Author: Pastor Bob Schaefer

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Reflect and Rejoice: Holy Week Services at Good Shepherd

human standing beside crucifix statue on mountain
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Holy Week and Easter at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

We invite you to join us for worship and reflection as we walk together through the sacred moments of Christ’s journey this Holy Week. On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, we will gather at 7:00 PM, both in person and online via YouTube, to remember the Last Supper and the sacrifice of the cross. Through scripture, prayer, and music, we will pause to reflect on the depth of Christ’s love and grace poured out for all. These services will prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter, reminding us of the hope we find in His promise.

Then, on Easter Sunday at 10:30 AM, we will come together to celebrate the risen Christ with a festive communion service. Whether you join us in the sanctuary or from the comfort of your home via YouTube, we welcome you to experience the triumphant message of resurrection and renewal. This special service will feature inspiring music, joyous hymns, and powerful expressions of praise that reflect the beauty of new life in Christ. The celebration of Easter is a time for us to rejoice in the fullness of God’s love and embrace the hope that it brings.

We encourage you to be part of these meaningful services, to worship, reflect, and celebrate with us. Holy Week and Easter remind us of God’s unwavering love and the promise of life anew. Together, as a community of faith, we will gather in gratitude and anticipation, embracing the profound beauty of this sacred season. Join us at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and let us rejoice in the glory of Christ’s resurrection!

Visit our Holy Week Hub

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Say cheese! Sign up for your free portrait session

It’s directory time!

We’re excited to announce that Good Shepherd is creating a new photo directory in 2025—our first in nearly a decade! This is more than just a book of faces. It’s a snapshot of our shared life together, a tool to help us connect and care for one another, and a keepsake we can treasure for years to come.

All members and regular participants are encouraged to sign up for a professional portrait session on one of several Sundays after worship. Each household that takes part will receive a free printed directory. For the best results, we suggest avoiding logos or branded clothing, and we recommend that couples and families coordinate their clothing colors.

If you are unable to attend a portrait session, you may submit a recent photo of your choosing instead.

Let’s come together to help create something beautiful and meaningful—an image of our congregation in this season of ministry and mission.

sign up for your free session or submit your photo
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Palm Sunday Readers Theater – A TGSLC Tradition

leaves in white background
Photo by Royan Cholilir Rochman on Pexels.com

This Palm Sunday, April 13, our congregation will offer a special presentation of a readers theater performance during worship. Through a dramatic reading of the Passion story, members of our church will bring the events of Jesus’ final days to life in a powerful and moving way. Rather than a traditional sermon, the story will be told in the voices of many—disciples, bystanders, religious leaders, and Jesus himself—inviting us to enter more deeply into the sacred mystery of Holy Week.

Readers theater allows Scripture to speak directly to our hearts, not through elaborate sets or costumes, but through the power of the Word and the shared voices of our community. This simple yet profound form of storytelling helps us hear the familiar story in a new way. We hope you will join us for this meaningful service as we begin our journey toward the cross and the joy of Easter morning.

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Pray with us this Holy Week

As we enter into the the holiest time of the church year, many of us are searching for ways to deepen our spiritual journey and connect more deeply with our faith. One such opportunity is the Holy Week prayer vigil, a time of quiet reflection and renewal held in our prayer chapel.

Introspective and moving.
A renewal for all.

Michele, past participant

Beginning after the Good Friday worship and running until Easter morning, the prayer vigil offers a sacred space for individuals and families to spend time in prayer and contemplation. Our attendants are present during nighttime shifts to ensure the comfort and security of all participants.

In the prayer chapel, a variety of prayer resources are available, including hymnals, devotionals, and other materials to help guide your spiritual journey. We also provide a private restroom and light refreshments for your convenience.

This is a time for quiet reflection and renewal, a time to step away from the busyness of life and connect more deeply with God. Whether you come alone or with a friend, the transformative power of prayer is waiting for you in our prayer chapel.

We invite you to sign up for a one-hour shift and experience the grace and beauty of this sacred space. Allow prayer to transform your heart and spirit during this holy season of Lent, and discover new strength and renewal for the journey ahead.

Join us for the Holy Week prayer vigil and find solace, peace, and grace in the transformative power of prayer.

Learn More and Sign Up
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Lent and Easter 2025

We look forward to seeing you this Lent and Easter! You can use these daily resources to deepen your faith and open your heart during your Lenten journey.

View Daily Prayer

This daily program is produced by Pastor Bob and available on YouTube and anywhere you get your podcasts.

Read More

Read Daily Devotions

A daily meditation from the community of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

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Annual Meeting of the Congregation

The annual meeting of The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be held Sunday, January 26 following worship. We will elect council members and synod assembly voting members, as well as other business.

The annual report has been emailed, and hard copies are available in the office.

The meeting will be offered on Zoom as well as in person – look for the banner on top of our homepage on the day of the meeting to find the link to the Zoom meeting.

Light refreshments will be offered following the meeting.

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Souper Sunday

bowl of soup and two silver spoons
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Join us for a special celebration of food and fellowship on Sunday, February 9th immediately following worship. We will break bread, slurp soup and dive into dessert while collecting canned goods and other donations for those in need. We hope to have a “souper” good time and share our gifts with others! All are welcome! The lunch will be provided by our Sunday School families and the Education Committee – so just come and enjoy! Please sign up on the posting in the narthex or contact the church office.

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There’s a place for you this Christmas!

View our full Christmas schedule
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Special council meeting called for October 7, 2024

The council will meet briefly in a closed session on Monday, October 27. The purpose of the meeting will be to consider the personnel committee’s recommendation for the pastor’s medical coverage prior to the deadline for submitting our preference to Portico.

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Special council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 8/28

A special meeting of the congregation council will be held this Wednesday, August 28 at 8:00 pm on Zoom. The meeting will be to consider matters related to the sale of our property. The meeting will be closed due to the confidential nature of the business.