A Message from the Kennedy Family Dear Good Shepherd, Thank you so much for your incredible generosity to us this Christmas! We are so grateful for you, for your love and commitment, for the grace of Jesus that so shines through you into Binghamton!
Love,
The Kennedys
Bread and Wine If you are interested in joining a group of moms for a monthly supper and discussion of women in the bible, please contact Liz Hull. The next meeting will be February 19.
ACW Meeting The Anglican Church Women (ACW) will be meeting on February 13 at 11:15am. Topics for discussion and organization are: the Spring talent show. the making of palm crosses with the Youth Group, the deep cleaning of the parish kitchen, and the Lunch-out in June. A potluck lunch will follow! All are Welcome!
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Mardi Gras Shrove Tuesday (known in some countries as ‘Pancake Day’ or ‘Fat Tuesday’) is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, this year it will be on February 9th. ‘Shrove’ comes from the Latin word Shrive, and means ‘absolution’. It is thought that the tradition started when families would eat all of the fatty, rich foods in the house so as not to be tempted during the penitent season of Lent. Good Shepherd hosts a pancake and sausage supper to mark the day, which is followed immediately by a parade with live music through the fellowship hall, and a short ceremony in which all of the palm fronds from Palm Sunday of the previous year are burned to produce the ashes that are used for Ash Wednesday. There will be face painting, mask making, and music.
Needs:
1.Please bring some of your homemade applesauce / fresh fruit to church by Sunday February 7th to serve at the supper.
2. Please bring your palms from last year to burn at the conclusion of the event.
3. If you play an instrument and would like to participate in the Mardi Gras parade, please see Joe Osgood.
Finally, come to the event in costume (or not) and bring family, friends, and neighbors. There will be no charge, but love offerings will be most appreciated.
Life Choices Baby Bottle Collection Drive ‘I thank God for Life Choices and the people who work/volunteer there. I am grateful.” This is a quote from Nan, a client at Life Choices Center. This is an easy way that we as a church help others like Nan find what they need at Life Choices Center. Simply pick up a baby bottle, fill it will cash, check, or coins and return it by Sunday, February 28th. Life Choices Center is looking to raise $55,000 (we help with $713.75 last year)! All to help women and men in our community before, during, and after unplanned pregnancies. Let’s join them in making this campaign a huge success! To learn more the work at Life Choice Center, visit: LifeChoicesCenter.org
Thank you for your participation in Change for Life 2016.
Ben Franklin Elementary School Although ACW has recently donated much needed clothes, Ben Franklin is still in desperate need of undergarments, socks and sweatpants for children sizes 5, 6, 7, and 8. If you have the ability to donate, please see Carmen.
Did You Know? You can now give online to Good Shepherd! Use the link below to give via credit card or bank account transfer. You can even set it up to give automatically, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting your check book on Sundays! Keep in mind that the processing cost is less for bank account transfers than for a credit card.
If you prefer to use envelopes, you can continue to do so. Giving online, however, is easier, and it helps you keep track of your giving more easily. I would definitely encourage you to try it!
Shortly after the start of the year, we will have Breeze set up so that you can go online to your own account and keep track of your giving.
For now, please use this link…it is very straightforward and easy to use! If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact Lauren Kirst.
Go to https://goodshepherdbinghamton.breezechms.com/give/online now to give!
Lauren Kirst
Ongoing Ministries
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.
Good Shepherd Food Pantry This week I was reading Matt 6:25-29, a passage that talks about how God cares even for the sparrow, and that we shouldn’t worry too much about how we’re provided for. The food pantry is Good Shepherd’s way of providing for those who can’t provide for themselves.
Pantry Needs: Low sodium soups and stews, powdered milk, 1 lb packages of rice, pasta sauce, cereals, assorted crackers, reduced fat peanut butter, coffee and tea, and anything else you’d like to bring.
Last Week
Last week’s sermon ‘The Wisdom to Endure Suffering’ was based on James 1:5-12. It can be listened to or downloaded here.
Tuesday Morning: This Tuesday morning’s Bible Study, ‘Works of the Law Cannot Save You’ was based on Romans 2. It can be seen here, or you can watch it below. You can catch up on all of the older Tuesday morning Bible studies you might have missed here. You’ll need to have a LiveStream account, but it’s free and easy to sign up for.
Last Week
This week’s sermon is based on James 1:9-12.
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:9-12 ESV)
Team Galations is working on the altar this Sunday with Jerry Shriver.
The readings for this Sunday are: Exodus 34:29-35 and James 1:9-12.
The PDF Bulletin for this Sunday’s 10:30 service can be downloaded here.
Have an item for the Update?
Email the secretary at:
gs.binghamton@gmail.com
by Monday night.