The final Fall Gathering this Sunday!

The Church of the Good Shepherd

231 North Church St.

Rocky Mount, NC

eShepherd November 14, 2024

This Sunday at Good Shepherd

Twenty-sixth Sunday After Pentecost

November 17, 2024

8:00 AM

Rite 1 Holy Communion

10:30 AM

Contemporary Language Service of Holy Communion

with choir and congregational hymns.

Live streamed at gslive.org

Serving this Sunday

8 a.m.

Altar Guild Lalor Smith and Jeanette Belfield;

Celebrant The Rev. Shawn Schreiner;

Eucharistic Minister Lalor Smith;

Flower Guild Emily Bondy and Britt Myers;

Reader Lalor Smith

10:30 a.m.

Acolytes Jack McKellar and Matthew McKellar;

Altar Guild Susan Folta

Audiovideo Engineer Ron Sowers;

Eucharistic Minister Ashley Moss;

Flower Guild Emily Bondy and Britt Myers;

Greeters Kenneth and Deborah Burnette;

Intercessor Mary Palmer;

Musicians The Good Shepherd Choir;

Lawrence Goering, organist;

Presider The Rev. Shawn Schreiner;

Readers Brandon Higson and Bob Hyatt;

Vestry Counters Winston Lea and Kenneth Burnette

A Reflection from Rev. Becky+

Hello Good Shepherd!

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about where we all were last year, and where we are this year. Last year at this time I was an interim in Houston, trying to figure out a way to live closer to my daughter, and hopeful but still not knowing what would happen with Les.

There was so much uncertainty in our lives. It was a time of learning to trust God, trust each other, and take it day by day. It feels like Good Shepherd was in a similar place – Would you find the right priest? How much longer would it take? What was going to happen?

You didn’t know then, and I didn’t either. But it’s different this year, in all kinds of wonderful ways for both of us. I’ve had “This Will Be Our Year” by The Zombies stuck in my head and it's morphed into a sort of a theme song for me. This will be our year, and it did take such a long time to come. But we’re here now, and I’m grateful.

I’m ready to get on with my life, but even more get on with making joy together at Good Shepherd. There is so much opportunity here to build something really special. At the same time, I know our work is cut out for us, but it’s different when you have each other, isn’t it?

Part of getting in and doing the thing has been putting on the Every Member Response campaign on a truncated deadline. Keep an eye open for a letter in your mailbox that has a pledge card in it, but if you just can’t wait to pledge, the link is already up and functioning!

We’re having a special Thanksgiving and In-gathering service on Sunday, November 24th, and I hope you will be there.

In thanksgiving,

Becky+

P.S. So many of you have made it to Fall Gatherings already, but there’s still one more to come if you haven’t made it to one yet! It’s this Sunday at 5:00pm at Kenneth and Deborah Burnette’s home, and if it’s anything like the other two, everyone will have a lovely time.

Some photos from last week's gathering at Isabella and Harris Walker's home:

great conversation, delicious food and gracious hosts!

This week at Good Shepherd

Coffee Hour Please join us for coffee and goodies in the Parish Hall after the 10:30 Service

Children's Chapel this week. Children are invited to follow the cross after the Collect. Nursery is available for the little ones. See an usher for directions.

Choir Rehearsal Schedules

The Cherub and Alleluia Choirs will rehearse together on Wednesdays for thirty minutes beginning at 5:15 p.m.

The Alleluia Choir will rehearse for another thirty minutes after the rehearsal with the Cherub Choir, finishing at 6:15 p.m.

The Good Shepherd Choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and is open to all adults and high school students.

Mid-week Eucharist

Refresh your soul on Wednesdays at noon in the Sanctuary.

Coming Soon:

Sunday, December 1, plan to stay after the 10:30 service for Advent Wreath Making! You'll need clippers and any greenery you are able to cut and bring along. More information coming soon!

The Episcopalians are playing Mahjong! Come play with fellow Episcopalians from St. Andrew’s and Good Shepherd on Wednesday, December 4th at 6 p.m. in the parish hall at St. Andrew’s. Be sure to bring your 2024 card!

Kindly respond to Sissy Dunton 252-883-3464, Boyd Harris 252-904-6647 or Terry Noble 252-813-4646

Sunday, December 8, 5:00 p.m. A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

This much loved annual candlelight service, sung by the Alleluia and Good Shepherd Choirs, will include traditional carols, hymns, and anthems.

Outreach Committee Update

Thanksgiving Boxes – We Need Your Help!

We’re still over 60% away from our goal to provide Thanksgiving boxes for families in need, and we’re reaching out for your support. Any donation—financial or food items—will help bring warmth and nourishment to our community this holiday. To contribute, please contact Isabella Walker 252-904-6398 or donate on our website by clicking here.

Parishioners Celebrating Birthdays this week

November 14

Jenny McKellar

November 15

Walter Sprye Jr.

November 16

Spencer Harris

November 17

Brandon Higson

Parish Prayer List

For those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity: especially Joyce Cuthrell, Whitney Herbert, Randy Reid, Dinah Fowlkes, Bill Harris, Aileen Harris, Amy McCotter, Jeanette Belfield, Linda Mattocks, Chris Poole, Gregory Strickland, Bruce Biggs, Willie Skinner, Debbie Freas, Bobbi Weeks, and .

For continued health and healing: Bill Hudgins, Mary W. Dawson, Becky Bryan, Elizabeth "Sister" Cherry, Albert Ervin, Frances Gaither, Dwight Johnson, Boo White, and Brent Wilson.

For the blessings of this life:

For those expecting the birth of a child: Morgan and Benton Moss

For those who have died:

To add or remove people on the Prayer List please contact Cheryl Coppedge at coppedgecheryl@gmail.com. Please ask their permission before submitting.

A note about pastoral care emergencies: If you are experiencing a pastoral emergency (e.g. someone you love or you yourself are in the hospital, or you’re experiencing some distressing news) please call my cell phone (570-259-0671) and leave a message if I don’t pick up right away. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. If in doubt, please call – I can’t support you if I don’t know you need support!

BZC+

252-442-1134 churchofthegoodshepherdrm@gmail.com

www.goodshepherdrmt.org