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INTERSECTIONS CLASS
The Intersections Class discusses a variety of topics that connect faith and life during the Sunday School time (9:10 to 10:00 a.m.). The program part of the class runs from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m., but people are welcome to come early and stay late to chat and enjoy refreshments. Please come join us in Room 6 to share your perspectives and hear from others.
The topic on February 3
is "What Is Godly Play?" Please come and see. The Education Committee has been looking into using the Godly Play curriculum in our pre-K and elementary Sunday school. Children's Ministry Coordinator Heather Merritt will present a demonstration of the curriculum which includes three years of lessons to introduce Bible stories and elements of the liturgy to children. The stories are acted out with materials that help the children remember the lesson and retell it in their own words. Parents, prospective teachers, and any others who would like to learn more are invited to this demonstration.
On February 10, the class will look at and discuss one of the most popular articles from Living Lutheran magazine in 2018: The "E" Word: Why does the ELCA have the word "evangelical" in its name?
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DiGG CLASS
The Delving into God's Grace class will restart regular meetings in February, with a series of discussions organized by Bill Moore, who entitles it "The One and the Many: Is this Christianity's biggest tension?" We will try to remember and identify a certain large set of tensions that Christians have felt, in the present and the past. Bill is proposing that there is a fundamental similarity among all these tensions between a preference for an individual person, group, or idea -- or else for some larger variety or structure. Some of these tensions may block God's grace; some may spread God's grace. On February 3, we will look at tensions within the self (such as being individually inspired or participating in a spiritual community); on February 10, we will look at tensions in the Church (such as differences among denominations); on February 17, we will discuss tensions in the world (such as Christianity's relation to other religions). Please join us!
Sunday morning, February 24, Ellen Dozier will share pictures, stories and reflections about her walk on the Camino de Santiago in October of last year. Ellen and a friend walked the last 118 kilometers of this ancient pilgrim path which leads through small villages, farm lands, and cities as pilgrims make their way to Santiago de Compostela in north eastern Spain. Everyone is invited to come to the Fellowship Hall at 9:10 a.m. for Ellen's presentation.
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NEW MEMBERS CLASSES
Are you interested in exploring membership at Good Shepherd? Our current series of New Members classes began last week,
and will continue on
February 3
and
February 17 after the 10:30 worship service.
Contact volunteer coordinator, Jody Schuld (937-644-2029 or
[email protected]
) or the church office (
[email protected]
) for more information or to sign up.
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WOMEN OF THE ELCA BIBLE STUDY
In February, the WELCA meeting and Bible study will be held on the first Tuesday of the month, February 5. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by bible study at 11:00 a.m. Please feel free to bring a snack and join us for a time of fellowship before class!
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WOMEN OF THE ELCA ONE-DAY RETREAT AT LCGS
Love as God Loves: Unconditionally
Rev. Shelly Webb, Executive Director of Sharing House
As we learn to love ourselves as God loves us,
we are better able to love others with the heart of God.
S
aturday, February 16
(Snow date: February 23)
Check-In: 9:00 a.m.
Program: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Please send your registration form and fee ($10) to Lisa Philback at the address on the form. Additional information, forms, and a sign up sheet are available on the bulletin board. You may also register and pay at the door.
Projects completed at the retreat will support various organizations, including Bread of Life and Sharing House.
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DIVERSITY TRAINING WORKSHOP
The NC Synod of the ELCA is offering a "Diversity Training" workshop to "prepare leaders for healthy intercultural and interracial interactions for the sake of the world." The workshop will be on Saturday, February 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Asheville. There is no cost and lunch will be provided. Pastor Jack Russell from Living Waters Church in Cherokee will lead this workshop, so it is a great opportunity for members at Good Shepherd to be with Pastor Jack and learn about his ideas as to how we might best relate to our neighbors in Cherokee.
If you would like to attend this workshop, please contact Kimberly in the church office (828-883-3680 or [email protected]) and she will register you for this event. We will plan to meet at Good Shepherd on the morning of February 16 and carpool to St. Mark's Church in Asheville.
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HOLD THE DATE!!
The LCGS Fellowship Committee is sponsoring a "Fabulous Friday Fundraiser Fish Fry on February 22 (Featuring Frank!) in the Fellowship Hall on Fisher Road!"
Proceeds from the dinner (along with donated items to stock their shelves) will benefit Sharing House. The fish fry will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., with entertainment to be provided by Frank McConnell. The menu will include fish, fries, mac and cheese, slaw, hush puppies and dessert. Dinner is $10 per person (tickets sold in advance) PLUS at least one nonperishable item donated for Sharing House at the door on the day of the dinner. Tickets will be sold during coffee hours on February 3, 10 and 17 (see Linda Goethe after the 8:00 a.m. service or Donna Aiken-Colflesh after the 10:30 service). Contact De Carlson, Leigh Ann Stinson or Donna Aiken-Colflesh with any questions.
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COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT: WORSHIP AND MUSIC COMMITTEE
The Worship and Music Committee is alive and well at LCGS! The membership is comprised of the music staff (Director of Music and Organist), the Pastor, Kimberly Dunbar (outreach ministries), the Chair of the Altar Guild, and members who attend both the first and second services. The committee meets regularly on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 9:30 a.m.
The members meet to discuss the liturgical cycle of worship services and music as they are planned by the church staff. Special liturgies and musical events receive our support with regard to decorations, special supplies, etc. We welcome two choral scholars each semester from Brevard College who augment our choir and learn their craft by watching our Music Director in action each week.
Our worship services offer many opportunities for participation by the congregation outside the pew. Adults may read, assist the minister, sing in the choir, or work on the altar guild. Our children may participate as readers, cantors, singers in the children's choir, acolytes, or collectors of the Noisy Offering buckets or regular offering plates.
The notification of our work to other committees is done primarily through its membership, with Donna Brim acting this year as liaison to the Church Council. If you are interested in joining the W & M committee, please contact Jody Schuld, LCGS volunteer ministry coordinator (
[email protected]).
-Laurie Johnson, Chair
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HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA LUNCHEON
Our annual December holiday luncheon was snowed out, as was the rescheduled January luncheon, so our next event will be a Valentine's Day luncheon, catered by the staff of the Blue Ridge Bakery in Brevard. We will celebrate the completion of another successful year for the Brevard Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America.
The luncheon will be Saturday, February 9, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Good Shepherd. The room will open at 12:30 p.m. to sign in, browse the free literature available, and meet others interested in discussing hearing problems and solutions. The luncheon will not include a formal program.
Chapter members, hearing professionals, persons who have attended a meeting in the past, and anyone interested in learning about hearing loss and hearing solutions are welcome. However, we do need a head count so we can adequately prepare. If you plan to attend, please confirm
your attendance and the number of attendees with Kathy Borzell at 828-743-0150 or
[email protected]
no later than Monday, February 4.
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COMING SOON AT GOOD SHEPHERD . . .
Sunday, February 3
8:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary)
9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour & Fair Trade Sale (Fellowship Hall)
9:10 a.m. Confirmation Class (Pastor's Office)
9:10 a.m. Delving into God's Grace (DiGG) Class (Conference Room)
9:10 a.m. Intersections Class (Room 6)
9:10 a.m. Elementary Children's Sunday School Class (Rooms 3 & 4)
9:10 a.m. Nursery/Preschool Class (Room 1)
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
(Sanctuary)
11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Fair Trade Sale
(Fellowship Hall)
11:30 a.m. New Members Class (Conference Room)
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COMMUNITY CARE CORNER
The "Community Care Corner" feature in the weekly newsletter allows us to update you on people for whom we are praying or to submit a new prayer request. If you have an update on someone or a new prayer request to share in the Corner, please email or call the church office ([email protected] or 883-3680) by noon on Thursday.
Rivers Smith will have neck surgery later this month, after sustaining an injury in December.
Matthew Busche is feeling a little better and getting around a little easier after breaking his foot a couple of weeks ago. At this point, surgery has not been recommended.
Erin Whiteaker, Debra Whiteaker's daughter, is currently on bed rest for high blood pressure. Her doctor plans to induce labor on Sunday.
Kate Reinke is at home after her hip replacement surgery last week and is recovering nicely.
Richard Beckwitch
, brother-in-law of Ruth Unger's daughter Chris, is in the hospital with pneumonia as well as other ailments.
Ruth Leopold, Ruth Unger's friend, suffered a fractured hip and punctured abdomen when she fell on the ice last week.
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SERVING THIS SUNDAY
Ministers
.........................................................................
The People of Good Shepherd
Pastor.................................................................................................Mary Hinkle Shore
Minister of Music.....................................................................................David Gresham
Organist......................................................................................................Vance Reese
Outreach Ministry Coordinator..............................................................Kimberly Dunbar
Children's Ministry Coordinator................................................................Heather Merritt
Assisting Minister............................................................Jody Schuld / Karen Anderson
Reader.............................................................................PJ Larson / Kathleen Milligan
Ushers.................Lauren & Fred Weed
/ Frank McConnell, Paul Onnink, & Kia Emaus
Acolyte........................................................................Jody Schuld / Raegan Eggleston
Greeters......................................................Susan & Mike Becker
/ TBD, Victor Emaus
Child Care During Sunday School.................................................Margarette Kennerly
Elementary Sunday School Teachers...............................................Leigh Ann Stinson
Elementary Sunday School Door People............
Raegan Eggleston & Rodney Stinson
Child Care during Worship.....................................................................Heather Merritt
Altar Care............................................................................................
Sheila Swancara
Communion Bread......................................................................................Kate Reinke
Tellers.......................................................................Walt Schneider & Marilyn Carlson
Doorkeeper of the Day..............................................................................Wayne Drake
Coffee Hour.......................
Susan & Mike Becker / Ann Farash Onnink & Paul Onnink, Jane & Robert McKeown, Jane & Mark Madsen, Barbara Hotaling
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FAIR TRADE SALE THIS SUNDAY
On
February 3, at both coffee hours, come visit the fair trade sale in the Fellowship Hall, where you can purchase an assortment of coffee, chocolate, tea, and other fair trade foods. Each sale benefits small-scale farmers around the world.
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SHARE THE WARMTH ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!
This Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday! Tying into the "foot"ball theme, the World and Community Committee is sponsoring a collection of socks and other warm items, and cash and checks, to help keep people in our community warm.
On Sunday, wear your favorite team colors to church and bring in your donations, which will be divided between
Sharing House and The Haven.
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Thanks to some of our children who painted the football player with this year's Super Bowl teams' colors.
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Please place the following items in the collection bins in the commons (which our children will sort and divide):
new socks
new underwear
new/gently used hats
new/gently used gloves
new/gently used scarves
new/gently used sweat shirts
new/gently used sweat pants
new/gently used sweaters
new/gently used blankets
As we've done in past years, you can "vote" for your Super Bowl champion team during the coffee hours by turning in monetary donations in the soup pots on the food table. Look for the Rams' and Patriots' logos. Monetary donations will also be divided between Sharing House and The Haven.
Thank you!!!
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NEW THREE SIDES PODCAST ON MISSIONARIES
Three Sides is a monthly podcast featuring stories from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As a church that believes God is calling us into the world - together, Three Sides will present diverse voices from across the ELCA. Listen as we share unique stories from the many expressions of this church. The following information is from the January 2019 edition of ELCA Global Links.
In the ELCA there is no mission "to," only mission "with" and "among" as its missionaries walk together with those they serve. In this episode of the
Three Sides podcast
, ELCA missionaries and Global Mission staff talk about what "accompaniment" means: walking together and sharing God's love in communities throughout the world.
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STORIES OF FAITH IN ACTION
This is a story from the ELCA's 2018-2019 Stories of Faith in Action.
LEADERSHIP
Made in God's image: ELCA initiatives elevate women
When the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly authorized the development of a social statement on women and justice, issues related to the topic weren't dominating the headlines. Today national conversations on sexual misconduct, gender justice and institutional sexism have taken hold in a way that suggests a lasting cultural impact.
The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ (ELCA.org/womenandjustice) has been at work since 2012, bolstered by Mission Support funds. The social statement draft the task force helped shape - which examines gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, economic inequality, gender role expectations, and use of Scripture and theology - will be edited with reference to public feedback and presented as a proposed social statement for a vote at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
In her work with the task force, Fern Lee Hagedorn came to see "sexism not just as a women's issue but one that harms women and girls, men and boys, as well as those who don't fall into set gender categories." Hagedorn also realized that race, economics, education, immigration status and age add to the complexity of issues facing women. "I am grateful to be part of a church that speaks up on behalf of all who are made in God's image," she said.
Another important ELCA initiative elevating women is the ELCA rostered women of color project (ELCA.org/rwoc), led by Wyvetta Bullock, ELCA executive for administration, and Cheryl Pero, emeritus professor at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. "God's Faithfulness on the Journey," a resource created by the project's committee and partially funded by Mission Support, highlights reflections from 42 women leaders of color in this church. "God has called and continues to call women of color as leaders in this church, yet their ministry experiences are often characterized by discouragement and lack of support," wrote Bullock and Pero in the introduction to that resource. "We initiated [the rostered women of color project] to change this."
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Thulie Beresford, an ELCA chaplain, was among those who shared their stories. At 18, Beresford knew she wanted to be a pastor, but her home church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, was not yet ordaining women. After graduating from college, she received a scholarship to complete her master's at Ohio University in Athens, where she attended Christ Lutheran Church. "There I met for the first time a female Lutheran pastor, Patricia Lull, and my heart began to burn within me knowing I could be a pastor," Beresford wrote. Two years later, with support from Lull, Beresford enrolled at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. Now Beresford serves at Franke at Seaside, a continuing care retirement community in Mount Pleasant, S.C., a ministry of the ELCA South Carolina Synod. "Yes, there have been challenges," she recalled. "What has strengthened me are the words of a mentor: 'If you feel like quitting at least three times a week, then you are being faithful to your call.' "
By showcasing stories of hardship, hope and courage, "God's Faithfulness on the Journey" joins the ELCA in its work of breaking the silence and celebrating
women of color.
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