The Shepherd’s HornNewsletter of the Church of the Good Shepherd

February 16, 2012

The happy faces of the Children of the World Choir.  (Photos by Ron Sowers.)

by Scott White, RectorLast night I had the pleasure of seeing The Chil-

dren of the World Choir perform at Good Shepherd. What a powerful and amazing blessing. The choir is composed of children from all over the world, but primarily from developing countries: Uganda, the Philippines, Rwanda, India and others. As I watched and listened, it was hard not to think of the heavenly banquet described in the book of Revelation:

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, stand-ing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10)”

This is the Christian vision of the kingdom of God, a place that is built on the foundation of God, where God’s love, mercy and grace are the only things that matter. One of the songs the choir sang made this clear:

Nothing is Going to Hold Me Down,Nothing is Going to Mute my Praise, Nothing is Going to Take this Joy, The King of Kings is Holding My Hand,Nothing is Going to Hold me Down!”

So there is one question that comes to mind today: “What if this world is holding you down, muting your praise or taking your joy?” The things of this world work powerfully together, sometimes for good and sometimes for bad. The pressures of the world can keep us down. Yet the only thing that matters for this life and the next is the truth that God loves us no matter what we are going through and no matter how many times we fail.

by Paulette PridgenWe all know how it feels to be having a tough

time with some of life’s challenges -- serious illness, emotional or financial issues. Do you remember feeling down, as though no one cares about you and all of a sudden, you receive a phone call, a text or even better -- a handwritten note from a friend -- telling you that you’re in their prayers? It uplifts your spirits and gives you strength to carry on.

“Usually we don’t know why a person is on the prayer list,” Boo mused, “and we don’t need to know.” She added that the notes are simply to tell the people that “the friends at Good Shepherd are praying for them and lifting them up each day for healing strength and hope.”

The seven members of the Good Shepherd Encouragement Ministry feel that they are called to “remind [the people on the prayer list] of God’s love for them and His presence [in their lives] every

day,” said Boo White, leader of the Encouragement Ministry. The members meet in the parlor at 2:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. At that meeting the devoted members divide up the names on the prayer list that the church publishes each week, and the members write a personal note of encouragement to those on the list.

Church members may ask that a person be added to the prayer list by contacting any member of the clergy, Tom or Paulette in the church office. When a person is added, we query as to the appropriateness of writing or, indeed, if a card would be welcome. Only those whose friends have indicated that such a card would be warmly received get the handwritten notes.

As the leader of this ministry, Boo calls or writes, as appropriate, those whose names have been newly-added to the prayer list each week. Some of the individuals -- those with long-term issues --

“Nothing is Going to Take this Joy!”

May you know and feel the truth that it does not matter who you are or where you come from, nor what you have done or left undone, God is for you. “Nothing’s Going to Keep me Down, the King of Kings is Holding my hand.”

may have received cards for years, Boo said.

Boo said, “we get thank you notes from some of the people we write.” They are glad to know that they are being “lifted up in prayer.” Personally, Boo said, “I feel strongly that it is a needed and appreci-ated ministry...it’s fulfilling to me to write because I’m witnessing to my faith when I write.”

The Encouragement Ministry has been active at Good Shepherd for at least 16 years. In addi-tion to Boo White, current members are Timmy Battle, Nancy Chambliss, Dora Haggard, Gail Jenkins, Bonnie Stiles and Carolyn Weeks. Notie Vay Meadows has been active but is taking a break for a bit.

Do you feel this ministry might be the one for you? New members are always welcome. Call Boo White at 443-3220. She’ll be happy to talk to you about this ministry and how it bears witness to her deep, abiding faith.

MINUTE FOR MISSION - Encouragement Ministry

Page 2 • The Shepherd’s Horn

Welcome to our new Eagle Scouts!

Selden Bullock, Jr. and Westray Hicks have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Both young men are members of Good Shepherd and active in our youth groups and missions, including Costa Rica and Gatekeepers; both are also acolytes.

For his Eagle Scout project, Selden raised funds and chose to build a new “elevated, shingled-roof Scoring Center,” complete with electrical wiring, lighting and a sound jack for the PA system at Rocky Mount Academy’s soccer field. Selden, the son of Beth and Bill Bullock, is a junior at Rocky Mount Academy.

Westray focused his efforts on reading. Know-ing that children when they have a mentor who can help them read improve their reading skills, he raised funds to purchase 53 Play-Away books for the Benvenue Elementary School Media Center. Westray is the son of Barbara and Al Hicks and is a senior at Rocky Mount Academy.

Congratulations to Westray and Selden!

Youth ActivitiesGood Shepherd Youth Lock-In 2012!

Friday, February 3rd was a night filled with Pic-tionary, dodge ball, Bojangles’ chicken and ice cream sundaes, manicures and pedicures, and movies (note that absent from this list is “sleep!”) with 23 old and new friends in grades 6-12. These are some of the activities our Youth enjoyed during our Lock-In at Good Shepherd. It was truly a great night, and all of our youth demonstrated that they can be silly while also being respectful toward their peers, chaper-ones, and the space we met in at Good Shepherd.

Thank you to Ivan Price and Don Ulrich who willingly spent the night with us and led the fun, yet somehow seemed way more rested and awake the next morning than did your Assistant Rector, even though they got less sleep! We are grateful to Ivan and Don for their commitment to our youth, and to all of our youth who bring life and energy to this community of faith.

Youth Outreach Weekend 2012March 9-11

Join 9th-12th grade youth from around the diocese for a weekend of music, dancing, outreach, worship, and spiritual reflection as we serve the needs of our community outlined in Matthew 25:35-36:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”

We will partner with Episcopal Farmworker Ministry to prepare donations for farmworkers, and work on a variety of other projects addressing needs throughout Rocky Mount. Go to http://www.dionc.org/Youth/current-registrations-and-application-forms.html and choose “Diocesan Outreach Week-end” to register now. Contact Juliana with questions.

“Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep with God!”Vacation Bible School June 11 - 15

This year’s theme is, “Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep with God!” It promises to be an exciting week with lots of music and activities for children ages 3 through 5th grade. We will once again partner with other local churches, including Lakeside Baptist, West Haven Presbyterian, First Presbyterian, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal.

Good Shepherd is excited to be hosting this ecumenical Vacation Bible School for the first time! Registration will begin in March. Watch for more details over the next couple of weeks, and contact Juliana Lindenberg with any questions: 252-442-1134 or jlindenberg@goodshepherdrmt.org.

Costa Rica Youth Mission TripRegistration Deadline March 1st!

From June 23, 2012 - July 1, 2012, the youth of Good Shepherd are travelling to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, once again this year for our mission trip. Rising 10th through 12th graders are eligible and encouraged to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to know our Costa Rican sisters and brothers in Christ, and to forge friendships with one another as we serve God side by side. Download the flyer and register online now at http://www.goodshepherdrmt.org/youth group! Registration and deposit ($500) are due March 1st. Questions? Contact Juliana Lindenberg, 442-1134, ext. 226 or jlindenberg@goodshepherdrmt.org, or call Louise Anderson at 252-883-6889.

Vestry Members ElectedWe are pleased to announce that Ivan Price,

Mary Tom Shannon, Jim Curtis and Xena Markine-Morrison were elected to serve on the Vestry at our Annual Parish Meeting on February 5. Vestry terms are for three years.

Also, please share your deepest thanks with Ken-neth Burnette, Stephen Anderson, Angela Urqhart and Brent Wilson for their three years of devoted service on the Vestry of Good Shepherd.

February 257 to 10 a.m. in the parish hall

Annual Kiwanis Club

Shrove Tuesday/ Mardi GrasFebruary 22

The fun starts at 5! Crafts! Purple beads! Face-painting! Fun! Food! Come join us for Mardi Gras celebrations! A traditional New Orleans dinner will be served at 5:30 by the Good Shepherd Men’s Group. We’ll have a King Cake just for the festivities!

Lex Mathews ScholarshipThe deadline for application is March 15 and there

are no exceptions. Applicants should be a woman at least 23 years old. Applications are available by calling the church office or you can download the application from the web page: www.ecw-nc.org. Please see the sidebar for more details on the requirements.

Adult Group:

The Parables of Jesus: Stories for Life in God’s World

This series is an exploration of the parables of Jesus and their varied meanings. There are parables of Growth, Reversal, Preparedness, Decision, Trea-sure and Tradition. We will discover applications for a life of faith today and discover fresh perspectives in these timeless words, to enrich faith and deepen discipleship.

Youth Group:

The Fruit of the Spirit Is Not a Watermelon

What is the Fruit of the Spirit? No, it’s not a grape or a banana... but it does include love, joy, peace, pa-tience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. A fruit salad like that is a tall order. How do we live in a way that the Fruit of God’s Holy Spirit is evident in our lives?

The Shepherd’s Horn • Page 3

Announcements

Ash WednesdayFebruary 22

7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with the imposition of Ashes and hymns (a 30-minute service)

12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist with the imposition of ashes and hymns (a 50-minute service)

6:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist, including with the im-position of ashes and music with the Cherub, Alleluia and Good Shepherd Choirs (a 60-minute service)

Sunday Adult Education Forums

Faith and the Founding Fathersby Ivan PriceFebruary 19

Was America founded on Christian principles? Were the Founding Fathers devout Christians? How did church and state relate to each other in Colonial times? The answers may surprise you. In this presentation we will explore the subject of religion and its relationship to the architects of American independence.

Writings on Marriage: A Church-Wide Lenten DiscussionFacilitated by the RectorFebruary 26 through March 25

Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. St. Paul describes the relationship between Jesus and the church as a “bride adorned for her

bridegroom.” Though the particulars of how mar-riage is understood and administered has changed through the centuries, it has always been a vital part of Christian life and of nearly all cultures of the world. Marriage continues to be a hot topic for the church and our wider culture.

We will use, for our conversations, a book published by the Diocese of North Carolina last year titled, “Writings on Marriage.” The book is available at the church, for download at the church web site, for order at www.lulu.com, and for download to your e-reader at ibooks. Hard copies are also avail-able in the narthex.

Though you are free to read the entire book, we will look specifically at the following entries:

• “Introduction,” by Greg Jones• “Love,” by Stanley Hauerwas• “From Marriage to Holy Matrimony,” by Todd Dill• “You have to Be Crazy,” by Jo Bailey Wells• “Humpty Dumpty, Augustine and Marriage,”

by Robert Wright• “Shelter and Context for Trust,”

by The Lutheran Church• “Marriage and The Law,” by Hugh Stevens

Youth & Children’s Forum Programs

The Youth Forum on New Year’s resolutions will continue through February 12. Join us for this series based on the Book of James in which we will seek ways to live into our resolutions, with God’s help. Topics will include: “Resolutions,” “Judge Not...,” “The Power of Words,” “Perseverance,” and “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no: Being the One Others Know They Can Count On.”

Our younger children’s Faith Quest program is finishing the topic of

“Jesus, the Good Shepherd,” and will begin the next unit entitled,

“Lost and Found.” Children ages 3 to 5th grade are welcome and encouraged to join this energetic, hands-on group of faithful learners and teachers!

Prayer for Ash WednesdayAlmighty God, you have created us out of the

dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, page 265)

The Church of the Good Shepherd231 N. Church Street • Rocky Mount, NC 27804(252) 442-1134 • www.goodshepherdrmt.org

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Have You Heard?

Benton Moss, Freshman Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill, is playing baseball for the Tar Heels. North Carolina is ranked # 4 in the pre-season polls. Benton is the son of Tom and Ashley Moss.

Jim Curtis has invited Anna Mayhew, the author of “The Dry Grass of August”, a novel that reveals “a particular time in American history through the prism of a young girl’s coming of age,” to speak at the Thomas Braswell Memorial Library on March 1 at 6:30 p.m.

Thank you to all those who gave during Sunday’s Souper Bowl of Caring. You donated almost $200 to benefit Meals on Wheels.

Do you have news for the church? Please call or email Paulette Pridgen at 442-1134 or ppridgen@goodshepherdrmt.org

Reconciled to God by Amy WelbornLenten Meditations by the Episcopal Relief & Development

Ash Wednesday marks the begin-ning of the liturgical season of Lent. Lent is an opportunity for us to simplify and refocus our minds and hearts and lives on what is first and foremost: loving God with all of our being. It is an invitation not to self-punishment or deprivation, but for slowing down, and intentionally making space in our lives to reflect upon and deepen our relationship with Jesus, who died so that we might be made whole. We have two devotional booklets for this Lenten season that we hope will serve as guides, as we begin again the long walk with Jesus through the cross, the tomb,

Music at Good ShepherdSunday, February 19 • 5 p.m.

Alleluia Sunday Choral Evensong

The St. James School Choir (St. James, Maryland) will sing this candlelight evening service celebrating Alleluia Sunday in the English cathedral tradition. The choir is under the direction of Simon Holt, Organist and Choirmaster at the St. James School.

Childcare will be provided and a reception will follow.

Lenten Meditations & Devotionsand into the joy of the Resurrection at Easter.

“Reconciled to God” is a book of Lenten devotions written by Amy Welborn. This small book can serve as a companion on the way, as we seek during Lent to make a space for Jesus’ reconciling love to take root and flourish. The second book, “2012 Lenten Meditations,” is published by Episcopal Relief & Development. This publication is a collection of reflections based on Scripture and other sources of spiritual wisdom, with an eye toward joining the fight against preventable diseases, and promoting health and well-being for all.

These resources will be available in the narthex for a donation of $1. Please take one as you begin your Lenten journey.

Sunday, March 11 • 5 p.m.

Music for Flute and Harp: A Candlelight Concert

Beth Kupsco (flute) and Vonda Darr (harp) will present a concert including works by Mozart, Debussy, Bizet, Delibes and Liszt. This program is the sixth annual Lynn Kroncke Memorial Concert. Childcare will be provided and a reception will follow.