SHEEP BUZZ NEWSLETTER

October 23, 2026

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

🌟Indicates something NEW this week!

🌟 REFORMATION SUNDAY

(Wear your red this Sunday!)

October 25, 2026

8:30 AM Traditional Worship | 10:45 Praise Worship

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

We have large-print bulletins available for the service. If you would like a copy, please ask one of the ushers, who will be happy to provide one.

You can also watch the 10:45 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.

If you would like to submit an offering, please donate online.

🌟NEW MEMBER SUNDAY

We are overjoyed to welcome new members to Good Shepherd this Sunday. Join us in Fellowship Hall between services at 9:45 am for cake and refreshments. This will also give us a moment to learn more about these folks and introduce ourselves. Be sure to read all about these new sheep in our fold on our "New Member Board" in Fellowship Hall.

🌟GRATITUDE

The staff would like to thank you for the wonderful reception last Sunday and the many cards, yummy treats, and gifts! The staff appreciates all the love and support you continue to give each and every day. ❤️

OUTREACH MEETING CHANGE

The Outreach meeting will be held via Teams this month on Oct. 25th at 7 PM. Contact Linda Rowell if you need the meeting link.

🌟SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES:

Youth Sunday School Classes at 9:45 AM

PreK/Elementary: Room 111

Middle/High School: Youth Room Downstairs

Adult Sunday School Classes: 9:45 AM -Grab a piece of cake and join us!

Coffee and Conversation: We will continue our study entitled “Disciple and Mission”. The lessons in this study will cover passages from various books of the Bible in New Testament.  

Faith Stories: Room 117. We are continuing with our study from the book, “The Essential Jesus”. All studies are independent, so you can join us any time.

Men in Mission: Room 116. This is a casual group studying the Bible together. We will gather for our monthly outing at Marlow’s Tavern next on Nov. 2nd in Woodstock at 7 PM. 

🌟STEWARDSHIP PACKETS

All members, please pick up your Stewardship Packets in the Entryway. If you have completed your packet, please return it to the designated locations in the Entryway, Fellowship Hall or the altar. All forms are requested back by Nov. 8th.

🌟SUNDAY SERVANT SCHEDULE

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

Consider serving in a new capacity. We need volunteers to serve in all of our Sunday roles!

Please 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.

Monthly Highlights

• The Financial Secretary reported that overall, we are ahead for the quarter
• Work on fixing the ditch will begin the week of November 9th
• Facilities and Maintenance is actively getting quotes for the tile work in the Narthex and the fire alarm system 
• We are looking for individuals who may be interested in spearheading creation of the GSLC Woodstock Holiday Parade float
• Our Scarecrow is up in downtown Woodstock - we recently held the 10th (update: 8th place) spot in the top 10
• The new website is close to completion - look for the official re-launch soon
• Our bookkeeper, Carrie Escamilla, has revised her in-office hours to Sunday mornings, but will be available via email at other times

Accolades

• Barb Kidder and all those who contributed to the meal for Al Reynold’s memorial
• The many hands that coordinated and participated in God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday activities
• Celebration of Arts Sunday – Kay Abramson for coordinating and all the many varied types of artists that shared their creativity
• All who planned, set up, cleaned up, and contributed to the success of our Fall Harvest Lunch, including Trina Hutchison, Jill Stedman, Tom & Nick Evangelista, Barb Kidder, Mary Wilson, Ann Krull, Craig Stichtenoth, Patrick Swinford, Eric Holm, Shelley Trampnau, Clint Gruwell, Gordon Swordsma, and the Stewardship Committee.
• Arnie Ludvigsen for working so diligently to get quotes for the many projects being taken on by Facilities and Maintenance
• The Youth for leading the 10:45am service on Sunday, October 18^th, especially Garret S. for preaching
• Those who built and installed our scarecrow for the Woodstock Scarecrow Invasion – Jill Stedman, Tom Evangelista, Tammy and Steve Frink, and Kathy Casagrande.

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

Following Reformation Sunday, we celebrate All Saints Sunday. (November 1). On this day, we remember all the saints who were baptized and the saints who have entered into eternal life. If you have a loved one who passed away in the past year and would like their name to be read during our worship services, please email their name to Pastor Karen.

🌟DEEP CLEANING

A heartfelt thank you to Aaron Frink, Steve Frink, and Kathleen Farlow for their hard work deep-cleaning the sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, entryway, and bathrooms. We are grateful for their dedication and service in helping keep our church spaces clean, safe, and healthy for everyone!

🌟OUTREACH BEDDING DRIVE

The Outreach committee is collecting for Sleep in Heavenly Peace during the month of October. We are happy to announce that they have built almost 200 beds since they started at the beginning of 2026. Please use their website shpbeds.mindfulgiving.org to order the items they most need and have them sent directly to the organization. When on their website, select GA Cherokee County.

If online ordering is not for you, you can purchase pillows and twin bed-in-a-bag sets. They can be sent to Ron Mixon. If you need his address, please contact the church office. We encourage everyone to use their website or send directly to Ron, since there are many events and activities happening in Fellowship Hall this fall. 

SCARECROW INVASION IN WOODSTOCK

Current Rank: 8th place.

Continue to cast votes for your favorite scarecrow in downtown Woodstock. Good Shepherd's scarecrow is located at #150 on Main Street, just north of Towne Lake, in front of “The Chambers at City Center”. It costs $1 to vote. In-person voting is at the Woodstock Visitors Center. Take a photo with the scarecrow and send it our way! We also have a cash jar in the entryway if you would like to cast your vote at church.

🌟COULD THIS BE YOU? WE COULD USE THE HELP!

We are looking for a couple of creative people to help drive two projects.

GOOD SHEPHERD SWAG

We would like to create some new Good Shepherd T-Shirts/Sweatshirts with our new logo. Is this a project you would like to lead? Let Pastor Karen or the church office know as soon as possible.

CHRISTMAS HELP NEEDED

If you didn't see our parade float for the Woodstock Christmas parade last year, you missed out! But good news! We would like to get an interested group together again this year to plan and build the float. If you have some creative thoughts to contribute or can swing a hammer or hang some lights, please let Janice Swinford know. The more the merrier!

🌟CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA ORDERS

 You may have seen it already in the stores and maybe even cringed a bit, but Christmas planning is in the works, and it is time to order and write dedications for those Christmas poinsettia plants. Plants cost $12 each, and forms need to be returned by Nov. 8th. Please make checks out to GSLC and drop them in the offering plate or wall slot outside the Office Coordinator's office. If you order online, be sure to drop off a dedication form and use the altar flowers category online.

🌟CHRISTMAS CAROL PLANNING EVENT

Christmas is coming! Following the Synod's recent "Revival Days," which several council members attended, it was noted that the lower parking lot was often empty, so passersby may wrongly think that Good Shepherd is empty. To change this perception, we had the idea of filling the lot on an evening in December and offering a Christmas Carol Singing for the community. We could invite local families to come and sing along with us. Lots of ideas, but no firm plans yet. If you have ideas and would like to help make them happen, please come to a planning Session at 7 pm on Monday, October 26th. Thank you to all those who have stepped forward already!

🌟HALLOWEEN PARADE & TRUNK OR TREAT

Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:30 AM, the staff will dress up in costume and pass out the treats we assembled during God's Work Our Hands Sunday. If anyone would like to dress up and join us, please arrive by 11:15 AM.

A favorite event of the year! Grab a group of friends or gather your family and decorate your car for our annual Trunk or Treat, to be held in our lower parking lot on October 28, 2026, from 6 - 8 PM. Sign up at Sign Up Central in Fellowship Hall to reserve your parking space.

🌟REFORMATION CONCERT - Friday, October 30, 2026, 7:30 pm

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta will host Echoing Air, an Indianapolis-based vocal ensemble with Baroque instruments. “A Mighty Fortress” is an inspiring concert of music showcasing the music of 16th to early 18th-century Lutheran composers. This program vividly portrays the Lutheran ideals of forging a personal connection with God and the growing prominence of the German vernacular language in sacred music. Join us as we bring to life the works of Heinrich Schütz, Johann Schein, Dieterich Buxtehude, Vincert Lübeck, Johann Rosenmüller, Johann Fischer, and Dietrich Becker in a harmonious celebration of this rich musical tradition. Admission and parking are free, and a reception will follow the concert. https://www.facebook.com/events/1728055265189198

🌟NOTE THESE OTHER DATES:

Oct. 31 - Quarterly Blood Drive at Good Shepherd ( 8am - 1 pm). Make appointments at redcrossblood.org, sponsor code: goodshepherdlutheran. Free Halloween T'shirt with donation.

Nov. 7 - Electronic Recycling Event and Good Shepherd's Garage Sale (cash only) 10 AM - 1 PM. Sign-up to help at Sign-up Central. More details on page 2 of attached insert.

Nov. 8 - One 10 AM service, Consecration Sunday, Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting & Thanksgiving Lunch - Please sign up for something to share. More meeting details will be coming to members soon in a Special Sheep Buzz.

Nov. 14 - Fall Outdoor clean up at 8 AM and Service of Hope at Good Shepherd, 4 PM. All are welcome.

Nov. 15 - at 12:00 PM for a Pancake Breakfast and Trivia youth fundraiser. Come enjoy good food, friendly competition, and fellowship while supporting our youth.

WORD ON WEDNESDAY

Word on Wednesday now meets on Wednesdays in the Fellowship Hall at 10 AM. Please join us as our study leader, Lori Peters, guides us as we explore “What Grows In Weary Lands” by Tish Harrison Warren, which can be purchased on Amazon. A Teams option will also be available for anyone interested to join us online. Email Lori or the church office if you need the link. 

THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY

This class meets at 10 AM on Thursdays in Fellowship Hall and is led by Pastor Karen. We focus on the lessons that are coming up for the next Sunday.

Feel free to drop in at any time. Bring your Bible.

🌟CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

We are a group of facilitators trained by the Alzheimer's Association to assist in communication, prayer, and support for those caring for others. We meet regularly on the second Saturday and the fourth Thursday of every month at 1:00 PM, at Good Shepherd. Anyone is welcome to attend these group sessions. Our next meeting is November 14th. We will be meeting in the Meeting Room.

Enjoying the Fall weather? Consider this local event put together by the Alzheimer's Association:

The 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's – Cherokee County/Canton, GA takes place at Etowah River Park in Canton, Georgia, on October 31, 2026.

Event Details

• Arrival Time: 9:00 AM
• Opening Ceremony: 10:00 AM
• Location: Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, GA 30114
• Route Length: 2 miles
• Contact: Norma Barragan at nbarragan@alz.org

Registration & Participation

• Cost: There is no registration fee, though personal fundraising and donations are strongly encouraged.
• Registration: Every participant (including children) must register online and sign a waiver through the official Alzheimer's Association Walk Page.
• T-Shirt Incentive: Registered participants who raise the minimum of $100 receive an official Walk T-shirt.

GREETING CARD MINISTRY- new cards available

TAKE NOTE! Our card bins are FULL of new greeting cards, with lots of new designs! We also have a new supply of HAND-PAINTED cards, which are generously donated to GSLC by Liane Dolezar, a local Woodstock artist. All donated proceeds support our Good Shepherd Youth Mission trips. This ministry is being hosted by Molly Maher, Linda Rowell, and Pam Hough.

🌟LADIES NIGHT OUT

Meets regularly on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 PM. This is an evening out and a break from cooking, with good conversation and good food among sisters in Christ. This month, we will meet on Tuesday, November 17th. Please sign up in Fellowship Hall.

Henry’s Louisiana Grill

4835 N. Main Street

Acworth, GA 30101

MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION

If you have young adult GSLC members either living in your household or living outside the home who may still want news and information about Good Shepherd, please consider updating their contact information with the church office at office@gslutheran.org

Do you love your church? Consider giving Good Shepherd a 5 Star review on Google and/or Yelp. It helps other know about who we are and what we do!

BUILDING ACCESS REQUEST

& CHURCH CALENDAR

Online Calendar & Calendar Submission and Entry Request Form

Use this as a resource for all Good Shepherd Events. Need to add an event to the calendar or request access to our building use the form below. Questions? Contact our Media Coordinator.

Please note that all building access requests will not be added to the calendar. The office is primarily using one form to streamline the office processes for building entry and events.

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.