Missions

Good Shepherd supports mission projects that are local, national, and global. From helping people recovering from natural disasters to supporting local organizations that are making a difference in local communities, Good Shepherd's Missions Committee ensures that the resources we donate are used to make a difference in our world. In addition to $180,000+ that we donate monetarily on an annual basis, we also donate food to a local food pantry, cook for the homeless, serve at homeless shelters, collect clothing for the needy, and build walls for a home in our parking lot every year. Here are some of the Mission activities that take place every year:

Missions during the time of COVID-19

As we together strive to navigate this unique time, we strive to still Be the Church. One way to do so is by supporting business that are friends of the congregation or employ our members. Attached you'll find a form that lists retail and food service businesses that support the congregation and its members. Consider supporting them with your business during this difficult time.

Businesses with ties to Good Shepherd

Food Pantry

Good Shepherd helps out our local food pantry throughout the year. Every month, we have a box in the Narthex where food donations are taken. These items can be brought in every Sunday or dropped off during the week. In addition, our Sunday School Students do an annual bake sale where the proceeds are used to support the food pantry. Before Easter, shopping bags are distributed on Sunday mornings with instructions for members to fill the "Eater Blessing Bags." These bags are then taken to the food pantry to help clients have Easter dinner for their families. Additionally, at Thanksgiving, we ask for food donations that are brought forward during our Thanksgiving services. These food items are then taken to the food pantry to help those in need.

Big Build

Homeless Cooking and Homeless Shelter Visits

A group meets monthly in the church kitchen to cook meals for a homeless shelter. These meals are then frozen and taken to a shelter for them to use. Our High School Youth make periodic visits to shelters throughout the year to cook and serve dinner.

Rudolph's Big Build

Since 2012, Good Shepherd has hosted a "Big Build" in our parking lot. During this weekend project, walls for a home are built and framed in our parking lot. After a dedication on Sunday morning, the walls are then loaded in a truck where they are taken to the destination where they are built into a home. In 2018, we renamed this event "Rudolph's Big Build," in memory of Bill Rudolph who passed away suddenly this year. Bill was a huge proponent, supporter, and participant in the "Big Build" and many other projects at Good Shepherd. Rudolph's Big Build will take place on September 27 and 28 this year, rain or shine.

Clothing Drive

Every year before Thanksgiving, Good Shepherd collects warm clothes that are then donated to those in need. For the past several years, we have partnered with First Lutheran Church of the Trinity in Bridgeport to support God's Closet.

Feed My Starving Children

At various times throughout the year, groups from Good Shepherd visit Feed My Starving Children to help this organization pack meals. It is a fun way for people of all ages to come together and make a difference in our world.

High School Mission Trip

Two out of every three summers, our High School Youth participate in a Mission Trip. The trips allow our young adults to volunteer in a community different from ours and share God's love with people in need. Participants in these trips spend six months getting to know each other with monthly meetings and activities and participating in fundraising events for the trip. For the third summer, our Youth participate in the ELCA Youth Gathering. Typically, one of the three main days of the Gathering is a service day.

Capital Improvement Grant

Each year in July, Good Shepherd awards a grant to an organization which is embarking on a capital improvement project. We encourage organizations which support God's work in the world and their community to review the attached document and submit the requested information. Deadlines can be found in the attached document.

Capital Improvement Information and Form

Agencies We Have Supported

LUTHERAN CHURCHES or AGENCIES

Lutheran World Relief

Lutheran Disaster Response

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Lutheran Outdoor Ministry

Lutheran Music Camp

Lutheran Church Charity Comfort Dogs

First Trinity Lutheran, Chicago

First Lutheran, Logan Square

Ashburn Lutheran, Chicago

Lutheran Church in Bethlehem

Lutheran Seminary in Russia

Bethesda

Metro Chicago Synod of the ELCA

Beds +

We Raise

NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

Centro Infantil de los Angelos

International Partners in Mission

Crossroads Mission, Big Build

Feed My Starving Children

Heifer Project International

Operation Paperback

Opportunity International

LOCAL and COMMUNITY AGENCIES

Aero School for Autism

Blue Cap

Bridge Teen Center

Chicago Bible Depository

Community Center Foundation

Cooking for the Homeless

Crisis Center of South Suburbia

Feed, Clothe, Help the Needy

Giant Step School for Autism

Hospice

Learning Ally

Lighthouse for the Blind

Make A Wish - Illinois

Northside Housing

Paws Assisting Wounded Warriors

Park Lawn

Palos Township Food Pantry

PLOWS

Ronald McDonald House

Saint Coletta's

Sharing Connections

The Night Ministry

Together We Cope

Palos Food Pantry

UCP Sequin