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Inviting all people to grow into a Christ-centered life in God's family
Good Shepherd
Psalm 23 | Sunday at 10am

Dear friends,

Over three months ago, in mid-March, I sent you an email I never thought I'd send in all my life. With tears in my eyes, I asked you to not come to church. Aren't pastors supposed to do the opposite!?

I noted that our Session, meeting over Zoom, had made the difficult decision to move from being an "analog church," who meet together in person, to being a "digital church" - for the time being - in order to best love our neighbors. It seems like years ago, doesn't it? It has been a loooonnng three months.

More recently, a committed team of Good Shepherd staff, elders and members have been planning and preparing for a return to in-person worship this Sunday, July 5th. And a number of us have gone online to "reserve a seat" in the Sanctuary (again, something we never thought we would have to do!).

In my last email, I alluded to the potential postponement of "reopening," in light of the sharp increase of COVID-19 cases in our area. Such cases have continued to rise through the week - and now affect our own local community. While today's press conference with California's governor did not specifically identify churches, there was a clear message regarding the increase in cases and a direct call to limit indoor gatherings.

While we have taken every precaution to prepare for being together, earlier this evening, members of our Reopening Task Force voted unanimously - albeit begrudgingly - to postpone our reopening this Sunday, until a date to be determined. Like in March, tears were in my eyes.

To those who had planned to worship in person, I am again asking you to instead worship from within the security of your own home on Sunday at 10am at gdshp.ch/online, in an abundance of caution (who would prefer to never hear that phrase again? I'm raising my hand - and I just said it). 

Remember, as I wrote in March, church - as it's defined in the New Testament - is never a place, it is always and only a people. And as much as we would love to be together in the Sanctuary (myself included!), we can continue to be God's people at home, sitting on our couches, wearing our bathrobes, holding a cup of coffee. (Or, at least, that's how I've been worshipping the last three months!)

I do not relish communicating this difficult decision. What's more, I know that for many of us, receiving this news will be deeply disappointing. Perhaps even angering. That's okay.

There's a leadership maxim for uncertain times that I've become quite fond of - especially the past few months (I trust you'll see why). The saying is this:

 

"Start with conviction, stay calm, stay connected, stay the course."

 

We start with conviction on the things that never change, that we can build our lives on: The love of God revealed to us through Jesus Christ, which equips us to invite everyone into life in His family. Staying calm is vitally important, especially when we experience so much turmoil and loss (and we have certainly experienced that the past few months). 

That turmoil and loss can prompt us to disconnect, to "go our own way" as Fleetwood Mac sang. Instead, we need to stay connected (there's a fair bit in the Bible about this, too). Lastly, we must stay the course, with a strong and sincere commitment to not only love our congregation, but even more, our community. To not only love God, but to love our neighbors.

Even in a pandemic. 

Especially in a pandemic.

I've shared this phrase with staff, Session, and our Reopening Team, as well as my wife, Cassie (it's quite helpful in parenting, as you might imagine). I share it with you now in hopes that we can live it out together, despite the disruption to our plans and preparations to be together this Sunday.

As I shared in March, in his book on the "improbable" rise of Christianity, Rodney Stark comments about how the early Christians regularly and routinely were the solution to seemingly impossible problems. He puts it this way: “Thus, at a time when all other faiths were called to question, Christianity offered explanation and comfort. Even more important, Christian doctrine provided a prescription for actionThat is, the Christian way appeared to work."

May it be so today as well.
 

Grace and peace be with you,
Pastor Curtis

Join in Worship Sunday at 10am

Sunday at 10am at gdshp.ch/online we continue our summer sermon series on Psalm 23. Stream it or call into our Sunday morning service at 10am on the 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.

Study Guide  

Engage last week's study guide at gdshp.ch/Ps23-4. Download previous weeks and/or receive study guides via email at gdshp.ch/studyguides.

Becoming a Reconciling Church

Join the conversation of Arrabon's six-week Race, Class, and the Kingdom of God curriculum beginning on Thursday, July 2nd at 7pm. All are welcome, but registration is required! Click gdshp.ch/rckg1.

Virtual Life Group

Join in this week’s Virtual Life Group to engage Psalm 23 on Thursday, July 2nd at 4pm by clicking gdshp.ch/3dG4RRx.

All Aboard! 
Register for OffTrax 2020!

Good Shepherd is excited to invite you to register for OffTrax 2020! We will not be on campus, instead we will be in your neighborhood! In order to hit our three main neighborhoods, we have selected "Host Houses" that will be the location for a neighborhood's OffTrax! Click here to register now! Email Janae, janae@gspc.org, with any questions or concerns.
 

For one of our science experiments we are looking for a "Drill Press". If you have one that we can use, please email Janae at janae@gspc.org!

Submit Prayer Request  

Submit prayer requests to prayer@gspc.org.

Be in Prayer

For the family of Shirley Shelly who passed away on June 28th, John Merchant (recovering from hip replacement surgery), Denise (Vern & Marti Johnson's daughter, undergoing immunotherapy but is regressing), Jaime (Judy Rogers' daughter, experiencing spiritual warfare causing confusion/challenges with her walk with the Lord), 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.

For Our Children

Good Shepherd Kids is continuing to stay on an online format!

Missed Kid's Church this past week?
Click here for Kid's Church!
For our game this week, all your kids will need is some cotton balls and a straw if you have one!
Email Janae at janae@gspc.org for questions. 

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.

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.

Last Week's Sermon


He Leads Me Beside

Contact

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

Birthdays

7/3 - Mildred Esten
7/5 - Margie Harper
7/6 - Phil Bloot
7/6 - Vibeke Clark
7/9 - Hans Lumme
7/11 - Charlotte Jaeger-Hudson

Anniversaries

7/8 - David & Carol Lauritsen
7/8 - Dennis & Barbara Mackewicz
 

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