News from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington, Kentucky
E-News Edition for February 10, 2011

In this issue

From the Interim Rector

Rector Nominating Committee Appointed

Preparing for Worship

Nametag Change

Music Notes for Sunday

Getting Across Main Street

Adult Christian Formation

Flamingos Invade Lexington

Daughters of the King

Champs Night for Youth

20s and 30s Event

Men's Breakfast

It Makes Our Hearts Glad...

Calendar

Bad Weather Info

From the Interim Rector

Dear ,

Good news! The Vestry has appointed a Rector Nominating Committee. They will guide the parish through a prayerful and collaborative process of discernment. Through a series of Holy Conversations, a profile will be developed of the parish and the type of spiritual leader who might lead you into the next era of mission and ministry.

This committee has made an enormous commitment of time and energy. They will be meeting weekly for most of the next year in the interests of this parish and the vision God sets before you. Your participation, prayers, and personal support are essential.

Take advantage of every opportunity to express your support in word and action to the members of this committee and their loved ones. When you are invited to attend the four Holy Conversations, be there.

Because we expect there to be over 200 parishioners in attendance at each of the four Holy Conversations, arrangements have been made to use the parish hall of Second Presbyterian Church. There will also be a special program at Good Shepherd for children and youth so their voices can be heard.

Show them how important this process and their commitment is to you by your personal commitment. This is a collaborative process and the committee needs to hear what is on your heart. It won't be complete without you. My reflection this week is about collaboration, commitment, and community. Read more.

I'll see you in church!
Ron Short Signature

Vestry Appoints Rector Nominating Committee

At its annual retreat this past weekend in Louisville, the Vestry appointed a slate of nine parishioners to serve as the Rector Nominating Committee. They were selected from a pool of 20 individuals who had applied. The committee includes:

Wilson Eastland
Lauren Goodpaster
Barbara Groves
Lee Jenkins
Sarah Leer (Vestry)
Aaron Rodocker
Winn Stephens (Vestry)
George VanMeter
David Young

The challenge was to craft a committee that accurately represented the Good Shepherd parish: balanced in service attended, age, lifestyle, involvements at church and length of time as a member. We are very pleased with this group! They will begin their work on Saturday, March 5, when they meet with Diocesan Transition Officer Kay Collier McLaughlin for orientation.

The Committee will also be instrumental in the promotion of and participation in the four Holy Conversations on the evenings of March 24, March 31, April 11, and April 14. We want to encourage you to put all four of those dates on your calendar and make whatever adjustments are necessary to attend.

Once the Committee's work gets underway, they will communicate with the parish on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to keep us informed of where they are in the process of looking for a new Rector. Please keep them in your prayers over the next several months.

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.

Preparing for Worship

Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Collect

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Readings

Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37

Services
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I ~ Celebrant and Preacher, Ronald D. Pogue; Lector/Intercessor, Terri Koontz; Eucharistic Minister,Tom Grunwald; 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, Liz Samuel, Camille Fishback, Olivia Brewer, Olivia Fishback, Kate Samuel; Eucharistic Ministers, Jim Green, Elizabeth Leppman, Liz Samuel, Hans Flueck; Lector, Karen Furlow; Intercessor, Jim Green; Ushers, Stephen Crutcher, Bob Gibson, Phil Roeder, Forrest Hellebusch; Greeters, Main St.: Rick and Julie Elliott, West Door: Steve and Renee Branham; Children's Chapel, Pyddney Jones, Cynthia Lee.

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II ~ Celebrant , Elise B. Johnstone; Preacher, Ronald D. Pogue; Verger, January Haile; Acolytes, Meredith Aker, Isabelle Kluesner, Clarita Ledbetter, David McVey; Eucharistic Ministers, Cary Blankenship, Allissa Ferguson, Dan Primm, Keila Thomas, January Haile; Lector, Isaac Sefa; Intercessor, Mary Ann Blankenship; Ushers,Bryce Franklin, Mathew Kluesner, John Thomas; Greeters, Main St.: Judi Woodford, West Door: Graeme and Amy Lang; Children's Chapel, No Chapel today.

Music Hymns ~ 419, 488, 312, 341, 347

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 ~

Allegretto, Op. 101 ~ Charles Villiers Stanford

Allegro non troppo e pesante ~ Charles Villiers Stanford

Others Serving This Sunday

Altar Guild: Dorothea Tate
Vestry on Duty: Chuck Goodpaster, Anne Helmers
Altar Flowers: Sarah Leer

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

Nametag Change

Effective this Sunday, the nametag drop baskets will no longer be available. You will be responsible for returning your nametag to the tower from which it came.

Music Notes for Sunday

The Irish-English composer Charles Villiers Stanford is well represented today in the organ voluntaries and the choir anthem. His Anthem O for a closer walk is an arrangement of the tune Caithness, which first appeared in the Scottish Psalter of 1635 (see Hymn 684), named for one of the most remote Scottish counties at the northeastern tip of the country. Stanford spent nearly 20 years as organist of Trinity College, Cambridge and was knighted in 1902. The text of Hymn 419 began life as a poem published in the Atlantic Monthly of December 1859. It was later matched with the older tune Mendon, which was first published in the Methodist Harmonist of 1821. The tune name, which honors a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, was designated by Lowell Mason as it was subsequently published in Boston in 1831. It was originally called German Air, however, no German source for the tune has been discovered. The text of Hymn 347 amplifies the petitions of the Eucharistic postcommunion prayer and the dismissal, and was written in 1975 by British priest ad poet John Raphael Peacy. Erik Routley composed the tune for use with this text, and it's first appearance is in H82. The tune was commissioned in 1982 by the Choir of Trinity Church, Princeton, New Jersey, to honor James Litton upon the end of his tenure there as organist. The mood of the text, with its thrust of command and action, is well implemented by the rhythmic and melodic structure of the tune.

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.

Sunday Adult Christian Formation Opportunities Spiritual Gifts

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, February 13-Mary 15 at 10:15 a.m.

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

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.

Here is photographic evidence that we are not making this up. This flock of flamingos is real!

Daughters of the King

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

30 Hours for a Mother

Maria was the mother of twin boys. She had two other children that she had watched starve to death. Having enough food for only one meal a day, she took turns feeding the 18-month-old twins one meal every other day. She would eat weeds and dirt, but as she grew weaker she knew that if she died, both boys would die. The twins grew weaker and thinner. Finally she knew that she had to make a choice. She must chose one twin to live, feeding him the one meal per day, and let the other die. Who would you chose?

What if in 30 Hours you could save Maria from making that choice? What if you could give her enough food, seeds for planting, and education for her and her twins to thrive? What if you could help 80 more families do the same? You can!

We need adults to do the 30 Hour Famine as chaperones, Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon drivers. The 30 Hour Famine is March 4-5. Please make a donation if you cannot participate. Make checks payable to Good Shepherd with 30 Hours in the memo line. Help us change the world. With everyone's help, no other family will continue to suffer like Maria and her children. Contact Deacon Lauren or sign up in the Loggia.

Sorrow in Our Parish

The condolences of the congregation are extended to Ben Allen at the death of his grandfather, Carl Morris Whitaker, on January 24 in Cave City. Notes of sympathy can be sent to Ben and his family at 4659 Laurelwood Drive, Lexington, KY 40515.

Let us pray.

For Carl

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant Carl and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

For Those Who Mourn

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.