Good Shepherd United Methodist Church is a fellowship of believers in Christ called to be servants, who worship God, love others, and reach out to the community and the world. From the Study By Bob Machovec, Pastor One of the most beauful Christmas carols is "O Lile Town of Bethlehem." The words from that carol echo a truth that carries into the New Year, “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight." As we begin a new year, we have many hopes and more than a few fears. The ancient Greeks spoke of me in two ways. One term was called chronos (from which we get the word “chronology”), that is the orderly and sequenal marking of me. The other word was kairos, somemes called “God’s me.” At mes we may experience a kind of dynamic interplay between these two - the evenly-moving clock me of chronos and lively moments of divine intervenon of kairos. There are those occasions, when the two may intersect. Such mes are "thin places;" places where God opens the door to new possibilies. There are also "thin mes;" moments in which God's vision awakens us to holiness amid the mundane endeavors of life. Plato once described me as the "moving image of eternity," and surely the New Year points to holiness amid change; in which life, like God's mercies, is new every morning. In many ways, this is what New Year's is about — seeking new behaviors, new atudes, and new visions for the coming of a new year. The New Year's resoluons, even when they last only a few days, remind us that we can be transformed; that we can become new creaons; that we don't have to live by business as usual, but can see our lives in a new way. The impact of past and present need not imprison us; we have the freedom to change our atudes, and then even our behaviors. Behold God is doing a new thing and so can we! While celebraon is in order at New Year's, the turning of the year is also an opportunity for reflecon, gratude, and transformaon. As the late Dag Hammarksjold once counseled: For all that has been—thanks. For all that shall be—yes! Gratude opens the door to appreciaon, inspiraon, and openness to the future. The great "yes" we proclaim is not assent to injusce, global climate change, racism, sexism, homophobia, and consumerism. It is a "yes" to God's life moving through all things, calling us forward to changed lives and changed communies. The ancient Hebrews remind us of the call to choose life moment by moment amidst our responsibilies to our communies and the planet. Gratude and appreciaon open us to life-transforming love. As the calendar turns to a New Year, we are reminded that there is a graceful movement (and grace-filled moments) amidst all change. But the promise is that God breaks through me and space to lead us into the New Year! Wishing you God’s blessings as you begin the new year. See you in church! GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH January 2015 “...seeking new behaviors, new attitudes, and new visions for the coming of a new year.”
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Good Shepherd United Methodist Church is a fellowship of believers in Christ called to be servants, who worship God, love others, and reach out to the community and the world.
From the Study By Bob Machovec, Pastor One of the most beautiful Christmas carols is "O Little Town of Bethlehem." The words from that carol echo a truth that carries into the New Year, “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight." As we begin a new year, we have many hopes and more than a few fears. The ancient Greeks spoke of time in two ways. One term was called chronos (from which we get the word “chronology”), that is the orderly and sequential marking of time. The other word was kairos, sometimes called “God’s time.” At times we may experience a kind of dynamic interplay between these two - the evenly-moving clock time of chronos and lively moments of divine intervention of kairos. There are those occasions, when the two may intersect. Such times are "thin places;" places where God opens the door to new possibilities. There are also "thin times;" moments in which God's vision awakens us to holiness amid the mundane endeavors of life. Plato once described time as the "moving image of eternity," and surely the New Year points to holiness amid change; in which life, like God's mercies, is new every morning. In many ways, this is what New Year's is about — seeking new behaviors, new attitudes, and new visions for the coming of a new year. The New Year's resolutions, even when they last only a few days, remind us that we can be transformed; that we can
become new creations; that we don't have to live by business as usual, but can see our lives in a new way. The impact of past and present need not imprison us; we have the freedom to change our attitudes, and then even our behaviors. Behold God is doing a new thing and so can we! While celebration is in order at New Year's, the turning of the year is also an opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and transformation. As the late Dag Hammarksjold once counseled: For all that has been—thanks. For all that shall be—yes!
Gratitude opens the door to appreciation, inspiration, and openness to the future. The great "yes" we proclaim is not assent to injustice, global climate change, racism, sexism, homophobia, and consumerism. It is a "yes" to God's life moving through all things, calling us
forward to changed lives and changed communities. The ancient Hebrews remind us of the call to choose life moment by moment amidst our responsibilities to our communities and the planet. Gratitude and appreciation open us to life-transforming love. As the calendar turns to a New Year, we are reminded that there is a graceful movement (and grace-filled moments) amidst all change. But the promise is that God breaks through time and space to lead us into the New Year! Wishing you God’s blessings as you begin the new year.
See you in church!
G O O D S H E P H E R D U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H
J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5
“...seeking new behaviors, new
attitudes, and new visions for the
coming of a new year.”
Read the Bible in One Year Use the plan below to read the entire Bible in one year!
Worship Services
EVERY SUNDAY Traditional Service 9:15 AM Praise Service 11:25 AM Sunday School for all ages 10:30 AM
Bible Studies Attend one of our weekly Bible Studies! Mondays For Men Every Monday (Excluding Holidays) 6:30—8:00 pm Location: Stage Room Pastor’s Bible Study Every Thursday 10:00 AM Location: Library *Not meeting on January 1, 2015.
Special Worship Services
Ash Wednesday February 18, 2015 7:30 pm
January Genesis — Exodus 40
February Leviticus — Deuteronomy 4
March Deuteronomy 5 – 1 Samuel 17
You’ve read one quarter of the Bible!
April 1 Samuel 18 —1 Chronicles 2
May 1 Chronicles 3 — Esther 10
June Job — Psalm 89
You’ve read half of the Bible!
July Psalm 90 — Isaiah 17
August Isaiah 18 — Ezekiel 8
September Ezekiel 9 — Zechariah 14
You’re three-fourths of the way through!
October Malachi — Luke 18
November Luke 19 — 1 Corinthians 9
December 1 Corinthians 10 — Revelations 22
Congratulations!! You have read the entire Bible!
Tips:
Read 3 chapters
each day.
Pray for
understanding
before reading.
Stay focused on
the outcome of
learning the
word of God.
Reward yourself
when you have
reached your
reading goal for
each month.
Ask a friend to
take the reading
challenge with
you.
Remember that
the Bible is
God’s written
word to you!
GSUMC’s Latest News
Farewell But Not Goodbye Sunday, December 28, 2014 was Diana Andrews last day our Director of Christian Education. We thank Diana for the education ministry she provided us for the past three years. On January 4, 2015, there will be a reception for Diana at 10:30 am in Fellowship Hall. Please join us to thank Diana for her service to us.
Sunday School Break Sunday school classes did not meet on December 28, 2014, and will not meet again on January 4, 2015. Classes resume on Sunday, January 11, 2015.
Good Shepherd UMC Welcomes a New Director of Christian Education By: Marcia Schroeder, SPRC Chairman
The Staff Parish Relations Committee is pleased to welcome Erin Tkachik as the new Director of Christian Education beginning January 1, 2015. Erin is a member at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church and has been a part of the church family for many years along with her husband, Jeff, and three sons, Garrett, Cameron, and Peyton. We are grateful to have Erin as part of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church Staff!
Summer Mission Trip Announced This year Good Shepherd United Methodist Church gives you the opportunity to be a part of a unique local mission experience with the Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland! The mission trip will be from June 7 - 13, 2015. Read under Missions & Outreach for more information.
Support Our Church Campers Each year a Valentine’s Dinner is organized by Elizabeth Whited as a fundraiser to support our church campers. All proceeds are used as scholarships for church camp. The dinner is on February 8, 2015 at 6:00 pm. Reservations are being taken now until February 1, 2015. Read under “Upcoming Events” for information regarding the dinner.
2015 Church Officers and Committees The 2015 Church Officers and Committees list is now available by request from the church office.
Youth News In December, the Youth adopted 4 angels from the Angel Tree and went shopping for them. We had a enjoyable time shopping and wrapping the gifts together. On December 21st we celebrated the holidays together with breakfast and Nativity Story Trivia! The Youth have had a great year and are looking forward to another fun year of learning and growing together.
Youth Retreat to Solid Rock at Camp Wanake January 23—25, 2015 Registration is open. The deadline to register is January 16, 2015. No late signups will be accepted. Required forms are available on the youth page of the church website, the church office, or from Jennifer directly. Requirements to attend: Permission Slip Medical Form $35.00 per person
There is a $75.00 maximum per family. Scholarships are available for the retreat. Camp Fundraiser coming in February 2015 All Youth planning on attending summer camp in 2015 should volunteer at the Valentine’s Dinner on Saturday, February 7, 2015 . All proceeds of the dinner go toward scholarships for church summer camp. Contact Jennifer with questions on how to volunteer. Information about the dinner can be found under “Upcoming Events.”
Saturday, February 7, 2015 Valentine’s Dinner 6:00 PM The Valentine’s Dinner is a fundraiser for church summer camp scholarships. The cost for the dinner is $35.00 per couple. Reservations are required and can be made in the Schiering Parlor between services or by calling the church office. Reservation Deadline: February 1, 2015. Please contact Elizabeth Whited for more information at (440) 884-1127 or [email protected].
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Ash Wednesday Special Service 7:30 PM Come join us at this special service as we begin the Lenten season.
Save the Date
Second Sundays for Seniors
Understanding Your Financial Options
February 8, 2015
12:30 PM
Sunday, January 4, 2015 Reception for Diana Andrews 10:30 AM Please join us on Sunday, January 4, in Fellowship Hall to give thanks for the service that previous Christian Education Director, Diana Andrews, blessed us with for the past three years. Refreshments will be served during this time of thanks for Diana’s service.
Sunday, January 11, 2015 Second Sunday for Seniors 12:30 PM Topic: Assisted Living Options The next session will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 12:30 pm in the Stage Room covering the topic of “Assisted Living Options.” Each month through April there will be a new presenter who will bring a wealth of experience and expertise in their area. The goal of this program is to help seniors gather information and form their own care team. Reservations are not required, but suggested. For more information or to make a reservation, please call the church office at (440) 884-9090. Fliers are available at the Forestwood entrance or by request from the church office.
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Messages and Thanks
I would like to personally thank you all for your recent gift to OhioGuidestone. Your charitable support will help us make a positive, lasting, measurable difference in the lives of our 20,000 children and families we serve each year.
I wanted to share the passing of Paul Horvath who was a member of the original Evangelical United Brethren Church with his parents Martin and Lucille Horvath and his brother Kenneth. Paul passed away on November 15, 2014.
Dear Church Family, I’d like to thank everyone for your concern, prayers, and cards during my recent surgery. I am feeling much better—still need a couple more weeks of healing but it is so comforting to know that so many of you cared. I really do appreciate it. May God bless all of you.
Dear Friends in Mission: Thank you for your gift to the General Board of Global Ministries through the Advance, the designate mission giving channel of The United Methodist Church. Your gift supports church and community leadership development,; educational; cross-cultural missions experiences for older adults; community-based restorative justice programs to bring healing and systemic change’ programs that protect and uphold migrants workers; and programs that equip United Methodist around the world to response to alcohol, drugs, and related violence. Thank you for giving so generously.
Alex S. Petrus, CFRE Vice President of Advancement OhioGuidestone
Audrey Auman Daughter of Harold & Ester Auman
Ken Myers
Roland Fernandes General Treasrur
General Board of Global Ministries
Thank you to all who donated Christmas gifts to Ohio Guidestone, West Side Community Center, USO, and Angel Tree of the Nehemiah Mission. Thank you for your generous gifts and love for people in need.