Join us for worship (in-person, Facebook, or YouTube) on the Third Sunday of Epiphany. Today, continue our “REVEAL” message series. In this series, we are looking at the appointed Gospel readings for the season of Epiphany and examine what Jesus reveals for us. Our message is Revealing the Darkness. There is great evil in this world. But the darkest darkness is often hidden. It is only the light of Jesus that exposes the darkness and brings light and hope into our lives.
- Revealing the Truth – January 17
- Revealing the Kingdom – January 24
- Revealing the Darkness – January 31
- Revealing Breakthrough – February 7
- Revealing Jesus – February 14
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: “How do you like your caffeine?” 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.
Make Your Reservations
Reservations for in-person Sunday Morning worship are now available through the end of February. You must make are reservation to attend worship in-person. The deadline to register for each Sunday’s worship is by the end of the day on Thursday.
Voters Meeting February 14
The Admin Board has announced a Voters’ Meeting to take place on Sunday, February 14 at 11:15 am (following morning’s worship). The purpose of this meeting will be to approve the purchase of new chairs for the sanctuary and the sale of the church pews. Members of Good Shepherd can participate in this meeting in-person or via Zoom.
2020 Giving Statements Available
A notice was emailed earlier this week 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.
Scam Alert
Someone is pretending to be Pastor Phil and sending out text and email requests to church members to purchase gift cards. Please know that this is a scam and do not respond to these messages. Most of these requests have been for iTunes and Game Stop gift cards. Pastor Phil would never make such a request. We do sometimes give out gift cards to people in need, but these are typically Shoprite and Walmart cards that are purchased through the Scrip Program at Good Shepherd.
Closing of Concordia, New York
We learned earlier this week that Concordia University in Bronxville will be closing. We are saddened to learn about another victim of COVID. A portion of our mission tithe is currently designated to support this ministry. We have discontinued this support in light of this announcement and the Admin Board will determine what to do with this portion of our tithe moving forward.
Ash Wednesday Worship
Join us for Ash Wednesday worship and the beginning of the season of Lent on Wednesday, February 17, at 7 PM. Ash Wednesday worship will include the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion. It is a solemn worship service to begin this reflective season in the church year. This worship helps to set the tone for our faith life for the next six weeks. This service will also be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. We will post the link at a later date.
January Verse of the Month
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4-5, ESV
Live Prayer for January 27
Join us on Wednesday, January 27th at 7 pm for Live Prayer. We pray for the needs of our families, church, community, and world. You can participate via Facebook, YouTube, or Zoom.
Additionally, you can submit prayer requests at gs4nj.org/prayer-requests. And sign up for our email prayer list at gs4nj.org/mailing-list.
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: 872 1571 5799
Passcode: 052564
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.
2021 Daily Bible Readings
Join us in reading the Bible in 2021. There is nothing more you can do the enhance your Spiritual Growth than to read the Bible on your own. Set a goal to read through the Scriptures in 2021 for the purpose of connecting with God each day. If you would like to receive a daily email with the readings, send an email to daily-bible-readings-subscribe@gs4nj.org from your email address.
