Kickoff Sunday This Weekend
Today is Kickoff Sunday! We celebrate the beginning of a new school year. It all starts at 10 am. Our celebration includes:
- September 11 Remembrance
- Blessing of the Backpacks (Kids make sure to bring your backpacks!)
- Teacher Blessing
- Church Picnic (will start after the morning worship. If you are bringing a dish to share, please email audrey@gs4nj.org).
Also, make sure to wear the colors of your favorite team!
There is no sermon outline this morning. But we will begin a new message series about “Living with Loss.”
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New Message Series
This week we begin a new message series on living with loss. Life is filled with losses. You can likely think of losses that you have experienced. In this series, we will discover how God helps us to endure our losses and how we might even find unexpected blessings in our losses.
September Verse of the Month
But (Jesus) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9–10, ESV
Sunday School Begins September 19
Register Your Children!
Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 19 at 9am. Registration is now available.
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!
Men’s Bible Study
Men’s Bible Study will resume on Sunday, September 19 starting at 8:30am. We are still working on developing the topic and will share when that has been chosen. The study will meet in the church conference room and via zoom.
Last Sunday’s Message: Conquering Anxiety
Have you sensed that people seem to have more anxiety? Maybe you struggle with anxiety or have people you love who do? In this message, Pastor Phil shares six Biblical principles on how to conquer anxiety.
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.
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.
