Your Good Shepherd Newsletter - September 22, 2019

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

Week of September 22, 2019

Worship & Education

MINISTRY 2020

Last Sunday, we began our focus on the ministry of this church in the upcoming year. This week, a mailing was sent out that details the elements of Ministry 2020. In addition, each Sunday there will be a short presentation that describes one of the ministries here and what they mean to those who are involved. We believe that God is calling us to change people's lives. We want to see and hear how we are doing that, and how God might be calling each of us to participate.

During worship last week, Anthony Zuniga spoke about how our choral scholars program is meaningful to him. This Sunday, Outreach Ministry Coordinator Kimberly Dunbar will talk about outreach. We will also hear about member care, education and fellowship. On the last Sunday of this campaign, October 20, we will have a celebration luncheon as part of our commitment to these ministries.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

Sunday School classes begin at 9:10 a.m. Child care is available for children five and younger in the nursery.

Elementary School Children

This group begins with music, followed by a lesson using the Godly Play approach.

Confirmation Class

This class meets in the loft and will begin learning about God as Trinity.

DiGG Class

Bill Moore is leading the group (Delving into God's Goodness adult class) in a four-part study that he is calling "The Power of Paradox to tell the Good News."

Intersections Class

The Intersections Class welcomes high school youth who have been confirmed and adults to talk about a variety of topics that connect faith and life. On September 22, the class will continue a study of the book 8 Habits of Love: Overcome Fear and Transform Your Life. Even if you haven't read the book, you are welcome to join in the discussion.

UPCOMING WELCA EVENTS

1. Grace Lutheran in Hendersonville will hold their Women of the ELCA September program on Saturday, September 28, beginning at 10:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Cindy Quinlan of On Eagles Wings will be the speaker. She will speak about sex trafficking, concentrating on the statistics in North Carolina and telling us about Hope House, a home for girls that have been rescued from human trafficking. If you'd like to attend, please consider bringing with you a recipe of a favorite meal with clear directions and the non-perishable ingredients to make it. Cindy will bring them back to Hope House, where the girls, about 10 of them, learn to cook and care for themselves in healthy ways.

2. Fall Gathering of the Smoky Mountain Conference will take place at Nativity Lutheran in Arden on October 5. The theme of the event is "Why Not...Use Your Voice - Stand for Justice - Make Change Happen." Ellen Dozier will lead the Bible study entitled, "Women at the Gate - Who Will Save the Children?" and will speak about her recent work with refugees in El Paso. Please see the bulletin board for more information and to sign up.

LIVING COMPASS SMALL GROUP

Good Shepherd's Reimagining Health Collaborative team will offer a small group to friends and members of Good Shepherd beginning on Tuesday, October 1. The group will focus on wellness that encompasses the whole person and will meet for six consecutive weeks, ending on November 5. The group is scheduled from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., but the time will be adjusted, if needed.

What is Living Compass?

The Living Compass curriculum is based on these core beliefs:

The fruits of wellness and wholeness emerge from the seeds of faith in our lives.
Each of us is responsible for the decisions we make to nurture our own wellness/wholeness.
Wellness must encompass the whole person (heart, soul, strength, and mind).
Individual wellness does not exist in isolation but is connected to ALL our relationships.

If you'd like to join this group, please sign up on the bulletin board. Contact Lorel Durlak ( [email protected]) or Kimberly Dunbar ( [email protected]) with questions or for more information.

At Good Shepherd

CALL PROCESS UPDATE

The LCGS Call Committee continues to interview, request information and contact references in our quest to identify a primary pastoral candidate. Once a primary candidate is identified by the Call Committee, we will submit that pastor's name to Council. If Council agrees with the recommendation after meeting with the candidate, information about the candidate will be shared with the congregation.

A meeting of the congregation will then be called and the voting members of our congregation will vote whether or not to extend a call to this candidate to be our next pastor.

We request your continued prayers, asking for our Lord's guidance in our search.

HERITAGE SUNDAY

On Sunday, September 29, Good Shepherd will celebrate Heritage Sunday. Please consider bringing a dessert or salad that reflects your ethnic background to share during coffee hour, and sign up on the bulletin board. If you have any questions, please contact the Fellowship Committee (Early Service - Sandra Ostermeier: [email protected] or call/text 828-384-2444. Second Service - De Carlson: [email protected] or Leigh Ann Stinson: [email protected]). Thank you for helping to make this a festive Sunday!

LCGS CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS

Efforts have been underway for several months to revise the LCGS Constitution and Bylaws to ensure continued alignment with the ELCA Model Constitution. The Congregation Council approved the revision at its meeting on September 16, and it has now been sent for informal review by the Synod's legal counsel. The revised Constitution and Bylaws will be made available for review at least 30 days prior to the annual congregational meeting in November, where it will be presented for formal member vote. Following congregational approval, it will be sent for the required Synod Council approval.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEPTEMBER COUNCIL MEETING

Council received an update from the call committee regarding the search for a new Pastor. The congregation will be kept informed as this search progresses.

Three new members will be welcomed into our family: Deb Kelly-Green, Jerry Chappell, and Ian Kargel.

Following the "because of you" testimonials in September, October 13 will be "Call to Commitment" Sunday and "Commitment Sunday" will be celebrated on October 20.

A letter regarding the "Place of Grace" campaign was recently mailed. This will be followed up on as we proceed through the budget process for next year.

Funding was approved for the cleaning and repairs of the cinerarium and a proposal for a security camera system was approved.

The paid position of Child and Youth Director remains open as does the volunteer Treasurer position. Roy Larson has accepted leadership of the Mission Endowment team. A nominating committee of Tom Reinke, Cherie Henig and Don Rumph will be creating a slate of candidates for the coming year. If you are approached regarding serving, please give prayerful consideration to accepting this call.

Council approved the revisions to the constitution and by-laws, bringing them up to date and in line with Synod requirements. This new draft will be brought before the congregation at the annual meeting.

The next regular meeting will be Monday, October 21 at 4:00 pm.

COMING SOON AT GOOD SHEPHERD . . .

Sunday, September 22

8:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary)

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

9:10 a.m. Sunday School Classes (Education Wing)

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.

Nora Johnson traveled to Spartanburg to have stitches removed from a recent surgery. She is also having other health issues.

Larry Turner and Daniel Walker, friends of Snookie Henson, are experiencing health issues.

Hermine Mood, sister of Frances Beck, has been hospitalized in Charleston with complications from blood clots. She underwent a procedure for her heart on Thursday evening and is expected to have another procedure soon.

David Smale, neighbor of Donna Aiken-Colflesh and John Colflesh, had surgery on Wednesday to help with complications resulting from surgery in July to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. The original surgery resulted in an infection and has not healed properly.

Sonya Medhaug, mother of Kimberly Dunbar's friend, will have surgery for cancer on September 25.

Kay Bradburn, the daughter of former member Eileen Rhyne, passed away on August 31. Charlie Bradburn, Kay's husband, is also having health issues.

Linda Goethe is recovering after outpatient arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday, September 13.

Bev Ketsenberg, friend of Barbara Hotaling, has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Bev's husband, Al, is also experiencing health issues.

SERVING THIS SUNDAY

Interim Pastor................................................................................Rev. Dr. Richard Graf

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

Guest Organist ........................................................................................Adelaide Kersh

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

Assisting Minister ...................................................................Jody Schuld / Lorel Durlak

Reader .........................................................................Lauren Weed / Kathleen Milligan

Ushers .......... Henry Dixon & Darrell Dixon / Dave Carlson, Bill Essig, & Sophie Dunbar

Acolyte ....................................................................................Jody Schuld / Yuri Emaus

Greeters .......................Ginny & Bob Landwehr / Jean & Don Rumph, & Jack Gresham

Child Care during Sunday School.............................................................Carolyn Smith

Elementary Sunday School Teacher.........................................................Zia McConnell

Elementary School Doorperson...............................................................Heather Merritt

Child Care during Worship ...........................................................................Lisa Busche

Altar Care.................................................................................................Barbara Meyer

Communion Bread.......................................................................................Kate Reinke

Tellers ..................................................................................Larry Fogdall & Lorel Durlak

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

Coffee Hour ( 8:00) ................................ ..........................................Debbie & Paul Cooper

Coffee Hour (10:30) .......... Barbara Hotaling, Barbara & Bob Maurer, & Snookie Henson

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

World & Community

NOISY OFFERING

Our next "noisy offering" will take place on Sunday, September 29, when the children will collect your pocket change in metal buckets (hence, the noise). The children decided last spring that this offering will benefit The Haven, our county's homeless shelter, which includes a separate facility for families with children. 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!

MEALS FOR THE HAVEN

LCGS will be preparing meals and baked goods for The Haven for the weekend of September 27-29. You are invited to take part as we accompany our neighbors and share God's love with them through food. Please consider volunteering to help prepare the meals in the church kitchen on Friday, September 27 at 2:00 p.m. or donating baked goods and delivering them to the church kitchen by Friday, September 27 at 2:00 p.m. Thank you.

PASTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND

Good Shepherd sometimes receives requests to help people in our community financially, often with utility bills or rent assistance. These requests often come directly from Sharing House, when the person needs more financial assistance than Sharing House can provide. Sometimes individuals contact us directly, at which point we coordinate with Sharing House. We currently have about $1,000 in our Pastor's Discretionary Fund. While this may seem like plenty of money, our resources will quickly be used when colder weather and higher power bills begin. If you would like to make a contribution to our Pastor's Discretionary Fund, you can make your check payable to Good Shepherd and indicate Pastor's Discretionary Fund on the memo line. Thank you.

HURRICANE RELIEF

There are those at LCGS who have supported ELCA's Lutheran Disaster Response efforts to help those effected by hurricanes. The need for that support continues with Hurricane Dorian. Click here to see what the Church has done for those who were hit by Hurricanes Florence and Michael last year. To all who have contributed to this vital ministry of the ELCA, thank you so much for caring and sharing Christian love! When the next storm hits, all are encouraged to help out.

Pastor Graf

CROP WALK

Brevard CROP Walk 2019, an event organized through Church World Service that raises money to alleviate hunger locally and worldwide, will be on Sunday, October 13, beginning and ending at Brevard Middle School. Sign-in time is 1:30 p.m., and the walk will begin at 2:00 p.m. The walk itself is a relatively easy three miles around town, with friends from other churches and organizations in our county. An information table will be set up during coffee hour after the 10:30 worship service for questions, sign-up info, donations, etc. Online donations to "Team LCGS" can also be made here .

Last year, Brevard had over 150 walkers of all ages, and raised about $15,000, with several thousand of that going to our local Sharing House. Please join our team, in person or with your contribution -- and also invite your friends to join us in this fun, important event.

In Our Community

BREVARD COLLEGE THEATRE

Next week, the Brevard College Theatre Department will present David Ives' play, The Liar. The show will run September 26 - 29. One of our choral scholars, Anthony Zuniga, will be in the show. Click here for tickets.

ELCA, NC Synod, & LWF News

"FOCUS ON SHARING THE RISEN CHRIST"

On September 10, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary celebrated the installation of the Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore as the rector and dean. The celebration included a luncheon after worship and a lecture from Shore titled, "Christ Is Risen: Proclaiming the Gospel in a Culture of Fear." Basing her remarks on the story of Christ's appearance to disciples on the road to Emmaus, she encouraged the seminary community to engage in similar work: journeying together, engaging the Scriptures, and sharing hospitality.