angel is marked NEEDS and one angel is marked WANTS. Choose ONE gift from the items listed on the angel, so every child receives 2 gifts from their wish lists. The directions are also listed the back. The angels need to be returned no later than Sunday, December 7th. 

The second tree is a Homeless Veterans Star Tree. The Star tree is located in the Fellowship Hall.

Instructions: Pick one star first, then go out to purchase a gift card from Kroger or Ingles (the amount is up to you), attach the gift card to the star, and write a note 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. 

If you have any questions, see Molly Maher, Cathy Mattocks or Sharron Ryan.

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.

LAST SUNDAY- 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.

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-Can you help?

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

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.

WE NEED PARADE PARTICIPANTS!

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 and members homes. 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. Please indicate next to your name if you play an instrument and are willing to share your talent.

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!

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 All study groups will break Thanksgiving week.

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 have recently started a new Bible study titled, "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. Holiday schedule: We will meet on Thursday, Nov. 20, Dec 4, and holiday party Dec. 11 (at 11 am, not 10). No class Nov. 27th.

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- Special guest this Sunday. Please attend!

Confirmation this 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 Sunday, 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.