Ministries at Good Shepherd

Here is just a brief list of just some of the ministries at Good Shepherd that were represented at this year's (2006) missions fair.

Some of these ministries offer you the opportunity to use your spiritual gifts (1st Corinthians 12). Others provide the opportunity to use your natural gifts. Using your gifts, both natural and spiritual, to build up the Body, the Church, is key to growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

WORSHIP

Readers: Readers are called to read from God's Word during the service. If you have a good reading vocabulary and strong voice, this could be your way to serve.

Choir/music: If you love to sing or have been gifted with the ability to play a musical instrument, use that gift to glorify the Giver.

Acolytes: Acolytes are those called to serve, assist, and worship at the altar during the service. They are leaders of worship who process in and out bearing the cross or the lit candles ahead of the pastors. We are always in need of new acolytes so please sign up if you would like to take part.

Altar Guild: The altar guild cares for everything on the altar from the chalice and paten to the linens and vestments. They also prepare the altar for Sunday services, making sure wine and bread are placed in the right places.

Eucharistic Ministers (LEM's): LEM's process in with the clergy and assist in the distribution of Communion. It is a special calling that requires a deep sense of reverence and love for the Eucharist. If you sense God leading you in this direction, please let me know so that we can test that call.

EDUCATION :

Home Groups: As mentioned above, the home-groups will be starting sometime this fall. The purpose of these is not only to deepen your faith in Jesus Christ, but also to build fellowship and relationships. All members of Good Shepherd are encouraged to commit either to a bible study or to one of the home-groups.

Sunday School: This year we have a lot of new kids so we also need help. We already have a core group of teachers for the fall, but we will likely need some for the summer. And helpers are needed year round. Also, since we have so many new kids, we are asking parents to fill out a very brief information form with contact information and any health concerns.

Bible Studies: There are five active bible studies that meet weekly at Good Shepherd. You are invited to join any of them. For beginners, the New Beginner's Bible Study curriculum has proven very helpful. If you are already somewhat familiar with the bible, the other studies may be well suited. There will be a list of all the bible studies and a place for you to sign up underneath each one.

Nursery: The nursery remains open throughout Sunday morning from 8:00am to noon. We are always in need of helpers. There will be a sign-p sheet next to the display.

PROPERTY: IMPROVEMENT & MAINTENANCE

Sextant/Property maintenance: There are a lot of men at Good Shepherd. This is great. There is a lot of work to be done. We are setting up a work crew sign up sheet. When you sign up to be part of the work crew, it means that if there is a project or job that needs to be done, the Junior Warden can call on you to help out. We hope to gather a large pool of volunteer workers so that we don't have to keep asking the same people to help.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Shepherd's Bowl: There are currently four volunteer Shepherd's Bowl teams that rotate by week. If we gather enough volunteers we may have more. If you would like to volunteer for the Shepherd's Bowl, there will be a display and a sign up sheet. Let us know if you would like to cook/clean, or serve. This is a great way to help the poor and hungry in our neighborhood and reach out to them with the love of Christ.

Ushers/Greeters: Being an usher or greeter is another way of reaching out to the community. In fact, as a greeter, you would be the first person most guests will see when they come to Good Shepherd. If you are outgoing and eager to meet new people, this may be your calling.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

Stewardship: I need help. I am horrible at raising money to pay the church bills. We are hoping to put together a stewardship team to assist me, the vestry, and the treasurer in this very important ministry. God has so ordained his Church that is survives materially on the tithes and offerings of his people. Help us survive

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Episcopal Church Women: The ECW is one of the historic organizations at Good Shepherd. The mission is to serve the parish by organizing fund-raisers, preparing refreshments for baptismal, marriage, and funeral receptions held at the church, and, generally, to enjoy one another's company. They meet once a month on a Tuesday morning and share lunch afterwards.

Intercessors: after a year-long hiatus, we are restarting this prayer team. Every week I will put out a list of prayer needs for the parish and parish leadership. Intercessors commit to pray for those needs daily. If you are gifted in prayer and devoted to prayer for the parish, this is a powerful ministry through which God has blessed and grown the parish.

Communications/Newsletters: If you are a writer, know the internet, good with computers, office equipment or just generally have good clerical skills, we need your help. We hope to reestablish the newsletter this year. But to do so we need an editor, dedicated writers, and people willing to fold and mail it. Also we need help folding Sunday bulletins, updating the website and making copies. If you would like to volunteer your services, there will be a sign-up sheet in the parish hall.

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