What’s Happening at Good Shepherd
On the Road Stephanie, the lady that writes these awesome updates and hangs out in the church office each week, will be on vacation from May 23rd to June 12th. Kit D. has given the incredible gift of filling in and will be taking on some of the more necessary responsibilities, but in effect, the Good Shepherd office will be closed during that time. There will be people checking the email and phone messages frequently, so do feel free to contact the office if you have a question or need.
Health Fair and Ice Cream Social we are in desperate need of volunteers to help staff the Health Fair this year. Many who are usually able to serve will not be available that weekend so we are quite short-handed. Please let Carmen know if you are willing to help. Thank you!
Do you have a regular hairdresser? A restaurant where you go often? A bakery? Or a favorite café? Please consider asking them if they would be willing to contribute a gift card for our FREE raffle at our Health fair and Ice Cream Social on June 2nd? We are also in need of massage therapists to give free chair massages. Please help find new participants for this annual family-friendly event!
Ongoing Ministries
Good Shepherd Youth Group The Good Shepherd Youth Group meets every Sunday evening at 6:30 PM at Good Shepherd in the Youth classroom. Anyone between the ages of 12-18 is welcome to come! The Sunday night Bible study group, along with some fun outings, service projects, and 1:1 discipleship meetings, has been, and will continue to be the core structure of the program. The Good Shepherd Youth Group is run by the pastoral assistant Tyler Van Fossen. Please pray with us for the youth as they begin their study and discussion over the next year on the book of Romans.
If you’d like to know how to help or be involved in the Good Shepherd Youth Group, please contact Tyler Van Fossen.
Bread and Wine If you are interested in joining a group of ladies for a monthly supper and discussion, please contact Liz Hull. The group is currently studying a book called Money, Possessions and Eternity, by Randy Alcorn. The next meeting will be this Saturday at the Hull home at 6pm.
Mission Groups are expected to start shifting and multiplying within the next 6 months. If you are interested in joining, now is a great time. If you are interested in leading as well, we are looking for possible co-leaders to consider. Mission Groups exist to bring glory to God as small groups seek to help each other become more like Christ through study, discussion, prayer, and fellowship. Please contact Ben Murphy after church or by email to talk through your ideas and thoughts! Email: mgroups.cogs@gmail.com for more information.
The Vestal mission group has changed location, and will now be meeting at the Dinnel Home.
CHE Rummage Sale Collection We are collecting for the spring rummage sale to raise money for CHE, Nicaragua. Specifically, to support Juanita and Izamar, the Area leaders in Leon department. Please bring items to church starting the last Sunday in April through the end of May. If you have something you would like us to pick up (in our car), please let us know. Bill and Anne. Thank you!
Missionary Update The situation in Nicaragua continues to be very difficult, at least in the capital. Darling and I (Anne T.) spoke briefly and carefully on Monday after a silence due to concerns about monitored communications. She says these concerns are the same, so we will not talk again for a while. The conditions continue to be compared to Venezuela.
The supermarkets were looted, and people are having difficulty getting the food and meds that they need. There is uncertainty and volatility. A lot of foreigners have left. The Kepplers, who work with the CHE team, are returning to Germany early for their summer vacation. People are staying indoors as much as possible, except for going to work in potentially unsafe conditions. Darling and Chico go into the city every day (20 min drive) to comfort, encourage, and be with their church people and the community around them. This is the text that Darling and Chico are praying:
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as
ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the
presence of our God and father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
1 Thess. 3: v11-13
The donations that Partnership in Hope sent on Friday were greatly appreciated, and have been applied to some immediate needs. Darling says they know we are praying, and our prayers are absolutely necessary.
Good Shepherd Food Pantry Summer is upon us and with children out of school, school meals stop. Parents then have to find another way to feed their kids. Food pantries like ours help those who are strapped for money by providing good food for free. Those of us who can give are a blessing to those who can’t, so when shopping, please remember our pantry if you’re able. You never know who in our congregation will benefit from your generosity.
Items needed: Canned meats and tuna, canned soups and stews, instant potatoes, canned fruits and fruit juices, rice (1 lb packages preferred), fruit snacks, pudding and jello cups, kids cereals, powdered milk packets, spaghetti-o’s or ravioli and anything else you’d like to bring.
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
Last Week’s Sermon ‘The Light of the World‘ was based on John 1:6-13, and can be listened to or downloaded here.
Last Week in Christian Ed We wrapped up our “Great Councils” series by discussing the aftermath of the 4th council.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study Fasten your seat belts. This Tuesday morning we moved on to immerse ourselves in the heart-pounding exhilarating excitement and suspense of Leviticus 2 and regulations for the grain offering. If you missed the class, you can watch here or in the window below.
Posted by Matt Kennedy on Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Preventing Grace Podcast Did you know that Matt and Anne have a podcast? They talk about everything from church polity to rustic breads. In this week’s episode ‘The Royal Wedding Sermon Review‘, Matt and Anne Kennedy review the Royal Wedding sermon by Presiding Bishop Curry of the Episcopal Church.
You can catch up on all of the older podcast episodes here.
This Week
This week in Christian Ed Coming up next, we’ll have at least one or two Sunday’s of Q and A. If you have any questions that you’d like me to address, please send them in via email or in person. Matt will announce the next series in two weeks!
This Sunday’s Sermon will be based on John 1:14-18.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
Team Galatians is working on the altar this Sunday.
The readings for this week are Exodus 3:1-6 and Romans 8:12-17.
Christine O. will be serving on the altar guild this Sunday.
Ashley V. and Emma K. will be working in the nursery this Sunday.
Shepherd’s Bowl Team 2, the Osgood team is serving this week (5/31).
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.