Announcements

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Stephanie S, recovering from surgery; Ruth H., Jack H., Letitia L., Carol L., recovering at home; Raymond S., rehabbing after a fall; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T., undergoing  treatment for cancer.

† THANK YOU  Many people have loaned furnishings for the house I am renting in Carthage.  Apparently many more offered to support my service in that way.  Such hospitality makes it easier for me to work away from my wife and family.  Whether your furniture is in my rental or not, thank you for welcoming me into your family of faith.  May the Holy Spirit enable you to practice generosity to future pastors, members and this community.   ~ Pastor Mackie

† EVEREST VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL was a huge success.  Thanks to everyone who helped this year.  The kids had a wonderful week learning about God’s awesome power!  God has the power to provide, comfort, heal, forgive, and love us forever!  “HOLD ON!”

† A HUGE THANK YOU for all the food donations, money, kitchen help and volunteer servers that helped make VBS suppers a success.  Without everyone’s generous support it would not have been possible to feed all in attendance! ~ Rosann Chapman

† THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will resume this Thursday, August 6 at 9:30 am.  This week’s snacks are being handled.  Looking    forward to getting started again!

† LWML  The regular meeting for August, scheduled for this Tuesday, has been cancelled.  The next regular meeting will be in September.

† STEPHEN MINISTRY NEWS  Earl Kirn has recently been trained as a Stephen Ministry leader.  He joins Janet Chambers who was previously trained as a leader.  They both are capable and willing to teach and train additional Stephen Ministers.  Tentatively, we are planning a class starting in the fall.  After the service today, several members of the recently created Stephen Minister Board will be available in the conference room to provide additional information and to answer questions about becoming a Stephen Minister.  We encourage anyone interested in this ministry to stop in and learn more about this distinctively Christian caregiving Ministry.  Feel free to ask questions at any time of any of our current Board members, Earl Kirn, Janet Chambers, Clarice O’Moore, Brenda Delmez, and Curt Spieker.

† VOTERS’ MEETING CHANGE  This quarter’s regular Voters’   Meeting has been rescheduled from Sunday, August 2, to Sunday, August 9, at 7:00 pm.

† PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION   Thank you to all those who have helped with the installation of the new playground!  It was wonderful to have so many people involved in putting it together.  A special thanks goes to Earl K., Bill C., and Bob S. who spent many extra hours in the heat (and rain) between Saturdays finishing up the holes, pouring concrete, etc.  What a special gift of their time and talents!

† AN INVITATION FROM PASTOR SCHUMACHER  On Sunday,  August 16, at 2 pm, the members of Grace Lutheran Church in Aurora will be having a special “Service of Thanksgiving and Praise.”  The occasion is to celebrate with Pastor Schumacher the loving kindness and tender mercies our Lord has extended to him during his fifty years of ministry.

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Jack H., at Freeman Hospital with low kidney function; Raymond S., rehabbing after a fall; Ruth H., Letitia L., Carol L., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T., undergoing treatment for cancer.

† INTENTIONAL INTERIM  Pastor Roger Mackie has accepted the call to be Good Shepherd’s Intentional Interim Pastor.  His installation service will be at 2:00 pm today, followed by a reception at 3:00 pm.

† GUEST PASTOR  It is wonderful to have Pastor Schumacher, retired pastor from Grace in Aurora, and his wife, Elaine, here again today.  Thank you, Pastor Schumacher, for handling the service.

† VBS BEGINS  Vacation Bible School starts this evening, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, with a light dinner at 5:30 pm.  The offerings from VBS this year will go toward “Stuff the Bus”.  There is a list in the bulletin of the things that are needed, and of course, money is always appreciated.

† LUTHERAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP REMINDER  The LYF will be handling the game station for VBS, which starts this evening and goes through July 30.  If you are not planning on being here for the 5:30 dinner, plan on coming around 6:15 pm.  Please be here as much as possible, because it takes several hands to keep the station running smoothly.

† THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY  The Thursday morning Bible Study group will take a break for the rest of July until Pastor Mackie arrives.

† STEPHEN MINISTRY NEWS  Earl Kirn has recently been trained as a Stephen Ministry leader.  He joins Janet Chambers who was previously trained as a leader.  They both are capable and willing to teach and train additional Stephen Ministers.  Tentatively, we are planning a class starting in the fall.  After the service on August 2, several members of the recently created Stephen Minister Board will be available in the conference room to provide additional information and to answer questions about becoming a Stephen Minister.  We encourage anyone interested in this ministry to stop in and learn more about this distinctively Christian caregiving Ministry.  Feel free to ask questions at any time of any of our current Board members, Earl K., Janet C., Clarice O., Brenda D., and Curt S.

VOTERS’ MEETING CHANGE  This quarter’s regular Voters’ Meeting has been rescheduled from Sunday, August 2, to Sunday, August 9, at 7:00 pm.

† PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION  Thank you to all those who have helped with the installation of the new playground!  It was wonderful to have so many people involved in putting it together.  A special thanks goes to Earl Kirn, Bill C., and Bob S. who spent many extra hours in the heat (and rain) between Saturdays finishing up the holes, pouring concrete, etc.  What a special gift of their time and talents!

† DEVOTIONAL BOOKS  There are several books on the information desk in the narthex, please feel free to take anything you would like.

† SUMMER WORSHIP  For the summer months, we are having one   worship service on Sunday and it begins at 9:00 am.  Sunday School and   Bible class are at 10:30 am.

† 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  Raymond S., rehabbing after a fall; Ruth H., Letitia L., Carol L., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T. undergoing treatment for cancer.

† INTENTIONAL INTERIM  Pastor Roger Mackie has accepted the call to be Good Shepherd’s Intentional Interim Pastor.  His installation service has been set for 2:00 pm, next Sunday, July 26, followed by a reception at     3:00 pm.  Pastor Mackie will be at the Sunday service that morning, so there will be some time to meet him before the Adult Bible Class.

† THANK YOU!  IT WAS WONDERFUL!  Gerry and I would like to thank everyone for your love expressed in hugs, songs, cards, gifts, tears, laughs and well wishes last Sunday for my retirement.  The singing was beautiful.  And the dinner. . . what wonderful food and fellowship we had.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  We love you and God bless you     always.                                                          ~ Pastor and Gerry

† GUEST PASTOR  It is wonderful to have Pastor Schumacher, retired pastor from Grace in Aurora, and his wife, Elaine, here for the next two Sundays.  Thank you, Pastor Schumacher, for handling the services.

† VBS KICK-OFF PARTY  Come out to the Carthage Municipal Park this afternoon for this year’s VBS kick-off.  The fun will start at 4:00 pm   with rides at Kiddie Land.  There is a cook-out at 5:00 pm.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided.  Those attending are asked to bring a dish to share.  The festivities will conclude with swimming at the Carthage Municipal Pool from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

† VBS REGISTRATION  Vacation Bible School will be held July 26 – 30, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, with a light dinner at 5:30 pm each evening.  There are registration forms on the round table in the narthex.  Also, there is a sign up sheet for food donations that are used to provided dinner each evening.  The offerings from VBS this year will go toward “Stuff the Bus”.  There is a list on the information desk of the things that are needed, and of course, money is always appreciated.

LUTHERAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP REMINDER  The LYF will be handling the game station for VBS, which runs for July 26 – 30.  If you are not planning on being there for the 5:30 dinner, plan on coming around 6:15 pm.  Please be there as much as possible, because it takes several hands to keep the station running smoothly.

† VOTERS’ MEETING CHANGE  This quarter’s regular voters’ meeting has been rescheduled from Sunday, August 2, to Sunday,  August 9, at 7:00 pm.

† TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME  There are two opportunities coming up this summer to see some baseball and hear The Shepherd’s Own!  On Sat., Aug. 1, the Shepherd’s Own will be singing the National Anthem at an Arkansas Naturals’ ballgame and on Fri., Aug. 7, they will be singing the National Anthem at Lutheran Night at the ballpark for a Springfield Cardinals’ game.  There are sign-up sheets on the information desk in the narthex for discounted tickets and deadlines for when the ticket money is due.  Please see your July newsletter for more info.  Contact Jim G. if you have questions.

† HELP NEEDED – PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION  Thank you to all those who have helped so far with the installation of  the new playground!  There is still a little more work to be done.  We will be working again this Saturday, July 25, starting at 8:00 am.

† DEVOTIONAL BOOKS  There are several books on the round  table in the narthex, please feel free to take anything you would like.

† SUMMER WORSHIP  For the summer months, we are having one   worship service on Sunday and it begins at 9:00 am.  Sunday School and   Bible class are at 10:30 am.

† 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  Raymond S., rehabbing after a fall; Ruth H., Letitia L., Carol L., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T. undergoing treatment for cancer.

† BAPTISM  We rejoice with David & Kaitlyn Hammer at the baptism of their son, Cross Alexander Hammer, during a family service Saturday afternoon.  Cross was born December 2, 2014.  His sponsors are Seth C. and Tom M.  Cross is the great-grandson of John and Janice H.  God be with this family as they grow in His grace and love.

† PASTOR’S RETIREMENT LUNCH  After Pastor’s last official service today our congregation will celebrate his many years serving our congregation with an “Old Fashioned Potluck” retirement lunch.  There won’t be Sunday School or Adult Class this morning.  The committee asked that folks kindly wait until an announcement is made that lunch is ready before heading downstairs to eat.

† INTENTIONAL INTERIM  Pastor Roger Mackie has accepted the call to be Good Shepherd’s Intentional Interim Pastor.  His installation service has been set for 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 26, followed by a reception at 3:00 pm.  Pastor Mackie will be at the Sunday service that morning, so there will be some time to meet him before the Adult Bible Class.

† VBS KICK-OFF PARTY  Come out to the Carthage Municipal Park for this year’s VBS kick-off on Sunday, July 19.  The fun will start at 4:00 pm with rides at Kiddie Land.  There is a cook-out at 5:00 pm.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided.  Those attending are asked to bring a dish to share.  The festivities will conclude with swimming at the Carthage Municipal Pool from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

† VBS REGISTRATION  Vacation Bible School will be held July 26 – 30, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, with a light dinner at 5:30 pm each evening.  There are registration forms on the round table in the narthex.  Also, there is a sign up sheet for food donations that are used to provided dinner each evening.  The offerings from VBS this year will go toward “Stuff the Bus”.  There is a list on the information desk of the things that are needed, and of course, money is always appreciated.

† HELP NEEDED – PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION  Saturday, July 18, at 8:00 am, is the day planned for the installation of the playground equipment.  This will take all day, so even if you can’t make it by 8:00 am, please come out and help later in the day.  This is an extensive project which will take many hands!

† THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY  The Thursday morning Bible Study group will take a break for the rest of July until Pastor Mackie arrives.

† TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME  There are two opportunities coming up this summer to see some baseball and hear The Shepherd’s Own!  On Sat., Aug. 1, the Shepherd’s Own will be singing the National Anthem at an Arkansas Naturals’ ballgame and on Fri., Aug. 7, they will be singing the National Anthem at Lutheran Night at the ballpark for a Springfield Cardinals’ game.  There are sign-up sheets on the information desk in the narthex for discounted tickets and deadlines for when the ticket money is due.  Please see your July newsletter for more info.  Contact Jim G. if you have questions.

† SUMMER WORSHIP  For the summer months, we are having one   worship service on Sunday and it begins at 9:00 am.  Sunday School and Bible class are at 10:30 am.