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PENTECOST FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday is Pentecost!
Remember to wear red!
We will celebrate
with
an inter-generational Sunday School event beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a single worship service at 10:30.
Please join us!
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PG'S PEN
In Acts 2 we read that on Pentecost, 50 days after Easter ("Pentecost" means "fiftieth day"), when all the followers of Jesus were together in one place, there was a noise that sounded like a great rushing wind, and they saw flames of fire that appeared to descend on each person there, and a divine enthusiasm took control of them, and they started to speak in foreign languages. The commotion drew a crowd of people in town that day from many nations. And those early Christians were powerfully compelled to preach about Jesus. To everyone's amazement, every foreigner heard them speaking his or her language so that they understood what was being said. It was such a strange and apparently wild scene; many said the Christians were drunk! Then Peter preached such a spirited sermon that immediately about 3,000 people joined the Church!
Sounds to me like an uninhibited, raucous and spontaneous event.
So, Sunday LCGS celebrates Pentecost. We will come together at 10:30 a.m. in one service (after a fun-filled pre-worship intergenerational program), and welcome afresh the Holy Spirit. After some of the big windstorms I've experienced, I'm not sure I'd welcome that "mighty wind," I can't promise you flames of fire, and I don't know how many, if any, in attendance might be moved to preach about Jesus in a foreign language. And while I'd love to preach a sermon like Peter and have Good Shepherd grow by 3,000 people (or even 30), the realist in me says that probably isn't going to happen.
But I can guarantee the worship service this Sunday will be less inhibited than usual, maybe even get a bit raucous, and will have some surprises. In fact, I promise something will happen, that can make a "pentecostal difference" in your life and in the life of Good Shepherd Church... and it will happen because the Holy Spirit will make it happen!
Come!
See you Sunday!
Pastor Graf
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BRING YOUR LETTERS TO WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities in which we live.
Offering of Letters Campaign
Bread for the World's annual
Offering of Letters campaign engages churches, campuses, and other faith communities in writing letters to Congress. Each year, for the focus of the campaign, they choose specific legislation or a legislative emphasis that can make a real difference to people struggling with hunger and poverty. Hundreds of Offerings of Letters are held each year, resulting in tens of thousands of letters to Congress. Supported with prayer, these letters are a bold witness to God's justice and mercy. They have, and continue to have, a significant impact on the decisions made in Congress.
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SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
This summer the children and youth will take part in events comprised of the theme:
Who is my neighbor?
1. Brevard, NC
Tuesday, July 9 - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The youth will take a tour of Sharing House, then return to LCGS to make deodorant for the people receiving assistance from Sharing House and play a few games.
2. Creation
Thursday, July 11 - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Children and youth will flock to the Jenkins-King home to learn about creation through experiential learning (i.e. real animals) and crafting.
3. Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Wednesday, July 31 - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Children and youth will work alongside the LCGS Carpenters on projects around the church. Afterwards, the youth and adults will enjoy a lunch provided by the Fellowship Committee.
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL...FOR GROWN UPS!
Remember how much fun you had at Vacation Bible School when you were young? We have lots of good memories from those times. So let's have VBS for adults!
We will meet at Barb Jackson's house on the corner of Minor and Maple Streets (166 Maple) on
Tuesday, June 25 at 5:30 p.m. (Extra parking is available at the library.) Please bring your memories and a potluck dish. Kool Aid and adult beverages will be furnished! Our theme this year is the same as our youth program: "Who Is My Neighbor?" Yes, we will also make a fun, simple craft. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway. If you'd like to attend and need childcare, please contact the church office (
[email protected] or 883-3680) by June 17. Questions? Contact Linea Warmke (740-707-1822).
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GODLY PLAY
You may have heard talk around Good Shepherd about Godly Play over the past several months. This is an approach that we will begin using in the fall for the Children's Sunday school class. Here is
an article from Christian Century with more information.
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CALL PROCESS UPDATE
The call committee has received the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) from the Church Council. Currently, the call committee members are reviewing the information individually. During our next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, we will review the MSP together and prepare for our call committee workshop which will be held on Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6. The workshop will be led by an ELCA Synod trainer.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Could you assemble one shelf for the children's Sunday school room?
Could you assist someone who can?
Matthew Busche wonderfully agreed and started cutting the wood for the shelves.
Blue prints, hardware and pre-cut wood will be supplied to each volunteer or volunteer group. We need to have six shelves built before the new school year. If you can help, p
lease contact Heather Merritt, Children's Ministry Coordinator (
[email protected]).
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ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC
The annual LCGS picnic will be held Sunday, June 23, at Lake Atagahi Park in Connestee Falls. Worship services that day will take place at Good Shepherd as usual, at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. The picnic will immediately follow the 10:30 service.
Pulled pork (along with buns and sauce), chicken, lemonade, water, plates, cups, napkins and eating utensils will all be provided. Congregation members are asked to provide BBQ-type family-sized (8 - 10 servings) side dishes/salads and desserts. Also, please feel free to bring other beverages of your choice.
Besides bringing a dish to share with your church friends and family, please also bring along a can or box of non-perishable food to share with your friends and neighbors at Sharing House. Toilet paper and paper towels are especially needed right now. A full list of specific requests from Sharing House is posted on the bulletin board. Cash or checks will also be welcome. Thank you!
Please sign up on the bulletin board no later than June 17 so that Connestee Falls security can have visitor passes available for everyone. Questions may be directed to Leigh Ann Stinson, De Carlson or Donna Aiken-Colflesh.
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COFFEE HOUR HELPERS
It's that time of year again! We need everyone to look at their schedules and please sign up to help with Coffee Hour for the next six months. We are trying to keep from asking you more then twice a year. The July through December sign-up calendar is now available on the bulletin board. If you have any questions please feel free to contact De Carlson (828-885-5206 or
[email protected]) or Aggie Romans (828-776-6761 or
[email protected]). Thank you.
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HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF BREVARD
Dr. Beth Fountain will present the next program for the Brevard Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America on the topic of safety for hearing aid and cochlear implant users.
Dr. Fountain has enjoyed a long career in audiology and deaf education, most recently being a manufacturer's representative for two hearing aid companies and a cochlear implant company. Her early career was spent in various audiology clinical settings and teaching hearing impaired children.
Dr. Fountain has two Master of Science degrees (Deaf Education and Audiology) from Lamar University in Texas. Her doctorate in audiology is from A.T. Still University in Arizona. To date, she has participated in 10 audiology/deaf education related mission trips from Nepal to Kenya. Not quite ready for full retirement, she is thrilled about working part time at WNC Hearing and Audiology, continuing to answer her calling to help people hear and connect with others through better hearing.
Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting on Saturday, June 8, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Good Shepherd. The room will open at 12:30 p.m. so people can sign in, browse the free literature available, grab a snack, and meet others. Please d
irect any questions to
[email protected]
.
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COMING SOON AT GOOD SHEPHERD . . .
Sunday, June 9
9:00 a.m.
Inter-generational Sunday School (Fellowship Hall)
10:30 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary)
11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour (Fellowship Hall)
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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.
Grace Rehme, the mother of Marci Kuhlman, is doing better. Marci thanks everyone for their cards and prayers after the recent death of her father.
Carol Maquire, Arthur Raynold's cousin, has cancer and is nearing the end of her life. She is receiving care in a nursing home.
Marite Currier
had successful back surgery on May 28 at Mission Hospital. She received treatment at CarePartners Rehabilitation Center in Asheville and has been discharged home.
Laurie and Bill Johnson's new granddaughter was born at the end of last month, weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Her name is
Genevieve Scotta Shields, and her parents are
Becca and Ben Shields of Durham. Congratulations, all!
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SERVING THIS SUNDAY
Interim Pastor...............................................................................Rev. Dr. Richard Graf
Guest Choir Director
..................................................................................
Kati Swinney
Organist
.....................................................................................................Vance Reese
Outreach Ministry Coordinator.............................................................Kimberly Dunbar
Children's Ministry Coordinator..............................................................Heather Merritt
Assisting Minister
........................................................................................Bill Johnson
Reader
..................................................................................................Suzanne Barrett
Ushers
........................Lauren & Fred Weed / Dave Carlson, Bill Essig, & Abey Emaus
Acolyte
....................................................................................................Sophie Dunbar
Greeters
.........................................................................................Linda & Terry Moore
Inter-generational Sunday School Leader.............................................Jackie Jenkins
Child Care during Worship
.......................................................................Barb Jackson
Altar Care. & Communion Bread................................................................Kate Reinke
Tellers
........................................................................Hal Galloway & Barbara Hotaling
Doorkeeper of the Day........................................................................Robert McKeown
Coffee Hour...........................................Linda & Terry Moore, & Barbara & Bob Maurer
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LUTHERAN DISASTER RELIEF: U.S. TORNADOES
Here is information from ELCA's Lutheran Disaster Relief about the recent spate of tornadoes, storms and flooding in the central U.S.
A series of powerful and destructive tornadoes has ripped through parts of the central U.S., leaving destruction in its wake. In Missouri, at least three people have been killed and homes and businesses have been destroyed. In Ohio, at least one person has died. Tornadoes have also been reported in Oklahoma, Iowa, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Indiana, and there is a threat of additional severe weather in some locations.
Our response
Lutheran Disaster Response is working with those in the impacted states, including partnering with local synods, congregations and social ministry organizations to respond with immediate relief.
What you can do
Pray
Please pray for the communities that were impacted by these destructive tornadoes. May God's healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need. Pray that God will deliver comfort to those who mourn the loss of loved ones and strength to those who are working diligently to care for affected communities.
Give
Gifts to "
U.S. Tornadoes" will be used entirely (100%) to assist those affected by tornadoes until the response is complete. You can make a donation via a check in the offering plate (made out to LCGS and indicating "U.S. Tornadoes" on the memo line), or through
LCGS's website (choose ELCA Disaster Relief and indicate "U.S. Tornadoes". Thank you.
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SMALL GROUP AT SHARING HOUSE
Sharing House has invited local organizations to offer small groups focused on health to their neighbors, those who receive services through Sharing House. Kimberly Dunbar will lead a similar version of the journaling and discussion small group that was offered at Good Shepherd last summer and fall. The first two sessions have been scheduled for June 13 and July 25 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., and will focus on the themes of hope and peace. The groups will also include music and snacks. If you would like to attend the group, please contact Kimberly ([email protected] or 883-3680).
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MENTAL HEALTH SEMINAR AT SILVERMONT
On
Thursday, June 13, at 10:00 a.m., Vaya Health will offer a community seminar at Silvermont Opportunity Center entitled, "Substance Use, Misuse and the Opioid Crisis." If you'd like to attend, please contact Silvermont (884-3166) to RSVP.
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ELCA, NC Synod, & LWF News
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NEWS FROM THE NC SYNOD ASSEMBLY
Sustainability and Vitality: The Congregational Life Cycle
During Saturday's morning session, the assembly heard all about mold and maggots. Yes, you read that right. Mold and maggots.
The Rev. Danielle DeNise, NC Synod Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM), reminded the assembly of the story of the children of Israel in Exodus 16, where they received manna from God to sustain them in the wilderness.
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A STATEMENT FROM BISHOP EATON AND OTHER LEADERS
This week, ELCA presiding bishop and other faith leaders addressed the well-being of children who come to the U.S. seeking safety in a joint statement.
Read the statement here.
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