Discipleship Ministry Team |
The Discipleship Ministry Team's purpose is to provide learning experiences for people of all ages so that they may grow in their understanding of the good news of Jesus Christ and become better equipped for daily living as faithful disciples.
When the Discipleship Ministry Team meets it is always open to everyone who wants to take an active role in helping others grow in their faith. Contact the church office (301-843-6797) for more information.
The Bible is the book for all of God's people and the Discipleship Ministry is pleased to place Bibles on the Welcome Table in the church entrance for anyone who either needs one or knows someone who needs a Bible. This is just one of the many ways we have of sharing God's Word. |
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VBC 2011: PandaMania |
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It is time to think about our Vacation Bible Camp scheduled for June 27th—July 1st. This summer, we travel to the exotic bamboo forests to find missing pandas while we explore five truths from Psalm 139 and find out that God is Wild About Us. There are ways to serve, both the week of VBC, as well as tasks that can be done beforehand or at home. If you feel called to share your faith with our future – the children of the church and surrounding community, then please consider volunteering your time. Fill out a gray volunteer form and drop it in the clear box found on the Welcome Table in the foyer.
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5/7/9 Fellowship Groups |
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Fellowship Groups are formed at Good Shepherd to provide an opportunity to build relationships with others outside of church activities. Dick Wills says in his book, Waking to God's Dream that "Fellowship meets our need to belong. In worship we often mingle but seldom meet. Fellowship is the informal time when people get to know and love one another."
These are not Bible study groups; they are not Prayer or Growth groups, just pure fellowship and fun surrounded by good food. There are several types of Fellowship groups to choose from, for example: Saturday Morning Breakfast, Home, Cards/Games, Movies, Restaurant, Dessert and Coffee Groups.
Within the groups, each member is encouraged to make the monthly group gatherings a priority. All groups consist of no less than five and no more than nine members in order to enhance the ability of the group members to really get to know each other. Everyone is important in a Fellowship Group and each member is expected to be loving, honest and affirming of all other members. The confidentiality of every member is respected. Time spent together focuses on getting to know each other in fun, non-threatening ways and to care about each other in meaningful ways. Each Fellowship Group will stay together as long as it is fun!!
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Confirmed In Faith |
The following persons were confirmed in faith on Sunday, May 1st. Since September they have been meeting together to consider what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of the community of faith. At their confirmation, they took on the vows that were made for them at their baptism.
Kimberly Boenig, daughter of Sandra & Charles Boenig
Morgan Foos, daughter of Caroline Foos
Kacee Groff, daughter of Brian Groff
Molly Hersh, daughter of Karla & Robert Hersh, Jr.
Antoinette Hopkins, daughter of Michelle Hopkins
Derek Peltzer, son of Amey & Rodney Peltzer
Zach Tilch, son of Patricia Tilch
Nate Weavill, son of Rebecca and David Weavill
Pictures from the Confirmation Sunday Service.
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Lay Leadership
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We have many talented and gifted persons throughout the congregation who serve in various ways. We want to recognize those who serve on the Church Council and the administrative and program committees of the church. Thank you for your work to keep the church building in good shape, to care for the church staff, to care for the budget and finances, to plan and oversee the church programs and direct the operation of the GS Education and Child Care Center. John Graham is the new chair of the Church Council and John Sauer is the new chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee. For a complete list of all the committees and leaders, see the bulletin board in the church lobby.
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Sunday School News |
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Sunday School Missions
So far in 2011, our Sunday School students have taken on many missions. The preschool class from 2009-2010 chose to send art supplies to our sister church in Latvia for their summer camp, but needed to wait until this February to send them off because it will take so long for them to be delivered. We just sent over $50 worth of paper, markers, crayons, paints, etc. for the children in Latvia to use while learning about Jesus this summer. Hopefully it will make it there on time!
The preschool class this year chose to participate in the Shoes for Orphan Souls collection project. Our goal is to have 100 items to send by the last day of Sunday School - Memorial Day weekend. We have 50 items so far: 16 pairs of shoes, 18 pairs of socks, 15 pairs of underwear, and 1 pair of shoelaces. If you would like to help us reach our goal, all items need to be brand new, and sneaker-like shoes are the best because they last the longest. Let Amy Warren or Danielle Coffren know, or come to our class at 9:30 on a Sunday and let the kids see what you have.
Our Kindergarten and First Grade Class is saving up for a specific animal from the Heifer Project, as are the 2nd & 3rd grade and 4th & 5th grade classes. Recently, two students from the 2nd & 3rd grade class made lunches for the guests from Safe Nights with their family, repeating this mission from the first week in December. And recently the 4th & 5th grade class put half of the money they had collected for their Heifer animal toward the UMCOR relief efforts in Japan. They have doubled their efforts to collect enough money for their Heifer goal in the last month of the Sunday School year.
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Nursery |
Good Shepherd provides a nursery for young children; infants (at least 6 months old) through 4 years of age as a service to parents on Sunday mornings during worship and Sunday school times. The nursery opens at 9:00 AM and closes immediately after the end of the 11:00 am worship. One those Sundays when there is one worship service the nursery will close immediately after the end of the 10:00 am worship.
Copies of the Good Shepherd Nursery Guidelines are available for each parent/guardian. All parents/guardians will have to complete a nursery registration form for each child and have to sign in and out their child/children each time they use the nursery.
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