Hi everyone, welcome to Lent! Here’s a look at what’s coming up this weekend:

Tonight, Friday, March 8
The Women of the Church of the Good Shepherd (WOCOGS) book club meets tonight at 7:30 pm in the Guild Room.

Sunday, March 10 – First Sunday of Lent
8:00 am Said Eucharist (Rite 1)

9:00 am Lenten Book Study: Being Disciples – come even if you don’t have the book yet. We’ll have copies of the first chapter, so you can “try before you buy”.

9:00 am Middle School Youth Committee Meeting

10:00 am Said Eucharist with Hymns (Rite 2)

11:30 Confirmation meeting in Guild Room

Collect for the First Sunday of Lent
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Ash Wednesday is tomorrow, March 6, 2019.

We will have Said Eucharist with the Ministration of Ashes at:
8:00 am
12:00 noon
6:30 pm

Please join us as we begin our Lenten journey together!

Also, a reminder that this Sunday, March 10 at 9:00 am we will begin our Lenten Book Study of Being Disciples by Rowan Williams.

** Don’t worry if you don’t have the book yet – just show up!**

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Mary Lou Kidder passed away last weekend. Mary Lou and her late husband Marshall were long-time parishioners at Good Shepherd, and had moved away a few years ago to be closer to their daughter. They both loved music and were beloved members of the Good Shepherd choir. Mary Lou had kept in touch with several members of the parish, and among other things, she will be remembered for the beautifully written notes she sent. She will be greatly missed.

Her funeral will be held on June 7th at 1:00 pm, at Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT.

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant Mary Lou, and grant her an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Father of all, we pray to you for Mary Lou, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Hi everyone – The weather forecast may be calling for iffy weather, but what is definite is that Good Shepherd will be full of life and fun this weekend!

Sunday, March 3 – Family Sunday & Mardi Gras party
8:00 am Said Eucharist (Rite 1)
9:00 am Rehearsal for choir and all musicians participating in the 10:00 am liturgy
10:00 am Said Eucharist (Rite 2) with hymns

Our 10:00 am service this week is a Family Service, with our young people taking on various roles throughout the service. Afterwards, we will enjoy a fun Mardi Gras-themed party in the Parish Hall. Wear your favorite costume to the service and party afterwards. Consider bringing a New Orleans-themed dish to share at the party. Invite friends and come enjoy the fun!

Wednesday, March 6 – Ash Wednesday
Lent begins. Eucharist and ashes will be offered at 8:00 am, 12:00 noon, and 6:00 pm

Come join us as we celebrate the change of season and prepare to journey together into Lent. All are welcome!

Hi everyone,

Click here to read and/or print the Annual Report for calendar year 2018.

See you tomorrow at the Annual Meeting!

Hi everyone,

We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Annual Meeting this Sunday, February 10th after the 10:00 AM service. It is our hope that as many parishioners as possible will attend this year’s meeting. Come and hear all about what was accomplished in 2018 and our hopes, dreams, and plans for 2019. See you there!

Also happening this Sunday:
8:00 am – Rite 1 Eucharist
9:00 am – Valentine-Palooza (see below)
10:00 am – Rite 2 Eucharist with hymns
11:00 am – Annual Meeting, with breakfast provided by the Men’s Group – Thanks guys!

Valentine-Palooza!
As many of you may know the Church of the Good Shepherd has a long standing connection with our veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Montrose, NY. This year the MS Youth, Sunday School and Seniors are extending our church outreach to our veterans with a wonderful project! They plan on delivering handwritten cards to our veterans in celebration of Valentine’s Day on Sunday, February, 10th after the annual meeting. Therefore we need as many valentines as possible for our Veterans! If you are free on Sunday, February 10 we will start making cards right after the 8:00 am church service concludes and go until 10:30 am when Sunday School concludes. Please join us! If you can’t attend feel free to bring some valentines in and give them to the group to deliver. We can’t wait to make the Veterans smile! Questions contact Bruce or Megan.

Tonight at 5:30 pm we will celebrate the Presentation (aka Candlemas) with a lovely candlelit Evensong. All are invited to share in this lovely 30-minute service.

Collect for the Presentation:
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

After the service, we will have our annual Chilifest competition. Bring your favorite chili and/or fixin’s to share, and may the best Chili win! After dinner, our Youth Groups are hosting a board game night. It is also the 2nd anniversary of Fr. Hal’s institution as our 8th Rector, so there’s lots to celebrate. Come join the fun!

Also happening this weekend:

Sunday, February 3 – The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am – Rite 1 Eucharist
9:45 am – Sunday School & Middle School Youth
10:00 am – Rite 2 Eucharist with Hymns – SCOUT SUNDAY
11:30 am – Events Committee Meeting

Scout Sunday
We’re very happy to welcome back our friends and guests from Somers Boy Scout Troop 376! The scouts will take on various roles in the 10:00 am service, and provide coffee hour for the parish after the service. All are welcome!

Saturday, February 2nd at 5:30 pm we will celebrate the Presentation (aka Candlemas) with a lovely candlelit Evensong. All are invited to share in this lovely 30-minute service. It is also the 2nd anniversary of Fr. Hal’s institution as our 8th Rector!

Have you made your chili yet?

After the service, we will have our annual Chilifest competition! Bring your favorite chili and/or fixin’s to share, and may the best Chili win!

After dinner our Youth Groups are hosting a fun board game night for all. Come and join the fun!

Hi everyone,

Due to the forecast of inclement weather this weekend, and to maximize the number of people that attend, the Annual Meeting has been postponed until Sunday, February 10.

This Sunday, January 20, we will have our regular 8:00 am and 10:00 am worship services as scheduled. Please use your best judgment and travel safely.

Hi everyone,

I am writing to update you on an unexpected development. Our daughter Lily, as you may know, is doing a January-term in Spain, and on February 7, she begins a spring semester in London. (Hard life, right?) The plans in place for her time in between programs have recently fallen through, and we needed to create a plan D.

Given Lily’s medical history, we do not want her traveling alone or in a country where we cannot communicate with others if something happens to her. As a result, her Godmother is going to fly to be with her from Jan. 31-Feb. 7th in London and to get her started in the London program. And I am going to fly out this Sunday, Jan. 20, after the annual meeting to meet Lily in Dublin from Jan. 21-31st and then fly back on Thursday, Jan. 31st. This isn’t ideal, and certainly wasn’t planned, but Lori cannot leave and it’s what we feel we need to do for Lily’s well-being.

I appreciate Rick and Leslie’s input and support on making this plan. Thank you for your understanding and prayers for our family.

In gratitude,
Fr. Hal