Dec 2020/Jan 2021 In This Issue - Giving God Uses Chaos Christmas Youth - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
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Dec 2020/Jan 2021 In This Issue
Dec 2020/Jan 2021 • Giving
• God Uses Chaos
• Christmas
• Youth
The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021
Mission
Statement In thanksgiving, we celebrate our call to serve God's people
“Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church’s mission is to share the and the impacts made locally, nationally and globally.
Shepherd’s love with all of God’s
Children.”
As you read this newsletter, may you find peace and comfort
Core Values in the stories of fellowship, faith development, outreach and
Called by our Savior Jesus the Christ,
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church pastoral care.
is a Lutheran congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) that is ...
• a welcoming and accepting
As of October 31, 2020
community where all people
YTD Budgeted Contributions:................................................................................ $ 1,127,105.00
are welcome to receive God’s
YTD Actual Contributions:...................................................................................... 1,014,818.33
love, mercy and salvation.
Difference between Budgeted & Actual:.............................................................. (259,286.67)
(Romans15:17, Galatians 3:28,
SBA PPP LOAN Proceeds:...................................................................................... 190,200.00
Mark 9:37) Difference between Budgeted & Actual with SBA PPP Loan Proceeds:............. (69,086.67)
• a worshiping community of God’s
children that invites all to join us YTD Budgeted Expenses:....................................................................................... $ 1,308,965.22
in worship that involves a variety YTD Actual Expenses:............................................................................................ 1,145,977.86
of musical, liturgical and artistic Difference between Budgeted & Actual:.............................................................. (162,987.36)
expressions. (Psalm 100:1-2,
Hebrews 12:28-29, Acts 2:1-4) YTD Actual Contributions:...................................................................................... $ 1,014,818.33
• founded in adult and youth ministry YTD Actual Expenses:............................................................................................ 1,145,977.86
education; we build on that Net without SBA PPP Loan Proceeds:................................................................... (131,159.53)
foundation by working to facilitate Net with SBA PPP Loan Proceeds:........................................................................ 59,040.47
Compared to year to date in 2019: $ (31,100.90)
the faith formation of parishioners
and community members across
generations and support one
another in our faith journeys.
Thank you for your continued financial support to Good
(Matthew 5:3-11, Matthew 28:19-
Shepherd that enables us “to share the Shepherd’s love
20, John 13:34-35)
with all of God’s children.”
• committed to serve others by
living the word daily in action
and deed; offering our church
facilities as a gathering place for
member and non-member alike;
and giving of our time, talent and Read on for stories of faith and action, made possible by
financial resources to support local,
domestic and global ministry and your support.
mission. (Matthew 25:35-40,
Mark 10:45, Luke 10:25-37)
Areas of Ministry Foci
Engaging the Faithful
Forming Faith
Holistic Stewardship
Outreach to Community
2 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
THANK YOU...
FOR ALL THE
WAYS YOU
GIVE!
The spirit of stewardship – the sharing of your time, talent, and treasure
is alive at Good Shepherd. Through your support and help with various
ministries and programs, we ARE Good Shepherd, the Body of Christ,
living out our mission statement “To Share the Shepherd’s Love with All
of God’s Children.” As we practice generosity we realize that we give not
only because our Shepherd asks us to do so, but also because we have an
inherent need to give. When we focus on giving instead of receiving, our
hearts are full of love for others.
In Person at worship services
Use the baskets located at east entrance of sanctuary.
Online Giving: www.goodshepherdbismarck.com
Click the "Give Online Now" button on the home page. Choose
option one or two to complete your transaction for a one time or
reoccuring gift.
Mail
Mail in your donations or use the drop off during normal business
hours.
Reoccuring giving
Reoccuring giving authorization utilizes the form on the
following page to set up an automatic gift from your checking,
savings or credit card.
The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021 Forming Faith 3
4 Engaging the Faithful Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Looking Forward
When things aren’t going well in our lives, our natural tendency is to look forward to a time
when problems are solved and life is back to normal. That is certainly what we are experiencing
right now. This is more than wishful thinking. I find that the best way to move forward
through life’s challenges is to focus on real possibilities for a preferred future. As we end this
year and start the new one, we have the chance to look forward.
Looking Forward to Christmas.
It is almost unimaginable that we
cannot gather as usual for Christmas
worship services. They are such a
part of our Christmas memories, but
this year it is not possible to safely
gather. But from the very beginning, Rev. Steve Sathre
Christmas never went as expected. Interim Senior Pastor
Mary and Joseph knew about disruption. They had their life overturned
in many ways. Not only was there an unexpected pregnancy, but they
were forced to travel to complete a census and deal with less than ideal
accommodations for a birth. They were sustained through it all by a faith
that God was doing a new and wonderful thing in the midst of all this. Even
when nothing seemed to be going right, angels, shepherds, and wise men
showed up to witness this wonderful new birth. They didn’t miss what God
was doing.
This Christmas we will have the opportunity to worship in new ways.
Once we realize that what we are used to is no longer possible, we can open
ourselves to the new possibilities for celebrating our Savior’s birth. We are
working hard to provide meaningful online worship experiences for you and
your family. We know they will be a blessing to you.
Looking Forward to the New Year.
In January we hold our annual meeting. It is an opportunity to make
important decisions about our church’s future. Even though things are too
uncertain to make any long range plans, there are important steps that lie
right before us. One of these will be the search for a new senior pastor. We
will need to let God lead us to a faithful leader who will have the vision and
creativity to lead us forward. Soon we will be forming a call committee which
will be tasked with this important work for our church. They will need our
prayers and support.
Looking Forward to the End of Covid.
With the development of effective vaccines, it certainly looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Of course a solution can’t
come fast enough for any of us, but there does seem to be real reason for hope. As followers of Jesus, we are people of hope, always
willing for God to draw us forward in faith. Mary and Joseph set out on a journey in the middle of a pregnancy. The shepherds left
their flocks to search for a baby in a manger. The wise men
followed a star to a far country. Let us open our hearts to
God’s invitation to move into God’s future.
The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021 Engaging the Faithful 5
Table grace
10/27/2020 | Monthly Topic
reprinted from www.boldcafe.org
by Emily K. Hartner
Our dining room table hasn’t been clear of clutter for months–since the beginning of the pandemic. Pre-COVID, we used it almost
solely for eating. Now it has become a work table, a homework table, a craft table, a game table, and a puzzle table. It also remains a
place to eat. When it’s dinner time, we shove the clutter to the end of the table to make room for our plates.
There’s a good chance something else might happen with our table this year. For the first time since it’s been in our house, it may very
well become a Thanksgiving table. We’re doing our best to figure out a safe way to visit family for the holiday. Still, with a return to
in-person school, the scheduling of COVID tests, and vulnerable family members, it might not be possible.
I’m working at church alone as I write this reflection. Earlier in the day, I wandered down to the sanctuary. Our windows are clear
glass, so the morning light creates a beautiful glow — warm and inviting. But I felt a little sad, walking through that space. A
space designed for gathering, it hasn’t been used since March. And the table? The one we used to gather around weekly to share in a
meal of grace? Well, it looked lonely in the cavernous room.
The table of Holy Communion is a thanksgiving table. Eucharist — the
meal that happens at the table — is a Greek word for thanksgiving. It’s the place
where we thank God for all that God has done for us through Jesus and
throughout history.
While I have grieved much over the past seven months, what I want to return to
more than anything is the meal that God provides at that table. I want to look
people in the eye again as I tell them that the small piece of bread and a tiny sip
of wine is “for you.” I want to think of each of their stories as they approach the
table. I want to ponder without judgment or expectation all the di erent stories
that come to holy table. Holy food for holy people, we sometimes say.
But something interesting has happened since we began working — and worshiping —from home. Our homes have become our
sanctuaries. Our dining room tables have become places of prayer and thanksgiving. In this switch from communion table to dining
room table, does God call the many tasks that happen there holy? The work we do there is holy. The learning that happens there: holy.
Holy describes the work, the nourishment, the fun.
An altar was once a place of sacrifice. It was the table on which you would place a sacrificial lamb to please the gods. It no longer
carries that sense of sacrifice for those of us who believe that Jesus’ life was the ultimate sacrifice for us. However, I do believe that
all the work, the play, and the meals that happen around dining room tables are pleasing to God as they represent our most faithful
work. Our tables are holy, not because they are places of required sacrifice. But because they are where we can be ourselves and where
God takes our work — our lives — and claims them as holy.
Our thanksgiving tables may look di erent this year. They may have a few empty chairs that we wish were filled. They may be graced
with less food than in years past. But leave the clutter. Leave all the signs of that hard work you’ve been doing. You might even use the
remnants of all that work as your placement. And then, when it’s time to say grace, give thanks. Give thanks not for what you have,
but for the goodness of God, who claims all your messy work and calls it good.
6 Outreach to Community Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021 Holistic Stewardship 7
God Uses Chaos
The scripture that comes to mind for me as we come to the end of 2020 is the very beginning of the
Bible, the Creation Story. God uses chaos as the material from which to bring order called creation.
So I want to reflect on how I see God using chaos to bring about a new creation for us today as we
begin a new lectionary and calendar year.
Change is how order comes out of disorder. We have discovered in this time that there is a great need
for change as disorder is revealed because we have chosen for so long to ignore the needs of others.
I’m noticing that individuals are coming to understand what is important and what can change in
their worlds. This then helps us to see how others are inviting us all into changing the world. We are
invited to step boldly into the future to bring about the changes that will make life new and better
for all. Rev. Julie Anderson
Associate Pastor of
Congregational Life
Hospitality is welcoming one another into our space. We have had to learn how to be welcoming & Pastoral Care
in a new way as we must create space between each other for safety. Yet, we still continue to care and
support one another in new and interesting ways such as digital means and wearing a mask to care for one another. We have had to
learn new ways to be part of a loving community in very intentional ways. We are seeing our neighbors as fellow children of God for
whom we need to care for.
Advocacy is speaking in support for one another to bless each other. Many flaws and failures of our common experiences have
been revealed in this time. We have once again been invited to speak well of each other and see each other with Jesus’ eyes. Our
speech gives life to new insights and ideas of how best to live out God’s will of love for each other. Most important is to listen to one
another with the goal to connect with love.
Opportunity to be intentional in our actions toward one another. Everyone is learning new ways to interact. What was familiar, is
reimagined and reinvented as we are learning new things. I never imagined having to become a video creator to share God’s message,
but it is exciting and educational. I have learned new ways to share and hear God’s Word while making me better in other ways.
This is an opportunity to grow and strengthen my faith and skills, join me.
Steadfastness of God has occurred over and over. It doesn’t mean things turn out the way we imagined. God has used this chaos to
bring us a new clear vision of God’s love for all humanity. In the face of death, we have seen the best and worst of humanity. The
best is filled with hope that God is with us through this chaos and will once again bring us to new life. Creation is changing and we
are changing in our understanding and interaction with the components that make up creation.
Let us continue to trust that God is leading us through the chaos to a new life in 2021. We take the lessons we have learned to
continue to bless one another from God’s love for all God’s wonderful creation to travel into the wonderful new future God is
creating for us all. As the gospel of Mark and John will lead us to find God in surprising places.
New year and new season. Advent season is when we complete the Old Testament Story
especially through the Prophets. Christmas tells us of Jesus’ birth as told by Matthew
and Luke. I’ve included the Christmas and Epiphany stories for your reference. With the
First Sunday after Epiphany we enter Mark’s gospel so see how he build his story based
on the stories we have heard from the Old Testament. I invite you to enjoy, engage and
ponder why Mark writes his story in this way. How is he building his case for Jesus as the
Messiah and Lion of Judah.
The devotional books are online or can be picked up at Good Shepherd. If you would
like to join the B@H Facebook Group, request admission on the group page. Look for
more Zoom studies during the week. You may also find the weekly video on GSLC
YouTube.
8 Forming Faith Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Outreach to Community Opportunities Dec/Jan
Good Shepherd served 300 Thanksgiving meals while hosting Readings
the Banquet Thursday November 19. It couldn't have been
done without the volunteers and those who dropped off pies. December 6
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Thank you for the continued support in this feeding ministry. 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8
Little Free Pantry December 13
Our Little Free Pantry has become a vital resource for people in our Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
community. Ways you can contribute: Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
• Purchase items that are non-perishable food items, personal care John 1:6-8, 19-28
and hygiene products, and other necessities are welcome. Place in December 20
the pantry or the designated carts in the church. 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
• Designated donations of money for the purchase of items should Luke 1:46b-55
be sent to the GSLC office, online giving or placed in the offering Romans 16:25-27
baskets. Please note somewhere on the donation that you would like Luke 1:26-38
it used for the Little Free Pantry. December 27
Isaiah 61:10--62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
We are Here for You January 3
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 147:12-20
We recognize the isolation and fear some may be experiencing. If you need prayer, please know that Ephesians 1:3-14
we are here for you. You can submit those prayers via the app or website under 'get connected.' John 1:[1-9] 10-18
January 10
If you are in need of Pastoral Care, you can reach out to one of our three Pastors via email. Genesis 1:1-5
• Pastor Steve Sathre: stevesathre@goodshepherdbismarck.com Psalm 29
• Pastor Bob Caranicas: pastorbob@goodshepherdbismarck.com Acts 19:1-7
• Pastor Julie Anderson: julie@goodshepherdbismarck.com Mark 1:4-11
January 17
1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]
Let us know... Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
A reminder that the pastors at Good Shepherd love to know when you have significant 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
events in your life. John 1:43-51
In the event of a death among your family members, especially those out of town, please January 24
let us know so we can include you in our prayers. Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Either call Pastor Julie at 701-401-4992 or email at julie@goodshepherdbismarck.com Psalm 62:5-12
with the information of who died and how they are related to you. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
We also like to celebrate births, weddings, illnesses and other significant events. We love to January 31
walk with your in the joys and challenges in life. Erin is taking this time to check in with GSLC Deuteronomy 18:15-20
households to make sure we have the means to contact you and update our database. Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28
Thank You for Your Support
Your support enables ELCA Global Mission to send missionaries, including Young Adults in Global Mission, to serve in over 40
countries. It provides scholarships to international women leaders responding to God's call to ministry. And it funds investments
in evangelism, education and church expansion, including global ministry projects such as the Reconciliation Lutheran Church
Community Center and Primary Health Care Clinic in South Sudan.
Thank you for your gracious gifts. The glory of God is shining through you.
With gratitude,
Rahel Mwitula Williams
Director, ELCA Global Mission Funding
The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021 Engaging the Faithful 9
Endowment Fund Tax Advantage
As in the past few years, the State of North Dakota maintains a tax law that
directly impacts the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Endowment Fund. The
law provides a powerful way to multiply the effects of gifts to a qualified
endowment.
For more than a decade, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church has maintained an
endowment through its constitution. It started as an idea and has slowly but surely grown. Today the fund is in
excess of one million dollars, with grants available to help fulfill Good Shepherd’s mission and ministry.
Yearly grants are available up to 5% of the yearly average and under unique circumstances up to 10% of the
average value. Below are ways in which grant funds have impacted programs and ministries in 2020.
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – New water filling stations.
• Scholarship money for students working at Camp of the Cross Ministries.
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – Funds used to cover portion of the costs for new shed.
• Financial support of Leadership for Faithful Innovation Mission project through Luther Seminary
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – Youth ministry activities
• Eagle Scout Project by Troop 2 for Ministry on the Margins.
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church- Funds used to cover a portion of the cost for improvements to
Fellowship Hall.
• Seed Money for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals to those in jeopardy of food scarcity this
season.
• Gift Cards for food or gas to support walk in traffic at church office.
• Nativity Scene for exterior of church.
• 20 Financial Peace University memberships to families looking to learn to pay off debt, giver generously
and plan for the future.
• Provided Christmas at home bags for 1020 households.
North Dakota’s law allows for a full 40% tax credit up to a total of $10,000 for charitable gifts to a
qualified endowment fund, $20,000 for those married individuals filing jointly. This is prior to any other
tax breaks available for charitable giving.
In practice, what this means is that a qualified $10,000 contribution before year end will realize a full $4,000 tax
credit to the giver in addition to any other tax impacts. By the time you deduct the gift from your income tax,
you could realize another 28% advantage for making a charitable contribution.
Just between the credit and income tax reduction, a $10,000 gift will only cost roughly $3,200. If a giver is
also able to avoid gains for appreciation, the savings will go upwards from there.
The point is; this is the most efficient way to gift to our church available. Should you be in a position to make a
contribution, it is doubtful you will ever be able to make a greater impact with less contribution. This is a
tremendous opportunity to multiply the power of your gifts to our church.
For more information, please contact:
Scott Parkin
Endowment Chair
Email: bespark@bis.midco.net
10 Outreach to Community Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchDo you shop online with Amazon? If so, please consider using the link smile.amazon.com/ch/45-0277540 when doing so. When customers shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers. This is just another way to help direct much needed dollars effortlessly to our ministry. The link above will automatically change your charity to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. If you have any questions please contact Melanie in the church office at 701-255-1001. The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021 Holistic Stewardship 11
The spread of the corona virus is having an increasing impact on our
community and our church. Our church has been working hard to
respond responsibly to the changing circumstances. After careful
consideration we have decided to suspend all in-house activities from
November 23 to the end of the year. This includes all worship services,
church school, confirmation, and any other group meetings at the church.
The good news is that this will only be temporary, and we are able to
provide online opportunities for worship, education, and fellowship.
Ways we can be together digitally include:
7 Christmas Cantata and Children’s Christmas program December 12th 5:00 pm
and 13th at 8:30 am.
7 “The Blue Christmas“ service December 21st at 6:30 pm.
7 Christmas Eve Worship at 5 pm.
7 December 26th and 27th we will offer an online service of “Carols and Lessons”
on Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 8:30 am.
You can find our online worship on our Facebook and YouTube pages
12 Outreach to Community Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchPastor Julie Anderson
Pastor Bob Caranicas
Jim Craigmile
Pastor Steve Sathre
Annette Bjornstad
Peder Gulleson
Melanie Nicklos
Vicki Martel
Erin Magelky
Karen Peterson
Scott Markovic
Nicole Fehr
Ashley Greenwood
Mark your calendars for these new opportunities
to safely celebrate:
7 Thanks to GSLC Endowment Fund, “Christmas at Home” bags available for
all households! They will contain supplies for the service including communion
elements. The bags are available for pick up at Good Shepherd in the east hallway.
7 Thanks to the GSLC Endowment Fund, an outdoor nativity scene will be available.
This will be a place to enjoy with family, drop off prayer requests and revel in the
spirit of the season. Available after December 1st.
7 Special Advent activities for K thru 12th grade youth families. Pick up information
available soon.
The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021 Holistic Stewardship 13Thanksgiving Turkey Meal Giveaway
On Monday November 23rd, we were able to donate 24 Thanksgiving Turkey
meals because of a GSLC Endowment grant and additional sponsors from our
faith community! GSLC Endowment members and store manager of the South
Walmart, Tim Morris were instrumental in this effort. 10 Individuals, families from
Ministry on the Margins and Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry were able to benefit
from this gracious grant
rud and her family
14 Outreach to Community Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchOpportunites to Serve
HR Committee Opening
The HR Committee is looking for two new members. The committee meets once a month, one the first Tuesday from
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm via Microsoft Teams. The committee members give of their time and talents to ensure that the
congregation is following the applicable HR laws, as well as, develop best practices relating to its employees and creating
an attractive environment for current and prospective employees.
If interested, please call or text Catherine Jones at 701-202-7152.
GSLC Endowment Council is looking to fill four vacancies starting February 2021. As part of this council
you will be a part of a group that uses the Endowment Fund to support ministries, activities, and projects within our
church, community and around the world. These openings are voted on at the annual meeting in January. If you are
interested please contact Scott Parkin at sparkin@nd.gov.
Library news
Check it Out
by Julie Fornshell
The 13th Gift, A True Story of a Christmas Miracle, by Joanne Huist Smith is an excellent book
to read prior to or during the Christmas season. However, it is not all “holly and jolly.” Instead,
this true book is about Joanne and her children whose husband/father died a few months before
Christmas, and the family is filled with grief, conflict, and turmoil. Joanne has no idea how
she will ever be strong for her children during the Christmas season or even if she wants to
be strong. Then, 13 days before Christmas, a gift appears on their doorstep. Gifts continue to
appear, each accompanied with a note written to the tune of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The
third gift, for example, had the note, “On the third day of Christmas your true friends give to
you, three rolls of gift wrap for all of you.”
Joanne resents the gifts at first, but soon, the mystery of the gifts and the gift giver(s) begins to
intrigue the family. What gift will be next? Who is providing the gifts? Will they work through
their grief in order to have some semblance of Christmas this year? What lessons will the family
learn?
The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021 Holistic Stewardship 15A Little Randomness
The past few weeks have been rough for sure. I covet and highly value all your prayers. COVID – 19 is
nothing to fool around with. This has nothing to do with politics, it has everything to do with caring
for and loving your neighbor. Wearing a covering on one’s face is an amazing way to show what it means
to love one another as we are loved. I better get down off my soapbox.
I have been down
for the count for
about two weeks.
During that time,
the youth staff at
GSLC showed Rev. Bob Caranicas
again why I say that Pastor of Youth and
I can’t do what I do Family Ministries
without them and
why I consider them the best in this business.
They stepped up and did what needed to be
done to make sure that all y’all continued to stay
connected to each other, this congregation, and
God. Thanks to all of them. Someday, when we
can, we will have a party.
For now, as we wander into our holiday season, please know that all of us in the world of youth ministry at GSLC are holding you
all in prayer. We miss you, we want to be with you, we love you. This thing will not defeat us and we will continue to do all that we
can to maintain a prayerful and faithful connection to each and every one of you. There are some really cool ideas that we are floating
around to make this a Thanksgiving and Christmas season that will not soon be forgotten....in a good way.
See you all soon, one way or another.
Socktober Success!!
I want to give my sincere thank you to everyone who donated during the month
of “Socktober”, as we remember and celebrate the importance of helping our
neighbors, while promoting community involvement and empathy for others. I
could not have done this without you and the wonderful support of my school,
church, and community! Thank you again for your support!
16 Forming Faith Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchPhoto Scavenger Hunt
Our youth and families were recently invited to enjoy a Photo Scavenger Hunt. We were so excited to see all the awesome pictures
and even a creative video put together! There were extra points given if they are wearing Good Shepherd T-shirts and a lot of fun
pictures were from popular areas in Bismarck and some special challenges as well.
Lakyn and Alexa Johnson read from their
Confirmation Bibles and share positive
messages to friends through sidewalk
chalk.
Lyli Bird, Tenley Nodland and Breynn
Lee “snuck into” the Youth Room during
Grace Martin and Kya Guidinger share a picture their Scavenger Hunt to chalk their
filling our Food Pantry during their Scavenger name on the wall
Hunt.
Cole and Logan Vesey were seen all over town
7th Grader Jillian Lemer invited her younger this day getting great pictures including this
brother Tate to join her in their Photo Scavenger famous Big Boy statue!
Hunt.
The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021 Outreach to Community 17Distance Learning Church School
Just because you are not participating in in-person church school, doesn’t mean you are not part of the program.
Distance learning church school with faith in our home bags are a wonderful alternative for many of our church school
families during this time of uncertainty. Faith in our home bags are filled with 4 weeks of bible stories, devotions, crafts,
and games for the entire family. My favorite parts for the take home bags is that the bible stories our families at home are
hearing we are same stories we are hearing in in-person church school.
It is so amazing to think that even though are not all together in person we are all together in spirit.
We had another fun church school
lesson on Sunday! I think we have
just one more to do. These were
really fun. Thank you for putting
together these bags!
Distance learning church school was a success! Thanks for putting together the
Faith In Our Home bags! The kids really enjoyed it. We made the tornado in a
bottle kind of ), and the girls made capes and Ethan chose to keep his as a shirt.
Wonderful!
Brooke Fleming Megan Schlenker
18 Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchNovember Council Minutes 11-17-2020
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT January 3, 2021. (LeMoine/Hintz, unanimous) 8) Questions from the Floor: (5 minutes, Council
Sam Arndorfer - President Endowment Constitution – tabled until next may respond at a future meeting
Joel Stugelmeyer Council meeting.
Heather LeMoine b) Endowment Grants – 3 grants were included in 9) Closing Prayer led by Pastor Julie - The Lord's
Christian Helgeson the Council packet: Prayer
Kjersti Hintz • Christmas at Home bags – these bags will Respectfully submitted,
Kellie Erhardt contain supplies for the Christmas Eve Annette Bjornstad
Addy Houston worship service on December 24. They Executive Assistant/Office Manager
will also include communion elements
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT for the service. Good Shepherd would like
Royce Schultze
Karl Liepitz
to provide gift bags for 1020 households.
These bags will include: 1 candle, 12 days November Stats
of Christmas prayer cards, chalk, epiphany
OTHERS ATTENDING house blessing, instructions on how to Baptisms:
Annette Bjornstad – Executive Assistant make an altar, cross for family to decorate
Office Manager for their altar, Christmas ornament to put Tessa Faye Bernhagen
Melanie Nicklos – Parish Administrator 2021 prayer in, and cheat sheets to become James Louis Schafer
Pastor Bob Caranicas – Pastor of Youth and more comfortable with the Bible. Total funds Declan Elijah Girodat
Family Ministries needed: $2,700 Fallon Kaye Turitto
Pastor Julie Anderson – Associate Pastor • Nativity Scene – Good Shepherd would like Oakley Gordon Eggert
Pastor Steve Sathre – Interim Pastor to purchase an outside nativity scene for the Lenna Marie Dressler
Nicole Fehr – Children and Family Ministry church. We would place the nativity scene Rylee Michael Johnson
Coordinator in an area where the community members Lydia Lou Haas
1) The meeting was called to order by can see it and be reminded that “Jesus is Silas Jeremy Unger
Vice-President, Heather LeMoine. the reason for the season.” We will also have Branson Darrol Magnus
2) Opening prayer was led by Pastor Steve a prayer box located near the nativity scene Callum Gregory Westlake
3) Bible Study andDevotions – Pastor Steve and benches for families to sit and enjoy. Kinley Marie Mattson
4) Approval of Consent Agenda Total funds needed: $1,100 Noah James Stoehr
a) Approval of Minutes • Financial Peace University (FPU) – Good
b) Monthly Financial Report Shepherd would like to offer families in Funerals/Deaths:
c) Human Resources Committee – No Report our congregation the ability to learn ways to
d) Finance Committee Report – No Report become financially secure and set them up Marge Ketterling
e) Endowment Council Report – Report for financial success in the future. We Evan Grove
f ) Holistic Stewardship Committee – No would like to offer 20 household’s access to Arline Orgaard
Report the Financial Peace University’s online Loran Guenther
g) Audit Committee Report – No Report course. Total funds needed: $3,500 Steven Pfaff
h) Safety and Security Committee – No Report Discussion held. Motion was made to approve Genevieve Little
i) Staff Report the 3 grants as written. (Houston/Erhardt, Edna Flynn
j) Pastor’s Report unanimous)
k) Thank You Notes c) Confirmation and Church School – Update Carl Nicholson
– Nicole Fehr, Children and Family Ministry
Motion to approve the consent agenda Coordinator, updated Council on confirmation Memorials:
(LeMoine/Stugelmeyer). and church school. Good Shepherd will be
suspending both confirmation and church In loving memory of Ilene Larson
5) Old Business school until after January 1, 2021. Discussion Good Shepherd Lutheran Church WELCA
a) Long-Range Facility Growth/Expansion held. Mike Bothun
Plan – Sam reported for the Long-Range d) Ashley Greenwood’s Internship – no update. Ruben and Marlene Schaaf
Planning Committee: e) Call Committee – At last month’s Council
• Sam emailed Jason Tomanek, Chairperson meeting, Sam asked Council to bring a few In loving memory of Dwayne Grotewold
with the Long-Range Planning names with them to this Council meeting that Julius Schmidt
Committee, to let him know that Council they feel would be interested in being a part Elizabeth Geiszler
would like to continue to move forward of the Call Committee for the Senior Pastor Lee’s Hallmark
with the plan to improve and renovate the position. The Call Committee will consist of 6
church. Sam did not hear back from Jason. or more voting members from the congregation In loving memory of Marge Ketterling
b) Heather reported that Addy, Royce, Pastor that will be appointed by Council. Sam Howard and Dottie Neils
Steve and herself have not set up a time asked that all Council members email your Myrna and Darrell Wetzel
to meet to discuss potential names for top 5 congregation members to Heather by Charles Gullicks
candidates for the Council seats that will November 23, 2020. Discussion held. Loren and Delores Schock
empty starting in January. Heather will be f ) Wendy Berg Request – included in the Council The Ketterling Family
in contact with these team members to set packet was a request made by Wendy Berg and Annetta Just
up a time to meet. Terryl Gaebe to recognize the people that have Mavis Fuher
passed away in Burleigh/Motion County from Faye and C. Edward Hasche
6) New Business CoVid. Discussion held. At this time, Council
a) Christmas Worship Schedule – Since is going to defer this idea. In loving memory of Richard Davison
circumstances have changed regarding g) CoVid-19 on Staff – 3 Good Shepherd staff Barbara and Curtis Roberts
CoVid, it is being recommended that GSLC members have tested positive for CoVid. They
worship services be suspended beginning are all on the mend and will be back to work In loving memory of Barb Schweitzer
November 23rd through January 3, 2021. soon. Doran and Peg Walth
Good Shepherd will still offer online worship h) Annual Meeting – Set Date – Discussion was Erica Wangler
services. We will also continue to offer held regarding setting a date for the Good David and Pamela Bangen
Holy Communion within the services. The Shepherd annual meeting. The meeting
Christmas Cantata will be offered online the will be held online. We will need at least 75 In loving memory of Loran Guenther
weekend of December 12 and 13. The Blue congregation members in attendance to have Karen and Dick Espeland
Christmas service on December 21 will also a quorum. Motion was made to schedule the Bramblee Bird and William Caughlan
be online. The Christmas Eve worship service annual meeting for Sunday, January 31, 2021, Jack and Audrey Zahm
will be premiered on December 24 at 5:00pm. at 1:00pm. (LeMoine/Helgeson, unanimous)
The “Christmas at Home” bags will contain 7) Other Business:
supplies for the service including communion a) Outside Groups – there are groups that use
elements. The bags will be available for pick Good Shepherd for their meeting venue. Since
up at Good Shepherd beginning December circumstances have changed regarding CoVid,
15. On December 26 and 27, we will offer an we are going stop all outside ministry groups
online service of “Carols and Lessons.” The from meeting here at the church. Discussion
Angel Tree that is usually set up in the Narthex held.
during the Christmas season will still happen. b) Front desk – for more protection around the
Discussion held. Motion was made to suspend front desk, plexiglass will be installed.
worship services from November 23rd through
The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December2020/January 2021 19106 Osage Avenue Non-Profit Org.
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