Welcome
Welcome, and thank you for visiting Good Shepherd's website. We hope that our website highlights the wide variety of worship, fellowship, and service opportunities available. Please feel free to read more about our church on this site, or come in for a visit. We would love to have you as a part of our church family.
Our Mission Statement
Good Shepherd is a community of God's people gathered together in Christ to reflect God's love.
We are committed to celebrating God’s word as a congregation and as individuals through word and action. Our mission is to provide meaningful worship, be messengers of God’s love, serve our fellow human beings with respect, be a source of strength and comfort in our community and provide instruction in Christian values for all of God’s children.
All this is to be done that we might grow in faith, nurture others in using their unique God-given gifts and be a source of peace and hope in our world.
Online Worship Schedule
Worship services will be posted every Sunday morning at 9:00 am on our YouTube Channel. Consider attending at our regularly scheduled worship times of 9:00 am and 11:00 am but know the videos will be on the site for participation at your leisure.
A weekly Sunday School video will also be posted every Sunday morning.
A Message from Pastor Chris about Good Shepherd's response to COVID-19
I've lately been drawn to the early church and the uncertain times in which it came into being. It was charged with finding its way in a world that has been monumentally changed by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are part of that legacy of faith and it is that very legacy of faith we draw upon at this time. As we exercise our faith in this time of health crisis, Good shepherd has taken the following steps
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We have transitioned away from physical gatherings and offered virtual events and gatherings for worship, bible studies, youth and Sunday school along with other regular virtual events. See the "Coming Events" section further down this page for more information about what is taking place and how to take part. We will begin conversation of resuming physical gatherings once our region nears Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan which accommodates gatherings of up to 50 people.
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Our office is also being staffed in a limited manner and employees are being encouraged to work from home as much as possible. If you need to contact a staff member, you are welcome to email them or call the church office and leave a message as the machine is checked regularly. The answering machine also lists a direct number to Pastor Buresh to be used for emergencies.
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Holy Communion is integrated into our weekly worship service. Please prepare to take part by finding appropriate elements such as crackers, bread, juice, wine, water or other items at your disposal and having them ready for when you partake in the service.
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I am available during this time of great anxiety. If you would like to talk or meet, we can do so via phone conversation, Zoom video call, Facetime video call or through other means. Physically meeting will be limited to only extreme circumstances.
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A fund has been established to help people financially during this difficult time. If you are experiencing financial hardship because of income loss due to COVID-19, please contact the church office.
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To assist those who are at highest risk, Good Shepherd has many volunteers who are happy to go pick up some groceries or medicine for those who are in need. Please contact the church office if you are in need of such support.
For up to the date information, please join our email list by clicking the “Contact Us” tab and then filling out the required information, making sure to include in the text your desire to be put on our email list. Also check out our Facebook page.
We look forward to seeing God work through these interesting times and appreciate your turning not only to Good Shepherd, but also to God as we reflect together on a message of hope. Because that's the message God offers through Jesus Christ.
In Service,
Pastor Chris
CLICK THE ICONS BELOW for our YouTube channel or Facebook page
Calendar
Coming Events
Weekly Events
Outside of weekly Worship Service and Sunday School on our YouTube Channel, we have several opportunities to connect with God and one another in a virtual way. Please consider going to our Facebook Page and participating with one of the following offerings:
Monday at 3:00 pm
Reflecting on the Sermon with Pastor Chris
Pastor Chris will be live on the Good Shepherd Facebook Page to dialogue with people about the sermon. Pastor will provide some insights from the scripture lesson and people can type questions in the comments of the video. You may also email questions in advance if you would like to have them addressed but cannot join at 3:oo.
Monday at 3:00 pm
Reflecting on the Sermon with Pastor Chris
Pastor Chris will be live on the Good Shepherd Facebook Page to dialogue with people about the sermon. Pastor will provide some insights from the scripture lesson and people can type questions in the comments of the video. You may also email questions in advance if you would like to have them addressed but cannot join at 3:oo.
Tuesday at 10:30 am
Bible Study
Did you know that the lectionary we use
(the three-year cycle of readings that are
shared during worship) are not limited to
only readings for Sunday? Join us as we
begin a journey of sharing in the daily
lectionary and reflecting on God’s
Word together on the Good Shepherd
Facebook Page.
Wednesday morning
Hymn of the Week
Graced with such wonderful musicians, one will be on our Facebook Page sharing a hymn for you to either listen to or sing along. The video will be posted and available by the late morning so please check in and join along.
Thursday at 7:00 pm
Where is God? A time of processing, prayer and conversation
A time to gather and be. The Good Shepherd Facebook Page will again be the platform for people gathering to reflect. This will be a time of conversation where you are invited to participate by typing questions or thoughts as we together explore God’s presence during this unique time.
Also know that Pastor Chris is happy to set up a zoom meeting with anyone who wants or needs to chat during this time. You are not alone!
Email Communication
Good Shepherd is collecting email addresses so we can enhance our means of electronic communication. If you are using a PC, you probably saw a pop-up box when you entered our site. You can fill out that box to be added to the mailing list. If you are using a mobile device or are using a PC that doesn't allow pop-up boxes, click here to be redirected to our Contact Us page and fill out the form. Please mention in the subject or message that you want to be added to our email communication list. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Buresh or Donna in the church office.
On-line Giving
Good Shepherd has partnered with myEoffering to allow members of the Good Shepherd family to make contributions to the church electronically. You can make one time donations or set up a recurring contribution by clicking here or on the donate now button, which will take you to myEoffering's secure website. An introduction letter from myEoffering with account setup instructions is also posted below. If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Pastor Buresh or the church office.
