Your Good Shepherd Newsletter - February 23, 2020

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

Week of February 23 , 2020

Worship & Education

CLASSES THIS SUNDAY

Classes begin at 9:10 a.m.

Elementary School children will begin with music in the choir room, then return to Room 3 for a Godly Play story.

The confirmands will learn about the minor prophets in the Old Testatment with Rev. Dr. Ed Barrett.

In Room 6, Intersections will begin a seven-week series entitled, "What's So Deadly about the Seven Deadly Sins?" Heidi Bullock will lead the class.

WEDNESDAYS DURING LENT AT GOOD SHEPHERD

On February 26 , we will hold an Ash Wednesday worship service at 7:00 p.m. The service will include the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion.

Beginning on March 4, and continuing through April 1, we will offer a simple soup supper at 5:30 p.m., followed by a service of Compline at 6:30 p.m. Please join us.

PASTOR KEN'S PEN

Dear congregation at LCGS:

I once worked with an Associate in Ministry named Ellen. She came in the office door on a cold day one winter and said "Lent is my favorite season of the year!" I was taken aback. I had never heard anyone say that before. Yes, I had heard that said of Christmas, and about Easter, but never had anyone told me that they enjoyed Lent most of all.

But why not? Lent is from the Old English word "lenctin" which means spring. It is a time of new growth and development. A time when what is old, brown, and dry becomes new, green, and lush. That is exactly what God is excited to accomplish in our lives.

I hope you grow to enjoy your walk with Jesus from the light on the mount of Transfiguration this Sunday through the stark reality of Ash Wednesday's ashes to the light of Easter dawn, and every day in between. I hope you will take advantage of the unique opportunities in which to grow in our prayer life, in our mutual support of one another, and in our development as a church on fire for Jesus Christ.

God loves you and so do I!

Pastor Ken

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET 2020

Thank you to members and friends of Good Shepherd who submitted devotionals for inclusion in this year's Lenten booklet. Your stories are greatly appreciated. Hard copies of the devotional booklets will be available on Ash Wednesday, February 26. If you'd like to receive a story by email each day, please email Kimberly Dunbar in the church office ( [email protected]).

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOD SHEPHERD?

Two sessions for those who would like to learn more about Good Shepherd and possibly become members of the congregation will be held on March 8 and 15, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. in the Conference Room. If you'd like to attend these sessions, please contact the church office (883-3680 or [email protected]).

At Good Shepherd

GET YOUR FISH FRY TICKETS THIS WEEK!

This Sunday, February 23, will be the final day to purchase tickets for the Fabulous Friday Fish Fry Fundraiser to benefit Sharing House! The annual event sponsored by the LCGS Fellowship team raised $500 for Sharing House last year, along with nearly 10 boxes of nonperishable food items donated at the door that evening. The need is even greater this year with about 15% of Transylvania County's population living at or below the poverty line, coupled with the recent dissolution of United Way of Transylvania County. So let's work together to surpass the 73 fish dinners sold last year and increase our donation to Sharing House while enjoying a fun (and delicious!) evening with family and friends!

The Fish Fry will be held on Friday, February 28 in the Fellowship Hall from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. The menu includes fish, fries, mac and cheese, slaw, hush puppies and dessert, and entertainment will be provided. All congregation members and their guests are invited. Tickets are only $12 per person and will be on sale during both coffee hours this Sunday. Please also bring at least one item or a cash donation for Sharing House the evening of the dinner. Questions may be directed to Fellowship Chair, De Carlson (828-885-5206, [email protected].)

SPECIAL APPEAL FOR CHORAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Did you know that our own David Gresham was once a Choral Scholar??? David says that the experience was "pivotal" to his life. Few would disagree that David's considerable experience, coupled with his dedication to LCGS (along with a whole lot of patience with the choir members!) have been just as pivotal to our extraordinary music program. Current Choral Scholars Cory Earp and Anthony Zuniga not only have found meaningful work with us that enriches their music studies at Brevard College, they have also become welcomed and valued members of our church family, especially our choir family. The exuberance and joy they add to every practice and worship service cannot be overstated.

Although the choir is large for a congregation the size of Good Shepherd, there are only two full-time tenors. This would typically limit the variety of anthems that could be considered for any given Sunday. Being able to augment the choir with Choral Scholars significantly broadens the choir's capacity for selecting more complex and varied music pieces throughout the year.

The Choral Scholars program is also one of our few connections to Brevard College, which is intrinsic to Good Shepherd's community outreach goal to attract younger members into the congregation. Pastor Ken commented that the program "is fertile soil where church and college students can work creatively and foster faith and vocational aspirations." Further, it is good for individuals who may be "church shopping" in the local area to see not only how involved our youth are in worship services, but also young adults singing in the choir.

Unfortunately, as was discussed during the January 26 congregational meeting, funding for our Choral Scholars program was one of the items that had to be cut in order to balance the 2020 budget. The Congregational Council recently approved a request, submitted in accordance with the LCGS Financial Policy, for a special appeal for the $2,250 needed to fund the Choral Scholars program through the end of the Spring semester. Please contemplate how our music program enriches your personal worship experience at Good Shepherd and whether you can make even a small donation toward sustaining the Choral Scholars program. Every little bit helps, as the saying goes. Designated gifts may be made by making your check payable to the church with "Choral Scholars Program" noted on the memo line. Thank you for your consideration.

MINISTRY 2020 TEAM OF THE MONTH: FELLOWSHIP

Have you ever been interested in learning more about our Fellowship team? Do you ever wonder who is on the team, what they may be planning for the year, how they sometimes manage to pull a rabbit out of a hat to ensure a special event is successful? Are you interested in exploring how you can help out occasionally? Well, the next couple of weeks present the perfect opportunity to learn more, as Fellowship is the Ministry 2020 highlight team of the month. Look for displays on the new bulletin boards in the Fellowship Hall and stop by to chat with chair De Carlson and other team members as they host the weekly coffee hours following the 10:30 worship service during the month. They'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

COMING SOON AT GOOD SHEPHERD . . .

Sunday, February 23, 2020

8:00 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary)

9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour (Fellowship Hall)

9:10 a.m. Elementary Children's Sunday School (Education Wing)

9:10 a.m. Confirmation Class (Loft)

9:10 a.m. Intersections Class (Room 6)

10:30 a.m. Worship Service ( Sanctuary)

11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour (Fellowship Hall)

Click here to see more upcoming events.

Membership & Evangelism

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.

Marilyn Fogdall was admitted to Mission Hospital late last week. She was discharged home on February 19.

Wanda Waters, sister of Snookie Henson, died this past Saturday. A committal service will be held for her at Good Shepherd's columbarium on Tuesday, February 25 at 4:30 p.m.

Dennis Rogers, friend of Jody Schuld, passed away last week after a battle with cancer.

Jody Schuld's aunt, Ruth Ann Fullner, was discharged from a rehab center last Friday. She continues to recover at home after back surgery, and is being assisted by her granddaughter.

Chuck and Jane Hall, friends of Jim and Lorel Durlak, lost their 21-year-old son Jackson after a three year battle with cancer.

Karen and Mike Anderson's granddaughter's 11-year-old best friend, Brianna DeShields, had surgery to remove a growth on her gums. She and her family are awaiting biopsy results.

ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS

Anniversaries

Laurie & Bill Johnson........................................................... March 5

Kate & Tom Reinke............................................................ March 20

Birthdays

Janice Liebe......................................................................... March 1

Brighton McConnell.............................................................. March 4

Carly Onnink......................................................................... March 4

Eric Peterson........................................................................ March 8

Donna Brim......................................................................... March 13

David Gresham....................................................................March 15

Dave Kuhlman.................................................................... March 15

Marie Bowker..................................................................... .March 16

Bob Landwehr..................................................................... March 16

Lisa Rodke.......................................................................... March 17

Jane O'Shea........................................................................March 19

Sandra Wilson..................................................................... March 20

Nancy Cummins.................................................................. March 21

Carol Stone......................................................................... March 21

Barbara Weyhrauch............................................................ March 21

Judy Caldwell...................................................................... March 23

Maree Rankin..................................................................... March 23

Andrea Boccanfuso............................................................ March 24

Donna Aiken-Colflesh..........................................................March 26

Forrest McConnell................................................................March 28

SERVING THIS SUNDAY

Pastor................................................................................................Pastor Ken Albright

Minister of Music ..................................................................................... David Gresham

Organist ......................................................................................................Vance Reese

Outreach Ministry Coordinator..............................................................Kimberly Dunbar

Assisting Minister .....................................................................Jody Schuld/Bill Johnson

Readers............................................................................Jody Schuld/Suzanne Barrett

Ushers ...................Henry & Darrell Dixon / Wayne Drake, Lamar Propst, Victor Emaus

Acolytes ...............................................................................Jody Schuld/Sophie Dunbar

Greeters ............................................Lauren & Fred Weed/Marilyn Carlson, Kia Emaus

Elementary Sunday School Teacher ......................................................Suzanne Barrett

Doorperson for Sunday School.......................................................Margarette Kennerly

Nursery Care during Worship................................................................Kimberly Dunbar

Altar Care.............................................................................................Sheila Swancara

Communion Bread ....................................................................................Barb Jackson

Tellers ...................................................................................Paul Onnink & Kate Reinke

Doorkeeper of the Day ...............................................................................John Colflesh

Coffee Hour.............................................. Paul & Debbie Cooper/ Fellowship Committee

Click this link to access upcoming weeks' Sunday Helpers schedules.

World & Community

AUGUSTINE LITERACY PROJECT SPELLING BEE

Last year, a four-person team of Ludicrous Lutherans competed in a community Spelling Bee that raised money for the local Augustine Literacy Project. Are there any LCGS members (or friends of members) interested in wearing one of our monk's robes (because everything is more fun in costumes!) so we once again can embarrass ourselves AND raise money for a great cause?

The ALP website has all the registration and detail information:

https://www.augustineproject-brevard.org/

Check it out and see if you're interested in forming an LCGS team this year! If so, please contact Kimberly Dunbar in the church office (883-3680 or [email protected]). Thank you!

In Our Community

COMMUNITY FORUM ON HEALTH CARE

On Saturday, February 22, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., there will be a Community Forum on Racial Inequality in Health Care, held at Bethel A Baptist Church (290 Oakdale Street in Brevard). A documentary, "Power to Heal: Medicare and the Civil Rights Revolution," will be shown. This film documents the historic struggle of the mid 1960s to secure equal access to health care for all citizens of the U.S. The heart of the story is how Medicare, a new national health program, was used to make changes that desegregated hospitals throughout the nation. A panel of health care providers, advocates, and researchers, who know and understand the current disparities and inequaties of our health care system, will respond to the film. Audience input will be requested and appreciated.

CELTIC THUNDER TENOR EMMET CAHILL

RETURNS TO BREVARD FUMC

Sony recording artist Emmet Cahill, an award-winning Irish tenor and a principal singer with PBS's musical stage show Celtic Thunder, is back out on tour in the United States this spring and bringing his solo show to First United Methodist Church in Brevard on Friday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Music Ministries at FUMC.

With a timeless voice and effortless elegance, Emmet will serenade the audience with a mix of traditional Irish tunes ("When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," "Danny Boy"), beloved church hymns ("How Great Thou Art"), nostalgic favorites ("Moon River") and Broadway classics ("On the Street Where You Live," "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera). He'll be sharing St. Paddy's Day stories from his homeland, an "audience song request" medley and inviting you to sing along, so get those voices warmed up!

Don't miss this unforgettable evening of songs and stories from the Emerald Isle! Tickets are $30 - $45 and may be purchased online here or at Highland Books in Brevard.

OUR CHEROKEE HERITAGE

As our congregation lives into our partnership with Living Waters Lutheran Church in Cherokee, we have an opportunity here in Brevard to learn more about our Cherokee Heritage. Blue Ridge Community College is again offering the course, "Our Cherokee Heritage," which will be taught April 8 through May 27 and another session, June 17 through July 22. Both sessions are on Wednesday mornings, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Transylvania County Campus. Registration is $65.00. If you would like additional information about this course, speak with Fred Weed, Sue Barrett or Barbara Hotaling, who have all taken the class in previous years. There is also a catalog of Blue Ridge courses with registration information in the church office.

ELCA, NC Synod & LWF News

WE ARE BROKEN

Here is ELCA Bishop Eaton's reflection for February, as published in Living Lutheran.

In 1526 the reformers embarked on a program of visiting the parishes in Electoral Saxony. It's known as the Saxon Visitation. As would later be stated in the Augsburg Confession, its objective was to determine if "the gospel is taught purely and the sacraments are administered rightly."

Martin Luther himself visited the parishes in and around Wittenberg. He wasn't pleased. He found that many clergy didn't receive adequate compensation, and that the gospel was not clearly taught or understood.