eVOICE for October 01, 2026



GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL CHURCH



Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 1, 2026



We will be celebrating with Transfiguration Church via Zoom at 9:00 am and in-person at Good Shepherd Church at 10:30 am.

RECTOR'S MESSAGE

Dear friends,



This Sunday, October 4, is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and we'll celebrate with the Blessing of the Animals. Francis saw every creature as a sibling in God's family, and he praised God through sun, moon, water, and the animals he loved. Blessing our animals on his feast day is a way of giving thanks for the creatures who share our lives and remembering that all of creation belongs to God.

Here's how to join in:

• 9:00 am on Zoom. Bring your animals to the screen and we'll bless them from wherever you are.
• 10:30 am in person. Animals are welcome in worship! Please keep them leashed or in carriers. If your companion is better off staying home, bring a photo and we'll bless them too. Kids (and grown-ups!) are also welcome to bring a favorite stuffed animal for a blessing.

Help our animal neighbors: We're collecting donations for the Montgomery County Humane Society. Please bring them with you on Sunday.

Scout Troop 97 car wash: Our scouts are holding a car wash on Sunday from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. If rain forces us to cancel, we'll share a new date as soon as we have one.

Coffee hour: After worship, stay for coffee and conversation. We'd love to hear stories about the creatures who mean so much to you, past and present.

See you in church!

Grace and peace,

Sarah +

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

**New Traffic Pattern** Please note that the driveway entrance and exit at the church have been reversed to accommodate traffic patterns for our new neighbors, Evergreen Montessori. You will now enter close to Gabel Street and exit by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Thank you for your help and patience in making this change. 

Making Things Happen: Community Organizing Tools for Congregations, October 3rd at St. Johns’s Episcopal Church in Beltsville, MD. Speak to Deacon Linda if you are interested in participating.

Montgomery County Humane Society Donation Drive- In addition to welcoming our furry, feathery, and scaly pets to the October 4 St. Francis Day service for blessing, we are also gathering donations of supplies, food, and pet beds for Montgomery County Humane Society. Donations may be delivered to the church at any time on or before October 4. There is a donation box near the food pantry donation area. Elisa Elliot will deliver all received to MCHS on October 5. Click here for MCHS’S Wish List.

Scout Troop Carwash, Sunday, October 4th, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm. Come get your car washed for a donation to the troop! Proceeds go to pay for camping fees and supplies, badges, and other scouting activities.

Acolyte Festival at the Washington National Cathedral- October 10th

Good Shepherd will be taking part again this year. Children and the adults who love them are especially welcome. If you’d like to join the fun, let Deacon Linda know so we can register in advance.

Candidate Action for an Affordable Maryland! Sunday, October 18th, 2:45- 4:30 pm at First Baptist Church of Guilford, 7504 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, MD 21046. Join AIM and the Maryland Just Power Alliance.

We're fighting for a Maryland where...

• All of us can make a living, support a family, and afford a quality home
• Immigrants are safe and can build a good life for their families
• No one has to make sacrifices to pay for utility bills
• We all can breathe clean air, including inside our homes
• Historic African-American communities can build generational wealth, and
• We all stand together against hate.

Your attendance will help us show our people power and make our issue priorities front

and center for the election and the 2027 legislative session. If you are interested in coming, please email Lillian Luksenburg, Ldohertyuam@gmail.com, and/or register online at: tinyurl.com/maryland1018. Thank you!

We are excited to share that we have already filled our slots for our upcoming retreat to Shrine Mont! If you are interested in attending and haven't had time to sign up, please reach out to Nellie Thompson at Nellie_J_Thompson@mcpsmd.org or by text at 301-537-8247.

Wednesday Bible Study - 11:30 am with Deacon Linda Mahler



Telephone prayer meeting every Thursday at 9:15 am. The number to call to join the prayer meeting is 518-318-5354. If you have any questions contact Lynette Clark at 301-357-1726.

OFFER PRAYERS INTENTIONALLY TO GOD FOR ALL HIS PEOPLE:

Harvey Luksenburg (husband of Lillian), Lee Levine (GS member), Morgan Hoover (GS member), Nella Fisher (former GS member), Pat and Christina Ogg (GS members), Don and Joan Lewis (GS members), John Elliott (GS member), Joan DeMoss (GS member), Gary Anderson (GS member), Patrick Townsend (friend of Florence Walters), Kathryn McMahon (Deacon), Jeanette Ottley (friend of Florence Walters), Ken Douglas (friend of Florence Walters), Liz DeVivo (friend of Eric Reiffenstein), Avi Ramsundar and Carole Boodoosingh, (friends of Arlene Mahon), Angie Karlene Lowe (friend of Florence Walters), Robert Rather, Jolene Grimmer (cousin of Eric Reiffenstein), Robert Rhodes (friend of Florence Walters), Judith Bowen (friend of Arlene Mahon), Mary Ann Marsh (friend of Arlene Mahon), Kosi Kumi (friend of Laura Meissner), Gladys Brooks (sister of Ana Curtis), Raul Calderon (relative of Maria Fernandez), Tony Stamp (friend of Florence Walters), Harrington Brown (friend of Florence Walters), Rita Brown (friend of Florence Walters), Hugh Walters (brother of Florence Walters), Narumon Sivali (mother of Vanvisa Sivali), Bill and Jim Applegate (friends of Eric Reiffenstein), Andrea Duffy (friend of the Campos), Mary Beebe Konieczny (sister of Debbie Beebe), Doris Meyer (Aunt of Linda Campo) and John Scarrow (brother-in-law of Linda Campo).

GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL CHURCH

818 UNIVERSITY BLVD. WEST, SILVER SPRING, MD 20901

Quick Links: GS website GS facebook

GS YouTube

Episcopal Diocese