News

Stephen Ministry

Update From Curt S.

Stephen Ministry (SM) is a way for our congregation to train and mobilize members to provide Christ-centered care and support to people experiencing many different kinds of life difficulties, including grief, divorce, terminal illness, unemployment, spiritual crisis, and other challenges. A trained Stephen Minister (SM) is the “Care Giver” for the person needing care who is the “Care Receiver”. As in all things, we rely on our Lord for assistance, who is the “Cure Giver” during the caring relationship.

In February, GSLC had the following individuals complete our first SM class: George M., Jim G., Jan G., Gretchen N., Melissa W., Sherri F., Sandy D., Lenora L., Clarice O and I.  A total of 8 GSLC Stephen    Ministers (care givers) are currently active to provide distinctively Christian care for people in need. As of this writing, 6 of the 8 Stephen Ministers have begun caring relationships with a Care Receiver, with the other 2 SMs nearing an assignment. The majority of the care receivers are GSLC members, although we have a few people outside our church membership. Our Lord is truly at work in the Stephen Ministry at GSLC!  Our SM team asks for your continued support and prayers that our Lord provide this Ministry with guidance, patience, and humble love as our care through Christ is ministered to others in need.

Since most of the trained SMs currently have caring relationships, and relationships tend to last months, sometimes a few years, it’s important to schedule a 2nd class this fall to have new SMs trained so GSLC can provide  additional care. Historical data from the SM program shows that a typical congregation may have up to 30% of a church’s membership or family experiencing a crisis in their lives.  We ask any of you that have the time and   desire to prayerfully consider becoming a trained SM. In the upcoming months the GSLC Board and SMs will host some informational meetings after Church about the SM program.  In addition, there is excellent information  available to bring home on the South wall in the narthex.  There is a fantastic website, www.stephenministries.org, with much more information including testimonials from Care Receivers and Pastors, who also benefit from having this resource available. A final resource is to discuss with any of the SMs, the Stephen Leaders Earl K. and Janet C., or Don L. who is a SM board member.  Also remember that if anyone has a need for a SM, this should be discussed with Pastor, Earl or Janet.

70 & Over Dinner

An Annual Youth Group Event    May 1 at 5:00 pm 

All members (and their spouses) that are 70 years of age and over are invited to attend this annual dinner prepared and served especially for them by our Lutheran Youth Fellowship Group.  Not only will they be waited on and served a wonderful meal, they will be entertained as well.

Need a ride or the meal delivered to your home?  That can be provided ~ just relay that to any member of the Youth Group or let the church office know.

This special event is one way our youth wish to show their appreciation for these seasoned congregational members.  It is always a lot of fun for both the younger members and the older members.  Please, RSVP to the church office, 358-1325.  We hope you can attend!

 

Call Committee Update

The call process is moving ahead in full at this point. Over the last several weeks we’ve been able to meet with President Hagan concerning the process and Rev. Brassie regarding the survey. The month of April will include a survey as noted on the front page of the newsletter. Please read this information as we’d like to get participation from as many members as possible.

The results from the survey will provide insight      into how we believe the Lord is guiding our church and the direction we should go in the future. Rev. Brassie   will assess the information and explain it to the Call  Committee so that we may draft a “ministry description” which will guide us throughout the remainder of the call process. A list of pastors from the District that “best fit” our ministry description will then be provided and the Call Committee will start their review of the pastors’ profiles. Once the review is complete, the list can be narrowed   and interviews (this is a standard part of the process now)    and potential visits by the pastors can occur.

As the Call Committee looked at the process it       became evident that our first Call may not occur until   mid to late summer. President Hagan made it clear that our expectations should remain appropriate in that it is common for the call process to take 12-18 months before our next full-time Pastor is revealed to us (and sometimes even longer).

We are approximately three months into the process at this point.  The Call Committee will remain diligent and keep the process moving appropriately.

At the last Voters meeting we announced that if you know a pastor that you believe should be considered during the call process, please submit a written request to do so. The request should include the pastor’s name and current position, your name (in case we need to follow up with you) and how you know the pastor you’re submitting. These   requests should be submitted to either Dave W. or Rob S. by May 5th. These pastors will be included in the   initial list from the District and compared to our ministry description.

Please continue to include in your prayers our church, the Call Committee, Rev. Mackie and our next pastor being prepared by our Lord and Savior.

 

Game Gathering

Back by popular demand:  The Lutheran Youth Fellowship will be hosting a Game Gathering event on Sunday, April 10, at 3:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a fun afternoon of Bingo and prizes put on by the members of our LYF.   Everyone is encouraged to come, bring a friend and enjoy some fun while supporting our youth for the National Youth Gathering in 2016! There will be some concession type food available during the time and there will be door prizes and Bingo prizes including gift cards to various restaurants and other locations. The suggested donation for a pack of Bingo cards to play all the rounds is $10.00. Looking forward to seeing everyone for an enjoyable afternoon!

* If you would like to come but need a ride, contact the church office at 358-1325.