Love in Action

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

1300 Belt Line Road Collinsville Illinois 62234

618-344-3151 (Church) 618-344-3153 (School) 618-344-3378 (Fax)
Pastors M. Walther & P. Hemenway  Vol. 33  No. 1   January  2010

All women are invited for a refreshing, uplifting day with God and other Christian women. Come join us at the 10^th annual Women’s Day of Renewal on Saturday, March 13, 2009 from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The theme, Encouraged in Heart – United in Love is based on Colossians 2:2-3. Our Keynote Presenter, Concordia University Wisconsin professor, Dr. Mary Hilgendorf, is a well-known humorous and inspirational speaker and Bible Class leader. Women will be able to personalize their experience with two workshops. A continental breakfast and catered lunch will be included at the cost of $25.00 if registering by December 31. Between January 1 and February 22 the fee will be $30. After February 28, the registration deadline, the fee will be $35.

This year we have added a special Friday Night event to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of the Women’s Day of Renewal. The WDR 10^th Anniversary Tea Party will be held on March 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. Through very generous donations, this pre-WDR evening celebration is being offered for the minimal cost of $5.00 per person. Phyllis Wallace, nationally syndicated radio host of "Woman to Woman," will present, You Are a Designer Original!

For more information see the poster in the narthex or on the LWML bulletin board. Brochures with registration forms are available in the narthex or connecting hallway. Attend Friday night only, Saturday only, or BOTH!

Thank you to all the people who contributed to the Hat and Mitten Tree. The hats and mittens were given to Lutheran Social Services and the Collinsville Head Start to be distributed to needy children in the area.

No Braille in January

Blood Pressure Screening- January 3

Congregational Life meeting-January 11 @ 7 p.m.

Church Library-Have you stopped by the Church Library in the Conference Room lately? There are many of the books that were read by the Library Club, Bible studies, Biographies and much more. All you need to do is sign your name on the clip board and return the book when you’re finished.

Do you like to visit with people? Then leave your name with the office and we can match you with members who would like a friendly visit.

January is the time for reflection and making resolutions. Therefore, let us all resolve to use our God-given talents to share God’s love in our own hearts and lives, by reading and studying God’s word and through mutual encouragement of each other; in our own congregation, by actively participating in our Church’s various ministries and service projects; in our community, by bringing to light ways in which we can reach out to those who do not have a church home; and in the world, by supporting the many LWML mission projects both at home and abroad. As it is written, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many". (Matthew 20:28)

January - No Meeting

February 4 - Pastor Paul Hemenway will provide the program entitled "Hidden Meanings in Popular Lyrics". This is a great opportunity to learn what’s really behind the songs we may be singing just because we like the tune or the beat of the music.

Please bring a couple of valentine cards (with stamps). We will take a few minutes and address these to send to our college students, our members who are in the Armed Services, and our shut-ins.

March will be a busy month for our LWML Chapter. Pastor Todd Wilken will be our guest speaker, and there’s the Women’s Day of Renewal, the Spring Retreat, Confirmand Reception and a Lenten Soup Supper to serve. Be sure to read all about the details of these activities in the February Newsletter.

Remember every lady in the Church is considered a member of LWML, so set aside some time to fellowship with other Christian women the first Thursday of every month at 6:45 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Come and bring a friend!

5^th & 6^th grade will have their regular first Sunday of the month gym night on Jan. 3. On the 17, they will have their special mini-retreat. At the mini-retreat they will have Bible study, games, pizza, soda, and a chance to stay until 11 p.m.! That’s right—5 full hours of youth group fun! Look for the registration forms in the church narthex after Christmas. There is a $5 fee to cover food and extra expenses.

Making Abortion Unthinkable
Workshop at Concordia Seminary

The Concordia Seminary Pro-Life Group is sponsoring "Making Abortion Unthinkable."  The workshop on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Sieck Hall 202 on the Seminary campus will begin with registration from 8:30 to 9:00 am, and will conclude promptly at 2:30 pm.  The workshop will include video-based presentations as well as discussions segments; Dr. Jeff Gibbs, professor of New Testament at Concordia, will serve as the moderator for the workshop.  Suitable for adults and older teens. Each participant will also receive a helpful manual of materials.  The $12 per person fee includes lunch and the manual. The workshop will strengthen and clarify understanding for those who attend, as well as equip them to speak more effectively and winsomely on behalf of the unborn.  For more information or to pre-register, please contact Concordia Seminary Continuing Education at 314/505-7486 or email ce@csl.edu  Registration ends January 20.

Financial Peace University – 2010
Still a Few Seats Left!

Do you have too much month at the end of the money? Would you like to learn how to use a budget, talk about money with your spouse, and handle money God’s way? Financial Peace University is a 13-week video hands-on workshop that will change the way you think about personal finance. Personal finance advisor Dave Ramsey

teaches about how to save money, live on a budget, communicate about money, eliminate debt, find bargains, and experience the joy of giving. This is not an investing class or a Bible study (although Biblically-based).

On average, a family pays off $5,300 in debt and save $2,700 in just 13 weeks. Maybe you heard about the last round of Financial Peace University that ended

earlier this year from one of the approximately 70 members who went through the class? You will hear their success stories during class.

"The scariest thing about FPU was letting go of "my way" of doing things, giving this whole thing to God and letting Him guide my path. I was a huge skeptic in the beginning, however with reassurance from my 'accountability person', much much prayer and perseverance, I'm two debts away from being DEBT FREE. I never thought I could save money EVER in my life - I'm a spender, but it actually happened!" said Julie Wrigley, FPU class graduate.

Classes start Saturday, January 16 2010 at 3 p.m. and the cost for Good Shepherd members is $50. Half the cost of materials for Good Shepherd members is covered by a donor. Non-members are welcome and the cost for them is $99. Free Babysitting provided.

All former class members are invited to sit in again, if there is a session you missed last time or you would like a refresher!

Any questions, please call Tim Meister at 636-734-6515.

How fast the month flies by!  I'd been busy with all of the Christmas decorating, baking, getting together with family and friends, but I did manage to get out to use quite a few coupons.  This past month, I was able to get children's toothbrushes for a quarter, free dental floss, free lip balm, and almost free body lotion, plus some free trial size items.  I could have probably gotten more things, but time was an issue for me during the holidays.  Also, Randy, my husband, had lost his job and was out of work for a couple of months, so I did try to cut back on my spending during that time also.  We trusted in the fact that things happen for a reason that we don't always know about, but God does, and I'm so thankful to report that as I compose this newsletter article, Randy is on his first day back on a new job. 

Along with Roxanne Michael's help, we were able to gather about 80 items, such as lotions, lip balm, and lozenges to be used as Christmas presents for the residents at Elmwood Nursing Home. Roxanne delivered everything to the lady in charge of that project and  I received a very nice "thank you" email expressing how much she appreciated our efforts to accumulate so many items.  We couldn't have done it without all of the coupons that you provide each week.  If anyone knows of any other need out there, please contact me and I might be able to help another organization or family in the future.  In the meantime, I will continue to drop off things at the local area food pantries and the seminary food pantry. 

There should be lots of after-Christmas clearance sales on toys and winter hats, scarves and gloves.  I'm always on the lookout for items like that to collect for donating the following year.  It's amazing how many gloves and hats you can collect when they clearance something to 99 cents that had originally cost $5.99 or more.  Maybe you might find some bargains out there this year too. 

Thanks again to everyone for your generous donation of the weekly coupon inserts, all the food coupons and all the other miscellaneous coupons that you may find in magazines, at the stores or get in the mail.  There are internet sites that help me find a lot of the bargains at the various stores like Schnucks, Walmart, Walgreens and Target.  This has turned into a big project and it has also helped me to network with a few of my friends.       If anyone is interested in learning more, you can contact me at 344-5305.  Please contact me if I can help you find more of the coupons you might use on more expensive items like formula, diapers, vitamins or whatever.  I don't throw any coupons away until they expire.  Thanks again to everyone and God's blessings! Debbie Jones      

• Jan 1-2 Jr. High Lock in
• Jan 3 REFUGE 6-8pm
• Jan 10 Workday for Mystery Dinner
• Jan 12 The Deepend
• Jan 16-18 Youth Ski Trip
• Jan 24 Mystery Dinner
• Jan 29-30 Youth Volunteer Retreat

REFUGE this month

We are only meeting on January 3. January 17 we will be on a ski trip.

National Youth Gathering Participants

This month we are preparing for the Mystery Dinner Fundraiser on January 24. Please attend the workday January 10 after church on Sunday to make posters, decorations for the dinner, and to learn what you will need to do. We will provide lunch and ask that you stay until we finish! The plan is a couple of hours. Then come and serve the actual dinner on the 24^th. Set-up will begin at 3:00 and the dinner goes until 7:00. Plan to stay and clean up until about 8:00.

Youth Ski Trip, January 16-18

Sr. High and College Students are invited to attend our second annual ski trip! This year we will be skiing at Cascade Mountain in Wisconsin. Also instead of staying at another church we will be lodging at a couple of retreat houses near Wisconsin Dells. This change in location means we need to pay a little extra for lodging, but we will get some discounts on our lift tickets! We leave at 9 a.m. Saturday and will return by 5:00 p.m. Monday. To sign up please see the sheet on the Youth board, or call the church office. You can pick up a ski packet with forms by the youth board or find the forms on the website. Total cost for the trip is $150 which includes lift ticket ($49) ski or board rental ($32) Food ($30-40) partial van rental and gas and partial lodging. Please sign up and turn in forms by January 9^th. All money should be held onto for the trip except for $20 to cover food expenses. Please write a check to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or pay in cash.

Youth Volunteer Retreat January 29-30

For all those that have ever wondered just what they have gotten themselves into as a youth volunteer leader this retreat is for you! This is only $10 a person and is located at Camp Wartburg. This is for parent chaperones, leaders that would like to become more involved, or those that have helped in the past. Please come and learn and feel support from fellow volunteers! Registration opens at 6:30 p.m. Friday and the retreat ends at 7:00 p.m. the following day.

Formerly called Remember Lock-in, this will take place on New Year’s Night into Saturday morning. We want to remember those "heroes" in our lives who sacrifice so much for our safety everyday. We will be making cookies, thank you cards and care packages for police officers, fire fighters and men and women serving overseas. If your last name starts with an A-L bring a snack to share, and M-Z bring a drink to share. The lock-in will start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 a.m. Please sign up on the Jr. high board downstairs by Christmas Day, December 25. Parents, please sign up to help for a shift of time. I especially need help for the midnight shift!

Christian Fiction Book Club meets the 3^rd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Louis Bread Company. Many of us come a little early and eat supper. Even if you haven’t read the book you are welcome to come and enjoy the good company and the discussion. Below is a list of upcoming book selections.

Grief/Share will be meeting every Monday, starting December 28 & continue for 11 weeks.

Please pick up your 2010 Offering Envelopes from one of the tables in the narthex. Please do not use these envelopes until January 1, 2010.

Please remember to recycle your gift wrapping paper and aluminum cans at Good Shepherd during the Christmas season. Your support is appreciated.

Please call the church office at 344-3151 if you would like to sponsor the palms for a month in 2010. The cost is $40.00 per month.

The flower chart for 2010 is on the bulletin board. The cost for flowers is $30/vase. Please sign up at your convenience.

Baptisms (Children): Bradford Duke Baucom

Confirmation (Adult): Kris Renee Lankford, Ralph William Montgomery, Mitzi Herndon Montgomery, Ewing ONeal Smith, Betty Carolyn Smith, Christina Lynne Srogus, William Aaron Swarthout, Amy Kathleen Swarthout

Marriages: Christopher Michael Tubbs and Stephanie Helene Cluck

Funeral: Gerald W. Williams

Souls: 1,621                                                 Comm.: 1,317

In order to properly record church attendance, please list all the names of your family members attending in the Friendship Book. Thank you.

Sunday, January 10^th a potluck after late service in the Fellowship Hall around 11:45 a.m. Sloppy joes will be provided. Bring a side dish or dessert. You are still welcome to come even if you forget to bring something! Friday, January 22^nd bowling night! Meet at Camelot Bow1 (on the Beltline in Collinsville). This is a family event. Time to be announced.