From Rev. McMahon - Thank you all for making room in your hearts for the Afghan refugees and their needs by buying the gift cards.  Once again Good Shepherd has responded with love and generosity.  I hear that more people are coming now than were expected – not too surprising – so give when and what you can and don’t forget the prayers.  There is so much need everywhere it can get overwhelming, but we can only do what we can.  It’s a cliché, but true nonetheless: Keep Hope Alive!

Our book group, focusing on the book Halfway Home, continues this Sunday evening at 6:30 pm.  If you have not participated till now don’t let that stop you – just let me know and I’ll send you the link.  We have had wonderful conversations about our industrial prison system and how soul-destroying it is, and what we can do to counter it.  We will begin this week to talk about ways to find specific areas for advocacy where we can actually hope to make a difference.  

The Lunch Bunch will meet again on Wednesday, December 8, 1-2.  Last month we simply  took our bag lunches out to the playground and ate and talked.  It was delightful!  Weather permitting we can do it again, but if necessary we can go inside to the Parish Hall; just be sure to wear masks and socially distance.  It is lovely to meet in person again, but there is no point in taking unnecessary chances.  

Church Clean-up Day - Sunday December 12, noon. Lunch will be served. Come ready to work outside and in, leaf raking, light bulb changing and kitchen cleaning.

A Message from Father David - We are preparing for the nomination of new members to the vestry. If you are approached to serve, please give serious consideration to saying "Yes!" Serving on the vestry is an important ministry and an opportunity to work with truly gifted and fun people. We begin each meeting with a reflection on the following Sunday's gospel and we end on time so come join us! As part of this year's nominating process we are also filling the Senior/Rector’s Warden position. If you have any questions or would like to discuss serving as the Senior Warden, please contact me or Deena Groshong. 

The Finance Committee is in the process of putting together Good Shepherd’s budget for next year --2022. If your committee is going to need operational funds for this coming year, please submit your budget requests as soon as possible to the Finance Committee’s Patty Mitchell mnx33@yahoo.com and Melissa Garcia melwinagarcia@yahoo.com.

The Church Office will be closed Thursday December 23^rd through January 2, 2022. There will be two services on Christmas Eve, one in-person and one via Zoom. There will not be a service on Christmas Day. Sunday December 26 will be the Festival of Lessons & Carols in person and a Zoom service.

Christmas Altar Flowers –If you would like to remember, honor or celebrate your loved ones, what better time to do so than Christmas? Good Shepherd is accepting donations for holiday flowers for Christmas services. The suggested donation is $40. Any amount is accepted. Be sure to include the name of your loved one, your name and whether it is “In Memory of…” “In celebration for…” or “In Honor of…” along

Presence Light - Remember or celebrate a loved one with a $10 donation for the Presence Light. Please fill out the book kept on the ushers' desk and put your check (with Presence Light in the memo line) in the collection plate or in the lockbox.

Telephone prayer meeting every Saturday at 9:15 am. The number to call to join the prayer meeting is 508-924-2778. If you have any questions contact Lynette Clark at 301-357-1726.