Here's what's happening at . . . .

Worship & Education
NOISY OFFERING THIS SUNDAY
Our next "noisy offering" will take place this  Sunday, June 30, when the children will collect your pocket change in metal buckets (hence, the noise). The offering will benefit the new Children's Advocacy Center of Transylvania County in Brevard, which serves children who have been impacted by child abuse.  The Center is a program of Southmountain Children and Family Services, which has been serving Western North Carolina since the founding of their first center in Morganton in 1998.

Start rounding up your change! If your change jar happens to be low, bills and checks will be gratefully accepted by the children. Thank you!
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 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.
WHAT IS GODLY PLAY?

The Godly Play method is a curriculum of spiritual practice exploring the 
mystery of God's presence in our lives. Providing structure for spiritual  practice, the Godly Play method engages our innate spirituality and  nourishes use of religious language to make meaning from Biblical stories  through the Creative Process. While the Godly Play method is a spiritual  practice, spiritual experiences during Godly Play sessions are actually the  mechanism for "being in religious language." These experiences serve as  both a conditioner for our existing spiritual connection with God and as  the instrument for grounding spirituality in the Christian language and  community of religion. (Read the full handout here.)
At Good Shepherd
CALL PROCESS UPDATE
The Call Committee met on June 19 and their training has been scheduled for Friday evening and all day Saturday, July 5 and 6.  The training, which will include a mock interview, will be conducted by Synod trainer Dr. Jack Weller from Shelby, NC using the draft MSP. Following the Saturday training session, the committee will provide a summary of any suggested MSP revisions to the task team that drafted it.  Once revised, it will be sent to  the Executive Committee of the Church Council for final review and approval, and then released to the ELCA for prospective candidates. The MSP will also be provided to congregation members for their information at that time. Future Call Committee meetings are scheduled for July 10 and 14. Pastor Graf has offered to act as a resource to the committee should it have concerns or questions they would like to discuss with him. 
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS
The good news
...Children's Ministry Coordinator Heather Merritt has accepted a full-time position at Rosman Elementary School teaching Kindergarten through 3rd grade Special Education. This is a wonderful opportunity for Heather that will take full advantage of her skills and knowledge.
 
The not so good news ...Heather will be stepping down from as LCGS Children's Ministry Coordinator effective July 31st. In her words, it "would not bode well for the welfare of the Merritt children" to try to do justice to both jobs. The Council is working on plans for moving forward with the Children's Ministry, which has flourished under Heather's guidance.
 
More good news ...The Merritt family is remaining with LCGS as members, and Heather will continue as a volunteer with us to ensure the success of the Godly Play curriculum and as a member of the Education Committee.
 
Be sure to wish Heather well in her new venture at Rosman Elementary the next time you see her at Sunday worship.
LCGS STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
THE ROLE OF THE OUTREACH MINISTRY COORDINATOR
As we reach the mid-year point, we should be thinking about how each of us is contributing to the successful execution of the Strategic Plan objectives that were developed last year and approved at the congregation meeting in November 2018. To this end, Kimberly Dunbar recently shared with the Council how her efforts as Outreach Ministry Coordinator are supporting those objectives. After reading her report, one is tempted to ask her, "When exactly do you sleep?" Kimberly's daily job entails interfacing not just with many community groups and agencies, but also with several LCGS ministry teams (e.g., Education, Membership & Evangelism, Worship & Music, World & Community, etc.). Take a few minutes to read Kimberly's report "LCGS Strategic Plan Objectives: The Role of the Outreach Ministry Coordinator" to learn how LCGS is reaching out in our local community.

DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER & BULLETIN SUBMITTALS
In order to facilitate efficient office operations and allow the staff to meet downstream schedule deadlines, the Council decided at its June meeting that starting immediately, all input for the LCGS Friday newsletter and the Sunday bulletin must be submitted to the office in writing no later than 1:00 p.m. on the preceding Thursday. While every effort will be made to accommodate last-minute emergent issues, late submittals should be the exception rather than the rule. Thank you for your support in making Whitney's and Kimberly's jobs a little easier!
THE FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU!
Are you a closet event planner? Do you grasp at any excuse for a party? Did you inherit that "chronically organized" gene that seems to run in your family? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you are just the kind of person the Fellowship Committee needs!
 
Fellowship Committee members play a key ministry role in the LCGS by connecting people and faith with the church community. Yes, the committee coordinates the Sunday morning coffee hours which received much positive feedback during the strategic planning cottage meetings last year. But did you know that it also provides support and oversight for other LCGS events and activities such as the annual church picnic, Advent and Lenten dinners, memorial services, and congregational meetings?
 
The Fellowship Committee needs a few new members with fresh ideas for our efforts. Joining the committee also offers an opportunity to form new friendships with others who like to plan, organize and have some fun!
 
Now that you're intrigued by the thought, contact De Carlson (deanncarl@gmail.com) or Leigh Ann Stinson (laswrs8@aol.com) for more information about the Fellowship Committee. We look forward to you joining us for our next meeting!
BEAR SIGHTINGS NEAR LCGS
It has been brought to the attention of the staff that there have been reports of a bear and her cubs along Fisher Road and in The Cottages apartments, which are located behind the church. If you are using the outdoor trash bins, please make sure they are closed securely and be vigilant when outdoors, especially in the evenings.
LWR QUILTERS
Good Shepherd's quilting group will be taking a short break from their Tuesday meetings for the next two weeks. The group will start up again on Tuesday, July 16.
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 ( hmerrittlcgs@gmail.com). 
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 deanncarl@gmail.com) or Aggie Romans (828-776-6761 or aggieromans@hotmail.com).  Thank you.  
COMING SOON AT GOOD SHEPHERD . . .

Sunday, June 30
  8:00 a.m.  Worship Service (Sanctuary)
  9:00 a.m.   Coffee Hour (Fellowship Hall)
10:30 a.m.  Worship Service (Sanctuary) 
11:30 a.m.  Coffee Hour (Fellowship Hall) 

Membership & Evangelism
ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS

Anniversaries
J ean & Don Rumph .............................................................................................. July 11
Barbara & Dwight Meyer......................................................................................July 15
Lauren & Fred Weed............................................................................................July 28
Bobo & Buz Van Horne........................................................................................July 29
Nora Johnson & Lisa Rodke................................................................................ July 31

Birthdays
Don Rumph ......................................................................................................... July 02
Hal Galloway....................................................................................................... July 10
Jane Madsen...................................................................................................... July 10
Steven Dart......................................................................................................... July 12
Larry Fogdall........................................................................................................July 13
Jane McKeown....................................................................................................July 15
Jia Emaus............................................................................................................July 16
Richard Handschin............................................................................................. July 16
Ed Hennig........................................................................................................... July 16
Wanda Waters.................................................................................................... July 16
Jim Bollini........................................................................................................... July 17
Lisa Trefz............................................................................................................ July 19
Phyllis Waters..................................................................................................... July 19
Michael McCormick............................................................................................ July 20
Emma Patrie....................................................................................................... July 22
Glenn Karnatz..................................................................................................... July 25
Nancy Retherford................................................................................................. July 27
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 (lcgs@comporium.net or 883-3680) by noon on Thursday. 

Barbara Herath, sister-in-law of Kate & Tom Reinke , is in need of prayers for comfort during this period of declining health.

Julie Larned, friend of Marci Kuhlman, is going through a time of serious health issues.  

Sandy Ostermeier  had surgery on her right foot at Mission Hospital on June 22 for an infection stemming from an injury earlier in the week. She is now at Accordius in Brevard (formerly The Brian Center) in Room 127. 

Debbie Cooper  will have hip surgery on July 1.
SERVING THIS SUNDAY

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 ..........................................................Ellen Dozier / Robert McKeown
Reader ................................................................................Ellen Dozier / Barb Jackson
Cantor....................................................................................................David Gresham
Ushers ...............................................Lauren & Fred Weed / Dave Carlson & Bill Essig 
Acolyte ..............................................................................Ellen Dozier / Zia McConnell
Greeters ...................................................Henry & Darrell Dixon / Gloria & Roy Larson
Child Care during Worship ......................................................................Carolyn Smith
Altar Care & Communion Bread.................................................................Kate Reinke
Tellers ..........................................................................Hal Galloway &  Jane McKeown
Doorkeeper of the Day ...........................................................................................TBD
Coffee Hour (8:00) ................................ ......................................................Linda Goethe 
Coffee Hour  (10:30). .............................De Carlson, Linda & Bill Essig, & Aggie Romans
                                                     
World & Community
THANK YOU!
Thank you for your donations to help your neighbors at Sharing House. Over 60 pounds worth of supplies were delivered to Sharing House and a check for over $900 will soon be written and sent. Summer is often a time of high demand and low supply for goods from Sharing House. Your efforts are much appreciated.  
BAKED GOODS FOR THE HAVEN
A group from Good Shepherd will be preparing food for The Haven for the weekend of July 5-7. They would appreciate donations from the congregation of baked goods, such as breakfast muffins, quick breads, coffee cakes, desserts, etc. Just label them "for The Haven" and drop them off in the kitchen by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 5. Any questions, contact Barb Jackson (828-553-4771 or barbandmark@comporium.net). 
NEWS FROM THE GOOD SHEPHERD CRECHE:
WATER AND HEAT

Members of LCGS have supported this nursery school for very poor children in southern India since it began in 2010. You can read more about this school and others like it at Help Kids India.  

Porayar sits on the edge of the Bay of Bengal in the delta of the disappearing Cauvery River. Once the agricultural backbone of south India, overuse of the river upstream has emptied its channels in the delta. The once rich delta region is watching cultivable land shrink and deteriorate into wasted land. Sand in the old river beds is now being mined to make concrete. "The river is in its deathbed," says one involved official.

ELCA, NC Synod, & LWF News
JOIN US FOR SUMMER OF PSALMS!

It is that time of year again! Join us for the NC Synod summer
online Bible study sponsored by the synod's Engage the Bible Task Group (a Book of Faith ministry). This summer's  study--Summer of Psalms--begins Sunday, July 7. You can participate by subscribing to receive the study daily in your inbox, watching daily on the synod's Facebook page, or by watching the synod's website for daily posts. Look for the entry written by Kimberly Dunbar. 

The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
(828) 883-3680     lcgs@comporium.net     lutheranchurchbrevardnc.com
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