SEPTEMBER 2018

A message from Pastor Van De Motter

Reflections on I Am a Church Member Not too long ago I was reading this short little book called I Am a Church Member by Thom S. Rainer. In the book, Rainer talks about the attitudes of faithful church goers and some of the basic responsibilities of those who worship Christ in an organized fashion through an established church. It lays out some basic “must do” of members in a church that is healthy and vibrant. Chapter 1: I Will Be a Functioning Church Member. Church members all have a function in the church. Everyone has a place and holds some kind of responsibility, whether it is being the financial secretary or finance chair or just responsible to sweep the kitchen after an event.

Chapter 2: I Will Be a Unifying Church Member. A church is a cohesive unit. As Paul tells us, the church is the body of Christ and Jesus is the head of the church. Each one of us is a hand, a foot, an eye, or even a toe. We are all part of something that is bigger than us. Each part of the body, especially the body of Christ, is as important as the other parts. Some parts have greater responsibilities, but all must function as a unit. Dysfunction can be very hazardous. Think about how a person walks and how crucial the big toe is for proper functioning during the walking or running process. Other dis-eases, like gossip, cliques, unfriendliness, and ego-centricity can become a fatal illness like cancer or diabetes to the body.

Chapter 3: I Will Not Let My Church Be about My Preferences and Desires. When we belong to a church we belong to a body of Christ that is not our own, but is Christ’s. Our preferences and our desires are not what are important. Christ is important and is the only thing that is important. When we lose this perspective, we lose the loving perspective of a church that has reached us through the ages with love and grace. It’s not about us. It’s about Jesus.

Chapter 4: I Will Pray for My Church Leaders. Prayer is our life line to our Father in heaven and Christ Jesus. Supporting our leaders in the church is important, not because we like the people, but because they have been called to those positions in the church by the working of the Holy Spirit. Besides, don’t we always want the church to run smoothly all the time? Prayer is a way of lifting up our leaders who are burdened with responsibilities of helping and guiding the people.

Chapter 5: I Will Lead My Family to Be Healthy Church Members. It’s a family affair. Parents can teach their children how to respect and speak about people in the church including the church leadership. Children are always listening and watching. They are being taught how to treat others by what they observe their parents doing and saying.

Chapter 6: I Will Treasure Church Membership as a Gift. It is a gift. The sharing of the grace we receive through our Lord Jesus Christ is essential. Grace is the gift that keeps on giving, even when we don’t necessarily want or don’t even deserve it. Grace is there for the receiving and is constantly being offered to us by Jesus. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. It is our gift and a gift for all.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

ECHO the love of Christ

We are a Christian community united in God’s call to serve others by sharing the love of Christ.

A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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Good Shepherd Ministries All committees meet the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM

(For more information about our church ministries please call the church office)

Evangelism Property Social Ministry Worship & Music Christian Education

· Community Outreach · Promote Events · Maintain Website · Family Fun Night · Circus · D-Day Parking · Craft Fair · Back to School Rally · Support Other

Committees

· Maintain building and grounds

· Care for church rental properties

· Set up/tear down for events

· Men’s Maintenance Ministry (3 M’s) is a group of men who meet every Tuesday at 9:00 am for social time and to work on the maintenance of the church.

· Tree of Warmth · Cooks for Christ · Sunday Morning

Hospitality · Holy Communion

Home Visits · Card Ministry · BINGO at Ashtabula

County Home · Nisua Bakers · Turkey Box · Quilting

· Special Music · Ushers · Assisting Ministers · Altar Guild · Abiding Memorial · Pastoral Support · Acolytes

Sunday School Classes 9:45 am

Kindergarten to Adult September thru May

· Acolyte Training · First Holy Communion · Bible Study · Confirmation · Vacation Bible School · Youth Sunday · Mission Trips

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 876 Grove Street

Conneaut, OH 44030 440-599-8908 / www.gslcc.org

Worship Times

Sunday 8:30 Contemporary Sunday 11:00 Traditional

Holy Communion at all services Sunday School Classes

9:45 am Kindergarten thru Adult September thru May

Office Hours Monday-Thursday – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Pastoral Staff Rev. Patrick VanDeMotter, Lead Pastor

Rev. Paul Bailie, Family and Youth Minister

A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The deadline for ECHO articles is the 20th of every month. Articles/notices received after the 20th will be saved for the following month.

To contact someone to initiate a prayer on the prayer chain CALL: Nancy Sackett (440-593-3673) If you know of someone who is hospitalized, sick or needs a visit, please CALL the church office (440-599-8908) so that a visit can be arranged.

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TREASURER’S REPORT 2018

% ESTIMATED ESTIMATED YEAR TO BUDGETED YEAR TO OPERATING MONTH INCOME DATE REVENUE EXPENSE DATE COST

January $ 19,046 $ 19,046 80.7% $ 30,589 $ 30,589 129.5% February $ 20,336 $ 39,382 83.4% $ 21,646 $ 52,235 110.6% March $ 15,972 $ 55,354 78.1% $ 24,507 $ 76,742 108.3% April $ 19,634 $ 74,988 79.4% $ 22,291 $ 99,033 104.8% May $14,631 $ 89,619 75.9% $ 23,735 $122,768 104.0% June $13,870 $103,489 73.0% $ 21,418 $144,182 101.8% July $15,580 $119,069 72.0% $29,141 $173,327 104.9% INCOME vs. EXPENSE ($46,226)

GENERAL FUND – BALANCE AS OF JULY 31, 2018 = $ 314.00 Need $23,614 each month

ATTENDANCE

7/29 92 8/5 115 8/12 110 8/19 144

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Welcome, Teens! Good Shepherd invites teens to a revamped format for youth ministry. On Saturday nights, we’ll have fun activities in a relaxed coffee house atmosphere. We also plan to participate in some events with other congregations in the Synod.

• October 27: Escape room night (7-9 PM)

• November 17-18: Eastern Conference Youth Lock-In

• December 1: Practice New Year’s Eve Party

• January 5-6: Synod LYO Retreat (7-9 PM)

Are you in school activities? Pastor Bailie realizes that youth are busy with all sorts of activities outside of church. He’d love to cheer you

on at sporting events, band concerts, and other school activities. Invite him at gslcfamily@suite224.net.

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Christian Education Kicks Off September 9

Sunday school: Grades PreK-6 Children will have the opportunity for Bible stories, crafts, and music with caring teachers.

Let’s Have a Conversation: Adults

Adults will have a chance for regular discussion about a variety of topics with Pastor Patrick Van De Motter.

Goals of our program are to:

• Develop the home as a place for spiritual formation.

• Encourage students to learn more about their Christian faith and baptismal promises.

• Include youth in the life of the congregation.

• Inspire a spirit of service toward others.

We will meet monthly during the academic year for two hours each session. This is the primary teaching time for the content of our curriculum. We expect that a parent or sponsor attend each of these sessions together with their student. Because we want to encourage household faith conversations in the home, there will be some discussion questions and activities for families to complete together at home. Classes will be held on the following dates:

• September 23

• October 21

• November 18

• December 16

Confirmation Begins September 23 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Confirmation in the Lutheran Church is a traditional rite of affirming the promises made in baptism. It is a way for young people to learn more about their faith in preparation for becoming adult members of the congregation. At Good Shepherd it is a two-year cycle normally beginning in seventh grade and ending with the Rite of Affirmation of Baptism in the spring of eighth grade (At left is the 2018 class). One year, 2018-19, will focus on Luther’s Small Catechism, and the next on the Bible. Note: If you are in high school and would like to be confirmed, you are welcome to join the Confirmation class this year.

With a new program year, we begin a new Sunday schedule starting the Sunday after Labor Day:

8:30 Contemporary worship 9:45 Education for all ages 11:00 Traditional worship

The education hour (9:45-10:45) will have opportunities for people of all ages to experience spiritual formation and life together.

Youth Discussion Group: Grades 7-12 Pastor Paul Bailie and Mike Malys will lead a time of conversation about faith, life, and more.

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October 14th, 2018 12:15 pm

Congregational Meeting

All members of GSLC are encouraged to attend.

As a member of Good Shepherd, don’t you want

to be a part of the decision-making? Your vote counts!!

GSLC Fellowship Hall

September 26th 1:00 – 5:00 pm

Lifetouch Portraits October 24 thru 26

1:00 to 7:40 pm

Saturday 10/27 10:00 am to 4:40 pm

Lifetouch Portraits will be coming in late October to update our picture directory. What a great time to have pictures taken for the holidays too! Look for sign-up sheets in the Gathering Space in September.

Book Fair at GSLC Last fall, we hosted a Sparkhouse book fair. A similar opportunity arises again, this time with books for adults, as well as for youth and children. This is a fantastic opportunity to help our families have quality resources in their homes. Watch for a display in the Gathering Space in September.

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A BIG LOUD THANK YOU to the entire team of volunteers who helped with the circus preparations this past month! If I tried to thank each of you by name, I know that I would miss someone. The volunteers delivered pre-sale tickets and collected donations by local businesses, put up and later removed posters

and yard signs, collected and returned banners, and assisted me with many other details. Thank you to those who also showed your support for GSLC by attending the circus. The circus again was a successful family-friendly event for the community. And, Good Shepherd made approximately $1,100 by sponsoring the circus. Thank you!

Michelle Logan

26 percent of children who live in Ashtabula

County go hungry.

GSLC COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOOD FOR FAMILIES

PLEASE BRING Canned tuna, cream of chicken soup, 16 oz. cans of peas, French style green beans, peas/carrots mix, 16 oz. bag of noodles.

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QUILTERS The quilters will resume on Tuesday, September 4th. We start at 9:00 am. Everyone is welcome; even if you don’t quilt, there are many jobs to be done.

Good Shepherd Trunk or Treat October 31st

Church members wishing to have a car in the

parking lot please contact

Michelle Logan 440-265-8727

“Soup to Go”

GSLC Craft Fair October 6th, 2018

9am-3pm

Hot, homemade soup and bread will be for sale at the Craft Fair. If you would like to donate soup for this event please contact

Michelle Logan 440 265-8727

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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 876 Grove Street

Conneaut, Ohio 44030

Fall Craft and Vendor Fair

Saturday, October 6, 2018 9 AM - 3PM

Applicants must complete the registration form to have space reserved for the Fair. Cost is $20; payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (GSLC) and is due with the registration form. Deadline for the registration form and payment should be postmarked by September 24, 2018. One 8’ table will be available and electric, if needed, at no charge. Space will be reserved on a first-come basis until all spaces are filled.

For your convenience, the doors will be open at 7:00 so that you may begin set-up. Please be completely set-up by 8:45 as the fair begins at 9:00 for the public.

Please provide the following information:

NAME: _______________________________________

ADDRESS: _____________________________________

PHONE ______________________ EMAIL: ____________________________

COMPANY/PRODUCT: _____________________________________________

TABLE: YES NO

ELECTRICITY: YES NO

“I understand and agree that Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will not be held liable for accidents, theft, damage, or loss during the event.”

Signature: ____________________________________________________

Contact: Michelle Logan (440)265-8727 email: dlogan8@kent.edu

Office Use Only Fee Included: yes no Original to Michelle L: yes no

Copy for office: yes no Office staff initials/date: _________

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Aug 26 8:30 Outdoor 10:15 Traditional

Aug 27

Aug 28 9:00 3M’s

Aug 29

Aug 30

Aug 31 OFFICE CLOSED

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2 8:30 Outdoor 10:15 Traditional

3 LABOR DAY

4 9:00 3M’s & Quilters

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6

7 OFFICE CLOSED

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9 8:30 Contemporary 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Traditional MISSION SUNDAY

10 11 9:00 3M’s & Quilters 6:00 Committee Meetings

12 Bingo at County Home

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5:45 Finance

14

OFFICE CLOSED

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16 8:30 Contemporary 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Traditional

17 Articles for the ECHO due today

18 9:00 3M’s & Quilters 6:00 Council

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20

21 OFFICE CLOSED

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23 8:30 Contemporary 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Traditional CONFIRMATION

1:00 – 3:00 PM

24 25 9:00 3M’s & Quilters

26 Blood Drive 1:00 to 5:00 pm

27 28 OFFICE CLOSED

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30 8:30 Contemporary 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Traditional

Future Dates: Fall Craft Fair 10/6 Congregational Meeting 10/14 Lifetouch Photos 10/24 to 10/27 Teen Coffee House 10/27 GSLC Trunk or Treat 10/31

September 2018

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Lord we are your servants Date Assisting

Minister Communion

Assistant Ushers Greeters Readers Hospitality Acolytes Nursery

9/2/18 8:30

10:15

Julie Kantola Michelle Logan

Nolans ??

Patriarcos ??

Linda Hall Dianne Young

?? ??

9/9/18 8:30

11:00

Linda Hall Shirley Harco

Katrina Pavolino Stacy Racut

Dick & Diana Stoker Jerry & Faye Lampela

Jerry/Shirley Brookhouser Ruth Brown

Dave Nolan Janelle Cole

Bernadette Nolan JoAnn Mechling

Tim Montagano Colton Cameron Kataya Sweeney

S. Van Norman Amanda Sanford

9/16/18 8:30

11:00

John Chapin Phyllis Waid

Jerry Brookhouser Paul Mechling

Don & Sue Cummins Shirley/Peggy Harco

Pearl Ann Curtis Rich/Pam Herner

Rich Tulino Stacy Racut

Sue Chapin Susan Tan

Sofi Thompson Lily Rose Vargo Aiden Hathy

Mike/Suzanne Malys

9/23/18 8:30

11:00

Mike Malys Andy Chiodo

Linda Hall Rae VanDeMottter

Amy/Leah Gallagher Stacy/Taylor Racut

John/Sue Chapin Al/Ellen Gee

Dolores Pelow Shirley Harco

Pearl Ann Curtis Susan Lytle

Luke Patriarco Thaddaius Huya Dalton Nellis

Jennifer Best

9/30/18 8:30

11:00

Rich Tulino Shirley Harco

Rich Kantola Mark Lytle

Mary Steighner Rick Vidmar Ruth Brown Mary Lou Moisio

Dick/Diana Stoker Janelle Cole

Tim Moga Bob Hybert Taylor Racut

Katrina Pavolino Michelle Logan

Sofi Thompson J.R. Hutchison Emma Van Norman

Mark/Sue Lytle

10/7/18 8:30

11:00

Mike Malys Andy Chiodo

Amy Gallagher Shirley Harco

Nolan’s Huya Family

Don/Sue Cummins Mechling’s

Grace Patriarco Al Gee

Laura Gustafson & Barch & Uvegas Stacy Racut

Tim Montagano A. Hathy/L. Vargo

Mary/Jasmine Steighner

10/14/18 8:30

11:00

John Chapin Shirley Harco

Heidi Parkomaki Phyllis Waid

Mike/Suzanne Malys Jerry/Faye Lampela

Dave/Lori Punkar Mary Lou Moisio

Jerry Brookhouser Rae VanDeMotter

Pelow/Altman Peg/Shirley Harco

Sofi Thompson N. Wood/S. Jerina

Molly Todaro Kris Camerson

10/21/18 8:30

11:00

J. Steighner

Betty Monday Nickolas Mason

Ron/Janet Maenpaa Stacy/Taylor Racut

Dick/Dolores Pelow Crain/Natalie Huya

Mary Steighner Mark Lytle

Julie Kantola E. Jay Hybert

Luke Patriarco C. Cameron/B.Owens

Patriarco

10/28/18 8:30

11:00

Linda Hall

Grace Patriarco Michelle Logan

John Chapin Rich Kantola Shirley/Peggy Harco

Geo/Nyla Lindgren Hybert’s

Linda Hall Paul Mechling

Heidi Parkomaki Janelle Cole

Tim Montagano T.Huya/JR Hutchison

Mike/Suzanne Malys

SEPTEMBER ALTAR GUILD: Sue Chapin, Pam Deemer Betty Monday, Robin Bryant

OCTOBER ALTAR GUILD: Janelle Cole, Phyllis Waid, Ruth Brown, Michelle Logan

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