Back by popular demand, we will once again be worshipping outdoors at the gazebo on the following Sunday mornings at 10:30 am, weather permitting – July 4th, August 1st , September 5th
Join us on the lawn or from your car for worship outdoors! Masks are not required! In the event of inclement weather, the worship service will be held in the sanctuary.
All other Sunday worship services will be held in the sanctuary at 10:30 am.
During the weeks after Pentecost, Pastor Bob will be preaching a sermon series: “God at Work – God’s gracious actions as seen through the lives of Samuel and David.”
If you missed an installment, why not visit our YouTube channel and catch up?
Please pray for Liz Smith, Gretchen Wiesner, Pastor Bob, and all the leaders of our synod as they gather online in Assembly Thursday night and all day Saturday. You can view the livestream at swpasynod.org/assembly2021 You’ll also find a virtual film festival, a coaching workshop, and the limited release podcast Faithful and Fulfilled: Stories on Purpose, for which Pastor Bob serves as an editor. Check it out!
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.
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!!
Our Financial Secretary, Steve Smith, provides monthly reports to the Congregation Council – contents of which were previously made available through weekly bulletins, financial reports made available in the church hallway and hard copies of the Council Meeting minutes. In the absence of that opportunity for sharing, we will be posting information on the website. The spreadsheet below provides the actual financial information so far this year. Prior years’ information was available in the Annual Report that you would have received in January.
| April 2021 | Year to Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Contributions and Income for Budgeted Items | $13,461 | $48,357 |
| Expenses | ($17,309) | ($72,659) |
| Actual Deficit | ($3,848) | ($24,302) |
| Transfer from Keeping God’s House | $1,644 | $10,654 |
| Adjusted Deficit | ($2,204) | ($13,647) |
Total Contributions and Income for Budgeted Items during April were $4,288 less than the month of March. On a positive note, contributions to “Keeping God’s House” were up, totaling $6,445 for the month of April. This fund can be used for facility improvements and has, over the last few years, been used to offset utility/maintenance expenses during the month. Expenditures in the month of April were down slightly from March, partially because of lower costs for snow removal and electricity but also because the natural gas expenses were paid out of the PPP loan and not from operating budgets. This trend should continue for the next two months until the PPP loan is depleted. Please note that in this chart of the church financials, “Operating Deficit” is meant to be the deficit before transferring money from Keeping God’s House to cover utility and other maintenance type expenses. “Recorded” deficit is the deficit after use of the Keeping God’s House fund for those specific expenses. It is the strong hope of the Congregation Council that through the Stewardship Campaign and the return to in person worship, contributions will increase to reduce the continually increasing deficit.
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:
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!
Our Financial Secretary, Steve Smith, provides monthly reports to the Congregation Council – contents of which were previously made available through weekly bulletins, hard copies of reports in the hallway stand in the church as well as hard copies of the Council Meeting minutes. In the absence of that opportunity for sharing, we will be posting information on the website. The spreadsheet below provides the actual financial information so far this year. Prior years’ information was available in the Annual Report that you would have received in January.
| Mar-21 | Year to Date | |
| Total Contributions and Income for Budgeted Items | $17,749 | $34,897 |
| Expenses | ($18,880) | $(55,350) |
| Actual Deficit | ($1,132) | ($20,453) |
| Transfer from Keeping God’s House | $2,766 | $ 9,010 |
| Adjusted Deficit/Surplus | $ 1,634 | ($11,443) |
Total Contributions and Income for Budgeted Items during March were improved as compared with the first two months of the year as well as with any individual month in 2020. We are hopeful that with the Stewardship Campaign and the continued focus on supporting Good Shepherd’s ministries, this favorable trend will continue. We continued to receive contributions “Keeping God’s House” as well. This fund can be used for facility improvements and has, over the last few years, been used to offset utility/maintenance expenses during the month. Expenditures in the month of March were fairly normal with higher expenses for snow removal and natural gas than will be anticipated with the onset of spring. In this chart, “Operating Deficit” is meant to be the deficit before transferring money from Keeping God’s House to cover utility and other maintenance type expenses. “Recorded” deficit is the deficit after use of the Keeping God’s House fund for those specific expenses.
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
As a result of the great response we had with our last collection of new and used medical equipment and new supplies, our collection will continue. Spread the word to family and friends that we are a collection site, please! Once we have collected enough items, Brother’s Brother Foundation will be scheduled for a pick-up. Please call the church office at 412-372-2934 to schedule a time for drop-off. And please keep in mind, a small collection of items is kept at the church for use: wheel chairs, walkers, canes. Thank you for keeping this mission alive!