News

Last Updated September 28, 2023

Adult Bible Class- there will be two classes at 9:15 a.m.Pastor Walther will lead a class on the topic of Marriage in the fellowship hall.Pastor Packer will lead a class on the book of Ruth in the sanctuary.

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, September 10th 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.

This Sunday, we learn how God provided “A Merciful Substitute.” God had blessed Abraham with the son he had waited for his entire life; yet now God asks the seemingly impossible—sacrifice your son to Me. By faith, Abraham takes Isaac to the mountain, trusting God, who was able to raise his son from the dead. Abraham completes the test, and God provides the sacrifice.

Hymn Festival - Come join us on Friday, September 29th at 7 p.m. for a Hymn Festival. Titled "With Angels and Archangels" - a celebration of the rich hymnody found in Lutheran Service Book that deals with these special messengers of God. Hymn commentary will be given by Pr. Will Weedon, host of the Lutheran Public Radio podcast "The Word of the Lord Endures Forever", with music provided by Good Shepherd musicians as well as choir members from local area churches.  For more information, or if you aren't currently in the Adult Choir but would like to sing with us for this special event, please visit the website www.withangelsandarchangels.org

Harvest Fest is this Sunday, October 1st from 3:00 - 6:00 PM! We still need help setting up, grilling, serving, tearing down and more, so please visit the display in the narthex to see how you can serve. Also, please bring family & friends!

Senior High Youth will be selling Mums at the Harvest Fest for $15.  Youth - be sure to sign up for a shift to help!

The Regional Blood Drive bus will be on our parking lot on Monday, October 2nd, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. If we have enough viable donors, the school will receive a grant for P.E. equipment!  To schedule an appointment online, go towww.bloodcenter.org/group and use group #9887.

LWML - All Ladies please join us October 5th at 6:30p.m. Terri Blasingame will be leading a Bible Study. Ingathering will be : monetary contributions or gift cards to support Metro East Lutheran High School auction.

Church Fall Workday - The Fall Yard Workday at Good Shepherd will be on Saturday, October 21st  starting at 8 a.m. Please bring rakes, shovels, etc. to help. Please see Marty Hoffman with any questions

The Jr. and Sr. High will be praying at Planned Parenthood on Saturday, October 7th.  We will meet at Good Shepherd at 2:45p.m. to ride together. We will pray from 3-5p.m..  Then we will go to McAllisters for supper together.  

Upcoming Youth Events:  High School:  Sunday, October 15 - Bonfire and Movie at Loemker's House.

Jr. High:  Sunday, October 22 - Willoughby Farms  1-3p.m. - Wear your hiking shoes!

New Member Classes Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend, no obligation to join. There are no costs. Babysitting provided. This is a good overview of the Christian faith. The class lasts for nine weeks.

Griefshare -  continues this week, Tuesday's 6pm - 7:30pm, the program features biblical, Christ-centered teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar is followed by a small group discussion about what was viewed. Your bereavement experience may be recent or not so recent. You will find encouragement, comfort and help in grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, other family member or friend. There is a $20.00 fee for the workbook. You may register by phoning the church secretary 344-3151, e-mailing bklee54@yahoo.com or go to GriefShare.org.  

Join the HANDBELL CHOIR this year! Practices are Tuesdays 6:45 - 8:00 pm 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.

44th Annual Night of Knights Dinner Auction is Friday, November 3 at 5 p.m. It is being held at a new location, Julia’s Banquet Center in East Alton. Tickets can be purchased online at handbid.com, search for 2023 Knights Dinner Auction. Any questions please call MELHS at (618)656-0043. 

Concordia University, Nebraska is happy to offer two amazing opportunities this October!  On October 12th Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo, professor of music, will be offering a Piano Masterclass for area high school students.  That evening at 7 pm everyone is welcome to a recital by Dr. Grimpo and area Alumni followed by a reception at Zion Harvester Lutheran Church, St. Charles, MO.  E-mail Dr. Grimpo to be part of the Masterclass:  Elizabeth.Grimpo@cune.edu.The second opportunity is a road trip to visit Concordia University, Nebraska from October 19-21.  Students will meet with professors and coaches, tour the school, and experience the life of a Concordia Bulldog!  For more information about this trip, email Carrie Kober - carrie.kober@cune.edu.

Help with Shut-ins - Since Good Shepherd no longer has a Parish Nurse, our shut-ins are missing regular one-to one contact with a member of the congregation who would visit them monthly and spend at least an hour chatting, having a devotion and praying with them.  By doing this the Parish Nurse learned to know them better and became their advocate.  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. 

Caring for Those with Memory Loss – A hands-on workshop with presented by Cheryl Wilson, gerontologist and author, will be held at Good Shepherd on October 22 from 2-4. Please call the office to sign-up. Doors will open at 1:30. Light snacks will be served.

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.

44th Annual Night of Knights Dinner Auction is Friday, November 3 at 5 p.m. It is being held at a new location, Julia’s Banquet Center in East Alton. Tickets can be purchased online at handbid.com, search for 2023 Knights Dinner Auction. Any questions please call MELHS at (618) 656-0043.

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.

Help Save Lives - 40 Days For Life - We will join the ranks of one million in 8,028 campaigns across 64 nations for this peaceful, life-saving campaign.  Good Shepherd will stand in prayer on Saturday, October 7,  7 a.m. – 7 p.m., at Planned Parenthood Fairview Heights, 317 Salem Pl, Fairview Heights IL.  Please volunteer for a 2 hour time slot.  Email lynnac@charter.net or sign up at the table in the narthex on and after Sept 16.  You will receive more information after you sign up.  If you have questions please email lynnac@charter.net

Life Quote from Lutherans for Life – “The science is conclusive: Human life starts at fertilization. The Bible is conclusive: Life is from God, it
begins at fertilization, and God’s commandment of ‘You shall not murder’ (Exodus 20:13) certainly applies to the slaying of an innocent child in the womb. Because that little baby in the womb IS a human being.” Pastor Paul Clark, President of Lutherans For Life of Michigan

LCMS Foundation - Life is full of milestone events that impact the gifts we plan from our estates. For most people, their first will or trust is focused mainly on family, providing guardianship or a minor trust in case something should happen before the children become adults. When those children transition to adults, that is a time that a new plan needs to be put in place, potentially including a greater emphasis on support of ministry. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can help you begin to consolidate your new ideas into a plan. Contact Scott Radden at (618) 977-4049 or Scott.Radden@lfnd.org for more information or to start your plan.

Issues - A LUTHERAN VIEW OF DEPRESSION… You can listen to the new audiobook, "I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression" by Pastor Todd Peperkorn.  Go to issuesetc.org, enter your email address, and you’ll receive a link to “I Trust When Dark My Road.”  This new audiobook is produced by Lutheran Public Radio based in Collinsville, IL.  LPR produces radio talk shows, podcasts, and 24/7 sacred music and talk stations. 

Do you have a wheelchair you’re not using, or know someone who does? St. John’s Community Care is hosting a wheelchair drive on Friday, September 22 from 3-6pm on their parking lot at 222 Goethe Avenue, Collinsville. They have an incredibly long waitlist for wheelchairs, as do other organizations. The entire metro east area is experiencing a wheelchair shortage due to supply chain issues. If you can help by either donating or spreading the word, it would be very much appreciated.

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

Palms - Jerry & Marie Wudtke

Altar Flowers – –  Kevin & Karen Rust in Honor of their 45th Wedding Anniversary

Attendance last weekend was 465 with 365 Communing. The offering was: General Fund $14,399, Specials $919, Total $15,318

Thanks to those who serve this week:

Usher Team:(5:30) D. Ulkus  (8:00) M. Scaggs (10:30) W. Curtis
Altar Guild: (5:30) Pam Hoffman (8:00) Kathy Bohnet & Marie Wudtke (10:30) Amy Beyer
Greeter: (8:00) Terri Blasingame  (10:30) Mike & Susan 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 

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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)

Cheryl Metzler, Hospice (August 20, 2023)

JoAnn Metzler, Surgery (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)

For the family of Vernon Bonn, Asleep in Jesus

Mike Ruger, Member, Was Hospitalized (March 25, 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)

For the Family of Al LaPointe, Cousin of Angie Schack, Asleep in Jesus (March 2, 2023)

For the Family of Jim Rotramel, Cousin of Carlene Wirth, Asleep in Jesus (March 1, 2023)

For the Family of David Peverly, Father of Chris Kovach, Asleep in Jesus (March 8, 2023)

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

For the Family of Elaine Bruns, mother of Karen Brown, Asleep in Jesus (February 10, 2023)

For the Family of Keith Singleton, Husband of Jill, Asleep in Jesus (February 6, 2023)

For the Family of Harriet Hinds, mother of Kathy Scheibal, Asleep in Jesus (January 22, 2023)

For the Family of Herbert Woehlke, father of Vicki Pajda, Asleep in Jesus (January 15, 2023)

Family of John Blasingame, Father of James, Jeff, & Jeb Blasingame, Asleep in Jesus (January 17, 2023)

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

Family of Amy Johnson, Niece of Carlene Whitehead, Asleep in Jesus (January 12, 2023)

For the family of Doug Rankin, Asleep in Jesus (January 4, 2023)

For the family of John Tottleben, Asleep in Jesus (January 1, 2023)

For the family of Barb Carnaghi, mother of Monica Reising, Asleep in Jesus (December 20, 2022)

For the family of Stephen Gower, father of former GSLS student Ezri Gower, who died recently (December 27, 2022)

For Todd Evers, Member, Cancer (December 26, 2022)

Family of Bruce Evans, Brother of Ann Goldsmith, Asleep in Jesus (December 18, 2022)

Family of Elise McEvers, Member, Asleep in Jesus (December 11, 2022)

Family of Carl Wollenburg, Uncle of Grace Bergt, Asleep in Jesus (December 4, 2022)

Family of John Yokubat, Asleep in Jesus (December 3, 2022)

Family of Don Brune, Asleep in Jesus (November 12, 2022)

For the Family of Duane Turner, Asleep in Jesus (September 25, 2022)

For the Family of Roger Houk, Father of Mary Meredith, Asleep in Jesus, September 19, 2022

For the Family of Betty Riddle, Asleep in Jesus (September 13, 2022)

For the Family of Mike Cluck, Husband of School Secretary Nancy Cluck, Asleep in Jesus (September 5, 2022)

Michael Stock, Member, Leukemia (July 31, 2022)

Julie Holkenbrink, Sister of Kay Jones, Cancer (July 1, 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.