News

Last Updated November 3, 2025   

Adult Bible Class will be at 9:15 a.m.in the fellowship hall.

High School 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 8th 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.
- Preschool 3 year olds - Kindergarten will meet in Tracks 
- 1st - 6th grade will meet & pickup in the school cafeteria
- 7th & 8th grade in the learning center. 

Pastor Packer has a Fascinating Finds page and a Book List page. Please visit these links.

Midweek Prayer Service at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday's.

Portals of Prayer for October - December are available in the narthex.

All Saints Sunday - Members that passed away in the last year: Wayne Bantel, Ruth Clark, Karen Dall, Michael Fedorsak, Dorothy Hoffman, Shirley Knippenberg, Diana McMahan, Jo Ross, Myrna Schneider, Linda Shasteen, O'Neal Smith, Barbara Tourville, & Jan Trosper

For the month of November LWML will be collecting old, broken, custom Jewelry and single piece earrings for Monarch (Mission for awareness, raise funds and encourage others to end sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation.  There will be a box in the connecting hallway. 
Any questions please contact Pam Hoffman at 618-409-3163. 

Starting this Sunday, all students in grades 1–6 will need to be signed out after Sunday School. Students will gather in the cafeteria for pick-up. We’ve been using this process with our younger classes, and it has worked very well. We understand this adds an extra step to your Sunday morning routine, and we appreciate your patience as we work out the details. Our goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of all our Sunday School students.

HONORING OUR VETERANS VETERANS: Good Shepherd Lutheran School would like to invite all veterans to a special thank you tribute to our men and women who have served our country or are currently serving. Please join us on Tuesday, November 11th, at 2:00 p.m. in the school gym for the students to show you their thanks for your service. Please RSVP to the school office (618-344-3153) or email lsengele@gslcs.org so that we will have enough seating. The students always look forward to this special opportunity so please come and be a part of it!!

On Monday, November10th at 3pm, there will be a retirement ceremony for Colonel Joseph Monaco, United States Air Force. You are invited to join this wonderful celebration for our Good Shepherd family member. The ceremony is at 404 W Martin St, Scott AFB, IL 62225. Please RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJweevfD7VoUrLqg-UYg5thwV1Qjvvcfvd1TetKrt4ppinWA/viewform
Please also wish Joe a happy retirement!

Come one and all to the MELHS 46th Annual Night of Knights Dinner Auction! It's time to get your tickets to a relaxing tropical getaway evening at Julia's Banquet Center in East Alton on Friday, November 7th. To attend, purchase tickets at this link:
https://event.auctria.com/d9fd3ce4-2b51-4619-a81d...
Whether you attend in person or want to bid online, you'll want to download the Auctria app on your phone! Bidding starts next week, and items will become visible soon!! Share with a friend, we hope to see you on November 7th! 

The handbell choir continues practices on Tuesday evenings from 6:45 - 8:00. Please join us for fellowship, fun and beautiful music. Contact Cheryl Urban at 618-407-0867 or cherylurban55@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving Baskets: Since GSLC no longer has a food pantry, the Board of Congregational Life is asking for cash donations to be used to purchase Aldi gift cards for our field workers, single teachers, and church members who indicate they need assistance with groceries.  Cash donations for the food pantry are always welcome, but we are asking that this be a special consideration during the month of November so we can distribute the gift cards before Thanksgiving.  Be sure to mark your donation “Thanksgiving Basket.” and place it in the offering plate. 

Pie Sale - It’s pie season, and Good Shepherd is partnering with Kruta’s Bakery for our Pie Sale! From October 27 through November 17, you can order delicious, fresh-baked pies just in time for Thanksgiving. Choose from these: Apple, Apple Cinnamon Crumb, Peach, Cherry$14.50 each, and of course Pumpkin Pie! Only $10.00. All pies will be picked up at Good Shepherd on Tuesday, November 25 anytime between 8 am – 5:00 PM. Stock up for your holiday table or surprise a neighbor with a sweet treat — every pie sold helps support Good Shepherd Lutheran School. An order form can be found in the narthex to easily share with family, friends, and coworkers. Thank you for supporting Good Shepherd!

Youth News: Thank you to everyone who added to our clothes & item collection.  We raised $950 with our donations. Our upcoming fundraisers will help students attend the Higher Things Conference this summer.
Junior High Youth: 
November 16 - Thanksmas Party - 5pm-7pm at Good Shepherd
Senior High Youth:
November 23 - Burgers and Lights - Meet at GS at 4:30
Sign up for:
June 30 - July 3 -Higher Things Conference
June 1-6 - Camp Trinity Serv'n in the Hills (service week)
Any Questions? Contact Carrie Kober 314-221-9722

Parents of College Students: The Youth Ministry at Good Shepherd would like to still keep encouraging and supporting your college age kids.  Please send Carrie Kober their address for mail throughout the year.  

New Women's Book Club – Exploring the Classics: Join us as we read and discuss classic literature! Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or reading them for the first time, this is a great opportunity for fellowship and thoughtful conversation. We will plan to read 2 to 3 books over the course of the year, meeting just once for each book. Our first meeting to discuss the first book will be in November with more details to come.
Fall Book Selection: Dracula by Bram Stoker
For more information or to sign up, please contact Rachel Gray at 319-855-9689 or rachel.k.gray@gmail.com

“Surviving the Holidays” — a special free GriefShare event for those grieving the loss of loved ones — will take place at Zion Lutheran Church, Bethalto, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Adults and teens are invited to hear a presentation about resources, strategies and tools for coping with grief during the holiday season. For more information, call the church office at 618-377-8314. To find more details and register for the event, go to https://www.griefshare.org/events/275474

The Lutheran Witness Subscription – If you would like to subscribe to receive The Lutheran Witness in 2026, please contact the church office. The cost is $27.85 for the year.

Be a Friend to an International Student at SIU-E - Is your family willing to get together with an international student studying at SIU-E once a month for their first year in the U.S.? You would invite them to join your family in things you already do. Couples and singles of any age, with or without children have found this rewarding. Contact jodi.olyseen@gmail.com or search for International Hospitality Program SIU-E on facebook.  

Issues, Etc.- EXPERT GUESTS, EXPANSIVE TOPICS, EXTOLLING CHRIST...Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  Recent topics include: Liturgical Innovation & Doctrinal Innovation; Returning to a Culture of Life; Roman Catholic Priests Withholding the Communion Cup from the Laity; Male Attrition from Elementary School Teaching and more.  You can listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, TuneIn, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.  You can also tune in live weekdays from 3–5 p.m. on KFUO, 850 AM in St. Louis.

LCMS Foundation - We can face competing priorities when we think about planning our estates someday. The big decision to make is whether an estate plan is merely a legal/financial activity or is it an activity of faith. When you read a will or trust, you read carefully crafted words by attorneys who look to direct legal and financial affairs in accordance with the law of your state. But is there more to your Christian estate plan than simple direction of assets? Do you wish to provide opportunity for others, family members and those touched by ministry, to know Jesus. These things can be addressed as well in your plan. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can help. Contact Scott Radden @ 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org

Altar Flowers - Given by Julie Wrigley in honor of LCMS Pastors and their families serving the church.

Attendance last weekend was 518. The offering was: General Fund $20,776, Specials $1,679 including memorials for Jo Ross, Total $22,455

Thanks to those who serve this week
Usher Team:(5:30) D. Ulkus  (8:00) C. Engeling (10:30) K. Splaingard
Altar Guild: (5:30) Italiano, Kober (8:00) Paul & Lynn Lauber (10:30) Denise Brune
Greeter: (8:00) Julie Wrigley (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 

Click here to add someone to the Prayer List
 

For Ann Goldsmith, hospitalized in Mercy Hospital with abdominal pain (November 1, 2025)

For Paul Baillargeon, friend of Ken & Kay Jones, who is hospitalized (October 21, 2025)

For the family of Jo Ross, Asleep in Jesus (October 15, 2028)

For Virginia Woolf, friend of Ken & Kay Jones, who is having surgery on Wednesday (October 10, 2025)

For Reuben Woolery, nephew of Rachel Forden, diagnosed with bone cancer (October 4, 2025)

For the family of Michael Fedorsak, Asleep in Jesus (October 7, 2025)

For Thanksgiving by Joel & Beth Italiano for their 20th wedding anniversary on October 8th 

Dylan, friend of Matt Voss, had a motorcycle accident (October 4, 2025)

Sally Randles, sister of Ann Goldsmith, had a successful heart surgery, thanks to God and ask for His continued protection as she heals (10/30/2025)

For Sally Randles (of VA), sister of Ann Goldsmith, who had emergency open heart surgery for an aortic dissection Saturday (September 27, 2025)

For the family of Diana McMahan, Asleep in Jesus (September 21, 2025)

For the family of Linda Shasteen, Asleep in Jesus (September 13, 2025)

For Cheryl and Bruce Clessa in honor of their 40th wedding anniversary (September 12, 2025)

For the family of Vernon Meister, father of Tim Meister, Asleep in Jesus (September 11, 2025) 

For Ralph Montgomery, hospitalized (September 11, 2025)

For Thanksgiving for Tony Zidolek, son-in-law of Rich and Linda Lubbert, who had a successful heart transplant (September 4, 2025)

For Janet Martino, close family friend of Elizabeth Diggs, diagnosed with lung cancer and has upcoming surgery (September 3, 2025)

For Nancy Schilbe, for her upcoming surgery (August 22, 2025)

For Larry Shasteen, beginning Chemotherapy treatment for cancer recently found (July 24, 2025)

For Ann Goldsmith, that God will continue to be her strength through her continuing battle with cancer & radiation beginning in August (July 24, 2025)

For the family of Dorothy Hoffman, Asleep in Jesus (June 10, 2025)

For the family of Myrna Schneider, Asleep in Jesus (June 2, 2025)

For the family of O'Neal Smith, Asleep in Jesus (May 15, 2025)

Family of Karen Dall, mother of Valerie Fortner, Asleep in Jesus (April 13, 2025)

For the family of Ruth Clark, Asleep in Jesus (March 10, 2025)

For Gary Whitehead, being out of remission 
 

Note:  All prayer requests are kept on the list for one month unless you make a request for long term prayers. It is helpful to resubmit prayer requests with updates.