News

Last Updated March 27, 2024     

Adult Bible Class meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

High Youth Bible Class meets on Sunday Mornings at 9:15 a.m. in the Youth Room on the School Lower Level. Youth who have graduated from 6th grade through Senior year in High School are invited to join us for Bible Study, Fellowship, and Snacks!

Sunday School – Join us this Sunday, from 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. for Sunday School!

- Parents & Babies (birth – 2 years old) will meet in the Nursery in the Church Lower Level.

- 3-year-olds through Kindergarten will meet in the “Tracks” area in the School Lower Level

- 1st grade through 6th grade will meet in the School Cafeteria

- 7th & 8th grade will meet in the School Learning Center.

Please join us for our Holy Week Services. Services on Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024, will be at 4:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. with Communion. Services on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Holy Saturday Service will be at 5:30 p.m. on March 30, 2024 with Communion. Easter Sunday Services with Communion will be at 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. on March 31, 2024.

Easter Sunday - Join us on Easter Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in the school gymnasium for a hot breakfast, family devotions and an Easter egg hunt.

Easter Egg Hunt - Your help is needed for the Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt. Please grab a bag of plastic eggs to take home and fill with small toys or pre-packaged candy and return to the church narthex no later than Wednesday, March 27th.

2023 Giving Statements will be available on a requested basis for members. If you want a statement,please send a request to churchoffice@gslcs.org and it will be provided.

The April 2024 newsletter is available in the narthex. 

2024 Altar Flowers & Palms – We have many opportunities in 2024 to sponsor the Altar Flowers and/or the Palms. Please call the church office at 618-344-3151 or email churchoffice@gslcs.org..

Starting April 7th we will begin two Bible studies on Sunday mornings. Pastor Walther will teach Micah in the Sanctuary. Pastor Packer will teach James in the Fellowship Hall.

Save the Date for Pastor Walther’s Retirement Celebration on June 30th, 2024.

Save the Date for Vacation Bible School, Monday, June 24 - Friday, June 28, 2024 from 9am-Noon.

All Ladies please join us  on April 4th 6:30 p.m.  to listen to the  personal life story of Sara Katheyn Frey who is the Author of two books Alice Eloise Silver Linings and A Dog at the Zoo. There will be an opportunity to purchase these books that evening either by cash or by check. We hope to see you all there.

GSLS Auction – You are invited to celebrate 40 years of Good Shepherd providing Christ-Centered education for children PK3-8th Grade at the annual Dinner Auction.  This year's auction will raise funds for the school's infrastructure: technology, phones, intercom, and security cameras.  Our "Fund the Need" will go to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to help pay down the mortgage on the Early Childhood Center.   We hope to see you on May 4th for the Dinner and Live Auction.   If you are unable to attend, please consider bidding virtually on our silent auction.  Please purchase tickets or register by clicking here, GS Annual Auction.   See invite below.  Please reach out to Michelle at matuszewski.michelle@gmail.com

Baked Goods Needed for School Auction - Grandma's Famous Cookies?   Delicious Danish?  Amazing Cinnamon Rolls?  The school auction committee is looking for baked goods to be auctioned at this year's in person event. Please reach out to Michelle Matuszewski (matuszewski.michelle@gmail.com) to let her know if you plan to donate cake, cookies, pies, etc.

New School Video - Good Shepherd member, Mark Wiemers, has produced a beautiful video for our school. With increasing exposure to TV shows, phones, and social media: kids are required to discern what is good for them and what is not. Proverbs 22:6 states:  “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”Good Shepherd Lutheran School is here to do exactly what the Bible tells us: to develop kids to their God given potential, dedicating each activity to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You can use the link or QR code below to see the video. Please also share it with your friends and family.

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 Help Us Finish Our $3+ Million Dollar Loan! - Good Shepherd’s Early Childhood Center has been a blessing for children since 2015. Our building loan matures this September, so we are asking for assistance from our Good Shepherd family to help pay off this loan! Our goal is to raise $568,363 by this September to pay the loan balance in full. Donations are tax deductible and can be made via check to GSLC or through any of our Online Giving platforms by designating your gift for our Building Loan Fund. Thank you for your support of Good Shepherd and our mission, “To Feed the Sheep Who Have Been Found & To Find the Sheep That Are Still Lost.”Scan below to see who your donation impacts! 

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The theme of the 2024 Faith of Our Father Conference is “The Law of God Is Good and Wise”. Over two days, April 12th and 13th, at GSLC they will learn about and discuss the Law of God. This conference is for both laity and pastors. Come join us for good theology, fellowship, and maybe even a little fun with some fellow Lutherans! Speakers and preachers include: Pr. Benjamin Ball; Rev. John Hill; Rev. Dr. Scott Murray; Rev. Dr. David Petersen; Rev. David Ramirez; Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer; Rev. Joshua Scheer; Rev. Mark Surburg; Pr. Michael Walther; Pr. William Weedon; and, Rev. Todd Wilken. Learn more and register for the conference at: https://yourgrandfatherschurch.org/

GSLS Teachers for 2024-2025- Good Shepherd Lutheran School is looking for a PE teacher and classroom aides for the 2024-2025 school year. If you know of someone who might be interested, please contact Mr. Mayhew at gsls1@hotmail.com or by calling the school at (618) 344-3153 x 231.

Table of friendship is designed to provide GSLC members social time together to become better acquainted with each other. Five or six people( couples or individuals) are grouped together for three months. During that time they will take turns planning/hosting a dinner, brunch or lunch with the others in their group. The hosting person(s) decides whether to hold their event in their home, at a restaurant, at a park, etc. If the meal is in a home, it could be a potluck with the host providing the main dish and the others providing the side dishes. The first round will be April, May and June. The second round will be September, October and November.
If you are able to join us, please complete an interest form and place it in the box in the narthex so that you will be included when we organize the groups. If you prefer , you can email Jan Van Beek at janetlvb@yahoo.com or call 217-851-7417 with your questions and/or registration. MARCH 24th is the deadline for joining the first round which begins in April. We hope you will give Table of Friendship a try!

Development Coordinator Opening - Good Shepherd Lutheran School is accepting applications for a part-time 16 hours a week Development Coordinator. Primary responsibilities are threefold: this position is responsible for 1) developing and implementing strategies, in collaboration with
the Principal, the Fund Development and Marketing Committee of the Board of Day School, and staff, to achieve revenue goals established in the Day School strategic plan, 2) raising awareness of Good Shepherd Lutheran School as an educational option for families in the metro east and Southern Illinois areas, and 3) working with GSLS staff to build and maintain relationships with school families and the Lutheran and general metro-area / Southern Illinois communities in order to sustain and advance the Good Shepherd mission. A more complete job description is available in the school office. Please contact Mr. Mayhew at 344-3153 or gsls1@hotmail.com, if you are interested or know of anyone who may be an excellent.

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers from Good Shepherd to drive and deliver meals to clients who are elderly, disabled or homebound.   Deliveries are from 10:15 am until about 11:15 during weekdays.  Our church rotates with other area churches and is responsible for delivering 5 weeks of the year. The delivery week occurs about every 3 months.  If you can help or have questions please call or text Rochelle Meyer at 618-978-4474 or email rocmeyer1@gmail.com.

Join the HANDBELL CHOIR this year! Practices are Tuesdays, April 9, 23 & 30  @ 6:45pm in the balcony. We will meet outside the church entrance. If you can't make this date, please come when you can. No experience is necessary. Please contact Cheryl Urban at cherylurban55@gmail.com.  Hope to see you then.

Help with Shut-ins -  Good Shepherd has approximately 30 shut-ins and “lonelies” (those able to navigate outside their homes but have little contact with other people). The Board of Congregational Life is searching for members, both male and female, who would be willing to be a regular visitor to a shut-in (some in their homes, some in nursing homes).  You could potentially do this with a friend or your spouse and extend the circle of relationships. Please prayerfully consider this need and call or e-mail the church office if you are willing to give it a try.  (618-344-3151) churchoffice@gslcs.org

Meals for Moms - Having a baby or know someone at church who is having one? The Good Shepherd Life Team would love to serve Mom and the family by providing a few meals. Either Mom or a friend can contact the church office to get meals delivered. If you would be interested if providing a meal, please contact the church office as well or contact Pam Meister – 618-799-9348.

International Student Ministry needs - Please contact Bessie Fick at 515-230-9937 or Bessie.Fick@yahoo.com if you can donate any household items. We are also looking for persons who have a pickup and would be willing to help deliver items once a month. As always, we are looking for friendship families that would meet with a student. If this is of interest to you.

Life Quote from Lutherans for Life – March 24 – Palm Sunday/Passion of Our Lord – Sinful nature prizes popularity, property, and power. It despises dependence and discards aging or gestating neighbors because of it. But Jesus proves that God has designed humankind to rely on Him and each other. His salvation comes about by humbly and happily entrusting oneself to an Almighty Father (Philippians 2:6-8). We need not take life and death into our own hands when we can rest upon His.

Issues - PREMIER CONFERENCE FOR LUTHERAN LAITY... You're invited to attend the 2024 Issues, Etc. "Making the Case" Conference Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 at Concordia University Chicago.  Speakers include: 12-Time All-American Swimmer Riley Gaines, Mollie Hemingway of Fox News, Mark Hemingway of RealClear Investigations, Pastor Chris Rosebrough of “Fighting for the Faith,” Aaron Renn of The American Conservative, Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of “Has American Christianity Failed?,” and Pastor Will Weedon of The Word of the Lord Endures Forever.  The early bird registration fee is $140 and includes three meals.  Reduced room rates, including on-campus dorms, are available.  For more information, visit issuesetc.org or call (618) 223-8385.

We have many on-going Volunteer Opportunities. Check out our Volunteer page to see how you can get involved!

Palms - In memory of Bill Whittmore

Altar Flowers – In memory of Bill Whittmore by Cheryl Whittmore

Attendance last weekend was 495 with 379 Communing. The offering was:General Fund $21,075, Specials $2,225 with a memorial for Beverly Mueller, Total $23,300

Thanks to those who serve this week:

Usher Team:(5:30) D. Ulkus  (8:00) C. Engeling  (10:30) W. Curtis
Altar Guild: (5:30) Chris & Marcy Ford (8:00 ) Jeff & Terri Blasingame (10:30) Janice Wilson
Greeter: (8:00) Steve & Carol Hyatt  (10:30) Donna Kober

Download Good Shepherd’s App so that you have easy access to announcements, videos, online giving, and much more. Also, you can join our Good Shepherd Facebook Group to see additional announcements from the church and individual members.

 

 

Prayer List 

Click here to add someone to the Prayer List.

Paul Schilbe for healing from diverticulitis. (March 18, 2024)

Bev Friend having a cardiac ablation on March 26th (March 18, 2024)

For Ed Beyer in hospital (March 16, 2024)

Zaiah Ben, newborn son of Emmanuel and Joyce, in NICU. (March 11, 2024)

Kathryn Harms, mother of Karla Werre, accidental fall. (March 11, 2024)

Mary Ridinger, former member, in hospice care. (March 11, 2024)

Morgan Hinson, daughter of Shelly and Brian Rodgers, experiencing a complicated pregnancy. (March 7, 2024)

Prayer of thanksgiving for the birth of Iyla Lynn Wright, granddaughter of Tim and Pam Meister  (March 6, 2024)

Bill Jackson, Member, Hospitalized (March 6, 2024)

Beverly Ruger for her Spinal Cord test on Wednesday (March 4, 2024)

Amelia Hood,Hospitalized (March 1, 2024)

Tommy Cooper, Hospitalized (February 24, 2024)

Sue Buchanan, Hospitalized (February 24,2024)

For the family of Donald Koenig, Uncle of Terry Ritter, Asleep in Jesus (February 24, 2024)

Emily Bradtke, Member, Hospitalized (February 24, 2024)

Sue Dagley, Mother of Kylene Hoelscher, hospice care (February 23, 2024)

Richard Ruger, Member, hospitalized (February 6, 2024)

For the family of Theresa Hartmann, mother of Ron Hartman, who died recently (February 6, 2024)

For the family of Dennis Patterson, husband of Judy (former secretary at GSLS), who died of a massive heart attack (January 31, 2024)

For the family of Cheryl Metzler,Asleep in Jesus (January 29,2024)

James Clark, brother of Carolyn Ashcraft, hospitalized with a stroke (January 24,2024)

Rick Rujawitz, brother-in-law of Carol Hyatt, that will have prostate cancer surgery (January 24, 2024)

Mitzi Montgomery-illness (January 11, 2024)

Ruth Clark,member,hospitalized (January 9, 2024)

Prayer of thanksgiving for a new daughter to Ben & Kristen Blasingame. Juliana Catherine Beth, born Tuesday, January 2nd. (January 8th, 2024)

Julie Holkenbrink,sister of Kay Jones, Asleep in Jesus (January 5, 2024)

For the Family of Josh Chapman, School Parent, Died in a car accident (December 9, 2023)

Debbie Wink,cousin of Robin Fritzsche.Asleep in Jesus (December 12, 2023)

Pastor Perry Copus (LCMS Pastor), cancer treatment (December 11, 2023)

For Linda Endraske, mother-in-law of Ben Blasingame, hospitalized (December 2, 2023)

Paul Sneath, neighbor of Carol & Steve Hyatt, Cancer treaments (November 27, 2023)

Todd Evers, member, health concerns (November 27, 2023)

JoAnn Metzler, member, hospitalized (November 27, 2023)

Jacob Brown, friend of Carlene Wirth,cancer (November 27, 2023)

For the Family of Elmer Burstadt,Asleep in Jesus (November 24, 2023)

Prayers of thanksgiving for the birth of Kevin & Deborah Wudtke's grand daughter Eloise Emma Wagenknecht (November 15, 2023)

Don and Joann Metzler - 67th Wedding Anniversary

Ann Goldsmith, member,hospitalized

Joann Higgins,sister of Kay Jones,stroke (November 12, 2023)

Norma Deist, grandmother to Carrie Beavers, passed away peacefully at Meridian Village on (October 27, 2023)

Shane Callahan, Friend of Will Martin, Car Accident (October 15, 2023)

Daryel Buesking, Friend of the Kruta Family, Healing and strength. (October 1, 2023)

Chase Whitworth, Infant Great Grandson of Tom and Kathy Whitworth (October 1, 2023)

Marshel and Nicky Brooks- friend of Doris Roedger,Difficult pregnancy (September 7, 2023)

Bob McQuality (father of Mandy Kitzmiller) hospitalized after emergency kidney surgery (September 7, 2023)

For the Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary of Ken and Kay Jones (August 27, 2023)

Marion Anson, Mother of Harry, Hospitalized (August 27, 2023)

John Ashcraft, Member, Hospitalized (August 27, 2023)

Robert Montgomery, Son of Ralph and Mitzie Montgomery, Hospitalized (August 27, 2023)

For the Birth of Miller James Zavalgia on Friday, August 25, 2023 to Brooke and Dom Zavalgia

For the Family of  Lala Schubert, mother of Christian Schubert, Asleep in Jesus (August 27, 2023)

For the Family of Ruby Shuman, Mother of Melinda Engeling, Asleep in Jesus (August 20, 2023)

For the Family of Margie Romanant, Asleep in Jesus (August 5, 2023)

Mike Ruger, member, surgery (August 13, 2023)

Ray Hoffman, Member, Surgery (August 6, 2023)

Terry Harris, friend of Carlene Wirth,Health Concerns ( August 3, 2023)

Melinda Engeling, Member, Ankle Surgery (July 23, 2023)

For the Family of Thomas Johnson, Brother of Richard, Alseep in Jesus (July 5, 2023)

Burke Latch, Former Member, Cancer (July 9, 2023)

Diane Willgohs, Sister of Cheryl Whittmore, Broken Femur

For the Family of Charlie Clark, Asleep in Jesus (July 1, 2023)

For the Family of Bo Pritchard, Asleep in Jesus (July 1, 2023)

Family of Bill Donovan, Friend of Nancy Schilbe, Asleep in Jesus June 16, 2023

Elaine Marmon, Surgery this week (June 11, 2023)

For Rachel Hischke, prayer for healing (June 5, 2023)

For the Family of Dorothy Oberdieck, Asleep in Jesus (May 30, 2023)

For the Family of Viola Turner, Asleep in Jesus (May 30, 2023)

For the Family of David Chong, Brother of Donna Blood, Asleep in Jesus (May 28, 2023)

Pastor James Ritter, Upcoming Surgery (May 23, 2023)

For the Family of Arlene Fritzsche, Asleep in Jesus (May 28, 2023)

For the Family of Tracy Shocky, daughter of Dale & Mary Ann Brelje, Asleep in Jesus  (May 28, 2023)

For the Family of John Knipping, Asleep in Jesus, (April 29, 2023)

Judy McQuality, Mother of Mandy Kitzmiller, Health and Comfort (March 19, 2023)

James Riddle, Member, Health Issues (March 10, 2023)

Pat Zimmerman, Family Friend of Burleigh & Marcy Hawk, Heart Issues (March 8, 2023)

Anita Hischke, Mother of Rachel Hischke, Health Concerns (February 21, 2023)

Debra Downey, Mother of Ana Skosky, Colon Cancer (January 13, 2023)

Michael Stock,Lukemia (July 31, 2022)

Mark Robinson, Hospitalized (June 23, 2022)

Gary Whitehead, Member, Lymphoma (June 23, 2022)

Sarah Mastic, Granddaughter of Don and Jolie Boeger, Undergoing Treatment for Leukemia (May 26, 2022)

Judy Stock, Member, Cancer (January 20, 2022) 

Judy Rodden, M. of J. Wright – Leukemia, Hospitalized (December 4, 2021) 

John Morris, Grandfather of Debra Downing, Undergoing treatment for multiple Cancers

Wendy Brown, Friend of Ken & Kay Jones, Brain Tumors

Lydia Fenton, Granddaughter of J. Pries 

 

Note: We keep the families of those deceased on the prayer list for one year. All other prayer requests we keep on the list for one month unless you make a request for long term prayers. It is helpful to resubmit prayer requests with updates. 

 

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