Announcements

† IN OUR PRAYERS Esther M., at Maple Tree Terrace in Carthage; Ruth H.,receiving rehab at NHC Healthcare of Joplin; Heather U., at home undergoing further medical care; Jody G.,  in extended care; Luverne C., Ellie H., Carol L., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., undergoing treatment for cancer.

† EASTER EGG HUNT  THANK YOU to those of you who donated goodies for the Easter egg hunt.  The youth had a great time putting the eggs together and hiding them and the children enjoyed this fun tradition!

† OUR THANKS to everyone who helped with the Easter Services, the Easter breakfast and the special activities for our children.  You are greatly appreciated.

† SCRIPTURE STUDY  Since Earl Kirn is away at Stephen Ministry Training, the Wednesday morning Scripture Study Group will not meet this week.

† THE LYF wants to say a special THANK YOU for the love offering taken up at the Easter Breakfast.  It’s a great start to their fundraising efforts for the National Youth Gathering in July of 2016.

† PASTOR’S CLASS  If you are interested in learning more about the Lutheran Church and it’s teachings, are interested in joining the congregation, or would like a refresher course in church doctrine, Pastor   is having an informational class on Sunday afternoon, April 19, from    1:00-6:00 pm.  The class is informal and you are encouraged to bring along your questions.  Everyone is invited and welcome.  Please let Pastor know if you are planning to attend.

† GRIEF SUPPORT  For April, our Comfort in Sorrow (Grief Support Gathering) will meet on the fourth Thursday, April 23, instead of the third Thursday.  The group will meet at 5:00 pm.

† LWML SPRING RALLY  The LWML Spring Rally will be held on Sunday, April 26, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin.  It is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm with registration starting at 2:30 pm.  All ladies (and men) are invited to attend these rallies.  They are a wonderful afternoon of spiritual growth and spending time with fellow Lutherans.

† LUTHERAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP will meet next Sunday at 6:00 pm at the church.  The parents are invited to attend.  There will be  a discussion about the National Gathering in 2016 and the upcoming fundraising that needs to be accomplished.

† LWML RALLY IN-GATHERING  At each LWML rally there is an in-gathering.  This year’s is for Soul’s Harbor Refuge Center.  Our women will be taking goods for this to the spring rally.  Anyone who would like to contribute to this is welcome to place items in the basket provided in the narthex.

† ATTENTION ALL GRADUATES  If you are graduating from high school, college, tech school, etc. we want to hear about it.  Please get a picture with a bio to the church office by April 24.  We want to publish your accomplishments and future plans in the May issue of the Shepherd’s Staff.  Parents, we may need your help with this, we don’t want to leave anyone out, but if we don’t have the information we can’t print it.  Thanks.

† CHURCH COUNCIL will meet this evening at 7:00 pm.

† FLOWER CHART  There are several empty spots coming up on the flower chart. If you would like to place flowers at the altar for a special occasion or in memory of someone, please sign the flower chart hanging on the wall next to the water fountain in the hallway.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.

† ASSISTIVE LISTENING  If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.

† BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are available in the nurse’s office   after the service.  You will be given a small form that can be carried in your wallet which will include medical information and a log of your blood pressure readings.

† PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex by nursery) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.

† IN OUR PRAYERS The Brewer. Family, at the death at Renee; Esther M., at Spring River Christian Village; Ruth H., receiving rehab at NHC Healthcare of Joplin; Heather U., at home undergoing further medical care; Jody G., Audrey M., Janice H.’s mother, in extended care; Luverne C., Ellie H., Carol L., recovering at home; Paula B.,April K., undergoing treatment for cancer.

† RENEE BREWER  There will be a visitation for Renee Brewer this evening from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm and the funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm tomorrow.  Both will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.    

† EASTER EGG HUNT  Once again the Board of Education (with a lot of help from our Lutheran Youth Fellowship) is sponsoring the annual Easter Egg Hunt.  The excitement begins right after the Easter breakfast.  

† OUR THANKS to everyone who helped with the Easter Services, the Easter breakfast and the special activities for our children.  You are greatly appreciated.

† SCRIPTURE STUDY  The Wednesday morning Scripture Study Group is back to its normal time of 10:30 am.

† LOVE OFFERING  At the Easter Breakfast the LWML will not be asking for a free will offering, but we will be taking up a love offering which will go to the Lutheran Youth Fellowship for the National Youth Gathering that the group will be attending in July of  2016.

† GRIEF SUPPORT  For April, our Comfort in Sorrow (Grief Support Gathering) will meet on the 4^th Thursday, April 23, instead of the 3^rd Thursday.

† ELDERS’ MEETING  The Elders will meet tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm.

† LWML will meet this Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm.

† OVER-50 GOOD SHEPHERDS will meet this Thursday at 6:00 pm.

† LWML SPRING RALLY  The LWML Spring Rally will be held on Sunday, April 26, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin.  It is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm with registration starting at 2:30 pm.  All ladies (and men) are invited to attend these rallies.  They are a wonderful afternoon of spiritual growth and   spending time with fellow Lutherans.

† ATTENTION ALL GRADUATES  If you are graduating from high school, college, tech school, etc. we want to hear about it.  Please get a picture with a bio to the church office by April 24.  We want to publish your accomplishments and future plans in the May issue of the Shepherd’s Staff.  Parents, we may need    your help with this, we don’t want to leave anyone out, but if we don’t have the information we can’t print it.  Thanks.

† NURSERY/CRY ROOM  Should your child become distressed or distract others during the service, a furnished nursery/cry room is located in the narthex for your use.  Please ask one of the ushers if you need directions.

† IN OUR PRAYERS Esther M., at Spring River Christian Village; Ruth H. ,receiving rehab at NHC Healthcare of Joplin; Heather U., at home undergoing further medical care; Ellie H., receiving rehab at Wildwood Skilled Nursing Facility; Jody G., Audrey M., Janice Hammer’s mother, in extended care; Luverne C., Carol L., recovering at home; Paula B.,April K., undergoing treatment for cancer.    

†        HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE 

         Wednesday Evening—Classes return to previous time schedules Maundy Thursday Communion Service – 11:00 am, 7:00 pm

Good Friday Tenebrae Service – 11:00 am, 7:00 pm

Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil – 12:00 pm. – 12:00 am.

Easter Early Communion Service – 7:30 am.

Easter Breakfast – 8:30 am.

Easter Egg Hunt – 9:30 am.

Easter Worship Service with Communion – 10:45 am.

†      CONGRATULATIONS  We rejoice with Jeremy & Melissa R. at the birth of their baby boy, Grayson William.  Grayson was born March 5, in Springfield, MO.

† EASTER EGG HUNT  Once again the Board of Education (with a lot of help from our Lutheran Youth Fellowship) is sponsoring the annual Easter Egg Hunt.  The excitement begins right after the breakfast Easter Sunday, so bring your own basket and get ready for some fun.

†     THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will not meet this week due to the 11:00 am Maundy Thursday Service.

† EASTER BREAKFAST SIGN UP  The Easter breakfast sign up sheet is in the narthex on the round table.  We are still in need of egg casseroles, sweet rolls, and fruit.  Please take a moment to check it over and then put your name by what you are willing to bring.

† SCRIPTURE STUDY  This Wednesday, April 1, the Scripture Study Group will return to its normal time of 10:30 am.

† LOVE OFFERING  At the Easter Breakfast the LWML will not be     asking for a free will offering, but we will be taking up a love offering which will go to the Lutheran Youth Fellowship for the National Youth Gathering that the group will be attending in July of  2016.

† EASTER LILIES  If you would like to purchase one or more lilies to help adorn our sanctuary on Easter, please use the sign up sheet in the narthex.  The cost is $8.00 each.  Please pay Diana E.

† HOLY SATURDAY PRAYER VIGIL  There is a sign up sheet for our Saturday, April 4^th, Prayer Vigil on the narthex round table.  Please consider signing up for a 15 minute slot.  Certainly you are welcome to come in for prayer at anytime and you can stay as long as you want, but we would like to have someone here in prayer through the entire 12 hour time period.

† THRIVENT  Our next Thrivent Chapter meeting will be at 6:30 pm on  Monday, April 6, at Faith Lutheran Church in Carthage.  We will finalize plans for activities through June and plans for the closing of the chapter effective July 1.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

† PORTALS OF PRAYER  You will find the newest edition of the Portals of Prayer on the table by the nursery in the narthex.

† LWML QUARTERLIES  The new Quarterlies are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.  Ladies, remember to pick one up!

† IN OUR PRAYERS Ruth H.,receiving rehab at NHC Healthcare of Joplin; Heather U., at home undergoing further medical care; Ellie H., receiving rehab at Wildwood Skilled Nursing Facility; Jody G., Audrey M., Janice Hammer’s mother, in extended care; Luverne C., Carol L., recovering at home; Paula B.,April K, undergoing treatment for cancer.

† JR CONFIRMATION RETREAT  There are five youth and two adult counselors currently at the Jr Confirmation Retreat at Camp Windermere.  Pray for safe travel as they return this afternoon.

† LUTHERAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP will meet at the church this evening at 6:00 pm.

† EASTER BREAKFAST SIGN UP  The Easter breakfast sign up sheet is in the narthex on the round table.  We are still in need of egg casseroles, sweet rolls, and fruit.  Please take a moment to check it over and then put your name by what you are willing to bring.

† LENT  During Lent, we have weekday services each Wednesday at     11:00 am and 7:00 pm.  Part of the passion story of Jesus is read each week.  Be sure and utilize these services as part of your Lenten observance.

† SCRIPTURE STUDY  Due to our 11:00 am Lenten service, the Wed. morning Scripture Study Group meets a little earlier, 9:45 am, during Lent.  If you are planning on attending the morning Lenten service, you could come a little early and join them!

† EASTER EGG HUNT  The LYF will be filling the plastic eggs for the annual Sunday School Easter Egg hunt.  They are asking the congregation    for donations of rolls of nickels/dimes, small prizes, or bags of individually wrapped candy.  Your donations can be placed in the container provided in the youth room or they can be dropped off in the church office.  Thanks for your help with this project!

† LOVE OFFERING  At the Easter Breakfast the LWML will not be     asking for a free will offering, but we will be taking up a love offering which will go to the Lutheran Youth Fellowship for the National Youth Gathering that the group will be attending in July of  2016.

† EASTER LILIES  If you would like to purchase one or more lilies to help adorn our sanctuary on Easter, please use the sign up sheet in the narthex.  The cost is $8.00 each.  Please pay Diana E.

† HOLY SATURDAY PRAYER VIGIL  There is a sign up sheet for our Saturday, April 4^th, Prayer Vigil on the narthex round table.  Please consider signing up for a 15 minute slot.  Certainly you are welcome to come in for prayer at anytime and you can stay as long as you want, but we would like to have someone here in prayer through the entire 12 hour time period.

† PORTALS OF PRAYER  You will find the newest edition of the Portals of Prayer on the table by the nursery in the narthex.

† LWML QUARTERLIES  The new Quarterlies are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.  Ladies, remember to pick one up!

† PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex by nursery) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.

† ASSISTIVE LISTENING  If you are having a hard time hearing the   service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.