Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

7800 W. McCarthy Road Palos Heights, IL 60463

Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Basch, Pastor

                      (708-448-4170)

JUNE 2008

 

The 2008 graduates include:                                                                                                                                 

Stagg

Joseph Bianco

Kimberly LaToza

Michael Murphy

Lauren Nelson

Thomas Oates

Paige Quinlan

 

Oak Forest

Ashley Fitzgerald

Cecily Tinberg

 

Marist

Laura Facko

 

Lemont

Benjamin Korallus

 

Providence

Michael Mattson

 

Chicago Christian

Michael Fardig

 

Lockport

Justin Jarosz

 

Lincoln-Way East

Jordanna Smith

 

Lincoln-Way Central

Ellen Sawin

 

Shepard

Chloe Pastore

Alexandria Stark

 

Sandburg

Michael Arquilla

Charles Dahlberg Jr

Brittany Koch

Nicholas Roberto

John Roth

      R.E.S.T. Donations – The need continues for donations of trial/travel size items of men’s and women’s toiletries.  Each evening, 180 people use the Overnight Shelter and Interim Housing sites so the need for these items is constant.  A box for your donations will remain in the Narthex.  Our friends at R.E.S.T. write “On behalf of those we serve, thank you again for helping us to change lives.  Together, we DO make a difference!”   

     The Worth Food Pantry has had a large increase in the number of families requesting food.  The Good Shepherd family continues to help with much needed donations.  While any food items are ALWAYS appreciated, special requests for June include: canned meats, tuna, macaroni and cheese, cake mixes and frosting, powdered drink mixes and condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish etc.)  Sincere thanks for your ongoing support.  

SPECIAL REMINDER - Worship hours change during the summer.  Beginning June 1^st, our Sunday morning worship will start at 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM.  This change allows worshipers more time to enjoy the activities of summer and help us in dealing with the heat during services.  These hours will be observed through Labor Day.  We will return to regular worship hours on Rally Day, September 7^th. 

Summer Vespers begins Monday, June 2^nd, at 7:30 PM . . . a worship alternative for those whose Sunday mornings find them involved in other activities or endeavors or for those who enjoy a more informal service.  Holy Communion will be celebrated the last Monday of the month. 

Summer Sunday School begins on Sunday June 1^st during the 10 AM service.  Help is still needed to share the Good News with our children.  There are dates available for anyone wishing to sign up to teach one Sunday this summer.  A large time commitment is not required.  This year the children will enjoy the stories from the “Storykeepers” video series, have discussion and make a craft.  The lessons are easy to lead and everything will be ready and waiting.  Please stop by the bulletin board and see what dates are available. 

The Finance Committee is setting a new path.  The funds which are in the mission trust account have been designated for special mission projects to be determined by our Mission Committee.  Each year the interest from this account will be used to make a difference for a deserving outreach program.  The  committee is encouraging the members of the congregation to consider making a special gift to help this fund grow in order that Good Shepherd may expand its outreach in the name of Jesus. 

Our Mississippi Mission Team has set an ambitious goal to build a home next year!  This effort will involve not only planning the construction effort with Habitat for Humanity, but having several fundraising events to raise the funds for this project.  Plans include an “Octoberfest” with silent auction on October 4^th of this year.  If you would like to participate in these activities in anyway please contact Linda Hubbard (708)448-8743 or Martha Hauck (708)301-2728 or Pastor Basch.  More information will be coming in the weeks ahead.  We are hopeful that this will be a gratifying mission for the whole congregation. 

The Deacon District Picnics are back!  Due to wonderful responses over the years, the Deacons will continue their tradition of fellowship picnics at the parsonage.  The dates which have been designated are June 24^th, 25^th and July 8^th and 9^th.  You will be receiving a letter inviting you to your district gathering, but if you cannot attend on your designated date you are strongly encouraged to join us on another date.  Picnics are potluck, with us providing hamburgers and hot dogs and they begin at 6:30 PM.  Water Balloon participation is optional!  Come and relax and have fun and friendship with your church family.

A Silver Anniversary!  On Appreciation Sunday we recog-nized our Minister of Music, Jim Helfert, for 25 years of faithful and dedicated service to our church family.  It was a great celebration of God’s blessings to us through music.  If you were not able to be present on that wonderful Sunday, please be sure to express your gratitude to Jim for the gift of his faithful song. 

HELP!  We are in need of a few individuals who would be willing to serve as offering counters.  It is not a hard or lengthy job but a very important one.  If you can add, get along well with others and want to help your church, this job is for you.  We can accommodate almost any schedule.  If you would be willing to help us in this way, please call Joe Perry (708)301-2099 or let Pastor know.  Thank You! 

The school year is ending which brings another year of Bible Study to a close.  Once again our Tuesday participants will celebrate another year of growth and friendship with a luncheon on Tuesday, June 10^th.  A worship service at 11:00 AM will celebrate our year together and will be followed by a delicious pot-luck luncheon.   

Looking for Women to join a friendly group on the 3^rd Monday of each month at 7:15 PM.  We study, discuss and share lessons of faith from the “Women of Faith” series, and we welcome you.  The June meeting is in the home of Sandra Leach. 

Summer brings with it plans for vacations, family outings and moments of recreation.  It also means a change in office hours in the church office.  This summer the church office hours will be 8:00 AM until Noon, Monday through Friday.  Please remember that while this means you might have difficulty getting someone at the office on a summer afternoon, Pastor Basch will still be available throughout the day.  If no one is available to answer your call, please leave a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  

        “OFF Club” – Break out those sarongs, muumuus and Hawaiian shirts for our meeting on Wednesday, June 18^th as we go tropical.  We will have a salad luncheon with dessert followed by a very entertaining play-reading, “Lethal Luau”.  Our play will feature eight of our talented members as some wild characters, one of whom is the guilty party.  See if you can solve this mystery.  Cost will be our usual $1.00.

        Don’t forget a package of cookies, candy or gum for the Vets at Manteno.  (Other suggestions are listed on the bulletin board at church).

        Coming up:  July 16^th our annual potluck picnic with entertainment by the Four Old Parts, a barbershop quartet featuring Good Shepherd’s member, Jerry Buikema and August 20^th a lively, laughing program by Brenda Celmer at our Ice Cream Social.

        We are still collecting five-ingredient recipes for our cookbook so please bring your yummy selections.  We need your input.  We have a long way to go to reach our goal! 

Looking for a few good women! . . . Our Chancel Guild is looking for additional members to save overwhelming anyone with the regular duties of preparing our altar for Sunday morning.  If you would be willing to assist once every three or four months, please contact Pastor or Dorothy Silhan.  Your help will benefit everyone in our church family. 

It has been gratifying to see how many copies of the Lutheran Book of Worship and With One Voice have been requested by the members of the Good Shepherd family, many to be used for home worship.  It’s not too late!  If you would like your own copy, they are in the Galilean room. 

Greeters Wanted!  The summer Greeter Schedule is on the bulletin board.  This is a wonderful opportunity to offer your fellow worshippers a smile and a warm handshake.  Sign up on Sunday, or call the church office (708)448-4170 during the week. 

Thank You to . . .

      all those who helped with our clean-up day on May 17^th.  The grounds are looking beautiful!

      Jan Nelson for making the clavinova cover and lining the grand piano cover in the sanctuary.

            Everyone who helped with the Garage Sale.  Whether you donated items, helped sort and price, helped with item pickups, or helped during the day of the sale, your participation was invaluable.  Many hands make light work and everyone that participated had a lot of fun. We raised $7,447 from the sale this year.  The proceeds will be used by our High School Missionaries who are going to Taylorsville, North Carolina from June 21^st  - 29^th. 

Congratulations to all of our High School Graduates.  We will be recognizing each of you at the 8:30 and 10:00 services on June 8^th and presenting you with a small gift.  Please plan on attending one of these services.  If you are unable to attend a service on this day, please stop by the church office to pick up your gift. 

The Mission Trip participants and their parents will have a meeting on Thursday, June 12^th at 7:00 PM for approximately one hour.  If you and your parents will be unable to attend this meeting, please let Ron know so he can schedule an individual meeting with you. 

Attention Confirmation Students, High School Students, and Junior Choir members!  The annual Six Flags Great America Trip will be in July.  More details will be in next month’s Parish Paper.     

  Thank You to:  The 2007-2008 Sunday School Staff!  We appreciate all the dedication and hard work you put towards Sun-day School this past year.  The children are a great reflection of your efforts.

     Nursery Care:  Jamie Ekhart and Kristen Heinlein

     Nursery Teachers: Cheryl Morg and Wendy Kalafut; assistants: Tim Hennessy, Hayden Smagacz, Cody McDavid

     Preschool Teachers: Edith Schmitt and Keri Altier; assistants: Nicole Price, Molly Ladewig, Kelsey Kretzer, Emily Bronson, Allison Atkenson

     Kindergarten Teachers: Tanya Scribano and Sherrill Lange; assistants: Anthony Puttkammer, Alexa Kruszynski, Jacob Lange

     First Grade Teachers: Candy Lombardo and Paige Quinlan; assistants: Rich Lombardo, Tori Lombardo, Molly Traverso, Zak Krepps, Cameron Meyer, Kylie Kratz, Yvonne Kratz

     Second Grade Teachers: Natalie Light and Joanne Aurelio; assistants: Matt Behrman, Jordan Relyea, Katie Brazeal, Alex Gullickson

     Third Grade Teachers: Vicki Ladewig and Julie Westlund; assistants: Matthew Vitt, Matt Ladewig, Christopher Dowling, Becca Thoss

     Fourth Grade Teachers: Michelle Fricke and Stephanie Smith; assistants: Jordanna Smith, Eric Swanson

     Fifth Grade Teachers: Julie Smith and Lisa & Peter Korallus; assistants: Ben Korallus, Brian Smith

     Support Staff: Tracey Carroll, Suzanne Meyer, Colette DeWolf, Kelly Hennessy

     Music: Michelle Podewell and Sarah Traverso

     Good News Gang Puppeteers: Jan Nelson, Director; Allison Atkenson, Meredith Atkenson, Becky Hassel, Angela Price, Nicole Price, Alyssa Rusco, Kyle Rusco, and Randy Swanson. 

Special Thanks to….

. . . Our wonderful Church Nursery volunteer Moms; Jaime Ekhart and Kristen Heinlein!!  You are truly a blessing and we are grateful for the care that you give so faithfully to our littlest members of our church family.

. . . our newest Church Nursery volunteer; Christie Wright. We appreciate your willingness to join in and help care for our little ones.

 . . .The members of the Youth and Education Committee and Sue Gullickson for putting together such a wonderful Appreciation Brunch for the Sunday School staff.

. . . those that made a dessert or brought a beverage for the Appreciation Brunch.  We are grateful for your generosity. 

Congratulations to the Nursery and Preschool classes!! On May 4^th the Nursery class recited a Table Blessing and the Preschool class recited a Bedtime Prayer.  They did such a great job!  Many compliments to the teachers of these fine classes as well. 

Guess what’s swinging up ahead?  Rainforest Adventure VBS!  July 21^st  – 25^th  9:00 AM – 12 Noon  All those age 3 (by 7-21 & potty trained) through just “completed” 5^th graders are welcome to swing on in!  While in the Rainforest, kids will learn great stories about Jesus, make cool crafts, sing fun songs, play zany games, eat yummy snacks and make a jungle of friends!     

Pre-registration is taken on Sunday mornings beginning with June 8^th between the services and is strongly recommended.  The fee for VBS is $10 per student.  This fee covers t-shirt, pouch and trading cards.  You can also stop by the church during the week on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9 AM and  Noon to register.  We are in need of many more volunteers to make VBS run smoothly.  Leaders are needed for the following areas: 2^nd Grade teacher, Preschool 4 yr. old teacher, assistants for the various classes, registration and day care. 

Help is also needed to create scenery.  It is a lot of fun and you can commit to 1 hour of help of more as your schedule allows.  We are appreciative of the help we receive. Join the fun with us…sign up sheets are on the bulletin board. 

Vacation Bible School needs help gathering the supplies for décor, crafts and snacks:   

    Crafts: 64 oz. juice/milk cardboard cartons with caps and rinsed, 2-3 in. jelly jar type lids (cleaned and rinsed), grocery plastic bags, cardboard ‘paper towel’ tubes, fabric paint (colors: brown, black, green, orange, yellow, red, tan), acrylic paint (colors: dk. brown, lt. brown, black, lt. green, dk. green, white), birdseed, twine, small artificial silk florals, grass seed, potting soil, old rags (soft cloth-no toweling), colored tissue paper, rice, white posterboard, clear packing tape, or gift cards to Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart.

    Snacks: empty gallon size WATER jugs with caps, baking parchment paper, 8 oz. cold cups, 9 oz. clear punch cups, Ziploc sandwich bags, Instant Jello brand Vanilla pudding, Vanilla sandwich cookies, containers of pre-sweetened Lemonade drink mix, marshmallows, Kissables chocolate candies, raisins, cheddar cheese goldfish crackers, mini pretzels, CoCo Puffs cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, Rice Krispies cereal and napkins.

    Décor: Gift cards from Home Depot, Menards, Lowe’s and Target, heavy duty Duct tape rolls, masking tape rolls, solid green flat sheets, and clear fishing line (100lb test. and non-sagging).    

All VBS Volunteers – IMPORTANT final prep meeting!  Please plan on attending this final meeting so that you will be prepared for VBS.  The meeting will be held on Monday, June 30^th at 7:30 PM in Bethany Hall.  At this meeting we will briefly discuss the changes that have been made for this year and everyone will receive their staff shirts.