Greening of the Church ‘Greening’ is an old-English term for advent decorating. The ancient Christians traditionally hung evergreen boughs in their windows as a symbol of God’s ever- present love for his people, and that tradition continues here at Good Shepherd. Please stay after the 10:30 service tomorrow, have lunch (see below) and help with the greening of the church!
Potluck and Christmas (Advent) Cookie Bake-Off This year, in tandem with the Greening of the Church, we’ll be having a potluck and a Christmas Cookie Bake-Off!
There will be categories for Junior Bakers (anyone under 16 years old), Fruit Cookies, Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookies, Bars Cookies, Frosted Cookies, and a Best in Show. Please bring all labeled cookie submissions to the Parish Hall Kitchen BEFORE the 10:30 service so that we have time to set up the judge’s plates and a display. If you would like to be a judge in the competition (and aren’t competing), please contact Steph Warner or Carrie Moorhead-Nelson.
Please bring a dish to pass but stay and have lunch even if you don’t!
Youth Group Christmas Party The youth group will be having their Christmas party on tomorrow night at 6pm.
Ladies’ Christmas Party and Cookie Exchange (optional) Save the Date! Ronnie and Ben Murphy will be opening their home next Sunday, December 19th for a Ladies’ Christmas Party and Optional Cookie Exchange at 1:30pm. We try not to post home addresses on the website, but look for more info in the bulletin tomorrow, or feel free to ask them in person when you see them.
December 19 Christmas Concert with Brio Vocal Ensemble and Friends. Celebrate the birth of our Savior in music with choral anthems and instrumental pieces, plus congregational carol singing. The concert takes place Sunday, December 19, at 3 p.m. at Endwell United Methodist Church, 3301 Watson Boulevard, Endwell. Free will offering. Please wear a mask.
Say Cheese! Good Shepherd is going to try adding photos to the 2022 church directory. If you’d like to have your family’s picture included, please forward a copy by email to Jonathan.
Women’s Bible Study is back at a new time. This study is meeting at 4:30 pm on Friday afternoons in the Parish Hall. Anne Kennedy is leading and they are currently studying 1 Peter. Children are welcome—as in, we hope to have some childcare available.
If you’d like to come a little bit early to hang out for Friday Play (all the children play while their mother’s talk to each other), let Anne know.
Mission Groups have resumed meeting regularly. There are currently three local mission groups, and one online group meeting by Zoom. Please see the paper update for more information on times and locations.
Large Print Bulletins are available upon request for both services. If you need a large print bulletin, please let the usher at the back of the sanctuary know, and they will get one for you.
Zoom Morning Prayer This service meets online by zoom at 7am Monday through Friday. The liturgy and readings are available each day at www.dailyoffice2019.com. Join the parish email list and look for a daily email invitation in your inbox.
Both the 8am and the 10:30 services are meeting in person.
The 8am service If you are high risk, or at all nervous to be in social gatherings, this service is designed for you. All those who attend are asked to wear masks and remain socially distanced throughout the service. The 8am service is not currently being live-streamed.
The 10:30am service is currently observing ‘restaurant-style’ masking guidelines which means that while seated, masks are optional. We ask that those who are unvaccinated wear masks when entering, leaving, or walking from one place to another (unless you are unable due to health reasons) and practice social distancing of at least six feet between your family and the next grouping. We are utilizing the honor system for masking and will not ask for proof of vaccination.
You can download the bulletin, including the scripture readings here. One of the joys of having a fully digital bulletin is that we are free to use color! You’ll find that some of the artwork and many of the directions are in full color. You’ll also notice that there are links in the offertory section to take you out to two different means of giving electronically. You can give online through Breeze or you can text a donation through Breeze at 607-882-6551. Good Shepherd also has a PayPal account. If you choose to give via PayPal you can avoid fees by paying directly from your bank. Be sure to uncheck the box that says, “paying for goods and services” at the bottom or PayPal will charge Good Shepherd a fee. As always, thank you for your great generosity and kind support.
The lectionary readings for this week are: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Psalm 85, Philippians 4:4-9, and Luke 3:7-20.
Catching Up…
Last Sunday’s Sermon Last week Matt preached on Luke 3:1-6. You can find his sermon ‘The Word of God Came to John’ here.
You can find previous sermons here.
Christian Education If you missed Christian Ed last Sunday, we started a new series for the Advent season called The Annunciation. You can watch the class here, and previous classes at this link.
Preventing Grace Podcast Did you know that Matt and Anne have a podcast? We didn’t get a new episode recorded for this week, but will be back soon!
Miss an episode? You can catch up on all of the older podcasts here.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study This Tuesday we resumed our study of the minor prophets in the book of Micah. This class covers Micah 6:7-7:7 You can find that study here.
Miss a class? You can find all of the previous classes in this series and previous series here.
Thursday Evening Beginner’s Bible Study The Thursday evening study has resumed meeting in person at 6pm in the classroom area . This is a great place to connect with others and learn more about what God has to say to us through his word.
Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study The Men’s bible study meets at 6am each Friday morning.
Weekly Bible Readings
| Morning | Evening | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Psalm 107:1-22
Rev 5 |
Psalm 107:23-43
Isa 56 Luke 15:11-32 |
| Tuesday | Psalm 108, 110
Rev 6 |
Psalm 109
Isa 57 Luke 16 |
| Wednesday | Psalm 111, 112
Rev 7 |
Psalm 113, 114
Isa 58 Luke 17:1-19 |
| Thursday | Psalm 115
Rev 8 |
Psalm 116, 117
Isa 59 Luke 17:20-37 |
| Friday | Psalm 119:1-24
Rev 9 |
Psalm 119:25-48
Isa 60 Luke 18:1-30 |
| Saturday | Psalm 119:49-72
Rev 10 |
Psalm 119:73-88
Isa 61 Luke 18:31—19:10 |
| Sunday | Psalm 119:89-104
Rev 11 |
Psalm 119:105-128
Isa 62 Luke 19:11-28 |
Serving at Good Shepherd
| Serving at Good Shepherd December 12, 2021 | Serving at Good Shepherd December 19, 2021 |
|---|---|
| 8am Celebrant: Matt Kennedy Reader (8AM): Pastoral Assistant Usher (8AM): Terry Ray Altar Guild: Mary Schuster Nursery: Carrie Moorhead-Nelson, Annabeth Hull Shepherds Bowl: Stephanie Warner with Team 3 Reader (10:30): Scott Pineau Crucifer: Silvan Pineau Acolytes: Talitha and Adaliah Pineau Usher: Fred Urda Teller: John King and Sub |
8am Celebrant: Matt Kennedy Reader (8AM): Terry Ray Usher (8AM): Terry Ray Altar Guild: Christine Osgood Nursery: Kariah Manwaring and Addie Pineau Shepherds Bowl: Jonathan Groves with Team 4 Reader (10:30): Christine Osgood Crucifer: Aedan Kennedy Acolytes: Rowan and Gwendolyn Kennedy Usher: Ben Murphy Teller: Sub |
Have an item for the Update or an Announcement?
Email the secretary at: gs.binghamton@gmail.com
by Monday night.