As we journey through this summer, we seek to find ways to connect with God and one another. It may look different than gathering together on Sunday mornings at 10 in one place. It may mean smaller gatherings where we can engage one another in deep conversation about how we are doing and how are communities are doing. We are worshiping virtually. Our VBS is moving to a virtual format and our youth group met virtually through the end of the school year. We will have a drive-thru meet and greet tonight with Pastor Nina. We are invited in this time to be creative, and to remember that where two or three are gathered, Christ is present. That is reason to be grateful - WHEN we gather, Christ is present (not where, and not how many, and not how). As our opening prayer written by Walter Brueggemann said yesterday: "We begin this day in gratitude, thanks that is a match for your self giving, gratitude in gifts offered, gratitude in lives lived...In thankfulness we will give, we will tell, we will live, your gift through us to the world. Amen"
Pastor Jill and Pastor Gene
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Worship on Sunday, June 21, will be offered via live stream or dial-in. Please watch the website (and these update emails) for more information. To view the live stream video go to the Good Shepherd Christian Church website. After clicking the "Live Stream" button on the website you will be redirected to the YouTube channel for Good Shepherd Christian Church. Make sure you click the "like" and "subscribe" buttons under the live stream video!
If you do not have access to a computer to join the live stream follow these easy steps to dial-in:
Call this TOLL FREE number: 1-866-899-4679
When prompted dial this access code: 668-689-701
As a reminder, we do have online giving available. Click here to be taken to our online giving form. The Development team is also checking the church mailbox for any checks sent to the church. If you are mailing or dropping off your offering in the church mailbox be sure to put it in a sealed envelope and mark it Attention: Don Taylor OR Development Team.
Urgent Announcements:
2020-2021 Church Leadership and Budget Approval Results
The results are in! All leadership positions as well as the budget overwhelmingly passed! Thank you all for your participation and thank you to all the outgoing leaders for your invaluable service!
Reopening Survey
We want to hear your "voices"! Below you will find a link to a reopening survey. The purpose of this survey is to gather your ideas and suggestions that will allow us to expand how and when we can connect with each other beyond Sundays at 10 am. The image below shows the layout of the sanctuary allowing for appropriate physical distance during a worship service. The white pieces of paper indicate where people would be able to sit. If you are interested in having your voice heard, please fill out and submit this survey to the church as soon as possible. Thank you!
We are working on a virtual VBS format this year! If you have a child pre-K through 5th grade who would like to register, please fill out the Virtual VBS Registration Form. If you know a child that would be interested in participating and doesn't have access to the link you can share this web address and it will take them directly to the form: https://gscc.breezechms.com/form/9cbc0919.
If you would like to help - perhaps recording yourself sharing a monologue, please let Pastor Jill know.
VIRTUAL GATHERINGS OF THE WEEK:
Good news! We have found a virtual meeting service that will work for all our needs! Hallelujah! This service will be used for ALL virtual gatherings we have at GSCC unless otherwise specified.
To join us from your computer, tablet, or smartphone please click here or go to https://www.gotomeet.me/GSCCOH
If you do not have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone, you may also dial-in using your phone. To join us using this method please call this toll-free number 1-866-899-4679, and when prompted, dial this access code: 668-689-701.
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when the first meeting starts: Click here: GoToMeeting or visit https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/668689701
There are no remaining Virtual Gatherings for the week of Sunday, June 14 through Saturday, June 20:
Virtual Gatherings for the week of Sunday, June 21 through Saturday, June 27:
Prayer Time with Pastor Gene will be held Wednesday at 10:30 am.
Bible Study with Pastor Gene will be held on Wednesday at 11 am.
"Connecting with God and One Another" with Pastor Gene (Bible Study and Prayer) will be held on Wednesday at 7 pm.
*This section will be a permanent addition to our biweekly updates and will be updated to reflect meeting times every week*
The latest issue of the Our Daily Bread devotionals have arrived! We know there are many complications that may inhibit your ability to pick one up so we are happy to offer to mail them to you! If you are interested in receiving a devotional please email Kaleena Hensley.
We have DVDs available!
If you have trouble calling in for worship or do not have internet access but have a DVD player and want to SEE worship, we can have a DVD made up for you and sent directly to your house! If you are interested in receiving a DVD please contact Pastor Gene, Pastor Jill, or Kaleena Hensley.
Laptops for Loan
We at GSCC have been blessed with a generous donation of multiple laptops from one of our local companies. These have all been refurbished by an IT professional and are in good working order. They come pre-loaded with Zoom and GoToMeeting for your convenience. If you or anyone you know is in need of, and doesn't otherwise have access to, a laptop to connect with others, work during quarantine, or homeschooling a child please contact Kaleena Hensley in the church office.
**Please understand that, at this time, we cannot offer IT support for these laptops.**.
Coronavirus Information from the Ohio Department of Health
Here at Good Shepherd Christian Church we are always looking for ways to care for our flock. Recently, we found the Ohio Department of Health website has a wealth of information pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic. This includes information about Ohio statistics (updated daily), latest developments, helpful videos, and a multitude of resources. Please click below to be taken to the Ohio Department of Health website.
We know times are tough and a little scary right now, especially because we feel we have very little control over what is happening in our own communities and all around the world. The website has checklists to help you navigate through this including, but not limited to; avoiding scams, cleaning and disinfecting alternatives, cloth face coverings, coping with restrictions, and many more! There are 4 pages of checklists! Here is the direct link for those checklists.
**Due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic we have temporarily changed the format of our Community Meal program on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. We now distribute dinners through a drive-thru format, placing bagged meals directly into the guest's trunk so we protect our guests and volunteers through social distancing. Please be respectful and adhere to social-distancing policies while using this service. We will also have bags of shelf-stable food available for pick-up at GSCC on Wednesdays from 11:00 - 11:30 am. Please email us here or here for assistance.**
"For I was hungry and you gave me food..." Matthew 25:35
The following are opportunities in our community for those that hunger and are in need of food:(We will add to this list as more opportunities are brought to our attention.)
Food Pantries:
The Emergency Assistance Centerteacenter.org 9199 Olde 8 Road, Suite C, Northfield, Ohio 44067 330-467-7945, Call for an appointment Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm Serves Northern Summit County- zip codes: 44067, 44056, 44087, 44202, 44286, 44264, 44236
Northfield Baptist Church 31 West Aurora Road, Northfield, Ohio 44067 330-467-7939, Call for more information
Serves Summit County Residents Only
Our Community Hunger Center 9733 Ravenna Road, Suite G, Twinsburg, Ohio, 44087 330-963-3663, Call for an appointment
STS Cosmos & Damian Catholic Church 10419 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087 330-888-0134, Call for an appointment
Community Meals:
1st Sunday - Good Shepherd Christian Church:4:00-5:30 pm 9571 Shepard Road, Macedonia, Ohio 44056 2nd Sunday - Faith United Methodist Church: 4:00-5:30 pm 2560 Post Road, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087 3rd Sunday - Good Shepherd Christian Church:4:00-5:30 pm
9571 Shepard Road, Macedonia, Ohio 44056
4th Sunday - First Congregational Church UCC: 4:00-5:30 pm 9050 Church Street, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
5th Sunday - Christ the King Lutheran Church: 4:00-5:30 pm 10285 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg,Ohio 44087
Last Friday - Northfield Presbyterian Church: 5:30-6:30 pm 7755 South Boyden Road, Northfield, Ohio 44067
If you have a prayer request for the Pastors and/or to be held in prayer by members of our community, please fill out the new Prayer Request form. You can also find the
form on the homepage AND the "Contact Us" section of our website.
A reminder that you are welcome to join our email prayer chain. You will receive weekly updates for prayer requests. Let us know you're interested!
Calendar Information
Please check the church calendar often! You can find the calendar by clicking the Events tab on our website. We will be updating the calendar weekly. We will be doing this to keep you as up-to-date as possible on any cancellations or postponements of church events.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Birthdays:
Evan Guffin- June 4
Janet Rudder- June 4
Michael Nahas- June 5
Gene Bittner- June 8
Jack Wilson- June 12
June Dengate- June 18
Dan Lightner- June 21
Kendyl Varnum- June 23
Donna Fenton- June 23
Kim Humphrey- June 24
Joella Ruch- June 24
Merl Munsell- June 29
Paul Millin- June 30
Anniversaries:
Dave & Beth McCabe- June 19
Michael & Gretchen Nahas- June 21
Grant & Renee Varnum- June 22
Paul & Carol Millin- June 25
Eric & Michelle Unangst- June 25
Frank & Holly Schwartz- June 28
Rod & Peggy Clark- June 29
Merl Munsell & Karen Diller- June 29
*This section will be a permanent addition to our biweekly updates and will be updated in the last "mini" of every month.*
Monthly Newsletter Information
Due to the "day to day planning" nature of our lives right now, all of us at Good Shepherd Christian Church have agreed that we would be able to better serve you by keeping you updated more often! This is why we are temporarily suspending the monthly newsletter to be replaced by these biweekly "mini newsletters". If there is anything you would like to share with the congregation, we would be happy to share it for you in these updates! The "minis" will be sent out every Monday and Thursday afternoon. If there is something you would like to add please submit those requests by 9am Monday (for Mondays "mini") and 9am Thursday (for Thursdays "mini"). Those submissions may be sent to office.gscc@gmail.com. As always, you may also visit our website for more information at www.goodshepherdchristianchurch.org.
If you have questions, or difficulty with this email, please contact Pastor Gene at pastorgenefisher@gmail.com
