1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

Worship Next Sunday:
2 Corinthians 9:6-12, Mark 6:34-43
Gates-Ward
“Be Faithful, Save and Give”
- Rev. Laurie
Prayers for our Hospitalized and Homebound
Please continue to offer up prayers for the following members of our church family:
Lois DiDomenico
C.C. Nursing Home
Alice Meinke
C.C. Nursing Home
Mary Lawson
Charlotte Hall Veterans Home
Mary & John Welsh
Home
Lynn Hampton
Home
Marvin Suit
Home
Jim Winters
Home
Nina Gressens
Home
Bud Campbell
Hospital
Good Shepherd Family:
We want to thank you for your support of our family in the last couple weeks. So many friends came
forward to make Michael's funeral a real celebration of his life. We thank you for your prayers, your
flowers, your cards, your willing service, and your presence. We feel very much loved in this
congregation of God. - The Norris families
Upcoming Events:
Charge Conference
Our Annual Church meeting known as Charge Conference is this Sunday, October 26th at 2 p.m. Along
with Calvary UMC and Journey of Faith UMC we will join together here at GSUMC with our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Iannicelli to celebrate the past year's accomplishments to and to look forward in hope to next year. In addition we will be electing our leadership team for 2015 and voting on
Candidates for Ordained and Lay Servant Ministry. We will gather in the Sanctuary at 2 p.m.
All are welcome.
Trunk or Treat
Your family is invited to Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 26 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at GSUMC. Trunk
Decorators please arrive at 5:00 PM in the back parking lot to decorate the trunks of your cars in
preparation to hand out candy – and don’t forget to bring lots of that! Trick or Treaters (toddler – 5th
grade) are invited to arrive at 5:30 PM (please park in front and on the side). Following Trick or Treating
there will be a light dinner in the Fellowship Hall & a performance by our Puppets! Trick or Treaters are
invited to bring one non-perishable item for the local food pantry if it is comfortable for your family
to do so.
Trustee’s Meeting
There will be a Trustee’s Meeting on Monday, November 3 at 7PM in the Parlor.
305 E. Smallwood Drive, Waldorf, MD 20602-2879
On the Web: www.gsumc.com
Office: 301.843.6797
Fax: 301.843.4884
Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/
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October 26, 2014
Upcoming Events
All Saints Sunday
We will be celebrating All Saints Sunday on November 2, 2014 and will be lifting up the names of all
those who have died in the last year (since November 2013). If you have lost a loved one since
November of 2013, please fill out the form in your bulletin so that we can include their name in the
bulletin on All Saints Sunday. You are also invited to submit a photograph in print or .jpg format to
the office (by October 28) to be included on Power Point on November 2.
Church Clean-Up Day
Please come out Saturday, November 8 for a church clean-up day. We will start out with breakfast
with the UMM at 8am and begin working immediately following breakfast. Bring your gardening tools,
cleaning gloves, elbow grease, and a friend (or two). Let’s get our church together and ready for the
holidays.
Stewardship—First: Putting God First in Living and Giving
First: What happens when we truly put God first in all aspects of our lives? In a culture guided chiefly
by shiny, life-promising distractions, “enough” seems elusive and keeps us indebted to that next
source of satisfaction. What if the Giver of Life offered freedom from this downward spiral—would you
take it? First: Putting God First in Living and Giving, is a four week study to help participants reassess
priorities and create a culture and a lifestyle of faithful living and giving and make a meaningful
contribution to the world. Wednesdays, October 22 to November 12 from 6:15 - 7:15 PM, Dan
Sansbury will be leading this 4 week study as a compliment to GSUMC's annual stewardship
campaign. The book for the study, Shiny Gods, by Mike Slaughter is available through the church
office for $15 and is available for purchase by digital download. If you are interested in joining the
study, please sign up in the church lobby or contact the church office 301.843.6797.
Fall Youth Retreat
Information and permission slips for the Fall Youth Retreat, November 14th to 16th @ Manidokan Retreat Center, are available in the church lobby. Registration is on a first-come basis and the deadline
is
November 2. P lease see/ contact Carol W underlich w ith questions @ 301.843.6797 or
[email protected].
Walk To End Homelessness
The Walk to End Homelessness in Charles County is supported by the
United Way and the Charles County Homeless & Emergency Shelter
Committee. Proceeds benefit the "Safe Nights" program, a temporary
homeless shelter that is operated by Lifestyles of Maryland, Inc. This
year the Walk will be held on Saturday, November 15th and begins at
9:00 AM in front of the Town Hall in La Plata.
Pre-registration is strongly recommended but registration will open at 7:30 AM on the morning of the
Walk. The cost to register is $20 per person or $15 per person for teams of 5 or more. Good
Shepherd is setting up a team, if you would like to join us. Registration forms will be available in the
lobby between church services on October 26, November 2, and November 9. If you are unable to
participate in the Walk, we ask you to consider sponsoring or giving a donation to one of the walkers.
If you have any questions, please contact Becky Collier at 301-932-3131 or email
[email protected]. Please help us end homelessness in Charles County!
Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
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October 26, 2014
UMW Elections
On November 18th the Good Shepherd United Methodist Women will be holding an election for
officers. We are seeking nominees for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Contact
Sarah Martin or Linda Ford to add your name or to nominate someone.
Church News
Prayer Chain
If you are in need of prayers, it does not have to wait until Sunday morning to be heard by others.
Over 150 people receive prayer requests by e-mail. If you have a prayer concern, please email it to
Dan Sansbury at [email protected]. Also, if you would like to be added as an e-mail prayer
chain recipient, just send your e-mail address.
Contribution Statements
Quarterly Contribution Statements are available upon request. Statements are available
electronically or paper copy. Stop in the Parlor on Sundays to see Brian Cook or Joyce Dinello
or send an email to Joyce, [email protected]. You many leave a message for Brian or Joyce in
the church office as well.
Jewelry Donations Needed
Donations of gently used jewelry for the UMW “love table” at the UMW Apple Dumpling and Craft
Fair are needed. All donations should be turned in by
Sunday, October 26. P lease contact Janice Reuter to make donations or
for more information, 301-645-5665.
United Methodist Women Apple Dumpling and Craft Fair.
Do you have a special hobby/craft? The UMW is looking for donations for our
Love Table for our upcoming Apple Dumpling and Craft Fair on November 1st,
2014. If you would like to share one of your creations, we would greatly appreciate it. Please have your donations turned in by Sunday, October 26, 2014. If
you have any questions please contact Nancy Bennett at 301.643.1160. Donations can be given to Nancy Bennett or Dottie DiPoli.
Fellowship Hour Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to support GSUMC’s Fellowship Hour between our Sunday Services every Sunday. Volunteers are still needed for Sundays in November and December. Volunteers may choose a Sunday or tw o each
month to brew coffee, set up and serve food, and tidy things up. There will be a sign up sheet in
the Fellowship Hall today during the Fellowship Hour.
Knitting/Crocheting Ministry
Interested in creating prayer shawls, comfort lap blankets, scarfs and hats for the community?
Interested in contributing to these efforts even if you can’t knit or crochet? This is YOUR
opportunity. Every Thursday from noon until 2 p.m. in the chapel, the UMW will begin a new circle
for those who knit and/or crochet, those who need a refresher, or those who want to learn. You can
work on our projects or your own. We have patterns, prayers, and fellowship. If you cannot attend
the circle, the patterns and prayers are still available so you can work elsewhere.
Contributions of yarn are gratefully accepted. Three skeins of Lion Brand Homespun, available at
Michaels, A.C. Moore and other craft stores, make a soft, warm machine washable and dryable
shawl or lap robe or a few hats or scarfs. Other types of yarns are also welcome. If you are coming
from the Thursday morning Bible study, bring a bag lunch. If you have any questions, please call
Dottie at 301.645.7304 or Nancy at 301.643.1160. We look forward to sharing our prayers.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
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Wednesday Night Dinner Menu
Join us for a good meal at our Wednesday Night Dinner held every week from 5:00 to 6:30PM.
Prices: Ages 13+: $5.00, Ages 4 and under: Free, Ages 5-12: $4.00. Family Maximum: $22.00.
October 29: Enchilada Casseroles w ith rice, vegetable, salad, dessert & beverages.
November 5: Shepherd’s Pie, vegetable, salad bar, dessert & beverages.
Gluten free bread and desserts will be available whenever possible.
Meals Request—Kathleen Snellings
Kathleen Snellings severely injured her arm in a fall that required major surgery to repair it. She will
be in a sling for six weeks to immobilize her arm and then require extensive physical therapy for an
extended period of time. Her husband has had to go back to work and travels extensively. She has
asked our assistance for meals twice a week. They have been them up on www.takethemameal.com.
You search by recipients last name (Snellings) and the password is (snellings). Please select a Tuesday
or a Thursday to provide a meal. If you have any questions or require assistance, please don’t hesitate
to call or email Cathy Lovoie any time at 301.645.2717 or [email protected]. This is always a
wonderful way for us to serve each other and to take care of each other when these circumstances
arise. Thanks so much for helping.
Citrus Fruit – Just in Time for Thanksgiving
As one of our missions to our community Good Shepherd is the Charter Organization for Boy Scout
Troop 1780. The troop works to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their
lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Troop 1780 provides a wide range
of outdoor activities and educational programs for boys 13-18 from our community.
As their Primary fundraiser to support the troop’s activities throughout the year Troop 1780 conducts a
Winter Fruit Sale. Pre-orders are being taken now for fruit to be delivered just in time for Thanksgiving.
Available fruit includes tangelos, naval or juice oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, or boxes of mixed
fruits. To pre-order fruit contact Bryan Stephenson @ 301-752-3747 ([email protected]) or
Zane Casto @ 301-609-1338 ([email protected]) . If you wish for more information with regards to
the Troop or have a Service project for GMUMC you would like the boys of Troop 1780 to support,
please contact Deborah Stephenson, GSUMC Charter Organization Representative for Troop 1780, or
Scout Master Matt Gray ([email protected]) . Additionally boys from Troop 1780 will be in the
church to sell fruit on November 23 betw een services.
Altar Flowers
GSUMC is now asking for flower donations for the altar area. To donate the altar flowers, call Anne at
Creative Expressions Florist to set this up. The number is 301.645.8755. We have used her for years
and she does a wonderful job. You must call her by noon on the Wednesday before the Sunday you
would like the flowers for. She does deliver for $10 extra. If you would like to donate the flowers in
honor or memory of a loved one, call Michele (or email [email protected]) in the church office by
Noon on that same Wednesday. She will put it in the bulletin who the flowers for that Sunday are in
honor or memory of. At the end of the service you can take home the flowers or donate them to a
shut in. For additional information, please call Debbie Haan on 301.645.8268.
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church Staff
Pastor: Rev. Laurie Gates-Ward, [email protected]
Minister of Worship/Creative Community: Dawn Stewart, [email protected]
Director of Discipleship: Carol Wunderlich, [email protected]
Director of Music: Brian Turnmire, [email protected]
Organist: Sue Norris, [email protected]
Church Administrator: Michele Delaney, [email protected]
Director of Education Center: Carolyn Carter, [email protected]
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October 26, 2014
Putting God First in Living and Giving
Do we worship idols? The answer may surprise you.
During the end of October and the first part of November, our church will hear about
God’s generosity and our response as we experience our stewardship program, first:
putting GOD first in living and giving. There will be opportunities in worship and in a
weekly study on Wednesday evenings led by Dan Sansbury.
We are made in God’s image and are meant to be creators of life and hope, not the
consumers of our culture’s shiny gods. We have the ability to change the world and
create a legacy that will live forever in the lives of generations to follow. That legacy
starts when each of us takes the hard steps of financial discipline and fulfilling the call
to generosity that God has placed in all of us.
The goal of this stewardship program is not to make you feel
guilty, nor is it to say that you have to be exactly like this or
that person. The goal is for all of us to ask questions of
ourselves and be open to the possibility that God will lead us
in new directions in our lives.
During the four-week program, we’ll be challenged in a
number of different ways. We’ll be asked to look for the idols
in our own lives (Hint: Most of them aren’t animals made of
gold) and name the ways these idols enslave us, holding us
back from living in the true freedom that God desires for us.
We’ll be challenged to consider the place that money, work,
and debt have in our own lives. What are our common
understandings of these, and might the witness of Scripture
lead us to some different understandings?
We’ll be challenged to ask ourselves what it means for us to
be faithful, to save, and to give. How do we balance all the
competing interests in our lives? What priorities does God
want us to have?
Finally, we’ll be challenged to give with our hearts, not out of obligation or a sense of
duty and not just when we think the recipient deserves our gift. Instead, we’ll be challenged to give the way God gives—freely, fully, with no favorites or expectations of repayment.
It is our prayer that, at the end of these four weeks, we will have begun to grow into
the individuals and the church that God knows we can be. Please join us in first: putting
GOD first in living and giving.
Thanks for worshipping with us. Have a great week!