Number 5 MAY 2015

WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

EASTERTIDE is the name the Church has given to this time of year, the Season of Easter that lasts for fifty days. Indeed, as the month of May unfolds we find ourselves moving deeper and deeper into the Easter season and increasingly looking toward two of the Eastertide events that further the story of what began on Easter morning. The first of these events is the Ascension of our Lord, on the fortieth day of Easter, the day on which (at least in Luke’s account of things) the risen Lord Jesus ascended to God the Father. The other Gospels, John in particular, have different ways of accounting for it, but the fact is that Jesus’ resurrection appearances ended but His presence with His followers continued as they became responsible to carry on the mission He had begun in their midst. The ascended Jesus, we say, is “seated at the right hand of God.” He is, in other words, in the position of authority from which He remains in charge of His mission of salvation to the world carried out by His church in His name. Next comes the Day of Pentecost, on the fiftieth day of Easter, the day on which the promised “other advocate,” the Holy Spirit is distributed to Jesus’ followers, providing them with the power of God to accomplish His will in the world in Jesus’ name. Some have called the Day of Pentecost “the birthday of the church.” It has been suggested by others that we think of Pentecost as “the Baptism of the church,” the moment at which God claimed the church as His own and empowered it to be the Body of Christ in the world to this day.

Sunday, May 3- The Fifth Sunday of Easter: This Sunday’s image of how the risen Christ shares his life with us is the image of the vine. Christ the vine and we the branches are alive in each other, in the mystery of mutual abiding that we read of in the gospel and the first letter of John. Baptism makes us a part of Christ’s living and life-giving self and makes us alive with Christ’s life. As the vine brings food to the branches, Christ

Worship Highlights pp1-3WELCA Plant Sale p. 4From the Pastor pp 4-5Scholarships p. 6Ascension & Pentecost p6Staff needs pp 7-8Preschool pp 8-9Jingle Offering pp 9-10Thank You p 11Summer Camp p 12Musical p 13Assemblies pp13-14Christian Educ pp 16-17Youth News pp 16-17Anniversary News p 18

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feeds us at his table. We are sent out to bear fruit for the life of the world. The readings for this Sunday are: 1L- Acts 8: 26-40; Psalm 22; 2L- 1 John 4: 7-21; G- John 15: 1-8. Join us as we begin the month of May with services of Holy Communion at 8:15AM and 10:30AM.

Sunday, May 10- The Sixth Sunday of Easter: This Sunday’s image of the life the risen Christ shares with us is the image of friendship. We are called to serve others as Jesus Came to serve; but for John’s gospel, the image of servanthood is too hierarchical, to distant, to capture the essence of life with Christ. Friendship captures the love, the joy, the deep mutuality of the relationship into which Christ invites us. The Greeks believed that true friends are willing to die for each other. This is the mutual love of Christian community commanded by Christ and enabled by the Spirit. The readings for this Sunday are: 1L- Acts 10: 44-48;Psalm 98; 2L- 1 John 5: 1-6; G- John 15: 9-17. Join us in worship this Sunday as we honor our MOTHERS on Mother’s Day.

Thursday, May 14- The Ascension of Our Lord: In this day’s gospel the risen Christ ascends into heave and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples were told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus; we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission. The readings for this day are: 1L- Acts 1: 1-11; Psalm 47; 2L- Ephesians 1: 15-23; G- Luke 24: 44-53. Join us as we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord with a service of Holy Communion beginning at 7:30PM.

Sunday, May 17- The Seventh Sunday of Easter: The gospel for Easter’s seventh Sunday is always taken from the long prayer Jesus prays for his followers in John’s gospel on the night before his death, and always includes Jesus’ desire that his followers will be one as he and the Father are one. This oneness is not mere doctrinal agreement or institutional unity, but mutual abiding, interpenetrating life, mutual love and joy. The oneness is the work of the Spirit whom we have received but also await. Come, Holy Spirit! The readings for this Sunday are: 1L- Acts 1: 15-17, 21-260; Psalm 1; 2L- 1 John 5: 9-13; G- John 17: 6-19.

Sunday, May 24- The Day of Pentecost: On the fiftieth day of Easter we celebrate the Spirit, through whom and in whom the people of God are created and re-created. Pentecost is sometimes called the church’s birthday, but might more appropriately be called its baptism day, since the gift of the Spirit is the fullness of baptism. Ezekiel’s vision shows the Spirit resurrecting and re-creating not just individuals but a whole people. Romans

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makes it clear that God is in the process of re-creating the entire cosmos; yet the Spirit is also at work in the most intimate and personal way, praying in us “with sighs too deep for words” when we do not know how to pray. The readings for this festival Sunday are: 1L- Acts 2: 1-21; Psalm 104; 2L- Romans 8: 22-27; G- John 15: 26-27; 16: 4b-15. We invite you to join us in celebrating “the baptism of the Church” with services of Holy Communion at 8:15AM and 10:30AM. Also those young people who have completed their two years of Catechetical instruction will CONFIRM their faith during this service. Please join us and be part of this special moment in the life of faith of our Confirmands.

Sunday, May 31- The Holy Trinity: When we say God is the triune God, we are saying something about who God is beyond, before, and after the universe: that there is community within God. Our experience of this is reflected in Paul’s words on this day. When we pray to God as Jesus prayed to his Abba (an everyday, intimate parental address), the Spirit prays within us, creating between us and God the same relationship Jesus has with the one who sent him. The readings for this sacred Sunday are: 1L- Isaiah 6: 1-8; Psalm 29; 2L- Romans 8: 12-17; G- John 3: 1-17. Because of the uniquely sacred nature of this Sunday it is appropriate that we join together in a service of Holy Communion at 10:30AM. Please plan to join us!

The three festivals of Eastertide; Easter Day, itself, the Ascension of our Lord, and the Day of Pentecost, proclaim the wondrous story of the powerful actions God has taken to restore the world He created to Himself. These events, to be sure, give us cause to celebrate! But they also call forth from us a response to God’s amazing love. We who rejoice in the new life Christ offers us are called to share it with everyone we meet in every way that we can. We are invited to be God’s Easter people, to live each day in the assurance that sin and death have been

defeated and that wholeness and peace in God are ours to live and ours to share. And so we strive to live with God at the very center of our daily lives, guided by His Word and empowered by His Spirit. It is in us and through us that the risen Lord Jesus is at work even now turning darkness into light, death into life, sorrow and suffering into joy and gladness, and doubt and fear into faith and discipleship in Jesus’ name!

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WELCA PLANT SALE

On Saturday May 9 WELCA will hold their plant sale and more.  Read on for more information.

Plant Sale - Annuals, select perennials, shrubs, hanging baskets, and planters will be sold.  Plants can be pre-ordered for color or just to make sure you get an item. 

Sandwich Sale – We will also be selling Italian, ham and cheese, and turkey and cheese sandwiches.  Sandwiches MUST be preordered and can be picked up on Saturday May 9th. 

Bake Sale – Baked goods will be available for purchase at the sale.  Baked good donations are appreciated.  A sign-up sheet is being passed around.

And MORE! – the monthly AYCE breakfast and a LYO Car Wash will also be held that Saturday.

If you are interested in pre-ordering plants or sandwiches, please visit the WELCA table in the narthex after church Sunday May 3rd.

FROM THE PASTOR

At the risk of sounding like “a one-trick pony,” I feel the need, at least one more time, to address this newsletter article to the matter of DISCIPLESHIP. Granted, I may still have an opportunity or two remaining to talk about faithful discipleship in the months until my retirement. But it’s too important an issue to leave to chance, to risk having it be squeezed out of our consideration by all that will need to be attended to between now and then. Besides I believe that having the ability to think and act like DISCIPLES will be the key to success for all of us during the coming transition and beyond.

First, yes, I’ve begun to contemplate what form my discipleship will take after I retire as a full-time parish pastor. There are any number of possibilities open to me within the church, such as serving as an interim pastor, doing visitation work, or supply preaching as many Sundays as I care to throughout the Synod. Well, maybe later, but for the foreseeable future I’m really not planning to entertain those opportunities. After forty years in parish ministry, I feel like I could use a break. But, if not that, then what? Interestingly, I’m thinking, come the beginning of October, my discipleship will look a lot more like yours. I’ll get to worship weekly as one who comes to be fed, rather than the one responsible to do the feeding. I suspect my Bible reading and prayer life will be somewhat different too. Instead of turning to the Bible and prayer chiefly to prepare for Sunday worship and Bible studies and classes, I’ll be able to be more devotional. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to find plenty of things to do to keep busy. Many a retired person

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has told me they don’t know how they had time to work! But I’ll want to include perhaps some new and different ways of serving others. Building spiritual relationships will probably be different too, since I won’t be doing it primarily as a pastor any more, but as an everyday kind of a disciple. And giving? Yes, we’ll be on a “fixed income,” but I’m sure that giving in support of Christ’s church will be part of our budget. Indeed, there will be changes to be made in focusing on the six marks of Discipleship after I retire, but I’m confident that doing so will help Ruth and me adjust to a new way of life.

And as for you, I believe that it will be even more important than ever to be devoted Disciples of Christ. Many congregations experience a drop-off in worship attendance and participation in church programming during a pastoral vacancy. However, a good sense of discipleship by all should keep this to a minimum. Besides, there will be different styles of preaching and different ways of doing things to experience, that can enrich your life together. Prayer will play a crucial role in your life and ministry together. Be sure to pray for one another, for your dedicated lay leaders, and for God’s guidance throughout the vacancy and in choosing a new Pastor. Remaining true to God’s Word will be essential. Keeping focused on proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ above all else will help to prevent distractions and keep you from getting side-tracked with matters that aren’t consistent with God’s mission for the congregation. Service in Christ’s name will provide a second essential focus. There may be a temptation to “circle the wagons,” to draw inward and concentrate on internal matters and the congregation’s survival.… which is a very dangerous mistake to make at any point in the life of a congregation. Keeping focused outwardly, on the needs of those around you that you are called to serve, will help you avoid the trap of self-centeredness and short-sightedness. Talking about Good Shepherd when you’re out in the community, telling friends and neighbors what’s happening and why it’s important to you, will lay a groundwork for growth as the congregation continues to move forward. Ongoing, faithful giving will be essential as you look to the future of the church. We’ve had a long history of encouraging faithful Stewardship and have drawn the connection to discipleship. Giving as disciples, as folks who are appreciative of God’s abundant blessings and dedicated to seeing to it that God’s will is accomplished will enable the congregation to meet any financial challenges that might arise.

Dear friends in Christ, if there’s one thing that I hope you remember from our time together, one thing that I can leave with you to sustain you as a congregation and to pave the way to a bright future, it’s the value of Discipleship living. Let us indeed strive to be the faithful disciples our Lord calls us to be, even as we head into this time of transition. For in striving to follow where our Lord has led the way and in committing ourselves to being the very best Disciple we are capable of becoming, our Lord will be at work in us and through us to accomplish His will in His name. And it just doesn’t get any better than that! Thanks be to God! AMEN.

EUGENE BURKHART MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

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$500.00 in scholarship money is available to be awarded this spring from the Eugene Burkhart Scholarship Fund. This year 2015 High school seniors who have a letter of acceptance from a college or technical institute are eligible to receive scholarship money. Applicants must be “active” members of Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church. The amount to be awarded to each student will depend on the number of students who successfully apply. Students who apply are asked to submit an essay that contains the following: ambition, goals, accomplishments, church involvement, community service, and a brief description of his/her relationship with God. Applications for the scholarship are available in the church office now. The deadline for applications to be submitted has been extended to Sunday, May 17. Notification of the scholarships to be awarded will take place during the first week in June.

We rejoice in being able to offer this scholarship money to members of our congregation. We wish everyone well who applies.

P.S. Adults of the church who would like to serve on the Scholarship Selection Task Force for 2015 should contact Denny Buckley or Pastor.

ASCENSION SERVICE

Thursday, May 14th is the FORTIETH DAY OF EASTER and thus the Ascension of our Lord. We will celebrate the glory of our Ascended Lord with a service of Holy Communion beginning at 7:30PM. I discovered several years ago that there is a very strong tradition of celebrating the Ascension in this part of the country, particularly in the Mennonite culture. Some of the stands at the Farmer’s Market, for instance, typically close on Ascension Day. It is indeed a day worthy of celebration. It is an opportunity to rejoice in Christ’s heavenly reign in oneness with the Father. We hope you

will join us as we gather in Jesus’ name on this sacred night. Come and worship as we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord on Thursday, May 14th at 7:30PM.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST/ CONFIRMATION

As has been our custom, young people who have completed two years of the Catechetical program have the opportunity to CONFIRM their faith on the Day of Pentecost. Indeed, Confirmation, also known as AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM, is the point at which young people claim the faith for their own. Up until this time their parents and guardians have assumed the responsibility of helping the child to grow in the Christian faith. And, of course, the congregation has played a significant role as well, by teaching them the Catechism and

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helping them to be ready to commit themselves to a life of Discipleship. This year four young people of the congregation are being presented to the

Church Council for Confirmation. They are: Emily Brown, Kobi Kolodziejski, Taylor Okonski, and Samuel Watson. We remind them that the rehearsal for Confirmation will be on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30PM and that they will meet with the Church Council for the approval of their Confirmation later that same night. To the parents and Confirmands, please make note of these important upcoming dates and plan to participate. Also, remember that Confirmation will take place on Sunday, May 24 as we celebrate the Day of Pentecost. This is also Memorial Day weekend, so, please prepare now to be present.

And to the congregation may we say please make every effort to join us in worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, so as to support and encourage these new Confirmands. Please set an example for these young folks by your attendance and participation in this important worship service.

May this be a truly joyous occasion for our Confirmands and their families, and for all of us as we gather to praise God and support our young people. Thanks be to God for the opportunity to share our faith with these young people. Let us pray that they follow through in living out their faith and in being the Disciples our Lord calls them to be. God’s blessings to each of you. We look forward to working together with you in the Kingdom work of our Savior.

CHURCH STAFFING NEEDS

Due to resignation of Mike and Beverly Arndt effective August 31, 2015, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is in need of a Christian Education Director and Youth Ministry Director.  Attached is a listing of the basic job duties.  Full job descriptions for these positions can be provided upon request.  Interested candidates please submit your resume to the church office by Sunday May 31 st attention Personnel Committee.  You may FAX your resume to 610-926-5338.  Also, please indicate which

position you would like to be considered for.    Christian Education Director Basic Job Duties

         Develop organize and implement – Sunday School, Bible School, and Adult Christian education opportunities.

         Assist Pastor in implementation of catechetical program          Oversee Sunday school events (Rally Day, Christmas, Easter)          Assist Christian Education Committee in developing goals and priorities

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         Asses existing curriculum on the basis of educational and theological standards and consult with the Pastor on any potential changes that are needed.

         Review alternative curriculum for sound educational and theological integrity compatible with Lutheran doctrine.

         Assist the Christian Education Committee and Nominating Committee with the recruitment of staff.

         Facilitate Sunday School staff training and support.          Introduce and reinforce sound educational and theological

principles consistent with the Lutheran doctrine.          Evaluate existing equipment and identify and prioritize

needed equipment additions and facility improvements     Youth Ministry Director Basic Job Duties

         Oversee the ongoing evaluation of existing programs to provide a comprehensive Youth Ministry effort.

         Assist the Youth Ministry Committee with developing goals, priorities and implementing programs to address areas of need.

         Identify youth with potential for leadership and guide them into positions of responsibility with encouragement and support.

         Identify adults interested in Youth Ministry and recruit them into the program.          Provide training for youth and adult leaders.          Direct the Youth Planning Council, Youth Advisors, and other Youth program heads in

their responsibilities of development and implementation of program activities for the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) in coordination with the Youth Ministry program.

         Provide youth with information about ELCA, Synod, District and other youth events and encourage participation as well as organize and oversee the participation.

         Represent youth concerns on committees and organizations of the church.          Keep in touch with youths and be cognizant of

issues they may be facing in their lives.          Assist the Pastor in providing care to youths or in

referring youths for further care.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION IN PROGRESS

Before you know it, September will be here and another year of our preschool will be in session. You probably know someone in your family or neighborhood who has a three or four year old child who could greatly benefit from attending our preschool. Why not be an ambassador for the school and encourage them to investigate enrolling their child here for the fall term?

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Information is available from Diane Rothenberger at 610-926-0274, or drothenberger@gselc.org, or by calling the church at 610-926-4201, ext. 212. You can also get on the mailing list by going to the church website at gselc.org or our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/gspreschool).

 

May Preschool Newsletter

Preschool has had an exciting month exploring the Sky and Space! We learned new vocabulary - orbits, gravity, atmosphere, and constellations. We played in our kid size space ships (courtesy of Fellowship's boxes from the new stoves and Carly Weyandt's talented husband), flying amongst the stars and planets. We pretended to be planets circling the sun in the Multiministry Hall following our orbits drawn on the floor. We ended our Unit by visiting the Reading Museum Planetarium! We also saw the Clifford Exhibit while there - exploring his community, as we headed into our Unit on Community and Safety.

As always at this time of year we are looking for new students for next school year as we continue our outreach ministry to the community. We have classes for 3-4 year olds on Tuesdays/Thursdays, either morning or afternoon and we have classes for 4-5 year olds on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays, either morning or afternoon. Please spread the word! You can contact us at 610-926-4201 (church), 610-926-0274 (Diane Rothenberger, Director) or at drothenberger@gselc.org. Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gspreschool!

New Choice for May Jingle Offering

Lutheran Congregational Services (LCS) is to be the recipient of our May Jingle offering, to be received on the 17th. This is a new recipient for the Jingle offering, and we want to tell you a bit about its varied ministries. Years ago, this agency was called Lutheran Services of the Lehigh Valley. Its focus was primarily in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, where its ministry was highlighted by work in the county homes, fall and Christmas Ingatherings, counseling, and some other areas. However, in recent years, as the scope of Social Ministry has greatly expanded throughout the whole ELCA, each synod has needed to set up a corresponding agency to align itself with the priorities of the whole church.

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One of the ministries headed up in our synod by Lutheran Congregational Services is that of Disaster Relief. You may think that we would have no need of such a ministry, because disasters never occur here. Wrong! Can you remember back to 1972 when Hurricane Agnes swelled the banks of the Susquehanna and the Schuylkill? We had a real disaster then! And since that time, there has been extensive flooding along the Delaware River more than once, and a tornado that ripped through neighboring Bowers and environs back in the 1990’s. In addition, congregations in our synod have sent teams to help with Hurricane Agnes in the devastated Gulf Coast area of the U.S. In addition to brick-and-mortar type help, Camp Noah has become an integral part of our disaster response. This involves volunteers from a congregation or area going to a place where a disaster has occurred and conducting a week-long camp for the children whose homes and lives have been torn apart by a major disaster. All of this is coordinated on the territory of this synod by Lutheran Congregational Services. But that is not all! Hunger in northeastern PA. is addressed through a program called, “Make it, Take it Kitchen.” During this event, sponsored in conjunction with many local food pantries, recipients of food learn how to make healthy, creative, and inexpensive meals for the entire family, using ingredients commonly offered by food pantries.Grief workshops are another avenue of LCS’s outreach. Certainly this is a great need, as our church is generally aging, and more and more members are going through a grief process. We need to be present for them to support and guide them in this difficult time. The same is true for people contemplating marriage. For many years, this agency has offered premarital workshops in which couples learn about communication, budgeting, faith formation, healthy sexuality attitudes, family interaction, and a host of other subjects that are likely to cause stress in young marriages. This brief glimpse into the ministries of LCS is but the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. If you are interested in learning more, you are welcome to call them at 610-770-9205. It is likely they will also have an informative display at the upcoming Synod Assembly at the Sovereign Center in Reading. This is certainly a ministry worthy of our enthusiastic support!

YOU TOOK MY SPACE

One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car, and got out. Another driver pulled up near him, got out and said, “I always park there. You took my space!” The visitor went inside for Sunday school, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, “That’s my seat! You took my place!” The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said

nothing. After Sunday school, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always

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sit! You took my place!” The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, “What happened to you?” The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, “I took your place!”

THANK YOU

Throughout the year, many members of Good Shepherd engage in helping with lots of ministries that strengthen our congregational life. From time to time, we will attempt to highlight just some of the ways your involvement in joint efforts builds up the congregation and/or community.Thank you to all who supported the Youth Group’s Easter candy sale this year. There were a good number of orders and the funds raised will go a long way in providing for the ministries the youth accomplish throughout the year. (The candy was great!)Thank you to all who brought in stuffed animals for the Easter Hugs project. These were all brought forward to the altar area on the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday) to be dedicated before they were taken out and distributed to nursing homes, personal care homes, etc. in the community. Many times the residents in those institutions hug these animals, sleep with them, and, above all, derive great comfort from knowing that someone cared enough about them to provide them with this special gift. Thank you as well to all who sponsored Easter flowers. They add so much to the festive celebration of the Lord’s resurrection! May the trumpets of the lilies help us to trumpet the news that Christ is risen in our daily lives throughout the year!

THE LAMENT OF A REDNER’S RECEIPT

I was tossed out by someone who shopped at my store and had not taken the time to register at the office for a member card. They just got rid of me without thinking about what good I could do when blended with the other register receipts that people bring in to the church. You see, one per cent of all the things you buy, except milk and some other items, can go toward projects and ministries here at the church. That may not seem like much, but it really is when you begin to put all those slips together.

You probably would not throw money away, would you? Of course not, because it is too hard to come by and too valuable in this day and age. So register for that card, and USE

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IT when you check out at the store. Then save your register receipt and bring it with you on Sunday. There is an envelope for me right outside the narthex in the Gathering Area. This is a way you can give without using any more money than you have already spent. So please don’t throw me in your trash!

MUHLENBERG SUMMER DAY CAMP

It is only one more turn of a page on the calendar and we will be in June, the month our Summer Day Camp begins. Lots of neat stuff is planned for this summer. Field trips include: Lehigh Valley Zoo, the Turkey Hill Experience, Citizens Bank Park, Fightin’ Phils game, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, and Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.Back on the local scene, there will be art projects, cooking, music, sports, games, swimming, bowling and going to the movies. The camp is open weekly from June 8th through August 27th. For more information and to register your children, please call Becky Watson at 610-926-4201, ext. 207 or email her at Slw0219@comcast.net. Youth in grades 6 through 12 are eligible to participate. Tell your friends, too!

DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE

You don’t want to be left out of the June newsletter, do you? Of course not!what your group or committee wants to publicize for June or even the summer. Please have your information in to Grant Wickert by May 17th for the June issue. If you don’t like to write, just give him the basic information like who, what, where, when, etc. and he will compose

an article for you. Call him at 484-671-2579. You can’t beat that for an offer! Or if you would rather write your own article, terrific! Just send it to him at grant.a.wickert@live.com or 609 Elmer Circle, Reading, PA 19605.

Also, we continue to look for folks to be on the Newsletter Publishing Team. We need a number of people to accomplish all the various functions that go into providing this important means of communication in our congregation as we move forward with our coming transition. If you have skills that could be used to create and distribute the newsletter and would like to get involved in this meaningful way in the life of our congregation, please speak to Janice or Pastor. We look forward to a new chapter in the development of “The Shepherd’s Call.”

20th ANNUAL GOOD SHEPHERD playwrights MUSICAL

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“Fiddler on the Roof, Jr.” is the play to be staged by the Good Shepherd youth on June 5 and 6. Tickets for the show of your choice are now available from Mike Arndt, 610-926-4201, ext. 205 or mikearndt@aol.com. They may also be purchased in the Gathering Area after services on Sunday. Tickets are $8.00 each for all seats for the Friday and Saturday evening shows, both which start at 8 p.m. There will also be a Saturday afternoon show at 1:30 p.m. Senior citizens (over 65) who choose to attend that show may purchase tickets for $4.00 each. Others who are not senior citizens may also attend that show for the regular price. Come out and see the show for an enjoyable experience and also to show support for one of the facets of youth ministry here at Good Shepherd. Thank you.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL—SAVE THE DATES

“Everest” will be the theme of this year’s VBS. The dates of this year’s school will be August 3 through 7. With the theme of “Everest” you might think there will be a field trip to the world’s tallest mountain. While that will not happen, the participants will be conquering many other challenges with the help of God’s mighty power! As always, teachers and other staff members will be needed. If you are interested, and we hope you are, please call Mike Arndt at 610-926-

4201, ext. 205 or email him at mkikearndt@aol.com.Meet the challenge! Be with us at VBS!

2015 SYNOD ASSEMBLY

What are you doing May 29 and 30? (Notice we did not ask you what you are doing New Year’s Eve!) If you are available on those dates, please consider attending the annual synod assembly to be held right here in Reading at the Santander Arena. You can go as a visitor anytime your schedule allows. But we also need a lay male and a lay female delegate to attend to represent our congregation. (They need not be husband and wife). In addition to learning a great deal about the many ministries of our church beyond the walls of Good Shepherd, this is also a great opportunity to be uplifted spiritually and meet many people from all over Northeastern PA. Synod. You may know some already! Please call Pastor Arndt (610-921-3771) for further information. Thank you.

WEST BERKS SPRING ASSEMBLY

Each Sunday in our worship we pray for one congregation of the West Berks Mission District. It takes a good many weeks to

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go through the entire list because there are lots of congregations to be included. Our district assembly is held twice a year, spring and fall. This is an opportunity to meet neighbors from our area who attend other Lutheran congregations and learn about what they are doing to serve the Lord in their community. This spring’s assembly will be held on Thursday, May 7th at Hope Lutheran Church, 601 N. Front St., Reading beginning at 7 p.m. Each congregation should be represented by their pastor and two voting members. If you can attend this event and represent our congregation, please call Pastor Arndt at 610-921-3771 and let him know. He also will provide you with further information prior to the meeting about what matters are to be discussed. Thank you for considering this way of serving our congregation.

MUHLENBERG COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

The next blood drive for our area will be May 13th, from 2:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd UCC Church. We all know what a critical need there is for blood year round. This is one way that we can literally share life with other people in great need. Please consider being a donor. Call Wendy Sharp at 610-929-9606 for more information or to make an

appointment to donate. Thanks very much.

TWO LOCAL CONGREGATIONS VOTE TO MERGE

Calvary Lutheran Church, Laureldale and Epiphany Lutheran Church, Temple have voted to merge into one congregation. The official last service at Epiphany was held on April 12th. The first service as one congregation took place at Calvary on April 19th. We join our neighbors in praying for the success of this new venture, confident that the Holy Spirit will guide them in faithful service through the years ahead.

MAY BREAKFAST

Hey, guys! Don’t forget that May 10th is Mother’s Day. If you want to keep on your wife’s good side, you will take her and the family out for breakfast the day before! You don’t have to give much effort to thinking where to go, since that is the day (May 9th)

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of the All You Can Eat Breakfast here at Good Shepherd. Go through our buffet line and get plenty of western and scrambled eggs, bacon,

hash browns, French toast, sausage, orange juice, coffee and more for only $6 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-10. You need not leave a tip, so that is your total cost.

Once again, it’s May 9th from 7-11 a.m. at the church. Your special lady will thank you!

STRENGTHENING GRAPE FARMERS

During Holy Week, we received a special offering for World Hunger. Your editor thought it would be good to devote a bit of space in this issue to give you one (of hundreds) example of how the ELCA uses World Hunger Funds to assist with food issues globally.Hawa is a mother and a grape farmer living in the Dodama region of central Tanzania. Grapes have been a popular cash crop in the area for decades. But recently the region has experienced a drought, and farmers like Hawa have struggled to grow enough to earn an income to support their families. The Hunger Appeal supported her by working through a farmer’s cooperative in the region and helping 2,000 grape farmers to increase production with improved irrigation, marketing their grapes more effectively, connecting to buyers

more efficiently, and securing better prices. Through the project, farmers established a seedling nursery to get plants off to a healthy start, and they learned improved agricultural techniques, like pruning. Farmers also were trained in various post-harvest handling techniques, including how to extract grape juice. Hawa was trained to take a leadership role and now is the cooperative’s chair. Thanks to the training, she produces more than six tons of grapes where she once produced only three or four. She hopes soon to be able to produce ten tons. Projects like this strengthen the capacity of small-scale farmers around the world to make a long-term difference in the quality of life for their whole community. Altogether nearly 2000 grape farmers in Dodoma, Tanzania have received agricultural training to help them sustain themselves and their families through the ELCA workers stationed there.Thanks for your ongoing support of the Hunger Appeal!

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SPORTS MINISTRY IS BACK!!!! Join us for a night of fun and fellowship on Thursday 5/7/15 and 5/21/15 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the multi ministry room!!!  We will be playing volleyball!!! We may play softball on 5/21/15 depending on the weather.   There will be food, munchies and drinks served afterwards!  Please contact Kathlynn Knarr with any questions at 610-207-0699 or  Email at mailto:kknarr.gfs@gmail.com kknarr.gfs@gmail.com mailto:kknarr.gfs@gmail.comLet’s make it a great time!

RECYCLED TEENAGERS

Here is the scoop for the next four months.On Tuesday, May 5th, we will meet at the church conference room and watch a movie. Bring your lunch to eat after the movie.On June 9, July 7 and Aug. 4, we will meet at 10 a.m. at the Reed Farm pool for a swim. Bring your lunch. We will either eat at the pool or at Barbara Huegler’s home after swimming. We “guarantee” beautiful weather for each of those days!

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

Good Shepherd has Sunday School classes for all ages—from 3 to 103 and beyond. We hope to see you and your family growing with us at Sunday School. Our preschool and school age children will be studying the Parable of the Good Samaritan through May 17th.

Our annual Penny Wars competition has begun. Our teams are Team Moses (preschool and elementary); Team Noah (Cat. Class and Breakfast Club); and Team David (Adult Class). Everyone is encouraged to bring pennies in and fill up their containers each week! Bring in silver coins to fill up the containers of other classes (since these count as minus points). All proceeds from this event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The winning class (es) will receive an ice cream party and extra points to spend at the Sunday School store on May 17th.

Our last Sunday School Store of the year will be held on May 17th. There are still a couple of Sundays left to come and earn points (you will get one point to spend for each

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Sunday you attend Sunday School). Summer Sunday School will begin on June 14th and will be held on non-communion Sundays in conjunction with our 9:30 a.m. worship service.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

Don’t forget to support our Youth Group Playwrights by attending our 20th annual musical, “Fiddler on the Roof, Jr.” Another article in this newsletter has all the details about show times, tickets, etc.

Youth who are involved, here is the schedule for you to cut and post in your room for the May important dates:

+Sun., May 3—rehearsal from 6-8 p.m.; choreography rehearsal.+Wed., May 6—rehearsal from 6-7:30 p.m.Sat., May 9—rehearsal from 3-6 p.m.Sun., May 10—Musical preview in church (report by 9:30 a.m.)Wed., May 13—rehearsal from 6-7:30 p.m.Sun., May 17—rehearsal from 6-8 p.m.Wed., May 20—rehearsal from 6-7:30 p.m. (BUSINESS ADS, PATRONS DUE)Sun., May 24—rehearsal from 7-9 p.m.Wed., May 27—rehearsal from 6-8 p.m.Sat., May 30—rehearsal from 6-9 p.m.Sun., May 31—rehearsal from 6-8 p.m.

Congratulations to Good Shepherd Youth for once again bringing the Laser Tag Trophy back to Good Shepherd. Alsace was shut out of four games this year! Congratulations!Don’t forget to support the Youth Group Car Wash on Sat., May 9th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s only $8.00 to get your car washed. Get a clean car and support the youth of our church. All proceeds go to our playwright Youth Ministry program.“Spud Lunch”—On Saturday, May 17th, there is another opportunity to support the youth of our church. This is our final service project of the school year. You can have a delicious lunch right after church for only $6.00. The lunch will include a baked potato (plenty of toppings will be available) and a drink. You can pre-purchase tickets at our musical stand after church OR you can buy them at the door. Be sure to mark Sunday, June 14th on your calendar for our 50’s DRIVE IN DINER. Enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, flavored drinks, and the world famous MILK SHAKES!WOMEN OF THE ELCA

All women of the congregation and your friends and neighbors are invited to our regular monthly meeting, to be held in the conference room on Tuesday, May 26th at 7:00 p.m.

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The program will be presented by Rexine Krouse of Countryside Farms and Greenhouse. She will tell us about Plants of the Bible. Devotions will be led by Margaret Hinkel and the hostess will be Doris Canonico.

Thanks for participating in all these events!

WORSHIP AND MUSIC NOTES

May 2015 marks the 170th anniversary of Good Shepherd! In May, 1845, a group of people, including ancestors of some of our current members, met to discuss forming a church in this area. We are planning to celebrate this occasion on Sunday, May 31st, with refreshments after the service.

We would like to set up a display of stories, pictures, and other memorabilia covering our history from 1845 to 2015. If you have anything you would like to share, please leave it at the church office by May 24th. Be sure to include your name so that we can

return the items afterwards. If you have any questions or ideas, please contact Betty Nelson at eeperry1@epix.net.

Thank you!

HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT YOUR CHURCH

The Witness Committee has developed three projects for 2015. The first of these is placing signs in yards advertising our church. Whose yards? Yours… of course! These signs would be similar to political signs that you see around election time—on a wire frame that can easily be pulled up for mowing and then replaced just as easily when finished.

In order to make this cost-effective, we need a good number of members who will agree to participate in this project. On April 19th, we began passing a sign-up sheet around in worship for people to indicate their willingness to participate in this project. We will continue to have this sign up available for the next few weeks.

In case you are not able to get to worship, please call Linda Wickert, 484-671-2579 and indicate whether or not you would be willing to have a sign in your yard. (You certainly may place it wherever you want to). The Witness Committee thanks you for your cooperation with this means of community outreach.

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