1The Shepherd’s Voice ■ October 2019

TheShepherd’s

Voice October2019

The grass withers & the flowers fade,

but the word of our God stands forever.Isaiah 40:8

2 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Rev. Craig SchweitzerSenior Pastor

The 4 G’s of Discipleship

Engaging the Faithful

Several years ago a mentor of mine introduced me to a unique and beautiful understanding of church membership through discipleship. He called it “The 4 G’s of Discipleship.” It’s something that I have borrowed over the years and use as a teaching tool for new member orientation. Since we are receiving new members into our congregation in October, I thought it would be good to share these with every member of GSLC.

According to our congregation’s constitution, active members are those “who have communed in this congregation and shall have made a contribution of record to this congregation” in the past year. [GSLC Constitution & By-Laws, C8.02.c] If we only look at this description of membership at Good Shepherd, membership seems rather simple and doesn’t really require much effort.

I believe there must be more to membership at Good Shepherd than our constitution’s simple description. After all, membership is an act of discipleship, a way of living out our faith in all that we say and do. The 4 G’s of Discipleship are something that every member of our congregation is invited into as they live out their faith through this holy place.

THE 4 G’S OF DISCIPLESHIPGATHER: As members of Good Shepherd

Lutheran Church, we are invited to gather together as a community of faith in many times and places. These gatherings of our faith community include – but are not limited to – weekly worship, Bible study, youth and adult education events, and service projects.

GROW: As members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, we are invited to grow in our

faith throughout our journey. We should grow deeper in relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ and our God through our Savior Jesus because we are members of this community of faith. Each new day, and each new year, bring countless opportunities to grow in faith.

GIVE: As members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, we are invited to give to the ministry and mission God is calling our congregation to live out in the world through the offering of our hands, feet, voices and financial resources. The mission and ministry of our congregation is completely dependent upon our faithful and consistent support.

GO: As members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, we are invited to go into the world to be disciples of Jesus living out the mission we have been given “to share the Shepherd’s love with all of God’s children.” If the only time our neighbors know we are disciples of Jesus is when we are inside a church building, we are not fulfilling our call to be disciples of Jesus.

If you have been a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for 50 years or five days, you are welcome here! Your membership connects you to nearly 4,000 other brothers and sisters in Christ who call Good Shepherd their faith home. Brothers and sisters in Christ who are called to be church at this time and place believing they are called by God to GATHER, GROW, GIVE, and GO together.

God’s Peace, Pastor Craig

3The Shepherd’s Voice ■ October 2019 Outreach to Community

Mission Statement“Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s mission is to share the Shepherd’s love with all of God’s Children.”

Core ValuesCalled by our Savior Jesus the Christ, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a Lutheran congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that is ...• a welcoming and accepting

community where all people are welcome to receive God’s love, mercy and salvation. All are children of God, loved and accepted by God and this community of faith just as we are. Come and experience God’s love, share in the joy of God’s grace and learn of the hope that has been given in Jesus, God’s Son. (Romans15:17, Galatians 3:28, Mark 9:37)

• a worshiping community of God’s children that invites all to join us in worship that involves a variety of musical, liturgical and artistic expressions. Worship that is available to anyone wishing to receive the free gift of God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace through our shared worship life. (Psalm 100:1-2, Hebrews 12:28-29, Acts 2:1-4)

• founded in adult and youth ministry education; we build on that foundation by working to facilitate the faith formation of parishioners and community members across generations and support one another in our faith journeys. (Matthew 5:3-11, Matthew 28:19-20, John 13:34-35)

• committed to serve others by living the word daily in action and deed; offering our church facilities as a gathering place for member and non-member alike; and giving of our time, talent and financial resources to support local, domestic and global ministry and mission. (Matthew 25:35-40, Mark 10:45, Luke 10:25-37)

Areas of Ministry FociEngaging the Faithful

Forming FaithHolistic Stewardship

Outreach to Community

In drought prone Kenya, strawberries unlock sweet rewards for struggling farmers

Gary Fields, Lutheran World Relief

Like any mother, Jane Wangechi worried how she was going to feed her family.

A drought that put nearly 1 million people at risk for starvation wiped out the crops she once raised to sell at market. Her husband’s salary as a teacher wasn’t enough to keep purchased food on the family’s table.

The best she could hope for was growing enough maize, beans, peas and potatoes to survive the drought and feed her four children. The stress from the poverty nearly broke up the marriage. The future was uncertain, especially for their children.

Yet you changed everything for the Wangechi family. Your support helped introduce the family to raising strawberries, a new crop that provides sweet benefits beyond the palate.

Dry fields with shriveling crops have been replaced by vibrant strawberry patches. Farmers are reaping benefits of the fruit you introduced. Incomes have increased by nearly half for some.

“When we start a project, we ask ourselves will the community sustain this industry when we are gone? Will it transform people’s lives,” says Jacob Mutemi, Kenya Country Director for Lutheran World Relief. “We believe there will be strawberries here and a market for them for many years.”

Your support helped us to introduce strawberries, which are grown on small parcels like the Wangechi’s. Because they are grown on small plots, strawberries, small amounts of water and fertilizer can be evenly distributed to the crop, making the irrigation systems you

provided even more effective.Strawberries are not grown in great quantities

in Kenya, despite great demand. Your support is creating a marriage of that supply and demand by giving companies a local source of strawberries, while allowing farmers, like Jane, to tap into a potentially lucrative and sustainable source of income to support their families.

Through this project, you helped farmers raise their income by 44%. You also helped women farmers, who are equal partners in making money.

For Jane Wangechi, that income is a godsend. It feeds her family, sends her children to school and the family is building a more secure home.

“Strawberries have changed my life and my family’s future,” she says. “There is nothing my family needs now that we can’t provide.”

Jane Wangechi works her strawberry plot

As a Cornerstone Congregation with Lutheran World Relief, together we have been supporting programs empowering young adults in poor rural communities in Guatemala, Tanzania, Indonesia, and Kenya! Here is a highlight from one of those projects: In Guatemala recently, groups of young adults have been trained in the use of a mobile phone app (Cacao Móvil, developed by LWR) to guide agricultural extension services in the production of cacao, the plant used to make chocolate! Through this training, these young people will gain the skills they need to become valuable resources in their communities, securing a brighter future for themselves as well as for the farmers they support!

4 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

In our connected world the use of an agent may seem the old fashioned way but they are still vital. Most of us have an insurance agent. They help us make a connection with a company that offers the insurance we need for our lives and stuff. I know I would be driven crazy if I had to deal directly with my insurance company without the help of an agent.

An agent can also be someone who delivers the goods and services for another person. Before the time of such connectedness through communication devices, an important message or item was sent with a person, acting as the agent for the sender. They were authorized to act on behalf of the sender in the event of questions as to the transaction. Especially if a message needed to be sent to multiple parties at the same time, several agents would go to the different parties in the name of the sender. It facilitated the spread of the message.

This is how Jesus is sending us to spread the message of God’s love for all people. We are the agents who are sent by Jesus in God’s name to the four corners of the world. The message we share is one of a God who loves us enough to die for us. The title we are given is disciple for we are a follower who then shares our knowledge from the sender/teacher with others.

We are gathered to grow in our understanding through the word and examples of others. To give the message we are sent out as those agents of God’s love.

What others chose to do with the message is their response. The only influence we can possibly have over another is by sharing how our lives are changed by having faith in God’s plan of love, mercy and grace. We share that our trust in God has made it possible for us, with God’s help and guidance, to repair the damage that centering our world on ourselves has caused. By looking outward to see what effect we have on the world we discover God’s plan of community. The connectedness is based on relationships of mutual care and concern for each other.

We discover that we are made complete when we are part of a whole. God uses us to show the world what love can do. Love is a connection that binds us together and with God. It is this that makes us agents, those who bring the good news for God to others.

Forming Faith

Agents of God’s Love

Rev. Julie AndersonAssociate Pastor of Congregational Life

& Pastoral Care

Pastor Julie

We are the agents who are sent by Jesus in God’s name to the four corners of the world.

Caring Ministries Training Do you want to learn how to be an active listener in all parts of your life? Are you curious

about what sort of caring ministry you would enjoy? Then come for the day on Saturday, October 5, 2019, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm in the Lynne Center to learn using the BeFriender Ministry model of learning about listening and caring for the sake of others. After taking the training you will have a better idea of where you are being called to ministry. Contact Pastor Julie if you have questions (julie@goodshepherdbismarck.com or 701-255-1001). An application/information sheet is available on the website Get Involved/Caring Ministries to register for the training. Be part of shaping the Caring Ministries at Good Shepherd.

5The Shepherd’s Voice ■ October 2019 Engaging the Faithful

B.A.H. - Bible @ Home We experience our world through our senses,

why not our faith? Each week a B.A.H. (Bible @ Home) devotional study is available to you. The booklet has six weeks of devotional study that begins to take us through the Bible in a chronological and narrative format. Every household is encouraged to learn the

weekly Bible story well through your sensual experiences of look, listen, taste, smell, touch and balance.

Fluffy, the study sheep, will have hard copies and Bibles for you to take home available in the B.A.H. pens in the narthex and in the lower level. (3rd graders and preschoolers will get Bibles in October.) Look for new devotions in mid-October at the B.A.H. Stations. Let’s become a church that experiences the Bible fully.

Bible studyIf you would like to discuss the devotion,

come and join others each week on Wednesday mornings at 11 am in Room 112. Pastor Julie is going to try Facebook Live post on the GSLC Facebook page weekly on Mondays. Add your questions and comments to the discussion.

Bible engagement opportunities

Bible@HomeBible@Home

Java & Jesus 4th Sunday of the

month at 11:00 amRoom 112

CROP WALK on Sunday, Oct. 13CELEBRATE: 50th Anniversary of the Bismarck-Mandan CROP WALK for HungerGATHER: 12:30 pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran for Hunger

Awareness Activities and Program highlighting 50 years of CROP WALKS.

WALK: 1:30 pm walk begins - around Tom O’Leary path or a shorter path. Come celebrate even if you cannot walk!

SHARE: Light refreshments following the walk. Join together to make a difference! All are welcome.

Living out our calling through service -your neighbor needs you! Thanks to everyone who has been stepping up to help with the needs of the congregation’s life at worship and fellowship. As a result of the current staff vacancy, the children of God who are also members of Good Shepherd have a unique opportunity to continue to serve without being directly invited to serve by a paid staff person.

As the Holy Spirit calls you to live out your baptismal calling in a variety of ways and places, please access the electronic sign-up

sheets by using the App, “Get Involved” page on our website or Sign-Up Central computer in the Narthex. All of these activities are opportunities for us to serve Christ’s church with joy and may include ushers, church school teachers, liturgical readers, facility maintenance volunteer, communion assistants or other types of ministry as the Spirit sees a need. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Pastor Julie at julie@goodshepherdbismarck.com, or 401-4992.

OctoberReadingsOct 6

Hab 1:1-4; 2:1-4Ps 37:1-92 Tim 1:1-14Luke 17:5-10

Oct 132 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15cPs 1112 Tim 2:8-15Luke 17:11-19

Oct 14Deut 26:1-11Ps 100Phil 4:4-9John 6:25-35

Oct 20Gen 32:22-31Ps 1212 Tim 3:14—4:5Luke 18:1-8

Oct 27Jer 31:31-34Ps 46Rom 3:19-28John 8:31-36

6 Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchOutreach to Community

VBS for Adults was roaring success

Esther’s Banquet

I enjoyed attending the adult ROAR VBS. Pastor Julie is a wonderful teacher and had a great format for each of the evening sessions. It was so fun to “dive” into the Bible verse by verse and have meaningful discussion with the other participants and the group as a whole.

I really enjoyed the guest speakers that spoke to our VBS group too. Good to plan for the future. Thank you!

Andrea Doerr-Greff

“Who knew a Bible Story could be so much fun.”

“I had to go home and read the book, it was all true.”

“Now that I have experienced the story I know why it is so important to remember.”

7The Shepherd’s Voice ■ October 2019 Forming Faith

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service others”

-Gandhi

Finding YourselfMohandas Gandhi was an Indian man who

was sent to work in South Africa. He faced many challenges, but continued to serve for the greater good. Gandhi dedicated himself to serving by fighting for the rights of the people of India and in South Africa. He found his true self by giving his life to the fight for “good”. Gandhi’s words, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” are not super complex in the way of understanding his point of view, but the reason why his words are so effective is because of the simplicity of them. He did not use a metaphor and an allusion that would make you look at the bigger picture. Gandhi’s word choice was to encourage action, not thought.

The quote from Gandhi, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” not only relates to me, but gives a description how this past summer went for me. Towards the end of my sophomore year, last year, I had someone point out my biggest insecurities about myself and say that that was the reason why they didn’t like me or want to be friends with me any longer. And I can honestly say that that was one of the worst feelings I have experienced in my sixteen years of life. It’s bad enough that all of us have to deal with our own minds tearing us down, but to have someone else reassure those thoughts is absolutely awful. So, being an “emotional” teenager caring about how others saw me and how other people felt about me, I truly lost myself. I cut off the friends that I did have and I became a completely different Emma. So, I spent the majority of my summer at home, with my family just doing chores and sitting outside listening to podcasts. Not the ideal summer if you ask me. But, towards the end of the summer I had three and a half weeks of being gone and experiencing things that I was not used to.

Though my other trips were fun and beneficial, my mission trip to Denver, Colorado was the one that had the most effect on me as a person. I was nervous about the trip initially, but I knew that it was going to be a success solely due to the fact that my youth leader and my best friend were going as

well. The drive was long and exhausting, but it held many laughs and many stories told. I heard things from people that would never be trusted in the environment put on by high school. Talking about family hardships, fears about the future and even opinions about politics were shared in the long hours in a cramped Toyota Highlander. This is where I began to see that it is okay to have your own insecurities, but it is even more important to listen to others as well because they might need the encouragement more than you.

So, after listening to the struggles of others, it became apparent to me that this trip wasn’t about me. I wouldn’t have time to worry about what others thought about me or how I was perceived, I only had time to make sure that these boys and girls had someone they could talk to and share their real selves with. And that’s what I did. I did not spend hours on my phone wondering what everyone else was doing, I was focused on creating an environment that I wished I had when I felt like a different person. So from July 27 to August 3, I became someone that I wish I could be now. I am aware that this is, in a way, sad but it is nearly impossible to be completely yourself in a place so caught up in how everything looks to everyone else. That is what made the end of the trip so hard, I would have to come up with a way to show the most of the real Emma without fear of being judged or unwanted. School, where everyone is so terrified of what others’ think that they have to tear other people down. But, I know that I have found who I want to be, not only for myself, but for those who feel like they don’t have anyone. I have found the way to become who I want to be, but now I have to learn how to be comfortable in an environment as toxic as high school.

Emma G.

8 Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchForming Faith

Check it outby Julie Fornshell

Library news

Ben Utecht, Super Bowl champion tight end for the Indianapolis Colts, writes this love letter to his family along with Mark Tabb. Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away documents his life from the early days of tossing a football with his dad through his NFL career to the present as an advocate for brain health.

This is a heartfelt book written by a man of faith who loves his family. He also loves the game of football, even though the game left him with multiple concussions and a permanent deficit in cognitive functions. For example, he tells the story of visiting with one of his close friends about the friend’s wedding. Ben expressed his dismay that he wasn’t even invited to the wedding. The friend then showed Ben wedding pictures, and Ben was part of the wedding, but has no memories of being there. Ben’s story is uplifting, faith-filled and courageous. If you’re a football fan, his story will show an interesting perspective into life as an elite football player. Even if you have no interest in football, you’ll enjoy this story. It’s a story about sports, concussions, love, hope, faith and courage.

On another topic, Elmer Dockter made a generous donation to the church library in memory of his wife Virginia. This money has been used to purchase a number of new books – check them out! Some of the new titles are:

• Is that Poop on My Arm? Parenting While Christian by Justin Lind-Ayres: With stories full of humor, honesty, and, yes, even some poop, this book is a welcome encouragement for parents, grandparents, and anyone who cares deeply for the children in their life.

• Honoring our Neighbor’s Faith - A Lutheran Perspective on Faith Traditions in America by Robert Bucklee Farlee: Hundreds of Christian denominations and dozens of non-Christian traditions have followers in the United States. How do we view this wide variety of beliefs and practices? How does the Lutheran tradition compare with others?

• How to Human by Alice Connor: A tender and irreverent take on one of life’s most fundamental questions: how to be a better human.

The newest books to the library can typically be found in the small white shelf along the south wall, in front of the window. On top of that shelf is a white binder with past “Check It Out” articles in case you want to reference past books that were featured in the article. Finally, please remember to return books and DVDs so that others may also enjoy them! Our library has a lot to offer – check it out!

Valley View Heights Assisted Living (A ministry of Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center) is seeking gifts for our tenants for a special Christmas project. This is year 3 of the Christmas Stocking Project, where staff puts together a personalized Christmas stocking for all of our tenants. Some of the items

tenants receive in their stockings have been combs/brushes, eyeglass cleaning cloths, toothpaste, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, lotion/soap, Chap Stick, treats, crossword/word search puzzles and etc. If you are able and willing to provide an item for our Christmas stocking project, please contact Stephanie at 701-221-3018 for more information.

9The Shepherd’s Voice ■ October 2019

The GSLC 2018 Annual Reports are available in the carousels or by the entrances. Pick one up and find out how we share the Shepherd’s love with all of God’s children.

Outreach to Community

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

(2 Cor. 9:7 NIV84)

Stewardship is a tough thing for us Christians to grow into. It challenges us at the very line between faith and reason. God has created us to be logical creatures who can do math, and He has created us as spiritual beings who trust in His ability to do things beyond what our mind can comprehend. At this line between reason and faith, we need to know that God in His word always tells us that His word rules/wins. We are called to be obedient to His word even if that obedience doesn’t make sense to our reason and logic. But, when it comes to my stewardship, I can’t help but do the math. If I give a percentage of my time, talents, and treasures to the Lord, then the net result will be that I have less time, talents, and treasures to be used as I see fit. Whether I give an hour a week or $100 a week, my mind tells me that I will have less time or money that week.

The problem with this train of thought is that it is a train of human thought. God works in a different scope of economy. God is never a one-for-one transactor. He is always quantumly transacting. He can sow 100 seeds and harvest from 150 plants. He can touch one life, and through that life touch millions. Our God can take our hour or our $100 and bless us in such a way that we never miss it. Somehow He

makes it all work out because that is what He promised to do.

So what’s the secret to proper stewardship? Start with your heart, not your head. Paul says in our verse today, “Give what you decided in your heart to give.” True stewardship is a faith thing, not a reason and logic thing. God calls us to move as our heart tells us to move and not as our logical minds might move. Second, he tells us “not to give reluctantly or under compulsion.” We need to freely give in such a way that left hand doesn’t want to pull out of the offering plate what the right hand just put in. We need to give as the Lord is moving us to give. It ought to be as freely given and God’s grace is freely given to us. Last, Paul tells us to be “cheerful” givers. Stewardship should be an opportunity, not an obstacle. We ought to be giving God back some of the time, talents and treasures He has given us in a spirit of joy. We ought to be thankful that the Lord provides us the opportunity to thank Him in this awesome way.

May the secrets of stewardship move us to be cheerful givers!

Peace! Pastor Tomwww.firmlyrooted.org

10 Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchOutreach to Community

Thank you Good Shepherd!Blessings to you and your congregation! We would

like to thank you for your wonderful support of Camp of the Cross Ministries and the Prairie Lake Festival. If it were not for the women’s organizations, councils of each constituent congregation, and individuals, CCM would not be the place it is today. Your support from the beautiful quilts and other items donated to the Prairie Lake Festival and your tremendous financial support is very much appreciated.

Camp of the Cross MinistriesThe Staff and Prairie Lake Festival Committee

God’s boundless grace propels us to share abundantly in faith and love. Thank you for your generous gift to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in support of ELCA missionaries. Your generosity is a faithful commitment to growing God’s global church by supporting our missionaries as they work alongside our global companions, sharing the good news of life abundant.

Rahel Mwitula WilliamsDirector, ELCA Global Mission Funding

The members of the Meals on Wheels Board want to acknowledge and than the volunteers from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church sincerely for taking time out of their busy day to deliver meals in July. During the month, a total of 733 meals were delivered to our clients. Your generous contribution of time will help us continue the much-appreciated services which Meals on Wheels provides and we are able to keep the cost low.

Tera Elston, PresidentMeals on Wheels

The members of the Meals of Wheels Board want to acknowledge and thank you sincerely for your kind contribution. Those who receive the benefit of the nutritious meals which we deliver will benefit greatly from your generosity.

Tera Elston, PresidentMeals on Wheels

Thank you very much for $1000 scholarship. I will be using it to attend the University of North Dakota this fall. I plan to major in computer science and this scholarship will help me achieve that goal. Also, thank you for guiding me in my faith journey.

Thanks again,Brycen Just

We are done! The renovations have been completed in the Bismarck office. Your donation helped make it all possible. The project was made possible by the donations of a few churches, such as Good Shepherd Lutheran. This was accomplished with an estimated 350 hours of volunteer help. As usual with all renovation projects, we did more than planned. It was a good project.

Bryan QuigleyCommunity Engagement Officer

Lutheran Social Services of ND

Dear Good Shepherd, I must say I was overwhelmed with the gifts and cards given to me upon my move to Montana. Your generosity and kind words was just another example of the wonderful way Good Shepherd shares their talents, time and treasures.

You will always have warm place in my heart and be a part of my prayers.

Blessings, Wendy Curry

Senior Forum will meet the second Thursday of the month from 1 to 3 pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in the Lynne Center. Refreshments will be served. Topics will deal with living well and independently. Hosted by seniors of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Anyone interested in learning more about issues associated with aging and the resources available to deal with those issues is invited.

October 10, Funeral Preplanning—from A to MedicaidCome and learn about the basics and changes that have happened which affect preplanning your

funeral. This is a gift you can give your family that is simple and loving. Ginger Paul, Preplanning Consultant from Eastgate Funeral and Cremation Service

November 14, Living Options for SeniorsInformation about assisted living, long term care, and rehabilitation Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center Foundation

December 12, Christmas Carols and goodies

Live Well & Independently??

SENIORFORUM

11The Shepherd’s Voice ■ October 2019 Engaging the Faithful

September StatsBaptized

Rustin Frank PetersonBristol Amelia PetersonEaston Miles EntringerKolt Manley MattsonCameron Michael

KinnischtzkeLayken Renae EgebergCooper Gary Kittell

Funerals/Deaths for August/September:

Richard KupitzMarilyn Vinchattle

Memorials:In loving memory of Dorothy Lussenden:

Margie L. Martin LeeRoger and Marilyn HagenRichard and Karen

EspelandGenevieve and Carlan

KirmisAlbert and Jane FrankRev. Craig and Wendy

SchweitzerKaren and Earl PetersenKirk and Nancy PandolfoMark and Lois AnfinrudRev. Robert and JoAnn

LynneIda SchmittDry. Brian and Jane

JespersonDan and Rita KeeganValborg HoffJohn and Janet DoernerJohn PostovitThe Lussenden Family

In loving memory of John Bellin:

Genevieve and Carlan Kirmis

Margie L. Martin Lee

In loving memory of Penny Blotsky:

Rev. Craig and Wendy Schweitzer

Dear Women of Good Shepherd,It has been a busy couple of months. We have been putting our kits (Personal Care, Baby,

School, and Quilt kits) together to send to those in need. The outpouring of support has been wonderful. You all are the reason we can send these kits out. The support is great! However, as you all know, the need never ends. All of the circles collect donations and monetary donations all year long. If you are interested in donating, whether it be items or monetary, we will continue to appreciate your support! Each kit has a very specific list.

Personal Care:• 1 lightweight bath towel (dark color

recommended) • 2 bath size bars of any brand of soap (keep

the wrapping on)• 1 adult size toothbrush (keep the wrapping

on) • 1 sturdy comb (remove packaging) • 1 metal nail clipper (remove packaging)

Baby Care: (up to 24 months)• 2 lightweight cotton T-shirts • 2 long sleeve gowns or sleepers (without

feet preferably) • 2 receiving blankets (medium weight

cotton or flannel) • 4 cloth diapers (flat fold)• 1 jacket, sweater, or sweatshirt with hood

or baby cap • 1 hand towel (dark in color)• 2 bath-sized bars of soap (keep in

wrapping) • 2 diaper pins or large safety pins• 2 pairs of socks(Consider varying the sizes of the clothing

items so the layette will continue to be useful as the baby grows)

School:• 4 spiral, 70-count notebook of wide or

college ruled • 1 blunt scissors • 1 30-cm ruler (with inches on the other

side)• 5 new, unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers • 5 ballpoint pens (no gel pens) black or

blue • 1 box of 16 or 24 crayons • 1 pencil sharpener • 1 2 1/2 inch eraser

Quilt:Monetary donations are the best for our

dedicated quilters–they know exactly what they need and will purchase as needed. If you are so inclined to give a monetary donation, please leave it in the church office.

The circles of Good Shepherd always have bins in the narthex for all of these items. Can you imagine if every family/individual in our church put 1 kit together? We could send out so many kits to those who need it most!

Thank you all and God Bless!Steph Falcon, WELCA President

WELCA NewsStephanie Falcon, WELCA President

WELCA Bible study resourcesGather, the magazine of Women of the ELCA, offers a mix of articles, theological reflections,

devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith and engage in ministry and action. Gather is published 10 times a year with combined issues in January/February and July/August. A print subscription is $19.95 a year. Digital access (computer, iPad, Android) is free to print subscribers. For more information, or to subscribe by phone, call 1-844-409-0576. Join one of the monthly study circles on the third week of the month as noted in the calendar.

Continued on page 15

12 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

September Council Minutes 9-17-19

Holistic Stewardship

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENTJoel Just - PresidentAddy Houston – Vice-PresidentSam ArndorferHeather LeMoineKarl LiepitzKjersti HintzWendy Berg

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENTClaudia Kubal

OTHERS ATTENDINGAnnette Bjornstad – Executive Assistant

Office ManagerPastor Craig Schweitzer – Senior PastorPastor Julie Anderson – Associate Pastor Pastor Bob Caranicas – Pastor of Youth

and Family Ministries 1) The meeting was called to order

by President, Joel Just. 2) Opening prayer was led by Sam

Arndorfer.3) Approval of Consent Agenda

a) Approval of Minutesb) Monthly Financial Reportc) Human Resources Committee – No

Reportd) Finance Committee Report – No

Reporte) Endowment Council Report – No

Report f ) Holistic Stewardship Committee –

Reportg) Audit Committee Report – No

Reporth) Safety and Security Committee – No

Reporti) Staff Report j) Pastor’s Reportk) Thank You NotesMotion to approve the consent agenda

(Liepitz/Hintz, unanimous). 4) Devotions & Bible Study led by

Pastor Bob.5) Old Business

a) Long-Term Facility Growth/Expansion Plan – Wendy reported that the GSLC Long Range Planning Team recommends that Good Shepherd enter into a relationship with Kairos to establish a timeline and develop phase one of the proposal (Listening/Discovery

phase) with the option to continue with a full project down the road. If possible, Council would like to have a proposal prepared to present at the annual meeting in January. Pastor Craig will contact Rev. Tim Johnson with Kairos to start the process. Discussion held. Motion was made to approve the recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee. (LeMoine/Arndorfer, unanimous).

6) New Businessa) LFI Guiding Team – Pastor Craig

reported that there are 4 members on the Guiding Team with Kjersti Hintz being the Council liaison. The first retreat will be this weekend on Friday and Saturday. Discussion held.

b) Fall Stewardship Series – the stewardship series will take place in November. The series is going to be run a little different this year with it only being held for one week instead of a multi-week sermon series. This is the recommendation of the Holistic Stewardship Committee and similar to practices being adopted across larger ELCA congregations. Discussion held.

c) Fall Rostered Leaders Retreat in Medora – Pastor Craig reported on the retreat held in Medora on September 8-10 that he, Pastor Bob, and Pastor Julie attended. This is always an excellent conference and retreat for our Pastors.

d) Council Member Opening – Discussion was held regarding the open position on Council left by Jeff Ubben’s resignation. Paula Redmann is willing to serve the remainder of this term. Motion was made to appoint Paula Redmann. Discussion held. (LeMoine/Arndorfer, unanimous)

e) Synod Listening Posts – October 25-27 – Pastor Craig will email the Council more information regarding the listening posts centered around missional planning leading up to the Bishop’s election in June 2020.

All the information from the survey that Council completed is being compiled. Discussion held.

f ) Staffing Updates – Pastor Craig gave Council an update on the open positions of Accounting Specialist, Congregational Life Coordinator, and AV Tech position. The Accounting Specialist position has been filled by Sandy Meidinger. An offer has been made to an individual for the Congregational Life Coordinator position. There will be more information coming regarding this as soon as a paperwork is complete. The AV Tech position is still open.

7) Other Business:a. Joel reported that Jeff Ubben also

held a position on the Finance Committee. This position will need to be replaced by a member of Council. This committee meets monthly. Discussion was held. It was decided that Joel will take Sam’s place on the Holistic Stewardship Committee, and Sam will fill the position left by Jeff Ubben on the Finance Committee. Motion was made to accept the changes in committee roles on the Holistic Stewardship Committee and the Finance Committee. (Hintz/Berg, unanimous)

b. Pastor Craig and Addy reported that Rally Weekend at Dakota Zoo turned out excellent. There were approximately 60-70 people who served at the zoo and attend the potluck.

8) Questions from the Floor: (5 minutes, Council may respond at a future meeting)

9) Closing Prayer led by Pastor Julie.

Respectfully submitted,Annette BjornstadExecutive Assistant/Office Manager

13The Shepherd’s Voice ■ October 2019 Holistic Stewardship

YTD Budgeted Contributions: ............................................................................... $ 911,929.00YTD Actual Contributions: ..................................................................................... 880,611.26Difference between Budgeted & Actual: ............................................................. (31,317.74)

YTD Budgeted Expenses: ...................................................................................... $ 999,221.86YTD Actual Expenses: ........................................................................................... 929,852.33Difference between Budgeted & Actual: ............................................................. (69,369.53)

YTD Actual Contributions: ..................................................................................... $ 880,611.26YTD Actual Expenses: ........................................................................................... 929,852.33Net: ..................................................................................................................... $ (49,241.07) Compared to year to date in 2018: $ 16,404.40

Lives forever impacted by ourfaith-filled giving

• We welcomed back over 560 youth this month. This means the continuous need for volunteers and leaders on Wednesday night, Sunday mornings and for various trip/events! Contact anyone in youth to get involved!

• The building is officially home to the Bismarck Catholic Schoolhouse homeschooling program. We welcome over 100 families here a week.

• The Little Free Pantry and its faithful volunteers have serviced an estimated 250 households this summer alone. Thank you for your generosity and continuous supper!

• Your support is also aiding in an emerging Youth Worship Team that meets weekly. Contact Peder for more details.

Thank you for your continued financial support to Good Shepherd that enables us “to share the Shepherd’s love with all of God’s children.”

As of August 2019

Ways to financially support the MissionGive automaticallyThis is the most economical way to give to GSLC and ensure the ministry continues when life gets busy! To get started go to the GSLC App and click on the Give button. Or go to our website, click on Giving, Online Giving and select option one or two. Paper forms are also located in carousels.

Give via TextYou can text 701-205-3394, type in the amount you would like to give, follow the link to register and type repeat to make it a reoccurring or do nothing for a one-time gift.

Give in personTithing and giving an offering are important and we understand that! If you are looking to have the contributions reflected on your financial statements, please have the offering in the envelope with your number on it. Envelope numbers are the only way to track your offering for financial statements.

We are pleased to announce that over 150 financial statements were successfully emailed in the second quarter.

Having your statements emailed saves the church postage, time preparing and printing over 1,800 copies.

To get your statements via email please send a note to Melanie@goodshepherdbismarck.com or call the office at 701-255-1001.

Financial statements by email

14 Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchEngaging the Faithful

Rev. Bob CaranicasPastor of Youth and

Family Ministries

A Little Randomness Greetings all! I am back! My time away was

useful, but I am glad to be in this place, with these people, doing what I love to do. This past summer was busy and awesome. It was relaxing and fulfilling. But, now it is time to hit the ground running. There is a lot going on, so watch the App and your emails. Anyway, I was looking at the text on which I am going to preach this weekend. I am called to preach on two short stories in Luke. One is about a shepherd finding a lost sheep, the other is about a woman finding a lost coin. I have preached on these before and wondered about the wisdom of leaving 99 sheep to find one, or turning a house upside down to find a coin and then inviting a bunch of people to a party. After this summer, I have a thought that the point of these stories may be the celebration.

After these folks find what they are searching for, after they get reconnected with their blessings, there is an invitation to celebrate. Awesome. We all should take a cue here

and learn to invite others to celebrate the gifts that we are given. In that invitation, we don’t invite to gloat or brag, we invite to share. There is a lot in that. If the world thought this way, I wonder how that would change how we view what we have and why we are in relationship with others. I guess we will have to see where this sermon goes.

Over the course of the next few months, you will hear many stories of this past summer. Whether those stories are from me, from the youth leadership team that went on the trips, or from the kids themselves, this is what it means to celebrate the gifts of relationships that we are all giving. Praise God for those gifts. Amen.

Peace, Pastor Bob

15The Shepherd’s Voice ■ October 2019 Outreach to Community

Stats continued...

In loving memory of Dick Kupitz:

Richard and Karen Espeland

Sandy and Gary MeidingerPeter QuistTrudy StauffacherLyle and Myra JohnsonMonte and Irene FelchleRev. Robert and JoAnn

LynneBruce and Constance

EllingsonKaren ThompsonClaire LorinserOwen BrendenCharles GullicksCarole ChristiansonMavis AndersonJade and Stephanie FalconDonna KupitzShirley LordNorma EslingerDietrich’s Of Valley City,

Inc.Daniel and Kathleen

EngstromDorothy and Donald

LitchfieldRev. Craig and Wendy

Schweitzer

In loving memory of Mark Motis:

Chuck Motis

In loving memory of Mary Kukowski:

Karen and Richard Espeland

In Honor:In honor of the baptism of George Hohenberger:

Rev. Craig and Wendy Schweitzer

Church School is off to a fabulous start! The classrooms are full and the halls are crowded.

Our first lesson of the year was on Serving others. We talked about how simple serving others can be. A smile, holding a door, including others, and being kind are all ways we as church school kids can serve others.

During the first week of church school we worked on kindness rocks. Kindness rocks are simply rocks that are decorated by one person and hidden for someone else to find. Simply decorating a rock and hiding it for someone to find is serving!

164 students at Sunday 9:45 am session 41 students at Sunday 11:00 am session 181 students at Wednesday 5:30 pm session 386 total students in church school 19 classroom in use Sundays and Wednesdays6 full-time leaders on Wednesday13 full-time leaders on Sunday 7 high school full-time leader between Sunday and Wednesday

United Way Day of Caring

During the United Way Day of Caring in August, Good Shepherd was able to give the offices a fresh new coat of paint, the pews in the Sanctuary were cleaned and there was landscaping done to trim the sidewalks. We appreciate all the help the volunteers gave us. Thank you!

16 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 419Bismarck, ND

106 Osage AvenueBismarck, ND 58501-2673

Phone: 701-255-1001Fax: 701-255-3644

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDWWW.GOODSHEPHERDBISMARCK.COM

Good Shepherd Worship ScheduleSaturday 5 pm • Heritage

Sunday 8:30 am • Festival 9:45 am • Celebrate! 11 am • Celebrate! 6:00 pm • The Well Wednesday 6:30 pm

Watch Worship Livegoodshepherdbismarck.com/worship/watch-online

Volunteer & Sign-up Onlinegoodshepherdbismarck.com/sign-up-sheet/

Ways to stay informed:Website: GoodShepherdBismarck.comFacebook: Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchTwitter: GSLCBismarckInstagram: gslc_bismarckMobile APP: Good Shepherd Lutheran ND

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s mission is to share the Shepherd’s love with all of God’s Children.

Join us onSaturday,

October 12at 5 pm

Lynne Center