Announcements

Friends in Christ,

On March 30^th the board of elders met again to discuss how the church would proceed with services, as we planned to do when we met back on the 17^th. At this meeting we decided to extend our cancelation of services and activities through April 24^th. The board of elders plans on meeting again on April 21^st to evaluate our situation and needs going forward.

Since this extended date means we will not be conducting regular services during Holy Week and Easter, the board considered how we might meet the needs of our congregation while also being cognizant of individual and community safety. Working within the constraints set forth by the Missouri governor and DHSS of a 10 person group, and following the guidelines given by the president of the Missouri District of the LCMS, we have decided to make communion available to individuals or small family groups. Our plan is to schedule 15min. time slots (to avoid overlap) on Thursday April 9 ^th. These short services would be held outside and every effort will be made to minimize contact and maintain distance. If you would like to participate, call the church office to set up a time. More information will be available as the date gets closer.

For Easter, we have entered into discussions with the 66 Drive-in Theater about using their venue for an Easter service that would be attended exclusively from one’s vehicle. As of this writing we are scheduled for a service from 1-2pm on Easter. More information will also be available about this service as details are worked out and the time gets closer.

I would like to say thank you to all of you for being patient and understanding as we try to navigate these times here at church. We are trying to serve you all as best we can while also keeping everyone safe. To that point, if you are uncomfortable taking part in any of the church’s various activities over the next few months, I do not want you to feel obligated to come. If you do not come to take communion you still have salvation, your sins are still forgiven. Communion and even meeting together are gifts of God that not all Christians over the years have been as blessed as we have been to receive with regularity. And yet, they all still had Christ’s promise. They all received salvation. This world may change but what Jesus has done for us will never change.

Speaking of change, do keep an eye on our Facebook, website and your inbox. Many of the plans I laid out above could change significantly in the next two weeks. We will do our best to get information out as soon as possible. It would also be nice if you shared this info with people you know would not otherwise receive it. Thank you, and do not hesitate to let us at church know if there is a way that we can better serve you or your neighbor.

In Christ,
Pastor Mehl

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Family,

The situation surrounding the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to change rapidly. We have been monitoring information as it has been made available. On the evening of March 17, the Board of Elders with the Church Council met to discuss our response. The Board of Elders, having oversight of the church’s worship activities, decided to postpone all church gatherings and activities through March 30th. We will meet again at that time to reassess the situation.

We attempted, for the first time last Sunday, to stream the service via Facebook Live with positive results. We plan on making the services scheduled over the next two weeks available on our Facebook page. We will also continue to provide the audio of the sermons on SoundCloud and on our website. We will make future announcements on our Facebook page and through our announcement email list. If you would like to be on that list, contact the church office.

Please know that these decisions were not entered into lightly. This situation is unique to our modern times and causes us to consider anew how we can best show God’s love to our neighbor. We can find peace at this time by trusting that God has us in His hands and that, through His Son, our salvation is secure.

In Christ,

Pastor Silas Mehl

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Lee Ann C., at St. Luke’s undergoing rehab, Emily M., recovering from a procedure to repair a ruptured bowel; Bernice R., recovering from shoulder surgery, Jack H., at St. Luke’s dealing with multiple health issues; Katherine R., homebound; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.

† ATTENDANCE BOOKLET PROCEDURE  The attendance booklets will now be located on the pew on the center aisle side.  During the offering please sign the attendance sheet and then pass the booklet toward the outside aisle. 

† FELLOWSHIP DINNER  The Fellowship Committee is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner tonight at 5:30 pm.  The dinner will feature corned beef and cabbage.  Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Nathan  Wehrman.

† 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 to fill the eggs.  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!

† VBS MEETING  There will be a VBS volunteer meeting after Sunday School on Sunday, March 29.  At this meeting, we hope to provide an  overview of this year’s theme and plans, match volunteers to specific roles/tasks, and distribute materials to section leaders.  We would love to have all our always-eager volunteers at this meeting as we begin preparing!  Please plan to attend!

† EASTER BREAKFAST SIGN-UP  The Easter breakfast sign-up sheet is in the narthex on the round table.  Please take a moment to check it over and then put your name by what you are willing to bring.

† LENT began February 26 with our Ash Wednesday services.  We will once again have weekday services each Wednesday at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm throughout Lent. Be sure and utilize these services as part of your Lenten observance.

† CONCERT  You are invited to hear the Kansas City Lutheran High School combined band, choir, and handbells in concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Monett, on Wednesday, March 18, at 7:00 pm.  A meal precedes the concert at 6:00 pm.  Please come to support these young Lutheran musicians as they kick off their spring tour.  

† EASTER LILIES  If you would like to purchase one or more Easter Lilies to help beautify the sanctuary on Easter, please use the sign up sheet in the narthex.  They will be $8.00 each.  Please make checks to Diana Endicott.

† CHILDREN’S MESSAGE  GSLC is looking for individuals to add to our children’s message rotation.  If you would be interested in helping in this area, please talk to Pastor Mehl.

† LWML QUARTERLIES  The LWML Spring quarterlies are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.

† PORTALS OF PRAYER  The new Portals of Prayer for the spring are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.