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Friday Eblast - October 2, 2020

To our wonderful good shepherds,
 
Thanks be to God for the life of Shirley Ericson
After living with various forms of cancer for over 4 ½ years, Shirley Ericson died Monday, September 28. Surrounding her during her last days were beloved husband Jack (Pastor Jack, who served Good Shepherd and whose family was the last to occupy the manse on California Ave.), son David, daughter Christine, and their respective family members. Cards may be sent to Jack at 2467 Libero Dr., Sparks, NV 89436. Jack would particularly appreciate you sharing a memory of Shirley. 
 
Reopening of the Office and In-Person Worship
Hopefully you have received Pr. Scott Trevithick’s letter regarding our reopening. If not, a copy is on our website at https://www.goodshepherdreno.org/covid-19. To recap:
  • Sunday, October 4 will be recorded worship only, available on our YouTube Channel sometime on Saturday. 
  • Beginning October 11, we will be livestreaming our worship at 11am on YouTube Live. During the livestream, you will be able to “chat” with other viewers. The recording will be available Sunday afternoon.
  • Along with the livestream available on YouTube live at 11am, on October 25, we will resume in-person worship contingent upon continued favorable heath data from the Washoe County Health District. Services will be at 9am and 11am and reservations are required. You will be able to reserve your spot beginning Monday, October 19 at noon by going to our website. Details will be emailed to you. Please do not request a spot before then as our reservation system will not be available.
The office will reopen on Monday, October 12.  Hours will be 9-4:30 on Monday, 9-2pm Tuesday through Thursday, and closed on Friday.
 
Al Ouska is turning 100 in October!  
Al and Lola now live in Sacramento.  A friend of theirs is making a SURPRISE video to help Al celebrate this big birthday.  If you would like to send him birthday greetings on this video, please call Larry Leusing at 775-852-4935 or email him at lvlbjl@gmail.com. To participate, each person creates their video in their own home and it will all be compiled into a collection which will be sent to Al via the internet. 
 
New Women’s Bible Study Begins October 7
If you have been considering joining a Women’s Bible study group, now is a great time! We are beginning a new study on October 7 based on the book of Ruth. Those of you who have been participating in these studies over the time of physical separation have really benefited from the extra time in personal scripture study as well as the wonderful friendships that have developed. We would love for you to join us!  Description of the study is at https://www.goodshepherdreno.org/adult-bible-study
 
We offer meeting times via Zoom on Wednesdays at 6:30pm or Thursdays at 11am. Zoom links for the Bible studies will be sent out prior to the meetings. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Leff, Director of Faith Formation.
 
2nd Annual Harvest Festival at Faith Lutheran Church – October 18 at 11am
Good Shepherd, along with other area ELCA churches, have been invited to Faith Lutheran’s Harvest Festival at their Katharina’s Garden.  Learn about each part of the garden project and if you wish, get your hands dirty! They hope to create a communal garden with fellow ELCA churches. 
 
Property Clean-up – Saturday, October 17, 9-11am
It is that time of year, and our property is looking a bit neglected without people there every day.  Our sidewalks need power washing in places, leaves need to be cleaned up, plants need to be trimmed, and lots of cobwebs need to be cleaned up.  Cigarette butts have made their way into nooks and crannies! Our trash bin enclosure has had lots of guest visitors spending the night over the last several months, and it is quite dirty. So if any of you would like to get out in the fall sunshine and help us clean up our property, come on down October 17 between 9 and 11. 
 
October Shared Harvest
This month, the only thing we need is canned fruit and bars of soap.  You can drop them off at the office this Monday between 1 and 4:30pm.
 
October 2nd Mile Offering 
This month’s 2nd Mile Offering benefits Cal Lutheran University.  You can mail in a check for 2nd Mile anytime during the month or drop it off in the mail slot at the church office.  Please write 2nd Mile on the memo line.
 
The peace of the Lord be with you all!
 
Maribeth Doerr
Director of Operations and Pastoral Care
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
www.goodshepherdreno.org
(775) 329-0696, ext 100
 
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
Posted on October 05, 2020 11:07 AM by Maribeth Doerr

Friday Eblast - September 25, 2020

Good Shepherd,
 
Your staff has been quite busy this last month learning what we need to know to begin live-streaming worship among everything else the Worship team has been doing during the pandemic.  I marvel everyday at how Pr. Scott and Deanna have adapted and learned new technology to bring you a recorded Worship and found ways to include our incredibly talented musical staff.  Handbell Director Derek Nance has mad skills with technology, and he has helped us learn about live-streaming so that you can see a live service from the comfort of your home on Sundays.  Stay tuned for more information coming your way soon.
 
As for me, I’ve had two major projects beyond my daily chores. The more important project is having her big reveal today, and I have a delightful surprise for you which I will share with words from Pr. Scott:
 
We've got a fresh look and updated content for the Good Shepherd website at goodshepherdreno.org. It provides a glimpse of community life at Good Shepherd with interesting and helpful information for a variety of audiences. The design is appealing and includes lots of photos, video clips, links for more info. Thanks especially to Maribeth Doerr, who among other roles, is our communications specialist. ~ Pr. Scott
 
That’s right!  Our 11 year old website, which was well-written and state-of-the-art in 2009 has been revised, rebuilt. and freshened up for 2020. We are using a module that connects with our database so in the future we will have some wonderful features to add to it creating a web community. It will be evolving as we go through the process of reopening our office, live-streaming and eventually holding in-person worship so you’ll want to check in there frequently.  New information will be added as programming resumes as well.  For now, check out the pictures and videos of past events.  Enjoy.  (And a big WHEW!)
 
If you get an error trying to load the website, clear your cookies, or try a different page such as http://www.goodshepherdreno.org/location and then click HOME from there and see if it clears your cookies.
 
Chairs Available! – PLEASE GRAB A FEW
My other big project has been the conference room makeover. In the process, we are disposing of the 21 chairs in that room. They are blue and ivory on a silver metal frame. The upholstery needs cleaning, and they are not comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. But, they are stackable and usable, and we hope some of you might like to adopt a few (or a lot of these).  Feel free to drop by the office on Monday afternoon between 1 & 4:30 to look at them or call me to set up another time.  I’ll be in the office quite a lot this next week.
 
Property Clean-up – Saturday, October 17, 9-11am
It is that time of year, and our property is looking a bit neglected without people there every day.  Our sidewalks need power washing in places, leaves need to be cleaned up, plants need to be trimmed, and lots of cobwebs need to be cleaned up.  Cigarette butts have made their way into nooks and crannies! Our trash bin enclosure has had lots of guest visitors spending the night over the last several months, and it is quite dirty. So if any of you would like to get out in the fall sunshine and help us clean up our property, come on down October 17 between 9 and 11.  We’ll have coffee and donuts!
 
New Women’s Bible Study Begins October 7
If you have been considering joining a Women’s Bible study group, now is a great time! We are beginning a new study on October 7 based on the book of Ruth. Those of you who have been participating in these studies over the time of physical separation have really benefited from the extra time in personal scripture study as well as the wonderful friendships that have developed. We would love for you to join us!  Description of the study is at https://www.goodshepherdreno.org/adult-bible-study
 
We offer meeting times via Zoom on Wednesdays at 6:30pm or Thursdays at 11am. Zoom links for the Bible studies will be sent out prior to the meetings. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Leff, Director of Faith Formation.
 
Thanks from Mt. Rose School
Thanks to all of you for your generous donations of underwear and socks for Mr. Rose Elementary School.  You. provided 332 pair of socks and 250 pieces of underwear for kids who many times come to school without or very much in need. Thanks to you, it will enable those youngsters to feel better about themselves, more confident and better able to learn.  
 
While the school didn't request backpacks this year, they did want a few to have on hand for emergency needs, so we delivered 7, filled with supplies, to meet that need. Thank you to those folks who helped provide them.
 
As the grateful Mt. Rose staff said, (loudly) "YAHOO!". 
 
We, at Good Shepherd, thank Judith Inskip for spearheading this collection.  Thanks Judith!
 
NO SHARED HARVEST COLLECTION THIS WEEK
Assembly is Sunday so we will begin the October collection on October 5.
 
September 2nd Mile Offering – 100% of your offering goes to Wildfire Relief
This month’s 2nd Mile Offering benefits ELCA Disaster Relief and we’ve earmarked 100% of our 2nd Mile Offering to go wildfire relief.  You can mail in a check for 2nd Mile anytime during the month or drop it off in the mail slot at the church office.  Please write 2nd Mile on the memo line.
The peace of the Lord be with you all!
 
Maribeth Doerr
Director of Operations and Pastoral Care
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
www.goodshepherdreno.org
(775) 329-0696, ext 100
 
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
Posted on September 25, 2020 9:14 AM by Maribeth Doerr

Friday Eblast - September 18, 2020

Blessings to our good shepherds,
 
In the midst of a pandemic and the frustrations of sheltering-in-place while having unhealthy and even hazardous air for days and days, I’ve tried to take pleasure in little things.  Last night, my husband called me outside to see a little white cloud floating by in the hazy twilight sky.  We were excited by a white cloud!  Sounds nuts but after all this smoke, it was beautiful.  The sky looks even better today.  I’ve been touched by a lot of kindness this week that I haven’t seen in weeks and that gives me hope that we’ll continue weathering whatever is thrown at us as we navigate this strange 2020 year. 
 
Here are a few more things to feel good about:
 
* Check out last week’s worship video and watch the God’s Work. Our Hands section.  It has upbeat music and lots of pictures of our members doing God’s Work.  I hope you watch the entire video but if you want to just catch the GWOH segment, it’s at the 46:37 mark.  https://youtu.be/nED4MKOlcGk?t=2797
 
* Ciara Hornbarger, who is our Church Ministry Intern, sent off letters to first responders for her God’s Work. Our Hands project.  She received an amazing letter from the Sparks Chief of Police.  You can read the letter at https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2645363712383981&set=a.1610712875849075.  Way to go Ciara!
 
September 2nd Mile Offering – 100% of your offering goes to Wildfire Relief
This month’s 2nd Mile Offering benefits ELCA Disaster Relief and we’ve earmarked 100% of our 2nd Mile Offering to go wildfire relief.  You can mail in a check for 2nd Mile anytime during the month or drop it off in the mail slot at the church office.  Please write 2nd Mile on the memo line.
 
September Shared Harvest – LAST DAY to donate is Monday!
The last day to donate for our September Shared Harvest is Monday, September 21 between 1 and 4:30pm.  The bin will be located outside the office door for your convenience and safety. Our shopping list for September includes:
  • Macaroni & Cheese (We need 55 boxes.)
  • Cold Cereal (We need 27 boxes.)
  • Deodorant (We need as many as possible.)
We have enough canned vegetables and crackers for this month so those are no longer needed.
 
Chairs Available!
Ciara Hornbarger and I have been repainting the Ministry Center Conference Room. It’s gone from garish clashing colors to a more calming Swirling Smoke (appropriate!), Blue Cloud, and Gray Flannel color palette.  In the process, we are disposing of the 21 chairs in that room. They are blue and ivory (not sure of the color because they’re dirty!) upholstery on a silver metal frame.  The upholstery needs cleaning, and they are not comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. But, they are stackable and usable, and we hope some of you might like to adopt a few (or a lot of these).  Feel free to drop by the office on Monday afternoon between 1 & 4:30 to look at them or set up an appointment with me for another time to check them out.
 
The peace of the Lord be with you all!
 
Maribeth Doerr
Director of Operations and Pastoral Care
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
www.goodshepherdreno.org
(775) 329-0696, ext 100
Posted on September 23, 2020 3:29 PM by Maribeth Doerr

Friday Eblast - September 11, 2020

A prayer for 9/11:
Loving God, on this anniversary of violence and destruction, bring peace and healing to our world.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
 
Blessings to our good shepherds,
 
We miss you.  It is as simple as that.  You are missed!  Please know we are hard at work on our plans to reopen our office and church.  Nothing has yet been decided but we hope to have news to share sometime this month.  In the meantime, please visit our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLZp-VxXQtNhP9ge-xNluZg/videos for worship videos, and let us know if you need anything.  We are still available!
 
Anyone need a desk?
Good Shepherd members Tod and Kellie Reddish have a corner desk and hutch that they no longer need. They would like to give to someone in the church who could use it.  They would be willing to disassemble it, help deliver and it and reassemble at your chosen spot.  Interested? Contact the office at 775.329.0696.
 
E-Mail SCAM Alert!!!
Some of you may have received odd looking emails purporting to be from Pr. Scott or even from Bishop Mark asking them to purchase gift cards and other products to help those in need or affected by COVID-19, or asking them to "email as soon as you get this message." This email is a scam -- is not from Pr. Scott or Bishop Mark, and does not originate from a legitimate Good Shepherd or Sierra Pacific Synod email address (although it may have their names in it). Please do not respond to such emails; instead delete and block them. As always, do not click on a link, send money or gift cards, or provide checking account or credit card information in response to ANY emailed solicitation without checking with a trusted source. 
 
Religious groups have become easy targets for these types of scams, which take advantage of people's generosity, and ELCA synods and congregations across the country have seen an marked increase in such attempts over the past few years. For more information, please read the following:
 
September Shared Harvest
August Shared Harvest is assembled Sunday, so we are finished collecting for August.  It’s time to collect for September and since we lose a Monday to Labor Day, your September items can be donated on Monday, September 14 and September 21 – between 1 and 4:30pm.  Our shopping list for September includes:
  • Macaroni & Cheese (We need 55 boxes.)
  • Cold Cereal (We need 27 boxes.)
  • Deodorant (We need as many as possible.)
We have enough canned vegetables and crackers for this month so those are no longer needed.
 
September 2nd Mile Offering
This month’s 2nd Mile Offering benefits ELCA Disaster Relief.  With the numerous fires and hurricanes in the last month, this fund is desperately needed. You can mail in your 2nd Mile Offering any time during the month.  Please write “2nd Mile” on the memo line of your check.
 
Share Your Favorite Thing!
This is a renewed request for our website. Let us know your favorite thing about Good Shepherd.  Email your thoughts or make a video clip – whichever feels good and share with us!  Email me at maribeth@goodshepherdreno.org.  Everything will be anonymous!

The peace of the Lord be with you all!

 
Maribeth Doerr
Director of Operations and Pastoral Care
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
www.goodshepherdreno.org
(775) 329-0696, ext 100
Posted on September 23, 2020 3:12 PM by Maribeth Doerr

Friday Eblast - September 4, 2020

Happy Labor Day Weekend Good Shepherd!

Monday is Labor Day and our office will not be open Monday, September 7 to accept Shared Harvest or Eddy House foods.  Bring your Eddy House things to Shepherd Hall after 3:30 on Monday to connect with Becky Erdmann. 

 
Worship this Weekend
Pastor Scott will be away this weekend and our preacher for the recorded worship service released Saturday, Sept. 5 will be the Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis. Dr. Lewis is the Associate Professor of Preaching and the Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary and an ordained pastor in the ELCA. She is the author of John: Fortress Biblical Preaching Commentaries as well as numerous articles for various church-related journals and publications. She is a regular contributor and commentator for Working Preacher, a website and podcast hosted through Luther Seminary. Her newest book is SHE: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry. 

Her sermon is called "Going to Sychar," a reflection on Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well from John 4:1-6. The service will feel a bit like the June 7 service featuring Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton when members of the Sierra Pacific Synod staff led other portions of the service. Dr. Lewis’ sermon is featured in a worship service prepared by the staff of the Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center, a Presbyterian facility in Rockingham, Virginia.  She was to have been the keynote presenter at the center’s Bible and Church Music Conference and instead offers her sermon virtually with other parts of the service led by the camp staff. We will supplement the service with prayers and announcements from Good Shepherd. 

Please note: there will be no communion this week.
 
 “God’s Work. Our Hands” Sunday – September 13
There’s still time to do and submit a “God’s Work. Our Hands” act of service.  We would love to know about your personal “God’s Work. Our Hands” project. Send us a photo, video, or simply a summary of your project. Email your project information to Stephanie Leff at stephanie@goodshepherdreno.org by Monday, September 7 so we can share it in worship on “God’s Work. Our Hands” Sunday. If you are stumped for ideas, watch last week’s worship video and listen to Stephanie’s suggestions. 
 
September 2nd Mile Offering
This month’s 2nd Mile Offering benefits ELCA Disaster Relief.  With the numerous fires and hurricanes in the last month, this fund is desperately needed. You can mail in your 2nd Mile Offering any time during the month.  Please write “2nd Mile” on the memo line of your check.
 
September Shared Harvest
August Shared Harvest is assembled Sunday, so we are finished collecting for August.  It’s time to collect for September and since we lose a Monday to Labor Day, your September items can be donated on the following Mondays: August 31, September 14, and September 21 – between 1 and 4:30pm.  The office will not be open on September 7. Our shopping list for September includes:
  • Macaroni & Cheese (We need 55 boxes.)
  • Cold Cereal (We need 27 boxes.)
  • Deodorant (We need as many as possible.)
We have enough canned vegetables and crackers for this month so those are no longer needed.
 
Share Your Favorite Thing!
This is a renewed request for our website. Let us know your favorite thing about Good Shepherd.  Email your thoughts or make a video clip – whichever feels good and share with us!  Email me at maribeth@goodshepherdreno.org.  Everything will be anonymous!
 
Good Shepherd's Lending Library
Yes!  We are attempting to create a lending library which will be housed in the Ministry Center (office) once we have the office makeover completed and the pandemic is over.  Please take 30 seconds to complete our brief survey on the types of books and materials you'd like to see in our library:  https://surveyhero.com/c/90ba12a8.  We are excited to launch this project!

The peace of the Lord be with you all,

Maribeth Doerr
Director of Operations and Pastoral Care
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
www.goodshepherdreno.org
(775) 329-0696, ext 100
Posted on September 23, 2020 3:12 PM by Maribeth Doerr

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