What’s Happening at Good Shepherd
Work Day There will be a Good Shepherd clearing out day coming up tomorrow, November 18th. A large dumpster has been delivered, and we hope to clear out some of the old, broken, or useless things that have been hanging around the building for a while. Whether clutter makes you unhappy, you enjoy making spaces look open and inviting, or just want some good exercise, please consider helping out as many hands will be needed! The work will officially begin at 9am (although the building will be open earlier), and lunch will be served at noon.
Clothing Needed Kathy Urda will be collecting your unwanted clothing from October 15th – November 19th for the Windsor Food Pantry and Clothing Shop. Please bring your unwanted bagged clothing to Good Shepherd and leave downstairs under the coat hooks near the nursery. Both adult and children’s clothes are needed. This is a good way to clean out drawers and closets and give your items a second life.
Greening of the Church Traditionally the church is “greened” or decorated on the fourth Sunday of Advent, as close to Christmas as we can get. But this year, Advent Four is actually on Christmas Eve and we don’t want the whole church to be completely exhausted on Christmas Eve! Due to this, we’d like to decorate early this year. On November 23, we’ll begin putting up some of the Advent decorations. Please feel free to bring your Thanksgiving leftovers to share, if you like, and enjoy the festive atmosphere!
Bishop Dobbs to Visit Bishop Dobbs plans to visit on December 3 this year, and we’ll be confirming a couple of new Good Shepherd members. There will be a ‘Friends and Family’ potluck with the theme of International Foods. Please be sure to bring a dish to pass, but stay and enjoy fellowship and lunch even if you don’t. Be sure to invite your friends and family, particularly those that don’t have a church, or aren’t Christian.
Attention ladies of Good Shepherd The annual Ladies Christmas Tea will be held on Sat. Dec 16 from 11-2. Please plan to attend as it is a nice way to get to know each other more. A time for fellowship and good food.’ Watch this space for more information in the coming weeks. Please see Christine Osgood for more information.
Abraham had Isaac, Isaac he had Jacob…Time to think about preparing for our Christmas Pageant! There will be a brief meeting after church on Nov 5th to choose roles and then rehearsals will be directly after the 10:30 service on Nov 12th, Nov 19th, Dec 3rd, Dec 10th, & Dec 17th. Hope to see all children and youth there.
An Offer of Prayer The prayer team prays for the needs of the church on a weekly basis. If you have a specific request (Praise or intercession) please fill out a card and place it in the “prayer box” by the bulletin boards in the parish hall. All prayers are kept confidential.
Mission’s Prayer Request
From the CHE team, Nicaragua.
We thought you would like to see some stories that describe some of the impact CHE ministry has in the communities.
Melisa Arostegui is 23. She was married last year to a believer, but things did not turn out the way Melisa had hoped. The young man she married mocked her, and abandoned her after 3 months of marriage. People in the community were saying that she wasn’t a virgin, and that was why her husband left her. They were very cruel to her, abusing her physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Melisa turned to alcohol and parties, and made the decision to destroy her life.
We thank God that we could be with her in those difficult times. She received psychological therapy, and left the community for a while. Afterwards, we talked to her about training for her future and, above all, reestablishing her relationship with God.
Melisa listened to God, decided to study, entered the police academy, and graduated as a police officer. She is now working in the Leon police department, earning $263 a month. We thank God for what he has done in her life.
Ongoing Ministries
Good Shepherd Youth Group Each Sunday evening, the youth of Good Shepherd meet for fellowship and worship. Any young person between the ages of 12 and 18 are welcome to attend. Led by Good Shepherd member Tyler VanFossen. For more information, contact the Good Shepherd office at (607)723-8032.
Bread and Wine If you are interested in joining a group of women for a monthly supper and discussion, please contact Liz Hull. The group will be beginning a new study on a book called Money, Possessions and Eternity, by Randy Alford.
Health and Wellness Our bodies are “the tents” that the Lord has given us to house our souls. Begin to take care of the body which God Has given you. Check your blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight every Sunday in the Parish Hall 9-10AM. Please see Dolly Shaller or Carmen Swoffer-Penna for more details.
Last Week
Tuesday Morning’s Bible Study This Week we moved into Exodus 22 and saw more laws having to do with fair restitution and property ownership, as well as laws protecting the poor and even one protecting the life of a thief. God’s law reveals God’s character, so as we work through these regulations we are not studying some irrelevant ancient legal code, we are studying God himself. You can watch the recording of the class here or in the window below.
Posted by Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd on Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Last Week in Christian Ed Last Sunday we moved into the last section of our course “Race, Life, and Sexuality” and discussed human sexuality. We have, of course, discussed this topic before. In the past, due to the controversies we experienced in the Episcopal Church, we focused primarily on homosexuality. This time we approached the question more broadly and discussed God’s good design for human sexuality and the various ways human sin has corrupted it. As the cultural discussion of sexuality becomes ever more confused with questions about “identity” and the assertion of gender fluidity, it is vital for Christians to understand God’s original purpose and design for sex and sexuality.
Last Week’s Sermon was based on Hebrews 11:17-19, and was called ‘The Death of a Christian‘. It can be listened to or downloaded here.
Mission Group Discussion Questions
Hebrews 11:17-19
Read Genesis 22:1-13
1) Why did God test the faith of Abraham?
- What did the test reveal about Abraham’s faith?
- What difficulties have you faced that have tested your faith in God’s promises?
- How did these circumstances reveal your faith to you or others?
- Why does God choose to reveal our faith through suffering and hardship?
2) How do we know that Abraham had faith in God throughout this passage?
- Did Abraham have complete understanding of God’s purposes through this circumstance? How does this further demonstrate Abraham’s faith?
- Do you suppose that Abraham was emotionally distraught in light of God’s request? Why do you suppose that scripture is so silent concerning the emotional suffering of Abraham and Isaac during this test of faith?
- What reveals that a believer has faith in the promises of God through Christ?
Read Hebrews 11:17-19
3) Why did the obedience of Abraham to God’s request require faith?
4) Since Abraham believed the promise quoted in verse 18 that “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named,” what could
only be the possible outcomes of God’s request?
- Why do we forget sometimes that God can and does work through miracles?
- How can having a better understanding of God increase our faith?
- How is each believer to develop his or her knowledge and understanding of God?
5) In what ways does Abraham’s test of faith foreshadow the work of Christ through the cross on our behalf?
This Week
This Week in Christian Ed We’ll continue our series on Human Sexuality. The class starts at 9:15.
This Week’s Sermon is based on Hebrews 11:20-22.
By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
Team Romans is working on the altar this Sunday.
The readings for this week are Zephaniah 1:7,12-18 and Hebrews 11:20-22.
Christine O. will be serving on the altar guild this Sunday.
Shepherd’s Bowl Shepherd’s Bowl is canceled this week due to the holiday. It will resume on November 30th.
To download a PDF of the 10:30 service bulletin, click on this link.
Have an item for the Update or an Announcement?
Email the secretary at:
gs.binghamton@gmail.com
by Monday night.