July 2015 Staff the VOLUME 54 n ISSUE 7 SHEPHERD’S The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Newsletter FROM PASTOR GREG Sisters and Brothers, Thanks to all who have given me feedback regarding last month’s installment of answering your questions. I am glad to hear that this has been helpful! I still welcome input as to what you’d like to have answered. Let’s get right to this month’s questions: Q: Why do we say “catholic church” in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds? A: The word “catholic” means “universal” or “all embracing.” It comes from the Greek word katholikos which literally means “with respect to the whole.” When we use this term in our creeds, we are affirming our belief that (a) the church, the body of Christ, exists throughout the world and (b) the church is made up of the world’s diverse peoples, languages, traditions, and theologies. What we are not doing is making explicit reference, as many presume, to the Roman Catholic Church. Some have felt it helpful to note the difference between uses of the word with a small “c” (universal) and a capital “C” (a particular denomination). Q: Why don’t you say the communicant’s name when you serve the communion bread? A: Well, I certainly could. Many of my colleagues do, and I respect their decision. I have decided not to use personal names during communion for two main reasons. Firstly, I cannot think of a way to recall quickly and accurately everyone’s names members’ and visitors’ alike - that isn’t awkward. Secondly, and more importantly, I believe that communion is primarily about the relationship between Jesus and the one receiving him. Yes, the connection between the server and communicant is important, but the more important thing is that Jesus is present with us! I do not believe that there is anything, even hearing our name, that can be added to the experience of the miracle already taking place to make it more special. In communion, Jesus’ body and blood are present in simple bread and wine. That is more than enough to give us strength and keep us in his grace! Peace, Pastor Greg Summer Worship Services Sundays at 8 and 10 a.m. Fellowship & Education Hour at 9:30 AM The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 1515 Emmorton Road Bel Air, MD 21014 p: 410-838-8081 f: 410-838-8026 www.lcgselca.org Like us on .. .. Office Hours Monday - Friday: 9 am - 3 pm PASTOR GREG’S SUMMER FED HOUR Join us Sundays, June 28 - August 2 at 9:00 a.m. for a summer session of our adult education hour! Pastor Greg will be leading discussions around topics pertaining to Good Shepherd’s visioning process. This is a great opportunity for us all to be a part of discerning to where God is leading us!” Summer Sunday Worship 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM Contemporary Cross Walk Worship 2nd & 4th Sundays at 10 AM Fellowship & Education Hour: 9:30 AM The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd The Rev. Greg Fetzer Senior Pastor (410) 838-8081 office Pr.Greg.Fetzer@lcgselca.org Deborah Woods Director of Music music@lcgselca.org Linda Ruese Treasurer treasurer@lcgselca.org Gina Miller Interim Office Manager (410) 838-8081 office officemanager@lcgselca.org Ruth Marteny Office Assistant officesecretary@lcgselca.org (410) 838-8081 office Music Notes LCGS Musicians’ Malaria Benefit Concert - a Big Success! JMany thanks to all the people who attended the concert to benefit the ELCA fight against Malaria. The May 31st concert was very well attended, and the amount of $1708.15 was raised to fight this dreaded disease. One highlight of the concert was the presentation of Mr. Kent Paulson, a Baltimore city teacher, who also works on the custodial staff at LCGS. Kent was born in Africa, the son of missionaries, and he contracted the disease there and lives with it today. His testimony was vivid and riveting, and made our efforts all the more worthwhile. My deep appreciation goes to all the performers, both young and old, who added their talents to this event. Thanks, too, to Pastor Greg for guiding our concert into a service of worship and praise. I hope the pictures which accompany this short note will give testimony to “faith in action” at LCGS. - Debby Woods Malaria Concert Steve Starbuck Editor, The Shepherd’s Staff communications@lcgselca.org Heather Raedeke Graphic Designer, The Shepherd’s Staff communications@lcgselca.org Communicatons Team communications@lcgselca.org Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool Lois Dobart, Director school@lcgselca.org (410) 838-8457 www.facebook.com/goodshepherd lutheranpreschool New Covenant Christian School Jean Armstrong, Principal Lisa.Stone@ncpres.org (410) 420-7727 The Shepherd’s Staff is published monthly, and mailed to all member households.The deadline for submitting material for inclusion in the August issue of The Shepherd’s Staff is Sunday, July 14th. Please send, as early as possible, your articles, notices, etc. to editor Steve Starbuck at communications@lcgselca.org JULY 2015 I PAGE 2 Malaria Concert CONTNUED (Photos by Carol Mellor) JULY 2015 I PAGE 3 New Choir Robes Are Here! Deficit Temple Talk Deficit Temple Talk The following is a transcript of a Temple Talk delivered by Stuart Goemmer, Council President, on June 7. This morning I wanted to talk to you about a growing financial concern of our church, our deficit. It is currently only $7,000; however, this deficit is expected to grow significantly due to expenses anticipated later this year. Therefore, the council felt the need to be proactive in addressing this concern now. Our 2015 budget must accommodate not only approximately $15,000 in costs incurred in 2014 to address HVAC issues in the Education Building but also more than $40,000 to replace our storm water pipe and outfall which are over 20 years old. The county inspected these items and is requiring that they be replaced. We had hoped that the county would have allowed us to implement a much lower cost stop-gap measure, but they would not agree to this. Chris Poling, who is our Facilities Mission Group leader, will provide details. There is also typical inflationary growth in the other budget ministries; however, mission group leaders are looking at ways to reduce their budgets. The current giving trend matches that of 2014 and will not cover these added expenses. Although we did initiate a Capital Repair Fund and Plan in 2014, enough money has not been saved to date to cover these expenses. Certainly a hard look at giving and our budget will be required as we plan for 2016 as well. (Photos by Warren Hillstrom) Choir Robe Campaign The LCGS Chancel choir and the Ringers and Singers Youth choir are looking to purchase new robes. They are an elegant Cranberry color with a beige collar and sleeve. The youth choir robes are royal blue, with an ivory collar. If you would like to contribute to “sprucing up the choir,” your help would be greatly appreciated. Checks made out to LCGS, with “choir robe” on the memo line will be gratefully received. These needs lead us to a discussion of stewardship. Stewardship is getting more involved and becoming committed to freely giving in response to the grace of God. It is using the abundant blessings from God for God. Our congregation has been extraordinarily blessed in time, talent, and resources. God has given us so much! Stewardship should become a regular part of who we are. Along with daily prayer, daily scripture reading, weekly worship, and serving, we will grow in our discipleship and flourish as a congregation. It will take time, but each one of us will experience joy from growing in our discipleship. Planning for our Stewardship campaign has begun early and you will learn more about it in the months ahead, but the council felt the need to share our concern about the deficit now. Further, the problem will worsen during the summer when attendance typically drops. An average increase in giving of $10 per person per week would eliminate most, if not all, of this deficit in 2015. And the council too will strive to increase their giving. Our church is not only a place where discipleship can grow, but also a beacon for families overwhelmed with struggles. Our Outreach ministries provide services to our local community and the world. They reach out to past, present, and future members as well. Youth ministry, Christian education, spiritual renewal in worship and music, fellowship, and lay ministry provide vital spiritual support to all groups in our congregation. Stewardship, facilities upkeep, and financial and parish administration provide the needed foundation for all of these ministries. With this in mind, we are asking for your prayerful consideration in increasing your giving so we can continue to support all of these vital ministries upon which we and our neighbors rely. In summary, we are half way through the year, are anticipating a large deficit because of growth in facilities expenses and giving hasn’t increased to meet the approved budget, and we’re asking for your help out of the abundant blessings God has given. Many thanksDebby Woods JULY 2015 I PAGE 4 Stewardship Stewardship: Rick Warren is an accomplished Christian Writer and Spiritual Leader who has written several best-selling books including The Purpose Driven Life. Please take a few moments to take in the below story/lesson. -Jim Lolley How Does God Respond to Your Generosity? By Rick Warren — June 5, 2015 to, because I have the power to do either. “Third, I didn’t need his fries. I could easily get my own. I could buy myself a hundred cartons of them if I wanted to. I just wanted him to learn to be unselfish.” Those three lessons are the same ones God wants you to learn so that you can be generous with other people. First, God wants you to remember that he is the source of everything you’ve got. You would have nothing — you wouldn’t even be alive! — if it weren’t for God. He chose to create you and give you all the things you’ve got. Second, God can take it all away from you in an instant, or he could double it, because he’s got the power. Third, God doesn’t need your money. He just wants you to learn to be unselfish and generous. He wants to develop your faith. What happens when you start becoming a more generous person? The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others” (TLB). God says if you will practice generosity, he will give you everything you need plus more so you’ll have enough to share with other people. He’s looking for a channel like a straw, and when he finds it — someone who’s willing to say, “God, use me to be a blessing to other people” — he just starts pouring blessing straight through it. “God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 TLB) I heard a story about a man who took his son to McDonalds and bought him super size French fries. On the way home, those fries smelled so good, so he reached over and took one little French fry out of his son’s carton and ate it. His son got all upset and said, “Dad, you can’t have that one. These are my fries!” The dad immediately had three thoughts: “First, my child has forgotten that I am the source of all fries. I took him to McDonalds, I made the order, I paid for the order, I handed them to him, and I’m driving him back home. The only reason he got any fries was because of me, the Great Fry Giver! “Second, my child doesn’t realize I could take the fries away in a second if I wanted to. Or, on the other hand, I could buy him an entire truckload of fries if I wanted If you will learn to be generous, God will bless you more than you can imagine! Talk It Over • How does the way you treat and use your possessions and resources reflect your understanding that everything you have belongs to God? • If God were to take everything away from you today, how would you respond? • What can you do to give generously to someone or something this week? -Jim Lolley JULY 2015 I PAGE 5 ways to SERVE from the FLOWER COMMITTEE Altar Flower Sponsors Needed Thanks to everyone who sponsors our Altar Flowers each week. The money paid for each arrangement covers the cost of the flowers. The cost is exactly what is charged to us by the florist, so this offsets the “Flower Expenses”. If you choose to help out with this and have a Special Occasion that you want to honor, sign up for your “Special Date” asap! Just pick your date and sign up on the Flower Chart which is on the counter by the windows in the Narthex. Arrangement Availability: July 5th, 12th and 19th. August 9th, 16th and 23rd. October 4th and 11th. When you sign the chart, be sure to take an envelope, located on the display. Complete the information on the envelope and either put it in the offering plate or send it to the office along with the payment, $40.00 per arrangement. The flowers need to be paid for prior to the week they are on the altar. Please be sure you indicate on the Flower Chart if you will remove the arrangement or if you want the Flower Committee to deliver it to a hospitalized or “home bound” member. When you remove the flowers, please just take the paper mache container and leave the silver one on the shelf. Peacemaker Ministries - Path of a Peacemaker Healthy vs. Unhealthy Tension The opportunity to experience tension in our daily lives is boundless! There are choices to make about how to raise children, manage finances, operate a business, grow a church, or achieve any other mutual goal. Issues such as these can produce understandable points of disagreement among even godly, well-intentioned people. Discussing them with maturity, respect, and a commitment to unity result in healthy tension which produces a more positive outcome. When compassion and respect are lacking, however, this healthy tension morphs into unhealthy tension which is sure to cause harm. Tension and Your Story Tension is a natural part of life, and is often triggered when what I want stands in opposition to what you want – and vice versa. The good news is that when we address tension in a healthy way, it is possible to benefit from the tension and avert the crisis of a full-blown conflict. When differing positions emerge, a healthy approach is to attack the problem, not the person. Express desires, instead of making demands – and demonstrate respect while resisting attitudes that foster resentment. Ephesians 4:2-3 puts it like this: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” We’ve all made our fair share of mistakes when it comes to peacemaking – and peacekeeping. Thankfully, our experiences afford us the opportunity to learn and grow. As you commit yourself to Christ and strive to walk The Path of a Peacemaker, He will continue to guide you in your pursuit of peace. Need help? If you desire help in reconciling a conflict, disagreement or broken relationship, consider calling a LCGS Peacemaking Reconciliation Team member. Owen Ashbrook; Debbie Smeton or Gail Fricke. All communications are confidential. - Gail Fricke, Peacemaking Team If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Karol Ashbrook, Flower Chairperson. Karol Ashbrook, Flower Chairman JULY 2015 I PAGE 6 Adult Mission Opportunity Crisfield, MD Crisfield was the area hardest hit in Maryland by Super Storm Sandy, is the poorest city, in the poorest county (Somerset) in the State. Crisfield, with a population of 2700, has 330 public housing units, housing over 1,600 people. It's nearly 3 years after the storm and there is still much work to be done. Do to the great need and its close proximity, LCGS has decided to make a work week in Somerset County this summer be our first (of what we hope will be many) adult mission trip! The cost is $20 per day and covers food and lodging at Kamp Karios which provides dormitory style housing (there is AC and WIFI). It is sure to be a week that you will remember working alongside residents and other volunteers to make an important contribution to the long term recovery process of this community! If you think you may be interested or want more information, please contact Gordon Brown or Gina Miller (officemanager@lcgselca.org). Sign-up sheet is in the Narthex. B.I.G. -- Books for International Goodwill B.I.G. provides services for recycling books discarded by current owners and putting them in the hands of new users. There is a blue cart in the coat room to place books. Place additional boxes or bags of books and picture puzzles next to blue cart. Book donation forms for taxes are available by the donations. Donated books and picture puzzles will be delivered on the fourth Saturday of each month. Contact Carol Mellor with questions. Do you enjoy writing, editing, photography or design? The Communications Ministry Team invites you to join us Do you enjoy writing, editing, graphic design, Web design, photography, or shooting videos? The Communications Ministry Team invites you to explore how you could use your talents and interests to help share the good news of Jesus and His work in and through Good Shepherd in our congregation and in the wider community. Our next meeting is Tuesday, August 4 at 7 p.m. in Room 208 in the education wing. All are Welcome Image Release Forms Our LCGS photographers have been busy capturing photos of many exciting activities going on at LCGS! This spring is particularly filled with youth celebrations, music performances and events that the Communications team is excited to share with our church family! If you have not already signed a Image Release Form for your child (youth under age 18), please take a moment to do so. Forms can be found in the boxes outside the church office and be dropped off in the Office Managers mailbox. If you have already filled out a form in the past, you need to do nothing. Thank you for your help! Hungry for more Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd news? Contact the Communications Team at communications@lcgselca.org with your First and Last Name and email address to sign up to receive the newsletters of your choice: • E-pistle is the e-newsletter for Good Shepherd members and friends. Its purpose is to share brief, timely, upcoming information that cannot wait for the weekend or The Shepherd’s Staff monthly newslet- ter. It’s a good place to read emergency or time-sensitive announce- ments, and to receive The Shepherd’s Staff newsletter, in full color. • Sunday School is the e-newsletter for Sunday school parents and teachers. Its purpose is to share news and time-sensitive announce ments about our Sunday school program. You can also visit our Web site, www.lcgselca.org, for more informa- tion about our ministries and programs. We’re on Facebook too: • Find Good Shepherd on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ LutheranChurchoftheGoodShepherd.LCGS • The CIA youth group is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ CIAYouthGroup.LCGS • Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool is on Facebook at www. facebook.com/goodshepherdlutheranpreschool - The Communications Ministry Team JULY 2015 I PAGE 7 ways to SERVE OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE ALTAR GUILD Stephen Ministry The Stephen Ministry program is looking for candidates. Carroll Baker and Sallie Gartside will conduct a 20 week training program in the fall. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact either Carroll or Sallie. There is an application and interview process. Sallie J. Gartside. In Christ, Sallie J. Gartside The Altar Guild is a vital group of volunteers at Good Shepherd, who make sure the communion elements are set-up and ready for each service by volunteering on Saturday mornings during an assigned month. One or two members of the team also help the communion assistants keep the wine trays filled. Each team serves one month at a time. This is a great opportunity to serve Good Shepherd and takes minimal time on your part. For more information contact, Sallie Gartside, Vicar Dean. COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Communion Assistants are needed, for the 9:40 & 11 a.m. services. As a Communion Assistant you get to be a part of serving the congregation at the Banquet. Please contact Sharlene Krause. USHERS We have four Usher teams who serve once a month, and take turns when there is a 5th Sunday in the month. Four people are needed at each service. We are short at ALL services. If you are willing to help out on one of the teams contact Harry Quinn. GREETERS NEEDED Need prayers? Here’s how to list someone on our Good Shepherd Prayer Chain To list someone on the Prayer Chain, call the office at 410-838-8081 or Coordinator Doris Mellor, or complete a prayer card (in the pew pockets.) Provide the person’s first and last names and a contact number, or include your contact number. The Coordinator will verify a member’s desire to be on the list and specific purpose to be listed. In order to make the extensive list of family and friends current and manageable, we will keep the name listed for three weeks unless it is resubmitted. Are you a “people person”? The 9:40 and 11 a.m. service needs greeters. This is a great place for our youth as well as adults to serve God at LCGS. Two friends could serve together! Think about it and mark on the Pew Pad by your name or contact Ruth Marteny in the church office at to officesecretary@lcgselca.org. LAY ASSISTANTS & LECTORS This is another area that needs help at ALL three services. The Lay Assistant leads in Scripture reading and prayers. The readings and prayers are e-mailed to you each week so you can prepare. The Lector, (currently only at 8 a.m.) reads only the Second Scripture, (also e-mailed to you). We’d like to see Lectors used at the 11 a.m. service as well. Contact Ruth Marteny in the church office at to officesecretary@lcgselca.org. PLEASE PRAYFULLY CONSIDER SERVING IN ONE OF THESE POSITIONS AT THE SERVICE YOU ATTEND. JULY 2015 I PAGE 8 The Facilities Team Beautifies the Church with some Spring Cleaning. CHOIR ROBE FUND In Memory of John Beilfus from Dorothy Kraft, Gene/Claudia Oaksmith, Tim/Marge Slater, Walt Polley Don/Diane Erickson, Doris/Carol Mellor, Virginia Wood Jim/Helen Porter, Lowell/Thelma Repp, Jim/Tina Lolley In Memory of Ken Bailey from Jim/Helen Porter, Lowell/Thelma Repp, Ethel Sheeler, Jim/Tina Lolley MUSIC FUND In Memory of John Beilfus from Steven/Jeanne Matthews, Merrill/Betty Messick, Ken/Lynn Evans Al/Patricia Horst, Owen/Karol Ashbrook, Michael/Sharlene Krause Betty Ann Smith, LCGS Chancel Choir In Memory of Renatta Beilfus from Lucy Heinz, Nancy Kaegler UNDESIGNATED FUND In Memory of John Beilfus from Leo/Cynthia DeBandi, Jr, Dr. Mary Ruth Horner, Harry/Sue Quinn Tom/Carol Meyer, Geoff/Jan DeVinney, Virginia Polley, Linda Ruese Rev. John/Jane Sabatelli, John Morrisey, Matthew Rassa In memory of Ken Bailey from Ernest/Natalie Boyd, Boyle Buick, Joseph/Patricia Kimmel, Tom/Carol Meyer Al/Patricia Horst, Geoff/Jan DeVinney, Gary/Karen Nordman, Peter Fettig Sandra Neubauer, Karen Saccenti, Michael/Sharlene Krause Thelma Neubauer, John Morrisey PASTORS’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In Memory of Ken Bailey from Owen/Karol Ashbrook, Betty Ann Smith DEBT REDUCTION FUND In Memory of Ken Bailey from Doris/Carol Mellor, Kenneth/Lynn Evans VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL In Memory of Laura Seltzer from Al/Patricia Horst (Photos by Carol Mellor) FAMILY FUND In Memory of Robert Brandt from Jim/Helen Porter In Memory of John DeLabio from Jim/Helen Porter CURRENT FUND In Memory of Ken Bailey from Dorothy Kraft, Merrill/Betty Messick JULY 2015 I PAGE 9 good shepherd YOUTH 2015 Sunday School Carnival, June 7TH Blessing of Graduates of High School & College (Photos by Carol Mellor) JULY 2015 I PAGE 10 SPRING car wash to support the GAX (Photos by Carol Mellor) Special thanks to all the Sunday School Teachers (Photos by Carol Mellor) JULY 2015 I PAGE 11 staying CONNECTED Health Care Ministries Blood Pressure Screening: Next screening is July 6th. You do not need an appointment, just come to the Library between 9:15 and 10:45! Join Our Walking Group! Contact Kathy DeHoff at kfdehoff@comcast.net. Health Tips and Recipes: Please continue to check the narthex and e-pistle for our health tip and recipe of the month. If you have any questions or would like to join the Health Care Ministry team, please contact Diane Brown. Ongoing Small Group Studies - Get Connected! Men’s Evening Group Meeting Dates & Times: 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month (7-9 pm) Current Study: Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts by Jeff Bridges Women’s Evening Groups Meeting Dates & Times: 1st & 3rd Mondays of every month (7-8:30 or 9 pm) Current Studies: What Good is God: In Search of a Faith That Matters by Phillip Yancey The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Bible by James Stuart Bell Jr. and Stan Campbell Growing Faith Together in Community Contact Debbie Smeton for information about small groups. BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB: July 19, 2015 Love Anthony by Lisa Genova The Brown Bag Book Club will next meet on Sunday, July 19 following the 10:00 AM worship service. We will meet in the LCGS Conference Room. Please bring your lunch or snack and join us as we discuss Love Anthony by Lisa Genova. Two women meet by accident on a Nantucket beach and are drawn into a friendship. Olivia is a young mother whose eight-year-old severely autistic son has recently died. She comes to the island in a trial separation to try and make sense of the tragedy of her Anthony’s short life. Beth, a stay-at-home mother of three, is also recently separated after discovering her husband’s long-term infidelity In an insightful, deeply human story, New York Times bestselling author and neuroscientist Lisa Genova offers a unique perspective in fiction—the extraordinary voice of Anthony, a nonverbal boy with autism. Anthony reveals a neurologically plausible peek inside the mind of autism, why he hates pronouns, why he loves swinging and the number three, how he experiences routine, joy, and love. And it is the voice of this voiceless boy that guides two women in this powerfully unforgettable story to discover the universal truths that connect us all. All are welcome at the LCGS Brown Bag Book Club! 4 copies available at Harford County Library. 3098 pages. Published in 2013. Any questions? Please contact Linda Ruese or Andrea Hooper. Our upcoming 2015 schedule… Aug. 16, 2015 Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon Sept. 20, 2015 Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver Oct. 18, 2015 The Dinner by Herman Koch Nov. 22, 2015 Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury Dec. 13, 2015 A Christmas novel (TBD) by Richard Paul Evans JULY 2015 I PAGE 12 DAY♥TIMERS New Windsor Twelve Daytimers recently traveled to New Windsor, MD to work in the Brethren Service Center. Their job was to sort through assembled health kits received from churches and verify the 7 items required for the kits were present. At the end of their 4 hour work day, they had gone through 1,035 kits. It was a satisfying day spent trying to show GOD’s love to others. **************** Almost 70 people enjoyed Holocaust survivor, Felicia Graber, who spoke at a recent Daytimer meeting. She is shown holding a beanie baby that was presented to her by Tom Meyer, who arranged for her to come to the church and tell of her many experiences in escaping the Nazis during WW II. Mrs. Graber never had toys as a child because her young years were spent in hiding. Now she enjoys collecting beanie babies. **************** A little rain didn’t stop 13 Daytimers from enjoying a morning at Fort McHenry where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. The visit included a talk by a Park Ranger where the Daytimers learned about a flag with 15 stars and stripes. Ask one of the Daytimers in attendance to tell you the story! Those attending include Joyce Busick, Gene and Claudia Oaksmith, Karen and Gary Nordman, Connie McNey, Betty Steiner, Betty and Merrill Messick, Betty Ann Smith, and Carol and Tom Meyer. The outing concluded with lunch at Lib’s Grill in White Marsh . - Lowell Repp Daytimers at Fort McHenry (Photos by Carol Mellor) (Photo by Carol Mellor) JULY 2015 I PAGE 13 N A Note from the Moveable Feast a note of thanks... Dear CIA and Young Adults of LCGS, So much of my time this spring was spent caring and advocating for John at the hospital and then hospice that I did not have time to worry over weeds. I am abundantly thankful for your time and work to help me get my gardens under control! I hope you all enjoyed the time of work and fellowship around the campfire as much as I did.You all are an amazing group of young people. As the Spanish saying goes, “Mi casa, es su casa.” Should you like to like to hang out around a xampfire in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. I am ever thankful for your friendship and caring. God has abundantly blessed me through you. May you also see God’s abundant blessings in your lives. Gratefully yours, Ms.Vicki N Thank You! Dear Pastor Greg and members of LCGS, This past year has been a long road marked with unknowns and uncertainty about the future. Through it all I never felt totally alone. John and I were surrounded by family and friends who truly care, and were embraced by the Holy Spirit. So many times God sent the people we needed at the time we needed them. John was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and caring he received in cards, prayers, snow shoveling, lawn care and visits from all of you and the many friends he had at work, the larger church community, the Bel Air Community Band and Town of Bel Air. He remarked one day after a profusion of get well cards, “I can’t know that many people!” John was well loved and respected by many more than me. Now he is gone from this earthly life, and yes, I know and am glad that he is whole again in the presence of our Lord. Unfortunately, that does not mitigate my sense of loss.You all have rallied around me with prayers, food, and friendship, and I am truly thankful. With help from the Holy Spirit, my family and friends I know the pangs of loss will be softened and God’s vision for my life will become clearer. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me and John. I too am overwhelmed by your love and caring. God has abundantly blessed me through your loving friendship. May you also see God’s abundant blessings in your lives. Gratefully yours, Vicki Beilfuss Recently, one of Moveable Feast’s clients – Rose – sent the following note: I wish to thank Moveable Feast and all organizations and people associated with you, in providing me with groceries during the past months. What a blessing! The deliveries helped me through some rough times. Please know that I appreciated the help. Again, many thanks, and keep up the good work in helping other.” It is thanks to the generous support of our donors and volunteers that we are able to provide our services to people who are critically ill. Thank you for your recent generous gift of $556.75, from which no goods or services were rendered. It is through your help that we are able to Feed People, Fight Disease and Foster Hope. Last year, Moveable Feast provided free, nutritious meals to over 3,000 individuals and their families living in Maryland. Your gift will be used efficiently and effectively to continue to provide services to our neighbors who need our help to fight their illness. Moveable Feast was founded b volunteers 25 years ago and we still rely on volunteers today. Please, visit our website at www.mfeast.org to learn more information about volunteer opportunities. Attend Meet the Feast, monthly tours of our facility where you can learn more about the work that we do and meet our staff. Participate in our special events like Ride for the Feast and Dining Out for Life. There are so many ways to get involved and to support Moveable Feast. Please join us in our work! As Rose wrote, “Keep up the good work in helping other.” Gratefully, Tom Bonderenko Executive Director JULY 2015 I PAGE 14 PRESCHOOL CORNER Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool 2015-2016 Registration Information Registration for preschool is currently open. The preschool offers a wide variety of classes for 3, 4, and 5-yearolds, including a transitional kindergarten program. If you know of anyone who may be looking for an excellent preschool, please help us to get the word out about registration. For more information about the school, visit our Web site at www.lcgselca.org or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodshepherdlutheranpreschool or contact Director Lois Dobart at (410) 838-8457 or school@lcgselca.org - Lois Dobart Questions or Comments? Please feel free to contact any of the 2015 Congregation Council: President Stuart Goemmer Vice President Evelyn Spratt Treasurer Linda Ruese Secretary Sallie Gartside Christian Education Maureen Stark Outreach Susan Quinn MAY 2015 TREASURER’S REPORT This Month, 2015 5 Sundays Income Expenses IncomeExpenses Year-to-date, 2015 This Month, 2014 4 Sundays Year-to-date, 2014 $ 50,308.00 $ 215,121.99 $ 37,942.57 $ 203,547.15 $ (39,471.03) $ (222,156.10) $ (34,764.83) $ (208,765.20) $ 10,836.97 $ (7,034.11) $ 3,177.74 $ (5,218.05) Beginning Balance 1/1/14 Year-to-date, 2015 $ 1,397.00 Inflows $ 1,272.50 $ 6,609.50 Outflows $ (876.00) $ (7,247.50) $ 396.50 $ 759.00 Balance at end of month Youth Gordon Brown May additional payments to principal $ 876.00 Campaign-to-date additional payments to principal $ 65,909.30 Mortgage Balance $ 83,391.19 Projected pay-off date Stewardship Jim Lolley Congregational Life and Service (CLAS) Missy Leppo DEBT REDUCTION CAMPAIGN--LIVE THE VISION This Month, 2015 Worship and Music Gene Oaksmith July 2017 Facilities Operation Chris Poling Finance, Legal and Operations (FLO) Kim Wagner JULY 2015 I PAGE 15 The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 1515 Emmorton Road Bel Air, MD 21014 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Baltimore solidarity After the riots in Baltimore, Wolfgang D. Herz-Lane, bishop of the DelawareMaryland Synod, encouraged people of faith across the country to step outside their places of worship May 3 for a moment of silence and prayer. Herz-Lane and other local religious leaders expressed concern over Freddie Gray's death and appealed to citizens to express their "anger and frustration in peaceful and constructive ways." He said what is happening in Baltimore "has root causes ... The continued challenges of povery, race relations, unemployment and substandard housing [perpetuates] feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness among people here ... if we don't address these root causes, then the symptoms are not going away — symptoms being mass demonstrations are rioting." - From “The Lutheran” website (ELCA) Community Impact Grants National Lutheran Communities & Services has begun accepting proposals for Community Impact grants to be awarded later this year. Nearly $200,000 in grants was awarded for the 2014/2015 grant cycle to congregations and non-profit organizations in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Proposals will be accepted through Friday, August 14. You can learn more and apply online. NLCS anticipates that grants will be announced in November. Delaware-Maryland Synod Newsletter
© Copyright 2024