|
PASTOR KEN'S PEN
Grace and peace to all of you!
These times seem anything but graceful and peaceful! The threat of Coronavirus has come across on the evening news as a sea of red sweeping over the country. This confirmed pandemic has confronted us with new realities, caused us to alter our travel plans, and caused us to worry about the potential threats to the health of those we love.
We have also been re-evaluating what it means to be church in these times. We continue to acknowledge that we need to worship God especially when we are confronted with fearful things, and we need the companionship of other Christians who will keep us grounded in our faith in the God whose peace passes all understanding.
At the same time, those in church leadership are faced with how we can come together in worship and fellowship in ways that do not put people at further risk to their health. Practices around worship which involve people coming into physical contact with droplets left by an infected person are our greatest concern.
One of the primary ways we seek to limit exposure is to refrain from touching others. Handshakes before and after worship should be curtailed. Also, during the exchange of the peace, we ask that people simply bow in the direction of one another as they share the words "peace be with you."
The passing of the offering plate is another point in the service where germs have opportunity to spread. To that end, we will have a credence table placed at the entrance of the sanctuary where you may leave your offering on your way into or out of worship, or on your way to or from the altar at communion.
Another area of concern is the distribution of wine at communion. With use of the common cup, as well as use of individual cups, there is possibility for contamination. Since our theology fully affirms that Jesus is fully present in both the bread and the wine, we will for the present time share the bread only at communion. There is provision for this in pressing reasons for health in the ELCA Principles for Worship, application 44C.
While these temporary concessions are in no way ideal, please understand that they are done in a spirit of love and out of care for the health and wellbeing of all who come to worship. I appreciate your flexibility with these changes, and pray that you may truly find grace and peace when you enter God's house to worship.
God loves you and so do I,
Pastor Ken
|
COFFEE HOUR UPDATE
Coffee hour will be temporarily suspended this Sunday. The Safety and Security Team will meet early next week to review and discuss CDC guidelines around food service and best practices. They will then determine how our church will manage food service going forward, and will update the congregation. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this unsettled time.
|
|
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.
Pastor Rich Handschin will lead the
confirmands in "An Overview of the Four Gospels."
Intersections
is an informal Sunday school class for adults and confirmed youth that meets in Room 6 of the Education Wing.
Stop in at this crossroads of faith and life, share what you've encountered and wondered about on your journeys, and then travel on along your way, refreshed and blessed.
Leaders Kimberly Dunbar and Heidi Bullock choose discussion topics that allow you to participate as often--or as infrequently--as you'd like.
"What's So Deadly About the Seven Deadly Sins?"
is the question we're pursuing throughout the penitential season of Lent.
This traditional grouping of thoughts and behaviors dates back to the Desert Fathers of the 3rd century, but their definitions have been fluid over the centuries since. We've made interesting discoveries about our culture and faith so far! Come join us!
|
|
WEDNESDAYS DURING LENT AT GOOD SHEPHERD
Continuing through April 1, a simple soup supper will be offered at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall,
followed by a service of Vespers at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Please sign up on the bulletin board or contact the church office (883-3680 or [email protected]) if you'd like to attend the soup supper.
|
|
CARE OF CREATION
LCGS has been accepted as a "Creation-Care Congregation" by Lutherans Restoring Creation, a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the ELCA. Visit their web site at www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org. Check the bulletin board for our official certificate and read future newsletters for tips, hints, upcoming events and other helpful information.
|
|
HIKING CLUB
The Hiking Club will go to
Davidson River Trail for a 1.5 mile, easy hike on Wednesday, March 25. Meet at Good Shepherd at 9:30 a.m. if you'd like to join them. The group will go out to eat after the hike.
|
|
NOISY OFFERING
On Sunday, March 29, we will celebrate our quarterly "Noisy Offering," a time when we can empty our coin purses to support a community ministry that has been selected by our children and youth. After we receive all these noisy coins, we need to count them. One of the places in Brevard where we can do this counting is the State Employees Credit Union. They have a wonderful machine that takes all of the work out of coin counting. To use this wonderful machine, we need someone who is a member of the credit union. If you are a member, or know someone who is, please contact Whitney in the church office or Bill Johnson (702-6746). And remember save those coins for the 29th!
|
|
EASTER SUNDAY BRUNCH
Easter Sunday is
April 12 - an Alleluia to come! The Fellowship Committee will once again organize a brunch between the two services, from about 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. The church will provide ham for the event. We would like members of the congregation to provide breakfast casseroles, fruit, and coffeecakes. A sign up sheet is in the hallway for those of you who want to contribute to this effort.
If you have decorating ideas or might be able to help with decorating and /or set-up, or if you just have questions, please contact Sandy Ostermeier at 828-384-2444 (messages are welcome);
[email protected].
|
COMING SOON AT GOOD SHEPHERD . . .
Sunday, March 15, 2020
8:00 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary)
9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour (Fellowship Hall)
9:10 a.m. Elementary Children's Sunday School (Room 3)
9:10 a.m. Confirmation Class (Loft)
9:10 a.m. Intersections Class (Room 6)
9:15 a.m. New Member Orientation Class (Conference Room)
10:30 a.m. Worship Service (
Sanctuary)
11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour (Fellowship Hall)
|
|
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.
Iann Russell, son of Pastor Jack and Lisa Russell at Living Waters Lutheran Church, had successful neurosurgery on March 10. Prayers are appreciated.
Nora Johnson was admitted on Thursday evening to Transylvania Regional Hospital with a kidney infection. She would appreciate calls. Her cell number is 828-384-9062.
Ron Hund, former Good Shepherd member, is suffering complications of Parkinson's disease which has resulted in pneumonia. If you would like t send a card to Ron & Herta, the address is 4986 Wetland Crossing, apt.# 2113, N. Charleston, SC 29418.
Linda Morrison, daughter of Arthur & Elaine Raynolds, has been suffering from severe sinus headaches for several weeks.
Mary LeSourd, half-sister of Elaine Raynolds, has been diagnosed with melanoma and has begun treatment.
|
|
PIZZA-PACKING PARTY
Lisa Rodke and Nora Johnson are moving to a new place in town. They need some help with packing and invite members and friends of Good Shepherd to join them on
Tuesday, March 17, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at their current residence (448 West Probart Street) to help pack
and enjoy pizza. March 17 also happens to be Lisa's birthday! Please bring a couple of boxes and join them!
On
Tuesday, March 24, Lisa and Nora will rent a truck to move their belongings and furniture to their new place. Strong people to help with the move are needed.
|
|
SERVING THIS SUNDAY
Pastor..............................................................................................Pastor Ken Albright
Minister of Music
....................................................................................
David Gresham
Organist
.....................................................................................................Vance Reese
Outreach Ministry Coordinator.............................................................Kimberly Dunbar
Assisting Minister
..............................................................Lauren Weed / Carolyn Smith
Readers.............................................................................Bob Schuld / Parker Dickens
Ushers
.....................
Fred & Lauren Weed / Frank McConnell, Paul Onnink, Ian Merritt
Acolytes
..................................................................................Lauren Weed / Joe Smith
Greeters
.........................Mike & Susan Becker / Terry & Linda Moore, Parker Dickens
Elementary Sunday School Teacher
.......................................................Heather Merritt
Doorperson for Sunday School................................................................Barb Jackson
Nursery Care during Worship................................................................Kimberly Dunbar
Altar Care & Communion Bread............................................................Suzanne Barrett
Tellers
.....................................................................Nancy Cummins & Marilyn Carlson
Doorkeeper of the Day
.................................................................................Bob Milligan
Coffee Hour.......................................................................No Coffee Hour this Sunday
|
|
TORNADO RELIEF
A powerful and destructive tornado ripped through Nashville and other parts of Tennessee earlier this week. More than 20 people have been killed, and homes and other buildings have been destroyed.
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is working with those in the impacted area - including the ELCA Southeastern Synod, Inspiritus (formerly known as Lutheran Services of Georgia and Lutheran Services in Tennessee) and local congregations - to respond with immediate relief. Given the extent of the destruction, recovery is expected to take years. LDR plans to accompany the synod and Inspiritus to address survivors' needs over the long haul.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for "U.S. tornadoes" will be used entirely (100%) to assist those affected by tornadoes until the response is complete. Together, we can support those who are on the long road to recovery.
If you'd like to support these efforts, you can write a check to LCGS and indicate "U.S. Tornadoes" on the memo line. You can also donate through LCGS' website. Choose "ELCA Disaster Relief" and indicate "U.S. Tornadoes." Thank you.
|
|
BAKED GOODS FOR THE HAVEN
A group from LCGS will be preparing food for The Haven, Transylvania County's homeless shelter, for the weekend of March 20 - 22. You are invited to take part as we accompany our neighbors and share God's love with them through food.
Please consider donating baked goods and delivering them to the church kitchen by noon on Friday, March 20.
Thank you.
|
|
WORSHIP AT LIVING WATERS LUTHERAN CHURCH
As our congregation at Good Shepherd lives into a relationship with our mission partner, Living Waters Lutheran Church in Cherokee, we want to continue the practice of small groups from LCGS worshiping with the Living Waters congregation on Sunday mornings in Cherokee. All who have worshiped at Living Waters have been blessed by this experience.
Here is the comment of a member at LCGS after worship there
last year:
"Accompaniment becomes real when you are standing in a prayer circle, holding hands with Native American brothers and sisters. It becomes real when a sister sings, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" in Cherokee as we hum the accompaniment. Being there, meeting the members of Living Waters, sharing in their worship made our partnership come alive."
If you would like to be part of a group traveling to Cherokee for Sunday morning worship in the next several months, either March 29, April 26, or May 17, contact Ellen Dozier (
[email protected]
or 828-403-3988) or Kimberly Dunbar (
[email protected]
or 828-883-3680). There is also a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.
|
|
VISIT TO THE CHEROKEE MUSEUM
We are planning a visit to the Cherokee Museum in Cherokee, NC as a part of our ongoing effort to learn more about our neighbors from the Living Waters Lutheran Church. At the Cherokee Museum we will experience "the 13,000 years of Cherokee history from the time when mastondos (a large extinct elephant like mammal) roamed the southern Appalachians to the present day. The story is told through computer generated animation and special effects, life sized figures, art works and priceless artifacts."
We are hoping to make this visit on Saturday, April 25, leaving from Good Shepherd Church at 8:00 a.m., enjoying and learning at the museum, then having lunch together. Tickets for the museum are $12.00 for adults, $7.00 for children 6 - 12 years, and free for children 5 and under.
If you are interested in making this trip
, contact Ellen Dozier (
[email protected]
or 828-403- 3988) or Kimberly Dunbar (
[email protected]
or 828-883-3680). There is also a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board
|
|
CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S DAY OF REFLECTION
This event will take place on
Saturday, March 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and will be a wonderful time of fellowship, praise and sharing with women of faith.
The title of the event is "A Walk with Jesus, My Journey Home." The speaker will be Debbie Felker who began the Day of Reflection 16 years ago. Debbie has been diagnosed with a serious health condition. She will speak aobut how the Lord had intervened in her life in many days prior to her diagnosis as well as how God has guided her since her diagnosis. Music will be provided by Anne Trufant, who has been composing and performing Christian music around the world.
The cost is $10, which includes a delicious lunch. Pre-registration is required with payment due at the time of registration.
The registration deadline is March 15. Participants will have an opportunity to be included in small group discussions at the time of registration. Those women not participating in the groups will go to lunch after the program. Lunch will be soup, sandwiches, chips, beverage and homemade desserts. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the hallway. For more information, call Lauren Weed (877-6154).
|
|
JAZZ FOR JUSTICE POSTPONED
The health and safety of everyone in our community is a priority for Pisgah Legal Services. Due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19, we are postponing our annual Jazz for Justice celebration, originally scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd. Our hope is to reschedule this event for later in the year, depending on how circumstances unfold.
We will be in touch with attendees, sponsors and vendors as we plan for a rescheduled date.
In terms of other operations, all Pisgah Legal Services offices are currently open and we are continuing to provide our services. We will follow the lead of public health and government officials to determine possible closures and are preparing for staff to work remotely in order to maintain operations as fully as possible if need be. We will communicate any updates via e-mail as well as via our website and social media pages.
|
|
|
