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Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”
(John 10:11).


Dear friends in Jesus, our Good Shepherd,

At Good Shepherd we want you to know we care deeply about those in our church family and in our community. 
 
We Care About Your Spiritual Well-Being
Amidst the concerns over the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, hear the words of Jesus, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Despite the pressing concerns we take comfort knowing that Jesus has overcome this too. Jesus won the victory over sin, death, and the devil on the first Easter. In doing so, he solved the greatest problem we will ever face. Because of that, we “say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid” (Hebrews 13:6). One of the tremendous blessings we have as children of God is the right and privilege to go to our Father in prayer. Please continue to pray for all those affected by this outbreak as well as for the ongoing well-being of the Good Shepherd family and our community.
 
We Care About Your Physical Well-Being
At this time, we plan to continue the regular schedule for all of our ministry efforts at Good Shepherd, including worship, Bible Study, and our gatherings on Wednesdays. We understand that there is a greater risk for the elderly, for people with a compromised immune system, and for others with chronic health problems. Consequently, we have decided to encourage the following precautions to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, such as:

  • Refraining from hugs and handshakes before and after the service: Fist or elbow bumps or a wave may be preferable.
  • The entire service will be printed in a single-use bulletin.
  • The offering will be collected on a stand in the entryway after the service.
  • Although we already are very careful with hand washing and sanitizing hands when it comes to preparing and distributing Communion, we will be extra-vigilant in this time.
  • If you have hand sanitizer, please bring it along for you to use.
 
We Know You Care About Others Too  
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has provided some tips to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

 
If You Have To Stay Home
Take advantage of our sermons that are posted online: www.gslcthewoodlands.org/sermons. Offerings may be given online at www.gslcthewoodlands.org/give
 
Our wise and loving heavenly Father knows each of us inside and out. He is fully aware of the number of hairs on our heads, the very thoughts of our hearts, even the microscopic cells that flow through our bloodstreams. If it is our Father’s will, he can protect each of us from any sort of harm or danger. At the same time, we do not want to put our God to the test. There is much about risks of coronavirus that we do not know. We also want to be respectful of the concerns of our members. In short, we are exercising wisdom as well as faith in our God and Savior.
 
If you have suggestions about how we can better address concerns about the coronavirus, we would like to hear from you. Email us with any questions at: office@gslcthewoodlands.org
 
Serving Jesus with you,
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Staff

Our Theme for This Sunday: Faith Gives Us Spiritual Sight
The difference between walking in faith and walking in unbelief is like the difference between light and darkness. We were born in spiritual darkness, in our blindness unable to guide ourselves on the way to heaven. But Christ has shined his light into our lives, and our faith makes us sighted spiritually. Now we can see clearly the path that we are to follow, and we can be the agents to guide others to the true light that gives life to every man. 

See you this weekend!

This Week

Sunday

   9:00am-Education Hour 

  • Sunday School for children
  • "Politics Is Driving Me Crazy" Adult Class
  • "Starting Point" Foundation BIC Class

   10:30am-Worship with Holy Communion

Monday

   7:00pm-Church Council Meeting

Tuesday

   6:30pm-Bell Choir Practice

   7:30pm-Choir Practice

Wednesday

   10:00am-Midweek Bible Study ("Law and Gospel")

   6:15pm-Catechism Class

   7:15pm-Lent Worship

Next Sunday

   9:00am-Education Hour (Sunday School, Adult and Foundation Classes)

   10:30am-Worship

   1:00pm-Bernhardt Winery Trip

Join us! Invite others!

Lent Midweek Worship Series
Our midweek Lent services are Wednesday evening at 7:15pm, through April 1. Our theme is “The Son of God Goes Forth to War.” Many people picture Jesus in robes, holding a shepherd’s staff and guiding his sheep. Others see him crowned and bright, sitting on a throne in heaven. Less commonly today, we recognize him as the brave and often-opposed soldier the Word tells us he is. This Lenten season, we will take a thoughtful look at Christ’s role as a warrior by reflecting on Scripture’s telling of the battle against sin and death that Jesus fought and won for us. We will focus on the tremendous courage, humility, and power of our Savior—and his ultimate victory!  Join us! 

Guest Preachers
We are thankful for the opportunity to have guest preachers from our nearby sister congregations. Our Wednesday services also include the pastors and vicar (intern) from Abiding Word in Houston and Beautiful Savior in College Station. Each service will focus on an aspect of our Savior-warrior as he is promised to us, fights our enemies for us, and triumphs over them for us. Here is our series:
Come! Let’s enjoy time together at a wine tasting at Bernhardt Winery in Plantersville. Sunday, March 22, 1:00 pm. Tastings are $10. Kids are welcome. Light snacks will be provided. Please sign up in the church entryway & we’ll see you there!

Other Updates:

Ushers and Counters
We are in need of volunteers each week to usher during the service and to count offerings for the weekly deposit. If you are interested to serve as an usher, please sign up here: www.gslcthewoodlands.org/ushers If you are interested to serve as a counter, please sign up here: www.gslcthewoodlands.org/counters  You may also sign up on the bulletin board in the entry. We will gladly provide training for you to serve. Blair has prepared a sheet of simple instructions so that the counting process may be done by anyone and take about 15 minutes after worship. She will gladly answer any questions you may have: office@gslcthewoodlands.org Thank you!

Conroe Bible Study
Please join us on Sunday, March 29 at 4:00 pm, at the home of Jan Paulson for Bible study and a meal to follow (515 Northwood Dr., Conroe, TX 77303). The theme: "Can I Tell You a Story?" This is a narrative evangelism Bible study. "The power of stories + the difficulty of witnessing = a perfect match for sharing Christ." 

Online Sermons and Podcasts
If you would like to watch or share the sermons at Good Shepherd, you may find these online at https://www.gslcthewoodlands.org/sermons. You may also subscribe to our sermon podcasts on your mobile device by clicking HERE.

Our “Above and Beyond” giving emphasis for March: Church Office Remodel

In 2018 we updated the pastors’ offices and the hallway with fresh paint, flooring, furniture, and window treatments. We are now planning to begin the second phase of our office updating project. This phase is a bit more extensive as a couple walls will be removed. We will combine the church office, workroom, and hallway to become one large workspace. This open concept will help us have better space utilization, allow for multiple work stations, and help us to be more collaborative. Our storage organization and accessibility will increase. The secretary will be more visible to visitors. She will also have better access and sight into the hallway. We will reuse the cabinetry and build a movable island for projects.

On February 9, the Voters approved the raising of funds for this project. We hope to gather $25,000. We have a donor that will match gifts up to $10,000. We plan to begin construction after sufficient funds are gathered. It is our hope, God-willing, that this phase will completed this summer.

Would you be willing to help? If you would like to support this effort, please designate your offering at church or online as "Above and Beyond." There are also envelopes for this effort in the church entryway. Thank you for your consideration!

If you have any questions, please speak to our congregation president, Michael Loeffel (832-823-9586, msloeffel@gmail.com) or one of our pastors.

From our church body:

WELS: Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synodwww.wels.net

WELS International Youth Rally is this summer
Would your teen be interested in attending? June 23-26, 2020; University of Tennessee, Knoxville; for teens entering 9th Grade in Fall 2020 to entering college Fall 2020; Contact us soon if you have interest or would like more information. We had three teens attend the last rally that could share their experience with you.

Youth and Teen Summer Camps at Camp Shiloh
It is time to plan your summer events! Youth Camp is for those entering Grades 3-8: June 21-26. Activities and living quarters will be divided between 4th-5th and 6th-8th. Teen Camp is for those entering Grades 9-12: June 14-19. $320 per camper and multiple children discounts may apply. For more information or to register, click HERE.

Women's Spring Retreat for Houston-area WELS churches
POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS. 

Stay tuned for updates.
"A Season for Everything." Join us for a weekend of fellowship and time in the Scriptures! Our featured presenter, Cindi Holman, will guide us in exploring how God uses us in each season of our lives. Location: Hampton Inn, 120 Ravenwood Village Dr., Huntsville, TX 77340. Cost: Retreat Registration Only: $40/person, with other options for lodging. To register or learn more, click HERE.


Our CHURCH is a family of believers who gather to worship and serve the Lord, led by our Good Shepherd, Jesus. We focus on faith; We feel like family; We foster fellowship. It is our prayer that you will gather together with us!

Our LEARNING CENTER offers a Christ-centered, quality education in a safe and loving environment, serving children 18 months through transition.


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