M A R C H 2 0 1 4

CELEBRATING 63 YEARS IN GOD’S SERVICE

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

Dear Faithful People of Good Shepherd,

In Kiev and Caracas it is clear, but revolutionary change is also stirring much closer to home. There is restlessness within each and every one of us that longs for something else, something dif-ferent. We hunger for change in our lives. We want more, but we are afraid to venture into unknown untested waters without some assurances that everything will be okay. We don’t want to give up even the misery we know for an unknown condition or state of being. So we are caught in a classic double bind. We want to change, but we resist the thought with a death-like paral-ysis, and yet change will happen all around us and our landscape will become unrecognizable if we blink too long. Where can we find the courage to change the behaviors and thoughts that keep us from being who we are called to be? This is one of the primary questions that the season of Lent seeks to answer. We are called to be children of God. To be God’s child is to be in touch with the divine in a way that is primary. Before we list our occupation, our familial connections and social group mem-berships we are God’s children. Owning our yearning and then

finding the courage to embrace this weighty truth is hard because with this identity comes a calling to live a life that affirms this identity. To affirm our identity as God’s children we are called to end our flirtatious relationship with society’s valuation system and exchange our fantasy of superiority for the kind of equali-ty grounded in loving service that Jesus personified. Like Simon, the fragile human that was transformed into the rock upon which Jesus declared he would build his church, our call is the same. Jesus’ love and forgiveness is revolutionary. When we let go of our false selves and embrace our true identity, it is this same radical love and forgiveness that becomes our call-ing card. Each Wednesday during this season of Lent here at Good Shepherd we are called to come together as a community of individuals to taste the change we hunger for. Our Soup and Bread suppers offer us a time to come together as God’s children without social posturing. The worship services that follow those meals will help us to see clearly to the assurances that make it possible for us to shed our fear of change and em-brace the courage to be God’s children. So my appeal to you, beloved child of God is for you to make a change to your schedule for the next forty days. Allow yourselves the gift of experiencing all that Lent has to offer you so that you can be all that you long to and are called to be. Choose to worship each Lord’s Day, to gather for soup and worship each Wednesday, join our Monday Lectio Divina and venture out to the Preacher’s Pub on Thursday and Vicar’s Café on Sunday. Join our Worship to Go team and come out on Ministry team Monday. It is time to embrace the change of discipleship!

Changin’ in Christ,

Come gather 'round people

Wherever you roam

And admit that the waters

Around you have grown

And accept it that soon

You'll be drenched to the bone

If your time to you

Is worth savin'

Then you better start swimmin'

Or you'll sink like a stone

For the times they are a-changin'.

(Bob Dylan)

This Lenten season brings yet another opportunity for members and friends to en-joy each other’s company at the Soup and Bread Suppers on Wednesdays evenings at 6:15 p.m. followed by worship at 7:30 p.m. If you have not taken advantage of this op-portunity for this midweek pick-me-up in Faith and Fellowship, please consider par-ticipating. On the business side of our faith community this is budget preparation time so our ministry teams have set forth their goals and have identified the financial support needed to meet these goals. The executive committee and council will be reviewing the budget this month and voting on a recommended budget in April for presentation at the May meeting of the Congregation. School enrollment plays a big role in the

church and school financial plan. As enrollment for the next school year continues and a new marketing plan begins let’s all make an effort to spread the word about how special our school is because of its Chris-tian environment. Finally, a warm welcome to our 13 new members formally accepted on Transfiguration Sunday. We are happy you are part of our family.

In Christ,

Kevin Ocker Congregation President

We will be celebrating First Holy Communion during our 10:00 a.m. worship service on Palm Sunday, April 13th. If you have a child in third grade or higher who would like to receive his/her First Holy Commun-ion, please plan to attend our Communion class in the sacristy immediately following our 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, March 30th and a second class at our soup supper on Wednesday, April 9th. If you have a baptized child younger than First Communion age, but you feel that he/she is old enough and ready to re-ceive, please speak to Pastor Eric so that he/she may be included in this class.

It is hard to believe but it is the beginning of March and the beginning of an im-portant time of year: Lent. The first reading for Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is from the prophet Joel who reminds us that the Lord loves us and seeks our hearts: “Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fast-ing, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Joel 2:12-13). Historically, Lent is a time to prepare the unbaptized for baptism and to prepare those who are baptized for a renewal of baptism on Easter. As a community, we

intentionally gather during the 40 days of Lent to pray, fast, and give alms to the poor. We do these things not to gain God’s favor, but to remind ourselves of the renewal of life that our baptism calls forth. Through-out Lent, we will pray this prayer after Communion, a prayer which in many ways encapsulates this special time of year: “Compassionate God, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Sustain us in our Lenten pil-grimage: may our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; and our prayer, the song of grate-ful hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

In Christ,

Vicar Nicholas Sollom

Our fourth annual Wednesday Evening Lenten Soup & Bread supper will return on Wednesday, March 12th at 6:15 p.m. and will continue over the six Wednes-days in Lent. Each year since 2011 this supper has devel-oped into quite a successful gathering to which we all look forward. As always, it is YOU who make these types of events the success that they are. Having said that, we need soup makers and bread bringers each week. Please sign up in the narthex or contact Maureen at church@ourshepherdlives.org. Keeping in tradition, our midweek Lenten wor-ship service follows each supper at 7:30 p.m. in the church. Nourish your soul and your body with good things—this is a terrific opportunity to grow in faith and fellowship!

Holy Communion

Saturdays @ 5:30 p.m.

Sundays @ 8:00 & 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Gatherings

March 12, 19, 16

April 2, 9 & 13

6:15 p.m.

Soup & Bread Supper

7:30 p.m.

Midweek Lenten Service

Mid-Week Lenten Worship begins on March 12th at 7:30 p.m., immediately after our soup & bread dinner. Ideally, all of our broth-ers and sisters should share in our soup and bread dinners and continue the Lenten ob-servance with this 7:30 p.m. service. Confirma-tion Students are required to attend both in lieu of Wednesday classes during Lent. If you cannot drive or prefer not to drive in the even-ing, please don’t feel left out. Please call the church at 349-1966, and we will help to arrange transportation for you.

WE WANT YOU HERE!

Worship and Music Ministry team will be adding a new opportunity for worship beginning May 18 when a once a month Sunday evening Taize service will be offered. What is a Taize service? It is a candle-lit service that is meditative in nature. It consists of quiet singing (short songs repeated again and again), scripture, silence for meditating (a time to reflect on whatever word or phrase touches ones heart), and prayer. While we are starting it initially as a vespers service, it is our intention to hold a Taize communion service several times a year. More information will follow.

- Submitted by Margaret Wenger

Nicole DeFilippis - 3/29

Sue Devine - 3/31

Madison Gresser - 3/22

Michael Haupt - 3/25

John Hinsch - 3/28

Jordan Hinsch - 3/29

Declan Janski - 3/4

Erika Jurik - 3/8

Meagan Knapp - 3/12

Madelyn Lee - 3/5

Halli Mecabe-Alexander - 3/7

Allie Olanick - 3/20

Lars Olsen - 3/6

Katalina Paterakis - 3/9

Lilli Schulz - 3/24

Kimberly Sieloff 3/1

Nicole Steinert - 3/4

Emily Trapp - 3/8

Christina Uzzo - 3/16

Jonathan Uzzo - 3/28

Michael Walsh - 3/13

Matthew Wiegert - 3/18

Born February 5, 2014

6 lbs. 10 oz.

Congratulations Marc & Christine Dondero

Grandma Naomi Hulver

Great Grandma Dorothy Cronin

Great Uncle David Cronin

Congratulations to Florence’s grand-

son, Adam Ruth on becoming an Eagle

Scout on March 13. “Nana” Ruth & the

whole family are very proud!

Naomi & John Hulver—2 years on 3/24

Helen & Argot Meyer— 46 years on 3/23

UPCOMING SERVICES

At Shepherd Hill Community Center

Please join us for Imposition of Ashes at

Noon on Ash Wednesday, March 5th.

Beginning Wednesday, March 12, at 3:00 p.m. You are invited to a monthly

Service of Healing followed by tea & conversation.

To be held on the first Wednesday of each Month thereafter

Your friends & neighbors at

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church look forward to sharing

these special times with you.

WE PRAY FOR...

T H O S E S E R V I N G

I N T H E M I L I T A R Y

Roger Griffith & Nick Sollom

T H O S E W H O A R E

C E L E B R A T I N G

T H O S E I N N E E D O F H E A L I N G

Maureen Kelly Araujo, Alex & Derek Bartkow, Cindy Becker, Edwina Bishop, John Binsfeld (Benner family friend), Martin Bolivar (Louise Lamont’s cousin), John & Eddie Brusdeliens (J. Hinsch family friend), Lynne Carlson (Irma’s daughter-in-law), Edna Carrera (Martha Peterson’s friend), Carol Cassis (Elaine Cassimatis’ mother), Ava Cataldo

(GSL student), John Ciarico (Olsen family friend), Michael Comparetto (McGowan family friend), Gisela Conforti, Dorothy Cronin, Chris Cucci (Naomi Hulver’s student) & family, Frank D’Elia, Claudia DeMauro, Kristin DeMayo (McGowan family friend), Ken Dixon (Pastor Eric’s friend), Susan Dowd (Maisch family friend), Sally Ducey, Anna Duda (Denise Bartkow’s mother), Becky Ernst (Paul Wenger’s cousin), Karen Eskesen (Lois Fassino’s niece) & family, Ryan Faret & family, Jim Fassino, Irene Fields (Naomi Hulver’s aunt), James Fields (Vincent Cronin’s nephew), Judy Gerstenfeld & Family (Naomi Hul-ver’s relatives), Mary Gessing (Vincent Cronin’s cousin), Lilah & Jim Gillett (Kathy Prinz’s friends), Erika Green, Liz Haley, Sidak Hans (Victoria Shenko-Jacobson’s friend), Margaret Holleran (Eleanor Pearson’s friend), Renee Iannone (Irma Carlson’s niece), Alex-

is Jacobsen (GSL teacher LeeAnn’s daughter), Anna Jerome, Joanne Jurasek (GSL Teacher Joni Prevette’s mother), Lois Kazarian, Dillon Kwarta, Toni Anne LaGois, Christian Lakis, Kenneth Lane, Martha Langhahr, Lois Lengenfeld-er, Claire Larrie (Mary Wiegert’s sister), Jim Mason, Bea McCabe, Patty McAtasney (Maureen Cooke’s cousin), Pas-tor Fred McElderry (St. Andrew’s in West Hempstead), Claire Mehrhoff (Alice Vorstadt’s friend), Ruth Odwazny, Meghan Ortega (Lisa Olsen’s niece), Nick Portugal (Liam Broggy’s friend), Dr. Mark Prowatzke (Danny Wenger’s father in law), Cathy Reese (Alice Vordstadt’s friend), Roger Ressmeyer (Judy Hinsch’s cousin), Justin Rogers (Karin Kienle’s nephew), Julia Saprenza, Glenn Schabel, Sarah Silber (Margaret & Paul Wenger’s daughter), Adam Sink (Judy Hinsch’s nephew), Tim Sollom, Ian Spadaro, Audrey Schwartz, Anna Stutzbach, Joyce Tare, Madison Von Bargen (Ruff’ family friend), Carole Weyant (Maisch family friend), Vicki Zaleski (Olsen family friend), and Brother George Zenle (Wenger family friend).

Keith & Kyle Calderone (Army), Specialist Sean Hassett (Lori Mason’s cousin), CPT. Paul Rick-meyer, Captain Robert Saueracker, LTC. Phillip Sounia, USMC, Corporal Nicholas Ventrelli-O’Connell (Patty Larson’s family friend).

T H O S E P R E P A R I N G

F O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T R Y

The Jansky family celebrates James Gerard’s baptism here at Good Shepherd on 3/2; Former GSL Teacher Donna Rula cele-brated the birth of her granddaughter Isa-bella Lucia; the Cronin & Dondero families celebrated the birth of August Paul Don-dero on 2/5; the Hinsch & Wilinski families celebrated Daniel James’ baptism on 2/16; Reverend Rudy Ressmeyer celebrated his 90th birthday on 2/22.

T H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V I N G

Vicar Nick and the family & friends of Patricia Claire Stettler; the family & friends of Elaine Backmeier, Louis Ferrara, and Elsé Lippold.

Please consider joining or supporting Team Good Shepherd as we stand up to childhood cancer!!! The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is holding a head-shaving event right here in Plainview at Mattlin Middle School’s gym on Tuesday, March 25th from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., and we have a team! Last year our team of Pastor Eric, Lars & Luke Olsen, Elaine Cassimatis, Alex Less-man, Rodney Schabel & Roy Steinhilber raised nearly $4,000 on very short notice. Please help us surpass that amount this year! Please note that “Shaving your head” does not mean going bald, rather just a very short buzz cut. You can participate either as a shave, a barber, or a volunteer. If you would like to play on our team please visit Team Good Shepherd’s page at www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/92002/2014 to register to participate or to just make a donation. Stop by Mattlin Middle School on the 25th for food, raffles, hair extensions & lots of fun!

FROM OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY TEAM...We delivered 120 lbs. of food and four bags of coats to the New Life Center on Monday, February 24th! Thank you for your continued support! During the month of March we will be collecting boys & girls’ baby clothes from size 0-3 months to 2T (also 24 months). TO MARLY LYNN & JEFF EISELE... for chaperoning the LYO Junior Retreat on February 21-23. The teens had such a great time and can’t wait to go back! We couldn’t have done it without you! FROM OUR SCHOOL’S BUTTERFLIES...many Thanks for all the gallon milk containers you donated for our Igloo project. One wall of our classroom was filled with them!

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

99 Central Park Road, Plainview, NY 11803 Phone: 516-349-1966

E-mail: church@ourshepherdlives.org Website: www.ourshepherdlives.org

Ministers: The Members of Good Shepherd

Reverend Eric O. Olsen, Pastor Reverend Nicholas Sollom, Vicar

Reverend Marc Herbst, Assistant to Bishop Robert Rimbo Judy R. Hinsch, A.I.M., School Director

Teresa Ratkowski, Director of Choir and Organist Maureen Cooke, Church Secretary/Newsletter Editor

Lindsay Kuefner, School Secretary Ed Indellicati, Accountant/Bookkeeper

John E. Menig, Jr., Sexton Bobby Lang, Sexton

Jumping on the bandwagon

Wading through paperwork

Running around in circles

Pushing your luck

Spinning your wheels

Adding fuel to the fire

Beating our head against the wall

Climbing the walls

Beating your own drum

Dragging your heels

Jumping to conclusions

Grasping at straws

Fishing for compliments

Throwing your weight around

Passing the buck Apple Seeds

© JoyfulNoiseletter.com Reprinted with permission

Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to purchase more than enough food for our confirmation students to pack. If you would like to join them on Sunday, April 6, from 4:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m., please call 349-1966 or e-mail church@ourshepherdlives.org as soon as possible.

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This event is in lieu of the NORC WALK, which will not be held this year. We hope all who supported the NORC WALK in the past will support this Variety Show.

Programs & Services Include: In-home visits with a North Shore LIJ

Registered Nurse In-home case management with a social

worker Transportation to medical appointments

and food shopping Minor home repairs Educational, social & health programs Information and referrals

Program Eligibility: Age 60+ residing in zip codes 11803 & 11804 A nonsectarian program, JCC membership not re-

quired

Monday—Friday 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. For more information or to volunteer, please contact:

Robyn Berman, MPA< MA Director, POB Cares & Project PACE

516-822-3535, x 385 or rberman@miyjcc.org

NNORC POB Cares & Project PACE

(Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) Helping Seniors in our Community. A program of the Mid-Island Y JCC.

FREE Programs & Services for Senior Residents of Plainview & Old Bethpage

Plainview-Old Bethpage Cares (POB Cares) and Project PACE (Plainview Assisting Community Elders) of-fer support to senior resides of Plainview and Old Bethpage enabling participants to live independently in their own homes.

UPDATE FOR MARCH 2014

WITH COUNSELING SITES LOCATED IN: NASSAU SUFFOLK MANHATTAN QUEENS WESTCHESTER STATEN ISLAND & BROOKLYN

Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools

Living in today’s world is often described as chal-

lenging. There seem to be many struggles to nego-

tiate in daily life. If we follow current events, we

read about natural disasters, political upheavals,

unemployment, inadequate health care, financial

reversals and other situations that require in-

creased emotional energy to navigate. Although

this seems to be an increasingly present phenome-

non in today’s world, we know as Christians that

life challenges were present from the beginning of

human history. In Genesis, we see many human

dilemmas created by living a life according to God’s

will versus choosing to live in the moment. One

story that comes to mind is that of brothers Jacob

and Esau. In the NIV Bible in Genesis 25:27, Esau

is described as “a skillful hunter, a man of the open

country” whereas Jacob is described as “a quiet

man, staying among the tents.” In this context, we

can think of Esau as a man of the moment willing

to give up his birthright because of an immediate

need--his hunger. Jacob, a quiet man and thinker,

seemingly gave considerably more thought about

his needs in the future rather than seeking immedi-

ate gratification.

Susan Cain is a self-proclaimed introvert living

in a world where the “extrovert ideal” is extolled as

the more desirable way to live. Success in Western

culture is often measured by one’s ability to stand

out in a crowd. Ms. Cain outlines a very different

view of success in her extensively researched book,

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That

Can’t Stop Talking (NY: Crown Publishing Group,

2012). Although there is some scientific disagree-

ment about the exact qualities exhibited by intro-

verts and extroverts, there seems to be a general

consensus that each type relates to the world in

very different ways.

In this book, a very large body of neuro-

scientific research is cited to support biological and

cultural differences between introverts and extro-

verts. Many researchers write about the impact of

our environments as opposed to innate personality

qualities. As counselors, we proclaim a healthy

emotional life as one that seeks balance in all

things. But realistically, living this kind of life can

be an elusive ideal to maintain for a lifetime.

In our fast paced and busy world, there seems

to be little emphasis to set aside time for quiet re-

flection. Early in life, introverts can be unaware of

their inherent need to engage in contemplation to

successfully meet their goals. Too often, children

are ostracized in school for being too quiet, “nerdy”

or judged to be unmotivated when they truly work

more slowly to strive for excellence. This pattern

often sets up a dynamic where these children are

perpetually challenged to feel positive self-esteem

even into adulthood.

These stylistic differences can also create con-

flict between couples, parents and children, teach-

ers and students when viewing the world through

the differing lenses of the introvert and the extro-

vert. There can be challenges for the extrovert to

listen and understand what is not being specifically

expressed verbally by the introvert. Introverts can

interpret a bolder auditory style as objectionable

and withdraw from that person and appear to be

inconsiderate.

After reading this book, the author of this arti-

cle recognized her own efforts to fit into the

“extrovert ideal” when truly being an introvert who

learned to cope in the world we live in. If this de-

scribes you, I highly recommend adding this book

to your personal library. If this describes your child,

your spouse, coworker or any individual in your life

with whom you desire better communication and

mutual understanding, this book will present an

important perspective for both introverts and ex-

troverts.

Mrs. Janet Siry, LCSW, received her Master’s in Social

Work at Fordham University. She is a member of

The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic

Stress, the NASW and was awarded Woman of the

Year in Religion in 2005. She counsels children,

teens, adults and families at LCC’s Patchogue coun-

seling site.

The Art of Living as an Introvert in an Extroverted World

by Mrs. Janet Siry, LCSW, LCC Psychotherapist

Contact Lutheran Counseling Center at 1-800-317-1173 or e-mail us at Center@lccny.org for more information or to set an appoint-

ment. Visit our website at www.lccny.org .

DATE SERVICE

ASSISTING

MINISTERS

LECTOR

ETHEL’S

COFFEE HOUR

March 2

Transfiguration of our Lord 10:00 a.m.

Judy Hinsch

John Hinsch Marilyn Benner Jason & Melissa Jansky

March 5

Ash Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

John Schwaninger

Marge Wenger Cathy Vollono No Coffee Hour

March 9

First Sunday of Lent 10:00 a.m.

Lori Mason

Terry Miccio George Milhim The Vollono Family

March 16

Second Sunday of Lent 10:00 a.m.

Christin Wash

John Schwaninger John Hinsch The Uzzo Family

March 23

Third Sunday of Lent 10:00 a.m.

Bonnie McGowan

Anne Rickmeyer Lori Mason Helen & Robert LaBarbera

March 29

Fourth Sunday of Lent 10:00 a.m.

Judy Hinsch

Kathy Ocker Helen Kwong-LaBarbera Worship & Music