News

Haiti Mission Trip

Lora Samuelson will give a presentation at the adult bible class Sunday June 19. A little summary of her trip follows:

I went with a group of 23 other people from KS, MO, NE mostly.  The House of Hope has two orphanages – one that has been existence for several years and one that was built after the earthquake.  The original HOH has 17 children living and going to school there and the newer HOH has 43 children.  The HOH organization also built a school up on the mountain for the children living up there – they used to walk about 2 hours each way to attend the school at the original HOH.  Our focus on this trip was to do health checks, conduct interviews, hand out shoes, clear brush and plant a garden and fruit trees.  We got most of those things accomplished, but it was difficult to work with all the children wanting our attention!  The little girls just want to be held and cuddled, while the little boys loved playing soccer with the young men and women in our group.  The children in the orphanage are very well cared for – have clean clothes, shoes, and all are going to school.  Many of the children in the surrounding village don’t have shoes, alot cannot afford to go to school.  They always ran to meet us when our bus pulled up and followed us to the orphanage everyday.  I’ll never forget their sweet, happy spirits!  It was difficult to communicate because the kids speak French Creole, but if I started singing a song – they would start singing it in their language.  Hearing those little voices sing “Jesus Loves Me” was better than any rock concert!  Sunday worship in Haiti was about 2 hours and the Holy Spirit was present in such a powerful way!  The kids from the village walked about a mile to attend and everyone wears their very best.  The people love to sing and they worship and sing with their whole heart.  I loved my time with the children and people of Haiti – it was so hard to say good bye.  I hope and pray that the the Lord makes a way for me to go again.

To God be the glory!

 

Announcements — June 12, 2011

REMEMBER IN PRAYER Sharon R., at Freeman Hospital; Raymond S., Pastor & Mary’s brother, undergoing treatment; the victims of the tornado and those responding to help.

GUEST PASTOR The Rev. Dr. David Johns is our guest Pastor today while Pastor & Gerry are attending a family wedding in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, area.  We appreciate him and always enjoy his message.  Thank you, Pastor Johns.  Pastor Schnackenberg will return on Wednesday.WE THANK Vern W. for leading the adult Bible Study this morning.  We appreciate his willingness to help out.

FATHER’S DAY POT LUCK/SUNDAY SCHOOL FUN DAY Next Sunday bring your favorite pot luck dish, your lawn chairs and any outside games you’d like to play, and join with your church family for a delicious meal, and a relaxed, fun time.  It will all happen after the 10:45 am service.  There will also be an Ice Cream Sundae Bar…YUMMY!  You are welcome to dress casually for church.

HELPING WITH SLEEPING SPACE We have housed and will continue to provide a space for individuals and groups who come to help with the tornado relief.  We have acquired bunk beds that have been set up in the Youth Trailer for this purpose.  So, if you see tired, but smiling happy folks on the property, just say “Hi, and thank you!”

THRIVENT MATCHING FUNDS If you would like to donate money for tornado relief to either Immanuel or Peace Lutheran in Joplin, Thrivent will match $1.00 for each $3.00 raised.  You can give your donation through Good Shepherd, and we will see that it goes where you have designated it.

SOFTBALL The co-ed team plays at 7:30 on Monday evening.  The Tuesday night men’s team will play at 6:30.

CROSSLINES WORK DAY is this Friday beginning at 8:00 am.  If you have an interest in helping, and need more information, give Nan B.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.

TAPES OF THE SERVICE Audio tapes of the service are available after the 8:15 am service each Sunday.  They are located in the glassed-door cabinet in the narthex.  Tapes of the previous Sunday are also available.

PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.  We have had reports and words of thanks from folks being blessed by this outreach ministry.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are available in the narthex after each service.  You will be given a small form that can be carried in your wallet which will include medical information and a log of your blood pressure readings.

Announcements — June 5, 2011

REMEMBER IN PRAYER  Sharon R., at Freeman Hospital;  Raymond S., Pastor & Mary’s brother, undergoing further tests on his spinal cord; the victims of the tornado and those responding to help.

TORNADO HELP  Work crews are being formed to help with cleanup efforts for those effected by the tornado.  This involves cleaning up debris, removing fallen trees, etc. 
  Volunteers are needed at the resource center at Martin Luther  School that involves sorting donations, setting up supplies and helping   families find what they need.
  Meals are needed from time to time, so if you can help with food  preparation, please let us know.
  Cash donations are always needed.  You can give through the con-  gregation and we will direct it to where you want it to go.
  Use the sign up sheets in the Narthex to indicate how you can help.

FEMA INFORMATION  If you know of someone in need, there are brochures on the table in the narthex with more extensive information on how to apply for assistance.  There is also a flyer giving information about disaster unemployment assistance. 

SOFTBALL  The co-ed team plays at 8:30 on Monday evening.  The Tuesday night men’s team will play at 8:30.

CONGREGATIONAL COOKOUT AND SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL BEACH KICK-OFF has been postponed.

THE OVER-50 GOOD SHEPHERDS will meet this Thursday evening at 6:00.

GUEST PASTOR  The Rev. Dr. David Johns will be our guest Pastor next Sunday while Pastor & Gerry attend a family wedding in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, area. 

ASSISTIVE LISTENING  If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.

PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.  We have had reports and words of thanks from folks being blessed by this outreach ministry.      

TAPES OF THE SERVICE  Audio tapes of the service are available after the 8:15 am service each Sunday.  They are located in the glassed-door cabinet in the narthex.  Tapes of the previous Sunday are also available.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are available in the narthex after each service.  You will be given a small form that can be carried in your wallet which will include medical information and a log of your blood pressure readings.

ALTAR FLOWERS  You may place your order for altar flowers through Diana E.  The cost will be $25.00.  You can also order from Countryside Flowers and Third Day Creations in Diamond.  Any questions, give Diana a call.

Tornado Relief

The May 22 devastating EF-5 tornado that hit Joplin will have a very lasting impact on us all for a very long time.  It definitely has impacted the lives of at least four of our families here at Good Shepherd who lost their homes on that very warm Sunday evening:  Steve & Karen G., Jordan K. and baby Ezekiel, Sharon R. and David & Nancy W.  We are so very thankful that you are safe!!!

Immanuel Lutheran, in Joplin, suffered some damage to the parsonage, the school, and to the church.  At least 34 families from its congregation lost their home or suffered major damage.

Peace Lutheran, whose house of worship was totally destroyed, had 12 families directly affected by the storm.

We are thankful to each and everyone of you who has given of your time, your money, and your prayers to help support the relief effort.  All is very appreciated, important and needed!  Please continue to keep all volunteers, law enforcement and medical personnel in your prayers.

There is more to be done.  Pastor is coordinating the efforts for the outside clean up of the families affected, along with Lutheran Disaster Relief, a division of Lutheran Church Charities. If you can help with this large undertaking, please call the church office, 358-1325.  Help will also be needed in the Resource Center that is set up at Martin Luther School.  In addition, meals are served there each day and they can always use help with serving and clean up.  Preparation of food is also a great need.  Contact the church office to find out when you can help in that area.  Lutheran Disaster Relief is also taking monetary donations.  If you would like to help in this way, make your donation to Good Shepherd and we will see that it goes to the right place to help those affected in Joplin.

Other avenues to search for information about how you can help is to go to rebuildjoplin.com or call AmeriCorp by dialing 2-1-1 on your phone.

We will still be here when many of the long distance volunteers, the media, etc, have gone home.  This is our home.  We are here for the long haul.  May the Lord continue to bless our labors, so that through them, all will see God’s love, and the love we have for our neighbor.

With God, we know we will be OK!


— Copied from the June Newsletter