Volume 3, Issue 9

Good Shepherd

Lutheran Church

Senior Pastor

Dave

Sonnenberg pastordave

@goodshepherdonline.org

Associate Pastor

Jon Hundt pastorjon

@goodshepherdonline.org

Sunday Worship

8:30 & 10 a.m.

Traditional

11:15 a.m.

Contemporary

10 a.m.

Sunday School

For All Ages

Shepherd’s Link Good Shepherd • 16420 S Westland Drive, Gaithersburg, MD • 301-869-1780 • growinginministry.com March 1, 2009

WELCOMEWELCOMEWELCOMEWELCOME SPIRITSPIRITSPIRITSPIRIT Building Community in Many Ways Building Community in Many Ways Building Community in Many Ways Building Community in Many Ways Using spaces old and new, Good Shepherd ex-tended a welcome spirit to all this week with Christ-centered worship, several meals with lively fellowship, a benefit concert performed by our talented members — you name it, we hosted it!

For Shrove Tuesday Supper on Feb. 24, High School Youth and parents served pancakes and sausage to an overflow crowd in Shepherd’s Hall. Meanwhile in the Lower Level, Pastor Jon and his Mardi Gras crew hosted fun carnival games with prizes for all. What a loud, exuberant crowd!

On Ash Wednesday Feb. 25, we gathered again for pizza before two services: One geared to kids and families and a traditional service with imposi-tion of ashes reminding us we’re forgiven people.

Lent is a time to grow closer to God, and it also can be a time of sharing and bonding as a com-munity of faith. So, consider bringing soup, bread or drinks for Wednesday night Soup & Bread Supper, offered March 4 — April 8. Sign up is at www.goodshepherdonline.org and on the Wel-come Center. Stay for devotions, and participate in class at 6:50 p.m. (See details on Page 2.) It’s a great time to connect with your church family.

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Creative Crafts Caring & Sharing MinistryCreative Crafts Caring & Sharing MinistryCreative Crafts Caring & Sharing MinistryCreative Crafts Caring & Sharing Ministry

By Vicki Schmidt

Every gal enjoys a new purse, right? Well, begin-ning today the CCCSM group (which meets at 10 a.m. each Sunday in the Lobby classroom) will begin a new crafting series. We will use our time and talents to craft purses and totes for women of the community who are in transitional pro-grams which help them progress toward inde-pendence through employment, housing, etc.

A new purse or tote, which has been especially handmade for them, extends another friendly help to those on their road to change. But wait, there’s more! We plan to add a few useful items to these purses and totes – toothbrush and tooth-paste, comb or brush, and pocket tissue packs.

Here’s how you can help … — Join our crafters on Sunday mornings, or con-tact me if you want patterns/instructions but can’t participate on Sundays. Purses and totes will be created via crocheting or knitting, as well as (Continued on Page 4)

REMEMBER:REMEMBER:REMEMBER:REMEMBER: SPRINGSPRINGSPRINGSPRING FORWARDFORWARDFORWARDFORWARD

Clocks Change March 7 Clocks Change March 7 Clocks Change March 7 Clocks Change March 7----8 8 8 8

We’ll miss you at worship next Sunday if you don’t make the annual change to Daylight Savings Time! So, remember to turn your clocks forward by one hour Saturday night when you turn in.

Shepherd’s Hall masquerades as a New Orleans bistro for the Youth Gathering’s Shrove Tuesday Supper & Carnival

Learning & ServingLearning & Serving

Join Us for New Member Sessions

We are pleased to announce the beginning of the next New Member Process, beginning March 22. The three sessions are designed to give people an opportunity to learn more about the Mission and Ministry of Good Shepherd, to ex-plore our shared identity as Christians in this context, and to help connect new people to others. The first session is a welcome luncheon in Shepherd’s Hall on Sunday, March 22 after the 11:15 a.m. service, followed by an introductory session by Pastor Dave. This opening session will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Childcare will be avail-able. Sessions at 10 a.m. on March 29 and April 5 will be led by Director of Communications Penny Risen. New members will be received April 19; choice of three services.

If you’d like to attend new member class, please contact Penny: 301-869-1780 or penny@goodshepherdonline.org

Calling All Helpers for VBS: Aug. 3 Calling All Helpers for VBS: Aug. 3 Calling All Helpers for VBS: Aug. 3 Calling All Helpers for VBS: Aug. 3 ---- 7 7 7 7

Vacation Bible School planning is underway and we’ll soon begin registration. The number of children we can enroll for these morning sessions will be determined by the amount of classroom and support staff that we have.

Please contact Frances Foltz as soon as possible if you’d be interested in being on the VBS staff this year: Call the office or contact francesfoltz@hotmail.com. Remember: Dads and grandparents make great VBS helpers too!

1st1st1st1st CommunionCommunionCommunionCommunion Class:Class:Class:Class: BlessBlessBlessBless YouYouYouYou !!!!

Today, we celebrate with these 19 children, their families and friends as they receive their First Communion: Christian Bergman, Michael Coxson, Zoe Flood, Ashley Hanson, Jake Hoffpauir, Grace Kroese, Addie Mengedoht, Will Muscatello, Katie Muscatello, Madeline Pomrink, Drew Reuschlein, Molly Riegel, John Rogers, Olivia Silins, Lily Stewart, Paige Tyree, R. Samuel Vogt, Joshua Whitley, and Chris Yedluri.

AdultAdultAdultAdult EducationEducationEducationEducation ClassesClassesClassesClasses Wednesday Program March 4 Through Lent

— 6 p.m. Soup & Bread Supper for all served in Shepherd’s Hall. Please sign up to help serve or bring a portion of Lenten meal, and

indicate which class you’ll attend. See Welcome Center in Lobby, or web site: www.goodshepherdonline.org

— 6:40 p.m. Brief devotions for all ages. — 6:50 - 8 p.m. Adult & Kids’ Groups: For Youth Grades K - 6: “Incredible Race” led by Pastor Jon, based on Hebrews 12: 1 “Let us run the race.” Study and activities in Room 205. For Adults & Teens: “Sacred Echo” led by Pastor Dave, considers how God’s voice speaks to us daily and how we’re encouraged to answer Him in our prayers. This intergenerational group will meet in Shepherd’s Hall. Childcare will be available through April 8. ———————————————————————— — Thursdays, 7 a.m. in Room 206: Breakfast Devotions. — Thursdays, 9:45 a.m. in Room 207: “Living Beyond Yourself” with Sisters in Grace. DVD series through March on living a spirit-filled life. Childcare available. Leader Nancy Danielson: NFDanielson@msn.com.

— On Hiatus: Women on Wednesdays will resume weekly classes at 7 p.m. April 22 with the series “Lord, Teach Me to Pray.” For information or to order a book, please contact leader stephanieaton@msn.com

Groups Meeting Sunday at 10 a.m.

— “Sermon on the Mount” in Room 202: Discussion group led by Joan Palmer on Emmet Fox’s classic book on spiritual growth, free will and life choices. 8 sessions.

— “The Unthinkable Experience”: Six-week Lenten discussion group using Biblical in-sights and the incredible story of Scott Rigsby, the first double ampu-tee “Ironman.” DVD - clip / forum sessions, held through April 5, will encourage people to pursue the “unthinkable” in their lives. For Women in Room 209, led by Sandy Redmon. For Men in Upper Level Class-room. Also offered on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in Upper Level Class-room, as an alternative.

— “On the Road With Paul”: Five-week series examin-ing apostle Paul’s theology led by Pastor Fritz Foltz. To-day’s lesson: “Paul on Women.” This class can be used as companion to the online course. Meets in Room 206.

— Today 10 a.m. in Lobby Classroom: Creative Crafts Caring & Sharing Ministry. See Page 1 about tote bag projects for women in transition. Led by Vicki Schmidt.

Note: Senior High Class meets today in Room 205.

Looking Ahead at Good ShepherdLooking Ahead at Good ShepherdLooking Ahead at Good ShepherdLooking Ahead at Good ShepherdLooking Ahead at Good ShepherdLooking Ahead at Good ShepherdLooking Ahead at Good ShepherdLooking Ahead at Good Shepherd Sunday, March 1 Happy Birthday Frances World Hunger Sunday 1st Communion at worship Brunch 10:00a 8:30a Worship 9:30a Children’s Choir 10:00a Sunday School 10:00a Adult Education 10:00a Worship 11:15a Worship Monday, March 2 5:30p Bells of Joy 6:45p GS Chimers 6:45p Shepherd’s Bells 8:00p GS Ringers Tuesday, March 3 Happy Birthday Pastor Dave 9:30a Phoebe Circle 6:30p Quilting 7:00p Worship/Music 7:00p Library Meeting 7:30p Praise Band 7:30p Men’s Bible Study Wednesday, March 4 9:00a Quilting 6:00p Soup & Bread Supper

6:50p-8:00p Lent Classes for all ages 7:00 SM Training Thursday, March 5 7:00a Breakfast devotions 9:15a Bulletin folding 9:30a Sisters in Grace 7:30p Chancel Choir Friday, March 6 MS & HS Blast & Overnight Saturday, March 7

Sunday, March 8 Time Change: Spring Forward Healing Sunday 8:30a Worship 9:30a Children’s Choir 10:00a Sunday School 10:00a Adult Education 10:00a Worship 11:15a Worship 3:00p Council Retreat Monday, March 9 5:30p Bells of Joy 6:45p GS Chimers 6:45p Shepherd’s Bells

8:00p GS Ringers Tuesday, March 10 GSLP Chapel 10:00a Seniors’ Steering 7:00p Social Ministry 7:00p Building 7:30p Praise Band 7:30p Men’s Bible Study Wednesday, March 11 GSLP Chapel 9:00a Quilting 6:00p Soup & Bread Supper 6:50p-8:00p Lent Classes for all ages 7:00p Stephen Ministry Thursday, March 12 7:00a Breakfast devotions 9:15a Bulletin folding 9:30a Sisters in Grace 6:30p Sound Training 7:30p Chancel Choir Friday, March 13 Saturday, March 14 Sunday, March 15 8:30a Worship 9:30a Children’s Choir

10:00a Sunday School 10:00a Adult Education 10:00a Worship 11:15a Worship Monday, March 16 5:30p Bells of Joy 6:45p GS Chimers 6:45p Shepherd’s Bells 8:00p GS Ringers Tuesday, March 17 St Patrick’s Day 12:30p Seniors’ Luncheon 6:30p Quilting 7:30p Praise Band 7:30p Church Council 7:30p Men’s Bible Study Wednesday, March 18 9:00a Quilting 6:00p Soup & Bread Supper 6:50p-8:00p Lent Classes for all ages 7:00p SM Training Thursday, March 19 7:00a Breakfast devotions 9:15a Bulletin folding 9:30a Sisters in Grace 7:30p Chancel Choir

Save These DatesSave These DatesSave These DatesSave These Dates TODAY: Yankee Candle Sales in Lobby between services to bene-fit Youth Gathering Trip. Orders taken during March will be delivered before Mother’s Day!

MARCH 3: Library Committee meets at 7 p.m. in Lobby Classroom to plan the expansion and organiza-tion of GSLC’s book and media collection. Please contact coordina-

tor Don Panzera: donpanzera@gmail.com

MARCH 3: Organ Recital at 7:30 p.m. as Good Shep-herd’s own Charles Pugh performs Bach, Rutter and Men-delssohn. Hosted at Asbury Methodist Village’s Rosborough Theater. Free admission.

MARCH 6: Baltimore Blast Christian Youth Night. Students Grades 6-12 will leave GSLC at 5 p.m. for soccer game and concert, then come back to church for overnight. Parents can pick up kids at 9 a.m. Saturday. Cost $10. Sign up at pastorjon@goodshepherdonline.org

MARCH 17: Seniors / Retirees Potluck Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. in Shepherd’s Hall — our 1st gathering back in our church home! Bring a dish to share & enjoy fellowship.

MARCH 28: Every Single One tours the Library of Congress. Meet at church first at 10 a.m. Contact Joy Freund if you plan to attend: 301-527-8719.

MarchMarchMarchMarch MusicMusicMusicMusic forforforfor WorshipWorshipWorshipWorship

MARCH 1 8:30 a.m. Chancel Choir, Instrumental Ensemble 10 a.m. Chancel Choir, Instrumental Ensemble 11:15 a.m. Rhythm & Good News

MARCH 8 8:30 a.m. Chancel Choir 10 a.m. Chancel Choir 11:15 a.m. Rhythm & Good News

MARCH 15 8:30 a.m. Chancel Choir, Good Shepherd Ringers 10 a.m. Chancel Choir, Good Shepherd Ringers 11:15 a.m. Rhythm & Good News

MARCH 22 8:30 a.m. Chancel Choir, Kids’ Choir 10 a.m. Chancel Choir 11:15 a.m. Rhythm & Good News

MARCH 29 8:30 a.m. Chancel Choir, Shepherd’s Bells 10 a.m. Chancel Choir, Shepherd’s Bells 11:15 a.m. Rhythm & Good News

NOTE: Chancel Choir is now rehearsing for its May 31 offering of Rutter’s “Gloria” oratorio. To fill our ranks, please consider joining Choir as an “extra” each Thurs-day at 7:30 – 8:15 p.m., or recruit your musical friends and neighbors for this extraordinary masterwork. Con-tact Director of Music Peter Schmidt so he can have your music manuscript ready: pwsch1@aol.com

Community Community

Creative Crafts Caring & Sharing MinistryCreative Crafts Caring & Sharing MinistryCreative Crafts Caring & Sharing MinistryCreative Crafts Caring & Sharing Ministry

(Continued From Page 1) machine-sewn using fabric. 2) Donations of “soft” toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs/brushes, or pocket tissue packs can be left in the donation box in our meeting room.

3) Monetary donations will help to defray the cost of materials: yarn, fabric, notions, and purse handles.

We have a good time meeting together on Sunday mornings and we’d welcome new crafters any time. This fledgling Car-ing Ministry group, which started this past Fall, has lovingly crafted dozens of prayer shawls and throws, numerous infant caps, and baptismal napkins. We are already beginning to discuss our emphasis for the late Spring/Summer months, which will involve our children and teens in a crafting effort.

Our objective is to use our God-given artistic talents to create items to show our love and support of persons in a time of need, as well as those in a time of celebration! Your prayers and support of our efforts are greatly appreciated.

Please contact me, Vicki Schmidt, if you have any questions: In the Good Shepherd office at 301-869-1780 or via email at: vickischmidt@goodshepherdonline.org

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The Easter Bunny will be making its visit a little early to Risen’s Meadow on April 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. — and Good Shepherd kids

of all ages are invited to hunt for goodies. Easter eggs will be hidden all around the 4-acre yard for GSLC’s 1st Annual Easter Egg Hunt. It's a Spring tradition for the whole family, as we recall Easter morning’s open tomb of Resurrection.

You can help “The EB” get ready: If your family has colored plastic eggs it no longer uses, or if you could donate a pack-age or two of the colorful interlocking eggs, the Bunny will gladly fill them for the April 4 hunt. Drop off the plastic eggs in the big basket behind the Welcome Center – thanks!

FormFormFormForm aaaa CommunityCommunityCommunityCommunity BasedBasedBasedBased ShelterShelterShelterShelter MealMealMealMeal TeamTeamTeamTeam

We need help to cook and serve dinners from March 22-28 at the Community Based Shelter in Rockville. If your GSLC small group or your family can form a team for this Lenten outreach project, please contact Jannie Flickinger, 301-977-7874 or email jannieflick@yahoo.com ; or Paula Bunge of Good Shep-herd Social Ministry: paulaHB2003@msn.com

Good Shepherd has contributed to this congregation and community-supported program of rehabilitative services for 20-30 homeless adults for nearly 20 years. CBS is located on Wilkins Lane in Rockville. Choose how to help: Cook din-ner menu items ahead of time for your team; deliver and serve one evening meal; make bag lunches; shop for supplies; de-liver supplies and food to the shelter; or make a monetary do-nation for the meals. You can make a difference.

Shepherd’s LinkShepherd’s LinkShepherd’s LinkShepherd’s Link

Email news or photos for the next Shepherd’s Link newslet-ter to link@goodshepherdonline.org. Each week we high-light special areas; ie: Pastor’s column, Green Ministry, Youth, Seniors, etc. Deadline is Tuesdays before edition.

HousingHousingHousingHousing BenefitBenefitBenefitBenefit ConcertConcertConcertConcert RaisesRaisesRaisesRaises NearlyNearlyNearlyNearly $5,000$5,000$5,000$5,000 Expectations were high as we planned and presented our first Housing Benefit Concert in our new sanctuary, and the Feb. 21 event, "A Tribute to Around the World in 80 Days," met and exceeded them in so many ways!

The creative hours shared by performers, producers, bakers for a delicious reception, and countless behind-the-scenes support staff came together in a wonderful evening of enter-tainment. The concert, as well as the fun and successful raf-fle, raised nearly $5,000. By itself, the raffle – a first for this event — garnered nearly $900 in donations for chances to win everything from restaurant gift cards and camera gear, to handi-crafts and an espresso machine.

“Happy faces were everywhere Sat-urday night as we enjoyed sharing in the delight of talented performers using their gifts to help others,” said Paula Bunge of Social Ministry, which hosted the event. “These shared gifts will help local families at risk of losing their housing through out the coming year. Thank you all!”

Performers share gifts: From pipes to “air organ”