Thank you to so many friends here at Good Shepherd who have been so very kind to me during Bob’s illness and at his death.  Your love and support helps to heal my hurt and shows Christ’s love through your words and actions.  This is truly the Lord’s family! 

God Bless You, Deanna Wachholz

 

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.

 

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 2012 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 November, Good Shepherd’s donations helped the Worth Food Pantry supply those in need 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 full-sized items such as: shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap and shaving cream. (It’s not too late to drop socks and underwear off.)  Donations of any other items are always appreciated. Please note that the next cooking date for REST Cooking is December 13^th. 

 

Our Tuesday groups will continue having meaningful discussions of faith in the days and weeks ahead.  The 9:30 AM Prayer Group is discussing Gospel In Life by Timothy Keller while the 10:30 AM Bible Class continues their journey through the Book of Proverbs.

 

The 4:00 PM Discussion Group is discussing Simply Christian by N.T. Wright.  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.

 

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

 

“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.  They are discussing John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success.  Come and join this exciting group!  This group meets December 5^th and 19^th with basketball only on the 12^th and 26^th.

 

A New Women’s Bible Study Group will meet at the home of Michelle Krepps on the 3^rd Friday of the month starting in January.  Please call Michelle with any questions.

 

The “OFF Club” has no regular meeting in December but members are looking forward to the Christmas party at Silver Lakes Country Club on the 7^th and the “New Year’s Eve at Noon” outing on the 31^st.

 

Mark your calendar for January 18^th for our Club New Year’s celebration.  We’ll have Diane Noel with us, a wonderful entertainer, and lunch will be party fare.  Have a blessed Christmas!

 

On Tuesday, December 6^th at 10:30 AM, the Macular Degeneration Support Group will welcome Polly Abbott from the Guild for the Blind.  Polly will lead a “Dining with Confidence” workshop.  From 10:30 – 11:30, we will learn skills that will help us while eating and from 11:30 – 12:30, we will enjoy a meal together and practice what we learned.

 

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 please contact Wendy Heilman.

 

Looking for a way to help your church for Christmas?  On Thursday, December 15^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.     Many hands make for light work.  Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

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. There is a special need for additions to our Adult Activities Committee. 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.

 

Christmas Gifts for the L.S.S.I Foster Children must be returned to church no later than December 11^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 INSPIRING! Thank you very much!!

 

The Confirmation students will be having a Christmas Lunch and going Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 11^th following the 11:00 service.  We will have lunch at church and then will go caroling to several of our shut-ins.  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 to drive us to our caroling destinations.  Please let Ron know if you would like to spend an afternoon with our confirmation students.

 

Thirty-six of our confirmation students played Laser Tag on Sunday, November 20^th.  Thank you to Mark Baldwin, Joe Dowling, Vickie Dundek, Michelle Lewis, Tony Maddamma, Chad McKenna, Ron Modelski, Pete Pappas, Scott Rusco, Tracy Sadowski, Jeff Scribano, and Matt Wolan for spending an afternoon with our confirmation students .  A good time was had by all.

 

Gift Cards that were ordered from the High School Youth Group will be available for pickup on December 4^th.  Another order will be placed on Sunday, December 11^th for pick-up on the 18^th.  If you need any additional gift cards, please see Ron.

 

The Manger Seen. . . Our Sunday School children will share the beloved story of Jesus’ birth with their family and friends on December 18^th at 4:00 PM.  The rehearsals are on Saturday, December 10^th, 10:30 AM – 12 Noon for Kindergarten – 5^th Grades ONLY and Saturday, December 17, 10:30 AM – 12 Noon for ALL of the Sunday School classes.  The Sunday School Christmas Party will follow the rehearsal on December 17^th from 12 Noon – 1:00 PM.  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 17^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 stay-ing for the party on December 17^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.  An activity or two will follow the lunch.

 

Thanks to . . .

. . . to everyone who purchased candy from the “OFF Club!”  What a sweet way to raise funds for our group!  Hope you all have a sweet and happy holiday season.

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

. . . our wonderful Nursery Moms that cares for our littlest members of the Good Shepherd Family.