Serving and Sharing Team
“Inspiring Good Shepherd to serve God’s Kingdom in the world.”
Actions speak louder than words! As Good Shepherds, one way we reflect God’s love is through the missions we choose to support. We support four annual offerings of the Presbyterian Church, USA: One Great Hour of Sharing, the Pentecost Offering, the Peace and Global Witness Offering, and the Christmas Joy Offering. (For more info visit: http://specialofferings.pcusa.org ) We prayerfully review and select which missions to focus on each year. For a listing of the missions currently selected for our support, visit https://pcgoodshep.org/outreach-missions/.
An Overflow of Love
submitted by Brenda Reynolds, Elder on Serving and Sharing
“It has been said that fear makes you give because you have to, and love makes you give because you want to. Christian generosity is an overflow of our love for Christ. As we grow in our understanding of Jesus’ love for us, our love for Him will genuinely pour out in generosity.” From an article, Money Matters, by Alistair Begg.
As we enter the month of February, we are constantly being reminded of what the “world” sees as showing LOVE. February 14 – Valentine’s Day! In a frenzy, sometimes, we find ourselves trying to find that special card or gift to give to the one we love. Sometimes we get ourselves so wrapped up in the commercialism of Valentine’s Day, we forget what Christ meant when he said “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV
Jesus told the following parable to his disciples, Matthew 25: 32-40:
32-33 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
37-40 “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
This is a powerful and compelling message that calls for action and compassion towards the marginalized and vulnerable. It serves as a reminder of the ethical responsibility of Christians to actively engage in acts of love and justice towards those in need. It challenges believers to see the face of Jesus in those who are suffering and to respond with empathy and compassion. Ultimately, this verse encapsulates the core Christian values of love, mercy, and social justice, offering a profound insight into the heart of God and the moral imperative of caring for others.
The following are some opportunities for us to help Good Shepherd answer God’s call to action.
Cents-Ability originated in 1976 as “Two-Cents-A-Meal,” a project begun by Presbyterian Women to involve individuals and families in a corporate response to world hunger. Over the years, presbyteries have developed similar programs entitled Pennies for Hunger, Nickle-A-Meal, etc. Good Shepherd participates in “5 Cents a Meal” an offering to support the “Presbyterians’ Answer to Hunger”. Each month, we are asked to contribute 5 cents for each meal during the month. Good Shepherd regularly receives this offering as a reminder that as we have been fed at the Lord’s table, and we are called to feed others.
The next offering will be on Sunday, February 23. One day = 15 cents
One week = $1.05 One month/30 days = $4.50. Give as you are able.
Donate non-perishable food weekly to the Sharing Center Food Bank. By helping them keep their pantry shelves stocked, we can help feed those in need. Please donate food as often as you can. There are so many in need!
Our congregation lives out love and generosity!
The church wishes to thank all who supported Mother’s Day Operation Hope by demonstrating their generosity. They donated beautiful Mother’s Day gifts and funds to purchase more. “By this… they will know we are followers of Christ.”
Father’s Day Gifts for Dad is also part of Operation Hope. We will be collecting large floor fans and new or gently used hand tools for dads who work so hard to provide for their families that they can’t afford to buy these things for themselves. We will be collecting these Father’s Day gifts through Wednesday, June 18, and distribute them through Operation Hope on June 21. Plan on helping make many fathers happy on their special day! Thank you for living your love and generosity!
Everyone loves birthdays!
Who doesn’t love birthday cake, complete with lots of candles to blow out? Whether the person is three or 103, the celebration of the day they were born is one to be honored! So, Christians, get ready to celebrate the birth of the church! That special day is Pentecost, the day that God said “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, you r old men dream dreams…” Acts 2: 17
As we prepare for this celebration, let us be mindful of what Peter and the rest of those gathered disciples came to realize: to go into the world teaching the gospel to all, urging all to use their God given gifts, sharing with all people young and old, 39 Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”
Through our gifts to the Pentecost Offering, we have an opportunity to join with other Presbyterians to support the faith of young people all around the globe who enrich the Church with creativity and vibrancy. This is an opportunity to be like those first Christians and share the Good News we know in Christ Jesus. Not only does our own youth benefit from this offering, but youth programs all over the world benefit as well. Please give generously. When we all do a little, it adds up to a lot! Pentecost Offering begins on May 25 and continues on June 8, Pentecost Sunday.
The mission statement for the Serving and Sharing Team is “inspiring Good Shepherd to serve God’s Kingdom in the World. For more information on the Serving and Sharing team, click on Outreach Missions in the menu at the top. God Bless You.”
