News

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.

 

Church Member Survey– THIS MONTH

An important step in the call process relates to the church-wide member survey. The ministry description will be developed based on this information to aid us throughout the remaining call process. The survey should be completed by all current church members age 13 (confirmed) and older, and can be taken online or by paper. Please choose one method to complete as completing both is not necessary. The survey typically takes 8-10 minutes online or 15-20 minutes utilizing the paper format. A sample is available at the church if you’d like to see the types of questions included in the survey prior to the actual survey dates.

The online survey will be available April 10 – 20 at the following site: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C3WTY66

Utilize the following password when prompted: (Contact church office for password)

If you’d like to complete the online survey but have limited or no access to the internet from home, we will have devices available in the church conference room before and after the services on the 10th and 17th so members can    complete the survey at those times. Paper surveys may be picked up at the church starting April 10. These surveys should be returned to the church office by April 20. Paper surveys will not be accepted after April 20 similar to the online survey. The paper surveys will be immediately shipped to the District office and entered into their system by  District office staff.

Survey instructions: Please pay careful attention to the questions. Certain questions on the survey will ask for 3, 4 or possibly 5 answers. Be sure to provide the right number of answers or your answers may be voided entirely by the District’s electronic system. Even if you are having trouble identifying the fifth item in a 5 part answer, pick one! If you have any questions, please contact a Call Committee member, and thank you for participating in this important part of the process!

Call Committee members: Greg G., Teri K., John N., Rob S., Jennifer S., Dave W

Announcements — April 3, 2016

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Stella Q., Sue V., recovering from surgery at St. Luke’s; Aaron P. at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis receiving treatment for cancer;  Kathy P., suffering health issues; Jack H., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T., undergoing treatment for cancer.

† CHURCH MEMBER SURVERY  The online and paper survey will be available    April 10th – 20th.  Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C3WTY66 using passcode GSCS2016, or obtain a paper survey from the church office beginning April 10th and return it to the church office by April 20th.  Please pay careful     attention and answer the survey questions exactly as asked. Certain questions     on the survey may ask for 3, 4 or possibly 5 answers.

† GAME GATHERING  The Lutheran Youth Fellowship will be hosting another  Game Gathering event next 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 Gathering in July!  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.  Hope to see everyone here!

† EASTER BREAKFAST  Thanks to all those who helped with the Easter breakfast, assisted during the services, and donated items for the Easter egg hunt last Sunday!  What a wonderful way to celebrate our risen Lord on Easter!

† THANK YOU  The LYF would like to thank the congregation for their donations to their group at the Easter breakfast.  It is wonderful to have such generous support from our congregation.

† LYF MEETING today at the church at 6:00 pm.  Please, make an effort to attend because there is much planning to do!

† EASTER LILIES  Thanks to all who helped make our church look so beautiful Easter Sunday by purchasing lilies to adorn the altar!

† JR CONFIRMATION RETREAT  There are four youth currently attending the Jr Confirmation Retreat at Camp Windermere.  Pray for safe travel as they return this afternoon.

† 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 22.  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.

† LWML SPRING RALLY  The LWML Spring Rally will be held on Sunday, April 24, at St. Andrew’s Church in Stockton.  It is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm with     registration starting at 2:30 pm.  The program will be Jason Glaskey with the Comfort Dogs.  All ladies (and men) are invited to attend these rallies.  They are a      wonderful afternoon of spiritual growth and spending time with fellow Lutherans.

† SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFERINGS  For the first couple of quarters in 2016, both the adult and the children’s Sunday School offerings will be going to Children’s Haven in Joplin.  Children’s Haven is an organization that provides a temporary home and nurturing care for local children ages 0 – 17 whose families are experiencing a   crisis.  Our goal is to raise $1,000.00 by the end of the second quarter.  If you would like to monitor our progress toward this goal, keep an eye on our bulletin board downstairs that will track our Sunday School offerings!

† 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.