Here’s what’s ahead as we determine future of Good Shepherd
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Please read this very carefully. Please note the dates and times of these important meetings.
- Copies of the Lutheran Denomination Study Report were distributed last Sunday and Monday. The Congregation Council urges you to read and study them thoroughly and prayerfully and prepare any questions you may have.
- You have two opportunities to ask questions on Sunday, November 27.
- At 9:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall, members of the Congregation Council and the Lutheran Denomination Study Group will be present to address your questions.
- Please join us at 6 p.m. on November 27 to address your questions to Rev. Dr. Nathan Yoder, dean of the NALC churches in North and South Carolina, Bishop Tim Smith of the North Carolina Synod ELCA, and hopefully a representative of the LCMS.
- Don’t forget that the sanctuary will be open for you to pray and meditate on the momentous decisions before us on Tuesday, November 22 and Tuesday, November 29 from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m.
- The first vote to consider disaffiliating from the ELCA will occur on Sunday, December 4 at 9:45 a.m. A quorum is necessary to conduct business. The procedure for voting will be announced.
- A two-thirds majority is required for any vote for disaffiliation to be successful. If the vote fails, the matter is dropped for a lengthy period of time. If the vote is successful, another vote will be held after at least a 90-waiting period.
- If a second vote is successful, the matter is referred to the North Carolina Synod Council for further action.
Please mark these dates on your calendars to be present as this momentous decision concerning the future of Good Shepherd is made. If you have questions about this, please contact any member of the Congregation Council: Chris Butlak, Scott Concannon, Russ Little, Jennifer Nichols, Dick Dubler, Camille Jessen, Linda Robinson, Gene Keller, Kelly Philbeck, Don Edwards, or Hal Neely.
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Welcome our guest pastors
Pastor Roger Storms comes for his first of visits with us on November 20. Pastor Storms is a Michigander who graduated from an Honor College of Wayne State University and the former Northwestern (now Luther) Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to his call to ministry, he worked for Chrysler Motor Company in Detroit. He’s served churches in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and now North Carolina. He and wife, Marge, have been married for 37 years, have two adult children, three grandchildren and currently reside in northwest Charlotte. Please come give them a warm Good Shepherd welcome.
On November 27 and December 4, we will welcome Pastor Carl Yost of Huntersville to Good Shepherd. Pastor Yost is descended for numerous generations pastors who have served in North Carolina. Pastor Yost has served congregations in North Carolina and as a military chaplain who has served tours in Afghanistan.
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Welcome to our world Owen Leroy Shoemaker
Lauren, Jason and Ginny Shoemaker welcomed baby Owen Leroy Shoemaker on Friday, November 11 at 7:40 a.m. weighing a whopping 8 lbs. and 6 oz. Ginny is very happy with her new little brother, so much so that Jason says she’s taken to it like a “fish in water.” Mom and dad are recuperating and adjusting to having an infant in the family. Congratulations to the happy Shoemaker family. Owen, we can’t wait to meet you!
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Thank you letter from ELCA Disaster Response
Thank you for your recent gift of $2,000 (from Endowment Fund) to Hurricane Matthew. It provides help and hope in the face of devastation and makes possible rapid and flexible response. We cannot do this important work without you.
Our church is known for our capacity to respond effectively to disasters. In many of the hardest hit area, Lutheran Disaster Response or its partners through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is already there. We couple the generosity of your gift with the presence and knowledge of the needs at the local level.
Your gift comes at a moment when we are responding to more significant disasters in a compressed period than any time in decades. Every gift is critical.
Thank you. It is by faith and grace that a time of despair can be turned into a season of hope.
With gratitude for your partnership in this ministry.
Daniel Rift
The Rev. Daniel Rift, Director
ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal.
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Handwritten note on the thank you letter
Thank you for this gift! Your generosity helps our church continue to aid those impacted by Hurricane Matthew.
Robin Brown, Congregation Support
ELCA World Hunger
Note: This is an acknowledgment for the $2,000 gift made from the Good Shepherd's Endowment Fund toward Hurricane Matthew Relief.
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Community Thanksgiving Service is Sunday!
Each year the Mount Holly Ministerial Association organizes a Community Thanksgiving Service so the whole Mt. Holly Community can come together to offer thanks to God for his many blessings. This year the service will be Sunday, November 20 at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (across the street). Rev. Dr. Kendell Cameron is preaching and a combined choir will lead the singing. Come join our neighbors in giving thanks.
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Sunday is last day to turn in THANKSGIVING IN A BAG!
If you plan to participate in this Circle # 5 project, get your bags turned in by Sunday afternoon. Don’t forget your checks for $12 per bag to purchase the meat for the Thanksgiving meals. . Many clients of the CRO will have a good Thanksgiving meal due to your generosity. Thank you very much for your kind and generous responses to this annual effort.
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Youtherans meet Sunday
Andrew and Susan Matznick invite all the Youtherans to join them at 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 20 in the Youth Room. The Parish Hall will be in use. A great evening is in store for you and come learn what else is in store for you in coming weeks. See ya there!
plate.
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Santa makes his first appearance at parade!
The Mt. Holly Christmas Parade is Wednesday, November 30 beginning at 4 p.m. Besides Santa making his first appearance in Mt. Holly, a lot of Good Shepherd children will be participating too. Come and celebrate with them!
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Here's the schedule for Thanksgiving Week
Sheila is taking vacation over the Thanksgiving holidays. The church office will be closed Tuesday, November 22 until Tuesday, November 29. If you need assistance, please call Sheila's cell or leave a voicemail at the church number. Your call will be returned as quickly as possible. Happy Thanksgiving.
This also means there will not be an eNews during Thanksgiving week. If you have news or information to share, please have it ready for Sheila by Tuesday, November 29. Thanks!
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Chrismon Tree helpers needed
Advent is almost here! While some of our normal celebrations may be different this year, we look forward so much to our stunning Chrismon tree each year.
Deanna Sharar and the Chrismon Committee are seeking adult helpers to put up and decorate the Chrismon tree on Saturday, December 3 at 10:00 a.m. Deanna especially needs some young men able to climb tall ladders. Please contact Deanna if you can help at 704-827-6621
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SEASONAL SERVICE PLANS COMING TOGETHER
Mark your calendars and don't miss these traditional seasonal services.
- The Hanging of the Green service has been canceled this year as the date is the same day as our first vote to consider disaffiliating from the ELCA.
- On December 18, the children's Sunday school classes will have a Happy Birthday Jesus celebration in the Parish Hall.
- At 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve, members of the Worship & Music Committee are leading the Children's Christmas Eve service. It will be simpler and shorter this year.
- At 10 PM on Christmas Eve, we will gather for our traditional candlelight festival Christmas Eve service..
- On Christmas Day, we will have one service, a shorter one, at 10:30 a.m.
- We will also have one service on New Years Day.
Please join us as we patiently wait and celebrate Jesus' coming
. O come, o come, Emmanuel!
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Have you picked up your offering envelopes?
If not, please do the next time you are at church. The boxes are on the table across from the church office. PLEASE note that your envelope number has changed. The new numbers go into effect as of January 1, so please continue using your old envelopes until then. Since so many of you are giving by electronic means, we were able to significantly reduce the number of envelopes we order and realized a good savings. If you are giving online, you will not receive a box of envelopes.
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This Week's Prayer Update
Giving thanks to God for:
- Members of the Congregation Council as they have led us through challenging times.
- The Lutheran Denomination Study Group who spent countless hours and meetings in research to help us with the historic decisions before us.
- The Mount Holly Community Relief Organization and the Backpack Food program and all their volunteers who are reaching out to feed the hungry among us.
- The birth of Owen Leroy Shoemaker! Welcome Owen!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Asking God's care for:
- Veterans and members of the Armed Forces who have served to keep America safe and free and the sacrifices made by their families..
- Those firefighters who are so valiantly fighting the massive wildfires in western North Carolina and other southern states.
- All who are travelling during the Thanksgiving season.
Hear us, O God; your mercy is great.
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Sermon topics for Christ the King Sunday from Pastor Storms
Four Gifts from the King Colossians 1:11-12, 18
1. Strength
2. Patience
3. Gratitude
4. Rejoice
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GOSPEL MESSAGE
for November 20, 2016
CHRIST THE KING
The Cross
as Hinge
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We end the church year in an unconventional fashion: at the cross. Today’s gospel seems a strange capstone to the liturgical calendar, and that is intentional. This is because Christ the King Sunday is not a capstone at all, but rather a hinge that opens into the new year. We end at the cross because that is where we see most fully the great, culminating example of where God is willing to go to show love for humanity. We end at the cross because in the crucifixion we see Christ’s enthronement as the one that nothing, not even death, can destroy.
Christ’s kingship lies not in his exultation in glory but in his being raised upon the instrument of death from which God causes life to spring. The cross of Christ is the tree of life. But this life is hidden in what appears to be anything but life. Christ is not king because he conquers all in self-preserving might and force but because he conquers all in self-giving grace, and in doing so proves that he cannot be conquered even by violence.
Now we stand ready to step again onto Advent soil where new life, hope, and possibility are germinating. We must remember as we prepare to hear once again in the story of Jesus’ birth and life that God’s glory is not found in power and might but in humility and sacrifice, in one willing to give his life for his friends, his enemies, and the criminal hanging beside him. That is the kingdom of God: that place where the friend, the enemy, and even the one rightly condemned receives the grace and forgiveness of Christ. For that, we praise Christ as king!
Copyright © 2016 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS009288.
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Readings and Psalm for Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 20
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Coming of the shepherd and righteous Branch who will execute justice
Psalm 46
I will be exalted among the nations. (Ps. 46:10)
Colossians 1:11-20
Hymn to Christ, firstborn of all creation; peace through his blood
Luke 23:33-43
Jesus is crucified between two thieves: you will be with me in Paradise
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GOSPEL MESSAGE
November 27, 2016
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Salvation is Nearer
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