(Jesus said,)

"Don't think that I

have come to

abolish the law or

the prophets: I

have come not to

abolish, but to

fulfill...

Therefore whoever

breaks one of the

least of these

commandments, and

teaches others to do

the same, will be

called least in the

kingdom of heaven.

For I tell you, un-

less your righteous-

ness exceeds that of

the scribes and the

Pharisees, you will

never enter the

kingdom of

heaven."

(Matthew 5:17,19-20)

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

Blessed are those who have no time to pray ~ for they are MY prey.

Blessed are you when you read this and

think it has everything to do with other people and nothing to do with you. ~ I've got room for YOU at my inn.

I know that many of us, myself included, like to skip over the law and rush to the Gos-pel. Theologians like Bonhoeffer warn that in doing so we run the risk of cheapening the precious grace gifted to us through Jesus’ sac-rificial love. If we are indifferent to the law, we turn our back on its calling, which often moves us to separate ourselves from worldly success and embrace our calling as disciples of Jesus. The great atheist-turned-Christian author, C.S. Lewis said, “Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is finding his place in it, while really it is finding its place in him." Jesus does not dispose of the law; Jesus embraces it and with it battles with tempta-tion and everything that calls us away from God. For Matthew's community and for us- Jesus is not only the new Moses- a law giver, but Jesus the messiah is actually the law fulfil-ler! And most importantly, Jesus not only ful-fills the law for His sake, but for Our sake as well! That's right—it is Jesus who does what we could never do for ourselves—and Jesus does this to show us how much God loves us! Our whole lives are opportunities to live in joyful appreciation, praise, and service in re-sponse to this precious Grace! May we all grow in appreciation for the gift of the law and embrace not only its mean-ing, but also the Spirit behind the law which is Jesus Christ. May we also remember that Jesus' promise to be with us to the end of the age means that we can be bold to follow in Jesus' footsteps knowing that when we stum-ble and fall, that the Good Shepherd will for-give us, and raise us up again and again. Blessed are you- dear child of God!

CELEBRATING 63 YEARS IN GOD’S SERVICE

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

Dear Faithful People of Good Shepherd, During the long dark days of February we continue our Epiphany journey each Sunday hearing Jesus’ challenging and comforting words from his Sermon on the Mount. This collection of sayings is worthy of a life- time of study, reflection and practice. Many of the greatest theologians have used the Beatitudes, which begin the sermon, as a guide for faithful living. It was these beatitudes that seemed to compel Dietrich Bonnhoeffer to leave the com-fort and safety of New York City during the outbreak of WWII to return to Nazi Germany to help the fight against Hitler and to bring comfort and hope to his people. His decision would cost him his life, but as Jesus says later on in the gospel, “For whoever wills to save his life will lose it and whoever will lose his life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25) Today, how do we hear Jesus sermon? Are these sayings of Jesus moral imperatives that we strive to live by- or do we plug our ears and turn the page to other words that comfort us and challenge us less? Perhaps if we pause and look at a twisted version of the sermon- one that Satan might use- maybe then we will get the point!

Satan's Beatitudes

Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in Church ~ they are my best workers.

Blessed are those who wait to be asked and

expect to be thanked ~ I can use them in my business.

Blessed are those who are touchy. Soon

they will stop going to church ~ verily, they shall be my missionaries.

Blessed are those who sow gossip and trou-

ble ~ they are my beloved children.

Well here we are in the middle of a true northeast winter. Even though the elements somewhat restrict what we can do outdoors, I can tell you that planning continues with regard to major improvement projects made possible through the For Future Gen-erations Campaign. Within a week of this writing we will be signing a contract with our contractor for the church roof. After materials are ordered and received the con-tractor will keep an eye on the weather and pick a week to complete the installation. This work will be accomplished on week days. Specifications for the roof call for six inches of insulation, thereby sustaining our commitment for energy conservation throughout our campus. Our Request for Proposals on the replacement of the win-dows and entry doors has been completed and several contractors are preparing their

responses. We will keep everyone informed of our progress and the actual start date for the roof project.

In Christ,

Kevin Ocker Congregation President

One of the great joys for me of serving at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School is helping to lead Children’s Chapel with Pastor, Judy Hinsch, and our wonderful teachers and assistants. Several times a week I spend time with those who are the future of our world and church. It both humbles and inspires me that I am called to help teach our young children the unconditional love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ! In a recent Children’s Chapel I spoke about what it means to give our hearts to Jesus. I asked the children to give me some examples of what it means for them. With some prompting they responded with sharing toys with friends, listening well to teachers and parents, and letting someone else take a turn first, etc., and

then, completely unprompted, a young child raised his hand and said, “Vicar Nick, I’ve already given my heart to Jesus.” I was speechless. And overjoyed! And moved by such a beautiful witness of faith from a three year old! We have so much to learn from our children, no matter their age. They inspire me with their openness, their faith, their trust, their curiosity, and their love. Each and every day is a new day for all of us to learn and grow in faith and love of God. Here is a prayer Pastor and I say with the children each time we meet which has become one of my favorite prayers: “Dear God, thank you for another day. Help us to have open eyes, and open hearts, and open minds to learn about your love. Amen.” I hope it becomes one of your favorite prayers too!

In Christ,

Vicar Nicholas Sollom

The Good Shepherd Fund has received eleven (11) grant applications to consider for the 2013-14 granting cycle. As funds are limited, you are welcome and encouraged to submit your input to the board. The applications will be available for your review beginning Sunday, February 2 in two ways.

1. Copies of the applications will be available for viewing in the narthex. Although the applications must remain in the narthex, there will be a summary sheet available for you to take home.

Members may also view the applications online at www.ourshepherdlives.org. Please follow the following instructions to view the applica-tions:

Click on: Members

Click on: Keep and Share

Enter log in: gsmember

Enter password: jesuslovesme (all lower case letters)

When advertisements appear, Click on: Continue to My Account

Click on: Visit Friends’ Shares

Click on: Files (under Good Shepherd) and then 2014 Grant Requests

Read document by clicking on the downward green arrow

Please share in writing your comments about the applications with any member of the Good Shepherd Fund Disbursements Board either in person or via email through Sunday, February 23. Comments will also be solicited at the open forum held during the Adult Education Hour from 9 – 9:45 a.m. in the school gymnasium on Sunday, March 2.

Applicants were instructed of the guidelines as follows:

“The Good Shepherd Fund provides grants to Christian organizations to assist with the development of fresh and innovative initiatives designed to bring the love of Jesus Christ to persons who might not otherwise be reached with the Gospel.”

Relevant factors in the evaluation of grant applications to The Good Shepherd Fund include:

a. Articulation of the evangelical outreach of the ministry proposed

b. Capability of persons in charge to provide appropriate oversight of the distribution of funds

Commitment of the applicants to seek funds from within their own constituency and/or funding sources additional to the Good Shepherd Fund where appropriate

The process the Board follows is:

1. The Board shall gather grant applications and reproduce copies for interested members of the congregation

2. The Board shall solicit the written reaction of the membership.

3. The Board shall provide for a congregation open forum for discussion of applications.

4. The Board shall present a disbursements plan to a meeting of the Congregation Council after it has taken congregation member reactions into consideration.

Upon approval of the Congregation Council, the Board shall report the adopted disbursement plan to the congregation at the meeting to be held in May and authorize the disbursement of funds.

The Good Shepherd Fund Disbursements Board John Hinsch, Chair: j4bhinsch@hotmail.com

Eric Betz: ebetz@verizon.net Jeff Kassan: jkassan48@gmail.com

Lori Mason: lorimason442@gmail.com Anne Rickmeyer: arickmeyer@gmail.com

The synod energy program, voted for by our Good Shepherd representatives at the 2010 convention, has not been showing good results. More participation from all our synod congrega-tions to decrease our overall atmospheric pollution by more efficient energy use is hoped for. Good Shepherd has been making good progress from earlier efforts but has considerably more wasteful energy targets to address. At the end of the calendar year 2013 our energy consumption was at a 31 percent reduction. From 2004 to present this has resulted in about $155,000 savings in utility cost. Only 5 percent of our walls and roofs were insulated, and now 40 percent are. As we start to insulate the remaining 60 percent, we will approach our 50 percent savings goal and eventually our 75 percent savings potential. The many improvements re-quired have been identified and some might be approved in time.

- Submitted by Odd Sangesland

Plenty of God’s work is being done here at Good Shepherd, be it through our For Future Generations capital cam-paign ensuring the perpetuity of our Church’s mission or the Good Shepherd fund providing grants to Christian organi-zations to assist with the development of fresh and innovative initiatives designed to bring the love of Jesus Christ to persons who might not otherwise be reached with the Gospel or through our own efforts to conserve energy. There are plenty of opportunities here in which you may participate. In addition to those mentioned above, here are just a few more...

OurSocial Ministry Team

With the support of our congregation and our community. Social Ministry reaches out in love to our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the year. We supply warmth with the collection of hats, gloves, scarves, and coats; joy in the spirit of Christmas with gifts under the tree, and nourishment by helping to keep the shelves at the food pantries full.

Our Worship and Music Team Worship & Music has welcomed three new members to their ministry team: Lois Fassino, Judy Hinsch, and Marge Wenger. The team has responded to the very real need for additional ushers by asking individual families and groups of friends to serve. If you would be willing to serve as an usher once every couple of months, please contact a W & M team member. The team has also been involved in planning a once a month Taize service on the third Sunday of the month be-ginning in May. Taize is a candle-lit service consisting of meditative singing, silence, prayer, and scripture. While start-ing out as a vespers service, the intention is to hold a Taize communion service several times a year. Grant requests have been submitted to the Good Shepherd Fund Disbursements Board and the Memorials Ministry Team to provide start up funds for this new ministry. Worship & Music is once again giving baptismal banners to children being baptized. Additionally, we are looking into getting a firm in to assess the organ and make recommendations and exploring options for baptismal font repair or replacement.

Our Finance Team

This team plays an important role in developing Church and School Budgets, reviewing financial statements and report-ing monthly to Church Council and School Board members. Do you have experience as a bookkeeper, accountant or are you just really good at managing money? If so, we’d love to have you on our team!

For more information about these and other ministry teams on which you may like to serve, please contact the church office!

Congratulations to John & Judy Hinsch, on the birth of their grandson, Daniel James Wilinski, III!

Kimberly Allan - 2/27

Martha Berardino - 2/26

Alexis DiSapio - 2/15

Calista DiSapio - 2/20

Sabrina Greig - 2/28

Brianna Hansen - 2/27

Kristina Jordan - 2/22

Loré Kachianos - 2/22

Dillon Kwarta - 2/15

Matthew Marlin - 2/22

Dr. Allison D. Mecabe - 2/17

Ann Oker - 2/20

Mackenzie Pech - 2/12

Skylar Pekarek - 2/4

Josef Saueracker - 2/1

Gunhild Schabel - 2/18

Lauren Sieloff - 2/3

Nancy Ann Stingelin - 2/27

BABY’S FIRST BIRTHDAY!

LILLIANA SHIOWA MASON—2/20

OH BOY! OH BOY!

Beginning Wednesday, February 5, at 3:00 p.m.

You are invited to a monthly

Service of Healing

At Shepherd Hill Community Center

To be held on the first Wednesday of each Month

Followed by tea & conversation.

We look forward to sharing

these special times with you.

Your friends & neighbors at

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

CA

LE

ND

AR

AS

OF

1/2

8/1

4—

SU

BJE

CT T

O C

HA

NG

E—

PLE

AS

E S

TA

Y A

BR

EA

ST O

F U

PD

ATE

S O

N O

UR

WE

BS

ITE

.

WE PRAY FOR...

T H O S E S E R V I N G

I N T H E M I L I T A R Y

Roger Griffith & Nick Sollom

Judy and John Hinsch, celebrating the birth of their grandson, Daniel James Wilinski, III, on December 28th .

T H O S E W H O A R E C E L E B R A T I N G

T H O S E I N N E E D O F H E A L I N G

Maureen Kelly Araujo, Elaine Backmeier, Alex & Derek Bartkow, Cindy Becker, Edwina Bishop, John Binsfeld (Benner family friend), Martin Bolivar (Louise Lamont’s cousin), John & Eddie Brusdeliens (J. Hinsch family friend), Lynne Carlson (Irma’s daughter-in-law), Edna Carrera (Martha Peterson’s friend), Carol Cassis (Elaine Cassimatis’ mother), Ava Cataldo (GSL student), John Ciarico (Olsen family friend), Gisela Conforti, Dorothy Cronin, Chris Cucci (Naomi Hulver’s student) & his family, Frank D’Elia, Claudia DeMauro, Kristin DeMayo (McGowan family friend), Ken Dixon (Pastor Eric’s friend), Susan Dowd (Maisch family friend), Sally Ducey, Anna Duda (Denise Bartkow’s mother), Becky Ernst (Paul Wenger’s cousin), Ryan Faret & his family, Jim Fassino, Irene Fields (Naomi Hulver’s aunt), James Fields (Vincent Cronin’s nephew), Judy Gersten-feld & Family (Naomi Hulver’s relatives), Mary Gessing (Vincent Cronin’s cousin), Lilah & Jim Gillett (Kathy Prinz’s friends), Erika Green, Sidak Hans (Victoria Shenko- Jacobson’s friend), Margaret Holleran (Eleanor Pearson’s friend), Renee Iannone (Irma Carlson’s niece), Alexis Jacob-sen (GSL teacher LeeAnn’s daughter), Jake (Maisch family friend) & his family, Anna Jerome, Lois Kaza-rian, Dillon Kwarta, Toni Anne LaGois, Kenneth Lane, Martha Langhahr, Else Lippold, Phillip Lorch, An-thony Marazzo (Brown family friend), Jim Mason, Bea McCabe, Pastor Fred McElderry (St. Andrew’s in West Hempstead), Claire Mehrhoss (Alice Vorstadt’s friend), Ruth Odwazny, Meghan Ortega (Lisa Olsen’s niece), Nick Portugal (Liam Broggy’s friend), Dr. Mark Prowatzke (Danny Wenger’s father in law), Roger Ressmeyer (Judy Hinsch’s cousin), Justin Rogers (Karin Kienle’s nephew), Fred Ruff, Julia Saprenza,

Glenn Schabel, Susie Shaffer (Kathy Prinz’s friend), Adam Sink (Judy Hinsch’s nephew), Ian Spadaro, Nancy Stingelin, Audrey Schwartz, Anna Stutzbach, Joyce Tare, Madison Von Bargen (Ruff’ family friend), , Kirsten Wenger, Carole Weyant (Maisch family friend), Vicki Zaleski (Olsen family friend), and Richard Zaltman (Michael Allan’s father).

Keith & Kyle Calderone (Army), Specialist Sean Hassett (Lori Mason’s cousin), CPT. Paul Rickmeyer, Captain Robert Saueracker, LTC. Phillip Sounia, USMC, Corporal Nicholas Ventrelli-O’Connell (Patty Larson’s family friend).

I N G R A T I T U D E

Many thanks to all who came to my home on

12/22 to Christmas carol. It was truly uplifting!

—Dorothea Spadaro

T H O S E P R E P A R I N G

F O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T R Y

UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 2014

WITH COUNSELING SITES LOCATED IN: NASSAU SUFFOLK MANHATTAN QUEENS WESTCHESTER

Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools

What is Valentine’s Day?

The one day a year couples express their special

love for one another and celebrate the special rela-

tionship they have together? A church festival day?

(But our contemporary Valentine’s Day has come a

long way from the old Feast Day of St. Valentine

listed on many church calendars.) Wikipedia de-

fines Valentine's Day as “the day of the year when

lovers show their love to each other. This can be

done by giving flowers, chocolates, Valentine's

cards or just a nice gift.” Maybe it’s just one day a

year when you’re not allowed to be negative in any

way toward your significant other?

The best and latest research on couple relation-

ships suggests that every day of the year “zero

negativity” is an important key to a loving, con-

nected relationship. Being critical, blaming, con-

temptuous, defensive, and stonewalling are behav-

iors that are the main predictors of separation and

divorce. If you are in an intimate couple relation-

ship and are reading this article, I’d like to suggest

to you some EVERYDAY ways that you can enter a

“zone of zero negativity” and do your part in having

that loving togetherness you both desire. Creating

and preserving an atmosphere of connection, com-

passion, and safety in a marriage needs to be a

daily priority. Without a feeling of safety, there can

be no connection. And without connection, love

can quickly wither and die. Here are five keys to

entering that zone of zero negativity:

1) Develop personal habits to make your rela-

tionship a completely positive place. Learn how to

love your partner in the way they want to be loved.

For example, frequently express appreciations and

admiration for them; let your partner see your

fondness for them in your glance, touch, and tone

of voice; plan to spend regular quality time togeth-

er; make your partner’s needs and desires as im-

portant to you as your own.

2) When negativity threatens, become a love-

finder instead of a fault-finder. Find and share

something in your partner that you value and ap-

preciate; keep focused on what you find that is

right about your partner, rather than what is

wrong.

3) Build a joint emotional bank account. Re-

search is showing that successful relationships

have 5-to-10 positive interactions for every one

that is negative or conflict-based (5+deposits for

every withdrawal). Make deposits regularly by giv-

ing acknowledgments and appreciations, continue

dating and spending one-on-one quality time to-

gether, showing and expressing your care and love

for your partner in all kinds of ways.

4) Don’t get hung up on self-righteous anger.

Conflict in every relationship is normal. Conflict is

growth trying to happen. Disagreement is inevita-

ble but hostility is optional. Move from negative re-

activity to seeing every frustration and conflict as a

gift and opportunity to stretch and grow. Doing

what is hardest for you to do to make your partner

feel loved and cared for will promote your own

greatest growth and maturity.

5) Ask not what your relationship can do for

you; ask what you can do for your relationship. Be

committed to clearing up those things that get in

the way of you and your partner connecting. Learn

and use new communication skills that help resolve

conflict (like Imago dialogue). And ask yourself,

What is it like living with me, being in a relationship

with me? Make yourself safe enough for your part-

ner to tell you what is going on for them. Be em-

pathic, understanding and validating toward your

partner.

The key is to end all negativity in the way you

relate to your partner. This is not easy, because

many of us are addicted to negativity and have a

hard time letting go. But this is a very positive per-

sonal project to work on, which can reap phenome-

nal benefits in your life and your relationship.

These guidelines come from Imago Relationship

Therapy, the model I most frequently use in my

counseling with couples.

THE ZONE OF ZERO NEGATIVITY

Rev.. Ronald W. Lehenbauer, D.Min, S.T.M., M.Div., Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, New York LMFT

Contact Lutheran Counseling Center at 1-800-317-1173 or e-mail us at Center@lccny.org for more information or to set an appoint-

ment. Visit our website at www.lccny.org .

DATE SERVICE

ASSISTING

MINISTER

LECTOR FLOWERS

ETHEL’S

COFFEE HOUR

February 2

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 10:00 a.m.

Bonnie McGowan &

John Schwaninger

Ellen

Sangesland Anne Rickmeyer Adult & Bell Choirs

February 9

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 10:00 a.m.

Anne Rickmeyer &

Christin Walsh Lori Mason Anne Rickmeyer

Gisela Conforti &

Beatrice Haas

February 16

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Pastor Marc will preside

at all services

10:00 a.m. Judy Hinsch &

Marilyn Benner Judy Hinsch Judy Hinsch

Ellen Sangesland &

Carol Burfeindt

February 23

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

Vicar Nick will preside

at all services

10:00 a.m. John Schwaninger &

Kathy Ocker Anne Rickmeyer Nancy Stingelin

The McGowan &

Jansky Families