What’s Happening at Good Shepherd
Potluck! This is the first Sunday of the month, which means it’s time for the Good Shepherd monthly potluck. This month we’ll be doing something a bit different, a baked potato and salad bar! Instead of bringing in a dish to pass, we’d like to ask that you bring your favorite baked potato or salad topping. Good Shepherd will provide the potatoes and a basic salad. Please stay and enjoy lunch even if you don’t bring anything. Please be aware that Good Shepherd doesn’t have someone to clean up after the potluck, so be sure to clean up after yourself and your family.
Work Day There will be a Good Shepherd clearing out day coming up on November 18th. A large dumpster will be 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. Lunch will be provided and many hands will be needed! More information on exact times will be coming soon, so be sure to watch this space!
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.
Operation Christmas Child This is the time to assemble Christmas boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a program of Samaritan’s Purse. Unfortunately, without Carol Hallam here to guide us, we’ve missed the date by which we should have ordered the shoeboxes. The Ev, Free church in Montrose has extra boxes which Bill Freund will bring on Sunday, 15th Oct., and place by the door, on the left, at the front of the church. You can also buy useful shoebox size plastic boxes at the Dollar Store to pack your gifts if you prefer. Please bring them back by Sunday, November 12th., and Bill will take them to the drop-off in Montrose.
Trunk-n-Treat The annual Trunk-n-Treats Halloween event, held in the parking lot and parish hall of Good Shepherd was a huge success again this year. Around 200 people, both adults and children participated in the event. The costumes varied from scary to cuddly and cute. Some of the favorites were a baby dressed as a pumpkin, a tiny toddler dressed as a mouse, a little police officer, a beautiful butterfly, a tiny bee, a friendly fox, and a toddler dressed as a kangaroo. There was music, a Christian clown who made things with balloons, all the while teaching children about Jesus. People came and enjoyed donuts, cider, and hot cocoa, and sat chatting with friends and neighbors. Chester P. Squirrel, was also present, along with his sidekick, the Gypsy Lady, to wish everyone a happy Halloween and give out candy. There were games, and Miss Carmen took pictures. All in all, it was a terrific evening, and many people heard the gospel.
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.
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.
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.
Are you de-cluttering? Sunday, Nov 12 is the last date we can pick up CHE rummage sale donations at church. Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated! Bill and Anne
Mission’s Prayer Request
From the CHE team, Nicaragua.
We thought you would like to see some stories that describe some 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
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, and the next meeting will be on November 11th.
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 was canceled due to illness. We hope to be broadcasting again on Tuesday, November 7th.
You can catch up on the older studies here.
Last Week in Christian Ed Before the class concluded two weeks ago, I was asked to address the conquest of Canaan and God’s command to Joshua and the Israelites to destroy the people living in the promised land. We began with that discussion and moved on to talk about the origin of life (when does it begin?) and the end of life (is euthanasia ever justified?).
Last Week’s Sermon was based on Hebrews 11:8-12., and was called ‘The Faith of Abraham and Sarah’. It can be listened to or downloaded here.
Mission Group Discussion Questions
Hebrews 11:8-12
Read Genesis 12:1-4
1) What did Abram have to give up in order to obey God?
- What hardships did he have to accept in order to obey God?
- What are believers called to give up in order to follow Christ? What must believers be willing to accept?
2) Why did Abram obey God?
- What did Abram’s obedience prove about his faith?
- How is the faith of a believer in Christ proven true?
3) In what and in whom did Abram have faith?
- In what and in whom do believers have faith?
- Were the promises of God to Abram fully realized in his lifetime?
- Which things promised to believers won’t be fully realized until death or until Christ returns?
Read Hebrews 11:8-12
4) Why did Abram’s obedience require faith?
- In what ways does a believer’s obedience to Christ and his promises require faith?
- Are the things promised to believers dependent on their ability to obey? On what and/or on whom do the
promises depend? How are believers to live in this truth?
This Week
This Week in Christian Ed we will continue the series ‘Race, Life, and Sexuality’.
This Week’s Sermon is based on Hebrews 11:13-16.
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Team Ephesians is working on the altar this Sunday.
The readings for this week are Revelation 7:9-17 and Hebrews 11:13-16.
Karen B. will be serving on the altar guild this Sunday.
Shepherd’s Bowl team 5 will be cooking this Thursday (11/9) with the Rices.
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.