Good Shepherd United Methodist Church is a fellowship of believers in Christ called to be servants, who worship God, love others, and reach out to the community and the world.

From the Study There’s a story of a mother picking up her son at day-

care after she had a particularly long and exhausting

day at work. After gathering up all his things and talk-

ing with the teachers, she finally got him settled into

the car seat, and they began their journey home. To

her own admission, her mind was still on work when

she heard a voice from the back seat ask one of

“those” questions. “Mommy, where is God?” This

mom was prepared! In the most reassuring voice she

had, she told her son, “Oh

dear, there is nowhere you

can go that god won’t be

there. God wants to be

with us all the time simply

because God LOVES us that

much!” The mom noticed

that there was a rather

long silence, so as she

glanced in the rearview mirror she noticed the boy

moving his head from side to side as if he were looking

for something.

“What are you doing dear?”

“I’m looking for God Mommy!”

“Well,” she had to ask, “did you find Him?”

To which the young boy replied, “No, Mommy, I think

God ran away.” Maybe this little boy’s question was

more honest than we may care to admit.

As the ancient Israelites began their wilderness wander-

ings, they began to whether or not God was with them.

They began to grumble and even question if God was with

them in this journey. It was early in their wilderness wan-

derings. So they have recent, vivid memories of the mirac-

ulous presence of God who saves them through the

plagues and rescues them from Pharaoh's army as the

waters are split open for their escape across the Red Sea.

They have been led by the pillar of fire and even receive

manna and quail to fill their stomachs. So these Israelites,

they have each experienced the work of God first hand in

the darkest of circumstances. The late Peter Gomes re-

mind us, “They had evidence. But what

they want is personal satisfaction.” "I'm

hungry! I'm thirsty! I'm lonely! I'm

broke! I'm hurt! I'm sick! What will you

do about it God? Are you with us or

not?" Old Testament scholar, Terrence

Frenheim write, “Suddenly wilderness

is no longer a geographical place. Wil-

derness becomes a state of mind and spirit for anyone

who attempts faith.”

The story of the ancient Israelites wilderness wanderings

is a story of each of us. The question, "Is God with us or

not?" may be one of our longing souls. If we could only

keep our eyes open in anticipation and not shut them in

fear and dread--we will see glimpses of God, moments of

joy that will take our breath away and bring tears to our

eyes.

If you’re ever riding in a car and the question gets raised,

"Is God with us or not?” How would you answer that

question?

G O O D S H E P H E R D U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4

“What are you doing dear?”

“I’m looking for God Mommy!”

“Well,” she had to ask,

“did you find Him?”

Membership Class Beginning Oct. 5

Would you like to know more about the United Methodist

Church? Are you interested in becoming a member of Good

Shepherd UMC? Then come learn more about the church and

what it means to be a member of Good Shepherd. We will be

starting a new class on Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 10:30 am in

the Library. There will be three sessions: October 5, 12, and

19; with receiving new members on October 26, 2014.

The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is

an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty.

We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's

lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each

of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex.

The church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not

just responding to all the other 'mind-makers-up' that exist in

our society."

Excerpt from The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2012.

Copyright © 2012 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by per-

mission.

Visit www.umc.org to learn more about who we are, what we

believe, and how we serve.

Weekly

Bible Studies

Attend one of our weekly

Bible Studies!

Mondays For Men

Every Monday

(Excluding Holidays)

6:30—8:00 pm

Location: Stage Room

Pastor’s Bible Study

Every Thursday

10:00 AM

Location: Library

Worship

Services

EVERY SUNDAY

Traditional Service

9:15 AM

Praise Service

11:25 AM

Sunday School for all ages

10:30 AM

Annual Charge

Conference

October 28, 2014

6:00 PM

Pleasant Hills UMC

(13200 E. Bagley Road

Middleburg Heights)

All are welcome to

attend the annual

Church Confer-

ence. Any member of

the church has a vote

on the decisions made.

Each year every United

Methodist churches

meets with the District

Superintendent

to share goals, elect

leaders, and set the

Pastor's salary. John

Wesley, the founder of

the Methodist move-

ment, believed that

this was not just busi-

ness but a way to wor-

ship and experience

the grace of God.

Dr. Steven Bailey, our

District Superinten-

dent, will lead the con-

ference. We will be

meeting with nine oth-

er United Methodist

churches and have the

opportunity to see how

the Spirit is working

through them.

Second Sundays for Seniors is Coming

As we grow older, there are a great many challenges from legal to issues of independence. Those that have faced some of these difficult ques-tions know well that that task can be almost overwhelming. We are be-ginning a new opportunity for Seniors and those who care for them. Beginning Sunday October 12, and continuing on the second Sunday of each month through April, we are hosting a special opportunity to help with some of these issues. Each month a different topic will be ad-dressed, aimed at helping you with some of these challenging issues. We will begin to gather at 12:30 in the Stage Room with the presentation to begin at 12:45. Each session will conclude by 1:30. Gloria Homolak, an attorney and member at Ridgewood, will present “Legal Issues” at our first meeting on October 12. Each presenter brings a wealth of experience and expertise in their area. Our goal is to help you gather information and form your own care team. Here are the top-ics we hope to address in the coming months:

October 12 The Legal Issus Involved with Aging November 9 Keeping Your Independence and Driving December 14 In-Home Services for the Aging January 11 Assisted Living Options February 8 Understanding Your Financial Options March 8 Emotional & Mental Health Issues April 12 Caring for the Caregiver

Reservations are not required, but suggested. For more information, please call the church office.

Get Involved BECOME A MEMBER OF THE HAND CHIMES The GSUMC Hand Chimes are looking for new members. Practices are once a week on Wednesdays from 6:00—7:00 pm. The Hand Chimes perform once a month in the Traditional Worship service at 9:15 am. Members are not required to know how to read music in or-der to join. For more information, please contact our Music Director, Lynn Campbell, at musicdirec-tor@gsumparma.com or by calling (440) 884-9090. RUMMAGE SALE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteer your time to the Fall Rummage Sale at GSUMC. The set up will begin on Sunday, Oc-tober 5, 2014 from 1:00—4:00 pm in the basement of the church.

Pictured above: Rummage Room

Check out the New Junior High Room Pictured above is the new Junior High Sunday School Room, previ-ously known as the Exodus Room. Teens in grades seventh and eighth meet here with their new leader, Mary Ann Herron, for Sunday School each week.

Congratulations

Steve & Charlene Kather

The Good Shepherd family congratulates church members Steve

and Charlene Kather on the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Jo

Kather, who was born on August 26, 2014! Welcome to the church

family, Elizabeth!

Youth News By Jennifer Sefl, Youth Director youthdirector@gsumparma.com Sunday school kicked off on Sep-tember 7th with a breakfast and games!! Thank you to Lidia Whited and Elizabeth Whited for preparing, serving, and cleaning up! The youth focused on Noah for the month of September in Sunday school and held a movie night to watch "Noah" the movie and compare what we learned. New this year The Junior High (7th—8th grade) Sunday School class is led by Mrs. Herron and the Senior High (9th -12th grade) class is led by Jennifer Sefl. Save the Date Friday, November 7, 2014 Youth Lock In See the Youth Newsletter and the church website for more infor-mation

Pictured Above: Cross from Youth Room

Prayer Concerns

The names of those below have been asked to be prayed for by them-selves or others with the permission of the individual who is being pray-er for. If you have a prayer concern or wish to be removed from the list, please contact the church office. In Recovery Sally B Randy Mark Soberay, nephew of Heidi H Those Who Are Pregnant Susan R Living with Cancer Greg P, father of Mike P (Laurie) Linnie L, mother of Linda G Tom W, friend of Brian B Elena K, friend of Steve K Howard E Ron D Linda C Sharon G Heidi M Carol S, Don & Lynn C’s aunt Jennifer S, Richard H’s cousin Julie W, daughter of Bob & Blanche W Stephanie Jane L Those Serving in the Military Airman Matthew W, US Air Force John L, father of Kaleb L Rachel C R, North Carolina L Cpl Glenn S, United States Marine, Camp Legune Keep in Your Prayers Linda D, Sister of David D Phyllis H Sal P, Penny F’s cousin Gene S The family of Joan C Cherilynne N Tammy C, sister of Christine C Pat J Ethan K, grandson of Allen G’s co-worker Ray S Vinnie S Vikki N Charles & Doreen P Walther K Frank & Judy M Blanche K Bob, son-in-law of Don & Sally B Carol B Ed & Kathy B , friend of MaryAnn H Lillian S Virginia G, mother of Alan G

Thank You I want to thank everyone

for the prayers, the get well cards, and phone calls after my knee re-

placement. And a special thanks to you Pastor Bob for the many visits to the hospital. We belong to a

very caring and special church.

God bless everyone,

Sally Bloom _ _ _ _ _ _

Thanks to everyone in the Good Shepherd fami-

ly for their support and prayers during Ed's battle

with cancer and, finally, in his passing. Certainly

the love of Christ is in this Church, and it has truly

been a blessing to me and my family.

God bless,

Pat Jeffries _ _ _ _ _ _

Good Shepherd Family, Thank you so much for your support as I went

through surgery on Sep-tember 15, 2014. The

prayers, cards and phone calls are so appreciated. Special thanks to Pastor

Bob for coming to the hospital to pray with me

and my family before the surgery. God bless all of

you.

Love, Martha Holben

Christian Sympathy

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more peo-ple may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. There-fore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

(2 Corinthians 4:13-16)

Richard Hlvasa July 15, 2014

James Smith

August 20, 2014

Hilda Carey August 24, 2014

Ed Keough

August 27, 2014

Please keep the family and friends of the loved ones above in your thoughts and prayers.

October 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

7 PM Choir

Practice, S

2

10 AM Pastor’s

Bible Study, L

7:30 PM TCM, L

3

7 PM PTP, S

4

5 Communion

10:30 AM MC, L

1 PM RSSU, LL

6 PM SPRM with

DS, PHUMC

6:30 PM Bowling

League, YTL

6

6:30 PM MFM, SR

7

12 PM United

Methodist Women

Meeting, SR

7 PM D14, SR

8

10 AM CCM ,SR

7 PM FCM, O

7 PM Choir

Practice, S

9

10 AM Pastor’s

Bible Study, L

7:00 PM ACM, L

10

5-8 PM RS, LL

5-8 PM United

Methodist Women

Bake Sale

7 PM PTP, S

11

9 AM-1 PM RS, LL

9 AM-1 PM,

Church Campers

Bake Sale

12

10:30 AM MC, L

12:30 PM Senior

Sunday, SR

13

6:30 PM MFM, SR

7 PM PSCM, O

14

12 PM RCM, SR

7 PM Christian

Education Mtg, L

15

7 PM Choir

Practice, S

16

10 AM Pastor’s

Bible Study, L

17

7 PM PTP, S

18

19

10:30 AM MC, L

6:30 PM Bowling

League, YTL

20

6:30 PM MFM, SR

21

7 PM D14, SR

22

7 PM Choir

Practice, S

23

10 AM Pastor’s

Bible Study, L

24

7 PM PTP, S

25

1 PM Caring

Dinner, LL

26

New Member

Reception

The Children’s Choir

Performs in both

services

27

6:30 PM MFM, SR

28

7 PM Annual

Charge Confer-

ence, PHUMC

29

7 PM Choir

Practice, S

30

10 AM Pastor’s

Bible Study, L

7 PM SPRC, L

31

7 PM PTP, S

1

Titles

MFM—Mondays for Men

TCM—Trustees Committee Meeting

D14—Disciple 14 Bible Study

YTL—Yorktown Lanes

PSCM—Program Staff Committee Meeting

CCM—Care Committee Meeting

ACM—Administrative Council Meeting

SPRC—Staff Parish Relations Committee Meeting

PTP—Praise Team Practice

FCM—Finance Committee Meeting

RCM—Rachel Circle Meeting

Titles continued….

MC—Membership Class

RSSU—Rummage Sale Set Up

RS—Rummage Sale

SPRM with DS—Staff Parish Relations Meeting with District Su-

perintendent

Locations

O—Church Office SR—Stage Room

S—Sanctuary P—Parlor

YR—Youth Room YTL—York Town Lanes

LL—Lower Level PHUMC—Pleasant Hills UMC

Contact Us

Good Shepherd UMC

5930 State Road

Parma, OH 44134

(440) 884-9090

office@gsumparma.com

Visit us on the web at

www.gsumparma.com

Prayer Requests

Let us pray for you.

Submit prayer requests

through the website, by

phone, or by e-mail.

Second Sundays for Seniors is Coming!

Designed for Seniors and their Caregivers

Topics Include:

October 12 The Legal Issus Involved with Aging November 9 Keeping Your Independence and Driving December 14 In-Home Services for the Aging January 11 Assisted Living Options February 8 Understanding Your Financial Options March 8 Emotional & Mental Health Issues April 12 Caring for the Caregiver

See page three, under the heading titled, “Second Sundays for Seniors is Coming,” for more information.

GOOD SHEPHERD

United Methodist Church

5930 State Road

Parma, OH 44134

TIME VALUE MAIL

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The Shepherd | October 2014

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

P A I D

CLEVELAND, OHIO

PERMIT NO. 287