2017 has proved to be very busy for the youth! Already they have accomplished two big service projects, first was their visit to Woodlawn Haven to make valentine crafts with the residents on January 26, then last Sunday’s Food drive benefitting the CRO. The pictures above show the Youtherans hard at work.
The Youtherans are most pleased to report that their food drive for the CRO netted 606 pounds of food! On top of that, they received donations for the CRO which totaled $210! These funds will help the CRO provide more food or help with utility bills, medical expenses, and rent for their clients. Way to go Youtherans! They don’t hesitate to roll up their sleeves to help others. What a grand example they are to everyone. Congratulations youth! We salute you!
The needs of the CRO and hungry in our community are ongoing throughout the year.
You are welcome to bring donations regularly for donation to the CRO. Please leave your donations in the baskets outside Pastor Roger’s door at any time. Thanks.
Workday is February 21.
The Weekend Back Pack Food Program (WBFP) team is well organized and hard at work. Michael Petko is coordinating the group. Barry Jessen, Helen Killian, Don MacKenzie, Blair Walker and Tom Wallace join Michael as team members. Each week enough food is delivered to a local school to feed 15 children who may not be able to eat over the weekend. The food is discreetly added to their backpacks by school personnel so as not to embarrass the children.
The next workday for the WBFP is Tuesday, February 21. The actual pick-up at the warehouse is at 8:45 a.m. Sorting and preparing the bags begins at 9:30 a.m. the same day.
One of Good Shepherd’s greatest strengths is our outreach to the community and beyond. The Social Ministry Committee is getting organized to make 2017 another banner year for helping others.
Ruth Neely and Gary Engel are co-chairing the effort and plan the initial organizational meeting of 2017 on Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Adult Sunday school room. All members who wish to participate in this outreach ministry are welcome to attend. Two other members have agreed to help so far. More are needed. Will you help too?
Important announcements you need to know
Last call for Annual Reports. This week is your last opportunity!
A volunteer sign keeper is needed to put messages on the old church sign by the drive. If you are interested, please call the church office.
Members, please remember that offering envelope numbers have changed as of the first of this year. The auditors report that some of you are still using your 2016 numbers. Please use your new 2017 numbers when making contributions. Thanks; it will help us avoid lots of confusion.
If you have had any changes in your address, phone numbers, e-mail address, etc., please contact the church office right away with your changes. A updated directory for 2017 is being prepared soon.
The Congregation Council meets Sunday, February 19 immediately following the late worship service.
The Handbell Choir meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. More ringers are welcome. Also singers are needed for the Senior Choir.
Attention Confirmands and parents: Confirmation classes have resumed. Please remember to have your confirmand here at the church by 7:15 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
It’s not too late to sign-up to serve on a committee. The charts remain in the Parish Hall. Please take a few moments to review them and sign-up to help a ministry in 2017. You are needed! The worship server sign-up are located on several bulletin boards in the highway. All positions are needed, especially the nursery!
Prayer Request: Keith Featherstone is hospitalized at CMC Main after being transferred from a hospital in Myrtle Beach.
Come for Shrove Tuesday pancake feast andBingo Bash on February 28!
The Shrove Tuesday pancake supper is a long-standing tradition at Good Shepherd. We all join together to gorge ourselves on pancakes, sausage, and applesauce. We have enjoyed great fellowship, food and FUN! Remember the woman-less beauty pageant? Storytelling? Patsy Cline Night? Great musical entertainment from our own B Naturals and Ruth's and Hal's band? Yes, we certainly have kicked up our heels on Shrove Tuesday.
This year will be no different. Parish Life invites you to another traditional pancake feast. This year, come and join in the Mardi Gras Bingo Bash! It will be great fun. Let’s kick up our heels again on Shrove Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Birthdays This Week
13 Leonard Sigmon
14 Christian Buchanan
14 Dakota Landes
15 Tom Ewart
15 Teresa Neely
16 Judy Suttenfield
18 Jimmy Drumm
18 James Robert Nichols
GOSPEL MESSAGE for February 12, 2017
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
“And also with you.”
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all,” the presiding minister greets the assembly gathered for worship. “And also with you,” the assembly responds.
After the prayers of intercession and before the offering, the presiding minister says, “The peace of Christ be with you always,” and the assembly responds, “And also with you.” Then worshipers physically (handshakes, kisses, peace signs, waves, nods, hugs, fist bumps) and verbally share the peace of Christ with each other. “Peace be with you!” “And also with you!” “The Lord be with you!” “And with you!”
After the offering is gathered and the table is set for communion, thanksgiving is offered. This includes the minister chanting or saying, “The Lord be with you,” and the assembly once again responding, “And also with you.”
These three opportunities for mutual blessing remind us we cannot be right with God without being right with our neighbor. These greetings, built into worship, offer Spirit-spaces where we are nudged to “be reconciled to your brother or sister” (Matt. 5:24).
It can be downright difficult to share God’s peace in worship. Just as in families, as brothers and sisters in Christian community we know each other well enough to inflict pain. The resulting anger and hurt can cause the words of God’s peace to stick in our throats.
