the Messenger
A PUBLICATION OF
PASTORAL REFLECTIONS
What does it mean to have no one? Visiting among those who are without partners,
family, or even friends to visit them, I often ponder the mystery of
“belonging.” There are many who prefer to be alone, because the pain they bear―be it guilt, anger, or fear―pushes
them to the edges of their lives and they can welcome no one. There are, of
course, many who relish community and belonging and getting to know others.
Fred Craddock, a great preacher and teacher of preachers, once told of a little
one-room schoolhouse, out in the country. Most of the children, being children,
took advantage of every opportunity to skip school or come late or leave early―except one little girl. She always came early
to help the teacher set up the room, and stayed after school to clean the
erasers. During the day, she gave the teacher her undivided attention.
One day, when the class was being especially unruly, the teacher pointed to the
little girl in the front row, and asked, “Why can’t you be more like her? She
comes early to help, she stays late to help, and all day long she is attentive
and courteous.”
“It isn’t fair to ask us to be like her,” said one little boy from the rear of
the room.
“Why?”
“Because she has an advantage,” he
replied.
“I
don’t understand. What is her advantage?” asked the puzzled teacher.
“She’s
an orphan,” he almost whispered as he sat down.
From
Fred Craddock, Craddock Stories,
St. Louis, Chalice Press, 2001, p. 16
Jesus
taught much that imprinted history, culture and daily life – but I will always
cherish one thing above all: opening my path to God without condition or human
barriers or even the restrictions of religion. We are not “orphans” when it
comes to the reach of Divine Love. Life challenges us sometimes beyond belief,
but the Easter Christ promises life where there is none, love where it is
absent, a community when one has been removed from us,
and a relationship even when we have been orphaned. The little girl in
Craddock’s story did have an advantage: she knew who she really was.
Pastor
Ron
2008 Confirmands
The Rite of Confirmation was celebrated for eight of our Good Shepherd
young people on Sunday, May 11, at the 11a.m. Worship Service. They
included: Clara DelGrippo,
Carlee DuMars, Hannah
Fleming, Broderick Miller, Paige Pohopin,
Megan Poole, Marissa Yapple
and José Hammer. During the service, confirmands
displayed and explained prayer shawls they were wearing, which they had created
with various symbols representing some beliefs
important to them. A reception followed in the Community Room with
congratulations, cake, and gifts from the congregation.
First Communion Welcome to the Table of the Lord Emily Elizabeth Frocke, 8 years old, daughter of Caitlyn O’Brian; Andrea Elizabeth Monninger, 7 years old, daughter of Bonnie and John Monninger; and Sarah Brittany Long, 8 years old, daughter of Lisa and Jeff Long, receiving their First Communion on May 11 at the 10a.m. service, having been instructed on Sunday, May 4.
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Faith Response Thoughts
What is God calling you to do in your life right
now? Is this clear to you, or could you use
some help in discerning what your particular spiritual gifts are that could be
a blessing to those you come in contact with every day? Copies “Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts”
are available in the literature rack in the Narthex. Please feel free to take one home with you if
you think this might be helpful in discovering and hearing God’s call. Then take some time to be present with the questions and
prayerfully open to where they may lead you.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Are you
going away this summer? Perhaps you’ll
want to consider Simply Giving, a program of Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans that enables congregations to receive member offerings through
electronic fund transfers. It provides a
safe and reliable way to share our gifts for the church’s mission regularly
throughout the year. See the Faith
Response bulletin board in the Narthex for further information and enrollment
forms, or check out the website at
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DONATIONS & HELP NEEDED FOR ANNUAL YARD SALE
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, June 19 & Friday, June 20: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – help needed to sort and price. Donate just an hour or two a day.
Sat., June 21 - Help needed all day – After the sale ends, we need help – vehicles and drivers -- to clean up and haul leftover items to the Good Will. Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board by the men’s restroom.
Donations needed: Kids’ clothes, nursery equipment, toys, household items in good shape, furniture, etc. (Exercise equipment, bikes, and damaged furniture don't sell and are refused by Good Will.)
Proceeds will be donated to the Religious
Coalition for Emergency Needs. With so many people losing jobs and homes, we
feel this is a way we can reach out to hurting families in the Frederick
area. We will apply for supplemental funds of $1,000 from Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans – we must earn a certain amount to receive the full
$1,000.
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Pre-school
News
It’s hard to believe another school year is coming to a close. We are looking forward to our graduation programs and seeing 200 smiling faces off to their next academic adventure, be it four-year-old class or the big K – kindergarten. We at the preschool are, as always, sad to see our little ones leave us but proud of how they have grown and how much they have learned.
We are happy to report that we had a successful spring flower sale once again this year. Thank you to everyone who supported this fundraiser. These funds will help to pay for continued improvements to the classrooms.
We would like to express our thanks to the congregation of Good Shepherd for their support throughout the school year. We especially need to thank Chuck Lounsbury for all his handy help. The many and varied repairs throughout the year have been invaluable to us. The church and grounds have never looked better. Many new families who visit our school for the first time have commented on it. Thanks also to Loretta Covert for her support and help in keeping everything flowing smoothly at Good Shepherd. And of course, we thank Pastor Ron and Pastor Gary for sharing God’s love with the children at our regular chapel times. We would also like to take this opportunity to give a thank you to Phyllis Hane, who wore many different hats here at school. After 14 years Phyllis has moved on, and we wish her the best. Finally, this school is very blessed to have an efficient, organized, patient and loving director. Betty Gastley keeps our school running in a manner that makes coming to work a pleasure. Thanks, Betty!
So, as the year comes to a close we are ready for a rest, but happy to share in the ministry of Good Shepherd. We look forward to the fall and another year of bringing that ministry to a new group of children. Thanks be to God!
―Karen
Stegman
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Just for YOUth
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Find the Volunteer Schedule at:
http://www.goodshepherdmd.org/Schedules/volunteer/Schedule_2008_May_August.htm