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DELVING INTO GOD'S GRACE (DiGG) CLASS
Sundays from 9:10 to 10:00 a.m.,
Conference Room
What does it mean to say that, as Christians, we should proclaim the Good News of God in our words and deeds? Isn't that what pastors do, people who are trained to proclaim? What about the rest of us? Come explore this baptismal vow and what it implies for the followers of Jesus.
Bill Johnson will lead the class.
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INTERSECTIONS CLASS
On March 24, Bill Moore will conclude a series of discussions that he calls "The One and the Many: Is this Christianity's biggest tension?" 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 Sunday, we will discuss tensions in the world (such as Christianity's relation to other religions). Please join us in Room 6 at 9:30 a.m. for the discussion or come earlier to chat and enjoy refreshments.
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WEDNESDAYS AT GOOD SHEPHERD DURING LENT
On Wednesday evenings
through April 10
, join us for Lenten soup suppers at 5:45 p.m. There is no need to sign up for the dinners - just come and enjoy!
After supper, join us for Lenten worship at 6:30 p.m. At each service, one of our members or friends will reflect on a promise of baptism, and how it impacts their life. Here are the promises of baptism and who will be speaking at upcoming services:
1. To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed
(March 27 - Bill Johnson)
2. To serve all people, following the example of Jesus Christ (April 3 -
Susan Whitaker)
3. To strive for justice and peace in all the earth (April 10 - Ellen Dozier)
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KOINONIA COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICES
The congregations that form Koinonia are taking turns hosting a 30-minute noon* worship service, followed by lunch*, during the Lenten season. As a part of the service, a local charitable organization is invited to speak briefly about its work, and participants have an opportunity to contribute to a free will offering that is given to the charity. Each year, the Koinonia Lenten series raises more than $3,500 for local causes, and people from different faith communities - or no faith community - come together for worship and fellowship with one another.
This is the remaining 2019 schedule of Thursday* services:
March 28
- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Transylvania County
(The Haven), at *2:00 p.m. followed by a coffee reception.
April 4 - Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Brevard Jewish Community (Bread of Life)
April 11 - First United Methodist Church (
Sharing House)
April 19, *Good Friday - Bethel "A" Baptist Church (Rise & Shine)
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING VOTE
At the
congregational meeting after the 10:30 a.m. service on March 31, members of the congregation will be able to vote on the proposed members of the Call Committee. The vote will be for the entire "team," not individuals. The proposed Call Committee members are: Roy Larson, Caroline Smith, David Gresham, Judy Caldwell, Kate Reinke, and Dave Carlson.
Our thanks to all who agreed to be considered. The selections were made based on guidance provided by the NC Synod's call process booklet:
Members of the call committee should be wise, prayerful, trusted and able to make decisions as part of a group. They should reflect a cross-section of the congregation with regard to age, gender, length of membership, and participation in various ministries. All should be active, communing, contributing members who can find the necessary time to devote to the work of the call process. Each should have the ability to work as part of a team to discern God's will for the congregation.
The congregational meeting will also include input to the Ministry Site Profile with the help of Sandra Cline of the NC Synod. The congregation's responses to four questions will serve to develop a profile used in the search for LCGS pastoral candidates.
Please plan to attend this very important meeting. Pizza will be served.
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CHOIR ROBES
Any Sunday now you will notice that the choir is sporting new robes. The purchase was necessitated because our current robes are no longer being made, and the membership has grown! While some contributions have been made to defray their cost, we still lack around $2,400 to having them completely paid for. If your spirits have been lifted by our
song,
please consider a donation to this cause.
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KOINONIA LENTEN SERVICE AT GOOD SHEPHERD
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Koinonia Lenten Service at Good Shepherd this past Thursday possible. Close to 70 people attended the service and enjoyed the luncheon afterward. Teesie Staton, the Director of Programs at SAFE, spoke briefly about the domestic violence and sexual assault services they offer to the community, and $500 was collected for the organization.
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PLANNING FOR EASTER SUNDAY BRUNCH IS UNDERWAY!
The Fellowship Committee will be hosting the annual Easter Sunday Brunch between the early and late services on April 21. Congregation members are asked to support the brunch by providing breakfast sweets (for example, coffee cake, muffins, pastries, etc.) and fruit for the brunch. Please use the signup sheet on the bulletin board by April 14 to let us know what you plan to bring. Thank you!
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NAMI FAMILY-TO-FAMILY PROGRAM
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Transylvania County will present this free 12-session educational series at Good Shepherd. This evidence-based series is intended for family and friends of people living with mental health issues, and will be led by lay and professional leaders. The series will run on
Mondays and Thursdays from April 8 through May 16, between 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. Please register by April 3 to Janice Kimball (877-2806 or
[email protected]) if you'd like to attend.
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GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER?
It's time to sign up for the next round of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" which starts in May!
This is such a great way to get to know new church members and learn more about members we've already met. Those who sign up are divided into groups that will get together monthly in May, June, July and August. There is a "convener" assigned for each group who makes the initial contact and serves as the first host. Then each person or couple takes turns being the host.
We welcome singles to sign up either individually or with another single as a couple.
Typically, groups take turns meeting in each other's homes with the host providing the entrée, bread, and beverages, with others in the group providing the appetizer, salad, and dessert. However, groups have the flexibility to decide together whether they want to stick with this tradition or do something different - such as have dinner at a restaurant or meet for brunch or lunch instead of dinner. Making new traditions is highly encouraged! Plus, based on feedback from past participants, we are now providing the option to sign up for groups of 6 or 8 participants.
Please sign up on the bulletin board ASAP to be included in this opportunity to make new friends and connect with existing friends. Groups will be announced in late April/early May. In the meantime, contact Donna Brim or Marilyn Carlson with any questions.
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REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR NAME TAGS
Please remember to wear your name tags while at Good Shepherd, especially on Sunday mornings. This helps everyone get to know each other and is a way to show welcome and hospitality to visitors and our Interim Pastor, Rev. Dr. Richard Graf.
If you don't have a name tag in your church mailbox, please let Whitney in the office know (883-3680 or [email protected]). There are also write-in name tags on the table in the commons. Thank you!
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COMING SOON AT GOOD SHEPHERD . . .
Sunday, March 24
8:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary)
9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour (Fellowship Hall)
9:10 a.m. Delving into God's Grace 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
(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.
Frank McConnell's mother, Margaret McConnell, passed away on March 17.
Millie Kennerly, daughter of Margarette and Ike Kennerly, is experiencing health issues.
Erin Whiteaker, daughter of Debra Whiteaker, will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday, March 26 to remove a cyst.
Two women,
Rosa and Felipa, who were part of a micro loan program in Guatemala, were killed in a freak bus accident in Guatemala. A third woman from the micro loan program,
Reyna, was badly injured but is now recovering. Several women at Good Shepherd are prayer partners with some of the 100 women who are part of this project.
Please pray for the families of all the women and for their community, El Progreso, Guatemala.
Former Good Shepherd member and friend of Mike and Karen Anderson, Sherry Murphy, died suddenly on March 12. Cards and condolences can be sent to Sherry's husband, Richard, at 5 Lincolnshire Loop, Asheville, 28803.
The sister of Nancy Reuter, Carol Garro, passed away earlier this month.
Jameson Courtine
, age 9, died suddenly on February 27 after a brief illness. Some of our children knew Jameson, whose parents are both fifth grade teachers at Transylvania County Schools. Jameson also leaves behind an eight-year-old brother. We pray for
Jameson's family and friends
at this time of loss.
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SERVING THIS SUNDAY
Ministers
......................................................................
The People of Good Shepherd
Interim Pastor
.............................................................................Rev. Dr. Richard Graf
Minister of Music..................................................................................David Gresham
Organist...................................................................................................Vance Reese
Outreach Ministry Coordinator...........................................................Kimberly Dunbar
Children's Ministry Coordinator.............................................................Heather Merritt
Assisting Minister
.............................................................Jody Schuld / Carolyn Smith
Reader
......................................................................Linea Warmke / Suzanne Barrett
Cantor...................................................................................................................TBD
Ushers........
Bonnie Clark, Jody & Bob Schuld /
Ken Aarsund, Hal Galloway, Sophie Dunbar
Acolyte...................................................................................
Jody Schuld/ Jia Emaus
Greeters
.........................Henry Dixon & Darrell Dixon /
Jean & Don Rumph, Jack Gresham
Child Care during Sunday School.........................................................Zia McConnell
Elementary Sunday School Teacher.......................................................Barb Jackson
Elementary Sunday School Door Person.............................................
Heather Merritt
Child Care during Worship
.................................................................Kimberly Dunbar
Altar Care............................................................................................Suzanne Barrett
Communion Bread
..............................................................................Suzanne Barrett
Tellers
................................................................................Paul Onnink & Kate Reinke
Doorkeeper of the Day............................................................................Barb Jackson
Coffee Hour (8:00 a.m.) .............................................................................
Ruth Lentz
Coffee Hour (10:30 a.m.).............................................Carol Barrett, Suzanne Barrett, Barbara Hotaling, & Gail Leon
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HELP OUR NEIGHBORS FACING DISASTERS
The following is part of a letter from the director of ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response Funding. Because of multiple relief efforts currently underway around the world, Lutheran Disaster Response is asking for funds that are designated "where needed most." If you would like to contribute, please make your check payable to LCGS and indicate "LDR - Where Needed Most" on the memo line. Or
make a donation through Good Shepherd's website, choosing "ELCA Disaster Relief" and specifying for "Where Needed Most."
Friends,
As I write you this, many of our neighbors around the world are facing disasters, including:
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Effects of Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. Picture courtesy of Reuters.
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In Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, where Cyclone Idai has caused massive destruction and flooding that have killed more than 200 people, with the death toll expected to rise. Aid workers are rushing to rescue trapped survivors. News reports estimate that 1.5 million people will be affected by the cyclone.
- In the United States, where heavy rainfall and rapid snow melt have caused major flooding across several states. At least three people have died, and hundreds of homes and businesses have been affected. With more rain and warmer weather expected, more flooding may happen soon.
- In Madagascar, where a measles outbreak has led to 800,000 reported cases and an estimated 900 deaths since October 2018, worsened by food shortages and drought. Children are most at risk.
Because of the generosity of many, we are able to respond with Christ's love, hope and healing - and practical support for disaster survivors.
Unfortunately, not every disaster that should be front-page news makes the headlines. But even when they don't, we can still accompany our neighbors, with your help.
With gratitude for your partnership in ministry,
The Rev. Daniel Rift
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NOISY OFFERING ON MARCH 31
Our next "noisy offering" will take place on Sunday, March 31, when the children will collect your pocket change in metal buckets (hence, the noise
). The purpose of these offerings is two-fold: to support worthy programs and to promote their understanding of and participation in Christian stewardship.
Our children and Children's Ministry Coordinator, Heather Merritt, have decided that this noisy offering will be in memory of a 3rd grader at Brevard Elementary, Jameson Adair Courtine, age 9, who passed away suddenly on February 27. Donations will be given to The Jameson Courtine Memorial Service Fund. A Ninja Warrior Course will be built in his memory "to show Jameson's heart and give back to the community."
Jameson's parents are both fifth grade teachers at Transylvania County Schools. Jameson leaves behind other family members, including an eight-year-old brother. Read Jameson's full obituary here.
Start rounding up your change now! If your change jar happens to be low, bills and checks will be gratefully accepted by the children. Thank you!
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SPELLING BEE
Our Ludicrous Lutherans team will compete in a Spelling Bee to benefit the Augustine Literacy Project that works in Brevard schools on
Saturday, March 30 at 5:00 p.m. in the DFR Room (
36 E. Main St., Brevard). Tickets are $10. Our Ludicrous Lutherans have raised $590 of their $1,000 goal and are still collecting donations.
Please make out checks to ALP-Brevard, with "Ludicrous Lutherans" in the memo line, and place them in Jackie Jenkins' mail box.
OR, donate online here.
Please contact Team Captain, Jackie Jenkins (
[email protected]), with questions.
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SOAP COLLECTION FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Florence Nightingale Global Health is collecting bars of soap to send to their friends in the Philippines. As you may know, FNGH, and our own Ann Farash and Paul Onnink, in conjunction with them and Pisgah Forest Rotary Club, have been working in partnership with the people of North Samar, who commonly live on
less than $2 per day, and cannot afford soap.
Any size bars of soap will be accepted, even the small bars found in hotel rooms.
Please drop off your bars of soap in the box on the pew in the commons. The soap will be shipped to the Philippines at the end of March. So far 62.5 pounds of soap have been collected. Thank you!
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KITS FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
This Lenten season, Good Shepherd is collecting items to make personal care kits for Lutheran World Relief. These kits will help people around the world stay healthy in difficult situations, like natural disasters and displacement due to violence. On Palm Sunday, we'll assemble the kits during the coffee hours in the Fellowship Hall.
Please bring your donations in and place them in the large bin on the pew in the commons. Thank you! Here is the collection schedule (although donations will be gratefully accepted throughout Lent):
- March 10: Bars of Soap (4 - 5 oz, any brand, in original wrapping)
- March 17: Bath Towels (light-weight, maximum 52" x 27", dark color)
- March 24: Toothbrushes (adult size, individually wrapped in original packaging or sealed individually in a paper envelope)
- March 31: Combs
- April 7: Nail Clippers (metal, attached file optional)
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YOU ARE INVITED
On Thursday, March 28, at 9:30 a.m., First United Methodist Church in Brevard, along with Fostering Families Transylvania, will host a breakfast and speaker, Shenandoah Chefalo, multiple award-winning author of Garbage Bag Suitcase. She will talk about the importance of hope in overcoming adversity and will offer tangible solutions to how the foster care system in our community can be positively impacted by caring community members. There is a dire shortage of foster care families in Transylvania County. Fostering Families is working to bring this issue to light and engage the community in viable solutions.
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ANNUAL RISE & SHINE MOTOWN FUNDRAISER
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 6:00 PM.
This year's event promises to be the best ever! There will be fabulous food, dancing, and entertainment, with music by DJ extraordinaire Marcus Lester, who will spin the iconic sounds of The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, and many more. Guests can take to the dance floor, enjoy a delectable supper, and bid on items in both live and silent auctions.
A highlight of the evening will be the showing of the new Rise & Shine video, Making a Difference Now & Forever.
Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at
Highland Books,
Broad Street Wines,
Main Street Ltd. and the Rise & Shine office (
290 Oakdale Street).
All proceeds go to benefit Rise & Shine. Our scholars thank you!!!
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RISE & SHINE OFFERS "GUEST TUTOR DAYS" AGAIN
Wednesday, April 24, and Thursday, May 2
Rise & Shine invites members of our community to join us in tutoring our scholars so that they can see the great things that are happening in our program. If you are interested in learning more about Rise & Shine, meeting other tutors and scholars, and/or spending a day tutoring, please sign up for one of these tutoring opportunities. Contact Laura Leatherwood (828-506-2480 or
[email protected]) for more information or to sign up.
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ELCA, NC Synod, & LWF News
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PASTORAL LETTER ON SHOOTINGS
This is a letter from ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, on the recent shootings at two mosques in New Zealand.
Dear Church,
Today (March 15, 2019) we awoke to the devastating news of the mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. We join in mourning for the people who were killed and wounded, for their families, for the first responders and grief counselors, and for all whose lives have been shattered today. We know that God is present in the midst of their suffering.
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CREATE IN ME AT LUTHERIDGE
Give creativity larger space in your life. Explore the FRUITS of the SPIRIT,
April 25-28, through music, words, paint, movement, fabric, drums, paper, clay and more! Inspiring Bible study by NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith and creative worship are highlights of this retreat. Learn from artists excited to share their skills with you. No experience is needed! Let God create in YOU!
Learn more and register.
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