SPECIAL GUEST PREACHER & SPEAKER THIS SUNDAY
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Pastor Kristin on the left, with the current YAGMs in Senegal.
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On
April 7, Pastor Kristin
Engstrom, the coordinator of the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Senegal, will visit us. She will preach at both worship services and will speak at a joint Sunday School class in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 9:10 a.m.
One of our church's strategic plan goals is to "develop and implement 'accompaniment' as a model for being in community within and beyond the congregation." The YAGM program uses the model of accompaniment, and Pastor Kristin will talk about what this means. In her honor, we will enjoy African-inspired coffee hours after both worship services.
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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
The Women's Bible Study "Friends for Life in Christ" will continue Tuesday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m. with the third lesson, "Meeting with Jesus," from the Gospel of John.
The people Jesus meets who become friends are: the woman who was being stoned, the blind man who was healed, the hospitable family of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. "I do not call you servants any longer...but I have called you friends...." was not only spoken to the followers then but to us now. Join us in study and conversation.
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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.
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. On April 10, Ellen Dozier will speak about "striving
for justice and peace in all the earth."
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WOMEN OF THE ELCA SPRING GATHERING
The Women of the ELCA are having their Spring Gathering at Living Waters Lutheran Church in Cherokee on
Saturday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We will carpool from Good Shepherd at 7:00 a.m. or you may choose to drive. Space in the carpool will be limited.
The program includes a short business meeting, bible study, and lunch. Our own Outreach Ministry Coordinator, Kimberly Dunbar, will co-lead the Bible study with Barbara Meyer. The theme is "Called to be Women in Mission."
Offerings will be taken for:
Days For Girls - increasing access to personal feminine care and education.
Vigilante Truth - mission to end sex trafficking in the United States.
Our In-Kind offerings are small laundry detergents for the homeless in Cherokee. Please plan to bring these items with you.
If you would like to attend this event, please register with Barbara Meyer (
[email protected]
or 828-885-5135). The lunch is $8.00 and can be paid to Barbara.
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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.
Here is the remaining 2019 schedule:
April 11
- First United Methodist Church (
Sharing House)
April 19, Good Friday - Bethel "A" Baptist Church (Rise & Shine)
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CALL COMMITTEE SELECTED
At the
congregational meeting last Sunday, the proposed call committee members were approved. They are: Roy Larson, Caroline Smith, David Gresham, Judy Caldwell, Kate Reinke, and Dave Carlson. Thank you for your service!
Also at this meeting,
Sandra Cline of the NC Synod office helped us to begin work on our Ministry Site Profile, which will be used in the search for pastoral candidates. We will share information on the progress of the committee's work as it becomes available.
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FIRST QUARTER CONTRIBUTION REPORTS
Giving reports for 1st Quarter 2019 are now in mail slots. Please be sure to pick yours up as soon as possible. If you are out of town and need your statement mailed, please contact Jane Madsen at
[email protected]
or 828-489-7667. If your current mailing address is SC or GA, your statement was automatically mailed.
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HIKING CLUB
A group from Good Shepherd will hike in the John's Rock area on
Wednesday, April 24. If you'd like to join them for this two-mile, easy hike, meet at church at 9:30 a.m. No dogs are allowed.
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EASTER LILIES
If you would like to sponsor a lily ($6 each) to help beautify our sanctuary for Easter and to honor or remember someone, please sign up on the bulletin board. Thank you!
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LIBRARIAN NEEDED
After many years of faithful service, Annette Blum has retired as our church librarian. We give thanks for her dedication to this task. If you love books, maybe this is your calling to become our next church librarian.
The Education Committee wants to work closely with you about any reconsiderations of goals and procedures you or we might think of for the library; training about the current situation will be available to you. If you are interested, please contact Linea Warmke (
[email protected] or 740-707-1822) or Kimberly Dunbar (
[email protected]). Thank you!
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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 (i.e. coffee cake, muffins, pastries) or 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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HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
The next meeting will be on Saturday, April 13, at 1:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd. The room will open at 12:30 p.m. so people can sign in, browse the free literature available, and talk with others. All are welcome.
Our two-part program this month will first feature David Fitzsimmons from the North Carolina
Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing who will explain the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Hearing loss Determination Form and Stamp/Symbol for the driver's license. This symbol is added to the driver's license of hard of hearing people to alert law enforcement personnel so they are aware of a hearing handicap.
The second part of our program will be
an interactive discussion focusing on Communication Strategies for people with hearing loss and their communication partners. Strategies will be presented and discussion about how they work will be encouraged from everyone attending.
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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 ([email protected]) or Marilyn Carlson (884-2756) with any questions.
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COMING SOON AT GOOD SHEPHERD . . .
Sunday, April 7
8:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary)
9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour & Fair Trade Sale (Fellowship Hall)
9:10 a.m. Guest Speaker - Pastor Kristin Engstrom (Fellowship Hall)
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)
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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.
Darrin Rumph, 12-year old grandson of Don and Jean Rumph, is having open heart surgery in Houston on April 10.
Jo Leigh, friend of Barbara Hotaling,
will have a lung biopsy in two weeks.
Gale Misiora, sister-in-law of Carol Barrett, is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment for stomach cancer.
Najah Ferrell, of Avon, Indiana, was last seen on March 15, and there are grave concerns for her safety.
She has two minor children and was also caring for two foster children before her disappearance.
Barbara Hotaling's cousin Edward and his wife Dorothy are both experiencing serious health issues.
Joe Papia, friend of Elaine and Arthur Raynolds, is having debilitating back pain and will soon have back surgery.
Maureen, an Emotions Anonymous friend of Lisa R., died this week in Oakland, CA. We remember her family and friends in our prayers.
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SERVING THIS SUNDAY
Ministers
......................................................................
The People of Good Shepherd
Interim Pastor
.............................................................................Rev. Dr. Richard Graf
Guest Speaker........................................................................Pastor Kristin Engstrom
Minister of Music..................................................................................David Gresham
Organist...................................................................................................Vance Reese
Outreach Ministry Coordinator...........................................................Kimberly Dunbar
Children's Ministry Coordinator.............................................................Heather Merritt
Assisting Minister
..........................................................Ellen Dozier / Karen Anderson
Reader
..................................................................................Bonnie Clark / Sue Sena
Cantor.................................................................................................Karen Anderson
Ushers...................Debbie & Paul Cooper
/
Wayne Drake, Lamar Propst, & Parker Dickens
Acolyte....................................................................................Ellen Dozier
/ Joe Smith
Greeters
.......................Ginny & Bob Landwehr/ Phyllis & Wil Wiederaenders, & Isa Emaus
Child Care during Sunday School.........................................................Jackie Jenkins
Elementary Sunday School Teacher.............................................Pr. Kristin Engstrom
Child Care during Worship
....................................................................Zia McConnell
Altar Care & Communion Bread...............................................................Kate Reinke
Tellers
.........................................................................Tom Reinke & Nancy Cummins
Doorkeeper of the Day..............................................................................Bob Schuld
Coffee Hour (8:00 a.m.) ............................................World & Community
Committee
Coffee Hour (10:30 a.m.)...........................................World & Community Committee
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LAST SUNDAY FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF COLLECTION
Thank you to everyone who has given donations toward making personal care kits for LWR.
These kits will be distributed to people around the world as needed.
This Sunday, April 7, is the last day to bring in items for this project.
Please place your donations in the large blue bin in the commons:
- Bars of Soap (4 - 5 oz, any brand, in original wrapping)
- Bath Towels (light-weight, maximum 52" x 27", dark color)
- Toothbrushes (adult size)
- Combs
- Nail Clippers (metal, attached file optional)
On Palm Sunday, everyone is invited to help assemble what we've collected into kits during the coffee hours in the Fellowship Hall.
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FAIR TRADE SALE THIS SUNDAY
On
April 7
, 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 at wholesale prices.
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LAUNDRY DAYS -
CLEAN CLOTHES AND NEW RELATIONSHIPS
Almost two years ago, St. Philip's Episcopal Church began an outreach program with Sharing House that enables people to have access to clean clothes while encouraging relationships with neighbors whose paths they likely would never cross. In addition to laundry service, helpers from St. Philip's talk with participating neighbors and provide transportation when needed. Prayer cards and snacks are also offered. It has been a meaningful experience for neighbors and helpers from St. Philip's.
(Read a recent article from the Transylvania Times about the program here.)
The person at St. Philip's who coordinates this program is Deacon Diane Livingston, who recently extended an invitation to Good Shepherd to be involved in this program. I have visited Laundry Day the last two months.
While it was intimidating to go into the laundromat where I didn't know anyone except Diane and didn't even know how to work the machines, I was soon taken under the wings of other volunteers, chatting with neighbors, and helping with laundry. I'm looking forward to the next Laundry Day on
Thursday, April 11, when I plan to stop by for an hour or so in the afternoon.
If you'd like to join me, please let me know (
[email protected]
) or 883-3680). Thank you!
Kimberly Dunbar
Outreach Ministry Coordinator
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NOISY OFFERING UPDATE
Thank you to everyone who made the Noisy Offering collection on March 31 possible and for all who gave donations. A total of $393.10 was collected, and will be given to
The Jameson Courtine Memorial Service Fund, some of which will be used to build a Ninja Warrior Course "to show Jameson's heart and give back to the community."
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THE RALEIGH RINGERS IN CONCERT
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MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM AT SILVERMONT
Silvermont Opportunity Center is partnering with Vaya Health to provide free mental health seminars in our community. The next offering will be held on
Thursday, April 11, at 10:00 a.m. at Silvermont, and will focus on hoarding. To register, please call 884-3166.
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CAROLINA CONCERT CHOIR
The Carolina Concert Choir, concluding its 39th season of top-quality choral music, will present a concert on
Saturday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Hendersonville. Titled "Music for Royalty," featured works include the Lord Nelson Mass by Haydn, the Coronation Anthems by Handel, and the beautiful Lord Bless You and Keep You by John Rutter. All of these selections were originally intended for royal occasions. Further information and tickets can be obtained from LCGS choir members Mark and Jane Madsen or Jean Reese. The choir and small orchestra will be accompanied by our own organist, Vance Reese. Tickets are also available online at
carolinaconcertchoir.org for pickup at the door.
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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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LISTENING
Here is this month's reflection from Bishop Tim Smith of the NC Synod office.
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" That's the classic philosophical starter around the issues of observation and perception. If I tell you I'll meet you at 9 a.m., but you (a) can't hear me, (b) can hear me but aren't paying attention, or (c) did hear me but are so distracted you forgot, did we communicate? Communication is a constant on the "needs improvement" list of any organization or relationship. That's why my Gmail signature quote is, "The biggest problem I have with communication is overcoming the delusion that it has actually occurred."
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TWO BECOME ONE
This is the last story from Stories of Faith in Action 2018-2019.
On a recent Sunday, Mark Rollenhagen noticed something special as he looked out at the worshipers of Good Soil Lutheran Ministries. The youngest among them was 6 weeks old; the oldest was 90. To the pastor, it represented "the fullness of a healthy community."
Born from the consolidation of Faith and Our Savior's - both ELCA congregations two miles apart in suburban Cleveland, Ohio - Good Soil is a new congregation that receives funding through Mission Support. Rollenhagen was originally called to Faith in 2011. In 2016, Our Savior's contracted with Faith to share his ministry. Sharing a pastor intensified discernment in both congregations on whether to consolidate. The two churches began joint worship in 2016 on Pentecost Sunday.
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