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

This Sunday
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday.  Please remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday night! 

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. 

Jackie Jenkins will lead the confirmands in "An introduction to the New Testament." 
 
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 lcgs@comporium.net) if you'd like to attend the soup supper. 
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 lcgs@comporium.net). 
LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET 2020
These devotional booklets, which contain stories written by members and friends of Good Shepherd, are now available on the table in the commons. The stories focus on Philippians 2:5-11, the Bible passage known as the Christ Hymn. Thank you to everyone who shared stories to make this booklet a reality. 

Sign up to receive a story from the booklet each day during Lent (Monday - Saturday) via email by contacting Kimberly in the church office (kimberlylcgs@comporium.net).
At Good Shepherd
GOOD SHEPHERD FINANCIAL UPDATE
The following is an update from Hal Galloway, Finance Committee Chair. 

2020 has started off very strong for giving to our church. Through the first two months, pledged giving is $5,791 greater than budget and non-pledged giving is over budget by $1,326. In total, our income is $7,000 over budget. This is a tremendous response to the support of our congregation and puts us in a position to resume many of the ministries we have supported in the past.
 
Another very significant event is that advanced giving is at an all-time high this year at over $86,000.
 
Additionally, special giving has responded to the support of the Choral Scholars program, Living Waters,  YAGM*, and Pastor Kristin Engstrom* in Senegal.
 
Expenses are mostly on plan at $2,900 over budget. This is driven primarily by two areas - moving expenses for Pastor Ken and building maintenance.
 
Thank you to everyone for the strong response and continued financial support of our church and outreach ministries.

To clarify, there is a difference between YAGM (Young Adults in Global Mission) and Pastor Kristin Engstrom, who is the country coordinator for the YAGM program in Senegal. Pastor Kristin is who we as a congregation have supported in the past and who we want to continue supporting. 

Donations given to "YAGM" will support the program overall, not specifically the YAGM program in Senegal. If you want to support the YAGM program, please write "YAGM" on the memo line of your check or in the available field if you're giving online through LCGS' website. 

If you want to financially support the work of Pastor Kristin in Senegal, please write "Pastor Kristin Engstrom" on the memo line of your check or in the available field if you're giving online through LCGS' website.

Thank you! Please feel free to contact me with any questions. 

Kimberly Dunbar, Outreach Ministry Coordinator 
(883-3680, kimberlylcgs@comporium.net)
BOOK CLUB
The next book club meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. at Wine Down on Main on Tuesday, March 17 - St. Patrick's Day. Come ready to celebrate! Our book for discussion will be The Grapes of Wrath. 

For April we will read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (2017). It is available at the library in various forms. To plan ahead, we're doing The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. It's also at the library in all mediums, but since it is a newer book (2019), I'd recommend placing it on hold right away. Happy reading!
CHORAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM SPECIAL APPEAL UPDATE  
Thanks to all of the congregation members who donated so generously to fund our Choral Scholars Program through the Spring semester. Members of the Choir and the Worship & Music team appreciate your support!
FISH FRY THANK YOU  
The Fellowship Committee sends out a big "Thank You!" to everyone who came out to last week's Fish Fry in support of Sharing House. A total of 89 dinners were sold, surpassing last year's total of 73 dinners! We fully expected to exceed last year's donation of $500, and will provide an update as soon as all of the dinner expenses have cleared the accounting system. A special thanks, also, to Frank McConnell who provided free entertainment for our diners during the evening. LCGS's second annual Fabulous Friday Fundraiser Fish Fry was a success!
THANK YOU FROM SNOOKIE HENSON
Thanks to all of you for your prayers and the cards you sent to me during my sister Wanda's illness and her death.

May she have love and peace with her Lord and with other family members that have passed on before her.

God's blessings be with you all.

-Snookie Henson
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. You can contact Sandy Ostermeier with questions or comments: 828-384-2444 (messages are welcome); sandyko49@gmail.com
SECURING THE CHURCH AFTER MEETINGS AND EVENTS
On more than one occasion recently, doors of the church have been found unlocked following an event that took place earlier or the day before, with no one present in the church. This is an obvious safety concern.
 
The Congregation Council schedules Door Keepers to lock up the church following Sunday Services. We recently expanded this coverage to include regularly scheduled events like Lenten and Advent services. At other times, the following are responsible for ensuring Good Shepherd is secure before they leave.
 
Other Occasions
Responsible Party
Monday through Friday church office hours
Last staff member to leave for the day
Scheduled LCGS organized events
Event organizer or person specifically designated by the event organizer
Events covered by Facilities Use Requests
Responsible person named on the Facilities Use Application
Other unplanned events (e.g. memorial services, funerals)
Event organizer or person specifically designated by event organizer
Meetings outside normal working hours (including choir practice)
Meeting leader or person specifically designated by the meeting leader
All occasions
The last person to leave the church even if you did not unlock any doors when entering.
 
If you are unsure what doors need to be checked, there is a Door Keeper Checklist in a three ring binder in the ushers desk near the main entrance. If you do not know how to lock the main entrance doors, call someone who does (Door Keeper for the previous Sunday, church staff member or Council member).
 
Thank you for your cooperation.
John Colflesh -  Congregation Council President
COMING SOON AT GOOD SHEPHERD . . .

Sunday, March 8, 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)

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 (lcgs@comporium.net or 883-3680) by noon on Thursday. 

Jesse Fiorini, son of Marilyn Carlson's neighbor, suffered brian damage due to an accident last February that left him quadriplegic. He is currently at a nursing facility, and his mother hopes to move him home if he becomes strong enough. 
SERVING THIS SUNDAY

Pastor...............................................................................................Pastor Ken Albright
Minister of Music .................................................................................... David Gresham
Organist .....................................................................................................Vance Reese
Outreach Ministry Coordinator.............................................................Kimberly Dunbar
Assisting Minister .............................................................Jody Schuld / Laurie Johnson
Readers...............................................................................Debbie Cooper / Sue Sena
Ushers ............. Fred & Lauren Weed / Frank McConnell, Paul Onnink, Sophie Dunbar
Acolytes ..................................................................................Jody Schuld / Isa Emaus
Greeters ................................Henry & Darrell Dixon / Jean & Don Rumph, Yuri Emaus 
Elementary Sunday School Teacher ........................................................Barb Jackson
Doorperson for Sunday School.....................................................Margarette Kennerly
Nursery Care during Worship.................................................................Jackie Jenkins
Altar Care & Communion Bread..........................................................Suzanne Barrett
Tellers ....................................................................Nancy  Cummins & Marilyn Carlson
Doorkeeper of the Day ................................................................................Donna Brim
Coffee Hour..................................................Sandy Ostermeier / Congregation Council 
                                                                                                                     
World & Community
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.
DONATIONS FOR LIVING WATERS
Thank you to everyone who has given donations through Good Shepherd for Living Waters Lutheran Church in Cherokee. So far this year, $2,655  has come in for Living Waters. We are especially grateful to be able to pass on these donations to Living Waters, our mission partner, because we were not able to include funding for them in our 2020 budget. 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 ( ellendozier@hotmail.com  or 828-403-3988) or Kimberly Dunbar ( kimberlylcgs@comporium.net  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 ( ellendozier@hotmail.com  or 828-403- 3988) or Kimberly Dunbar ( kimberlylcgs@comporium.net  or 828-883-3680). There is also a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board
In Our Community
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). 
ELCA, NC Synod, & LWF News
TALK TOO MUCH
Here is NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith's reflection for March. 

I talk a lot. No, really. I know that you know that. I just want you to know that I know that, too. In fact, I spend so much time thinking about what I'm going to say to people in this or that sermon or this or that council or call committee meeting or this or that ELCA function or a newsletter or on social media that I sometimes feel like a machine just cranking things out, producing.

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