1. health and fitness

The Shepherd’s Scroll
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January 2015_
The Shepherd’s Scroll
G O O D SHEPH ER D LU T HE RA N C HU RC H, E L C A
2101 S. Prospect Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-352-1732  Fax: 217-352-4807  www.gslc-cu.org
“God’s Work. Our Hands.”
Volume 48, No. 1
January 2015
Pastor ’s Perspective …
For Christmas this year, Wendy gave
me a Fitbit. For those who don’t know
what a Fitbit is, it’s a small band that
you wear around your wrist. Fitbit
tracks your daily steps and how many
calories you burn, and if you link Fitbit to your computer or smart phone you can even input the food you eat
so you can track if you’re burning more calories than
you’re taking in. (That’s the plan anyway. ) Fitbit even
buzzes if you reach a goal or if you want it to wake you
in the morning. I like my Fitbit, and my hope is that Fitbit will encourage me to get in shape and drop a few
pounds in the New Year.
That said, wearing my Fitbit the last few days has got
me thinking. Sure, Fitbit may help me get into shape
physically, but what about spiritually. I don’t think there
is a Fitbit for that. There are times I feel spiritually fit. I
come into the office, read a devotion, pray for people
who ask for prayers, including those on our worship
cards. Sometimes, I read a chapter from Scripture. Having said that, I must confess that sometimes I don’t feel
spiritually fit at all. For example, I walk in the office,
turn on my computer, and try to fit a brief devotion in
before the computer boots up. Or when the computer
boots up I’ll be checking who sent email out of the corner of my eye while reading my devotion.
I’ve been thinking how a Fitbit that would encourage
me spiritually might be nice. You know, like if at the end
of the day if I hadn’t taken a few moments to be still
and let God be God, my spiritual Fitbit would buzz at
me reminding me to do so. Or maybe if I came into the
office and the first thing I did was boot up the computer
my spiritual Fitbit would buzz again.
So, I have two News Year’s resolutions. First to drop a
few pounds, and I know Fitbit can help with that. Second, to slow down and lead a more spiritual life; to let
God be God. No Fitbit is made for that, but God has
blessed me with plenty of other tools: Scripture, devotions, worship, prayer, and even time to be still and to
just let God be God.
Peace and blessings on the New Year,
Dear Friends,
Thank you for the many Christmas gifts given to
Wendy and me. We are blessed to serve such a generous congregation.
Pastor Tom and Wendy
COMING SOON TO ADULT EDUCATION
January 4: Study of assigned gospel (John: 1-18)
January 11: Good Shepherd Sunday, Lutheran
Social Services presentation
January 18: Study of the assigned gospel (John
1:43-51)
January 25: Mission Sunday, stories from El Salvador and updates on coming mission trips
February 1 and 8: Study of Communion Practices
and Use of the Means of Grace
Grab a cup of coffee and join us!
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January 2015_
From the Youth & Family Director ’s Desk
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. - Psalm 36:9
Microwaves are at one end of the light spectrum and dangerous ultraviolet rays
from the sun are at the other end of the light spectrum. So somewhere between
cooking our food and cooking ourselves we see light. Artist Alexander Harding recently put together a collection of photographs titled Visible Light that
helps us focus on the light itself and not what it illuminates. His photos show the
light from the sun as it passes into homes through windows or doors. The light is
so thick you almost feel as though you could touch it. Harding has been inspired
by another artist named James Turrell, who once said, “light is not so much something that reveals, as it is itself the revelation.”
“All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has
come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.” – John 1:3-4
A member of Good Shepherd named Richard Hicks was stationed in Greenland
while in the Air Force many years ago. He shared a story with me about how
they sometimes went weeks without seeing sunlight in the winter. This lack of
sunlight had physical and psychological effects on some of the troops. Richard
shared that some of them went crazy and he had to fly many of them back
home because of the lack of light.
“Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.”
— Ecclesiastes 11:7
The month of January will have us hearing about Jesus the Word coming into
the world and bringing light to all people. Jesus will be baptized and the
heavens will be torn apart allowing their glorious light to descend like a dove.
Jesus will tell newfound disciples that they will see greater things than these
and that they will in fact see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending
and descending upon the Son of Man.
“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.” — Ephesians 5:13
Whenever a bright light pierces the sky, shines in on my desk, or illuminates my children’s faces I will forever picture
angels ascending and descending in those bright places where heaven and earth meet. In the words of English Professor Scott Cairns;
“And -- do you feel the pulse? -- we all become
the kindled kindred of a King whose birth
thereafter bears to all a bright nativity.”
May your doors and windows always be open to what God is bringing into your life. Amen.
Jason Fisher
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January 2015_
Youth Events
Parents’ Night Out
Friday, January 9, 5-8 pm
Fellowship Hall
Free will donation covers dinner and games and all proceeds go toward youth trips this year.

Lutheran Broomball Tournament
Friday, January 2, 5:30-7:30 pm
Middle and High School Youth
Come ice skate or play broomball for the broomball trophy! Your $5 covers pizza, drinks, and skate rental. Even
if you don’t want to get on the ice come watch the action and cheer us on to victory!
Congregational Ski Retreat
January 16-19
Montello, Wisconsin
$115 deposits are due Sunday, January 4th, for those
who want to relax or take part in skiing, basketball, volleyball, water park, broomball, and tube chuting!


National Youth Gathering Meeting
Sunday, January 25, 5-7 pm
2nd Sunday Shepherds Ice Skating
Sunday, January 11, 1:30-4 pm
Kids in K – 5th grade can meet us at the U of I Ice Arena
(406 E. Armory Ave, Champaign) around 1:30 pm. Good
Shepherd will pay for admission & skate rental for all
youth participating!
All 8th – 12th graders and adults who are registered for the
National Youth Gathering in Detroit, July 15-19, are asked
to attend. This will be the first of six monthly meetings
leading up to the Gathering. Pizza will be provided by
Amano’s on Neil St.


JERICHO at the Fishers’
Sunday, January 11, 5:30-7:30 pm
Middle & High School Youth and Families
We will meet at the Fishers’ House, 2906 Blair Dr.,
Champaign, at 5:30 pm for a youth planning meeting,
dinner, and then games. Soup and sandwiches will be
provided by the Youth Committee.
Rend Lake Retreat
February 20-22
Deposit of $100 is due by Sunday, January 25th. Contact Jason to see how much is in your child’s account or
to let him know if you are able to drive to or from the
event.
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January 2015_
This & That
WOMEN’S Bible Study Circles
WELCA Book Club
All women of Good Shepherd are encouraged to join us
for any of the following Bible study circles.
January 8, 9:30 am, in the Choir Room
Anna Circle meets the first Wednesday of
the month in the Choir Room. Next
meeting: January 7 at 4:30 pm.
Ruth Circle meets the third Tuesday of
the month in the Choir Room. Next
meeting: January 20 at 9:30 am.
Rachel Circle meets the fourth Monday of the month.
Next meeting: January 26 at 5:30 pm.

THANK You!
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church:
We wanted to thank you for thinking of us on
Thanksgiving Day and bringing the gift of prepared turkey lunches. It was greatly appreciated and was so very thoughtful. Thank you.
— Animal Emergency Clinic of Champaign Co.

Dear Good Shepherd,
I want to thank you for the kindness and compassion you
demonstrated on Thanksgiving Day. “Operation Turkey
Sandwich” made my day!
— Deborah Flannigan

Thank you, ladies of the Ruth Circle, for the delicious cookies and muffins we received for Christmas. As always, they
are wonderful and very much appreciated.
— Myrna and Steve Johnson
Ready for
some good
fellowship
and lots of
fun? All men
are invited to
attend the weekly Men’s Coffee Group, held every
Wednesday at 10:00 am in the Choir Room. Coffee and
donuts are served every week.
January Book: Nemesis (a World War II
historical fiction novel) by Philip Roth.
Marie-Laure lives in Paris with her father
who is the master of the locks at the Museum of Natural History until the Germans occupy Paris. They flee to Saint-Malo to live with an
uncle.
In Germany, an orphan boy named Werner finds a crude
radio and masters the building and fixing of radios. This
talent makes him a highly specialized tracker of the Resistance. He travels widely and finally into Saint-Malo
where his path converges with Marie-Laure.
Their interwoven lives illuminate the way people try to be
good to one another.
What we are reading in February: Sycamore Row by John
Grisham. Questions? Contact Jan Nuss at 356-1298 or [email protected]. New members are always welcome!

Volunteer OPPORTUNITY
If you are interested in
a volunteer opportunity I have a suggestion
that might interest
you. Good Shepherd
participates in the
Meals on Wheels program, which is organized by the Family Service Center. We are assigned 6
weeks each year, two weeks in January, two in May and
again two in September. If you have a flexible schedule
and would be able to spare a few hours from around
10:30 to 12:30 this is a good volunteer opportunity. We
pick the meals up at the Illini Residence Halls just north of
Florida Avenue. When the U of I is not in session the usual
place is Heartland Health Center. We have the route in
SW Champaign, which is around Good Shepherd and west.
The senior citizens request and pay for these meals. The
recipients are always very appreciative and a joy to meet.
I try to assign two volunteers each day, one to drive and
one to deliver. If interested, please contact Doris Snyder
at 352-5727, 766-2792 (cell), or [email protected].
Thanks for considering this opportunity.
Sam Fisher
Nursery
Worship
Ushers
8:00 am
4th
11th
18th
25th
TBD
Susan Hinrichs
& Gail Block
TBD
Dean Olson
Nicole Paul
TBD
Kristine Scheu, Dorothy Oakley, & Jennifer Byers-York
Carol Steinman & Becky Fisher
Kristine Scheu and David Jackson
Dorothy Oakley, Jennifer Byers-York, and Carol Steinman
10:30 am 4th
11th
18th
25th
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Gail Block
Laurie Johnson & Marcia Peterson
TBD
Matt Jones
TBD
TBD
Gail Block
Diane Fairchild
Al & Harrison York
Team B: Bob Clark
——
Dana
VanDeveer-Jones
TBD
Alan and Corwin Carroll, & Connor and Bret Clifton
Wendy Hillertz, John Todd, and Don Block
Wendy Hillertz and John Todd
Don Block
Barb & Jim Hack
Sam Fisher
Dorothy Oakley
& David Jackson
Jenelle Keene & Shelly Cekander
Myrna & Steve Johnson
TBD
TBD
Dorothy Oakley
& Kristine Scheu
TBD
Jenelle Keene
& Care Jorgenson
Jennifer Byers-York
Kristine Scheu
Becky Fisher
Care Jorgenson
Elijah Ochs &
Emma Chamley
Jan 25
10:30 am
Kim & Dave McFarland
Nate Reitmeier
Jan 25
8:00 am
________
Samaritans
Wendy Hillertz
Bob Coverdill
Wendy Hillertz
& Jenelle Keene
TBD
Ron & Carol Stevenson
Shaun Keene &
Jacob Meyer
Jan 18
10:30 am
The Ochs Family
Evan Gernenz
Walker Smith &
Maggie Paul
Linda Baker-Skaggs
Kristine Scheu
Sam Fisher
Team A: Gail & Don Block
TBD
Bob Clark & Dorothy Oakley
Matt Jones
Readers
Offering Sorters
Oliver Scheu &
Becky Fisher
Greeters
Food Delivery
Gail Block
Dorothy Oakley
Fellowship
Servers
Susan Hinrichs,
Care Jorgenson,
& Rhiannon Clifton
Care Jorgenson
Sherrill Houchens
Flower Delivery
Ella Greer
Alice & Charles
Carroll
Jan 18
8:00 am
Jan 11
10:30 am
Nancy McCowen
Jan 11
8:00 am
Jan 4
10:30 am
Tori & Dan Corkery
Brock VanDeveer
Communion
Assistants
Cantor
Chancel Care
Altar Flowers
Acolytes
Jan 4
8:00 am
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
SERVING SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2015
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Nigeria: Aid helps those fleeing attacks
Lutheran Disaster Response is providing food, clothing, mosquito nets and bedding to those fleeing the attacks of Boko Haram.
See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/ELCALutheranDisasterResponse/280.
El Salvador: ELCA group sees first-hand the cause of unaccompanied children
Lutheran congregations in El Salvador tell harrowing stories of parents sending their children north to escape gang violence. See
www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/ELCALutheranDisasterResponse/281.
Philippines: Typhoon Haiyan - one year later
Almost $2.5 million has been raised for aid. With more than 1 million homes destroyed, more is needed to continue our response.
See www.ELCA.org/Living-Lutheran/Blogs/2014/11/141118-Typhoon-Haiyan-one-year-later.
Rwanda: Trees for healing
ELCA missionary Kate Warn writes that the Lutheran Church of Rwanda planted two trees – “And the leaves of the tree are for
the healing of nations” (Revelations 22:2) – to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the church, which was founded by refugees
returning in 1994 after Rwanda’s genocidal warfare. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/HandInHand/461.
Zimbabwe: Financial literacy and malaria don't mix
A program supported by the ELCA Malaria Campaign teaches the skills to start a small business, which improves one’s standard
of living and access to the resources to treat and prevent malaria. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/
ELCAMalariaCampaign/278.
Russia: "People here want to grow in their faith"
In Siberia and across Russia, lay leaders are taking part in the new Equipping the Faithful seminars taught by Bradn Buerkle,
ELCA missionary in Russia, and others. Learn more and watch a short video at www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/
HandInHand/453.
Leadership by women - past and present
International women leaders gathered recently in Wittenberg, Germany, to learn the stories of 16th century women reformers and
share stories from the 21st century. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/HandInHand/445.
Managing human waste fight hunger
“We built a fly-proof latrine …. Since then, our health is better [and] we can work more and earn more,” says a villager in Myanmar, who is better able to feed his family through the work of ELCA World Hunger and its partners. See www.ELCA.org/LivingLutheran/Stories/2014/11/141119-Ending-hunger-by-managing-waste.
The gift is you
While teaching English, working in churches, leading youth groups and serving in rehabilitation centers, Young Adults in Global
Mission learn how to become vulnerable, build relationships and realize their identity as missionaries. Share this inspiring story
with your congregation. Visit www.ELCA.org/resources/globalchurch.
Young adults: Opportunity for service
The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program offers young adults, ages 21-29, a transformative year of global service in
one of more than nine countries. As they grow in their faith and worldview, they support ministries and projects in communities of
need. Applications are due Feb. 15 for service beginning in August. Learn more at www.ELCA.org/yagm.
Connect your youth to Young Adults in Global Mission
When your congregation or youth group sponsors a young adult missionary with a covenant of prayer, communication and financial support, your youth can grow in faith, mission, stewardship and servant leadership. Learn more at www.ELCA.org/News-andEvents/blogs/HandInHand/459 or contact [email protected].
Support a new missionary in Hong Kong
Your support is needed for the Rev. Carolyn Schneider, who teaches at the seminary in Hong Kong to prepare future pastors and
lay leaders for service throughout Asia. The 2015 sponsorship goal for her is $25,000 in annual support. Learn more or make a
gift at https://community.ELCA.org/HongKong.
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January 2015_
Church Staff
Pastor…………………………………...Thomas Hillertz
Pastor Emeritus…………....Edward D. Schneider
Youth & Family Minister………….....Jason Fisher
Office Manager.………...……………....Yvona Vlach
Office Assistant……………………….....Nancy Olson
Treasurer…………………….Dana VanDeveer-Jones
Organist………………………………………....Linda Pein
Choir Director………………………….…...Jill Crandall
Parish Nurses……………………....Celeste Coverdill
Elizabeth Kakoma
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
2101 S Prospect Ave
Champaign, IL 61820
www.gslc-cu.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Office Hours
Mon-Thu: 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
(lunch: noon—1 pm)
Fridays: 7:30 am to Noon
Scroll Deadline
The deadline for the February Scroll is Monday, January 19, at noon.
Bulletin/Announcements Deadline
Wednesday at noon, each week.
Come Worship the Lord
Sundays, 8:00 am & 10:30 am
Food Pantry NEEDS
Boxed cereal, flour, coffee, tea bags, canned:
tomato and chicken noodle soups, tuna fish,
mixed vegetables, carrots, potatoes, pears and
peaches.
(Holy Communion served at both services)
9:15 am Sunday School and Adult Forum
Prayer REQUESTS
If you have prayer requests that you want included on the
prayer chain, contact Nicole Paul at 351-1032 or
[email protected].
Names to be included in the Sunday prayers can be submitted
by contacting the church office at 352-1732 or [email protected].
Hospitalized? Please call the church office if you or a family
member is in the hospital. You or a family member need to
notify us directly, as hospital staff do not normally call clergy.