Living with Loss: Faith, Hope, and Love
We are glad you are here and pray that you are encouraged and inspired today. Our Sunday Morning Worship begins at 10am. You can join us in-person, on Facebook, or on YouTube. The live stream begins at 9:55 am. And Sunday School for children begins at 9am.
We continue our “Living with Loss” message series as we explore God’s gifts of faith, hope, and love. Our Scripture reading is 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
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Nursery Care Now Available
Good Shepherd’s Nursery is available once again since the beginning of COVID. The nursery is available during our 10am worship for any children up to the age of 5.
Because it has been a while since we have had the nursery open, we are in need of volunteers to help staff it. Email us at office@gs4nj.org if you would like to help serve and welcome our families with young children.
October Verse of the Month
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Harvest Fest 2021
Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 24 at 5pm for this year’s Harvest Fest. We will have games, costumes, and trunk-or-treat. We have typically held this event on the last Sunday in October, but this year’s event will be the 2nd to last Sunday.
Sunday School
Register Your Children!
Sunday School began last week and is hosted every week starting at 9 am. It is not too late to start. Make sure to register your children.
Volunteer to Serve
Serving as a Sunday School Teacher or Helper is a great way to serve and to make a difference. Send Audrey, our Sunday School Superintendent, an email at audrey@gs4nj.org if you are interested in serving!
Work Day October 16
Our next workday is scheduled for Saturday, October 16 at 8:30am. We have a good number of projects big and small. There is something for everyone to do to pitch in and help us be good stewards of God’s property. Email us at office@gs4nj.org if you plan to serve.
Men’s Bible Study
Men’s Bible Study will resume this morning at 8:30am. We will begin an eight-week study called “Kingdom Men Rising.” The study will meet in the church conference room and via zoom.
Meeting ID: 879 9376 6119
Passcode: iloveGod
Blood Drive
Good Shepherd’s next blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, October 31 from 8 am to 2 pm. We will need people during the day to welcome our donors and help them feel comfortable and at ease. And we always like to have cookies and other treats for donors and guests. If you can help out, send us an email at office@gs4nj.org.
Last Sunday’s Message: Living with Loss
Did you miss last week’s message? Make sure to check it out on YouTube. It is the third part of our Living with Loss message series.
Did You Know?: Good Shepherd’s Mission Giving
Good Shepherd practices tithing with the offerings we receive. What this means is that 10% of our offerings are designated to missions and ministries beyond our congregation. Currently, these offerings are designated:
- 7% – NJ District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
- 1% – Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
- 1% – Lutheran Church Charities (parent ministry of the Comfort Dog Ministry)
- 1% – Undesignated (these are funds that are held until we determine a worthy designation. Recently these funds were used to help Gary and Sue Kessler reach their fundraising goal to serve as volunteer missionaries in Belieze. Learn more about Gary and Sue’s ministry below).
Some of you know Gary who helped us coordinate one of our mission trips to Haiti several years ago. Gary and his wife, Sue, have been called to serve as short-term LCMS volunteer missionaries in Belize for six months. This is an interview from last Sunday’s worship with Gary and Sue as they share about their anticipated work and how we as a church can help support them. They have a website you can visit to learn more at https://www.cwowusa.org/belize
Voter’s Meeting October 17
Our next Voters’ Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 17 following worship. The purpose of this meeting will be the approval of the church budget and the election for members of the Admin Board. You can submit nominations for Admin Board to office@gs4nj.org.
Please note that this meeting will be held in-person only. There will be no zoom option this time.
To get the budget information for this meeting, you can make a reservation for the meeting. \
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.
Bible Reading Plan
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 for the purpose of connecting with God each day.
