February Verse of the Month
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5–6, ESV
We have entered the season of Lent. Join us for worship at 10am. The live-stream begins at 9:50am. Our message today is “Lent: New Beginnings.”
If you are watching online, share a comment to let us know that you are with us. Answer our question of the day! The Question of the Day is: “Do you own a pet? If so, what kind of pet?” Share your answer in the Facebook or YouTube comments during our live-stream starting at 9:50 am. Also, make sure to give a “Like” to our live stream and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
Reservations Not Required – beginning next week
The State of New Jersey has recently increased the seating capacity for indoor gatherings. In light of those changes and based on our average worship attendance, we will no longer be taking reservations for Sunday morning worship. We will also no longer have assigned seating but will continue to maintain social distancing. Those who plan to participate in Communion will receive the bread and the wine as they enter worship.
Midweek Lent Worship
During the season of Lent, we will be hosting midweek Lent worship services on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm. There are no reservations required to participate in-person. The services will also be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Our sermon series for mid-week Advent is Limiting Beliefs and Empowering Truths.
Children’s Featured Artwork
We are receiving submissions of artwork from children to feature during our live-stream countdown on Sunday mornings. Artwork should be Bible or faith-related. To submit your child’s artwork, you can email a copy to office@gs4nj.org or give it to Pastor Phil on Sunday morning.
40 Things to Give up for Lent
Pastor Phil has created a resource called the 40 Things to Give up for Lent. You can visit this resource and purchase the book at philressler.com/40things4Lent.
Pastor Phil also did a series of interviews with Pastor Jim Buckman from Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, IL for their nightly video devotions. These interviews featured the first four chapters of 40 Things to Give up for Lent.
- Giving up Failure Interview
- Giving up My Comfort Zone Interview
- Giving up Feelings of Unworthiness Interview
- Giving up Impatience Interview
Voters Meeting Results
At our Congregation Voters Meeting last Sunday, the congregation voted to move forward the purchase of new chairs for the sanctuary and to sell the pews to help fund new carpet. We are still in need of funds to purchase new carpet and hope to replace the carpet once those funds are raised. If you would like to help with the effort to replace the carpet, you can donate to our carpet replacement fund.
2020 Giving Statements Available
A notice was emailed with a link to your 2020 Giving Statement. If you did not receive this email, you can still access your 2020 Giving Statement through your Church Center Account. You can also access it via the Church Center App on your phone or tablet. If you any problems accessing your statement, you can contact our church office for assistance at office@gs4nj.org or 732-679-8883.
Bible Studies
Women’s Bible Study
The women host their Bible study on Mondays at 7pm. You can participate in-person in the conference room or via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 838 4977 3585
Passcode: 247585
If we are like Job, we tend to forget that it’s Satan behind our suffering, not God. Part of that is due to our society’s convention: “If God loves you, He will prosper you. But if you are suffering, it is a sign that you have sinned and God is punishing you”… does that sound familiar?
The book of Job shows Job’s struggle: Everything he knew about a loving God conflicted with his experience. How could a loving God let terrible thinks happen to him? Job found no easy solutions or pat answers. Neither will we. But we will find a loving God and Rescuer – just like Job did. Join us as we study the book of Job on Mondays at 7pm. You can join by following the Zoom link below.
Men’s Bible Study
Men’s Bible Study is held every Saturday at 8:30am. You can participate in-person in the conference room or via Zoom.
Zoom Meeting ID: 879 9376 6119
Password is iloveGod
Our study is titled “Man Up.” See how Jesus teaches us how to step as men of faith in the challenging times we currently live in. Learn how his selfless sacrifice on the cross serves as the perfect example for us to fix our eyes and hope on him as we embark on this challenging study. Written by a Lutheran Pastor on his quest in becoming a better man, “Man Up!” cuts through all the noise of the world and goes back to what our Creator says about being a man in His creation. This is not about taking down the feminists or reclaiming your rights as a man, but it’s about living in the example and grace of Jesus. Whatever your age, this book and its study will challenge you.
If you plan on participating or if you have any further questions, please text Scott Messler at 732-221-8077, or send an email to Jeff Campbell at jeff@gs4nj.org or Tony Hansen at tony@gs4nj.org.
Ways to Financially Support Good Shepherd
Online Giving
Visit gs4nj.org/give to donate. You can donate with a credit card or have the funds debited from your checking account. You can also set up automated giving set up on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or twice-monthly basis.
Another option to give is text to give. Text any dollar amount to 84321. We will reply with a link to a quick, self-guided setup process to tie your mobile phone to our church, your donor account, and a payment source.
All of this is easily managed through an online account that is set up the first time you give. There is also an app that can be used to manage your giving. It is available on iOS and Android.
As always checks can also be mailed. Visit our contact page for our mailing address.
Amazon Smile
If you already shop at Amazon, it is easy to support our ministry. Instead of going to amazon.com to shop, just add “smile.” before amazon.com. So the link will be smile.amazon.com. Any time you make a purchase at this link 0.5% of your purchase will go to the charity of your choice. It may not be much, but it adds up over time and as more of us make use of this service. Please keep in mind that you need to use the smile link every time you make a purchase. If you go back to using the regular Amazon link or use the Amazon app, we will not get a donation with those purchases.
Shop with Scrip
Scrip gift cards are available immediately following the Sunday worship in the Narthex. There are many cards to chose from and specific gift cards if you want. Be sure to ask what other cards are available. There are hundreds to choose from. We are grateful for all who have purchased these cards in support of our ministry. Be sure to stop and pick up a few cards.
