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November 18 eNews
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Annual Meeting Results


A big crowd was present for the annual meeting last Sunday. Here are the results:
  • Elected to serve full three-year terms on the council are Kathy Drumm, Nancy Faulkner, Andrew Matznick and Diane Perry. Linda Hamrick was elected for a two-year term to cover the remaining term of a member who resigned.
  • The 2017 budget of $ 253,539.92, a 22.17% decrease from 2015, was approved.
  • Copies of the Lutheran Denomination Study Report were distributed and the time line for meetings and votes were announced. Copies of the study report were mailed to all voting members who were not present at the annual meeting last Monday. Copies were also e-mailed on Monday. If you did not receive a copy, please call the church office.

Here’s what’s ahead as we determine future of Good Shepherd

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.

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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
 
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.
 
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.
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!
 

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!

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
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!

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.

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.
Give to Good Shepherd
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

GOSPEL MESSAGE

for
November 20, 2016

CHRIST THE KING

The Cross
as Hinge

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.

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

GOSPEL MESSAGE

November 27, 2016

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Salvation is Nearer

A thief, a flood, life suddenly taken: about that future day and hour that will snatch our breath away, no one knows, says Jesus. “Keep awake therefore” (Matt. 24:42). But lying awake anticipating trouble wears down body and soul and can signal post-traumatic stress. What are we to make of these words?

We remember that these words are part of a larger story, where “sleeping” and “waking” evoke dying and rising with Christ, and the end is the victory of God’s love. Whatever shocks the future may hold, the promise is finally joyful.

Today we read the words of Jesus alongside those of Paul. No one knows what future day or hour the Messiah will break in to break apart the ordinary, but we do know what time it is now: the moment to wake from sleep. “For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers” (Rom. 13:11). Imagine: time and space have shifted. Joy is closer than we realize.

We hear these words on this day, the first of a new church year and the “candled seasons” of Advent and Christmas. The colors have changed to blue, shades of the northern hemisphere’s deepening night skies. Though winter is only beginning, “the night is far gone, the day is near” (Rom. 13:12). We see that darkness surrounds us, but dawn is just over the horizon.

In baptism we have been raised with Christ, whom we put on daily like a sheltering garment, an armor of light. We and our companions illuminate the path for one another. We awaken, or keep awake, by living fully in each present moment, clinging to the promises, practicing hope. We resist gloom. We rise and walk together in the light of Christ, drawn by the vision of a peaceful city. Nearer to us now is glory breaking up the night, announcing the birth of the Savior.

 Copyright © 2016 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS009288.

T

Readings and Psalm for First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 11:1-10

From David’s line, a ruler bringing justice and peace
 

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

May the righteous flourish; let there be an abundance of peace. (Ps. 72:7)
 

Romans 15:4-13

Live in harmony, welcoming one another
 

Matthew 3:1-12

A voice cries: Prepare the way of the Lord

Copyright © *|2016|* The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, All rights reserved.
*|Weekly eNews for November 18, 2016|*

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PO Box 671, Mount Holly, NC 28120

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Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd · 110 South Main Street · PO Box 671 · Mount Holly, NC 28120 · USA

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