The Mission continues to grow!  Members of the Mission Team to Mississippi are working to build on their recent efforts to bring hope and healing to a devastated community.  A great deal of interest has been expressed in returning to build a “Habitat House” of our own.  If you would be interested in participating in or supporting this effort, please call Martha Hauck, Linda Hubbard or Pastor.  It is a worthwhile and enjoyable endeavor. 

Reaching out to those less fortunate!

May and June’s special requests for our local food pantry are rice and noodle mixes (ex. Rice a Roni, Lipton Noodles and Sauce, Tuna Helper and Hamburger Helper), canned fruit, canned tuna, chicken or turkey, diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6) 

The clients at the R.E.S.T. shelters for men and women are in need of personal care items such as shampoo, soap, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes, combs and shaving cream.  The Good Shepherd family has been an important supporter of the programs at R.E.S.T. for many years.  Donations of trial/travel size personal care products for men and women will be collected during the months ahead.  A collection box will be in the Narthex starting the first Sunday in May.  Many Thanks to our church family for your ongoing generosity to this mission project.

The New Hymnals are here and being used.  The early transition has been relatively smooth thanks to the patience of the congregation.  In time “Evangelical Lutheran Worship” will become as comfortable as the LBW.  Speaking of the LBW, the used copies are available for anyone who would like to have their own.  If you are interested in your own copy of the Lutheran Book of Worship or With One Voice, please contact the church office or just pick them up in the Galilean Room on Sunday morning.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been working for years on a social statement on “Human Sexuality” and recently submitted a draft for the consideration of the church at large.  The Board of Deacons has received copies of this document and is currently reviewing it for a response which is due by November 1^st of this year.  The members of Good Shepherd are encouraged to read this document and make their response known to our church body as well.  If you would like a copy, please contact the church office and if you have any concerns or questions or input you wish to share, please feel free to contact Pastor Basch or any member of the Board of Deacons. 

Help Wanted!  Our church family is in immediate need of a few additional stewards to record and balance the offerings on Sunday morning.  Teams of four are assigned duty every third week and the job is usually done by 12:30 PM after church.  If you would be able to help your church in this way please contact Joe Perry or the church office 708/448-4170. 

Over the Rainbow Association, a group which provides housing and care for wheel chair bound people is looking for a caring individual or couple to maintain housing at their Matteson facility.  Housing is provided without cost in return for time spent caring for the facility (light custodial work).  If you or someone you know would be interested in this vital ministry, please contact Pastor Basch or call “Over the Rainbow Association” at 847/328-6633.  Family members of the Good Shepherd family receive wonderful care from this great organization. 

To the Good Shepherd Family,  

     Thank you for the wonderful wedding shower.  Every detail from the flowers and food, to the warm hospitality, the wonderful piano music, and the exceptional service from the men in the congregation was perfect.  It will be a day that we will remember forever.  As we begin our life together, we are so thankful for the love and support that we receive from each of you.  We will be reminded of this when we use the Dyson Vacuum Cleaner, the Weber Grill, the wine refrigerator, the table place settings of china and crystal, and most especially the kayaks.  We truly appreciate your generosity.

     We would like to extend an invitation for all of you to attend our wedding ceremony which will be at Good Shepherd on Saturday, May 24^th at 4:00 PM.  This will be a wonderful day as we begin our new life together and would love to have you be a part of our special day.

     Christ calls each of us to love one another.  We are truly blessed to be loved by all of you.  Thank you again.

Love,

Ron and Pam

 

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 “A Disciple’s Joy” by Mike Foss.   The 10:30 AM Class is studying “Luke” and the 4:00 PM group is discussing “Traveling Light” by Max Lucado. 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.  

“Discovering the Bible” has grown to become a very close group of fellow seekers enjoying their common bond in Scripture which meets on Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM. For those who are interested, “Prayer Partners” precedes at 7:00 PM.  New participants are always welcome! 

“Body and Soul,” has been viewing and discussing the videos by Rob Bell and the discussion has been very meaningful.  Their  next meeting is scheduled with basketball on May 12^th at 8:00 PM.  Basketball only will be played on May 5^th and 19^th.  All men of the congregation are encouraged to share the journey. 

The “Spiritual Fitness” home study will  meet at the home of Carol Miller on Monday, May 19^th at 7:15 PM.  Come and join this friendly group of women who meet on the 3^rd Monday of each month. 

The “Off Club” is collecting recipes for a cookbook they are producing.  The cook-book will feature easy to prepare dishes of all kinds made with five or less ingredients.  If you would like to submit a recipe or two, please print or type your recipes adding your name and phone number and give them to Bill or June Johnsen, or mail your donation to them at 9746 S. 51^st Ave., Oak Lawn, IL  60453-3051. 

The next meeting of the “OFF Club” will be Wednesday, May 21st at 11:00 a.m. and we look forward to a wild and crazy time playing Crazy Bunco after a lunch of hot dogs with assorted relishes, chips and dessert.  Coffee, tea, fruit punch and lemonade will be available.  Everyone is asked to bring a wrapped gift for a prize and after all are won, they may be "stolen" by subsequent winners.  This is always a popular afternoon entertainment so plan on joining us for the fun.  Cost will be $2.00.  Don't forget to bring your five ingredient recipes for our cookbook and a donation for the Veterans Home in Manteno, if you wish to make one.  A list of their needs is posted on the bulletin board at Church. 

  Thank you to Paul and Rita Klein, Susan Mish, Tammy Miller, and Trish Nelson for driving and helping our High School students serve dinner at two of the homeless shelters operated by REST on April 11^th.  Our High School students and these adults had the opportunity to experience what it truly means to help those in need.

   Thank you to Jenn and Justin Kreiher and Lori Putkammer who helped with the 8^th Grade Confirmation Dinner on April 20^th.  Twenty-two of our young people had a fun time celebrating 3 years of hard work and are looking forward to being involved in our High School program in the coming years.

   Thank you to everyone who supported our High School Mission Trip participants by attending the Spaghetti Dinner and Dessert Auction.  $4,200 was raised for our trip to Taylorsville, NC.  Special thanks to every-one who baked the wonderful desserts that were auctioned off.  It was a wonderful afternoon of fun and fellowship. 

Dear Fellow Members of Good Shepherd,

  Thank you so much for your prayers for Martie during the past two years.  I am also appreciative of the many expressions of sympathy from you on her passing.

Peace,

Sandra Lignell 

The Adult Volleyball crowd is always looking for new players.  If interested in blowing off a little stress, getting some exercise and having a lot of fun, come and join us May 9^th and the 23^rd at 7:30 PM in the Life Center. 

Spring means new life and the reawakening of our church grounds.  We have been blessed over the past several years with a wonderful group of “Lay Weeders” who could use some help.  If you would be willing to assist with caring for our church grounds, please bring your gardening tools on May 17^th at 10:00 AM.  

There will be a High School Mission Trip Meeting on Sunday, May 4^th from 6:30 – 8:00 PM for all trip participants.  Please let Ron know if you will be unable to attend this meeting. 

Congratulations to 3^rd Grade and Kindergarten!!! On April 6^th  the 3^rd Grade re-cited the Apostle’s Creed and Kindergarten recited The Lord’s Prayer.  They  did such a great job!  Many compliments to the teachers of these fine classes as well. 

Family Fun for May…On May 2^nd we will picnic for dinner and play a game of  kick ball.  Each family will be responsible for bringing their own picnic dinner.  Don’t forget your picnic blanket!  If the weather does not co-operate, we will picnic and play our game of kick ball indoors.  The fun begins at 6:00 PM. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board. 

Planning for the Sunday School Staff Appreciation Brunch has begun and the date is set for May 18^th.  Parents of children in Sunday School are encouraged to help either by providing a hot/cold side dish, dessert, a beverage or by assisting in the set up or clean up. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board.  If you have any questions, please contact Lori Puttkammer. 

Summer Sunday School volunteer teachers needed!!  Summer Sunday School is provided during the 10 AM service beginning June 1^st and continues through August 24^th.  The children will enjoy a video series entitled the Storykeepers, discuss the story and complete a craft.  The lessons will be easy to work with and everything will be ready and waiting.  This is a great opportunity for those that cannot commit to every Sunday.  You can sign up for one or multiple Sundays, as you are able.  The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board. 

Vacation Bible School 2008. . . Rainforest Adven-ture  A Tree Top Bible Blast!  July 21-25^th.  Pre-registration will begin on Sunday, June 8^th  and it is strongly recommended.   

The committee has a preliminary list of items that will be needed.  It would be greatly appreciated if you able to donate an item(s) from the following lists.

    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, heavy duty Duct tape rolls, masking tape rolls, solid green flat sheets, and clear fishing line (100lb test. and non-sagging).    

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 teachers and assistants of preschool 3yr. olds thru 5^th grade, registration crew, day care leader and assistants. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board.  

Help is also needed to create scenery.  It is a lot of fun and you can commit to 1 hour of help or more as your schedule allows. Jump in and join the fun…sign up sheets are on the bulletin board.