 A Message from our Senior Warden
The Transition is a Time for Change
I'm sure you have noticed by now that numerous changes are taking place at Good Shepherd. The service bulletins are different, in many ways providing more detail about the service. This was done to accommodate visitors and newcomers who may not be familiar with the Episcopal Church.
Changes have taken place within the worship service. The reading of the Second Lesson has been added to the 9:00 a.m. service, and both the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services feature a Gospel procession. There have been minor adjustments within the service itself, all meant to streamline, allowing us to finish in a timely manner.
The church's electronic communications have been enhanced with the website becoming more current and user friendly. Our Facebook presence has also become more active. Just last week, we launched this new electronic version of The Shepherd's Voice.
Change is very normal when a church is in transition between Rectors. Each Rector has individual ideas about how to conduct the service and lead the church. Part of Father Ron's responsibility while he is at Good Shepherd is to have us practice working with change. By doing so now, when the new Rector arrives, we will be more comfortable with any changes that may be introduced at that time.
If you are uncomfortable with any of the changes that have been introduced at Good Shepherd over the last few months, please speak with Father Ron directly.
Kathy Gross
Senior Warden
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Preparing for Worship
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The Third Sunday of Advent
Collect
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings
Isaiah 35:1-10 / Psalm 146:4-9 / James 5:7-10 / Matthew 11:2-11
Services
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I ~ Celebrant & Preacher, Ronald D. Pogue; Eucharistic Minister/Lector/Intercessor, Joseph Jacobs; Usher, John Kingsley.
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II ~ Celebrant, Elise B. Johnstone; Preacher, Ronald D. Pogue; Deacon, Lauren Villemuer; Verger, Hans Flueck; Acolytes, Rachel Elliott, Spencer Branham, Sarah Elliott, Christian Branham, Alina Snowden; Eucharistic Ministers, Kathy Gross, Skip Kimbrough, Elizabeth Leppman, Winn Stephens; Lector/Intercessor, Scott and Sara Smith; Ushers, Ken Miller, Mark Plummer, David Thompson, George VanMeter; Greeters, Main St. - George VanMeter, West Door - David and Nancy Thompson; Children's Chapel, Pyddney Jones, Joni Snowden
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II ~ Celebrant, Elise B. Johnstone; Preacher, Ronald D. Pogue; Verger, Dorothy Van Meter; Acolytes, Katherine Wright, Jackson Campbell, Anna Stahlman; Eucharistic Ministers, Christy Ellis, Kevin Ellis, Dan Primm; Lector, Kim Edwards; Intercessor, Lucy Cox; Ushers, Charley and Nancy Davis, Mathew Kluesner; Greeters, Main St. - John Thomas, West Door - Graeme and Amy Lang; Children's Chapel, NO CHILDREN'S CHAPEL.
Music
Hymns ~ 72, 265, 61, 67
Click HERE for a link to an online index to the 1982 Hymnal that will allow you to read the texts and listen to the tunes for Sunday's hymns.
Anthems ~ "O heavenly Word, eternal Light"
Organ ~ "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659" J.S. Bach & "Improvisation on Psalm 42" John Linker
Others Serving This Sunday
Lay Eucharistic Visitor: Kim Scott
Altar Guild: Dorothea Tate
Vestry on Duty: Ed Tipton, Chuck Beal
Altar Flowers: Sarah Leer
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 Christmas Communion It is the privilege of the clergy at Good Shepherd to take Communion to those unable to attend Christmas services. Please call the church office at 859-252-1744 to schedule a time. |
Stewardship Campaign Update
As of Monday, December 6, 241 pledges totaling $769,470 for next yearís ministries have been turned in of which 134 are for the same amount as 2010, 67 are increases, 25 are decreases, and 15 are new. 48 households who pledged in 2010 have not yet made a pledge. Those pledges total $91,629. Please make your commitment and help us bring this campaign to a victorious completion.
Thanks to those who have made a pledge of financial support for 2011 since last week's publication: Headley and Nancy Bell, Doris Benson, Richard and Belinda Conrad, Charley and Nancy Davis, Robert and Margaret Foster, Guy and Terry Graves, Josh and Erin Hudson, Karla Isaac, David and Pyddney Jones, James Landon, Susie Lawrence, Judah and Cynthia Lowell, Shawn and Kat Luchtefeld, Kitty Mattingly, Earl and Ashley Robbins, Mike Russell, Mark and Mary Ryles, John and Keila Thomas, Sara Thompson, Lynn Tudor, and George and Kerry Zack. |
 Christmas Poinsettias and Music Dedicating a poinsettia or special music is a wonderful way to honor or remember a loved one at Christmas. Forms will also be available on Sunday in the Loggia and on the back table in church. You may fill one out and leave it with Vestry on Duty in the church office.
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 What's with the Advent Wreath?
You may hear folks asking why there are not red and green adornments here at Good Shepherd in the early weeks of December. The four Sundays preceding Christmas Day are a distinctly different church season from Christmas, and that distinctly different season is called Advent. The word Advent comes from the Latin for 'coming' or 'arrival' and the arrivals we are preparing for are twofold. We take time in Advent to engender a sense of quiet hope and anticipation not only for the Feast of the Incarnation, in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ here on earth, but we take time to continue to prepare ourselves for the next coming of Christ. The color we use in the church for this season is midnight blue; it reminds us of the color of the night sky just before the morning's light--and we consider Christ our new dawn's light. The scriptures we hear on Sunday reflect this sense of preparation. Advent also the beginning of the church's calendar when we begin a new cycle of readings and prayers.
For a number of years here at Good Shepherd, we have used the midnight blue vestments during the Advent season. This year, we are using blue candles in the Advent wreath as well, to continue the expectant theme of Advent. History is a funny thing--many of you remember that we have been using the beautiful purple and pink candles up until this year. The season of Advent is something that has been celebrated by Christians since very early times. In the early church, the focus of the season was much more on the second coming of Christ, but the Advent wreath did not come into use until after the Reformation. The wreath came from the German Lutherans--evergreen is often used in the body of the wreath as it symbolizes continuous life. The color of the candles was not something that became more standardized until later. The midnight blue color was a color that was associated with Advent in the early Middle Ages and the use of blue was something that was popularized by the pre-reformation Roman Catholic Church in England. The color is referred to as Sarum blue, because one of the centers of the pre-reformation church in England was in Salisbury, (Latin: Sarisburia), so the blue color is ancient, as well as something that comes out of our English tradition.
The reason for the shift in color from blue to purple in the Advent season was a shift in the under-standing of the season of Advent in the post-reformation period. Advent began to take on a tone of penitence, and lost the sense of expectancy that it had in earlier times. Purple is the color that the church uses in Lent and it has two symbolic meanings: penitence and royalty. Certainly, the coming of the new Messiah, the new King was a theme that existed with the use of purple in Advent worship, but it was often overshadowed by the penitential themes that emerged in the post-reformation period. Within the last century, the Anglican tradition has started to shift back to its pre-reformation roots in terms of Advent themes. We wish to honor the penitential season of Lent as its own distinct season, and we hope to celebrate Advent not as a miniature version of Lent, but as a season where we try to lift up the sense of expectancy in looking for the coming of the Savior, and we see that manifested in the color that comes just before the dawn. Our new day begins with the arrival of the Messiah, so we pray as we wait for his coming. |
Christmas Offering for Darfur School Project
| | Dafur School Video |
In 2003, a horrible genocide started in Darfur. Because of the color of their skin, no one was safe from being ripped from their home and being brutally murdered. Children have suffered the most. Almost eight years later, the war still continues. Anyone under the age of 9 who is still alive has never known a home without fear, loss, and horrors that we will never have to face.
Last year, Good Shepherd Youth led us to begin a project to build an elementary school in the Djabal Refugee Camp in Chad. There are 632 elementary aged children living in this camp without a school, without electricity, and without hope. We are $3,000 short of our goal for building the school. This school will give the children something to do during the day besides hate. It will educate the children so they can have a future. It will bring hope.
This Christmas, we ask you to consider making a special Christmas offering to our Darfur School project. Any money raised in excess of the amount needed for the school will be used for school furnishings and books. The school will be built in conjunction with the UN. |
Giving Tree Gifts
The deadline for returning your wrapped Giving Tree gifts to church is this Sunday, December 12. Be sure the ornament or a copy of the ornament is securely attached to each gift. Thank you for your continued support of this special Good Shepherd ministry. |
Find us on facebook!
Church of the Good Shepherd has a presence on facebook with 183 persons who have already signed on. This is an opportunity to strengthen our community of faith and share information about our life together. Click the logo to join.
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Prayer for the Election of a Rector
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Joseph-Beth gift cards
The pre-ordered Joseph-Beth gift cards can be picked up at the youth table in the Loggia on Sunday.
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Daughters of the King
For their December meeting, Daughters of the King will meet for lunch at The Juelp Cup on Sunday, December 12 at 12:45 p.m. Room in the Inn (December 14 and 28) sandwich team members are Dorothy Nichols, Ema Jean Niles, Barbara Mostert, Phyllis Campbell, Izzie Purdon, Kitty Mattingly and Nancy Wilson (Room in the Inn only).
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Vestry Meeting
December 14
The Good Shepherd Vestry will meet on Tuesday, December 14, at 7 p.m. in the Library. Vestry meetings are open and you are encouraged to attend. |
 Dancing Under the Stars
January 29, 2011 at Fasig-Tipton Silent auction and gift basket sign-up sheets are located in the Loggia. If you have not already done so, please sign up to donate an auction item or a themed basket. Items can be as simple as gift certificates to local restaurants or as fancy as fine jewelry or a piece of original art work. The possibilities are endless!
2011 Gala wish list: UK basketball tickets, beach condo or beach home.
Contact Leeann Murphy at 859-368-7216 with questions or to donate an auction item. |
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Looking Ahead in Advent
Friday, December 10, 6:30 p.m.
20s and 30s event, Haile/Rodocker residence,932 Belmere Drive. Call the church office to RSVP.
Sunday, December 12, 5 p.m.
Taizé service led by youth
Sunday, December 12
Deadline to return The Giving Tree gifts.
Saturday, December 18, 9 a.m.
Greening of the church
Sunday, December 19, 5 p.m.
Lessons & Carols
Friday, December 24
4:30 p.m., Carols
5:00 p.m., Holy Eucharist with Children's Sermon
10:30 p.m., Carols
11:00 p.m., Festival Holy Eucharist
Saturday, December 25
10:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist |
 Planning for Bad Weather If you are concerned about cancellation of church activities due to weather conditions, please check the local media and the church voice mail for the latest information. Generally speaking, church services (including Christian Formation) will not be cancelled. However, auxiliary activities may be cancelled when the weather is bad. |
 A New Year in the Spirit
December 27-30 Between Christmas and the New Year the youth of the diocese (grades 7 through 12) are invited to attend a 4-day, 3-night event at the Cathedral Domain. Check-in is on December 27 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event concludes on December 30 at 10:00 a.m. The cost is for the entire event is $115. This includes meals, lodging, program with teaching by Canon Sam McDonald, favorite activities plus a great t-shirt. "A New Year in the Spirit" refers to an attitude, a challenge, an effort to increase our awareness of God's will, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Download a registration form at www.diolex.org/youth. For more information, contact Canon Sam McDonald at 859-252-6527. |
 Men's Breakfast The monthly men's breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 18, at 8:30 a.m. in the Undercroft. Sign up in the Loggia on Sunday or call the church office at 252-1744. |
Greening of the Church
You are invited to join the Flower Committee and other Good Shepherd members and friends at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 18 for the Greening of the Church for the Christmas season. All help is appreciated and no experience is necessary! This festive event is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. Lunch will be provided.
Greenery is needed! Greenery from your yard may be brought to the church on December 17 and 18 and placed under the dogwood tree near the entrance to the Undercroft. |
The Ordination of Priests
December 20 at 7:00 p.m.
God willing and the people consenting, the Rt. Rev. Stacy Sauls will ordain Christopher John Arnold, Margaret Ruth Shanks, and Lisa Anne Tolliver to the sacred order of priests in Christís one holy catholic and apostolic church on the eve of the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. Your prayers and presence are requested. A reception will follow the service.
When: Monday, December 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 166 Market Street, Lexington, Kentucky.
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 Outreach Opportunities
Moveable Feast Needs Drivers
Have you been searching for a ministry opportunity that is simple to do and has an immediate, positive impact on many people in need in our community? Then we have a job for you.
Moveable Feast is a non-profit organization delivering hot meals to critically ill people in Hospice and people living with HIV/AIDS every weekday, 52 weeks a year.
We need your help to deliver meals once a week, once a month, or whenever you can. You can choose to volunteer on a particular day, or you can be a substitute driver to be called on when needed. All you need is a vehicle, a driverís license, and a couple of hours to bring nourishment to dozens of people around Lexington. Please call Rick Bertelson at 539-2501 or Terry Mullins at 252-2867. You can also visit www.feastlex.org to find out about more ways you can help.
Our Friends at the Hope Center Need Our Help
Good Shepherd assists the homeless community of Lexington in multiple ways: we welcome men through Room in the Inn and we feed and support men, women, and children through Church Under the Bridge. One of the programs that assists our homeless friends when we are not equipped to do so is the Hope Center. The Hope Center is a multifaceted program that assists men and women at some of their darkest times. They have a drop-in shelter for men, and different recovery centers for both men and women. This organization is important in helping our neediest neighbors and this Sunday we have an opportunity to lift up the work that the Hope Center does in this community by making a special offering. All of the loose offering, as well as any designated offerings will be given to the Hope Center in order to further the work it does in Lexington. If you would like to designate an offering, please write your check to Good Shepherd with Hope Center on the memo line. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.
Cold Weather Coverage Needed at Kentucky Refugee Ministries
Kentucky Refugee Ministries is in desperate need of coats, warm outerwear, and blankets as we move into this cold weather. Donations can be brought to KRM offices in Arlington Christian Church at 1206 North Limestone. With the cold weather, their warm-weather clients have need of extra coverage!
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 Mission Trip Stock Sales Stock sales for the Summer 2011 mission trip to Chicago go on sale this Sunday, December 12. Stock starts at $10 a share to help purchase tools and paint. Stock of $100 per share goes to repair a home in a low-income neighborhood. This is the fourth CARE (Christ Appointed Repair Episcopalian) trip for our youth. They will spend a week working hard, making a difference in families' lives, and learning leadership and work skills.
The second mission trip is a World Vision college-age trip to Africa. Shares start at $20 which will be used for immunizations, teaching about Malaria prevention, and safe drinking water for African children. Please support our young people in this wonderful ministry of hands-on mission. See Deacon Lauren for more information. |
 Participate in Hymnal Survey Our congregation has been invited to participate in a national study for the Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music regarding the feasibility of revising The Hymnal 1982. We are among several hundred congregations who have agreed to take part.
Click HERE to launch the Congregation Member survey. The survey requires that you enter our congregation's unique, 8-digit identifier code to begin. Please enter 9045-4604 in the field when prompted.
If you have any questions about the survey, there is a dedicated e-mail address for the Hymnal Revision Feasibility Study: hymnalsurvey@cpg.org. Your questions will be answered by the Church Pension Group's Office of Research, which is conducting the study on behalf of the Standing Commission.
Please complete the survey by December 15.
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