The Good Shepherd’s Voice “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

AUGUST 2015

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 600 South Enota Drive Gainesville, GA 30501

770-532-2428

www.goodshepherd.info

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Staff:

Pastor: Rev Zachary Hoffman

Director of Music & Organist:

Priscilla Jefcoat

Church Secretary: Margie Smith

Custodian: Robin Aikens

Church Council:

President: Steve Nimmo

Vice President: Brad Zimmerman

Secretary: Cheryl West

Treasurer: Faye Vogel

Financial Secretary: Sally Fuge

Church Boards & Committees:

Christian Education:

Debra Giannone*

Board of Elders:

Jim FitzGerald

Mike Gaddy*

Brad Jovaag

Stanley Longman

Todd Mershon

Frank West

Chris Worl

Evangelism: Sherry Anderson*

Parish Fellowship: Judy Brookshire*

Public Relations: *

Social Ministries: Betty Dyarmett*

Stewardship: Doug Fuge*

Trustees: Bobby Aikens*

Youth Ministry: Bobbie Denton* &

Tabby D’Antonio

Altar Guild: Sherry Anderson and

Dottie Warren

Flowers: Faye Vogel

Greeters: Nancy Ponder

LWML: Sherry Anderson

Senior Men’s Group - Paul Clarkson &

Don Smith

Sunday School Director: Janice

Waters

Ushers: Thomas Gaddy Jr

LCEF Representative: Doug Fuge

Thrivent Representative: Cheryl West

*Church Council Members

“I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and his love. I love to tell the story,

because I know it’s true; it satisfies my longings

as nothing else would do.”

What a beautiful and familiar hymn about

us telling God’s story as it is recorded in

the Bible by storytellers of ages past. Isn’t

that why God inspired Moses, Joshua,

David, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and

Paul to record the accounts of God from

creation to life eternal? God wants us to

tell his story, The Story.

We know that Christ’s story is found in the

Bible, but, in our culture, biblical

knowledge is decreasing. “We have a

chance to reverse that trend for ourselves

and lay a foundation for our children and

others in our community,” states Pastor

Zach. “But before we can share the story

of scripture, we have to know it. Just as in

Acts 8, Philip was ready to explain the

scriptures to the Ethiopian who was then

baptized.”

So, are we ready to share The Story? As an

answer to that question, the Church

Unique vision team of Doug Fuge, Pastor

Zach, Steve Nimmo, Brad Zimmerman,

Mike Gaddy, Janet Fitzgerald, Tabby

D’Antonio, Jean Miles and Pam Jovaag,

has recommended that our congregation

read The Story.

So what is The Story? It is a book of

carefully selected verses from the Bible

organized chronologically from Genesis to

Revelation and reads like a novel. It is

presented in a 31-week format, and, as a

congregation, our goal is to read it over the

next nine months beginning in September.

Every member of the family will have an

opportunity to read their own version of

The Story with age-appropriate books, and

it will be integrated into our worship

services, small groups, youth and Sunday

school.

Two important dates for your calendar are:

Sunday, August 9, for a formal introduction

and explanation of The Story to the

congregation at both services; and Sunday,

September 13, to “Rally Around The Story”

for the official kick-off at both services with

a reception and activities for all members

between services.

“By reading God’s story, may we get a

renewed sense of the big picture and come

to see that all of God’s Word is really telling

one story,” says Janet Fitzgerald. And

Pastor Zach’s hope is that “as a

congregation, we will deepen our scriptural

knowledge and faith in Jesus on this

journey.”

”I love to tell the story; ‘ tis pleasant to repeat.

What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.

I love to tell the story, for some have never heard,

the message of salvation from God’s own holy word.”

- Pam Jovaag

What most people call the month of

August I call “Pre-September.” In the

church, September is the month where

everything gets started or the month

where ministries begin to hit their

stride. August is the month where much

of the planning for fall, winter, and

spring takes place.

This August will have a lot of

impact on September! We

are planning and doing

publicity for The Story, a

congregation-wide program

with a kick-off on

September 13. For now, we

are ordering curriculum,

planning with our ministry

leaders on how The Story will

be implemented, and

encouraging people to consider

signing up for a small group to

take full advantage of what The

Story has to offer.

Pam Jovaag has written a great article

describing what The Story is. For my

part, I will just say that it is a way for the

congregation to walk through the story

of the Bible together for 31 weeks. We’ll

get a chance to increase our knowledge

of scripture, and become even more

acquainted with a God who desires to

be with his people. We have an

Page 2 AUGUST 2015

Coming Soon...!

Small Group sign-ups begin on August 9 for groups

beginning to meet in September. Most

groups will be using curriculum

associated with a new church-wide

emphasis and sermon series based on

The Story, which is an abridged,

chronological Bible that reads like a

novel. There are no verse references,

and Scripture segments are

seamlessly woven together with

transition text into a single grand

narrative. The Story can help people

understand God’s Word more fully and

engage with it more easily.

Why join a small group? Consider just

a few of the many reasons. When you have a chance to

discuss questions about the Bible, get others’ insights on

God’s Word, and see how God’s Word is transforming

other lives, the Bible becomes more meaningful. You feel

more connected to God’s family and the church when you

are in a small group. You share prayer requests and

support each other during difficult times, and you also

share answered prayers and exciting

times.

In the New Testament, the phrase

“one another” is often used. We are

instructed to love one another,

encourage one another, bear one

another’s burdens, and build up one

another. We have increased

opportunities to do these things

when active in a small group.

If you are interested in hosting a

group, please see Janet Fitzgerald or

Pastor Zach. We are especially

looking for anyone interested in

hosting small groups for men, parents of young families,

and parents of youth.

- Janet Fitzgerald

Small Groups

opportunity to hear how the story of

the Bible is really our story.

The 31 weeks of The Story is

just the first phase of a greater

effort to help us become more

comfortable with sharing the

story of the Kingdom of God

with others. I will not let the

“cat out of the bag” just yet,

but know that there are

some exciting and

challenging things ahead

for our congregation over

the next 2-3 years!

Pre-September is also a

time to plan

confirmation. The time is

coming again where confirmands will

gather for the fall, winter, and spring

to learn the basics of their faith. I ask

that you pray for our confirmands.

The culture throws out way more

information than a single hour of

confirmation can. Leading our youth

to become faithful adults feels like it

is 2% class time/ministry time and

98% prayer. Please join me in these

days before September in prayer for

them!

Finally, there is the new service. We

have seen a lot of change since we

began meeting and planning a new

service. Practices for our musicians

have begun. We are recruiting

singers and other musicians who

would like to share their talents. We

are praying for the campaign to

finish funding so we can launch our

new service in September.

Certainly, there is a lot to plan for

and a lot to look forward to this fall.

There will be changes and

challenges. There is much to think

about and prepare for in the Pre-

September days. Yet, “if the Lord

does not build the house, then those

who build it build in vain.” (Psalm

127:1) Life is winding back up for the

church, and perhaps your life is

starting to get busier too.

Remember, that even as we are busy

we are walking together towards the

day of Jesus’ return. We must use our

time wisely, and for the Lord’s

purposes in these “pre-resurrection”

days.

-Pastor Zach

AUGUST 2015 Page 3

Over the past several years, we have

hosted a number of community outreach

events through our Food Pantry. Most of

these consisted of extra groceries for the

families and some gifts and

entertainment for the youngsters. These

have been met with limited success, as to

number of families served. In an attempt

to reach out further in the community, we

are going to change things up again.

This year, we will divide the monies raised

(don’t forget to buy your afghan raffle

tickets!) between the food pantry and a

“Polar Party” to be held January 16, 2016.

The food pantry funds will be used to

augment groceries given out during the

holiday season. The Polar Party will be a

day of games and activities for children,

including a school supply giveaway as long

as supplies last. That’s where you come

in! We would like to stockpile a quantity

of various school supplies to distribute to

the attendees. We have been told that by

January most of the supplies that children

started school with in the fall are used up

and they need more. Since school

supplies are on sale now, this might be

the ideal time to start this project. Below

is a a list of suggested items. A box is

located by the doors into the fellowship

hall for your donations. We will be

collecting supplies throughout the rest of

the year, then we will sort and assemble

age/grade appropriate items in packets

for distribution. So, please – if you come

across a good buy while you are out

shopping, pick up an item or two. We

can make a difference!

There will be much more information

about the Polar Party in future months.

We just wanted to give you a heads up

about the school supplies. There will be

a lot to do to get ready for this event, and

we can use anyone who is interested in

helping. Our next meeting will probably

be sometime in August, after the picnic,

and we welcome anyone who would like

to attend. Watch the bulletin and

newsletters for updates. Thanks!

- Judy Brookshire

Phillips State Prison Transition

Center (TC) is the prison just

outside the fence which houses

up to 300 prisoners who are in

temporary custody awaiting

discharge and who are getting

ready to re-enter society

(maybe). They will be there for up to a

year as they look for work and a place

to live. The state does not provide

clothing or other essentials for these

folks and many have been discarded

by their families so have NOTHING but

the orange jumpsuit.

The chaplain of the Transition Center is

requesting new or serviceably used

men's work clothing for summer,

including shoes, underwear, blue jeans,

Dockers, and short

sleeve (polo) type

shirts.

Good Shepherd

supports this effort.

Clothing collected

may be placed in the Adult 1

classroom. Cash donations are also

greatly appreciated. Be sure to put

“prison ministry” on the memo line of

your check and place it in the offering

plate.

Also, If any of our congregation has

connections with manufacturers or

retailers, that would be awesome too.

- Carl Engel

Construction Paper Plain white drawing paper Filler Paper (wide and college ruled) Marble Notebooks (wide or college ruled) Spiral Notebooks (wide or college ruled) 2-pocket folders Index Cards (3 X 5) 3” x 3” Post It Notes Crayons (8 count and 24 count boxes)

Markers (washable) Colored Pencils Highlighters Pens Pencils (mechanical and plain) Plastic Pencil Sharpener Cap Erasers Glue Sticks Tissues

Above: The “Stars and Stripes” afghan to be raffled.

Right: The list of school supplies needed for the Polar Party

Community Outreach

“If you lack knowledge, go to

school. If you lack wisdom,

get on your knees!

Knowledge is not wisdom.

Wisdom is the proper use of

knowledge.”

—Vance Havner

AUGUST 2015 Page 4

GSLC Women’s Retreat October 16-18, 2015

Looking for time away from the busyness of life - time to “stop and smell the roses,” as you relax with friends, share laughter and stories, and spend time with God? Join us at our Garden Getaway retreat to experience all this and more!

Location: The Retreat at Blue Sage, Big Canoe, GA.

Cost: $100 plus participation in one meal and purchase of lunch at Gibbs Gardens.

Registration includes admission to Gibbs Gardens on Saturday.

The first payment ($50) is due September 1.

Hurry! Space is limited to 16. Pick up an information packet on the information table.

- Margie Smith

ATTENTION CRAFTERS/BAKERS:

Good Shepherd LWML will host a mission bazaar on Saturday,

November 7, 2015.

There will be tables with products from mission fields for sale with

proceeds to go to those mission fields.

There will also be tables available for anyone who would like to sell

items they have made. A donation of $10 per table is being asked

and proceeds from table rentals will also go to missions.

If you or anyone you know would be interested in selling your handiwork, please contact

Catherine Spencer or the church office.

Reserve your space now!

You are invited to hear Keith and Priscilla

Jefcoat play four-hand piano. Pearce Auditorium,

Brenau University, August 27, 7:30 pm. Admission is free.

Works by Schubert, Brahms, and Dvorak.

Calling all crafters!

Summer is almost over and

we need to get back to

meeting/working

together. Our dresses and

pants for Kenya are an

ongoing mission, but I

would like us to think about

how we could show Christ's

love in our community as

well. Perhaps lap quilts for

those in nursing homes,

caps for cancer patients

undergoing chemo or hats

for newborns or

preemies. Just a few

ideas. Please bring yours

Saturday, August 15, and

we will discuss.

- Sherry Anderson

Saturday August 1, 2015

8:00 am

to 2:00 pm

AUGUST 2015 Page 5

Thursday July 9, the Men's

group met briefly at 9:00

AM to discuss the schedule

for the day and to finalize

the events for our August

and September outings.

Once the survey sheets

concerning the preferred activities have

been collated, the schedule for the

remainder of the year will be posted.

After hashing out and determining the

August & September activities, (Ranger

Camp Museum - Dahlonega & The

Railroad Museum - Doraville area) the

group left "en mass" for the Smithgall/

Atlanta Botanical Gardens tour. Once

everyone was gathered up and herded

into the lobby area ("wait, where's

Mac?"), paid the nominal entrance fee

and actually entered the Garden (like

herding a bunch of cats!), the self

guided tour began ("has anyone seen

Mac?"). For those whom have not yet

experienced this beautiful and most

interesting botanical area, you should

drop whatever you are now doing and

immediately GO! It is truly an "Urban

Oasis!" The location is right off Hwy 129

N, on the left, just beyond the

Limestone by-pass. It will be well worth

your time.

After the walking tour, about 1½ to 2

hours, the group left for a delightful

lunch ("Where's Mac?") at the "Blue

Fin" (recommended by and directions

provided by --- Kato!). Lunch was very

good and the service likewise. The only

issue occurred when Ken Jackson

decided that he would rather have Dan

Purdy's meal instead of his, so he just

took it! Dan, of course being always the

gentleman, was most accommodating

and had no problem eating Ken's food

order! With no other entertainment being

provided, with the exception of who's

going to pay for who's order and "that's

not my ticket, it's yours," the group left

and everyone, for the most part, was in a

good mood. It is assumed that eventually,

all made it safely home again!

Next Event : August 6 for the Ranger

Training Camp/Museum Tour in

Dahlonega, GA. Meet at Good Shepard

9:00 am, departure at 9:30, returning

mid-afternoon. See sign-up sheet on the

church bulletin board. All welcomed to

join in!

GSLMG (Good Shepherd Lutheran Men's

Group) meets the first Thursday of each

month (unless scheduling/conflicts

evolve). GSLMG excludes no one. The

purpose and intent of GSLMG is to

provide: Christian Fellowship, education,

service, fun, staying active and involved

with fellow Christian men. You are invited

to join in - Contact: Doug Fuge, Don Smith

or Paul Clarkson for additional

information.

- Paul Clarkson

We love to tell The Story!

The Sunday School staff has planned a Parent cluster

on August 30 from 9:45-10:30.

Come hear about the exciting plans that will be starting in

September.

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are

born and the day you find out why.” —Mark Twain

A Voters’ Meeting will be held between services on August 23. The agenda will include the following items:

Firearms Policy Same-sex Marriage

Policy LCMS convention voting

delegate selection An introduction to The

Story Update on the new

service Update on 2015 budget

AUGUST 2015 Page 6

CHURCH PICNIC: The Annual Church

Picnic will be held on Sunday, August 16.

There will only be one worship service

that day, at 10:00AM. Immediately

following the service, we will begin setting

up for the picnic. Parish Fellowship will

provide hot dogs, hamburgers,

buns, condiments, tea,

lemonade, coffee and water.

We ask that the congregation

bring side dishes to share. As

we did at Thanksgiving, we will

ask you to sign up for the dish

you prefer to bring. Those lists

will be posted on August 2.

Categories will include

desserts, hot sides, cold sides

and chips/misc. Check the

lists for more information. We

also need three canvass

canopies (sun shades). If you have one

and are willing to let us use it, please

contact Judy Brookshire.

WATER SLIDE: Last year we rented an

inflatable water slide for the youngsters,

which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Unfortunately, this is not a budgeted item

and we had to depend upon donations to

defray the cost. We have already

received some funds from the LWML and

the Elders but haven’t quite reached our

goal. If you’d like to help out, please see

Judy Brookshire or place your donation in

the offering plate. Be sure to indicate

“water slide” on your check. Thank you.

Don’t forget those swimsuits and towels!

There will be other activities for the little

ones, and the senior men are devising

some diversions for the adults. It should

be a lot of fun – so mark your calendar

and plan to attend!

SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP: It’s not too late!!

Opportunities abound for hosting

fellowship for the rest of the year. Sign

up now and avoid the rush! Seriously,

please consider hosting a fellowship hour

sometime soon. Try it – you might like it!

See Judy Brookshire if you have any

questions.

- Judy Brookshire

Stewardship

We are almost at the next level in the Shared

Blessings Loan Rebate Program!

As of June 30, we had 35 investors which is 14.1%

of our communicant membership. We have been

earning rebates monthly of roughly $100 per month at the first level, accumulating

$632.36 through the end of June. We need a total of 37 investors (2 more) to reach

the second level (15% invested) which will give us a rebate rate of 0.375%. A total of

62 investors (25 more) will qualify us for the third rebate level of 0.500% and 86

investors (51 more) will give us the top tier of 0.750% rebate rate. While the rebate

earned is computed monthly, the accumulated rebate will be returned annually. I

urge you to check the brochures on the pulpit in the narthex, visit www.lcef.com or

speak to Doug Fuge concerning opportunities to put your money to work for you, the

ministries of LCMS and our congregation.

- Doug Fuge

Parish Fellowship

Deadline for the

SEPTEMBER

Newsletter:

AUGUST 23

AUGUST 2015 Page 7

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR JUNE FORM THE TREASURER

Offering receipts for June were down $4,865 to budget, or minus 20.3%

Jun-15 June Budget $ Change % Change

Income $ 19,138.00 $ 24,003.00 $ (4,865.00) -20.3%

Expense $ 21,149.00 $ 26,126.00 $ (4,977.00) -19.0%

Net Ordinary Income $ (2,011.00) $ (2,123.00) $ 112.00 -5.3%

Net Income * $ (3,022.00) $ (2,123.00) $ (899.00) 42.3%

YTD Actual YTD Budget $ Change % Change

Income $ 119,898.00 $ 153,022.00 $ (33,124.00) -21.6%

Expense $ 145,753.00 $ 152,206.00 $ (6,453.00) -4.2%

Net Ordinary Income $ (25,855.00) $ 816.00 $ (26,671.00)

Net Income * $ (22,071.00) $ 816.00 $ (22,887.00)

After a summer break, the

choir will resume

rehearsals on Wednesday,

September 2, the

Wednesday before Labor

Day, at 7:00 pm. We are

excited to be participating in "The Story" as we sing

anthems related to the themes, topics, and Bible characters

we are studying as a church. Our adult choir is dedicated to

sharing God's love through music, and we would love to

have you join our musical family. We have openings for all

voice parts. You don't have to be a great singer. We want

people who enjoy singing and are willing to learn!

- Priscilla Jefcoat

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the

Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with

thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song." Psalm 95:1-2

The Food Pantry served 34 families (70 adults, 41 children)

in June for a total of 111 individuals. There were 21 repeat

families and 13 first-time families. Two Bibles were given

to new families.

Good News at Noon will receive $350

from our “Other Missions” fund this

month.

Item for August: Canned meat or fish

- Betty Dyarmett

What is a teacher, if not a mirror in which we perceive

the divine image hidden in the soul? What is a teacher,

if not a sower of seed and a cultivator of young

gardens? What is a teacher, if not a shaper of souls

and a guide who gently shows the right path for the

journey? What is a teacher, if not the most hopeful of

dreamers, who plants and nurtures and sees the bright

destiny and harvest of the work even when the student

cannot? What is a teacher, if not a shepherd watching

over the flock and leading it to abundant pastures?

Dreamers and sharers of dreams, sowers of seed and

guides who chart the way, mirrors of goodness and

shepherds of grace — it is for these teachers and this

ministry that we give abundant thanks to God.

—Author unknown

Page 8

Going to Guatemala has pushed me to

work harder in my life so that

eventually I can go back and see them

again. I have so

many

opportunities that

they don’t have,

and it makes me

so thankful for

what I have.

Seeing how the

Lord works in

their lives, and

how thankful they

are to him for the

little things they

do have, makes

me realize how

ungrateful I can

be. If the Lord

calls me to go

back to

Guatemala in the

future; I hope that I can bring

opportunities for them to move

forward with me.

- Alex Meyers

AUGUST 2015

Even though the trip to Guatemala

was months ago, I still find myself

making the weirdest connections to

my trip. For example, at karaoke night

last week a friend of mine complained

about our minimum wage of $7.25. I

was quick to tell her that in

Guatemala they make

50 quetzalas a day,

which is equivalent to

seven American dollars.

I call the youth in

Guatemala “my kids,”

and they still message

me on Facebook. I’ll sit

on Google Translate for

hours just trying to

figure out what their

abbreviations mean.

I think the best part of Guatemala was

the lasting impression that it has

made on me. Talking to Maria, one of

the little girls I became really close

with on Facebook, is so important to

me. My friends are probably so tired of

me being stuck in my phone because

on the brief occasion they send me

messages, I always make it a point to

reply. I wake up in the morning at

least once a month to the simplest

message of “Te Amo” (I love

you) from the kids I met, and

it will make my day every

time. Above that, knowing

that I brought them joy for the

brief week that I was there is

so amazing. One of the last

days in Guatemala, we

brought the kids to the pool, and

watching their joy at simply getting to

swim in a pool was incredible. I have a

neighborhood pool that I’ve gotten into

twice this summer; that is something

that they could only dream of having.

Reflections on the Guatemalan Mission

Empowering Ministry with Your Interest

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace . . .” —1 Peter 4:10 You may contribute all or part of the interest earned on your Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) investments to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) ministries close to your heart. Your gifted interest will be sent directly to the ministry of your choice for a specific period of time. The contribution of your interest will:

Help advance God’s plans for your congregation or ministry.

(Note: You can designate GSLC as a recipient of your interest contribution)

Equip Lutheran schools to train future Christian leaders.

Make a difference in the lives of people in need.

Empower the sharing of the Gospel.

Learn more about our Special Interest Program at lcef.org or call 800-843-5233.

LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF's Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks.

Acolyte Training

All current acolytes and those

who wish to be an acolyte

(grade 6 and up) are required

to attend a training session

after late service on August 9.

Parents are encouraged to

attend.

Please check to see when you are scheduled to serve and put it on your personal calendar

AUGUST 2015 Page 9

DATE REFRESHMENTS FLOWERS

AUG 2 Belen Moore Lili Smith (1)

AUG 9 Bob & Dianna Jones Faye Vogel (1) Jerry & Becky Austin (1)

AUG 16 Church picnic Lili Smith (2)

AUG 23 Becky Austin

AUG 30 Sam & Jean Miles Ken & Sherry Anderson (2)

DATE SERVICE ELDER/LAY

READER ACOLYTE USHERS ALTAR GREETERS

AUG 2 8:30 AM Mike Gaddy Marie Faye Vogel Bob & Dianna

10:45 AM Chris Worl Haylee Dottie Warren Joe & Nancy

AUG 9 8:30 AM Todd Mershon Connor Cindy Nimmo Ken & Bonnie

10:45 AM Stanley Longman Roy Dottie Warren Ray & Susan Nierman

AUG 16 10:00 AM Jim Fitzgerald TBD Faye Vogel Rick & Janice Waters

AUG 23 8:30 AM Frank West Madison Cindy Nimmo Chuck & Betty

10:45 AM Chris Worl TBD Dottie Warren Don & Margie Smith

AUG 30 8:30 AM Jim Walker Renae Robin Aikens Sam & Jean Miles

10:45 AM Mike Gaddy TBD Dottie Warren Craig & Karen Pieschke

AUGUST 2015 Page 10

MEMBERS

Gloria Dickey Dave McDowell

Will Meilander Berk Peet

Jackie Peet

Nell Purdy Johann Stone

James & Marie Thayer Karen Walker

Sam Wolford Warren Zschoche

FRIENDS/RELATIVES

Mandy Gresham & family (Deby Gaddy’s friend) Betty Lattomus & daughter (Carla Roehl’s friend)

Darrien Ingram

Jim Wetherton Amber Smith (FP)

Bob Berghel Elaine Evans (Mershon boys’ grandmother)

Jody Denton (Mitchell Mershon’s friend)

Greg Mauldin (Mitchell Mershon’s friend) Carl East (Mavis’ friend)

Emory Dunahoo (Robin Aikens’ father) Sonny Marshall (Fred Dissen’s friend)

Sharon Walton (wife of First Methodist Pastor) Casey West (Brad Jovaag’s brother-in-law)

Steven Gram (Judy Smith’s neighbor)

Carol Wright Steve Thomas (Keith Jefcoat’s nephew)

If you know of someone who is ill, or needs prayer for any reason, please let the church secretary know. Names will be removed after four weeks unless we are otherwise notified.

8/8/2008 JERRY & BECKY AUSTIN (7)

8/11/1961 STANLEY & RUTH LONGMAN (54)

8/15/1981 PRISCILLA & KEITH JEFCOAT (34)

8/18/2012 WHITNEY & NIKKI AIKENS (3)

8/18/2007 ZACHARY & TRACI HOFFMAN (8)

8/25/1984 LARRY & LAURA CALLAHAN (31)

8/31/1977 KEN & SHERRY ANDERSON (38)

8/1 BETTY DYARMETT

8/1 KARYN SHELDON

8/2 JIMMY FITZGERALD

8/2 PRISCILLA JEFCOAT

8/4 KENDAL MILLER

8/5 NANCY WOLFORD

8/8 ANN MCDOWELL

8/9 SUSAN BARKLEY

8/10 BOBBY AIKENS

8/11 WYNN DERONG

8/14 STANLEY LONGMAN

8/15 MELISSA TYMCHUK

8/19 PAUL CLARKSON

8/22 MARGIE SMITH

8/24 AUGUSTIN TYMCHUK

8/24 KATHY ZSCHOCHE

8/27 JANICE PEACE

8/27 CLAYTON THIESSEN

8/28 DOUG FUGE

8/29 DONNA HOLTZ

8/30 SCOTT PITSCH

Helen Whittington, long-time member of Good Shepherd, Joined the church triumphant on July 3, 2015 at the age of 99. Helen was active in the Red Cross Clubs during WWII and served in England, Holland, France

and Germany. She is survived by her daughter, Christin Whittington and brother, Kenneth Krueger, age 101.

In the book, A Long Obedience in the Same

Direction, Eugene H. Peterson maintains that the

path to a blessed life is pretty obvious:

“Everyone wants to be happy, to be blessed. Too

many people are willfully refusing to pay attention

to the One who wills our happiness and ignorantly

supposing that the Christian way is a harder way to

get what they want than doing it on their own. They

are wrong. God’s ways and God’s presence are

where we experience the happiness that lasts. Do it

the easy way.”

Peterson concludes those thoughts by quoting

Psalm 128:1 from The Message, the translation he

authored: “All you who fear GOD, how blessed you

are! how happily you walk on his smooth straight

road!”

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

August 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 LWML Yard Sale

2 8:30 Worship

9:30 Youth biscuit

sale

9:45 Adult Bible

class

10:45 Worship

3 1:30 Food Pantry

4 1:30 Food Pantry

5

6:30 Youth

6 9:00 Sr Men’s

Fellowship

10:00 Food

Pantry

7

3:00 Cleaning

8

10:00 LWML

meeting

9 8:30 Worship

9:45 Adult Bible

class

10:45 Worship

12:00 Acolyte

Training

10 1:30 Food Pantry

11 1:30 Food Pantry

6:30 Elders

12

1:30 Midweek

Bible Study

6:30 Youth

13 10:00 Food

Pantry

14

3:00 Cleaning

15

10:00 Crafters

16 10:00 Worship

11:00 Church Picnic

17 1:30 Food Pantry

18 1:30 Food Pantry

19

1:30 Midweek

Bible Study

6:30 Youth

6:30 Council

20 10:00 Food

Pantry

21

3:00 Cleaning

22

23

Newsletter

Deadline 8:30 Worship

9:45 Voters meeting

10:45 Worship

24 1:30 Food Pantry

25 1:30 Food Pantry

26

1:30 Midweek

Bible Study

6:30 Youth

27 10:00 Food

Pantry

28

3:00 Cleaning

29

30 8:30 Worship

9:45 Adult Bible

class

9:45 Sunday school

parent cluster

10:45 Worship

31 1:30 Food Pantry

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

“Welcoming people home to life in the family of Christ”

Sunday 8:30 am Worship

9:45 am Sunday School

10:45 am Worship

Church Office Hours Monday -Thursday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

770-532-2428

gslcsecretary@gmail.com

www.goodshepherd.info

The Good Shepherd’s Voice

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

600 S. Enota Drive

Gainesville, GA 30501

Mailing Label

People’s stories about learning to swim often sound like this: “My dad tossed me into the water. I didn’t have a choice — I flailed around until I found myself swimming!” But an elderly Christian tells a variation of this story:

“Wanting to teach me to swim, my father threw me off the dock into the lake. I sank.” But then he goes on: “So my father jumped in with me.” The storyteller’s wisdom shines in his application: “God doesn’t toss us into life and leave us alone to sink or swim. By sending Jesus, God jumped right in with us to save us from death, hold us protectively and help us navigate life.”

2015