New Parish Hall Access Change
In an effort to help secure the parish hall while the children meet for children’s chapel, beginning in January, the doors to the parish hall will be closed during the sermon until the Peace. If you need to get to the restroom or kitchen downstairs during the service, please exit the sanctuary through the front left door by the side entrance to the church.
Parents with nursery-aged children, you are welcome to continue dropping off or picking up your babies and toddlers in the nursery through the back stairs at any time. Thank you for helping children’s chapel be a safe and distraction-free space where young children can learn to focus on worshiping the Lord together.
“We Celebrate His Birth!”
Join Brio Vocal Ensemble on December 22 as We Celebrate His Birth with a free Christmas concert featuring choral pieces, an organ prelude, harp music, and bassoon selections. The program also includes congregational carols so everyone can join in the singing!
The concert takes place at 3 p.m. at Endwell United Methodist Church, 3301 Watson Boulevard, Endwell. No tickets necessary. A freewill offering will be taken at intermission.
Christmas Schedule
December 24 – Christmas Pageant, 5pm
December 25 – Christmas Service 11am
Communion Change
As Good Shepherd continues to grow, we find a need to change the way that communion is administered. You will notice that there are now two stations for both bread and wine. Please be patient as we institute this new system.
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.
*Please keep in mind that dates, times, and themes are subject to change.
Coffee Hour
Stay after the 10:30 service to catch up with old friends and make some new ones over a cup of coffee in the parish hall. If you like to bake, there’s a sign up by the coffee urns next to the kitchen.
Good Shepherd’s Women’s Group (The Mary & Martha Guild, formerly the 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.
Winter Dates
December 22 1:30-4pm Christmas Tea @ the Manwaring home.
Please feel free to bring a dish of finger food or sweets to share and enjoy an afternoon of tea and fellowship with the ladies of Good Shepherd.
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: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Psalm 85, Philippians 4:4-9, Luke 3:7-20.
Next Sunday’s lectionary readings will be: Micah 5:2-5a, Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:1-10, Luke 1:39-56.
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 Luke 3:1-6. You can listen to “The Word of God Came to John in the Wilderness” 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.
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 I Kings.
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 Kovac to get connected.
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 sacristy and will be studying Philemon. They meet at 6:15pm. Everyone is welcome. Please see Jon Groves or Warren Musselman for more information.
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 Psalms.
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.
Good Shepherd Youth Group meets Sundays at 6pm in the choir loft. This is an engaging context for kids to grow in:
1) Knowledge of scripture and doctrine
2) Faithfulness to Christ
3) Service to others
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, Canned Chicken & Tuna, Spaghetti Sauce, Parmesan Cheese, Corn and Baked Beans.
| Daily Lectionary, Year II 60 Day Psalter Cycle | |
| Monday December 16 | Psalm 116, 117 Isa 59 Luke 17:20-end |
| Tuesday December 17 | Psalm 119:25-48 Isa 60 Luke 18:1-30 |
| Wednesday December 18 | Psalm 119:73-88 Isa 61 Luke 18:31—19:10 |
| Thursday December 19 | Psalm 119:105-128 Isa 62 Luke 19:11-28 |
| Friday December 20 | Psalm 119:153-176 Isa 63 Luke 19:29-end |
| Saturday December 21 | Psalm 120, 121 Isa 64 Luke 20:1-26 |
| Sunday December 22 | Psalm 124, 125, 126 Isa 65 Luke 20:27—21:4 |
| The Staff of Church of the Good Shepherd | The Vestry of the Good Shepherd |
| Rector: Matthew Kennedy Assistant Rector: Jonathan Groves Assisting: Anne Kennedy Director of Operations: Micah Lovell Director of Music: Michael Berman Admin. Assistant to Matt Kennedy: Stephanie Warner Director of Children’s Ministry: Anna Dreher Janitor: Mike Roseboom | Senior Warden: Tom Dinnel Junior Warden: Scott Pineau Treasurer: Christopher Emmons Mary Restino Kariah Manwaring Christopher Jones Bill Lane Sarah Dreher |
Have an item for the Update or Announcements?
send an email to gs.binghamton@gmail.com by Monday evening.
Want more info? Sign up for the email list, and stay current on all things Good Shepherd.