Shawl Ministry continues to give shawls and lap blankets to those in need.  In December, twenty-seven were given to the veterans Home in Manteno and another ten were distributed to a VA home in Chicago.  Others have gone to those who are ill or grieving.  If anyone would like to give a shawl or lap blanket to someone, please let the church office know.  If anyone is interested in our Shawl Ministry, we are having a meeting on Thursday, March 11^th at 10:00 AM.  Feel free to bring your yarn to knit or crochet with us following the meeting.  We would also be glad to accept shawls/lap blankets from those who cannot attend our meeting.

 

     A greeter schedule is posted on the bulletin board for March.  Please sign-up on the bulletin board to take a turn serving as a greeter and extend a warm welcome to your fellow members and visitors to the “Body of Christ” here at Good Shepherd.

 

    Reaching out to those less fortunate!            The next cooking date of REST cooking is March 16^th at 9:30 AM.  We continue to take food to the Worth Food Pantry.  March request includes:  jello, canned meats, Hamburger Helper, boxed potatoes, noodle mixes, canned veggies.  The need continues and donations of any other items are always appreciated.

 

Thank You!  Because of the generous response of the Good Shepherd family over $10,000 will be going to assist the people of Haiti rebuild their lives.  The Missions Committee will be examining the best avenue for these funds to maximize their impact.  Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

 

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 the “Psalms”.  The 4:00 PM Discussion Group continues to discuss The Shack. . . Our Thursday evening “Discovering The Bible” group is on a Lenten break.  They will return in April!

 

Sure 'n begorrah!  The March meeting of the “OFF Club” falls right on St. Paddy's Day!  We'll be havin' corned beef and cabbage dinner this time - with dessert, of course!  As usual, we'll start around 11:00 AM with our regular meetin' with the minutes 'n money reports 'n such. So wear your green 'n come be seen at the “OFF Club” meetin' on March 17^th! 

 

In September of 2006, our church sent a group of ten adult volunteers on a Mission trip to Casa de los Angeles in San Miguel de Allende Mexico.  Casa is a facility that provides day care, medical services and support to over 100 children and single mothers.  Good Shepherd continues to support this worthy mission. . . Casa will be celebrating the 10^th anniversary of its founding with a dinner and fundraiser to be held at Drury Lane in Oak Brook on May 22, 2010.  Tickets for this event are $75 per person and includes dinner, refreshments and entertainment.  A silent auction will also be held with proceeds going to the operations and endowment fund for Casa.  If interesting in attending, making a donation for the silent auction, or any other support please call the church office or one of the committee members from Good Shepherd:  Oralia Henning, Tracy Heilman, or Geri and Jim Janssen.  Thank you for your prayers and support.

. . . to everyone who supported our Mission Trip participants by attending the Spaghetti Dinner and Dessert Auction.  Over $3,900 was raised for our trip to Benton Harbor, MI.  Special thanks to everyone who baked the wonderful desserts that were auctioned off.  It was a wonderful afternoon of fun and fellowship. 

. . . to Shawn Erickson and her awesome crew:  Sue and Wayne Buerger, Jeff Galan, Linda Hubbard, Gail Lobsinger, April Strand,  Nancy Swingle,  for the wonderful seniors luncheon following the Ash Wednesday service and to Pam Lyon of Wolf’s Bakery for their delicious lemon fluff cake.

. . . to Tiffany Hunt, Diane Sweeney, Kate Walsh, Betty Bedell, Julie Manns, for helping with the Overboard Adventure fellowship activity for the 3 yr. olds through 1^st Grade. You are a great blessing!

. . . to all those that baked for the Sunday School Bake Sale and to those that purchased the yummy treats!!  The Sunday school children raised an awesome total of $1,223.50 to benefit Worth Food Pantry.  This is a wonderful expression of love and generosity.

 

There will be a High School Mission Trip meeting on Sunday, March 28^th from 6:30 – 8:00 PM for all trip participants.  Please let Ron know if you will be unable to attend this meeting.

 

Our Confirmation students will be playing WhirlyBall on Sunday, March 14^th.  The cost for this event is $10/person, which includes court time, lunch, and transportation. We will leave church immediately following the 11:00 AM service and should return back to church by 4:45 PM.  Please sign up on the bulletin board for if you will be able to play WhirlyBall.  Adults are also needed to drive and participate.  Please see Ron if you have any questions.

 

The Kiwanis Club of Palos Heights is sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 7^th at Good Shepherd. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 11:30 AM.  Proceeds will be used to support the Shepard High School Key Club and the Good Shepherd High School Mission Trip.

 

All 8^th Graders are invited to attend a lock-in from 8:00 PM on Friday, March 5^th through 8:30 AM on Saturday, March 6^th.  This will be a fun event to celebrate three years of hard work.  Bring your flashlight, sleeping bag, and pillow.  We will begin the evening with acolyte training and will play some fun games (including flashlight tag).  Please sign up on the bulletin board if you will be able to attend.

 

The Confirmation Basketball League continues play on Saturday mornings through March 20^th.  Games are at 9:00 and 10:00 AM.  Team schedules are posted on the bulletin board across from Lori Puttkammer’s office.  Please see Ron Skoglund or Pastor Basch if you have any questions about the league.

 

The High School Basketball League continues play on Tuesday evenings through March 16^th.  Games are at 7:00 and 8:00 PM.  Team schedules are posted on the bulletin board across from Lori’s office.

 

All of our High School Students are invited to feed the homeless on Friday, March 26^th.  We will go to a shelter operated by REST on the north side of the city.  We will meet at church at 6:30 PM and will return to church between 10:45 and 11:00 PM.  Please sign up on the bulletin board if you would like to attend.  A few adult volunteers will also be needed.  Please see Ron if you would like to spend an evening with our High School Students as they help those in need.

 

STRIKE! Attention all 2^nd – 5^th Grade Sunday school students. . .Can you “spare” us some of your time?  Let’s go Cosmic Bowling on March 13^th from 12:30 PM till 3:00 PM at Orland Bowl in Orland Park.  We will have a pizza lunch and then bowl for 1½ hours. There is a fee of $10 per person and is due to Mrs. Lori by March 4^th.  Please sign up on the bulletin board if you are planning on going.

 

FORE! Time for Mini Golf Good Shepherd  Style!  March 5^th from 6:15 – 8:00 PM all will have a great time master-ing our creative and one-of-a-kind designed miniature golf holes.  We are seeking additional golf hole designers.  If you would be interested in designing a hole or playing a round of golf, please sign up on the bulletin board.  Each family will need to bring their own putter(s).  Come and join us for a night of good fellowship and great family fun!

 

Vacation Bible School 2010. . . Baobab Blast! God’s Great Get-Together!  We need many volunteers to run a successful week of Vacation Bible School.  There are many different areas that need to be filled, such as assistant crafters, teachers (this year we will need 2 teachers for each age group) and assistants of Preschool age 3 thru 5^th grade, music, snack, registration and recreation assistants, day care leaders and assistants, and photography just to name a few.  The official sign up sheet will appear on the bulletin board in April.  Please consider joining us this year.  It is a great blessing working alongside fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and having the opportunity to deepen the Christian faith of over 200 children.  If you have any questions please contact Lori Puttkammer.

 

Don’t Forget!  March 14^th is time change Sunday!  Be sure to turn those clocks ahead and get to the church on time.