Sign up for Poinsettias is on the bulletin board.  We will be having “red” poinsettias again this year to grace our Chancel.  The cost is $12.00, and you may, of course, take them home with you after the Christmas morning service. 

The 2010 Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.  Donors may use this opportunity to celebrate anniversaries, weddings and birthdays or in memory of a loved one.  The cost of the flowers is $40.00, and checks can be made out to the Good Shepherd Chancel Guild. 

In recent years, the members of Good Shepherd have shared their Christmas wishes by displaying cards on the church bulletin board.  Bring in or mail your card to be shared by our church family, and take time to share the messages of your fellow members. 

A Wonderful Gift of Love.   As you drive into the church parking lot you are struck by the witness of a beautiful cross on the south wall of the sanctuary.  This marvelous witness to our faith is the gift of the Hulse family in memory of Owen.  Thank You! 

In November, the Worth Food Pantry will be supplied with the ingredients for a marvelous Thanksgiving meal as well as other foods to supplement their needs.  The need continues as the pantry has more than doubled the number of people it serves.  The Pantry is planning to distribute boxes of personal care items for the Christmas Holidays.  In December, please include items such as:  soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, shaving cream, baby diapers, baby wipes, etc.  These personal care items will be distributed along with food donations.  Their special requests for December are:  Rice-A-Roni, Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, saltine crackers, pasta and tuna.  As always, your generosity is deeply appreciated by those in need. Donations of any other items are always appreciated.  

Please keep on helping us to send books to our Troops overseas!  Do you have piles of books at home and don’t know what to do with them?  We can help you out!  Donate your old books (preferably paperbacks) and we will ship them to our Troops overseas!  We do not have a need for romance novels.  Thanks for supporting our Troops!!!!  For more information contact Wendy Heilman at polarbear17@aol.com or www.operationpaperback.org.  

Looking for a way to help your church for Christmas?  On Thursday, December 17^th at 7:00 PM, we will decorate our sanctuary for the Christmas festivals.  The tree will be set up, lights strung, and packages wrapped. Refreshments will follow for those interested.  Many hands make for light work.  Your help is greatly appreciated.  

Help is also needed to bake cookies or other goodies to be served following the Christmas Concert on December 21^st.  If you are willing to assist us, please sign up on the bulletin board.  Thank You!

 

The end of the year brings some changes to our

Church leadership. As always we are looking at revitalizing several of our committees for the coming year.  If you would be willing to serve on a committee of the church and assist us in furthering our mission and enhancing our life together, please contact Pastor Basch. The duties and responsibilities of church life become a joy, when we share them with each other.  Please help us continue the Good Shepherd tradition of strong and dedicated congregational leadership. 

Our Tuesday groups are looking forward to many meaningful discussions of faith in the days and weeks ahead.  The 9:30 AM Prayer Group is discussing Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity, while the 10:30 AM Bible Class is studying “Joel”.  The 4:00 PM Discussion Group is discussing The Shack.   

The Thursday Evening Bible Discovery Group is on a holiday break and will resume their study of “Luke”  after the first of the year.

 

 

The “Spiritual Fitness” home study will be meeting at the home of Carol Miller on Monday, December 14^th at 7:15 PM.  Come and join this friendly group of women who meet on the 3^rd Monday of each month. 

“Body and Soul,” our men’s group, continues to meet at 8:00 PM every Monday evening.  Discussion follows an hour of basketball every other week.  Come and join this exciting group!  This group meets December 7^th and 28^th with basketball only on the14^th. 

The “OFF Club” will celebrate Christmas together on Wednesday, December 16^th, our usual date, but we will be partying at the Belvedere Chateau, 8055 West 103rd St., Palos Hills, starting at Noon.  Larry Levin, will entertain us with keyboard and song.  Cost is $25.00 and reservations may be made by calling Geri Brennan.  Transportation will be on our own.  If you need a ride, call Bob Herrndobler.  Come share the gift of friendship in this wonderful holiday season! 

Representatives from the “OFF Club” will be taking donations to the Manteno Vets Hospital the second week in December.  A list of suggestions is posted on the bulletin board across from Pastor’s office. In addition, we will be taking cookies (homemade or purchased but WITHOUT NUTS).  Please bring cookies no earlier than Sunday, November 29^th.  A box will be placed in the Narthex to receive your contributions (11/29 through 12/6).  Our Vets appreciate your kindness very much.   

Reservations  must be in early for the “OFF Club’s” New Year's Eve Party at Noon on 12/31 at the New Martinique, 8200 S. Cicero, Burbank.  Cost is $55 and includes dinner and entertainment.  Call Tom Olson ASAP to reserve your place.  Again, a ride can be arranged, if necessary.   

 

We are thankful for the opportunity these groups provide for us to grow in faith and share God’s love with each other, and we invite others to come and join us.

Thank You, Thank You, Thanks to…

…all those who participated in our recent Variety Show, “Old Time Radio”.  A great time and a lot of fun was had by all and how thrilling it was to have a sold-out crowd.  Special thanks to all the players, singers and stage crew for the countless hours they spent on this labor of love.  A very special thank you to Shirley Hulse for all her time, energy and devotion in leading us.  Can you believe she actually got Bill Hubbard on stage????

…Aaron Basch and Lori Puttkammer who spent an afternoon playing Whirlyball with our High School Students.

…Laura Cody, Michelle Lewis, and Lori Puttkammer who helped our confirmation students enjoy their fall party in October.

….the Sunday School Teachers & Assistants for sharing their time, talent and love with our children of Good Shepherd…a true expression of Christmas.

…Finally and most importantly, to all the members of the Good Shepherd family who make this church a community of faith and love which reflects the true gift of Christmas.

 

Mark your calendar now for our Annual Congregational Meeting on January 24^th between services.  The Super Bowl is February 7^th. 

 

Good Shepherd will be joining St. Christopher Catholic Church and St. Stephen Lutheran Church from Midlothian to sell "Luminaria Lanterns" again this year and at the same time to help spread "the light of Christ".  Profits from the sales at Good Shepherd will be split between local food pantries sponsored by St. Christopher and St. Stephen and the Good Shepherd High School Youth Group.  A Luminaria Kit consists of seven bags, seven large candles and sand.  Each Kit will cost $5.00.  These are the same kits that have been placed around Good Shepherd on Christmas Eve and provide a beautiful atmosphere for our Christmas Eve worship.  Presales will be held in the narthex on December 6^th and 13^th.  The sale of the Luminaria Lanterns and presale pickup will be on Sunday, December 20^th from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM in back of the church near the garage.  In addition, volunteers are needed to help assemble the kits and take part in the sale.  If you would like to order Luminaria, are willing to volunteer, or have questions about this program, please see Ron Skoglund.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Confirmation students will be having a Christmas Lunch and going Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 13^th following the 11:00 service.  We will have lunch at church and then will go caroling to several of our homebound members.  This will be a meaningful afternoon for all participants and the people we visit.  Please sign up on the bulletin board or call Ron Skoglund if you will be able to participate in this event.  Adult volunteers are needed as well.  Please let Ron know if you would like to spend an afternoon with our confirmation students.

 

 

Gift Cards that were ordered from the High School Youth Group by November 29^th will be available for pickup on December 6^th.

 

Christmas Gifts for the L.S.S.I Foster Children must be returned to church no later than December 13^th. Please be sure to have your gift turned in by this date as LSSI will be picking them up shortly thereafter.  You may bring your wrapped gift to the Galilean Room and leave them on the counter. Your generosity at this time of year helps these children to experience the joy and meaning of Christmas.  We have been doing this project for many years and the magnitude of giving from our Congregation each year is truly AWESOME and INSPIRING! Thank you very much!

 

Messengers for the Messiah . . . Our Sunday school ‘Angels’ will share the beloved story of Jesus’ birth with their family and friends on December 20^th at 4:00 PM.  The rehearsals are on Saturday, December 12^th 10:30 AM – 12 Noon for Kindergarten – 5^th Grades only and Saturday, December 19^th  10:30 AM – 12 Noon for ALL of the Sunday school classes.  The Sunday School Children and Staff look forward to sharing the good news of Jesus’ birth with you.

 

Sunday School Christmas Party . . . will follow the rehearsal on December 19^th from 12 noon – 1:00 PM.  We ask that parents of those children age 3 – Kindergarten attend the party with their child.  Please be sure to sign your child up if they are planning on staying for the party on Dec. 19^th. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board across from Mrs. Lori’s office. The children will have cheese pizza for lunch and Birthday cake with ice cream for dessert.  Additional activities will follow the lunch.