June 6, 2007

This Week’s Readings

1 Kings 17:17-24; Galatians 1:11-24; Luke 7:11-17

Thanks to Diane Carr!

After serving as the Cherub Choir director and Sunday School opening leader for 17 years, Diane Carr is resigning. At the 9:30am service on Sunday, June 17, we will take time to thank Diane for her outstanding musical leadership and dedication to our children. Join us for coffee and treats following the 9:30 service.

Handbell Fundraising Efforts

During the last few weeks, the handchimers at GSC have been selling Butterbraids/Cake Pans in order to kick off our official fundraising efforts for handbells. These fundraising efforts, along with the "Sponsor a Bell" program, have increased the total amount in the dedicated handbell fund to over $4700! Although this is just over halfway to our goal of $8500, we still have a ways to go. The "Sponsor a Bell" program will continue through the summer and fall (amounts ranging from $100 - $300 are available), and additional fundraisers are planned for the fall.

If you have donated previously to the dedicated handbell fund and wish to request to have your donation made in honor of a loved one, please call Michelle Schlicht (258-1258) so the "in honor of" list is up to date.

Cake Pans can be picked up in the office during regular business hours (8:00am-4:30pm, Mon-Fri).

Youth Musical - ELIJAH

Nine youth from Good Shepherd are participating in the summer youth musical, Elijah! They are Luke & Stephanie Schmidt, Logan & Kimberly Anderson, Noah & Nick Hart, Maddie Woodford, Sara Caflisch and Hannah Thompson. Everyone is welcome to attend the performance of the musical on Friday, June 15, 3:00pm at Rochester Covenant Church (4950 31st Ave NW).

“Church Basement Ladies” Trip

Join us for a fun trip to see the play "Church Basement Ladies" on 7/15/07. This is a Sunday matinee and we will be taking a bus up to the Plymouth Playhouse. We will leave at 11:30 AM. The cost is $34 for the play and bus ride. Deadline for registration and payment is June 25th. Please call Paula Freitag at 282-9600 or Connie Meredith at 282-8763.

Pictorial Directories

Any households who had their picture taken for the GSLC directory will receive a free copy of the directory. If you have not received your directory yet, they can be picked up in the church office.

Root Prairie Lutheran Church Benefit

June 10, 2007 (Sun.) - Benefit for Root Prairie Lutheran Church of Fountain. 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Lunch
1:30 p.m. – Concert; Bear Creek Lutheran Church, 74727 265th Street, Grand Meadow, MN

Musical Concert with a variety of groups including Bear Creek Boys, The Bear Creek Creekers, Sunday school and hopefully soloists and instrumentalists.If you have a talent to contribute, let us know: Church 507-745-5203 Secretary Lavae Ringen 507-378-2295; Pastor Glen Bickford 507-269-9079

Helping Hands

The Helping Hands group will meet for a picnic at Good Shepherd on June 13 at 11:30am.

This Week at Good Shepherd

Wednesday, June 6

6:15pm Fellowship Committee

Thursday, June 7

7:00am Morning Bible Study

7:00pm Sisters in Faith

Saturday, June 9

8:00am Faith in Motion

5:30pm Worship

Sunday, June 10

8:00am Outdoor Worship

9:30am Indoor Worship

Monday, June 11

10:30am Staff Meeting

7:00pm Committee Night

Tuesday, June 5

7:30am Men’s Coffee

9:30am Stay and Play

12:00pm Prayer Lunch

6:30pm Rainbow School Meeting (FH)

Summer M & M

If you’re in 6-8^th grade, join us on Wednesdays at noon this summer as we enjoy some incredibly fun activities. Look for our schedule to come out next week and take note of the activities that sound good to you. Please know that some activities require signing up in advance to the date.

Car Wash

Due to weather our Car Wash has been rescheduled for June 17^th, on Sunday morning (8-12) here at Good Shepherd. Get your car washed (inside and out) while you’re in church and help support our two youth summer mission trips.

Are You...

... active in church, but want more?

... itching to put your faith into action and make a difference?

... looking for friends who have a vision like you?

If you answered yes, you should be a part of YSLI! The Youth Servant Leadership Institute is a collaboration between Good Earth Village and our synod where high school youth are selected from across MN to work, to learn, and to play together. These young people gather for one week during the summer and four retreats throughout the year for leadership training. If you’re interested fill out the application (found at www.goodearthvillage.org) or talk with Mark or Emily Howe who participated in YSLI last year.

Action/Adventure Summer

It’s not too late to register for one of the most fun things you’ll do all summer... a week of camp at Good Earth Village. For a week of Hiking, Worship, Creek Splashing, Arts and Crafts, Faith-filled Bible studies, Discussions, Team building, Games, Evening Campfire, Hanging out with your cabin mates, and Singing. Pick up a registration form at church or online at www.goodearthvillage.org. Want to find a week when you know someone else who’s going? Talk with Mark.

10 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Camp

by Myra Pravda, RN, MSN

1. Read books about going to camp. Books for parent's and children's books (www.offtocamp.com). After you both read a book, discuss the camp experience with your child and refer to some of the issues raised in the books.

2. Talk with other parents and friends to learn from their camp experience. Ask the camp director to tell you of other camp families in your area. Introduce your child to other children who will be attending your child's camp. This can be in person, over the phone, or email. Take the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns.

3. Become familiar with the camp environment. Where do the children sleep, eat, and swim? What is the daily routine and schedule of activities? What do they do in the evening? Visit the camp, if possible.

4. Prepare your child to care for him/herself. Practice Camp. Have your child spend a long weekend with a friend or relative, help with the packing, learn to make their bed, set the table and if they are on medication to take responsibility to take the medication at the appropriate time. Do not communicate with your child while they are on their visit. Discuss how it felt not to be able to talk on the phone daily.

5. Problem solve with your child. Think about anticipatory problems, "What if? .... You lose baseball glove, don't feel well." Have your child think of ways they would solve the problems at camp. It is different than at home.

6. Role-play and practice with your child on how they would respond to camp situations. Walk in the dark at night with a flashlight.

7. Communication at camp is usually through letter writing. Help your child learn to write letters and practice. Address envelopes and post cards to all their friends and relatives so they will receive mail. Find out the camp policy on phone calls.

8. Homesickness feelings are normal in adjusting to any new environment. Discuss how your child felt after spending a weekend with a friend. Did they think about you? How did you feel when you were missing home? When did they get these feelings? Homesick feelings are more prevalent during meals, free time and at night. Remember these are normal feelings and they are to be expected. They usually don't last very long once the child becomes familiar and immersed in camp life.

9. Prepare yourself for the separation. Parents often are anxious about sending their child to camp for the first time. This is also very normal. Remember that you have chosen a safe camp for your child and they will be well cared for. Camp is a positive, growing experience. You will have mixed emotions.

10. The camp director is available for concerns. Call with questions and clarification.

Small Group Corner

June 7 7:00am Bible Study (Conf. Room)

7:00pm Sisters in Faith (Room E)

June 9 8:00am Faith in Motion (Hy Vee South)

June 12 7:30am Men’s Coffee (Panera South)

12:00pm Prayer Lunch (Room O)

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 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. The next meeting will be May 16 at 1:30pm.

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

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

Stay and Play 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. Meeting dates and times TBA.

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. The next meeting will be Thursday, June 14 at 6 p.m. Scott & Jenny Kruse (4168 Peregrine Ln SE) are hosting. Brats and fixings will be provided. Please bring a dish to share.

Why send your child to Good Earth Village this summer?

GEV has dedicated, energetic staff who participate in two weeks of thorough training.
GEV has cabin groups of no more than 7-9 campers and one of our staff.
GEV has a certified EMT on staff and an on-site Health Care person available 24 hours a day.
GEV has a Food Service Manager who is a Certified Dietary Manager.
GEV is an accredited camp of the American Camp Association.
GEV offers a $50 discount to campers from member congregations (because we believe so much in GEV, GSC will chip in another $50).
GEV is a really similar acronym to GSC.
GEV has their own website at www.goodearthvillage.org.
GEV does everything we can to give your child a fun, safe, faith-filled camp experience.

Greetings from the Nursery Coordinator

Hi! I am excited to tell you I am the new nursery coordinator for our church! Just to tell you a little about myself, my husband, Doug and I have been members here for about 5 years, and we have one little boy who is 19-months-old. You can usually witness us chasing him around Sunday mornings after the second service.

I know how challenging sitting through a service with a young child can be for a parent. I also know how faith affirming a worship service can be for a parent. For these reasons, my desire as the nursery coordinator is to not only make improvements to the nursery itself, but also to make this into a ministry to families in our church.

If you have ideas or thoughts about where we can take this ministry, I would love to talk with you. Feel free to contact me at 292-1546 or by email at: dougandtracy@charter.net. I am really excited about some of the conversations I have already had, and I am looking forward to seeing the possibilities come to life.

Please keep this ministry in your prayers,

Tracy Tollefson

GSC Library

Have you checked out the GSC library recently? Summertime is a great time to catch up on some reading and our library offers books for all ages. Check it out!