New Prayer Station Beginning this Sunday, there will be a second station at the back of the sanctuary for prayer at communion. If you need prayer for any reason, please feel free to go to one of the two stations.
Change for Life is an easy way that we as a church can help those in need at Life Choices Center. Simply pick up a baby bottle, fill it with cash, check, or coins and return it by Sunday, March 1. Life Choices Center is looking to raise $65,000 during this year’s Change for Life campaign – all to help women and men in our community before, during, and after unplanned pregnancies. Let’s support them and make this campaign a huge success! Last year our church raised $657.88 for the Change for Life campaign. To learn more about Life Choices Center, visit LifeChoicesCenter.org. You may also donate online & note Good Shepherd in the “additional Instructions” section. Any questions contact Christine Osgood.
Calling for Submissions to the Winter/Spring issue of the ‘Zine of the Good Shepherd’. We are looking for original art, poetry, short stories, and essays on the theme of the Annunciation. The deadline for submission is Ash Wednesday, February 18th. Contact Anne with questions and ideas.
Prayer Request Please keep the youth group in prayer as they go to Arrowhead for their annual retreat and work day this weekend.
An opportunity to serve Community Health Evangelism, Nicaragua! CHE needs a social media person. This is not a big time commitment, and is currently just Facebook and the website, both are neglected. Please contact Anne Thompson if you are interesting in helping or for more information.
Shrove Tuesday (known in some countries as ‘Pancake Day’ or ‘Fat Tuesday’) is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. This year it falls on February 17.
‘Shrove’ comes from the Latin word ‘shrive’ and means ‘absolution’. It is thought that the tradition started when families would eat all of the fatty, rich foods in the house so as not to be tempted during the penitent season of Lent.
Good Shepherd hosts a free pancake and sausage supper from 4:30 to 6pm to mark the day, which is followed immediately by a short ceremony in which all of the palm fronds of the previous year are burned to produce the ashes that are used for Ash Wednesday’s services. If you would like to help, please contact Angel Groves.
Ash Wednesday Services will be held at 7am and 6pm on February 18. On this day that begins the Lenten season, Christians all over the world come together and have ashes imposed upon their foreheads as a reminder that we are all sinners and to “remember that we are made of dust, and to dust we shall return”.
Evening Prayer Beginning in Lent, evening prayer will be held by zoom Monday through Thursday. Please check your Weekly Update email each week for a link.
2026 Potluck Schedule
This year, we’re going to change things up a bit, and line the potlucks up with feast days rather than the first Sunday of the month. Most feast days have some sort of food associated with them, so we thought it would be fun to take our inspiration from that when possible.
February 17 – Shrove Tuesday, pancake dinner in lieu of a potluck
March 29 – Palm Sunday, general potluck
April 26 – Good Shepherd Sunday, Cinnamon Rolls, Meat pies
May 24 – Pentecost, Fowl (chicken, turkey, etc.)
August TBD – Church picnic
September 27 – Michaelmas, Harvest theme & Pie and Cookie Competition
October 25 – Reformation, European foods
November 22 – Christ the King, Chili & Cornbread Cookoff
December 13 – St. Lucia, Soup & Stew
January 10, 2027 – Epiphany, International Foods (Game Day)
There will be no potlucks for June & July
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 service of Holy Eucharist, including music, readings from the Bible, 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 (The Last Sunday of Epiphany, Transfiguration): Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 99, II Corinthians 7:10-16, Matthew 17:1-9
Next Sunday’s lectionary readings will be (Lent I): Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17, 25-3:7, Psalm 51:1-12, II Corinthians 8:1-15, Matthew 4:1-11
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 week, Jon preached on Matthew 2:22-35. You can watch his sermon here at timestamp 16:55.
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 Jon.
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.
Evening Prayer meets online by Zoom at 7pm 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 studying the book of Proverbs.
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 Esther. 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 Genesis.
Women’s Bible Study meets at 5:15pm on Wednesdays in the Parish Hall. They are currently studying the book of Ezra.
Holy Group Squad (Young Adult Ministry) Post high-school aged people meet together Sunday evenings (6pm) in the Sacristy for book studies and conversation.
The Mary & Martha Guild is Good Shepherds women’s group. It meets the 3rd Saturday of the month. Women of all ages in the church are invited to come and enjoy each other’s company, a light lunch, and the month’s scheduled program or project. The guild also helps coordinate and run funeral luncheons and other events throughout the year. Join the email list and keep informed about upcoming meetings and events by contacting the church office or talking to Jenn Fowler.
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 is available for anyone who can use a bit of help. Families, young adults, seniors, all are welcome to use it. The pantry is located just off the kitchen, stop by and take what you need. We are completely supported by donations from the congregation, so please consider picking up a few items to drop in the basket in the lobby whenever you can.
Current food pantry needs: spaghetti sauce, powdered parmesan cheese, hearty soups, tuna, canned fruit, & canned ravioli.
| The Staff of Church of the Good Shepherd | The Vestry of the Good Shepherd |
| Rector: The Rev. Canon Matthew Kennedy Assistant Rector: The Rev. Jonathan Groves Director of Liturgics: Anne Kennedy Director of Children’s Ministry: Anna Dreher Director of Music: Michael Berman Admin. Assistant to Matt Kennedy: Stephanie Warner Janitor: Mike Roseboom | Sr. Warden: Scott Pineau Jr. Warden: Bryan Hill Treasurer: Greg Myer Daniel Self Kariah Manwaring Chris Jones Bill Lane Paisley Orton |
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