|
|
January 2017
Dear church family,
I hope you and your loved ones enjoyed the Advent and Christmas season. I particularly enjoyed gathering with church family on Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day this year to remember and celebrate Jesus as the heart of Christmas.
As I do each year, I’d challenge you to reflect backward and forward with spiritual ‘eyes.’ As you think BACK on 2016, pause to consider where God showed up. If scripture is right, God was and is present with us in both highs and lows. I believe that in remembering and looking back sometimes we will see God in ways we did not at the time. As you think AHEAD to 2017, with the past year in view and God’s promises of presence in mind and heart, consider where God might be leading you; consider what it means to listen and follow in the various areas of life and action that you know are coming and those you don’t. Take some time to ask again, “God, what are you doing in and around me and how can I be a part?”
Scripture continues to convict me of this truth: YOU are the church. And I believe God is continues to invite us to an extraordinary ministry in our neighborhood, community, and world. God has a ministry and mission for each of you as well as for us together as this expression of God’s Church.
I’d like to highlight three areas that are “on deck” in our spiritual life together.
 1. STAFF TRANSITIONS: after 11 years in the dual role of preschool and church children’s ministry, Melissa Lancaster has asked to be relieved of her responsibilities for the church children’s ministry portion of her job so that she can have additional time, particularly on Sundays, to worship with her family and focus on being a wife and mom. We are grateful for her long and fruitful ministry with our children! She will continue part-time as director of the GSPC preschool. The personnel ministry team and session have approved this change, effective Jan. 1, so for the time-being any questions or needs related to children’s ministry can be directed to Katie Meeks as Christian education elder. We continue to look for a director of youth ministries and may expand that role to include children and youth. Stay tuned and join us in praying for God to connect us to the right person!
2. SERMONS: After quite a bit of pondering, I have decided to preach next on the first few chapters of Daniel. Daniel found himself not only in exile, but in a hostile spiritual environment; and he had to decide whether to play it safe or risk obedience to the Lord. As our culture and society become increasingly secular and polarized, I believe we all are going to have to make multiple decisions between ‘ducking’ and standing in obedience, and I think Daniel has much to teach and with which to challenge us. I pray it will be a fruitful series for you and for me.
3. MINISTRIES: Late in 2016 we already introduced new opportunities for men to gather for encouragement and fellowship, with a kickoff of our “1st Thursdays” with 14 guys in attendance at the Buchmann’s. On January 5th we will gather for a night of bowling and food. “3rd Tuesday Wings” will continue each month and we are beginning to brainstorm opportunities for spiritual encouragement and growth. Thanks to elder, Todd Pearce, for taking the lead in organizing our men’s ministries.
In Christian love,
Robert
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPCOMING SERMON TEXTS & THEMES
January 01: Pratt and Ashley Butler, preaching and sharing in worship
Series: "Faithfulness Under Fire: Stories from Daniel"
January 08: Faithfulness: Tested and Proven (Daniel 1)
January 15: Faithfulness: Enemies and Protection (Daniel 2:1-30)
January 22: Risky Faithfulness: Speaking Truth to Power (Daniel 2:31-49)
January 29: Enemies and Protection, round 2 (Daniel 3)
February 05: Speaking Truth to Power, round 2 (Daniel 4)
|
|
|
 JAN events
in addition to weekly events
01: New Year's Day
02: Church Office Closed
03: 7:00pm: Women's Eve Bible Study Resumes
04: 6:00pm: Church Dinner
05: 7:00pm: Men's Bowling
08: 4:00pm: Youth Group
09: 6:00pm or 7:00pm: Alison Littauer Bible Study Resumes
10: 9:15am: Women's Morn Bible Study Resumes
11: 9:00am: Crisis Assist.
14: 8:00am: Garden Group
15: 4:00pm: Youth Group
15: 5:00pm: Art Sanctuary
16: 6:00pm or 7:00pm: Alison Littauer Bible Study
17: 9:15am: Women's Morn Bible Study
17: 7:00pm: Women's Eve Bible Study
17: 7:00pm: Ministry Teams
17: 8:00pm: Session Mtg
18: 9:45am: Book Club
22: 9:30am: Rally Day Brk
23: 6:00pm or 7:00pm: Alison Littauer Bible Study
24: 9:15am: Women's Morn Bible Study
24: 7:00pm: Women's Eve Bible Study
28: 8:00am: Gardening Grp
29: 4:00pm: Youth Group
A LOOK AHEAD...
Feb 01: Church Dinner
Feb 05: Youth Hype Night
Feb 08: 9:00am: Crisis Assistance
Feb 10-12: Confirmation Retreat
Feb 14: 7:00pm: Min Tms
Feb 14: 8:00pm: Session
Feb 19: 12:15pm: Deacons
|
|
JAN service
communion:
Melissa Katibah (captain)
Susan Spaulding (preparer)
usher captain:
Larry Littleton
Lee Littleton
youth: Carter Littleton
youth: Levi Slade
lay assistant:
01: Robin Orr
08: Jeff Buchmann
15: Todd Pearce
22: Abby Austell
29: Matt Butler
children's message: tba
children's church:
08: Doran Buchmann
15: Robin Orr
22: Katie Meeks
29: Megan Butler
nursery:
01: Chris Orr, Maggie Slade
08: Emily Pearce,
Maddie Buchmann
15: Marty McKenzie, Lily Orr
22: Beth Kreutzer,
Kaitlyn Hetterly
29: Robin Orr, Henry Slade
fellowship time:
01: Teresa Wilson
08: Paulette Austin
15: Luther & Ann Baker
22: Ray & Bentley Ball
29: Robb & Brynne Hutton
|
|
JAN birthday
01: Jason Hinton
04: Julie Hetterly
04: Robb Holland
04: Robb Hutton
06: Don Faulkner
08: Will Dolinger
11: Katie Woodruff
17: Braeden Jones
17: Jim Terrell
18: Lisa Honeycutt
19: Connor Hodgson
20: Candace Cupples
21: Jim Kennedy
22: George Houston
23: John Wright III
24: Doran Buchmann
27: Aliyah Woodruff
31: Marlis Littleton
31: Priscilla Morris
If we have missed anyone, please let us know so we can update our records!
**Remember that you can access our church calendar online anytime at http://gspccalendars.
blogspot.com
|
|
|
CHURCH supper
WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHURCH SUPPER is open to everyone! Join us for a time of eating and sharing together on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 6-7pm. This month it is on January 4. Please bring a dish to share if possible.
|
PREschool
It's almost that time of year again...time to register for preschool! We are looking for new families to join our preschool family. Tell your friends and neighbors. Tours are welcome anytime. Call the preschool office 704-362-2319 or email Melissa Lancaster at children@gspc.net to schedule a tour. Check out more information on our website: www.goodshepherdcdp.com. |
YOUTH ministry
Please join other youth as we meet together for fellowship on the following Sunday's from 4:00-5:30pm:
Jan 1: No meeting
Jan 8: Youth Group
Jan 15: Youth Group
Jan 29: Youth Group
Please keep praying with us as we search for, interview with, and discern who our next youth director will be!
|
GO gspckids!
We wanted to highlight and say CONGRATULATIONS to Cole, Luke, and Sylvia Terrell for an outstanding football season. They all participate in Hammer Down, a program focused on developing and preparing young athletes for high school football. Hammer Down plays in the NCAAU (NC Amateur Athletic Union) Tackle Football league.
Cole plays on the Varsity (14U) team, covering the wide out, middle linebacker and positions on both special teams. His team went 16-0, capturing the conference, state, and national title for their age group!
Luke plays on the JV (12U) team, covering wide out, defensive back, and on the kick-off special team. His team went 12-3, capturing conference and state titles. They lost in the quarterfinals of the national tournament.
Sylvia cheers for Hammer Down for all three of their teams (14U, 12U, 10U), an enthusiastic athlete in her own right!
And props to Jim and Linda for all that it takes to support three kids involved at this level in athletics. We are proud of you all!
|
MISSION letters
Brian and Bea Post are mission workers serving Wycliffe Bible Translators, an organization which is working to translate the Bible into the native tongue of every people group in the world. GSPC has been supporting them since 2002.
Dear Good Shepherd Church family,
Our hearts are full of the joy of the Advent season. Beautiful music and inspiring worship help us to remember and rejoice in our Savior again and anew. A tiny, helpless infant was born in obscurity. He was God and through this fact has been known to my mind since childhood, this Chirstmas our Father is making it known more deeply, rocking my world with the beauty, the richness of the truth. May your worship of Him rock you to the very core. Merry CHRISTmas!
Love, Brian and Bea Post
|
|
FINANCIAL update
Good Shepherd closed out 2016 on a high note with expenses down and giving considerably up from last year! We are so blessed by your generosity.
We have some great plans to expand our ministry in 2017 and will be working on the budget in early January. If you haven't, please hand in your 2017 pledges by this Wed., Jan 4. These are a great help to us as we forecast for next year.
2017 Offering Envelopes are available in the gathering area. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Horne at 704-364-1234 or finance@gspc.net
Happy New Year!
Shannon Klar, finance elder |
THANK you
Dear church family and friends,
On behalf of the church staff, I would like to thank you for your great generosity to us in your end-of-year love gift. Each of us is blessed to serve the Lord in such a wonderful community. You are family indeed!
In Christian love,
Robert, Eric, Kathy, Melissa, Diana, and Joni
|
CHRISTMAS thanks
Thank you so much to everyone who made this Christmas season special at Good Shepherd. From decorating the church, to singing or playing instruments, to reading Scripture, to lighting the Advent wreath, to hosting the Primetimers Christmas Luncheon, to packing shoeboxes, to playing handbells, to running sound or technology or other behind-the-scenes stuff we don't even realize is happening, this Christmas season was rich with God's love in our community this year!
Children's Skit and Nativity
 |
MEN'S ministry
We will go bowling on January 5. Yeah!!
Location: Carolina Lanes
11210 Brigman Rd.
Matthews, NC 28105
The cost is $22.99 per person including shoes, unlimited bowling for 2 hours 7:00--9:00pm, and unlimited pizza and wings. If you could use some financial help, please contact Robert at robert@gspc.net
|
MINISTRY opp
2ND Wednesday Volunteer Day at Crisis Assistance will be January 11, 2017. Please join us. Meet at church at 9 am. You will be back at church before 12:30. Questions? Call Angela Hinton 704-607-8882.
|
RALLY day
On January 22, we'll kick off a new semester of Sunday school classes with our Rally Day Breakfast at 9:30am. Come enjoy some yummy food and great fellowship while hearing about the new year's Sunday school classes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
