SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

October 31, 2025

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

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

BLOOD DRIVE

Saturday, November 1, 2025

 from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Fellowship Hall

All presenting donors will receive a $10 E-Gift Card

to the merchant of your choice,

a free A1C screening on your blood,

a chance to win a $5,000 Gift Card, &

a coupon from Cheeseburger Bobby’s.

  For more information or to schedule an appointment, please go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: goodshepherdlutheran

ELECTRONIC RECYCLE EVENT

Saturday, November 1, 10 AM -1 PM in our lower parking lot.

Start saving those electronics and bring them to our semi-annual drive. The money we collect and the money returned to us by the electronic recycler will offset the costs of future technology enhancements at Good Shepherd. A great way to care for creation and do something good for our church. Share this event with your family, friends, and neighbors!

There is a charge to recycle TV's. $25 for TV's and monitors under 32" and $40 for TV's over 32".

All Saints Sunday

"Name the Saints"

November 2, 2025

8:30 AM Traditional Worship Service

Sunday School

9:45 AM for all ages

10:45 AM Praise Worship Services

Worship Bulletins: 8:30 AM | 10:45 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 the10:45 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

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

Sunday (November 2), we remember all the saints who were baptized and the saints who have entered into eternal life.

PONY EXPRESS CAMPAIGN

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.

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

Council highlights:

• Security is being researched. Consultants are being brought in, and when they have made their suggestions, decisions will be made for the next steps to take. In the meantime, a security officer will be in place on Sunday mornings.
• Semi-annual meeting on November 9, one 10 AM service.
• Good Shepherd has a group working to assess our branding.

Accolades

• Holly Jones, for incorporating church-wide constitutional changes (approved in August) into our GSLC constitution.
•  Stewardship Committee for hosting the Pony Express lunch on October 12. Jaime Escamilla, Patrick Swinford and Mark Martin for grilling. Fellowship members for helping with the lunch.
• Damon Garges for putting up the slat wall.
• The Setzer family for helping with the Blessing of the Pets service

A FEW OF THE MANY THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR

Thank you for all of the votes for our Good Shepherd Scarecrow! Voting ends at 5 PM today. We will annouce where we ranked on Facebook and in next week's Sheep Buzz. This was such a wonderful way to show our community a little bit about us!

This Sunday, we are excited to be using new cameras and upgraded sound for our livestream services. We are grateful for Steve Frink, Damon Garges, Drew Dickerson and Donna Garges, who have been installing and running test streams this past week. Please be patient with us as we adapt to the new cameras, sound equipment and technology. Thank you to the ELCA for a grant to help us reach this goal in updating our technology.

TWO-CAN, NO, LET'S MAKE IT FOUR-CAN SUNDAY!

Good Shepherd is encouraging everyone to increase their food donations to support our local food pantries. As you may be aware, due to the government shutdown, more families are in need and we can help by donating to these pantries that are experiencing an increased demand! This week, let's make this a bountiful gift for our food pantry partner, Papa's Pantry. Can you bring four cans of food this Sunday? Consider bringing canned foods that are more of a meal and have pop tabs instead of the need for can openers. We also encourage you to contribute to our food barrels for MUST Ministries on our front porch. 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 located in the Entryway beginning this Sunday, Nov. 2 through Nov. 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

We will also collect Hefty Energy recycle bags this Sunday for all those hard-to-recycle items. Please have them bagged and placed in the container outside the entrance.

GARDEN OF GRACE

Final harvest, a huge thank you to all of our gardeners!!

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.

NOV. 9TH - ONE SERVICE - 10 AM

SEMI-ANNUAL CONGRAGATIONAL 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 will go out on Monday, with all the meeting details, including the Council Nominee Biographies and the Annual Report.

Following the Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting will be our Annual Thanksgiving Lunch. Please sign up in Fellowship Hall for an item you can bring to share at this meal.

CHRISTMAS JUBILEE OF LIGHTS PARADE

Good Shepherd has the opportunity to 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. A sign up sheet is located in Fellowship Hall if you would like to join our float!

Anyone wishing to create and decorate the float is welcome! We need the following:

• A truck with a hitch (we have one on standby),
• A trailer we can attach and decorate
• White Christmas lights (does not need to be battery operated) to donate or to borrow

Call Becky Mattocks or the church office if you would like to participate. (770-924-7286.) More information will be coming soon.

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.

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.

EMPTY NESTERS CHRISTMAS EVENT

The 2025 Empty Nester's Christmas Party is a play and dinner at the Canton Theatre and will be held on Sunday, December 14th. 

The initial 40 tickets at the Group Rate of $15.00 each have been purchased. If you would still like to attend with us, you will have to purchase your own tickets at the normal rate of $19.50 - $21.50. Purchase the tickets thru this link: https://www.cherokeetheatre.org/ Please continue to sign up at Sign-up Central in Fellowship Hall so we can get an accurate count for dinner.

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 dates are Wednesday, November 5 and 19. Hope you can join us!

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. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL

All classes begin at 9:45 AM

Youth Classes

Pre-K & Elementary School - Room 111

Middle School and High School - Downstairs Youth Room

Confirmation This Sunday! Room 115. Lesson 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 are engaged in a study on the book of Ephesians on 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.

Congregational support of this ministry is appreciated by the makers, as well as the senders and receivers of these mostly one-of-a-kind greeting cards.

Look in the bins for new hand-painted cards, cards with tea bags included, and cards with bookmarks included. If you have new ideas for cards, please pass them on to Linda, Molly or Pam. We aim to please.

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.

We need to remove labels from the prescription bottles and Hefty Energy recyclables. 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

PLASTIC BAGS and SMALL CARDBOARD BOXES can be recycled at our partner Mostly Mutts Market.  Their address is 5505 Bells Ferry Rd. Acworth 30102.  

MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION

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!

MORE FREE MONEY FOR GOOD SHEPHERD

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

Kroger offers community reward dollars for non-profit organizations. All you need to do is associate your Kroger Plus number with our church and Kroger will send us a check based on what you purchase. It is so easy, just follow the steps below! Need help? Contact our Media Coordinator and she can walk you through the process.

• Go to the Kroger website
• www.kroger.com
• Or open the Kroger app on your phone.
• Sign in
• Use the email and password connected to your Kroger Plus Card.
• If you don’t have an account yet, click Create an Account and link your Plus Card/alt ID (phone number).
• Find Community Rewards
• On the website:
• Hover over “Savings & Rewards” in the top menu.
• Click “Kroger Community Rewards.”
• In the app:
• Tap the menu (☰), scroll down, and select Rewards → Community Rewards.
• Search for your organization
• In search box, type in the name of the church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Woodstock.
• Click the Enroll button next to the organization’s name.
• You’ll then see it listed as your selected organization.
• Good Shepherd receives a quarterly check as a percentage of all enrolled Kroger Plus purchases. Last quarter we received $59.

Thrivent Choice Dollars (These are different from Action Team Grants)

Step 1: Verify eligibility and enroll in membership 

• You must be a Thrivent member with benefit membership.
• To be eligible, you must have a qualifying Thrivent products with either:
• At least $750 in annual billed premiums for qualifying life and health insurance.
• At least $20,000 in contract value for qualifying life insurance and annuity products.
• A qualifying Thrivent volunteer leadership position.
• If you are eligible and not already a member, you can join by completing the membership application on Thrivent.com. 

Step 2: Direct your Choice Dollars

• Visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to get started.
• Log in to your account using your user ID and password.
• If you are a first-time user, select "register" to create your account.
• Search the catalog of enrolled organizations and select the one you want to receive your donation. Choose Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Woodstock,GA.
• Click "Direct Now" on the organization's page to direct your Choice Dollars. 

Step 3: Meet the deadline

• You must direct your Choice Dollars by March 31st of the following year, or they will expire. 

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.