News from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington, Kentucky
E-News Edition for February 3, 2011

In this issue

From the Interim Rector

Preparing for Worship

Music Notes for Sunday

Getting Across Main Street

Prayer for Election of a Rector

Adult Christian Formation

Organ Committee Update

Souper Bowl Sunday

Boy Scout Sunday

Daughters of the King

Mature Munchin' Luncheon

Flamingos Invade Lexington

College Care Packages

Calendar

Bad Weather Info

From the Interim Rector

Dear ,

Think of the most important relationships in your life. Who are the people who matter to you and to whom you matter? How do you nurture those relationships? Does your relationship with God matter as much? How do you nurture your relationship with God? I have some reflections to share with you HERE.

I'll see you in church!
Ron Short Signature

Preparing for Worship

Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Collect

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings

Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 112; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; Matthew 5:13-20;

Services
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I ~ Celebrant and Preacher, Elise B. Johnstone; Lector/Intercessor, Carole Eastland; Eucharistic Minister, Carole Eastland; Usher, Wilson Eastland.

9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II ~ Celebrant and Preacher, Elise B. Johnstone; Deacon, Lauren Villemuer; Verger, Jim Willard; Acolytes, Clay Huguelet, Thomas priest, Philip Priest, Mary Burton; Eucharistic Ministers, Tony Baxter, Dee Beegle, Taylor Beegle, Katherine Bihl, Jim Willard; Lectors, Taylor Beegle, Thomas Priest; Intercessor, Sara Smith; Ushers, Ken Miller, Mark Plummer, David Thompson, George VanMeter; Greeters, Main St.: Graeme and Nancy Wilson, West Door: Ken and Ann Miller; Children's Chapel, No Chapel today.

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II ~ Celebrant and Preacher, Elise B. Johnstone; Deacon, Lauren Villemuer; Verger, Dorothy Van Meter; Acolytes, Katherine Wright, Jackson Campbell, Anna Stahlman; Eucharistic Ministers, Christy Ellis, Kevin Ellis, Ellie Fogg, Dorothy Van Meter; Lector, Andrew Burton; Intercessor, Reba Roberts; Ushers, David Fogg, Dan Primm, TBA; Greeters, Main St.: Bill and Lucy Cox, West Door: John and Alicia Landon; Children's Chapel, Julie Kluesner, Kristy Deep.

Music
Hymns ~ 126, 488, 593, 656, 542

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.

Organ ~

Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele, BWV 654 (Hymn 339) ~ J.S. Bach

Marche Triomphale ~ Jan Nieland

Others Serving This Sunday

Altar Guild: Martha Tarrant
Vestry on Duty: 7:30-10:00: Laura Lipka, Bill Cox; 10:00-12:30: Lee Jenkins, Liz Hinz.
Altar Flowers: Sarah Leer

Altar Flower Delivery: Barbara and Paul Mostert, Judy Endicott, Jane Ann and Dick Forston, Pam and Mike Noyes, Lucy Jones.

Music Notes for Sunday

This morning's opening voluntary is one of the most beloved chorale preludes in Bach's repertory, Schmucke dich (Hymn 339). It is from Bach's Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes, which he compiled during the final decade of his life. As an ornamental chorale, the tune is heard in the soprano voice on a solo registration, though highly embellished and ornamented. You are encouraged to follow the tune at Hymn 339. Hymn 126 is a paraphrase of Isaiah 9:2-7, first published in the Scottish Paraphrases of 1781. The tune is typical British metri-cal psalm-tune style with its "gathering note" at the beginning and end of each line (i.e., the half note). This practice of using "gathering notes" is still em-ployed in some parish churches throughout England, but the practice has never received wide acceptance in the U.S. Hymn 542, the same text as this morning's Anthem, is by George Wallace Briggs, a significant British hymn writer in the second quarter of the twentieth century. The music was composed for use with this text in H40. The fanfare-like opening of its first, second, and fourth lines and the general confident thrust of the tune support the imagery and theme of the text in which Christ is described as "the world's true Light." This text is set to different music in Walter Kendall Stanton's anthem. Stanton's melody features alternation between 2/2 and 3/2 measures and an athletic descant sung by the upper voices for the final stanza. Stanton began his musical life at an early age as a chorister in Salisbury Cathedral and held many important teaching positions in England. Jan Nieland was a celebrated composer in the Netherlands, however is little known here in the U.S. Throughout the 20th century Dutch were highly influenced by French music, hence the French title "Marche Triomphale." The piece is in ABA form and concludes with a rousing coda.

An Important Message About Our Sunday Police Officers

Our Sunday off-duty police officers are licensed peace officers and members of the Lexington Police Department. When they are witnesses to a crime, they are obligated to respond as on-duty. This may occasionally require them to leave their post at the intersection of E. Main and Bell Court. They will return to their post as soon as possible but sometimes completing documentation delays them. We apologize when these circumstances result in inconveniences to our parishioners who are attempting to cross the street. Also, the officers have asked that we advise parishioners to wait until an officer gives the signal before entering the roadway. The officer will enter the roadway first and let you know when it is safe to cross.

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.

Sunday Adult Christian Formation Opportunities Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual Gifts and Growing Your Ministry at
Good Shepherd
led by the Rev. Deacon Lauren Villemuer
February 6 at 10:15 a.m.
Location:Undercroft

Three new classes begin on February 13:

The Discovery Series

This 12 week class is for those interested in becoming a member at Good Shepherd, renewing their membership, or just learning more about the Episcopal Church

Sundays at 10:15 a.m. (February 13-May 15)

Location: Undercroft

Preparing for Lent
February 13 ~ Self-examination and Repentance, led by the Rev. Elise Johnstone
February 20 ~ Prayer, Fasting and Self-denial, led by the Rev. Ron Pogue
February 27 ~ Reading and Meditating on God's Word, led by the Rev. Deacon Lauren Villemuer
Classes meet from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m.

Location: Library

Christianity and Current Events

This discussion-based class examines current events and news stories from an eithical, moral and Christian point of view.

Sundays at 10:15 a.m. (February 13-March 6)

Location: Bride's Room

Organ Committee Update

The Vestry has appointed a committee to recommend the best way to repair or replace the organ. Our organ has serious structural and electrical problems that need immediate and, unfortunately, expensive correction. The instrument was upgraded in 1970, but the technology is now outdated, and the organ's electrical component is no longer functioning reliably. Thanks to Mr. Linker's skill at disguising these problems, the congregation is unaware of how poor the quality of the sound production is, compared with what it should be, and compared with what an instrument appropriate to Good Shepherd's interior and acoustics would contribute to congregational and choral singing.

Mr. John Bishop, an expert at assessing problems like ours and at recommending practical solutions, will be at Good Shepherd on February 5-6 to make an assessment. On Sunday, February 6, he will evaluate the acoustics during a well-attended service, and he wishes to have a sample of opinions from the congregation. Please introduce yourself to Mr. Bishop and feel free to give him your views on the question. Bishop is the son of an Episcopal priest and a former professional organist. The members of the committee also invite you to speak to any of them. They are John Bloomfield, Mary Campbell, David Goodpaster, Lee Jenkins, Joe Jones, John Linker, Ron Pogue, Schuyler Robinson, Dorothy Clark Van Meter, and George Zack. For those who do not know him, Dr. Robinson, the outside member, is professor of organ and harpsichord at UK.

Souper Bowl Sunday

This Sunday, as many in our nation prepare for the Super Bowl and festivities surrounding that game, we are also reminded to think of those in our community who do not have enough to eat or even a warm place to watch the game. Our youth will be holding soup pots by the doors to collect money to help children who are less fortunate than those at Good Shepherd. Make checks payable to Good Shepherd with "Hunger" on the memo line. Let this be a super day for everyone!

Boy Scout Sunday

Boy Scouts of any age in the congregation are invited to wear their uniforms to church this Sunday at the 9:00 a.m. service.

Daughters of the King

Daughters of the King will meet on Sunday, February 13 at 4 p.m. February's Hopemobile (February 9) and Room in the Inn (February 8 and 22) sandwich team members are Sue Cole, Joyce Roth, Laura Lipka, Jan Hellebusch, Joyce Leverett, and Ann Miller.

Mature Munchin' Luncheon

The next Mature Munchin' Luncheon will be held in the Undercroft on Thursday, February 10 at 12 noon. If you are living in your post- retirement years (or feel like you are), come join us for food, fun, and fellowship. This is a great opportunity to see friends from different services, or meet new folks. Please sign up in the Loggia on Sunday, call the church office at 252-1744, or e-mail Elise Johnstone to let us know you are coming and if you have any special dietary needs. It will be a wonderful time!

Have You Been Flamingo'd Yet?

Flocks of pink flamingos are infesting the yards of Lexington residents, but the Good Shepherd Youth Group has hired some "specialists" to take care of the problem. Protect yourself from a flamingo infestation by buying Flamingo Protection Insurance for $35. Your yard is guaranteed to be flamingo free for 2011.

Pink Flamingoes Flamingo removal is available for a suggested donation of $20. For a fee of $10, the flamingos will be placed in the yard of your choice. A yard sign lets residents know these partying flamingos have a purpose. Flamingo funds raised will be used to fund this summer's African and Chicago Mission trips.