Good Shepherd Weekly Update, August 16, 2024

New Members & Confirmation Classes

Matt will be offering both new member and confirmation classes this fall. If you are interested in taking either of these series of classes, please email the office or let Jon or Steph know.

Upcoming EAW Meeting

The EAW will meet this Saturday, August 17th, at 11am for a class on flower arranging & to learn about the church flower guild.  Women of all ages from the church are invited to attend.  Please bring a small glass jar (jelly jar etc.).  If you have cutting flowers, wildflowers, ferns etc. growing please bring some in for the group to use in making their creations.  We are asking everyone to bring a bag lunch.

A Request from CHE

If anyone has extra poly fill (for making stuffed toys) Anne Thompson would love to have it to use in a fundraising project for Community Health Evangelism, Nicaragua. She will be at church on September 8th, if you could bring it then. Thank you!

Bonnie Rios held her title as champion of the White Chili category with her Chicken, Spice and Everything Nice Chili.

Christine Osgood won the cornbread category.

Thanks to everyone who chose to compete, and to those that judged!

Prayer Book Purchase Opportunity

If you do not yet own a copy of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer and would like to have a personal copy, the ACNA has released the deluxe edition, which features a faux leather binding with a larger font, and ribbon place markers. 

These books are $41 individually but can be ordered in bulk for about $35 per copy.  If you would like your own copy at the discounted rate, please send a message to Stephanie at gs.binghamton@gmail.com.

If you’d like more information on the deluxe prayer book, you can go to the official site here.

Potluck Schedule

The first Sunday of most months is a potluck or cooking competition. Bring a dish to pass, or just come and have lunch after the 10:30! If you’re a person that enjoys competition, or judging other people (heh) please see Steph or Claudia to sign up as a judge for cooking competitions.

Pastries on the Portico

For the summer, Coffee Hour is on the porch facing Saratoga Ave. Stay after the 10:30 to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. If you like to bake, there’s a sign up by the coffee urns.

Good Shepherd’s Women’s Group (EAW)

Open to all women (and girls) of any age. Meetings are usually on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 11 to 1. Contact Jenn Fowler for more information.

Summer and Autumn Dates

August 17 Flower Arranging and Flower Guild Introduction

September 21 Church Fall Cleaning Day

October 19 Potluck and Altar Guild Presentation

November 16 Advent/Christmas Wreath Making

December Christmas Tea in Lieu of a meeting

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.

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, Jon preached on Acts 19:32-41. You can listen to “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians?” 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 Sunday at both the 8 and the 10:30, you may notice a person standing at the side altar rail as you come forward to receive Communion. 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 meets online by Zoom at 7am Monday through Friday. The liturgy and readings are available at www.dailyoffice2019.com. Join the parish email list and look for a weekly email invitation in your inbox. Morning Prayer is on hiatus through July & August

Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets at 9:05 am in the Parish Hall to walk through the bible, verse by verse. It meets in person and is available online by livestream. They are currently in II Samuel.

Home Groups meet weekly around the Binghamton area. They study the readings for the Sunday coming up, pray, and build relationships. Check in with Jonathan or Joe to get connected.

Home groups are on hiatus until the fall.

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 delicious meal.

Thursday Evening Bible Study meets directly after Shepherd’s Bowl in the Youth Room and is currently in Galatians. They meet at 6pm. Everyone is welcome.

This study is on hiatus until the fall.

Friday Morning Men’s Bible Study meets at 6:30 am for breakfast, study, and prayer.  If you are interested, please email or text Matt or Jonathan, or contact the church office. This class is currently in the Book of Revelation.

Women’s Bible Study meets at 4:30pm on Friday afternoons in the Parish Hall. They are currently studying the book of Luke. Text Anne for a zoom link if you can’t make it in person. WBS is on hiatus through July & August.

Good Shepherd Youth Group meets Sundays at 6pm. This is an engaging context for kids to grow in:

1) Knowledge of scripture and doctrine

2) Faithfulness to Christ

3) Service to others

The youth group is on summer hiatus and will resume in September.

Good Shepherd Food Pantry Having a bit of a hard time making ends meet?  The Good Shepherd Food Pantry is for church members stocked by food provided by the congregation.  If you could use some help, please feel free to pop into the food pantry (just off the kitchen). 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. If you are in need, please feel free to make use of the pantry.  If you’d like more information, please see Jenn Fowler.

Food Pantry current needs are: peanut butter, spaghetti sauce (especially with meat), Parmesan Cheese, Canned Soups other than tomato & chicken noodle, Canned Ravioli, and Tuna.