March 21, 2007

Scripture Readings for Sunday

Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49

GSC “Mile High” Coffee House – March 23

Come to the GSC “Mile High” Coffee House on Friday, March 23 at 7pm and hear local singer/songwriter James Reschs.  Enjoy a night of music, food, beverages, and conversation in a relaxed coffee house setting.  BRING FRIENDS, BRING NEIGHBORS, BRING FAMILY, BRING CO-WORKERS, ALL ARE INVITED!  We will have a great night hanging out and visiting as James Reschs entertains throughout the evening.  We’ll see you there!

GSC Tennis Night

Saturday, March 24th starting 6:30 PM (after the Saturday evening service)
All are welcome at the Rochester Tennis Connection on  2700 W Country Club Road (aka 2nd Street SW) for an introduction to tennis, or round robin play if you're experienced.   All 6 courts are available for our use, with instructors for children ages 4 & up, adults just starting, and ball machine fun!   Just bring your tennis shoes (we've got rackets, and carts of balls).  Balcony viewing is available and we'll have snacks too.   Cost is $5/individual, $10/family at the door. To help us anticipate attendance, please call the Rochester Tennis Connection at 288-4851 if you plan to participate.

February Financial Summary

2007 February Income $33,545

2007 February Expenses $40,583

2007 February Net Loss ($7,037)

2007 Year-to-date Income $77,010

2007 Year-to-date Expenses $85,257

2007 Year-to-date Net Loss ($8,247)

This Week at Good Shepherd

Wednesday, March 21

9:45am Stay and Play

11:30am Widow’s Lunch – Old Country Buffet

5:30pm Confirmation

5:45pm Lenten Soup Supper

6:00pm Cherub & Carol Choir

7:00pm Lenten Worship

After Worship HS Youth Group; Senior Choir

Thursday, March 22

6:30pm Congregational Conversations

7:00pm Sisters in Faith

Friday, March 23

7:00pm GSC Coffee House

Saturday, March 24

8:00am Faith in Motion

10:00am Brass Rehearsal

5:30pm Worship

6:30pm GSC Tennis Night

7:00pm Tweeners Group at Sue & Paul Trcka’s

Sunday, March 25

8:15am Worship

9:30am Education Hour

9:45am Holy Communion Education

10:45am Worship

Monday, March 26

10:30am Staff Meeting

6:30pm Celebration Chimes

7:00pm Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 27

7:30am Men’s Coffee

12:00pm Prayer Lunch

6:30pm Jubilation Chimes

Congregational Conversations

Wednesday, March 28

9:45am Stay and Play

1:00pm Congregational Conversations

5:30pm Confirmation

5:45pm Lenten Soup Supper

6:00pm Cherub & Carol Choir

7:00pm Lenten Worship

After Worship HS Youth Group; Senior Choir

7^th & 8^th Grade Year-End Retreat

Get your registrations forms into the office for this fun and required retreat. Our retreat takes place at St. Croix state park just outside of Hinkley, MN from April 27-29. It will be a weekend jam-packed with campfires, hikes, games, time for relaxing with friends, and hands-on learning experiences as we take confirmation out of the class room an into the great outdoors. Form and payment are due in the office by Wednesday, April 11^th at the latest.

Mission Trip
Announcement #1:

Due to a lack of adults our Spring Break mission trip to Oceans Springs, MI to work clean-up for hurricanes Katrina and Rita has been cancelled.

Mission Trip
Announcement #2:

Due to the cancellation of the aforementioned mission trip, Mark will be working on planning a Rochester mission trip. This mission trip will take place in Rochester, MN over spring break. For this trip we will do all the things we would normally do on a mission trip, but with greater emphasis on the “mission” part and less on the “trip” part. This will be a great opportunity to work at some new service places around town and to see a part of Rochester that may be new to you. Stay tuned for more information!

Youth Group

A group for anyone in 9-12^th grade that wants to be more active with their faith. Learn, discuss, and get revived for your daily walk through life. We meet weekly from 8pm – 9pm on Wednesdays during Lent. All are welcome. If you are an adult who would like to help co-lead this group with Mark please give him a ring :)

30 Hour Famine

A Lock-In with purpose!!! Here’s what’s involved: 1) Experiencing hunger first hand. 2) Learning about hunger in the real world. 3) Raising money to help real people who are hungry. 4) All the fun of a 24 hour lock-in at church. We do our Famine on Friday – Saturday, April 20-21. This Lock-in is for students in grades 9-12 only. If you’d like to come, pick up a packet from Mark or the office.

We Need...

The church doesn’t just “have opportunities” for adults in youth ministry... the church needs adults in youth ministry and, more importantly, our youth need adults. They need Christian adults in their life as a sign that they have an identity and a destiny in life and belong to something bigger than a team, a school, or a peer group. Chances are you know someone who is meeting face to face with a 9^th grader on Wednesdays this Lent as part of Faith Mentorship. This is just one of many places where people from different backgrounds, generations, and stories come together to share life. Where might you share?

Breakfast with the Bishop

Young men of all ages are invited to attend the 4th Annual “Breakfast with the Bishop”, Harold Usgaard, on Saturday, April 14 at 8:00am at Cabela’s upstairs restaurant. Bishop Usgaard will have the devotions. Professor Rollie Martinson, Professor at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, will have a presentation, “Coming of Age: Exploring the identity and spirituality of young men.” Cost for the breakfast is $10 per person. Call the office at 289-1748 by April 4 to make your reservation.

St. Matthew Passion

Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion will be performed on Sunday, April 1 at Lourdes Chapel, Assisi Heights in Rochester. Special guest artist is world renowned tenor of opera and oratorio, Stanford Olsen, as the Evangelist. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 288-2469 or online at stlukesepiscopal.org

Change for Change

During the month of March, donations to the Change for Change program will go to Channel One

Small Group Corner

March 21 9:45am – Stay and Play (Nursery)

March 24 8:00am – Faith in Motion (Hy-Vee South)

7:00pm – Tweeners (Trcka’s)

March 27 7:30am – Men’s Coffee (Panera South)

12:00pm – Prayer Lunch (Room O)

Book Group (Contact Lance Eidem 529-7629)
This group is in the process of forming

Care Group (Contact Paula Freitag 282-9600)

This group focuses on caring activities in the church and community such as phone calls, cards, support services such as meals and household repairs. Meeting times TBD

College-Age Ministry Group (Contact Rita Howe 285-1507) The group focuses on bridging the congregation when college-age students are away and home on breaks. This group is opened to all and plans caring activities such as mailings, newsletters, and get-togethers. Meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 6:30 PM

Faith in Motion (Contact Tim Fynskov, 288-3607)
This group meets to encourage physical fitness, by promoting a variety of physical activities, flexibility, nutrition,  and rest. Starting March 24th, we'll be meeting 8:00 AM Saturday mornings at HyVee South cafeteria for devotions, and breakfast, followed by exercise session(s), as determined by the walking, jogging, bicycle, golf and tennis enthusiasts who show up.

For more information, visit the group loop site at http://gslcfaithinmotion.grouploop.com/home.
(If you have difficulty accessing this, contact Tim.)

Lutheran Woman Today Bible Study (Contact Mary Olson 529-1314) This group meets at Loretta Berglund's to discuss articles in the Lutheran Woman Today Magazine. Meeting dates and times TBA.

Men's Coffee (Contact Dave Herder 289-5723)

Guys - need a coffee break? Join this group for some caffeine and discussion 7:30 am Tuesdays at Panera South

Stay and Play (Contact Tammera Bird 282-5533) Offers a time and place for parents and children (birth through Kindergarten) to gather, visit, and play together. No reservations or advance notice is required. Can’t come on a regular basis? Come when it works for you! Any questions? Call Tammera Bird at 282-5533

Tweeners Group (Contact Paul & Sue Trcka 281-1805) This is a group designed for folks in their 40s and 50s (single or married). The group meets for spiritual conversation, a short powerful DVD, dessert, coffee and laughter. The next meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm on Saturday, March 24 at 1724 Northern Valley Drive NE.

Young Adults Small Group (Contact Pastor Dave or Mark Hannan at 289-1748) This group is designed for folks in their 20s and 30s. Activities include watching short films, having discussions, making faith and life connections, eating food and hanging out. Meets monthly – times and locations TBD

The Giving House

Have you noticed? ... The Giving House roof in the narthex has shingles on it, but not for long. This week please take one or more gift tags with you to help us fill 30 Easter Baskets for adults who might otherwise be forgotten -- singles or parents. We are working with Olmsted County Social Services and Lutheran Social Service to distribute

baskets filled with personal care items or cleaning supplies. Think about the everyday items that grace your life and consider giving this as an Easter gift. The Seventh grade class has written 30 individual Easter greetings from GSLC. Our Giving House is the same idea as the giving tree at Christmas. Each of the 225 shingles has suggested gift items such as

- kitchen or bath towels

- cleaning supplies - laundry supplies, dish soap, cleaners

- toiletries - lotions, tissues, razors, soaps

- coffee, tea, candies for a personal touch

- medium to large size, new or used, baskets or buckets to hold the items

You are welcome to vary from the suggestion and to include your own Easter greeting. Drop your gifts off early if you are going to be gone at the start of spring break. We'd like to have the baskets filled by April 1. Help is needed to sort the gifts that day.

-- Church in Society Committee

Tweeners Group

The next scheduled Tweeners group meeting will be at 7pm on Saturday, March 24 at the home of Sue and Paul Trcka (1724 Northern Valley Drive NE).

2007 Organ Scholarship

The Southeast Minnesota American Guild of Organists will be presenting their 2007 scholarships. Auditions will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, April 28 at First Presbyterian Church in Rochester (512 3rd St. SW). Organ scholarship applications are available in the church office.

Dorothy Day Volunteer Needed

Good Shepherd Church is looking for someone to coordinate the volunteer schedule for the Dorothy Day Hospitality House. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Mike in the church office (289-1748) or Sheryl Nassif at 272-3129.

Worship With Us

Saturday – 5:30 pm

Sunday – 8:15 & 10:45am

Education Hour

@ 9:30am

Holy Week

The Way of the Cross

During Holy Week we encounter, once again, the world changing story of Jesus and his love. Journey together with Jesus in the way of the cross as we move from death into life.

Palm/Passion Sunday — We Shout Hosanna!

Saturday March 31, 5:30pm

Sunday April 1, 8:15am and 10:45am

Mark the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Participate with the

gathered congregation in the dramatic story of his Passion.

Maundy Thursday — The Betrayal of Jesus

Thursday, April 5, 7pm

We celebrate Holy Communion and remember the night in which Jesus

was betrayed.

Good Friday — The Seven Last Words

Friday, April 6, 7pm

Hear the seven last words of Jesus as we recall his ultimate act of love,

dying for us upon the cross.

Easter Vigil — A Journey From Death to Life

Saturday, April 7, 8:30pm

Participate in this ancient service, hear how God has saved us and travel

from the death and darkness of Good Friday to the life and light of Easter.

Easter Sunday — He is Risen! Alleluia!

Sunday, April 8, 8:15am and 10am

Celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord at our Easter Festival worship.

God bless your year!

March 21 Keith Medes

March 22 Ryan Daniel, Jen Woodford

March 23 Selmer Gramstad, Katelyn McNeill, Caroline Steege

March 24 Benjamin Geer, Louann Johnson, Richard Olsen, Amanda Sankey, Alex Suginaka

March 25 Lisa Hart

March 26 Richard Fredrickson, Emily Johnson

March 28 Molly Fuelberth, Olivia Jensen, Charles Koenig, Heather Willman

+ For all the members of GSLC, especially: Nick & Tamsen Leimer (Benjamin), Keith & Laney Lindor, Mike & Mary Lindquist (Sydnee).

+ For ELCA congregations in the Southeastern MN Synod, including: Our Savior in Cleveland, Grace in Peterson, Little Cedar in Adams, First Lutheran in Albert Lea.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

559 20th Street SW

Rochester, Minnesota 55902

Phone: (507) 289-1748 

Office hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday

E-mail info: gscsecretary@goodshepherdchurch.net

Worship Services (with Holy Communion)

Saturday 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 8:15 & 10:45 a.m.

Staff

Dave Berg, Lead Pastor

Jack Friedli, Pastoral Assistant

Cynthia McLaren, Education & Music Director

Mark Hannan, Youth Director

Mike Thilges. Office Administrator

Vicky Mulvihill, Volunteer Coordinator

Ellen Herder, Roger Harty - Custodians

Happynings Newsletter

Mike Thilges gscsecretary@goodshepherdchurch.net
Newsletter deadline: Mondays by 4:30 pm

Web site

www.goodshepherdchurch.net

Paul Willemssen, Admin (willemssen@charter.net)