Weekly Parish News for Thursday, November 27 | | |
Announcements
- Hot Cocoa Sale
- Parish office closed Thanksgiving
Advent Season begins this Sunday!
Other Announcements
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Worship With Us
Prayer List
Support Our Parish
Connect With Us
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EYC’s Hot Cocoa Sale kicks off the holiday fun
The Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) held their primary fall fundraiser, the Hot Cocoa Sale, on Saturday, November 22nd, during the Raleigh Christmas Parade. Our youth set up tables outside the church on Hillsborough Street and sold Hot Cocoa and other goodies to parade attendees.
We had about 18 kids and maybe 15 adults working together to sell homemade cocoa, coffee, biscuits, and donuts! Profits reached approximately $1,200, which will support our EYC program and help defray costs for our next mission trip, with plans to return to Western NC next summer.
Thank you to all the parish members who came out to support and buy cocoa! We even had some parish members and EYC alum folks volunteering at the event. What amazing teamwork! It was another amazing and successful event!
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Parish Office to Be Closed for Thanksgiving
Please make note that the Parish Office closed at 5PM on Wednesday, November 26th and will re-open at 9 AM on Monday, December 1st. In the event of a pastoral care emergency, the parish’s Pastoral Care Support Line 919.831.2008 is available and is monitored 24x7.
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Preparing for Advent
Advent is a special and busy time in the life of the parish! We hope that each of you will join us and bring friends to the special worship services and fellowship activities that begin this Sunday and continue through December. Please read the newsletter, facebook page, and visit our new Advent page on the website:
https://www.cgs-raleigh.org/advent.html
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Advent Kickoff: Formation, Fellowship, and Family Activities this Sunday
Sunday, November 30 marks the start of the Advent season! Join us throughout the morning for opportunities to reflect, serve, and celebrate.
9:00 AM: Adult Formation Hour - Making Room to Encounter Christ
This Sunday officially kicks off our new Advent Series: Making Room to Encounter Christ. Join us at 9:00 AM in Room 323 on the second floor to explore how Christ is encountered through service to others.
Special Guest: Our first speaker is Girl Scout Jillian Hines, who will be sharing her journey and inspiration behind her project, the Little Free Pantry! Jillian, joined by her mother Erin Pias-Hines and grandfather Scott Pias, will speak about the impact the Pantry has on our neighbors. The family will kindly provide breakfast for attendees.
This series will continue each Sunday in Advent (Nov. 30, Dec 7, 14, and 21), featuring community leaders who share stories of compassion, justice, and discipleship in response to real needs. Please join us for reflection and discussion. (For more information on Jillian’s project, please read our blog article on the Little Free Pantry here).
Immediately Following 10:15 AM Worship
Immediately following the 10:15 AM worship service, you are invited to join us for Fellowship Time and two intergenerational activities:
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Advent Wreath Making: Supplies will be provided to make your family's Advent wreath.
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Chrismon Tree Decoration: Help us decorate our beautiful Chrismon Tree with ornaments! The lights will have already been installed.
Come enjoy fellowship and snacks as we kick off this sacred season.
Can You Help with the Chrismon Tree?
If you’re able to stay immediately following the 10:15 AM service on November 30 to help hang the Chrismon Tree ornaments, please join us! It won't take long. Contact John and Karen Boyne to learn more.
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Advent 2: Lessons and Carols, December 7 at 4 PM
New for 2025! Join us for a Service of Advent Lessons and Carols in the Anglican tradition. This festive liturgy alternates scripture readings (“lessons”) telling the story of salvation with seasonal anthems and hymns (“carols”) sung by the choir and congregation. Led by diverse voices throughout our parish family, this special service invites reflection and anticipation of the coming of Christ at his Nativity. The service will be followed by a reception in Shepherd's Hall.
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Advent 3: Service of Hope and Healing, December 14 at 4 PM
This year's Service of Hope and Healing at Christmas provides a holy space of stillness and comfort for all those for whom this holiday season carries a sense of grief, loss, or heaviness. Join us for a contemplative liturgy of music, prayer, scripture, and candlelight, as together we lift up the prayers of our hearts to a God who is ever present and ever with us, whatever we may be facing.
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Time to Sign Up for the Christmas Pageant!
This year's intergenerational Christmas Pageant will take place during the 10:15 AM service on Sunday, December 21. All ages are invited to participate! Whether you have a child who would like a role, or whether you are a youth or grown-up who would like to help the Christmas story come to life, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP, or contact Rev. Imogen or Rev. Justin.
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Advent Quiet Day - Dec. 6 at Good Shepherd
A Quiet Day is a day set aside for prayer, listening, and honest reflection, allowing for new clarity on life and a widening connection to God. On this Quiet Day, The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth, associate interim rector at St. Paul’s in Cary, will lead retreatants through reflections from the great medieval mystic and theologian, Julian of Norwich. Learn more in our blog article: https://www.cgs-raleigh.org/blog/advent-quiet-day-dec-6
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The St. Nicholas Tree!
We have had a great response to this year's Angel/St. Nicholas Tree with about 3/4 of the angels already chosen; there are still about 20 angels on the tree, mostly older kids.
Please consider choosing one of the remaining angels next Sunday - be sure to sign the register with your name and contact information under the corresponding number to your angel.
Gifts MUST be wrapped and returned to the church by Sunday, December 7th - if you have purchased a bicycle or tricycle, it may be EITHER wrapped in the original box or assembled and unwrapped but with a label with the angel's number, your choice.
When labelling your wrapped gifts, please DO include the letter "A" after the Angel number as this lets the EFWM folks know these gifts came from Good Shepherd.
Thank you for your participation in this Outreach program. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jennifer Tlusty. THANK YOU!
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Alternative Gift Giving
Feeling like you, your family, or your friends already have too much abundance? Do you need a gift idea that transcends clutter?
Here is a thoughtful solution for the season: Alternative Gift Giving (AGG)!
Donating to a non-profit which upholds your loved ones’ values is a perfect way to honor, remember, or celebrate someone by making a real difference in the lives of people with very high levels of need.
This year, the Outreach Committee is focused on Loving Our Neighbors, supporting proven charities with either a direct CGS connection or those dedicated to serving disadvantaged children and families.
Visit our Alternative Gift Giving tables which will be set up in the PLC Lobby after both the 8:00 and 10:15 services on the first, second, and third Sundays of December:
- December 7 (After Both Services)
- December 14 (After Both Services)
- December 21 (After Both Services)
For more information and to see the list of charities your generosity will support, please read our blog article: Alternative Gift Giving
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Help Feed the Hungry this November
Please consider supporting our efforts to feed the hungry. Response has been great, and we were thrilled to make a large donation to Urban Ministries on November 24. We'll still take donations through the end of the month. Pease read our blog article for more details.
Donation baskets are available in the church and in the Parish Life Center for food items and for monetary offerings. Online giving is available through Realm and on the parish website. Thank you!
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Volunteer Opportunity
Each week Lowe's Foods on Strickland Road donates baked goods to the Shepherd's Table. And we need volunteers to pick up these donations and get them to the soup kitchen. Our wonderful volunteers sign up to cover one month at a time, covering each Sunday of that month. The commitment entails picking up the items after 10:15 a.m. and delivering them to the soup kitchen before 12:00 p.m. We are currently looking for someone to pick up April and November. To help us with this wonderful ministry, please contact Paula Andrews.
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Monthly Men’s Fellowship Lunch – December 11
Men’s Fellowship Lunches take place on the SECOND THURSDAY of each month at 12 NOON at High Park Grill (625 E. Whitaker Mill Road). Come enjoy lively fellowship and a reasonably priced meal--no reservation is required and everyone is welcome! Contact: Jack Boyne
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Sunday, November 30
8 AM
8:30 AM - 12 Noon
- Nursery Care Available (infant-4 yo)
9 AM
- Kid’s Sunday School
- Advent Formation Series: “Making Room to Encounter Christ” in Room 323 (second floor Adult Formation room)
10:15 AM
11:30 AM
- Fellowship Time will be hosted by folks with a Cary zip code. Please join us after the 10:15 service for snacks and refreshments. Contact Carolyn Edge for more information.
- Making Advent Wreaths
- Decorating the Chrismon Tree
5:30-7:30 pm
- EYC (Episcopal Youth Community)
| | | The Church of the Good Shepherd Prayer List | |
- Catherine and Bob Williams
- JoAnn Kistler Lattimore and Charles Lattimore
- Roy Wright
- Janet Gilliam
- Ralph Sanders
- Pete Taylor
- Martha Bailey
- Janie Ward-Newton
- William Short
- Brinley Harris
- Don Caudill
- Jerry Smith
- Margaret Park
- Lynda Terrell-Rea
- The Rev. Sallie Simpson
- Patricia Harris
- Susie Rahal
- Larry Phearse and Family
- David Lovelace
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- Melinda McIntyre and Family
- Dana Babbs
- Mike Newton-Ward
- Bob Kochersberger and Family
- Susan and Jane Jackson and Family
- the people of Israel and Palestine
- the people of Ukraine and Russia
- victims of gun violence
- those affected by drought, heat, floods, storms, and fires.
And we pray for those who mourn, including the family and friends of Michael Riddle, Al Bass, Smith Lingerfelt, Paul Hoch, The Rev. Janet Watrous, Mary Best, AB Swindell, and Peggy Hawks.
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Communion.
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Australia.
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Prayer Requests
The people of The Church of the Good Shepherd are eager to join you in lifting your prayers to God. Please tell us how we can pray with you by clicking here to submit a prayer request.
Prayer requests added to our public prayer list will be refreshed every month; please feel free to resubmit them if you would like them to remain on the prayer list.
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2026 Pledge Update
As you’ve undoubtedly heard, our 2026 Stewardship Campaign has been a success! Sincere thanks to everyone who has committed to supporting the mission and ministries of our church during 2026.
If you haven’t yet pledged, don’t worry! It’s not too late. Pledges received prior to December 1 will be used by the vestry to develop and implement our 2026 operating budget. You may submit your pledge submit your pledge through Realm, on our church website here, or by emailing Parish Administrator David Baggett. Thank you!
Contact: Esther Hall, Stewardship Chair
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If you are looking for meaningful ways to serve the parish, please consider the ministries listed below. The contacts listed can provide more information. | | |
Parish Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 9 AM - 5 PM; Fridays by appointment
Pastoral Care Emergencies
Please call the Pastoral Care Support Line 919.831.2008
Prayer Requests
Please CLICK HERE to submit a prayer request.
Thank you for reading the Parish News.
Announcements and photos to share with our parish family are always welcome!
Please email your contributions to Dana Deaton at cgsnews@cgs-raleigh.org The deadline for newsletter submissions is Wednesday at 2 PM. Thank you! Announcements may be edited for content and space.
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A Friendly Reminder…
Have you moved? Changed your phone number or email address?
If so, please be sure to contact Parish Administrator David Baggett at david.baggett@cgs-raleigh.org or 919.831.2018). Thank you!
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