newcomers class five consecutive sundays Beginning Sunday, September 17 and concluding Sunday October 15 Room 403, 3rd floor, 9:00 a.m. The first class will consist of introductions and a brief history of Church of the Good Shepherd. To sign up please contact Karen Sommerville at (919) 791-5507 or ksommerville03@gmail.com or Shannon O’Brien at shannonwar-chol@gmail.com

EpiscoPALS Sunday, September 17, Shepherd’s Hall Following the 10:15 a.m. worship service Calling all 3rd - 5th graders and their families! The "EpiscoPALS" group will have a fellowship event of pizza lunch and games including an interactive "Clue"

game! Join in on the fun in the Shepherd's Hall. Lunch will be pizza and good-ies. Suggested $5 a person. Please let us know if you plan to attend by email-ing Meredith Swindell, mlswindel@aol.com We want to welcome the 3rd graders. If you have a 3rd grader, please email me a baby picture of your child by Wednesday, Sept. 13th. shepherd’s lunch

Thursday, September 21 Shepherd’s Hall Welcome back Shepherds! Our 7th year of lunches will begin on Thursday, September 21. Everyone is invited to celebrate the Holy Eucharist with Heal-ing Prayer in the Nave at noon with lunch immediately following in Shep-herd’s Hall. Lunch will be: seven salads and seven desserts. Please RSVP to the church office: (919) 831-2000.

from the library Jesus' words "the poor you will always have with you" are often used to suggest that ending poverty is impos-sible. But Liz Theoharis in Always with Us? What Jesus Really Said about the Poor shows how this passage is

distorted by being taken out of context. Jesus was poor himself and always advocated for the poor. The author argues that poverty is not inevitable but a systemic sin and that all Christians are called to work toward ending poverty. church of the good shepherd and st. paul a.m.e. women’s event Friday, September 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Shepherd’s Hall

The women of Good Shepherd have invited the women of St. Paul’s to an evening of fellowship and silk scarf decorating. Like the 2016 ECW project, we will use watercolor tissue to turn plain scarves into colorful, wearable art. In 2 hours. It was fun! We will make a scarf to keep and team up to make scarves to donate to local cancer patients. New this year: silk pocket squares. With

communication begun between our two churches by the restoration of St. Paul’s stained glass windows, we hope to build on that rapport. Over some-thing fun to do, conversation can begin. Planners are open to feedback and hoping for participation: Elizabeth Gant, Meredith Swindell, Phyllis Vail and Karen Boyne. Please RSVP to Meredith Swindell at mlswindel@aol.com

monasteries of romania To kick off the Adult Christian Formation year, please join us for a

slideshow of the monasteries of Romania in Shepherd's Hall this

Sunday, Sept. 17 at 9:00.

eyc kickoff Sunday, September 17 5:00 p.m. Shepherd’s Hall All youth in sixth through twelfth grades are invited to Shepherd's Hall 5:00-7:00pm for our EYC kickoff. Bring your family to enjoy a catered meal from Moe's, meet the Rev. Dr. Cheryl McFadden and learn about the exciting plans we have for youth (and parents too!) this year! poetry discussion group—new start date! Resumes Sunday, October 15 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., parlor Good Shepherd parishioner, poet and publisher Brad Strahan will resume leading a Poetry Discussion Group series at the Church every 2nd Sunday of the month beginning Sunday, October 15, from 12-1pm in the parlor. acolyte makeup training—reminder Sunday, September 17 9:00 a.m. Sanctuary We will have a makeup training on Sunday, September 17th New acolytes should

attend at least two training sessions and returning acolytes should attend at least

one training session. If another Sunday or different day works

for training, that can be arranged. Please contact David Stroud at 919-325-6497 or

david.stroud@amecfw.com. wanted: artist Daughters of the King are looking for an artist willing to share their time and tal-ent to illustrate a small book of prayers. The book will be published and then giv-en to babies to celebrate their baptism at Church of the Good Shepherd. For more information, please contact Christie Barbee at (919)345-1494. reminder: amazing grace Saturday, September 16 6:30 p.m. All are invited 7109 Eastover Dr. Raleigh, 27603 Amazing Grace will be held at the home of Craig and Kathryn DeShong on Satur-day, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. The entrée will be provided. Please BYOB, bring a side dish or dessert, and RSVP to 919-779-7101 or kddeshong@gmail.com reminder:

Saturday, September 16 6:30 p.m. All are invited

1001 Windy Road Apex, 27502 Out and About will be held at the home of Dave Roten and Michael Springston with Julie Lowe co-hosting on Saturday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. The entrée, soft drinks and mixers will be provided. Please BYOB, and bring a side dish, or dessert of your personal inspiration, and RSVP to 919-413-4663.

the rector’s ramblings The Rev. Dr. Bob Sawyer “Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?” (BCP p. 304) This is the first of five questions asked at the end of the Baptismal Covenant. As you know, the answer to the question is, “I will with God’s help.” While the question is asked each time we have a baptism at Good Shepherd, it is good to hear it again this week, especially after we had such a powerful time of worship and fellowship Last Sunday, Rally Day. Thanks to all who make it such a suc-cessful occasion. On this coming Sunday, all of our Christian education and formation activities will begin. The question above reminds us of the commitment each of has made to be an active part of these programs as well as attending the Holy Eu-charist. For those of us with children, it also means that we will not only take part ourselves, we will make sure our children are participating as well. When you bring your children and participate yourself, you are modeling for your chil-dren what the Christian life is like and how it is to be lived. By having your chil-dren with us, you are enabling them to experience the power of the Good News and the love of God in Christ being manifested by adults who love both Jesus and your children. Come and join with us this Sunday. Let us walk the faith and grow in our rela-

tionship with Jesus through worship, Christian education, and fellowship.

episcopal relief and development Episcopal Relief & Development works closely with church partners after disasters, equipping them to meet needs of those most vulnerable in their com-munities. Currently, our staff is responding to are-as devastated by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Ir-

ma, and watching developing tropical storms. Because of our strong diocesan partnerships, Episcopal Relief & Development is ready to assist in the recovery of the impacted areas for as long as necessary. You can help provide critical relief to affected communities by donating to our Hurricane Relief Fund. To donate and read the latest updates, visit https://support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief

society of st. john the baptist

wednesdays, 4-5:30 p.m. room 403, 3rd floor Christian 12 Step at Good Shepherd - Wednesdays 4-5:30pm, Room 403 Parish Life Center. "He will drink neither wine nor strong drink, but he shall be filled with the Holy ghost" (Luke 1:15). This is a weekly meeting of Christians who otherwise main-tain sobriety through regular participation in Alcoholics Anonymous. Each meeting discusses the many connections between life in AA and the Church and concludes with the Eucharist. New participants always welcome. Chaplain: The Rev. Nancy Allison nancy.allison@cgs-raleigh.org or 919-834-8648.

Good Shepherd Stories: As I mentioned in my video back in May, the Stewardship committee wants to tell the Good Shepherd Sto-ry. We now have a series of stories to share. We will be attaching one each week to the Shepherd’s Staff for the next month or two. When you view the story, think of Presence. The member’s or

family’s presence in our church family enriches the lives of all of us. Think about how your presence also contributes to the family here at Good Shepherd. We ap-preciate all these parishioners’ willingness to share. This week, let’s meet Jim and

Jane Morrison. Enjoy. Van Giersch, Stewardship Chair Video Link: https://tinyurl.com/y9w59wbd beyond our doors meeting and lunch Sunday, September 17, 12 noon Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen, ground floor All are invited Newcomers are welcome anytime. Join us on the ground floor in the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen. Beyond Our Doors seeks to connect Good Shepherd with peo-ple on the streets of Raleigh. On the third Sunday of the month, the group serves lunch to and sits down with our neighbors in Raleigh. A side dish or dessert is ap-preciated, please join us! gospel challenge 2017: september through december The Clergy of Good Shepherd invite you to participate in the 2017 Gospel Challenge! Here’s how it works: Read the following gospel every month, and try to attend a discussion the last Sunday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in Shepherd’s Hall about the gospel you just read.

September, read Matthew. Sept. 24 meet in Shepherd’s Hall to discuss.

October, read Mark. Oct. 29 meet in Shepherd’s Hall to discuss.

November, read John. Nov. 26 meet in Shepherd’s Hall to discuss.

December, read Luke. No discussion in December. Weekday Offerings Tuesday Women's Bible Study Groups with The Rev. Nancy Allison

At either 10:30am or 6:30pm, Room 403, 3rd floor Church of the Good Shepherd offers two Bible Studies for Women (brave men will not be turned away). Morning Bible Study begins at 10:30am, and a duplicate even-ing Bible Study begins at 6:30pm also on Tuesdays. Wednesday Morning Men’s Bible Study 7:00am, Room 403, 3rd floor Join us for coffee, doughnuts, study and fellowship as we look at the coming Sun-day Gospel reading, using the Gospel Based Disciple model, reading the Scripture passage in three different translations, and asking a different question each time: What word, phrase, sentence, or idea caught your attention or imagination in this passage? What do you hear Jesus (or the Gospel) saying to you? What is Jesus (or the Gospel) calling you to do?

Gospel Based Discipleship Readings Daily Office Monday, September 18 Matt. 4:1-11Tuesday, September 19 Matt. 4:12-17 Wednesday, September 20 Matt. 4:18-25 Thursday, September 21 Matt. 13:44-52 Friday, September 22 Matt. 5:11-16 Saturday, September 23 Matt. 5: 17-20 Sunday, September 24 Luke 3:7-18 Reflections on the Gospel 1. What word(s), idea(s) or sentence(s) stand out for you in the Gospel of the

Day? (Reread the Gospel.) 2. What is Jesus (the Gospel) saying to you? (Reread the Gospel.) 3. What is Jesus (the Gospel) calling you to do? Prayer Lists Please pray for the sick, recovering, and in need in our parish: Martha Taylor, Mary Beth Fee, Chris Yetter, Eric Ennis, Wilma Miller, Hal Miller, Martha Bailey, Roy Wright, Lindsay Hoch, Glenna Musante, Kevin LeCount, Virginia Yates, Bob Yates, Bruce Barnes, Paul Gallo, Fred Pugh, Jill Bryan, Anjali Ridge. Prayers are also desired for the following family and friends: Jack Wygand, Pat Nordquist, Jim Goodyear, Tessa Cornett, Colton Ray Cornett, Katelyn Cornett, Elizabeth Walker, Kerry Daly, Jo Gazda. The prayer list will be refreshed at the beginning of every month. Please contact Julie Allen at Julie.allen@cgs-raleigh.org to add a name to the prayer list. Please pray for our military:

Ashley and Matt Diederich Robert Charles Ciurczak Edirin Ubiedi Branden Hardin Kate Benson Matthew Menecus Timothy Sommerville Stephan Bristow

Sunday Service Schedule 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 9:00 am Christian Education 10:15 am Holy Eucharist

______________________________________ Adult Christian Formation The Bible Class: “Genesis” Sunday, 9:00am, Room 403, 3rd floor Beginning Sunday, September 24 Led by Fr. Bill Bennett or Debbie Moyer, the Bible Class is an ongoing in-depth study of Genesis. The Breakfast Club Sunday, 9:15am, Room 304, 2nd floor Beginning Sunday, September 24 The Breakfast Club meets on Sundays at 9:15am for coffee, light refreshments, fellowship and a Bible story. The class also plans events and sharing times

for adults and their families through the year. Maggie and Jason Puryear along with Tripp Nilles will share Bible story duties through the year. Questions about the class? Contact Maggie_Puryear@yahoo.com.

Today’s Schedule

Sunday, September 17 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 8:45 am Coffee Fellowship 9:00 am Acolyte Training, make up day, Sanctuary 9:00 am Slideshow in Shepherd’s Hall 9:00 am Newcomers Class, room 403, 3rd floor 10:15 am Holy Eucharist 11:30 am (following 10:15 service) EpiscoPALS, Shepherd’s Hall 12:00 pm Beyond Our Doors Lunch, Soup Kitchen, ground floor Monday, September 18

10:00 am Standing Committee, rm. 403 Tuesday, September 19

10:30 am Women’s Bible Study 6:30 pm Evening Women’s Bible Study 7:00 pm AA Meeting

Wednesday, September 20

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study, rm. 403 9:15 am Office Meeting 11:30 am Shepherd’s Hall Reserved—Clericus Meeting 4:00 pm Society of St. John the Baptist 6:00 pm Handbells 6:45 pm CGS Ensemble Practice 7:30 pm Adult Choir Practice

Thursday, September 21

12:05 pm Holy Eucharist, Sanctuary 12:45 pm Shepherd’s Lunch, Shepherd’s Hall

Friday, September 22

12:00 pm Al-Anon Meeting Saturday, September 23

No Events Scheduled

SEPTEMBER 17– 23 BIRTHDAYS Shannon Marbrey Beth Stiles Casey Egan Elizabeth Howard Chess Griffin Nic Fernia Seth Daughety Anna Pugh Kathleen Kennedy Kirk Andrews Charlie Lowe Adam Morrison Zach Morrison Linda Highsmith Bill Frantz Amelia Nilles

J. A. Morgan Matthew McMurtry Michael McLain Ben Zeiss Joseph Brisson Andrew Park Michael Nelson Mark Fetters Wyatt Carpenter Nick Donges

Bill White Kelly Nilles Olivia Bryant Smith Lingerfelt Seamus Connolly Betsy Pittman Wini Dorer