We are once again worshiping together in the sanctuary, beginning June 6! All are welcome, regardless of vaccination status. While in the building, please continue to wear your mask and practice social distancing. Worship will continue to be offered on Zoom and YouTube, if you aren’t able to join us in person.
Author: Pastor Bob Schaefer
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Gardening Angels needed
Gardening Angels!! If you want to officially adopt a garden bed this year please sign the poster in the Narthex. If you plant it please also plan to weed and water it!!
We are excited to announce that Worship at the Gazebo will return for a second summer beginning Mother’s Day, May 9. Please join us at 10:30 for worship with Holy Communion!
There are three convenient ways to join us:
- Bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket and find a comfortable spot in the lawn. (We have folding chairs you can use, too.)
- Park in one of the spaces conveniently located by the gazebo and remain in your car.
- Catch us online, just as always.
In the event of inclement weather, we’ll announce on our website that services have been moved indoors. According to our current (revised) COVID-19 policy, those who have been fully vaccinated are able to join us in the sanctuary these Sundays. (This means that two weeks must have passed since your final dose of the vaccine. Please contact the church office to let us know your vaccination date[s].)
No matter whether we’re indoors or outdoors, we’ll continue to take precautions to keep everyone safe – please bring your mask and keep those respectful six feet of distance from others outside your immediate household.
We are excited to return to our beautiful gazebo this summer, and even more excited to worship and commune with you in person! If you are able to join us, we can’t wait to see you at the gazebo May 9.
And if the time isn’t right for you just yet, we completely understand – we’ll be sure to wave at the camera to let you know you matter to us, too.
We’ll see you online only this Sunday, May 2… and online or at the gazebo next Sunday, May 9!
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Support the Shelter Meal
We want to remind you that the monthly Shelter Meal in support of North Side Common Ministries continues! We usually have enough signed up to make Sloppy Joes but new cooks are always welcomed. We could use monetary donations to help with the cost of the side dishes, desserts, beverages and paper products. Use your green envelope, or a plain one, labeled Service Committee-Shelter Meal.
Again many thanks to Harry McCollum for continuing to deliver the meal and clothing donations to the North Side. Thank you to you all who continue to support this ministry.
– Your Service Committee
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Easter Flowers
Thank you to the following who donated flowers to beautify our worship space this Easter! Please stop by the church at your convenience to pick up your flowers – give us a call so we can make sure someone’s there to help you out.
- Donna & Charley Barr – in memory of daughter Beth Lynn
- The Pogue Family – in honor of our risen Lord
- Laura Mauser – in honor of Dick & Pat Almes
- Rich Curry – in memory of Mary Lou
- Del Hauer – in memory of Shorty Burkett
- Del Hauer – in memory of Frank Mellon
- Mary Duggan – in memory of loved ones
- Bill & Fran Lewis – in honor of loved ones
- Jeanne Lewis – in honor of parents
- Dick McClain and sons Ted, Bill, Dan and Jon – in memory of Connie McClain
- Amy Imblum
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All About Stewardship
Our 2021 stewardship campaign is off to a great start! We’ve rolled out a special page at www.goodshepherdlife.org/stewardship to be your one-stop source for helpful information, videos and links about the campaign. Check it out!
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Holy Week and Easter schedule
We are pleased to announce the following services to make your Holy Week and Easter a profound and moving experience this year:
Palm Sunday
- Worship with us online using Zoom or YouTube!
- Special “Readers Theatre” presentation of the Passion Gospel by members of The Good Shepherd.
- Special music by the church musicians.
Holy Week
Maundy Thursday
- A special service will be offered on our YouTube channel – you can view at any time at your convenience.
- Gather a some water and a towel before so you can participate in the washing portion of the service.
Good Friday
- The rostered leaders of the Synod Council have prepared a service of readings and preaching based on the Passion According to John. Pastor Bob will read the seven readings from scripture.
- We’ll view the service together at 7:00 pm using our regular Zoom link. Or you can view the service any time on the Synod’s YouTube channel.
Easter
Easter Sunday
Plans have changed…
Please note that due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in our county, we have revised this plan since it was first posted.
We are planning for two services: 9:00 and 10:30.- We are planning a single service at 10:30.
- If you have been fully vaccinated (two weeks have passed since your final dose), you may attend in person – please register with the office.
If you have not been fully vaccinated, you may request to attend – up to 25 at each service will be permitted on a first-come, first-served basis.- The service will be livestreamed as always using our normal Zoom and YouTube links for any who are unable to join us in person.
- Lots of special music has been prepared by our musicians!
- Holy Communion will be offered in the sanctuary for those who can attend the service in person, and to everyone in a drive-through distribution from noon to 2:00 in the church parking lot.
- Please note that case numbers in Allegheny County are currently rising. It is possible that they could reach levels where our COVID-19 policy no longer permits in-person gatherings indoors. If that occurs, we will be in touch with anyone who has registered, and will announce alternative plans.
The Second Sunday of Easter
- The chaplains of our synod have prepared a special service for us to use this Sunday.
- We’ll view the service together at 10:30 am using our regular Zoom link. Or you can view the service any time on the Synod’s YouTube channel.
The Shepherd’s Staff is the newsletter of The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. We publish two different editions of the newsletter – an online version that comes in your email, and a printed edition that is mailed out. We understand this might be a little confusing, so let us lay out the details:
The Shepherd’s Staff – Digital Edition
- Sent to all members and friends of the congregation with email addresses on file.
- Contains a summary of the news and announcements on our website in the last week, as well as helpful links like our online calendar and the Sunday worship instructions.
- Emailed early every Tuesday morning.
- Free for us to send.
The Shepherd’s Staff – Print Edition
- Sent to all members and friends of the congregation who do not have an email address on file, or who have requested a print copy.
- Contains a summary of the news and announcements on our website in the last month, as well as a copy of the next month’s calendar.
- Mailed via USPS the last week of the month.
- Costs a little bit to print and mail, but you’re worth it to us!
All of the content in The Shepherd’s Staff is available on our website – just choose “The Latest” or “Calendar” from our menu.
If you’d like to change how you receive The Shepherd’s Staff, just let the office staff know.
Our neighbors at East Suburban Unitarian Universalist Church are in the early stages of exploring the opportunity to create a solar power co-op for Monroeville area homeowners. Similar projects have been implemented elsewhere in southwestern Pennsylvania. By working together, homeowners have decreased expenses and streamlined the process of going green.
There are no commitments or obligations – this is a chance to talk and learn more.
If you’d like to be a part of the conversation, please let Pastor Bob know so he can connect you with ESUUC.
“Because of God’s Great Mercy” is the title of our stewardship emphasis this year. The scriptural basis of this focus on our stewardship of all that God has entrusted into our care is I Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light.”
We begin by proclaiming all that God has done for us, hence the title “Because of God’s Great Mercy.” God has made us God’s own people. We will also consider how generous giving is an important part of every Christian’s life, and how our combined generosity can make even greater things possible through our congregation.
During our stewardship program, we will think together about how our giving to the Good Shepherd is an important part of our Christian faith. We will also focus on how our congregation uses our offerings to do God’s work within the Good Shepherd’s walls, in our community, and around the world.
“Because of God’s Great Mercy” will ask you to do two things. First, you will be asked to think thoughtfully and pray about the ways that you contribute to the Good Shepherd. Second, you will be asked to commit to giving consistently. You might consider using an automatic funds transfer program through your bank or set up a recurring payment through PayPal.
As you make your gift, please know that confidentiality is of the utmost importance. The only people who will be aware of your financial contributions are you and the Financial Secretary, Steve Smith.
“Because of God’s Great Mercy” will use mail, e-mail, and time in worship to share information with you. Please watch for material during this important time in our congregation’s life.
If you have any questions about our stewardship program, please feel free to contact the church office. They’ll put you in touch with Laura Mauser OR Liz Smith. For questions concerning your past giving to the congregation they’ll connect you with Steve Smith.