Weekly Announcements 01/04
Epiphany Service - Join us for worship as we celebrate the coming of the Magi to the Christ Child on Wednesday, January 7th at 6:30 p.m.
2026 Flower Chart - The flower chart for 2026 is on the bulletin board. The cost for flowers is $40/vase. Please sign up at your convenience.
Poinsettia's donated for the Christmas season may be picked up this weekend. Thank you.
2025 Giving Statements will be available on a requested basis. If you want your statement, please send a request to churchoffice@gslcs.org and it will be provided.
All Ladies are welcome to join us on Saturday January 10th at 9:45a.m. in the fellowship hall for the LWML yearly planning meeting. We welcome your input on new ideas for our monthly programs. Any questions or comments please contact Pam Hoffman at 618-409-3163.
JOY TO THE WORLD - A Christmas Cantata and Twelfth Night Festival on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7 p.m. The evening's performance of John Leavitt's work, Joy to the World features the choir and orchestra of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. There is a meal and fellowship at 5:30 p.m. For the meal call the church office at (618) 344-3151.
Winter Women’s Bible Study – PEACE
We will be kicking off the year on January 10 at 8:30 am with sharing the devotional book Words of Peace and Protection. These short devotions are based on Psalm 91 and written by many of our favorite authors. For those of you who already have the book, please come and share which devotion(s) blessed you. And, for those of you who do not have books, come and hear from your sisters in Christ. Books will be available. Words of Peace and Protection: Devotions for Women - Concordia Publishing House
Beginning January 17, we will start the 8-week Bible Study by Michelle Diercks, PROMISED REST: Finding Peace in God’s Presence. This Bible Study book will be available on January 10 for you to start the Bible Study or contact Terri Blasingame. Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God’s Presence - Concordia Publishing House
As a Christian, you face the pressure and stressors of the world daily. You look for rest at every turn—rest from your job, family drama, personal struggles—but the only true rest can come from Christ. Michelle Diercks invites you to find His promised rest by studying eight different names and characteristics of God.
Each week of this eight-week study will feature a new name or characteristic of God along with its pronunciation and a biblical fact about it. Learn from Michelle's personal anecdotes and biblical examples of how you can, and should, cling to God's names during times of anxiety and hardship. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. (John 14:27)
Features:
Discussion Questions and Answer Guide
Weekly Scripture Memory Verse
Weekly Devotional Coloring Page
Daily Journaling Prompts
January Lunch Bunch – is 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20th at Bandana's Bar-B-Q in Collinsville. Bandana's address is 4 Commerce Dr, Collinsville, IL 62234. Please call Linda Luebbert at 618-830-8189 and let her know if you are planning on attending.
2026 Offering Envelopes are available on the tables in the Narthex. Please pick them up, but do not use these envelopes until January 2026. If you would like to have envelopes, please call 618-344-3151 to request.
2025 Giving Statements will be available on a requested basis. If you want your statement, please send a request to churchoffice@gslcs.org and it will be provided.
The Senior Adult Dinner on December 12th was a great success. Thank you to the 25 plus volunteers who decorated the Fellowship Hall, prepared food the day before, served it that day and helped with set-up and clean-up. Sixty seniors enjoyed a delicious meal and much conversation and were reminded of what we can learn from the Wisemen who knew God’s Word in His prophecies and followed a star to worship the newborn King. Thank you also to Mr. Stegman and the GSLS first graders for their musical program. What an uplifting conclusion to the dinner!
LYA is a group of Lutheran young adults from congregations in the St Louis Metro East area. We get together for fellowship each month. If you're interested in joining, please text 920-918-0858 to get more information!
NEW Recurring Online Giving Platform - We are moving to a new online giving platform. We would like everyone to be fully moved by December 28th. It is already up and running so you can switch anytime! This new one will allow you to pay with your bank account, credit card or even Apple Pay. You can go to https://pushpay.com/g/goodshepherdil Or scan this QR code:
*If you previously gave on a different platform please remember to cancel that one also.
NEW Website and App – The new website is live at it's old address https://www.goodshepherdcollinsville.org/
Our new app is available for download. Enter the keyword gscollinsville when you get in. Then be sure to click in the upper right hand corner on the profile and make your profile. Then you are all set.
The GSLC Handbell Choir is looking for more members to help "ring" in the new year! If you enjoy hearing the bells play, please come join us! No musical experience or talent needed, everyone is welcome! Practice is held in the balcony from 6:45-8pm on Tuesdays. We are hoping to grow our bell choir to continue providing beautiful music for our church. Any questions about handbells can be sent to Paige Beyer at paigeabfit@gmail.com. We hope to see you Tuesday!
GSLS Reenrollment: On January 1, 2026 continuous enrollment began for all students in Preschool-Grade 7. You should have received an email from Mr. Mayhew about ReEnrollment for the 2026-27 school year if you are a current family. If you are interested in our wonderful school please contact the school office
LCMS Foundation - We live in a “I can do it myself” culture. That has been cultivated by our access to technology. Yet the question is, “Do I need help to create my Christian estate plan?” This month we consider that your estate plan represents the biggest collection of decisions with far more impact than any others in life. To begin with, a good estate plan will include a good attorney, who can take your goals and put them down into carefully crafted, precise documents. Without an attorney, you risk allowing your will to be contested, or making mistakes that could leave something out you wished to do. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can get you ready to meet with your attorney. Contact Scott Radden
@ 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org .
Prayer List
For Ann Goldsmith & ongoing health concerns and difficult changes
For Laura Parks, Blake Harrison's grandmother, who passed away
For Mark Robinson who is hospitalized for flu/pneumonia
For Jerry Wudtke, hospitalized for flu
Mitota Ben, recovering from RSV
Reuben Woolery, nephew of Rachel Forden & Karen Witschie, surgery on Monday for cancer treatment
Karen Splaingard, continued recovery from knee surgery
Travis Lilley, recovering from flu