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Inviting all people to grow into a Christ-centered life in God's family
Good Shepherd

Pastor's Note

Early in the Scriptures, in Genesis 4, God asks Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?"

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

As I shared in a video sermon this week (linked below, with the title Am I My Brother's Keeper?), this question is implicitly repeated over and over again throughout the Scriptures. It is implied in the call of Abram, instructed to leave his country, his people, and his father's household so "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

The answer to this question is most brilliantly and beautifully answered through the life and ministry of Jesus, who intentionally travelled through Samaria (see John 4), who purposely went to the other side of the lake (see Mark 4), who - as we'll think about in tomorrow's sermon - exemplified the Good Shepherd, leaving the ninety-nine in search of the one.

Jesus even told stories like the Good Samaritan to help us answer the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Yes. Yes I am.

It is no mistake that the Apostle Paul reflects on Jesus sacrifice, concluding in Ephesians 2, "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."

That question comes to us, too, as those who have been that lost sheep for whom Jesus left the ninety-nine. Are we our brother's keeper? Are we our sister's keeper?

In this moment, we can clearly see the injustices within our own country. The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery require us to pause and ask ourselves honestly, "Am I my brother's keeper?" "How am I working for the justice and righteousness God requires?"

I'm grateful for an upcoming webinar this Wednesday, June 10th with David Bailey, Founder and Director of Arrabon. It will prepare us to engage in racial reconciliation and be equipped to help in healthy and productive ways in order to bring transformation to our community in the name of Jesus.

I hope you'll join me, as we seek to answer that question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Register at gdshp.ch/June10Webinar.

 

Pastor Curtis

Join in Worship Sunday at 10am

Sunday at 10am at gdshp.ch/online we begin a summer sermon series on Psalm 23.

If you know someone without an internet connection, encourage them to call into our Sunday morning service at 10am on their telephone at 1 (408) 638 0968. When prompted, enter the meeting ID: 973 9624 7444, then #. When asked for a participant number, simply touch # again.

Virtual Town Hall Meeting

Click onto a Virtual Town Hall Meeting to learn more about our plans for in-person worship on Sunday, June 7th at 11am at gdshp.ch/June7TownHall.

Virtual Life Group

Join in this week’s Virtual Life Group to engage Psalm 23 on Thursday, June 11th at 4pm by clicking gdshp.ch/3dG4RRx.

Study Guide  

Engage this week's study guide at gdshp.ch/Ps23-1. Download previous weeks and/or receive study guides via email at gdshp.ch/studyguides.

Submit Prayer Request  

Submit prayer requests to prayer@gspc.org.

Be in Prayer

For Kyle & Kristen Ramseyer (safety for both while on front lines during rioting), Jaime (Judy Rogers' daughter, experiencing spiritual warfare causing confusion/challenges with her walk with the Lord), Mike Deeble (ankle wound), Lorraine Porter (heart), Shirley Shelly (home on hospice), LaRae Boone (cancer), Rob Saunders, Lamar Wall (declining health), Vonnie Lindgren (recovering from hip surgery), and Ginney Elmgreen (who is undergoing treatments). Prayer for essential workers and for strength. Prayer that during this difficult season, God would use us to draw new believers to a life of following Jesus. 

Stephen Ministers 

Having a difficult emotional and/or spiritual time lately? Stephen Ministers at Good Shepherd are available to listen and pray with you as you share what is on your heart and mind during these stressful days. Stephen Ministers care. All care is confidential. To learn more about receiving a Stephen Minister, contact Marie Crenshaw at 714/321.5362 or Pastor Bryan at bryan@gspc.org.

We Care 

We Care is one of our Local Mission Partners. They need our help restocking their food bank freezer with meat. Supplies at the stores are limited but if you were able to purchase a few of these recommended items, it would help those in need: ground meat (beef, turkey, pork or chicken), chicken parts, sausage, hot dogs, beef patties, or other 1-3 pound packages of beef, chicken or pork. Items can be fresh or frozen. Drop off donations at: We Care, 3788 Cerritos Ave, Los Alamitos, between 10am and Noon, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.

The Way Out 

Ryan Bruce, from The Way Out Ministry in Hawaiian Gardens, shared a video last Sunday about the upcoming summer camp needs for the kids! If you are moved to sponsor a child, please send to The Way Out, 22427 Norwalk Blvd., Hawaiian Gardens, CA. 90716. You have been so awesome in the past, please consider helping/sponsoring during this difficult season!!

For Our Children

Good Shepherd Kids is continuing to stay on an online format! Click here for Kid's Church, an age-appropriate lesson with a story and fun activities!

All Aboard for OffTrax 2020!

Save the Date for July 20-24th as we bring VBS to a neighborhood near you! Keep watch for more information to come soon! Would you consider being a prayer partner for OffTrax 2020? We believe and trust God has a great work planned for us as we bring VBS into our neighborhoods this summer, and we would love to have it covered in prayer. Email Janae, janae@gspc.org, to be on our prayer team as we prepare to see what God has planned!

For Our Youth

Join online gatherings on Mondays and Fridays at 2pm. Josh will send out a Zoom meeting link ahead of time. Want to get on the list? Email Josh Higgins at josh@gspc.org.

For Our Seniors

Available For All - Fit and Faithful...Eunice will be sharing exercise videos each week. Choose between high impact or low impact/seated chair exercise. Please do what you can to stay as active as possible within your abilities and fitness level. Click gdshp.ch/fitfaithful1 for her latest video!
Final class will be June 15th. Class hopes to resume September 12th (TBD). 
High impact exercise video link:  https://gdshp.ch/303cJbW   
Low impact exercise video link:  https://gdshp.ch/2Xzfxfr

Younique Books

Another shipment of Younique books has arrived! Email curtis@gspc.org to reserve your copy and schedule a time to pick it up.

Financial Needs

If you have financial needs during this season, please email bryan@gspc.org for a confidential benevolence funds request.

Support the Ministry  

If you are financially able during this season, please continue resourcing the cause of Christ in our community. We are receiving checks sent by mail to 11600 Los Alamitos Blvd., electronic funds transfer (EFT) from banks, as well as offerings via gspc.org/giving, by texting GSPC to 77977, and via PushPay.

Video Devotionals


Psalm 55



Am I My Brother's Keeper?



Resting in the Peace of Jesus



Call to Prayer for Peace

 

Last Week's Sermon


A Lasting Legacy

Email: info@gspc.org
Phone: 562/493.2553
Prayer: prayer@gspc.org

Birthdays

6/8 - Gene Vejsicky
6/15 - Leota Hall
6/17 - Dodie Johnson
6/19 - Carol Benstead
6/20 - LaRae Boone
6/22 - David Purucker
6/27 - Rose Ann Bush
6/28 - Carolyn Williams

Anniversaries

6/7 - Harry & Sue Whited
6/10 - Warren & Phyllis Spielmann
6/11 - Robert & Joyce Zambenini
6/16 - Don & Margie Faircloth
6/20 - Ric & Sandi Woodhall
6/21 - Jim & Carol Davenport
6/22 - Ralph & Teddie Rodefeld
6/23 - Jack & Carolyn Williams
6/24 - Ken & Anne Purucker
 

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