The Good Shepherd’s Voice “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

OCTOBER 2015

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 600 South Enota Drive Gainesville, GA 30501

770-532-2428

www.goodshepherd.info

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Staff:

Pastor: Rev Zachary Hoffman

Director of Music & Organist:

Priscilla Jefcoat

Church Secretary: Margie Smith

Custodian: Robin Aikens

Church Council:

President: Steve Nimmo

Vice President: Brad Zimmerman

Secretary: Cheryl West

Treasurer: Faye Vogel

Financial Secretary: Sally Fuge

Church Boards & Committees:

Christian Education:

Debra Giannone*

Board of Elders:

Jim FitzGerald

Mike Gaddy*

Brad Jovaag

Stanley Longman

Todd Mershon

Frank West

Chris Worl

Evangelism: Sherry Anderson*

Parish Fellowship: Judy Brookshire*

Public Relations: *

Social Ministries: Betty Dyarmett*

Stewardship: Doug Fuge*

Trustees: Bobby Aikens*

Youth Ministry: Bobbie Denton* &

Tabby D’Antonio

Altar Guild: Sherry Anderson and

Dottie Warren

Flowers: Faye Vogel

Greeters: Nancy Ponder

LWML: Sherry Anderson

Senior Men’s Group - Paul Clarkson &

Don Smith

Sunday School Director: Janice

Waters

Ushers: Thomas Gaddy Jr

LCEF Representative: Doug Fuge

Thrivent Representative: Cheryl West

*Church Council Members

Maybe I shouldn’t say this…

I am a pastor and I have been for five

years with four years of seminary training,

and four years of college before that. I

should be able to handle this without any

struggle. Still, when someone asks: “Who

is Martin Luther?” it still gives me pause.

I get this question almost every time I

teach confirmation class. I will say

something like: “Luther says we should

fear and love God.” Then then someone

raises their hand and asks the inevitable

question: “Who is Martin Luther?”

It can also happen this way: I meet

somebody and they ask me what I do. I

say: “I am a Lutheran pastor.” The other

person will respond: “Who is Luther?”

Ready or not, we are coming up on

Reformation Day. It is only about a month

from the time that you will be eagerly

reading this article. In two years it will be

the 500th anniversary of the Reformation!

Do we remember what it means?

I hope that I will not turn my usually

riveting newsletter article into dry history

lesson, but Luther was the great German

reformer. He might be the only reformer

most people are aware of. The name is

known, but the identity is forgotten.

Who was he? He was a German monk who

was excommunicated from the Catholic

Church. He is famous for translating the

Bible into German, and composing the

hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” He

was a doctor and lectured at the University

of Wittenberg.

Why does any of that matter? It is because

of what he discovered. He was a man

terrified of God. Afraid that God would

punish him for his sins, he often tried to

punish himself. He spent hours confessing

his sins, talking through even the smallest

details. Thinking that if he could just get it

all out then he could go about the work of

doing penance, and finally have peace

before God.

Then he

discovered

something

that was

tucked away

in the book of

Romans. “For

in the gospel

the

righteousness

of God is

revealed—a

righteousness

that is by faith from first to last, just as it

is written: ‘The righteous will live by

faith.’”

The righteousness of God was given--

placed upon Abraham by faith! I know

you have heard similar statements

before. “You are saved by grace through

faith!” “All you have to do is believe!”

Here what Luther says about his

discovery: “When I discovered that, I was

born again of the Holy Ghost. And the

doors of paradise swung open, and I

walked through.”

It is more than just closing your eyes and

wishing away sin. It is God throwing open

the doors of heaven! Coming out of this

discovery, Luther sought to teach the

church and reform the teaching and

practice that had lost this central point.

Maybe we wander from this from time to

time as we get caught up in thinking

about numbers, or worrying about our

own problems. We sometimes base our

spiritual life upon how we feel or our own

worthiness. If you are doubting or

wrestling with your salvation then I pray

that God would throw open the doors of

heaven for you!

Pastor Zach

Our “kick-off” for The Story was held on September 13.

The Sunday school children were able to meet some of

the Bible characters that they would be learning about

later in the year. Shown are Evan Zimmerman as

David, Brittany Fitzpatrick as Ruth and Renae Sheldon

as Naomi, Andrew Meyers as Pontius Pilot, and Blaze

Ward as Daniel with Elli Ward as Shadrach, Abigail

Meyers as Meshach and Drake Denton as Abednego.

Page 2 OCTOBER 2015

Our new contemporary service will begin this month.

On October 11, at 6:30 pm there will be a preview of the music and explanation of what to expect.

The first service will begin at 6:30 pm on October 18.

Once again, Praise the Lord!

We have added an additional four investors

to count toward the Shared Blessings rebate program. Under this

program we are accumulating monthly a rebate on our interest paid

on our mortgage with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund.

Currently we are accumulating at the rate of .375% of principal per

month (about $187 per month). We need 18 more investors to

move to the next level which would increase our rebate rate to

0.0500% per month (about $250 per month). See the updated

graph in the Information Hall.

Visit www.lcef.org and read “Seven Siblings Learning Value of

Saving, Sharing” or some of the other Ministry Stories to see some

real life examples of the fruits of investing in LCEF. What’s the right

investment for you?

Doug Fuge Congregation LCEF Advocate

OCTOBER 2015 Page 3

Our Community outreach program,

now known as the Polar Party, will

take place on Saturday, January 16,

2016. This event will consist of

children’s activities and games, food,

fun and the distribution of school

supplies. The event is taking the

place of the “Harvest Festival” of the

past few years. There will be an

organizational meeting on Saturday,

October 10, at 9:30 am. If you are

interested in the organization and

planning or would like to help in some

way, please plan to attend. We need

a lot of help in all areas to make this

outreach a success. Contact Judy

Brookshire or Betty Dyarmett with any

questions.

Items needed:

Construction Paper Plain white drawing paper Filler Paper (wide and college ruled) Marble Notebooks (wide or college ruled) Spiral Notebooks (wide or college ruled) 2-pocket folders Index Cards (3 X 5) 3” x 3” Post It Notes Crayons (8 count and 24 count boxes) Markers (washable) Colored Pencils Highlighters Pens Pencils (mechanical and plain) Plastic Pencil Sharpener Cap Erasers Glue Sticks Tissues

Guatemala Mission Visit

There is much excitement amongst our

Guatemala mission team. Our hosts, Dr.

Elry and Liz Orozco are coming to visit

Good Shepherd October 30 through

November 6!

This year, our team decided to host Dr. Elry

and Liz here instead of spending a week in

Amatitlan, having fulfilled our 3-year commitment and accomplishing the

goals we proposed for the youth ministry of making disciples through a

puppet ministry. The opportunity presented itself during discussions of

“what next” for our mission team and the ability and desire of the Orozco’s

to visit us in our homes.

Each of you has been so supportive of our mission team and its outreach

ministry. We are thrilled for you to have the chance to meet Dr. Elry and Liz

face-to-face and hear from them about their ministry at Santa Cruz

Lutheran Church in Amatitlan.

Our team is planning a week of activities that will include fellowship with

you, our congregation, church council, elders and youth; sightseeing in the

greater Gainesville area and Atlanta; and exploring opportunities for

mission work in our Hispanic community.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 1 for a “meet and greet” with the Orozcos! There will be more information in the

weeks to come.

Parish Fellowship SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP: The year is nearly over and we still have a few Sunday fellowship dates unfilled - please see if

you can help fill them. And, of course, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year! The 2016 sign -up list will be

posted in November. If you need further information, please contact Judy Brookshire. Thanks!

THANKSGIVING: Please mark your calendar and save the date: Sunday, November 22 – there will be one service, at

10:00 am, followed by a voter’s meeting and then our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. There will be sign-up sheets posted

in mid-October for you to indicate what you will bring to this modified pot luck dinner. More information coming soon.

FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE: If you would be interested in helping to plan, organize and work on such events as dinners,

Easter brunch, special Sundays, the picnic, etc., please consider serving on the Fellowship Committee. We need men

and women to serve on this committee. Contact Judy Brookshire for further information. Thank you

OCTOBER 2015 Page 4

"A quiet time is a time set

aside to deepen your

knowledge of the Lord, to

enrich your own personal

relationship with him, to

fellowship with him, to

love him, to worship him,

on a very personal basis. …

How much of a calm and

gentle spirit you achieve,

then, will depend on how

regularly and consistently,

persistently and

obediently, you partake of

the Word of God, your

spiritual food."

-Shirley Rice

October 16-18, twelve women will be taking a time

away from the busyness of life - time to “stop and smell the roses” as they relax, share laughter and stories, and

spend time with God. The weekend includes a trip to Gibbs Gardens, where we will have time for a private “walk with God,” then spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying his creation.

There is still room for a couple more women. If interested, contact Margie Smith.

The crafters are making mats for the homeless out of “plarn” (plastic yarn) made from plastic grocery bags. If you can crochet, please let Sherry Anderson know. If you can’t crochet, you can still make the plarn...it’s easy! Coming up on November 7, our Mission Bazaar! Crafters from within GSLC and from our community will set up in the parish hall to sell their hand-made items. Some items will be from the mission field, but all proceeds will go to missions. Put November 7 on your calendar - you may find something special for a Christmas gift! If you have something to sell, contact Catherine Spencer to reserve a table.

Last year, the Sunday school children decided to use their weekly offerings to

purchase a water buffalo and a bunch of chicks for a poor family in an

impoverished village. Below is the thank you letter from Heifer International. The

children hope to save even more money through their offerings this year, to help

even more families. Parents, please help to remind your children to bring their

offerings each week.

OCTOBER 2015 Page 5

GSLMG (Good Shepherd Lutheran Men's Group) held our

monthly meeting in the parish hall on Thursday, September 6,

2015. After some terrific COFFEE and discussion concerning

our activities for the remainder of this year, everyone got

together, split up and departed for Duluth, GA and the

SOUTHEAST RAILROAD AND TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM.

If you have any interest in railroads/trains and their historical

importance in the development of our nation, by all means

please visit this terrific local. Not only do they have trains of

historical significance (including

President Harding's "Death Car"),

but many other transportation

vehicles. A historically correct

"old time" train depot, containing

all the furnishings, is also

included in the tour. Our tour

guide was extremely well

informed, very cordial and

interesting, but even more

surprising was the additional

information provided by Mac

McDonald, who added much to

the knowledge provided by our guide. She (our guide) was

obviously most appreciative of the additional information and

facts, that are sure to be included in her next scheduled tour!

Thank you Mac, for not only making all of the arrangements

for our tour, but for sharing some of your vast knowledge with

us!

After the tour, our group once again got together, split up and

departed for lunch, that was being served at the local Cracker

Barrel Restaurant. The service was excellent, the food was

good and we all left without incident.

NEXT MEETING -

Thursday, October 1,

meeting at 9:00 am in

the parish hall for

coffee and

refreshments.

PLANNED ACTIVITY:

The Hardman Farm in

Sautee, GA. The

farmhouse was

originally constructed

in 1870 by Capt.

James Nichols and is a

prime example of Italianate Architecture. The farm

changed hands several times and was eventually

purchased by Dr. Lamartine Hardman, Governor of

Georgia from 1926-31. It has been well preserved and

was donated to the state of Georgia in 1999. During the

tour, our very own Kato, has agreed to demonstrate

how to milk cows and feed chickens (well, he is from

Wisconsin you know!). Guaranteed fun for everyone!

After leaving the farm we will travel 3.4 miles for some

great pizza (or ... your favorite???choice) for lunch,

followed by a stop at Nora Mills for a chance to

purchase some "Home Grown Georgia Ice Cream" to

take home and share with family, friends and/or

neighbors! Please come and enjoy our fellowship - YOU are

invited!

GSLMG meets the first Thursday of each month (unless

scheduling/conflicts evolve). GSLMG excludes no one. The

purpose and intent of GSLMG is to provide: Christian

Fellowship, education, service, fun, staying active and

involved with fellow Christian men. You are invited to join in

- Contact: Doug Fuge, Don Smith or Paul Clarkson for

additional information.

- Paul Clarkson

What is the Small Catechism?

The Small Catechism, written by Martin Luther in 1529 is a collection of questions and answers on six topics: the Ten

Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father (the Lord’s Prayer), the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confession,

and the Sacrament of the Altar. Luther wanted the Catechism to be used by the head of the household to teach the family the

Christian faith and life. Also included with the Small Catechism are daily prayers, a table of duties for Christians in their various

callings in life, and a guide for Christians to use as they prepare to receive Holy Communion. Most editions of Luther’s Small

Catechism also come with an explanation of the Catechism, which is a longer collection of questions and answers with

extensive quotations from the Bible. These explanations have a long history and were added during Luther’s lifetime.

- LCMS.org

Deadline for the

NOVEMBER

Newsletter:

OCTOBER 22

OCTOBER 2015 Page 6

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.

Who is “on call” 24 hours a day, seven days a

week? Well, there’s the obvious—parents.

Then there’s the not-so-obvious—your pastor.

His office hours may be printed in the bulletin

as Monday through Thursday, but he doesn’t

clock out after that.

Your pastor’s calendar is filled with shut-in

visits, board meetings, counseling, teaching,

community- relationship building, and late-

night phone calls. And his mind and heart

hold the God-given weight of spiritual care for

His people.

Here are some ways to thank your pastor:

Pray for your pastor and his family

Have a conversation with your pastor - get to know him better

Ask your pastor if there is anything specific you can do for him

Ask your pastor if you could join him for a shut-in visit

Set a date to share a meal with your pastor

Be extra attentive and take notes during your pastor’s sermon

Post a message on social media thanking your pastor

Send a Scripture verse to your pastor to brighten his day

Email your pastor with a question about his Bible study. He’ll love your

curiosity!

Thank the Lord for providing a faithful pastor at your church

(taken from Concordia Publishing House - cph.org)

How beautifully leaves grow old,” wrote 19th-century essayist John Burroughs. “How full of light and color are their last days.” Society doesn’t think highly of old age. Beauty products tout the supposed virtues of maintaining a youthful appearance. Older adults’ wisdom, born of much life experience, is often disparaged, ignored or not sought. But God says this about the righteous, whose lives are rooted in him: “In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the LORD is upright” (Psalm 92:14-15). The aging leaves of autumn can prompt us to look for beauty in the seniors among us, to notice the light and color that still abound. From all the fruit they still produce — service, prayer, love — may we learn about living faithfully until our own last days.

The triangle is a symbol of the Trinity. When you see a

triangle next to a verse in the hymnal, it means that verse refers to the Trinity, and the congregation is to stand to sing that verse.

Please check to see when you are scheduled to serve and put it on your personal calendar

OCTOBER 2015 Page 7

DATE REFRESHMENTS FLOWERS

OCT 4 LWML Don & Margie Smith/ Lili Smith

OCT 11 Bob & Dianna Jones memory of Sandy Parkinson (2)

OCT 18 Bob & Dianna Jones (2)

OCT 25 Belen Moore Sam & Nancy Wolford (1)

DATE SERVICE ELDER/LAY

READER ACOLYTE USHERS ALTAR GREETERS

LWML Sunday OCT 4 8:30 AM

Sherry Anderson Kendal

Judy Brookshire & Kathy Mayfield Faye Vogel

Judy Smith & Becky Austin

10:45 AM

Sherry Anderson Haylee

Kathy Conway & Michele Stephens Faye Vogel

Ruth Johnson & Janice Peace

OCT 11 8:30 AM

Jim Walker/Dan Purdy Marie

Karen Walker

Ken & Bonnie Jackson

10:45 AM Chris Worl Elli Cheryl West Craig & Karen Pieschke

OCT 18 8:30 AM Todd Mershon Renae Karen Walker

Chuck & Betty Dyarmett

10:45 AM Frank West Roy Dottie Warren

Tony Michele Stephens

Reformation Sunday OCT 25 8:30 AM Brad Jovaag Isabella

Robin Aikens

Rick & Janice Waters

10:45 AM Jim Fitzgerald Blaze Sherry Anderson

Joe & Nancy Ponder

Need another reason to join

the choir? Consider this:

Neuroscientists in Sweden

discovered that singers’

heartbeats tend to

synchronize, which leads to

a sense of emotional calm

and bonding.

“Joint action leads to joint

perspectives,” write the

researchers. “In other

words, singers may change

their egocentric perspective

of the world to a ‘we-

perspective,’ which causes

them to perceive the world

from the same point of

view.”

So start singing — and

enjoy the many benefits

and blessings of being part

of a choir.

OCTOBER 2015 Page 8

MEMBERS

Gloria Dickey Dave McDowell Will Meilander Berk Peet Jackie Peet Johann Stone Marie Thayer Sam Wolford Warren Zschoche

FRIENDS/RELATIVES Steve Thomas (Keith Jefcoat’s nephew) Tia Dyer (Sherry Anderson’s friend Tony Roehl (Carla’s son) John Reece (Mavis’ friend) Tommy & Bonnie Sweat (Montine Mavis’ cousins) Doris Schubert (Montine Mavis’ cousin) Linda Bayles (Ponders’ friend) Jan Wacker (Ponders’ friend) Chris Hodges (Janice Peace’s son) Susan Stokes John Tontala (Faye Vogel’s brother-in-law) Joanna Nichelson (Montine Mavis’ niece) Joey Dunahoo (Robin Aikens’ brother)

If you know of someone who is ill, or needs prayer for any reason, please let the church secretary know.

Names will be removed after four weeks unless we are otherwise notified.

Social Ministry

In the month of August the Food Pantry served 43 families: 85 adults and 66

children. A total of 151 individuals were helped. There were 25 repeat families and

18 first-time families. Four Bibles were given.

On September 22 Carolyn Warren and I were guest servers at the Empty Bowl fund

raiser luncheon for the Georgia Mountain Food Bank. It was held at the First Baptist

Church on Green Street.

Volunteers needed: If you have a few hours a day or two a month to share, we would

love to have you join us in the Food Pantry. Please

contact Betty Dyarmett at 770-532-1059 or

dyarmett@charter.net if you are interested.

Item for October: toothpaste and brushes

– Betty Dyarmett

10/3/1992 MICHAEL & CAROLYN WARREN (23)

10/5/1963 KEN & NANCY JACKMAN (52)

10/14/1983 STEVE & CINDY NIMMO (32)

10/21/2000 J.D. & RENAE CRILL (15)

10/21/1978 CARL & DIANE ENGEL (37)

10/21/2006 MATT & KATIE LINDER (9)

10/29/1977 SAM & NANCY WOLFORD (38)

10/1 SADIE LEEK

10/2 ELLEN CRAVEN

10/2 PATTI HENDERSON

10/3 JIM WALKER

10/5 SHAUN ANDERSON

10/5 GARRETT MCCARTHY

10/7 THOMAS GADDY Jr.

10/7 TYLER PIESCHKE

10/7 JOHN TAYLOR

10/10 KEN ANDERSON

10/13 CHIP MANSON

10/14 VANCE LIVINGSTON

10/17 ALYSSA JOYCE

10/18 EMILY GADDY

10/22 BECKY AUSTIN

10/22 STEVE NIMMO

10/23 KATHY BROMAN

10/29 RICK WATERS

10/30 BILL MOORE

10/31 BRE BAUMAN

10/31 DANNY TYMCHUK

We give to the work of Christ’s church a portion of the gifts that God has already given us. We give: • in response to God’s grace in sending his Son; • in response to the love of Jesus Christ’s dying for us; • in response to the gifts of life which we have so abundantly received; • in response to the opportunities God gives us to discover the meaning and purpose of life; • in response to his presence in our lives when we need him the most.

Lord, as we read and discuss Your Story, lead us a deeper understanding of Your love for us. Teach us how to actively manage our lives and the resources You have given us for Your purposes, freely and with great joy. Amen

(Doug Fuge, Stewardship Chairman)

Stewardship is not just raising funds;

It’s raising Christians. Stewardship is not a matter of budgets;

It’s a matter of faith.

News from the Flock

Janie Owen, (on the left), along with her fellow Thursday volunteers at Good News Clinics, received the Sam Poole Volunteer of the Year Award this year. “The Thursday Crew,” as they are affectionately called, have been giving their time at Good News Clinics for a combined 30 years. They are all retired teachers with 120 combined years of teaching experience.

Hartley Annelise Edge was baptized on

September 13. Hartley is the daughter of

David and Brendi Edge.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

October 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9 am Sr Men’s

Fellowship

10 am Food

Pantry

1:30 pm Lectio

Divina

2

3 - 6 pm

Cleaning

3

4 LWML Sunday

8:30 am Worship

9:45 am Sunday

school

10:45 am Worship

5

1:30 pm Food

Pantry

6

1:30 pm Food

Pantry

7

1:30 pm Midweek

Bible study

6:30 pm Youth/

confirmation

7 pm Choir practice

8

10 am Food

Pantry

1:30 pm Lectio

Divina

9

3 - 6 pm

Cleaning

10

11

8:30 am Worship

9:45 am Sunday

school

10:45 am Worship

12

1:30 pm Food

Pantry

13

1:30 pm Food

Pantry

6:30 pm Elders

meeting

14

1:30 pm Midweek

Bible study

6:30 pm Youth/

confirmation

7 pm Choir practice

15

10 am Food

Pantry

1:30 pm Lectio

Divina

16

3 - 6 pm

Cleaning

17

18

8:30 am Worship

9:45 am Sunday

school

10:45 am Worship

19

1:30 pm Food

Pantry

20

1:30 pm Food

Pantry

21

1:30 pm Midweek

Bible study

6:30 pm Youth/

confirmation

6:30 pm Council

7:30 pm Choir

practice

22 Newsletter

Deadline

10 am Food

Pantry

1:30 pm Lectio

Divina

23

3 - 6 pm

Cleaning

24

10 am LWML

meeting

25 Reformation

Sunday

8:30 am Worship

9:45 am Sunday

school

10:45 am Worship

26

1:30 pm Food

Pantry

27

1:30 pm Food

Pantry

28

1:30 pm Midweek

Bible study

6:30 pm Youth/

confirmation

7 pm Choir practice

29

10 am Food

Pantry

1:30 pm Lectio

Divina

30

3 - 6 pm

Cleaning

31

Women’s Retreat

Women’s Retreat

Dr Elry’s visit

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

“Welcoming people home to life in the family of Christ”

Sunday 8:30 am Worship

9:45 am Sunday School

10:45 am Worship

Church Office Hours Monday -Thursday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

770-532-2428

gslcsecretary@gmail.com

www.goodshepherd.info

The Good Shepherd’s Voice

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

600 S. Enota Drive

Gainesville, GA 30501

Mailing Label

Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to

a church door in Wittenberg,

Germany, on October 31, 1517.

Luther's theses contained three main

pillars, which have stood for almost

500 years:

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) -

The Bible is the sole authority in

matters of faith, life and conduct. "All

scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for

reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness"

(2 Timothy 3:16).

2. Sola Fide (Faith Alone) - Christians are justified, or

declared righteous, only through believing in Jesus Christ as

Savior. Although morality and good works are important,

they alone cannot lead to salvation. "A person is justified not

by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.

(Galatians 2:16).

3. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) - Grace is God's unmerited, or

undeserved, favor. Salvation is a free gift from our gracious

God. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and

this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result

of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2015