Give. Serve. Lead. Connect.

Shepherd’s Voice

J a n u a r y 2 0 1 7

F r o m P a s t o r H a r a l d B r i n g s j o r d

To access this and other publications online visit GSlacrosse.org/voice.

GSlacrosse.org/voice Facebook.com/GSlacrosse Twitter.com/goodshepherdlse

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

As we enter into the New Year I invite us to ponder the following Scripture readings and reflect on what is behavior befitting our lives as Christians in a culture that appears to thrive on de-humanizing one another. The apostle Paul writes to the Galatians: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). And to the Corinthians he writes: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (1 Cor. 13:4-8a). And James writes: “You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). In a culture where we like to listen to and love those who agree with us and tend to demonize the others, I would encourage us all to think about a more expansive view of love. Imagine what could happen if our listening included those who are not in our immediate circle of friends, if we expanded it to those who are completely different from us in politics, religion, sexuality, age or ethnicity, or educationally, socially, and economically. Imagine what could happen if we read

and listened to points of view that we may not agree with for the sole purpose of seeking understanding and seeing that the other is also a human being, just like us. Luke records Jesus as saying: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them”. (Luke 6:32). May we all be blessed and empowered to be a blessing in the New Year as we love, listen, and learn from one another, and especially from those who have differing views. God’s blessings, Pastor Harald

GSlacrosse.org Page 3 Page 2 GSlacrosse.org

Women Who Wrestle With The Word (W5)

If you would like to be a part of a regular

gathering of Christian Women, you are

always welcome to join W5. The group

will meet every Monday at

6:30pm in the welcome area

in the front of the sanctuary.

Lydia Circle

Good Shepherd Ministries

Lydia Circle meets the 1st Tuesday of

every month. Come join them for great

conversations, some laughter, fun,

camaraderie and a sweet desert!

If you have any questions or

would like to learn more

about Lydia circle, call Carol

Abraham at (608)787-0609.

Altar Guild—Willing to help out on our

Altar Guild? It is a very easy

commitment and we would be happy to

show you how it’s done! Simply call

Candie Luehne at (608)304-2035.

Quilting—Quilters meet at Good

Shepherd every Wednesday at 12:30pm

in the quilting room.

Mailing Crew—The Shepherd’s Voice

Mailing Crew is wondering if you are

interested in helping out prepare the

Voice newsletter with address labels and

stickers? We meet the 4th Thursday of

each month at 8:30am in the choir room.

Care Ministry—Care Ministries visit

the homebound year round to have a

small chat, give communion, and have a

prayer. Interested in joining this

ministry? Contact Don Skibba at 787-

0498. If you or someone you know

would like a visit from our care ministry

team, please contact the church office at

(608)788-0450.

55 Plus—55 Plus is a friendly lunch

gathering for the 55+ crowd that meets

every 3rd Thursday of the month at

11:30am. We gather at The King Street

Kitchen located at 141 7th St S.

Flower and Bulletin Sponsorship

Readers & Ushers Appreciated!

Readers and Ushers are always valued

at our worship services. Please consider

signing up on the chart in the welcome

area at the back of the sanctuary. You

can sign up for a time and day that

works for you. The readings will be sent

(either by mail or email) to you early

that week. Thank you so much for

helping out!

The flower and bulletin sponsorship

charts are on the bulletin board in the

back of the welcome area. Sponsoring

the flowers or bulletins is an easy way to

honor special dates such as birthdays

and anniversaries, or the memory of a

loved one. If you have any

questions on sponsoring the

flowers or bulletins, please

contact Kathy or Rick in the church

office at (608)788-0450.

Give Volunteering Within Church

Serve

Enriching Life, Sharing Talents

Ushers Schedule

Causeway Caregivers

Causeway Caregivers exists to help!

Give Causeway a call if you need

assistance in or around your home or

if you have a few hours to volunteer

helping those who do.

(608) 775-9999 or visit our website:

causewaycaregivers.org

Thank You All So Very Much…

Altar Guild —Thank you to the

members who served during the month of

December, Jeanne Atchley and Connie

Erickson. During January Arlene Dreves

& Sharon Yushta will be on duty’.

Connie Erickson— Thank you for

sending out the “Get Well” card in

December. Candie Luehne will be

sending out the cards throughout the

month of January.

Ann Hudson—Thank you for sending out

cards and prayer shawls year round to

bereaved families.

Care Ministries—Thank you to all

members who are serving as Care

Ministers to the faithful members of

Good Shepherd who can no longer come

to worship with us. Through you, our

Care Ministers, the church comes to

them!

Jan 1 8:30am: Dave Kranz, Jane Strangstalien, David & Trinity Busch, Al & Kathy Johnson 10:30am: Marsh Juel, Sandra Rockwell, Marv & Darryle Clott, Don & Darcy Skibba

Jan 8 8:30am : Confirmation Youth

10:30am: Confirmation Youth

Jan 15 8:30am:Roger Weeks, Nancy Oelke, Odell & Carol Anderson, Harlan & Kathy McLain

10:30am: Adam Kimball, Diane Kimball, Tony & Jen Servais, J erry & Virginia Larsen

Jan 22 8:30am : Confirmation Youth

10:30am: Confirmation Youth

Jan 29 8:30am : 8th Grade Led

10:30am: 8th Grade Led

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Calling All Musicians!

Our “Sounds of Praise” worship band

invites you to help us lead the worship

here at Good Shepherd. “Sounds of

Praise” is intended to bring together the

greatest number and variety of

instruments possible, presenting special

music and enhancing our wide variety of

hymn styles. Whatever type of

instrument you play,

“Sounds of Praise”

welcomes you! Please call

Randy Lyden at

(608)779-9669 or email

randy@gslacrosse.org

to be a part of this growing

and exciting praise band!

Local Food Pantry Needs

4-H Club

The Mormon Coulee 4-H Club was first

established in 1946 making the club one

of the oldest in La Crosse County! 4-H

clubs are made up of children from

kindergarten through high school. We

meet the second Sunday of each month at

5pm in the Mattes Center. We are always

looking for eager volunteers to showcase

their talents or for new members. If

anyone is interested, or has any

questions, please feel free to contact Kim

Young at (608)796-0099 or e-mail

kkymmm@gmail.com.

Boy Scouts—Troop 22 meets at 6:45pm

weekly on Tuesday’s in the Mattes

Center.

Girl Scouts—Troop 4172 meetings are

not yet set.

Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts Meet at Good Shepherd

Lead

Raising Up Spiritual Leaders

Connect

Bridging Our Community To Our World

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

The Sanctuary Choir

The Sanctuary Choir rehearses between

services every Sunday from September

through May and new members are

always welcome!! If you would like to

join our Sanctuary Choir, please contact

Karl Greenfield at 715-214-8528

or at karl@gslacrosse.org

The Gloria Dei Choir

We rehearse between services on

Sundays from September through May in

the Mattes Center and new members are

always welcome! If your children would

like to be a part of the Gloria Dei Choir,

please contact Darlene Lassig at

(608)788-5686 or at

darlene@gslacrosse.org.

Hand Bell Choir

Practices are on Sunday evenings

5:30pm for adult bell choir and 6:30pm for

youth bell choir. If you have any questions

please contact Linda Jerome at

linda@gslacrosse.org.

High School Youth Group

(Grades 9-12) Good Shepherd’s

High School Youth Group is a group

that meets on Wednesday evenings

at 6pm throughout the year.

Fellowship and games 6–7p with a

bible study at 7p. You aren't the only

Christian at your school! Come

hangout with other awesome teens

just like yourself. Social events

throughout the year along with a

yearly mission trip. Want to learn

more? Contact Stephanie Andersen

at stephanie@gslacrosse.org or just

drop in and check it out for yourself!

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, Ecclesiastes 12:1

West Avenue Food

Emergency Relief (WAFER)

is asking for spaghetti and

sauce during the month of

January. Thank you for all

the donations given in

December!

Please leave all donations in

the grocery cart near our bulletin boards in

the Welcome Area. A monetary gift may

also be given to help support WAFER.

Simply make your check out to Good

Shepherd, and indicate WAFER in the check

memo area.

If you have any questions about Scouts, please call the church office at 788-0450 and

we can connect you with the group leaders.

Our next Mobile Meals will be sometime in 2017!!

Thank you all for delivering Mobile

Meals in November/December and

through out 2016 year!! Mobile Meals of

La Crosse delivers 33,000 meals

annually to the homebound, largely

through the efforts of local churches like

ours.

Need more information?

Call 784-4623 or go

online at mobilemealsoflacrosse.org.

Pick-up place is Franciscan/Mayo at the

Market Street door and the pick-up time

will be 11am. Please allow 1 1/2 to 2

hours delivery time. We are route #1.

Weekly Sunday Attendance

September

2016

September

2015

% Difference

27,127.38 40,792.70 -33.5%

YTD 2016 YTD 2015 % Difference

309,305.61 350167.00 -11.7%

If you would like to view the

complete financial statements that

are shared with the Council, please

contact Rick in the church office at

rick@gslacrosse.org or by calling

the church office (608)788-0450.

Envelope Offering Comparison

Weekly Envelope Offerings

Stewardship

GSlacrosse.org Page 7

Church Numbers Memorials & Special Gifts

Page 6 GSlacrosse.org

Date 8:30am 10:30am

11/06/16 125 169

11/13/16 147 137

11/20/16 87 92

11/27/16 85 109

Date Weekly % Budget

11/06/16 11,014.83 138%

11/13/16 4,539.50 55%

11/20/16 7,220.55 91%

11/27/16 4352.50 55%

Totals 27,127.38 85%

Good Shepherd gratefully acknowledges and sincerely appreciates your gifts over and above

your regular giving. The following gifts were received from Nov. 15 through Dec 18, 2016.

Donations From CouncilDonations From

CongregationMatching Funds Funds from Lee Estate

Needed 14,075.00 35,925.00 100,000.00 80,316.68

Given To Date 14,796.32 54,887.00 75,000.00

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

Mortgage Elimination Progress as of 12/19/16Form this point forward, all funds from the congregation or council will reduce the funds

that wi ll be needed from the Lee estates to pay off the mortgage.

Needed Given To Date

Do you know about our Giving Tree? If not, this is a unique

way to sponsor items or services used within our church.

Our giving tree is located in the corner by the main entrance

in the welcome area. Select the tag(s) that mean the most

to you and return them and the donation in the envelopes

provided by either placing it in the offering plate, dropping

it off at or mailing it to the church office.

Wafer

Connie Lee

Evelyn Lee

Ramon & Connie Erickson

Jim & Sue Bugge

Ardis Severson

Edward Erickson Memorial

Harald & Andrea Bringsjord

Ace Stadthaus Memorial

Harald & Andrea Bringsjord

Scott & Kristine Krueger

Art & Betty Olson

Nathan Erickson Memorial

Mary Post

Thrivent Choice Dollars

Charles Brigson

Judy Goodno Memorial

Harald & Andrea Bringsjord

Bobbie Cree

0.00

5,000.00

10,000.00

15,000.00

20,000.00

25,000.00

30,000.00

35,000.00

40,000.00

45,000.00

50,000.00

Aug Sep Oct Nov

Envelope Offerings by month

2014

2015

2016

* Nov. 2015 was a 5 Sunday month, Nov. 2016 had only 4 Sundays.

Around the Parish... Around the Parish...

Page 8 GSlacrosse.org GSlacrosse.org Page 9

Saturday Quilting Join us Saturday, January 21st, at 9am for friendship, fun and comradery as we work together making quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Our group also meets regularly on Wednesdays at 12:30pm. All are welcome to attend, and experience is not required so come and join us as we work together to make the world a little warmer for those in need.

Adult Bible Study Our Adult Bible Study meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month. We will be studying James, chapters are spread over 9 lessons so we would meet thru May. All are welcome, contact Maree Smith for more information. mareeblue@aol.com

Lydia Circle Carol Abraham will be leading our meeting Jan. 3rd at 1pm. The subject is Lesson 25 “James”. Host will be Sandra Walsh & Joanne DeClute, devotions will be by Barbara Hegge. Please call Carol Abraham 787-0679 if you have any questions. All are welcome!

Complexities of Family Life This group is for anyone experiencing the complexities of family life especially, if you have gone through or are going through separation or divorce. We will be holding our next meeting at noon on Sunday, January 15th and again at noon on Sunday the 29th in the Mattes Center, lunch will be provided. If you are interested in being supportive and receiving support, participating in relational activities and learning through one another come and join us! For more information contact Kim Phetteplace 608-397-5201 or Pastor Harald Bringsjord 608-788-0450

Come for Supper Come for Supper provides nutritious free meals served with generosity and love every Tuesday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. They are always in need of volunteers to prep and serve meals. Good Shepherd Church is committed to the last Tuesday every other month. Meals are served at 5pm every Tuesday of the year in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Anyone can be a part of this outreach program! Prep work starts at 1pm every Tuesday and lasts about two hours. Volunteers interested in helping serve meals should arrive at 4:30pm and we are usually done by 6:30pm. You will bless others, and they will bless you right back! For more information contact Judy Casto at 608-385-1410 or the church office.

Good Shepherd Women - WELCA All women are invited to the next WELCA (Women of the ELCA) meeting, Thursday, January 5th, at 6pm, when we hold elections. This past year, we collected a little less than $5,000 in donations and fund raisers, including the Holiday Marketplace, and spent a little more than $9,000 on the church and community. This included a commercial refrigerator, new tables for the Mattes Center, and our first annual commitment to the Scholarship Fund. We gave to 15 different outreach organizations, including $1850 to the Family & Children's Center, which the congregation helped fund by purchasing quilts, and a quilt raffle that raised $350 for Project Linus. We made and donated 90 quilts and 10 tied blankets to various organizations, and 96 kits for Lutheran World Relief. And all was done with the help from not only women, but men, youth and confirmation students. What is needed now, are women, who have a few good ideas and a desire to make a difference. Please join us on January 5th and help make next year even better. Notice The deadline for contributions to be included on your 2016 contribution statement is Wednesday December 28. All contributions received after that date will be considered giving for the 2017 calendar year.

Tree Trimming Thank Yous Thank you to all the members who attended the Tree Trimming night on Dec 2nd. Your work created a festive atmosphere for the holiday season. The food & fellowship were plentiful, not a spoonful of chili was left and the variety of homemade cookies added to everyone's waistline. Yummy!! Kathy Johnson & I put together a party favor thank you for everyone who helped Dec 2nd. Door prize winners were Joan Schultz & Judy Christopherson. - Julie Noll

2017 Offering Envelopes 2017 offering envelopes are available on the table in the back of the welcome area. If you have not used your envelopes over the past year, a box was not issued to you and your contributions will be listed under your name rather than envelope number. If you did not receive envelopes but would like them, contact Kathy or Rick in the church office.

2017 Caring for Souls Concert Join us for the second in what looks to be an annual concert series featuring lots of local talent, and benefiting local charities. The concert will be held January 29th at 2pm. Read Randy’s article on page 18 and watch future bulletins for more information.

Bunco Night Friday, Jan. 20th at 6pm in the Mattes Center. Join us for a potluck and evening of games. Bring a $5 wrapped gift, the theme is “A New Year”

January 2016 8:30am Worship Service 10:30am Worship Service Sunday School concurrent with both services Communion 1st and 3rd Sundays of Each Month

Adult Bell Choir

Meets every Sunday

each week. at 5:30pm.

Youth Bell Choir

Meets every Sunday

each week. at 6:30pm.

Sanctuary Choir

Meets every Sunday

Each week at 9:30am.

Sounds of Praise

Meets every Saturday each

week at 4pm.

Gloria Dei Choir

Meets every Sunday

each week at 9:45am.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat January 1

Name Tag & Cookie Sunday

sponsored by ??

New Years Day

NO Sunday School

2

NO W5 3

West Pastor Conference

1pm Lydia Circle

6pm Buildings & Grounds

6:45pm BS Troop 22 Mtg

4 10am Staff Meeting

12:30pm Quilting

6pm Youth Group (Gr. 9-12)

6:30pm Confirmation

5 6pm WELCA Annual Meeting

6 7

8 11:30am Praise/Worship Team

5pm 4-H Meeting

6:30pm BS Troop 22 Adult Mtg

9

6:30pm W5 10 1:45pm Hillview Communion

6:45pm BS Troop 22 Mtg

11 12:30pm Quilting

6pm Youth Group (Gr. 9-12)

6:30pm Confirmation

6:30pm Adult Bible Study

12

6pm Hospitality Mtg

13

8th Grade Urban

Immersion Service

Retreat back Jan 15th

14

15

Guest Pastor Chris Hallemeier

Noon Complexities of Family Life

16

5:30pm Membership,

Growth/Fellowship Mtg

6:30pm W5

17 6pm Parish Ed Meeting

6pm Admin/Exec Meeting

6:45pm BS Troop 22 Mtg

7pm Church Council Mtg

18 12:30pm Quilting

6pm Youth Group (Gr. 9-12)

6:30pm Confirmation

19

11:30am 55 Plus

20

Feb. Voice Articles

& Annual Reports

Submissions Due

6pm Bunko Theme

“A New Year”

21

9am Quilting

22

1st Grade Milestone

Guest preacher Don Shunkwiler

9:45am Care Ministry Meeting

9:45am Hot Topics

23

6:30pm W5 24 6:45pm BS Troop 22 Mtg

25 12:30pm Quilting

6pm Youth Group (Gr. 9-12)

6:30pm Confirmation

26

8:30 February Voice Mailing

Crew

27

28

29

8th Grade Led Service

8am Potato Bar (Youth Event)

Noon Complexities of Family Life

2pm “Caring For Souls” Concert

6pm Venture Crew Meeting

30

6:30pm W5 31

6:45pm BS Troop 22 Mtg February 1

12:30pm Quilting

6pm Youth Group (Gr. 9-

12) 6:30pm Confirmation

2

6pm WELCA Mtg 3

4

5

Scout Sunday

Name Tag & Cookie Sunday

sponsored by Boy Scouts Troop 22

6:30 BS Troop 22 Adult Meeting

6

6:30pm W5 7

West Pastor Conference

1pm Lydia Circle

6pm Buildings & Grounds

6:45pm BS Troop 22

8

10am Staff Meeting

12:30pm Quilting

6pm Youth Group (Gr. 9-

12) 6:30pm Confirmation

6:30pm Adult Bible Study

9

6pm Hospitality Mtg 10

11

To access the most up-to-date calendar visit GSlacrosse.org/calendar.

GSlacrosse.org Page 13 Page 12 GSlacrosse.org

Staff

Rev. Harald Bringsjord Pastor

prharald@gslacrosse.org

Rick Laufenberg Office M anager

rick@gslacrosse.org | (608) 788-0450

Kathy Johnson Office Assistant

kathy@gslacrosse.org

Tammy Klein Children’s M inistry

Coordinator tammy@gslacrosse.org

Stephanie Andersen Y outh M inistry

Coordinator stephanie@gslacrosse.org

Randy Lyden M usic Director/

Organist randy@gslacrosse.org |

(608) 779-9669

Linda Jerome Bell Choir Director

linda@gslacrosse.org

Darlene Lassig Volunteer Gloria Dei

Choir Director

darlene@gslacrosse.org |

(608) 788-5686

Karl & Jaime Greenfield Sanctuary

Choir Directors karl@gslacrosse.org |

(715) 214-8528

Bev Sorenson Volunteer Parish

Nurse bev@gslacrosse.org

Bill Klein Custodian/M aintenance

bill@gslacrosse.org

Your Health

From the desk of our Parish Nurse

Bev Sorenson, RN GS Volunteer Parish Nurse

bev@gslacrosse.org

(608) 792-3962

Parish Health News:

GSlacrosse.org/parish-nurse-update.

Health Questions? Call the Gundersen Telephone Nurse Advisor

Church Council Members

Sara Wrobel President of the

Congregation sara@gslacrosse.org

Duane Schoen Vice President of

the Congregation

Dianne Hamann Treasurer

Monty Gilbertson Secretary

Other Church Council Members

include: Don Skibba, Lori Lowell, Beth Bonney,

Bev Sorenson, Barbara Kilpatrick, Mary

Isaacs, Carol Powell, Candie Luehne,

Janice Thaldorf & Colin Smith.

Questions? Don’t know who to contact? Contact the Church Office.

(608) 788-0450 | office@gslacrosse.org | www.gslacrosse.org

4141 Mormon Coulee Rd. La Crosse, WI 54601 (Office hours 8am to 1pm)

Dear Congregation,

Tis the season for giving. Happy Holidays

everyone. I recently attended an inspirational

meeting, yes inspirational. The gathering was at

First English Lutheran Church. I listened to Rev

Charles Lane talk about stewardship and

generosity. Twelve different church groups

attended and shared how they are being

stewards in our community. The evening was

delightful and aspiring of how we can do more.

The Spiritual Gift of Giving in Scripture:

Romans 12:6-8 "We have different gifts,

according to the grace given to each of us. If

your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in

accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then

serve; if it is teaching then teach; if it is to

encourage, then give encouragement; if it is

giving, the give generously; if it is to lead, do it

diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it

cheerfully."

What is the spiritual gift of giving? People with

the spiritual gift of giving have an innate ability

to see the needs of others and have the resources

to help them. "Three areas most people think of

when it comes to the spiritual gift of giving is

the providing of abilities, resources or

time. Sometimes this gift is just described as the

monetary gifts provided to the church or

ministry, but it really means to give of whatever

you have to help someone else. Each of us has

a specific ability or talent. Sometimes it is

another gift, but mostly it includes things we are

able to do like build, sew, cook, read, teach,

etc. It means helping others with their

homework, helping build homes for the

homeless, cook for those grieving. Sometimes

we take our talents for granted and don't always

feel compelled to share these abilities. Others

have the resources to give of themselves.

Sometimes that resource is money, sometimes

it's things and other times it just time. As much

as money isn't something Christian's like to

focus on, providing financially for churches,

missions, ministries, etc. can do a lot to build

the Christian community and help others. Even

small amounts of financial support

help. Meanwhile, others may not have the

finances to do much, so instead they give their

time to help others. People work in soup

kitchens, tutor underprivileged youth, etc. to

give whatever others may need. The spiritual

gift of giving comes in many forms.

Is the gift of giving my spiritual gift?

Ask yourself the following questions, if yes is

the answer to many, then you have the spiritual

gift of giving.

1. Are you normally very tuned in to what

others need?

2. Do you see what you have in abundance and

feel compelled to share your wealth of

abilities, time or resources with others?

3. Do you see giving as a privilege rather than

an obligation?

4. Does giving warm your heart?

5. Do you seek out ways to share what you

have?

6. Do others see you as a generous person

working on behalf of God?

The Spiritual Gift of Mercy in Scripture:

Matthew 9:36 "When he saw the crowds, he had

compassion on them, because they were

harassed and helpless, like sheep without a

shepherd."

What is the spiritual gift of mercy? The spiritual

gift of mercy is one in which a person

demonstrates a strong ability to empathize with

others with compassion, words and actions.

Those with this gift are able to provide

Continued on page 19.

GSlacrosse.org Page 15 Page 14 GSlacrosse.org

Happy New Year!

I can’t believe Christmas has come and gone…

but I am all for celebrating all year round. I

think I will start this month’s article off with a

huge THANK YOU! Thank you to all the

parents of our Sunday Schoolers who came to

celebrate Christmas with us! The Christmas

program was a huge success. We had lots of

“characters”, but the kids did a great job! The

most important part of the day was sharing the

true meaning of Christmas. Next on the list –

that each child wanting a speaking or singing

part has a chance to have that experience.

Third on the list is to share the morning

together with family and friends. Finally – for

the kids to have fun doing this for our church

family! I think all was accomplished!

THANK YOU to all the youth and teachers

that helped to make the program run smoothly.

They were so successful with costumes, to

props, to practice, to “crowd control”.

THANK YOU so much!

THANK YOU to staff who put so much into

helping behind the scenes, sound, office, music

are such a big part of making the program

happen. Finally, THANK YOU to our

Confirmation students. Some of these

wonderful young folks played parts in the

program to help with the telling of our story.

Our Sunday Schoolers look up so much to

these Confirmation and Youth! Keep coming,

we need you all!

Up next, we start telling a new story on

January 8th. We will start in the Cinema,

Computer Lab and Game Room with the story

of the House on the Rock, Matthew 7:24-28.

January 22nd, 1st graders with receive their

Prayer Blocks. We have a LOT OF KIDS

getting blocks this year, so please go to the

website and register. You can fill out the form,

or email me the information. I can fill out a

form for you. Because these blocks are

handmade, I won’t put names on until we get a

registration. This will help so that we don’t

have Blocks that need to be re-sanded,

re-finished, etc.

We will follow that up with Jesus and John the

Baptist, with Prayer Pillows on Feb 26th.

Please note the dates on the calendar that is

located under the Rotational Sunday School

page on the Good Shepherd.org.

I wish you all the best for your family in the

New Year! Lent is around the corner so

remember that the whole reason to celebrate

Christmas, is so that we can Celebrate Easter!

Thank you all for a wonderful start to the year!

Happy New Year!

Tammy

Tammy Klein Children's Ministry Coordinator

tammy@gslacrosse.org (608)788-0450

Recent Sunday School News: GSlacrosse.org/children.

In the Office: M on., W ed., Fri.: 2:30-7pm

Stay Connected! Receive message alerts for Sunday School at Good Shepherd. Send the message

@rubberduck to the number (608) 807-2784. All parents and children with a cell

phone are encouraged to sign-up! Data charges may apply. Must age 13+ to sign up without parental guidance. This service is brought to you

by Remind®.

January 1st NO SUNDAY SCHOOL…HAPPY NEW YEAR

January 3rd New Units available for Sunday School Staff pickup.

January 8 th House on the Rock – Games, Cinema, Computer

January 22nd First Grade Milestone Ministry, Prayer Block Presentation

January 29 th Jesus and John the Baptist – Kitchen, Art, Science

February 19th Spirit Sunday/Birthday Sunday

February 26th 2nd Grade Milestone – Prayer Pillows

Lenten Project – All Classes

GSlacrosse.org Page 17 Page 16 GSlacrosse.org

Stephanie Andersen

Director of Youth and Family Ministry

stephanie@gslacrosse.org (608) 788-0450

Recent Youth News: GSlacrosse.org/youth

In the Office: W ednesday 4-8pm and Sunday 2:00—4:00 pm

Youth Update

Confirmation (Grades 6-8) & High School Youth (Grades 9-12)

Confirmation:

Due to Christmas break, confirmation met

only 2 weeks in December, but we made the

most out of our time. The month began with

our service night, during which groups

helped with BINGO and rang bells for the

Salvation Army. Luckily they were able to

have indoor locations and stay out of the

wind!

January begins an exciting transition for our

8th graders. They will begin planning the

8th grade led service, which is on January

29th. They will also begin work on their

faith statements and faith banners as they

prepare for confirmation this spring. This

can be an intimidating task for the students,

who are often not my biggest fan when I

introduce it. However, it is my favorite part

of confirmation as it gives me a chance to

hear in their own words what their faith

means to them. It is a challenging task, but

all the students have rose to the challenge in

the past and I do not doubt this year's class

will do so again.

Each year 8th graders are provided an

opportunity to attend a weekend service

retreat through Urban Immersion and

Minneapolis. Three students are able to

attend this year's retreat which will be held

January 13th -15th. If you did not sign up

your student, but wish for them to attend, let

me know ASAP as I may still be able to

arrange a few more spots.

High School Youth:

Christmas has been filling the youth room

the last few weeks. November ended with

Christmas themed music Wednesday and

December started with a trip to the Rotary

lights. Of course, Wisconsin weather

decided to show its ugly head and it was a

cold walk through the lights, but it was a fun

walk nonetheless. We also completed an

Advent themed bible study for our

remaining weeks of youth group.

In January we will begin a new bible study

series titled “Sticky faith.” This study is

based research completed by Fuller Youth

Institute, which shows the 40-50% of

students will fall away from their faith after

high school. Based on this research, Fuller

Institute created this study to equip high

school students to head out into the world

and hold onto their faith whether they head

into the military, workforce or college.

Although the lessons are focused on life

after high school, we reviewed this study

and feel even the younger students will

benefit as they face a lot of the same

challenge within the high school culture.

We will also have our 8th grade fellowship

night on January 4th, which will introduce

the 8th graders to youth group. The goal is

to give them a taste of what youth group is

all about and introduced them to the older

students in order to take away some of the

anxiety related to joining a new group.

We have an exciting fundraiser this month

so mark your calendars! The youth will be

holding their 2nd annual Potato Bar on

January 29th following both services. To go

containers will be available or grab a warm

lunch before you head home in the cold.

Build your own potato for $5.00 with all the

fixings you can think of. Make sure to stop

at the bake sale to satisfy your sweet tooth

as well!

Mark your calendars for more fundraisers

coming soon...Butter Braids in February and

Youth fest with Top Shep Competitions in

April!

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk

along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 4:6-7 January 4th

6th/7th grade: Fellowship/service night

8th/High School: Fellowship night

January 11th

6th/7th Grade: Why do we say we believe in the “holy

catholic” church, if we are not Catholic?

8th grade: introduction to faith statements/banners

Youth Group: “Sticky Faith Study”

January 13-15th 8th Grade Urban Immersion Service Retreat

January 18th:

6th/7th Grade: “Ruth”

8th grade: Planning 8th grade led Service

Youth group: “Sticky Faith Study”

January 25th: 6th/7th Grade: “Why does God let bad things happen?”

8th Grade: Planning 8th grade led Service

January 29th: 8th grade led services

GSlacrosse.org Page 19 Page 18 GSlacrosse.org

Randy Lyden Good Shepherd Music Director randy@gslacrosse.org | (608) 779-9669 Recent Music Notes/Updates: GSlacrosse.org/music

Caring for Souls Concert 2017

On Sunday, January 29 at 2pm Good

Shepherd will present the second annual

Caring for Souls Concert. The concert will

raise awareness of and relief for the recent

victims of flooding in at least three La

Crosse Area Synod counties: Buffalo,

Crawford and Vernon counties. The flooding

in this last year has been especially bad.

Some have lost everything, such as a family,

now homeless, being supported by a Viroqua

congregation. Vernon county has

experienced worse flood damage than in

2007 and response has been slower.

Performing in the concert will be the Good

Shepherd Sanctuary Choir, the Hand Bell

Choir, and Sounds of Praise. The Onalaska

High School Orchestra and the vocal quintet

The Fifth Chamber will also be performing,

as well as several vocalists, including Gary

Moss, Dan Lefebvre and Denise Rivera.

A representative from the La Crosse Area

Synod will be present to share information

about the flooding and relief efforts in the

area and will be available for questions after

the concert. David Kilpatrick will be our

emcee for this event.

The concert will be here at Good Shepherd

and is free and open to the public. A free

will offering will be taken and we will learn

of other ways in which we can be helpful to

local area flooding victims. Most

importantly, the awareness that this helps to

raise is of inestimable value and will help

those in need more than we can imagine.

Please spread the word to family and friends.

This promises to be a wonderful afternoon of

music and a golden opportunity to show

those who have lost so much because of the

flooding disasters that they are not forgotten

in their time of greatest need!

Music Notes

From The Director of Music

some relief to those going through a tough time

physically, spiritually and emotionally. It is

important to understand, though the difference

between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy

sounds nice, but often has a level of pity involved

in the emotion. Empathy is something that loses

the pity and moves toward action. It is

understanding the deep pain or needs without

feeling sorry for someone. Being able to "Walk

in their shoes" for a moment. People with the

spiritual gift of mercy do not feel pity but feel a

pull toward making a bad situation better. There

is no judgement. It is always about making a

person and their situation better.

Is the Gift of Mercy your spiritual gift?

Ask yourself the following questions. If yes is

the answer to many of them then you have the

spiritual gift of mercy.

1. Are you often drawn to people who are

suffering or distressed?

2. Does helping the sick, needy disabled, elderly

excite you?

3. Do you find yourself wanting to participate in

ministries that work with job placement, food

pantries, shelters, assisted living homes etc?

4. Do people seek you out when they are having

a

tough time?

5. When you consider or considered college you

look to majors like psychology, sociology,

health sciences, social work or medicine?

The Spiritual Gift of Encouragement in

Scripture:

Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we

may spur one another on toward love and good

deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some

are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one

another, and all the more as you see the day

approaching."

What is the spiritual gift of encouragement? The

spiritual gift of encouragement is one of those

essential spiritual gifts that people don't tend to

notice they need until they get it. The person with

this gift has the ability to find those in need and

lift up their spirits. They are kind of like

cheerleaders in the church, encouraging people to

overcome difficulties. They allow those who are

hurting or burdened to see the light at the end of

the tunnel and feel as though there are people

who care about them. This gift is incredibly

important to church leadership, which can be

lonely. Many people go to their youth pastors,

leaders and elders to get advice and lay their

burdens out for them. Yet few people remember

that these leaders also need encouragement

themselves. A person with the spiritual gift of

encouragement is there to provide the leadership

support. The other thing the person with this gift

does is motivate action. Those with this gift often

see the positive side of movement and can help

push people in compassionate ways into doing

something that is good for them.

Is the Gift of encouragement your Spiritual gift?

Ask yourself the following questions, if yes is the

answer to many, then you may have the spiritual

gift of encouragement.

1. Do you always seem to just know when

someone is in need, even if they are not right

in

front of you?

2. Do people seek you out when they are feeling

low or sad or just need help with something?

3. When you have to confront someone about

something, do they often walk away feeling

better about it?

4. Do you tend to give good advice that fits the

individual's situation?

5. Are you drawn to people in need?

6. Can you always seem to find the light at the

end of the tunnel?

I leave you with my favorite quote of the

evening. "We make a living by what we get, we

make a life by what we give." Sr. Winston

Churchill. Peace to you all. May your holidays be

blessed and full of Love. Next year, may we find

many new ways to give of our Spiritual gifts of

giving, mercy and encouragement.

Your Parish Nurse,

Bev Sorenson

Source: Christian teens.about.com/od/

Christianliving/a/jspirtual-gifts-giving.htm