Good Shepherd Weekly Update, May 4, 2024

Potluck! This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, which means it’s time for another potluck! Since it lands on May 5, it seems only appropriate to have a Tex-Mex/Mexican Foods theme. Please consider bringing a dish to pass, but stay and have lunch even if you don’t bring anything!

Yard Sale! The17th and 18th of May, Anne Thompson is having a yard sale in Montrose to benefit CHE Nicaragua. If you have quality items you’d like to pass on, and help a small but very effective mission organization, please bring them to church by Sunday 12 May. Please do not donate any heavy furniture, clothes EXCEPT for children and toddlers, or computers. Please contact Anne Thompson for more information.

New Members and Inquirers Class If you would like to become a member of Good Shepherd, or would just like more information about what we believe, a New Members class session (by Zoom)  started two weeks ago. All of the sessions have been recorded, so there is still time to join. If you are interested, please email the church office for more information or to sign up.

Weekly Prayer List! If you would like to sign up to receive the weekly prayer list for the Church of the Good Shepherd, simply send an email to

prayer@goodshepherdbinghamton.org with “add” in the subject line, and you will be added. 

This email address is also where you can send any prayer requests you would like to have included in the list. 

Each week, we will send out an email with both new and ongoing prayer requests, along with any updates regarding previous requests.

Good Shepherd Member Food Pantry Having a bit of a hard time making ends meet?  Could use a bit of help with the groceries?  The Good Shepherd Food Pantry is there to help.  This is an internal food pantry for church members-with food provided by the congregation.  If you could use some help, please feel free to pop into the food pantry (just off the kitchen) and grab a few items. We also have a small basket in the freezer that might have a few items as well.

Everyone’s generous donations are appreciated!  Even a can or two can help.  This week we can particularly use:

Sunday Worship and Holy Eucharist

The 8am service This service includes readings from the Bible, a sermon, offering, confession, and communion. There is no music during this service. The 8am service is not currently being live-streamed.

The 10:30am service This is a full traditional Anglican Holy Eucharist service, including readings from the Bible, music, a sermon, confession, and communion.  This service is available for livestream on our Facebook page.  You can download a PDF copy of this week’s service bulletin here.

This Sunday’s lectionary readings are: Isaiah 45:11-13,18-19, Psalm 33:1-8, 18-21, 1 John 4:7-21, and John 15:9-17.

You’ll also notice that there are links in the offertory section to take you out to two different means of giving electronically. You can give online through Breeze or you can text a donation through Breeze at 607-882-6551. Good Shepherd also has a PayPal account. As always, thank you for your great generosity and kind support.

Catching Up…

Last Sunday’s Sermon Last Sunday, Matt preached on John 14:15-21. You can listen to “You Will Keep My Commandments” here.

You can catch up on older sermons here.

Adult Christian Education Last week’s Christian Education class can be listened to or viewed here.

The Cranmer Fellows Podcast (CFP) explores pastoral ministry and theology from an Anglican perspective. CFP is a project that Jon and Matt have undertaken in order to 1) encapsulate the pastoral training Matt has given men over the years into an accessible resource and 2) serve as a door to, we pray, a future program to train more people for ministry. Though geared toward the pastor, ministry leader, and pastor-in-training, what Jon and Matt talk about is applicable to all Christians!

Here is a link where you can listen to previous episodes. https://anchor.fm/thecranmerfellowspodcast.

You can subscribe to CFP on all major platforms.

Ongoing Ministries 

Intercessor Ministry On any given Sunday, you may notice a person standing at the side altar rail as you come forward to receive the bread and wine.  That person is part of the Prayer Ministry, people trained to pray for any anxieties or troubles you may have.  If you would like prayer for any reason, please feel free to stop as you pass.

Audio-Video Team Are you a technologically capable person who would like to serve the church with your gifts?  Good Shepherd is adding a volunteer team to run sound and the livestream for the 10:30 Sunday service. If this is a ministry that interests you, please reach out to Micah.

Morning Prayer This group meets online by Zoom at 7am Monday through Friday.  The liturgy and readings are available each day at www.dailyoffice2019.com. Join the parish email list and look for a weekly email invitation in your inbox.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets at 9:05am to walk through different books of the bible, verse by verse.  Taught by a member of the pastoral staff in the main room of the parish hall.  This class is currently studying 1 Samuel, and can be viewed in person or online each week by livestream.

Home Groups Home Groups exist to glorify God and build up the church through weekly gatherings where members of Good Shepherd and non-members alike may come to grow in fellowship and discipleship around God’s word.

You can find information on times and locations in the paper update.  Please check with your home group host or leader for more info.

Shepherd’s Bowl Community Dinner Good Shepherd offers a free nutritious meal to the people of Good Shepherd and the wider community on Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30. If you are able, this is a great time to get to know others and enjoy a free and delicious meal.

Thursday Evening Bible Study This is a great place to connect with others and learn more about what God has to say to us through his word.  The class is taught by The Rev. Jon Groves, and they are studying the gospel of Mark.

Friday Morning Men’s Bible Study Each week men gather at 6:30am to share bible study and prayer time together.  Men of any age are welcome to attend.  If you are interested in learning more about this study, please email Pastor Matt, Jonathan Groves, or contact the church office. This class is currently studying the book of Revelation.

Women’s Bible Study meets at 4:30pm on Friday afternoons in the Parish Hall.  Anne Kennedy teaches this study, and they are currently studying the book of Luke. If you’d like to join by zoom, please join the church email list and look for a link in the weekly update email.

Good Shepherd Youth Group The Good Shepherd Youth Group serves young adults by providing an engaging context for them to grow in:
1) Maturity in doctrine
2) Faithfulness to Christ
3) Service to others

Good Shepherd Food Pantry Did you know that Good Shepherd has a member food pantry?  The pantry is a small room off the kitchen and a small basket in the kitchen freezer.  Everyone is welcome to make use of the church pantry regardless of income.  No questions asked.

The food pantry is a great way to directly (and anonymously) help fellow members by donating shelf stable food and frozen items, farm fresh unwashed eggs, and personal hygiene items.

If you are in need, please feel free to make use of the pantry.  If you’d like more information, please see Jenn Fowler.

Have an item for the Update or Announcements?

send an email to gs.binghamton@gmail.com by Monday evening.

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