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

AUGUST 2016

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

770-532-2428

www.goodshepherd.info

Staff:

Pastor: Rev Zachary Hoffman

Director of Youth Ministry:

Justin Holland

Director of Music & Organist:

Priscilla Jefcoat

Church Secretary: Margie Smith

Custodian: Robin Aikens

Church Council:

President: Steve Nimmo

Vice President: Brad Zimmerman

Secretary: Becky Austin

Treasurer: Faye Vogel

Financial Secretary: Terry Snyder

Church Boards & Committees:

Christian Education:

Debra Giannone*

Board of Elders:

Sherry Anderson

Jim FitzGerald

Mike Gaddy*

Brad Jovaag

Stanley Longman

Todd Mershon

John Taylor

Jim Walker

Frank West

Chris Worl

Evangelism: *

Parish Fellowship: Judy Brookshire*

Public Relations: *

Social Ministries: Lori Lake*

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

Sunday School Director: Janice

Waters

Ushers: Brad Zimmerman

LCEF Representative: Doug Fuge

Thrivent Representative: Cheryl West

*Church Council Members

“In Christ Alone” I can do all things. This

was the theme of the 2016 National

Youth Gathering in New Orleans that took

place on July 16­ - 20. I could go on and

on about the mass gatherings we

attended with around 25,000 other

people, or I could talk about the speakers

who, although talking to 25,000 others,

seemed to be talking directly to me, but

instead I’m going to talk about

relationships.

Thirteen youth

and five adult

chaperones

from our church

went on this

trip, and with

full disclosure I

can say that I did

not have a

previous

relationship with

about half of

them. I would see

some of them at

youth group, or I

would see some of

them at church on

Sunday's. Maybe I

would give a friendly

Hello! here or there, but I never fully

engaged myself to start a conversation or

to build a relationship with them....until

the youth gathering. God works in

mysterious ways. Those words are so

beyond true. There are people in your life

that are not necessarily significant in your

journey with Christ, and then there are

people that God specifically

places on your heart to build a

relationship with. On this journey

I have built new relationships

through Christ, with Christ, and

for Christ. Relationships that I

probably otherwise would not

have discovered.

With all of this said, I challenge

you. I know not everybody can go to mass

gatherings with 25,000 other Lutherans,

and I know not everyone can go on a trip

with 17 other people on a daily basis, but

that is not the only way to build

relationships. Be brave and be bold, go up

to someone and instead of just saying Hi,

ask how they are, offer to pray for them

even if you do

not know what is going on in their life,

because for all you know, there is a

relationship there that the Lord wants you

to have.

Abigail Meyers

(More about the “Gathering” on next page)

AUGUST 2016 Page 2

Christ in Me!

The National Youth Gathering has made such a larger impact on my

life than I ever thought it would have. One of the biggest lessons I've

learned can apply to any aspect in my life and anyone else's. I

learned that once you get outside of your comfort zone, amazing

things happen. This may sound like an obvious fact that you’ve heard

before, but nothing is the same because of this. It means that those

powerful sermons you shy away from, those homeless and needing

people you turn your head from, those confessions you bury so

deeply inside yourself so no one will find them, are the things that

are holding you back. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God,

and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there

be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” This

is a scary thing to pray, and God knows that. Let God inside of your

heart, and let Him guide you. Step out of your comfort zone and lead

people! These homeless and needy people need to hear God’s

gospel. Your neighbors need to hear God’s gospel. These confessions

you have buried inside yourself need to be spoken. Freedom comes

so easily once you get past the self deprecation of being

a sinner. It's easy to get in the rut of proclaiming your

sinfulness. Everyone knows you're a sinner because we

all are! We are born into sin, and we are sinful by nature.

Challenge yourself to dig deeper. What are the sins that

you carry with you? What are the things you need God to

search your heart to find? I encourage you to find

someone and confess these things you're carrying.

I want to thank everyone for the prayers and the help

in sending the youth on this trip. My relationship with

Jesus and people in the youth group are impacting me

in ways that I wasn't planning on before this trip. I'm

excited to continue to learn about the word of God and

share my never ending joy with the people in my life.

There's nothing I want more than to share the things I've

learned. If you see me around in church, please ask me

about my experience at the gathering and I'll be so

happy to share them with you. In Christ alone, I

wholeheartedly believe I can do all things, and so can

you.

Laura Leigh Feeman

AUGUST 2016 Page 3

"O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day." --Psalm 96: 1-2

The choir will resume rehearsals for the new

season on Wednesday, August 31, at 7:30

p.m. If you love to sing, we would love to have

you join us! We need all voice parts. This is a

wonderful opportunity to serve by singing to the

glory of God.

- Priscilla Jefcoat

On July 23, we were blessed to hear from two of our Guatemalan friends, Samy

Orozco and Jimi Torrez. They are youth leaders for Castillo Fuerte Lutheran

Church in Guatemala City and Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Amatitlan.

Having just returned from the National Lutheran Youth Gathering in New

Orleans, they were excited to tell about their experience there and also to share

about their life and ministry in Guatemala. During the week, they spent time

with our youth group.

Samy & Jimi’s Visit

Our status of dominion [over creation] derives from God's delegated authority. We do not exist as autonomous persons at liberty to do as we please. Our privilege of dominion does not mean freedom from God; it means freedom under God.

Our commission to be sub-rulers under God carries with it enormous responsibilities. ... He intends for us to rise above the rest of the created order and to participate rationally and responsibly in his divine purposes.

—Kenneth Cain Kinghorn, Christ Can Make You Fully Human

AUGUST 2016 Page 4

“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible

gift” (2 Cor. 9:15)! This is St. Paul’s

exclamation upon hearing the

Corinthian church’s response to the

preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and his request for support for the

Church in Jerusalem. The Christians in

Corinth heard and received God’s

mercy in Christ, and they responded to

St. Paul’s call to support Christians in

Jerusalem with a collection. The

Corinthian’s joy filled Jerusalem’s need.

This is the reality of stewardship.

Because of God’s generosity in the

giving of His Son to die on the cross for

us, we are to be generous with all that

we receive from Him. What do we

receive? Everything. All that we are and

all that we have is the Lord’s. He is the

creator and the giver. We are His

creatures and those who receive what

He gives.

It sounds easy. And it is. But then again

it isn’t. Stewardship is easy because it

God’s work. Through what God gives,

we give to others. Through what God

gives, we support the work of the

church for the life of the world. He

gives; we receive. And like our

generous Father in Heaven, we, as His

children, use what He gives to us to

love and serve others.

But stewardship is also difficult. That is

because it goes against our natural

inclination to think that what I have is

mine to do what I want with. This is our

sinful nature. It is our selfishness and

our greed. How can we who have been

given everything—life, food, clothing,

house, home, forgiveness, divine

sonship, an eternal inheritance—be so

stingy with what we give to the church,

the place where we hear about and

The Food

Pantry helped

36 families

during June.

There were 70

adults and 73

children for a

total of 143

individuals.

There were 22

first-time

families and

14 repeat

families visiting the pantry last month. Four

Bibles were given to first-time families.

Items for August: Shampoo & conditioner

Thanks to the Jubilee Community Garden, we

are able to give out fresh vegetables to all of

our families who come to the Food Pantry.

Back to School: School supplies left over

from the Polar Party in January are being

handed out through the food pantry. From

your generous contributions for the Polar

Party, we have plenty of supplies to hand out

for all elementary age children.

- Betty Dyarmett

“If therefore, you are not faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will

entrust the true riches to you” Luke 16:11

This is one of over 2,350 Bible verses dealing with money and

possessions. Fifteen percent of everything Jesus taught had to do

with this topic. As you apply these truths from the Bible, you’ll enjoy

more financial health, freedom, peace and joy.

Beginning in September, Doug Fuge will facilitate a group Bible

study titled Navigating Your Finances God’s Way. This is one of

several small group studies published by Compass-finances God’s

wayTM , an interdenominational ministry. See www.compass1.org.

Plan to attend an orientation meeting between services on August

21. The small group size will be limited to 10 persons and is

scheduled for nine weeks on Saturdays beginning September 10 or

Tuesday evenings beginning September 13. Since group size is

limited and the date/time of the weekly sessions will be chosen to

maximize attendance, please see Doug Fuge as soon as possible if

you are interested in participating.

- Doug Fuge

receive all that God gives us and does

for us? We are all guilty of this kind of

thinking. And the only godly response

is to repent and trust in the Gospel.

For if God has given you His own Son,

will He not give you all things? Yes.

He will. This is His sure and certain

promise. God provides for His people.

He provides everything we need for

this body and life and for the life that

is to come.

The church is a mercy place. It’s a

place where God’s mercy in the death

and resurrection of His Son, Jesus

Christ, is given and received. For we

who believe in Christ, it means

forgiveness, life, and salvation in the

face of sin, death, and the power of

the devil. Here in the church we

inhale God’s mercy in Word and

Sacrament, and exhale this same

mercy in love and service to our

neighbor. And that is an enduring,

joyful thing to do. Our joy fills our

neighbor’s need because His joy filled

ours (Heb. 12:2). Thanks be to God for

His inexpressible gift!

Doug Fuge, Stewardship Chairman

GSLMG (Good Shepherd Lutheran Men's Group) began our July meeting

@ 10 am, in the fellowship hall. After "catching up" and coffee, we were

joined by Pastor Zach who provided additional information concerning

his experience/visit to Good News at Noon, as well as some insight into

hispanic outreach opportunities. After answering several questions

evolving around our possible involvement with G.N.@Noon and the need

not to be "shy" about asking questions during our visit (as if ANYONE in

our group would be!) our discussion quickly turned to up-coming

activities. Several were brought up, voted on and passed. Please stay

tuned, as each will be divulged according to schedule.

Unfortunately, only eight men were able to participate in this month's

field trip due mainly to our schedule changes and other planned/

conflicting activities. Nevertheless, at approximately 11:15 am, we

"saddled up" and headed off to Good News for our 11:30 am

appointment. Upon arrival, we were immediately met by Mrs. Beth

Orozepza, who escorted us on a very complete tour of their facility. We

were introduced to several of the volunteers from the First Presbyterian

Church, Gainesville, who had prepared a lunch for those so

needing. This they prepare of a regularly scheduled basis. We then

toured the rest of the facility including the grounds and buildings that

are part of future/planned development. This facility is supported totally

by private donations and they accept no government funds. The services

they provide are quite extensive and impressive. The possible

involvement of GSLMG will be further explored and discussed, as it must

be scheduled in advance with total commitments. Currently, our youth

group is involved and several statements of appreciation with "thanks"

were expressed. Afterwards, we departed for lunch at the world famous

Chinese Buffet - directly across from GSLC in the Sherwood

Shopping Plaza - all left full & smiling!

On August 4, we will travel to the North Georgia Petting Zoo -

2912 Paradise Valley Rd., Cleveland, GA, for full tour. Admission will be

$6 per each (group rate for 12). Please plan on meeting in the

fellowship hall at 9:00 am for our usual (coffee & story telling), then on

to our designated location and "hand feeding of the lions," to be

demonstrated by our very own Kato! Please advise either Doug Fuge or

Paul Clarkson as we will need as least 12 for the stated admittance fee.

Afterwards we will attempt to gain entry into a world famous eating

establishment (to be determined)! Please come and partake of our

fellowship & fun - YOU are invited!

GSLMG meets the first Thursday of each month (unless scheduling/

conflicts evolve). GSLMG excludes no one. For all intents and purpose,

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 or Paul Clarkson for additional information.

- Paul Clarkson

Page 5 AUGUST 2016

Men’s Fellowship Parish Fellowship

SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP: I’ve run out

of new things to say to entice you into signing

up to host a Sundays morning fellowship. So –

as of this writing there are only two Sundays

filled on the sign-up sheet. Please help if you

can. Ask a friend (or maybe your small group)

to host with you and see how it works out. If

you have any questions, please contact Judy

Brookshire. Thank you.

CHURCH PICNIC:

Sunday, August 14

is the date for our

annual church

picnic. There will

be one church

service that day at

10:00 am with the

picnic beginning

about noon. Hamburgers, hot dogs, buns,

condiments, iced tea, lemonade and water will

be provided. There are sign-up sheets in the

information hallway for you to indicate what

dish you’d like to bring to share. Please sign up

even if you’re not sure you can make it, so we

get an idea of how many will attend.

There will be activities for

all ages, from toddlers on

up. We will once again

have the WATER SLIDE.

Unfortunately, this item is

not covered by our picnic

budget, so any donations

to offset the cost would

be greatly

appreciated.

Please make sure

“water slide” is

noted on your

check so it will go

to the proper

account. Thank

you. Also, anyone

having a canopy

we can borrow

(we need several),

please contact

Judy Brookshire.

That’s it for now.

I hope you’re

keeping cool and having a wonderful summer!

See you at the picnic!

- Judy Brookshire

Page 6 AUGUST 2016

Women’s Retreat

Helen, Georgia

November 4-6, 2016

Join us at our Bouquet of Blessings retreat

in Helen, Georgia for a time away from the

busyness of life—time for relaxation with

friends, to share laughter and stories, and

spend time with God.

The Bouquet of Blessings Retreat will

focus on the many blessings God has

given us. It includes Bible study, worship,

and time for laughter as well as shopping

in Helen, GA.

Information packets and registration forms are available on the information

table. Space is limited, so register early!

Save the Date

For our second annual mission bazaar November 12

10 am through 3 pm

Vendors wanted

For more information, see Eileen Moore or Catherine Spencer

You are invited to hear Keith and Priscilla Jefcoat, duet pianists, in concert at Brenau

University's Pearce Auditorium on September 1 at 7:30 pm. Works by Mozart,

Schubert, Dvorak, and Villa-Lobos. Admission is free.

“The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair ... .”

—Oliver Wendell

I was in a public bathroom when I saw

a sign that read: “Employees must

wash hands.” I waited for at least

ten minutes, but when no one came to wash my hands, I

did it myself.

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

AUGUST 2016 Page 7

DATE REFRESHMENTS FLOWERS

Aug 7 Youth Lili Smith (1) Jerry & Becky Austin (1)

aug 14 Church Picnic Mitch & Cathy Schueler (2)

Aug 21 Lili Smith (2)

Aug 28

A young couple usually sat in the back during Sunday services at their little country church. But one Sunday, their usual seats were taken. An usher directed them to the second row.

A seasoned church member sitting next to them didn’t recognize the couple and cheerfully welcomed them. “Glad to have you with us!” He exclaimed. “Where y’all from?”

Embarrassed, the young man mumbled, “The back.”

Our small group Bible study/

scrapbooking group will meet on

Tuesdays, August 2 and August 16,

from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Come join us!

Shared Blessings

Please note the new Shared Blessings report on

the bulletin board in the Information Hallway. It

gives the latest status in tabular form and is

updated monthly. We will receive a check for the

savings every 12 months. Note that the cumulative

savings since July of 2015 is over $2,200. We

have been at the 0.375% rebate level for three

months now. Note that estimated rebate amounts

range from $19,000 to $39,000 over the

remaining life of our loan. The amount rebated is

determined by the percent of the congregation

invested in LCEF. Any questions, see Doug Fuge.

DATE SERVICE ELDER/

LAY READER ACOLYTE USHERS ALTAR GREETERS

AUG 7 8:30 AM Sherry Anderson Renae Sheldon Jim & Karen Walker Karen Walker Bob & Dianna Jones

10:45 AM Chris Worl Madison Miller

Roy Conway & Evan Zimmerman Dottie Warren Craig & Karen Pieschke

AUG 14 10:00 AM Frank West Elli Ward

Thomas Gaddy & Edie Engel Robin Aikens Chuck & Betty Dyarmett

AUG 21 8:30 AM Jim Walker/ Dan Purdy Roy Conway

Dan Purdy & Austin Denton Karen Walker Mike & Carolyn Warren

10:45 AM Stanley Longman Haylee Stephens

Craig & Jesse Pieschke Dottie Warren Joe & Nancy Ponder

AUG 28 8:30 AM Brad Jovaag Connor Joyce

Ken Anderson & Ken Jackson Robin Aikens Ken & Bonnie Jackson

10:45 AM Jim Fitzgerald Blaze Ward

Jack Enkemann & Brad Zimmerman Dottie Warren Don & Margie Smith

“Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us

have gears we never use.” —Charles M. Schulz

AUGUST 2016 Page 8

MEMBERS

Diane Feeman

Tom Gaddy

Dave McDowell

Will Meilander

Alexandra Meyers

Wayne Peter

Al & Toni Ramm

Lili Smith

Johann Stone

Marie Thayer

Nancy Thiessen

Faye Vogel

Matthew Warren

Sam Wolford

Warren Zschoche

FRIENDS/RELATIVES

Emory & Shirley Dunahoo (Robin Aikens’ parents)

Joey Dunahoo (Robin Aikens’ brother)

Brent Doctor (Luanne Haupt’s nephew)

Shawn Clark (Barbara Foxhall’s friend)

Joseph Severino (John’s father)

Stacy Worton (George’s daughter)

John D’Antonio’s father

Debby Costello (Barb Dumont’s sister)

Bob Berghel

Rick Fagan (Fred Dissen’s friend)

Jimmy Gross (Becky & Jerry Austin’s friend)

Berdella Carl (Bev Snyder’s sister

Don Schnabel (Bev Snyder’s nephew)

Lori Copeland (Ponders’ daughter)

Megan Townsend (Austins’ daughter-in-law)

Charles Robison (Priscilla Jefcoat’s father)

Tracy Holland (Justin’s cousin)

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 (8)

8/12/1990 MIKE & TAUNYA MAYFIELD (26)

8/15/1981 PRISCILLA & KEITH JEFCOAT (35)

8/18/2012 WHITNEY & NIKKI AIKENS (4)

8/18/2007 ZACHARY & TRACI HOFFMAN (9)

8/25/1984 LARRY & LAURA CALLAHAN (32)

8/31/1977 KEN & SHERRY ANDERSON (39)

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

8/14 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

Secretary Position

Good Shepherd is now taking applications for a part-time church secretary to replace Margie, who will be moving to Florida.

A job description has been emailed to members -- copies are also available on the information table.

The deadline to submit an application or resume’ is August 3.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

August 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:30 am Staff

Devotions

1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Sherry

7 pm College

Bible study

(offsite)

2 1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Dianna

3

6:30 pm Youth

4 9 am Men’s

Fellowship

10 am Food

Pantry - Robin

5

3-6 pm

Cleaning

6

7 8:30 am Worship

9:45 am Sunday

school

10:45 am Worship

8 9:30 am Staff

Devotions

1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Betty

7 pm College

Bible study

(offsite)

9 1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Dianna

6:30 pm Elders

10

6:30 pm Youth

11 10 am Food

Pantry - Sherry

12

3-6 pm

Cleaning

13 10 am LWML

meeting

6 pm Gwinnett

Braves Game

14 10:00 am Worship

11:30 pm church

picnic

15 9:30 am Staff

Devotions

1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Bruns

7 pm College

Bible study

(offsite)

16 1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Betty

17

6:30 pm Youth

18 10 am Food

Pantry - Bruns

6:30 pm

Council

meeting

19

3-6 pm

Cleaning

20 10 am Crafters

21 8:30 am Worship

9:45 am Sunday

school

10:45 am Worship

22 9:30 am Staff

Devotions

1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Sherry

7 pm College

Bible study

(offsite)

23 NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE

1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Betty

24 6:30 pm Youth

25 10 am Food

Pantry - Beverly

26

3-6 pm

Cleaning

27

28 8:30 am Worship

9:45 am Sunday

school

10:45 am Worship

29 9:30 am Staff

Devotions

1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Janet

7 pm College

Bible study

(offsite)

30 1:30 pm Food

Pantry- Janet

31

6:30 pm Youth

Deadline for the

SEPTEMBER

Newsletter:

AUGUST 23

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

Ever wonder what God is doing in your life, or what — if anything — he’s accomplishing through you? You aren’t alone! Many people in the Bible surely felt the same way, from Joseph as a prisoner in Egypt to Mary as a young, unwed expectant mother.

Answers may come in time … or may need to wait until we get to heaven. Meanwhile, like missionary Elisabeth Elliot, we can take comfort in this truth: “God is God. Because he is God, he is worthy of my trust and obedience.” Elliot proclaimed, “I will find rest nowhere but in his holy will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what he is up to.”