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Non-Profit

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Permit No. 516 La Crosse, WI 54601

E-mail: office@gslacrosse.org

Website: www.GSlacrosse.org

Address Service

Requested

Join Us For Worship Sundays at 8:30am & 10:30am

June—August | 2nd Service is at 10:00am

The Rev. Harald Bringsjord

prharald@gslacrosse.org (608) 788-0450 or (608) 796-0803

SHEPHERD’S VOICE Newsletter An outreach newsletter for the

members and friends of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Mark Your Calendars!

For The

2015 Annual Meeting

Sunday, February 8th Starting at 11:45am

4141 Mormon Coulee Road

La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 788-0450

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Twitter.com/goodshepherdlse

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GSlacrosse.org © 2015 Designed by Jens Bringsjord and Sara Wrobel

Published Monthly

Shepherd’s Voice G o o d S h e p h e r d L u t h e r a n C h u r c h

Give. Serve. Lead. Connect.

Access this and other publications online by subscribing to our eVersion at GSlacrosse.org/subscribe.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 5

G e n e r o s i t y T h r o u g h T h e C h u r c h f r o m P a s t o r H a r a l d B r i n g s j o r d

I am convinced, not only because Jesus talks a lot about being good stewards of what has been entrusted to us in scripture (which is reason enough), but because of my own observation that the strength of a church is in its ability and willingness to be generous. Generosity comes out of a discipline, making the determination that I am not going to squander what has been entrusted to me, but be responsible with it. Recall the parable of the talents, and also when Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” not the other way around. The decisions we make regarding our treasure will show where our hearts are. As a church we give 10% - a tithe - to the Synod for work within our synod and around the world. We as a congregation model tithing because it is important in the life of faith not only for each

individual, but for the life of the congregation as well. Please take seriously the tithing lifestyle. It is life-changing. Along with tithing as an act of faithfulness in the name of Christ as a

congregation, Synod, and National Church, we also lift up opportunities for giving such as the “Good Gifts® project” where individuals can give goats, cows, ducks, bee hives, or pigs so that impoverished families and communities can begin the process of raising their own food. Good Gifts catalogues are in the concourse at church or can be picked up at the church

office. Remember as well the ELCA's World Hunger program, the Malaria Campaign, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Relief and other Lutheran programs which are intended to help a world in need and have very little administrative costs.

(continued on page 3)

GSlacrosse.org/voice Facebook.com/GSlacrosse Twitter.com/goodshepherdlse

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Women Who Wrestle With The Word (W5) If you would like to be a part of a regular gathering of Christian Women, you are always welcome to join W5. The group will meet every Monday at 6:30pm in the welcome area in the

front of the sanctuary. Want to learn more or stay up to date on happenings in W5? Visit GSlacrosse.org/W5.

Lydia Circle

Women’s Ministries

Lydia Circle meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 1p. Please join them for great conversations, some laughter, fun, camaraderie and a sweet desert! If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Lydia

circle, visit GSlacrosse.org/LC or call Carol Abraham at (608) 787-0609.

Flower and Bulletin Sponsorship

Give

Volunteering Within Church

Readers and ushers are always valued at our worship services. Please consider signing up on the chart in the welcome area at the back of the

sanctuary. You can also sign-up on our website using a program called Sign Up Genius. Visit www.gslacrosse.org/worshipassist

and follow the instructions.

You will be reminded via-email 2 days before the day you signed up for. Sign up for a time and day that works for you. For readings, we will send (either by mail or email) the readings to you early that week. Thank you so much for helping out and we hope this online service makes it easier for you to sign up!

NEW Online Sign Up For Reading/Ushering!

The flower and bulletin sponsorship charts are on the bulletin board in the back of the welcome area. Sponsoring the flowers or bulletins is an easy way to honor special dates such as birthdays and anniversaries, or the memory of a loved one. If you have any questions on sponsoring the

flowers or bulletins, please contact Kathy or Rick in the church office. 788-0450 or office@gslacrosse.org

An Evening of Fellowship and Fun! Bunko Night on Jan 16 in the Mattes Center. 6pm Re-gift or Clearance ($5 gift) Theme Bring a dish to pass!

WELCA Meeting—Join us every second Sunday starting Sunday, February 8th from 9:30-10:30am (between services) in the Quilt room. All women are encouraged to attend. We have a number of projects to discuss and to get involved in!

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Mission Statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered and sent for the sake of the world.

Vision Statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Claimed by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we are a new creation through God’s living Word by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gathered by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will live among God’s faithful people, hear

God’s Word, and share Christ’s supper.

Sent by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, serve all people following the example of our Lord Jesus, and strive for justice

and peace in all the world.

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Music Notes From The Director of Music

Randy Lyden Good Shepherd Music Director randy@gslacrosse.org | (608) 779-9669 Linda Jerome Adult & Youth Bell Choirs Director linda@gslacrosse.org Karl Greenfield Adult Sanctuary Choir Director karl@gslacrosse.org Darlene Lassig Children's Gloria Dei Choir Director darlene@gslacrosse.org Recent Music Notes/Updates: GSlacrosse.org/music

Martin Luther regarded music as a creation of God and gift to all, not merely a worship tool or decoration. As with all of God’s gifts, we must embrace music and nurture it through diligent and careful stewardship.

God’s people have always sung and scripture is replete with references to music, with special emphasis being placed on singing. The Lutheran church considers the human voice to be the primary musical instrument in worship and congregational singing is foremost in worship music. There are a number of reasons why our congregational singing is so important to our worship.

Our congregational singing helps us to build and shape our community in Christ. Singing our worship music as a congregation reminds us of our common story and binds us together as few things can. We sing the same message with the same words, notes and rhythms, even breathing together.

Our congregational song helps form and develop the spiritual life of the congregation and its individual members. Our worship music must be carefully selected to remain faithful to the truth of scripture and to present it with appropriate dignity and respect.

In our congregational singing we proclaim the word of God in song. Our hymnody teaches and relates theological principles of God’s word. For example, we sing of the Holy Trinity, our redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how we encounter Christ in Baptism and Communion. Also, our congregational singing helps us celebrate the sacraments, interpreting them through the words and tunes of our hymns and liturgy.

The Holy Spirit works through music to empower and inspire us to participate in God’s mission to the world. Our songs help shape us and give us guidance in how we live and serve others in our highly diverse community, both locally and globally.

For further information about worship and worship music, please explore the following link:

www.elca.org/en/Resources/Worship

Happy New Year! Randy Lyden Good Shepherd Music Director

Why Do We Sing In Worship?

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(Continued on Page 3) You may recall Thrivent’s generous gift of $5,000 to support a local project for strengthening the La Crosse community. We chose Lutheran Campus Ministry of La Crosse which serves the college campus communities in the area, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College. Thrivent also issued a matching challenge where they will give an additional 50 cents for every dollar we raise up to a total additional gift of $5,000. This means that if we raise $10,000, Thrivent will match our

gift by 50% or $5,000.00. We have until February 28, 2015 to raise these funds to be a blessing to Lutheran Campus Ministry of La Crosse. When you give your gift for Lutheran Campus ministry please indicate it so that we can receive matching funds through Thrivent. Thank you for your generosity as we enter the New Year.

God’s blessings with you in the New Year!

Serve

Enriching Life, Sharing Talents

Altar Guild—Thank you to the members who served during the month of December, Arlene Dreves and Joyce Morrison. During January, Nancy Oelke and Sharon Yushta will be ‘on duty’.

Connie Erickson—Thank you for sending out ‘Get Well’ cards in December. Sharon Yushta will be sending out cards throughout the month of January.

Ann Hudson—Thank you for sending out cards and prayer shawls year round to bereaved families.

Care Ministries—Thank you to all members who are serving as Care Ministers to the faithful members of Good Shepherd who can no longer come to worship with us. Through you, our Care Ministers, the church comes to them! If you or someone you know would like a visit from our Care team, please contact the church office at (608) 788-0450. For more information visit GSlacrosse.org/care.

Pie Fest—Thank you to everyone who bought a pie to share for our Thanksgiving Eve Pie Fest, and to those who served and cleaned up. There were around 100 people who not only enjoyed the pies, but they also enjoyed the fellowship. We will definitely do this again next year.—Candie Luehne

Caring Tree—Thank you for making our Caring Tree a huge success. This was our first time doing this and we will be doing this every Christmas season. We had 53 nursing home resident’s names on the tree and they were all gone after the second Sunday. Your generosi-ty was overwhelming. Because of you these people will have a gift to open on Christmas Day. May you all have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. —Candie Luehne

Thank You All So Very Much...

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Lead

Raising Up Spiritual Leaders

Great Practices Series for Leaders (GPS)

Sing to the Lord! (and our Congregation!) The Sanctuary Choir

The Sanctuary Choir rehearses between services every Sunday from September through May and new members are always welcome!! If you would like to join our Sanctuary Choir, please contact Karl Greenfield at 715-214-8528 or at karl@gslacrosse.org

The Gloria Dei Choir

We rehearse between services on Sundays from September through May in the Mattes Center and new members are always welcome!. If your children would like to be a part of the Gloria Dei Choir please contact Darlene Lassig at 608-788-5686 or at darlene@gslacrosse.org.

Calling All Musicians! Our “Sounds of Praise” worship band invites you to help us lead the worship here at Good Shepherd. “Sounds of Praise” is intended to bring together the greatest number and variety of Instruments possible, presenting special music and enhancing our wide variety of hymn styles. Whatever type of instrument you play, “Sounds of Praise” welcomes you!

Please call Randy Lyden at 608-779-9669 or email to: randy@gslacrosse.org to be a part of this growing and exciting praise band! Can’t wait to hear from you, Randy Lyden.

“Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished:

If you’re alive, it isn’t.—Richard Bach

The Synod office, which is just down the road from Good Shepherd, recently started a program series entitled “Great Practices Series for Leaders.” Invited is anyone who is interested in improving their leadership skills within the congregation. The meetings are on the fourth Saturday of each month. On January 24th, the topic is “Intentional Ministry Planning.” A closer description of the seminar explains what this is all about: “When a church is all on the same page about their direction, life is better. How do we plan around a yearly theme and adapt different ideas and resources to a particular context?”

If this sounds interesting to you, please join us at the La Crosse Area Synod office (2301 South Avenue, La Crosse) on Saturday, January 24th, from 9:30a.m.-1:00p.m. The cost is $5.00 per person to cover the cost of food. Next month, the Great Practices Series event will be on Saturday, February 28, also from 9:30a.m. - 1:00p.m., and the topic will be: “Becoming an Effective Church Council.” I hope all council members and those who have thought about serving on the council will consider attending. We are really blessed to have the Synod office so close.

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January 7th Welcome back to Confirmation! 6th/7th grade: service/fellowship night 8th grade: planning for 8th grade worship

January 14th Why Did Jesus Get Baptizes?

January 16-18th Urban Immersion Retreat for 8th graders; Minneapolis, MN

January 21st 6th/7th grade: If there is only on God, why are there so many religions? 8th grade: Worship planning/practice

January 25th 8th grade led service at 8:30 and 10:30

January 28th Why do Christians believe Christianity is the best religion?

February 4th 6th/7th grade: Service/fellowship nigh 8th grade: work night (faith statements and banner)

February 11th Verses and names as printed on certificate due to Stephanie

April 15th Faith statements and banners due to Stephanie

April 29th All confirmation celebration!

May 3rd Confirmation Sunday! pictures at 12:30

Stephanie Anderson Interim GS Youth Programs Coordinator stephanie@gslacrosse.org (608) 788-0450 Recent Youth News: GSlacrosse.org/confirmation GSlacrosse.org/YG In the Office: Sun. 8:30—10:30am & Wed., 4-8pm Stay Connected! Confirmation: Text @gsconfirm to (608) 402-4735 for confirma-tion updates to your phone! Youth Group: Text @gslcyouth to (608) 402-4735 for youth group updates to your phone!

Data charges may apply. Must age 13+ to sign up without parental guidance. This service is

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Youth of Good Shepherd!

Youth Update

Confirmation (Grades 6-8) & High School Youth (Grades 9-12)

January 2015

A special thank you to Eunice Hepfel for finding a seamstress for out confirmation faith banners and Diane Kimball, Sara Mulliner, Linda Jerome, Christina Knudson, Duane Schoen, Joan Schultz and Bill Klein for sharing their faith with our youth through faith interviews.

Confirmation (Grades 6-8)

December started with our traditional monthly service/fellowship night with a Christmas twist. Many of our confirmation students enjoyed “The Nativity Story” in the Mattes Center to celebrate the Christmas season together. Other groups completed Christmas projects, had a bible scavenger and assisted with BINGO at Bethany Riverside. Individual small groups also set up times for Bell Ringing to further give back this holiday season.

8th graders completed their final faith interview with congregation members, bringing them one step closer to writing their own faith statements. They will now have confirmation time to begin writing their faith statements. For the first time this year, 8th graders will also be creating a faith banner allowing students to use art to share their faith with congregation members. Banners will be displayed in church prior to confirmation Sunday so the congregation can enjoy them and learn some about our youth through their art.

High School Youth (Grades 9-12)

With December, came our annual Christmas Bake Sale.

Trying to work as the youth filled with church with amazing Christmas smells was not easy task, but I was able to resist the sweet treats so their was a good selection for the bake sale. As always the youth enjoyed fellowship and laughter while creating delicious baked goods!

Fundraising continues as we are working diligently this year to have youth group represented each Sunday selling Kwik Trip Cards. This continues to be a significant fundraiser for our yearly mission trip and we appreciate everyone who purchases gift cards. This fall we also had our first (hopefully annual) cake walk, which was fun for all and a huge success along with our Christmas Bake Sale. Please continue to watch for announcements as we have fundraisers coming up this winter and spring.

I would like to wish everyone at Good Shepherd a Merry Christmas and Blessed new year. I am truly grateful for this church and its members and look forward to the adventures God has in store for us all in 2015!

Sincerely in Christ, Stephanie Andersen Good Shepherd Interim-Youth Programs Coordinator

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Connect

Bridging Our Community To Our World

Mobile Meals Is March 29—April 4, 2015 (Upcoming MM: May 24—May 30)

Local Food Pantry Needs West Avenue Food Emergency Relief (WAFER) For January they are asking for Soup and Crackers. Thank you for all that was given to WAFER in December. Please leave all donations in the grocery cart near our bulletin boards in the Welcome Area. A monetary gift may also be given to

help support WAFER. Simply make your check out to Good Shepherd, and indicate WAFER in the check memo area. Thank you!

Thank you all so very much for all the delivering of meals in 2014. Mobile Meals of La Crosse delivers 33,000 meals annually to the homebound, largely through the efforts of our local churches like us. The 2015 schedule is out and posted on the bulletin board, the yellow van will not be posted until closer to the dates. Need more information? Call 784-4623 or go online at mobilemealsoflacrosse.org.

Pick-up Place is Franciscan/Mayo at the Market Street door

Pick up time is 11am

Allow 1 1/2 to 2 hours for delivery time

Viterbo Fine Arts Center Presentation on March 25, 2015 at 9:30am

In 1938, Germany invaded Austria, causing many Jewish families to flee Austria to avoid persecution. Among the emigrants was 8-year old Eva Geiringer, who with her mother, brother, and father moved first to Belgium and then to Holland, where one of her neighbors was a German Jewish girl of the same age. The two girls became friends and playmates. They passed the time by skipping, playing hopscotch, marbles, and drinking lemonade that the girls’ mothers prepared. Ultimately, both girls and their families were deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Later they would become step sisters. Eva survived her concentration camp experience and made her way to England, where she married Zvi Schloss

and raised three daughters. She worked as a studio photographer and ran an antique shop. Her stepsister did not survive Auschwitz, but kept a diary that did. Her name was Anne Frank. Since 1985, Mrs. Eva Schloss has devoted herself to Holocaust education and global peace. She has recounted her wartime experiences at more than one thousand speaking engagements. She has written two books and has had a play written about her life. In 1999 Eva signed the Anne Frank Peace Declaration along with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and the niece of Raul Wallengerg, a legendary figure who rescued thousands of Jews in Budapest. Tickets go on sale Monday February 2nd and are $15.00 for the main floor and $10.00 for balcony. They may be purchased at the Viterbo Box Office or online at Viterbo.edu/tickets. A sell-out crowd is expected so get your tickets early if you would like to attend this event! Questions? Call Darryle Clott (612) 720-6447.

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Stewardship

Good Shepherd gratefully acknowledges and sincerely appreciates your gifts over and above your regular giving. The following gifts were received from November 17th through December 16th, 2014.

What is Simply Giving®?

Memorials & Special Gifts

The Simply Giving® Program is an automated stewardship program that helps church members live generously. It's a convenient, safe and simple way for I ndividuals to make automatic payments to Good Shepherd through electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly from check-ing or savings accounts. Thrivent Federal Credit Union has contracted with industry leader Vanco Services, LLC to

provide electronic payment processing services at reduced rates—so your generosity goes further. Learn more by contacting the church office at 788-0450 or by visiting thriventcu.com/personal/simply-giving-program.

Giving Tree—A Unique Way To Give Do you know about our Giving Tree? If not, this is a unique way to sponsor items or services used within our church. Select the tags that mean the most to you and return them and the donation in the envelopes provided.

Lutheran Campus Ministries Steve & Kari Ellison Eugene & Deb Faga

Garold & Kay Becker Bells Coulee Lutheran Church

Our Saviors WELCA (W. Salem) Coulee Bank

Virgil Hegg Memorial Monie Mattes

Harald & Andrea Bringsjord

Thrivent Choice Dollars Reidun Bringsjord

Norma Green David Harder Yvonne Isbell

Ken Nash

WAFER Connie Lee Evelyn Lee

Norm Almquist

Giving Tree Richard & Grace Pengra

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January 4th No Sunday School, Happy 2015

January 11,16, 26 The Disciples

January 18th 1st Grader Prayer Blocks/Milestone Ministry

February 1 Spirit Sunday

February 8, 15, 22 Four Friends

February 15th 2nd Grader Prayer Pillows/Milestone Minsitry

March 1 Palm Sunday Program Parts Picking

Tammy Klein Children's Ministry Coordinator tammy@gslacrosse.org (608) 788-0450 Recent Sunday School News: GSlacrosse.org/SS. In the Office: Mon., Wed., Fri.: 2:30-7pm Stay Connected! Receive message alerts for Sunday School at Good Shep-herd. Send the message @rubberduck to the number (608) 807-2784. All parents and children with a cell phone are encouraged to sign-up!

Data charges may apply. Must age 13+ to sign up without parental guidance. This service is brought to you by Remind®.

The Sunday School Lesson for 2015…….

The Twelve Disciples—

Just as God Chooses us, Jesus chose the Disciples. Our first lesson of the new year will be about the 12 people that followed Jesus, the Teacher. Most amazing about the twelve disciples is that Jesus selected them at all. Who are the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ? They were just ordinary men. Among them were fishermen, a hated tax collector and an impulsive political zealot.

Jesus deliberately passed over those who were aristocratic and influential. He chose men from the lower class of society and promised them that if they followed him, he would make them fishers of men. So, they left everything behind to follow the Lord and turned the world on its ear.

God chooses the humble, the lowly, the meek and the weak so that there will never be any question about their source of power. Through it all, Jesus loved them just as God loves us. As their lives changed, the world changed as a result.

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Happiest of New Year’s to you all and Blessed 2015! The Christmas rush has become the chill of January, but the time is going quickly as we embark on the 2nd half of the Sunday School Year! I cannot let the January Newsletter go without thanking all the many people who worked very hard to put on the Sunday School Christmas Programs. To all the teachers and shepherds who did double duty, came on Saturday for practice, the extra “Angel Choir Members”. I appreciate all your help….Thank YOU! Every year there are a few tweaks and twinges to the script and the songs. Thank you SO MUCH!

Special thanks to Sally Lindahl, who sewed tirelessly to create new Magi, Mary and Joseph costumes! They are Beautiful, period correct fabric, pieces and are works of art. She also was able to get donations financially for the fabric from the WELCA and Thrivent. Thank you SO MUCH SALLY!

I also want to thank the many parents who contributed to the pageant by practicing songs and parts with their children. When you think of the only 4 WEEKS (that’s actually only about 5 hours) we have to practice, it is amazing what everyone accomplishes. Sharing the good news of the very important beginning of the greatest story ever told!

Milestone Ministry will continue as 1st Grade Prayer Blocks will be presented on January 18h, Prayer Pillows will be presented on February 15th and, March 22nd marks 5th grade First Communion Study (which will be mandatory for all 5th graders!). Please watch for the registrations at Sunday School to come home or visit GSLaCrosse.org for the forms online. You can also email

me the information at Tammy@gslacrosse.org .

On a final note, we will soon be starting the final stories of our year. These will be important stories and I encourage you to make Sunday School a part of your calendar. We always tie the lessons we learn into the children’s lives. For example, David and Goliath—Bullying and Judging others by their Heart, not the outside, and Ruth—How she is blessed by showing great love and Kindness. The upcoming lessons are The Disciples, 4 Friends, Doubting Thomas and the Lord’s Prayer. These stories will BUILD ON CHRISTMAS as we continue to learn about God’s Love for us all!

We have a wonderful time together, learning, sharing, growing….. As we plunge into the last few months of the Sunday School year, please remember that the stories we learn are ones we hope the children will remember and reflect upon throughout their entire lives.

May your 2015 be blessed with health, good fortune and happiness. Thank you for all you do in the ministry of our Sunday School Children

Tammy Klein

Children’s Ministry Coordinator

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Church Numbers Date 8:30am 10:30am

Nov. 23, 2014 108 —

Nov. 30, 2014 130 137

Dec. 7, 2014 106 131

Dec.14, 2014 126 112

Weekly Sunday Attendance

November 2014 November 2013

$ 43181.79 $ 26839.53

Year-To-Date 2014 Year-To-Date 2013

$ 343457.24 $ 329000.93

If you would like to view the complete financial statements that are shared with the Council, please contact the church office. You can help support our ministry at Good Shepherd in a very significant way by regular weekly giving via your envelopes, our website or through the Simply Giving Program. Contact Rick at rick@gslacrosse.org or by calling the church office (608) 788-0450. If you would like to have the complete financial statements that are shared with the Council, please contact the church office.

Year-To-Date Totals Weekly Giving Totals

$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

$35,000

$40,000

$45,000

June July August September October November

Envelope Offerings by Month

2012

2013

2014

Date Weekly Total Weekly Budget November 1 $ 11,451.30 $ 7,500.00 November 8 $ 12,279.50 $ 7,500.00 November 15 $ 9,437.71 $ 7,500.00 November 22 $ 4,675.68 $ 7,500.00 November 29 $ 5,337.60 $ 7,500.00

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Updates & Concerns

Please cut out and return this card to the church office or place it in the offering plate at worship. Name: _____________________ Phone Number ______________

Address: ___________________

City: ______________________

State: _____ Zip: ____________

E-mail: ____________________ Prayer Concerns: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Request Phone Call Regarding:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ministry Spotlight

The Christmas Window Good Shepherd has many beautiful stained glass pieces in our church and in this newsletter series, each month we will be exploring these jewels of our church. Stained glass is glass that has been colored by adding metallic salts during its creation. The colored glass is crafted into stained glass windows in which small pieces of glass are arranged to form patterns or pictures, held together by strips of lead and supported by a rigid frame. Painted details and yellow stain are often used to enhance the design. The term stained glass is also applied to windows in which the colors have been painted onto the glass and then fused to the glass in a kiln. The Christmas Window, depicted at right, is a creation representing the season of Christmas in the church. The main image in this composition

depicts of the baby in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The Three Wise Men are represented by the three staffs and the Star of Bethlehem shining down from the heavens. There are many subtle symbols within this piece, like the head of the baby, stalks of wheat on the manger, the four additional stars, the flower and its center and even the varying sides of the manger … how many others can you find? Explore and appreciate the Christmas Window in our church!

The Altar Guild Highlighted this month is the Altar Guild Ministry. Members of the altar guild are grateful servants of God, the congregation, the liturgy, and the sanctuary. The duties of the altar guild are to care for the chancel (the raised area which includes the altar), its adornments, communion and baptism preparations, as well as other seasonal

symbols of the church. The guild also cares for the sanctuary candle, which is a candle that burns to honor the presence of Christ. If you are interest-ed in joining the Altar Guild please contact Joyce Morrison at (608) 782-4771 or at morrisonjoyce@aol.com.

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Happy New Year! January 2015 The holidays are approaching. Along with the holidays comes all the great food and desserts. This is the time of year when we all indulge a little more than we would want to and say "I will start my diet after the New Year." So to help you all out just a little, I thought I would review what's in a label and maybe this will help you with ingredient choices. You all have seen the nutrition facts on labels a hundred times, on every box or can you buy from the grocery store. Nutrition facts are regulated by the government and guaranteed to be accurate, but when it comes to reading and understanding them, do you always know what to look for? Which are the most important sections to focus on when making your decisions? Here's a simple breakdown of the "good", the "bad" and everything in between. To get the full effect of this article, pull out a box of your favorite cereal or treat. Let's start with serving size. This is the first place to start when you look at the nutrition facts label. This is the number of servings in the package. Serving sizes are standardized to make it easier to compare similar foods; they are provided in units like cups or pieces then followed by number of grams using our metric system. It is always a little depressing when a whole bag of Oreos isn't one serving. Next

is calories. Calories provide a measure of how much energy you get from a serving of this treat. Many Americans consume more calories than they need without meeting recommended intakes for a number of nutrients. Remember: the number of servings you consume determines the number of calories you actually eat. Of course eating too many calories per day is linked to overweight and obesity. Sorry Santa. Health experts recommend that you keep your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol as low as possible, as part of a nutritional balanced diet. Most Americans don't get enough dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Eating enough of these nutrients can improve your health and help reduce the risk of diseases and conditions. You can use the nutrition facts label, not only to help limit those nutrients you want to cut back on, but also to increase those nutrients you need to consume more of. I hope this helps a little, but a great rule of thumb is to monitor your intake, take small portions and eat your fruits and vegetables. Enjoy your upcoming holidays. May the peace and love of the season bless you all. Happy holidays.

Your Parish Nurse,

Bev Sorenson, RN

Bev Sorenson, RN GS Volunteer Parish Nurse bev@gslacrosse.org Parish Health News: GSlacrosse.org/healthnews. Health Questions? Call the Gundersen Telephone Nurse Advisor 24/7 at (800) 858-1050.

Your Health

From the desk of our Parish Nurse

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Staff

Ushers Schedule Date Ushers

Jan. 4 8:30am: David & Barbara Kilpatrick, Nancy & Marc Oelke, Nick Leske & Connie Lee

10:30am: Rene & Charlotte Travelli, Deb Koblitz, Randy Hanson, Adam Kimball & Diane Kimball

Jan. 11 8:30am: Confirmation Youth 10:30am: Confirmation Youth

Jan. 18 8:30am: Glenn & Lila Seager, Dave Kranz, Dave Kilmer, Connie Lee & Gordy Powell 10:30am: James & Cheryl Ward, Karen & Matt Mattes, Jeff & Sharon Yushta

Jan. 25 8:30am: 8th Grade Led 10:30am: 8th Grade Led

Rev. Harald Bringsjord Pastor prharald@gslacrosse.org

Rick Laufenberg Office Manager rick@gslacrosse.org | (608) 788-0450

Kathy Johnson Office Assistant kathy@gslacrosse.org | (608) 788-0450

Tammy Klein Children’s Ministry Coordinator tammy@gslacrosse.org

Stephanie Andersen Youth Ministry Coordinator stephanie@gslacrosse.org

Randy Lyden Music Director/Organist randy@gslacrosse.org | (608) 779-9669

Linda Jerome Bell Choir Director linda@gslacrosse.org

Darlene Lassig Volunteer Gloria Dei Choir Director darlene@gslacrosse.org | (608) 788-5686

Karl & Jamie Greenfield Sanctuary Choir Directors karl@gslacrosse.org | (715) 214-8528

Bev Sorenson Volunteer Parish Nurse bev@gslacrosse.org

Bill Klein Custodian bill@gslacrosse.org

Questions? Don’t know who to contact? Contact the Church Office. (608) 788-0450 | office@gslacrosse.org | www.gslacrosse.org | 4141 Mormon Coulee Rd. La Crosse, WI 54601

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Around the Parish...

Church Council Members

W5—Women Who Wrestle With the Word is a group of Christian Women meet every Monday at 6:30pm in the Welcome Area in the front of the sanctuary.

Women of the ELCA Lydia Circle meet the 1st Tuesday of every month at 1p. Please join them for great conversations, some laughter, fun, camaraderie, and a sweet desert of some kind. Want to join? Contact Carol Abraham at 787-0679.

Quilting at Good Shepherd meets every Wednesday at 8:30am in the quilting room.

55 Plus is a friendly lunch gathering for the 55+ crowd that meets every 3rd Thursday of the month at 11:30am. We gather at The King Street Kitchen (1417th Street South).

High School Youth Group (Grades 9-12) is a group that meets on Wednesday evenings at 6pm through the year. Want to learn more? Contact Stephanie Andersen at stephanie@gslacrosse.org.

The Altar Guild is a group that cares for the altar and its furnishings and linens, and prepares them for each service. We help care for the church sanctuary. To join, please call Joyce Morrison at 782-4771. You can also ‘shadow’ one of us at the service of your choice!

Care Ministries visit the homebound year round to have a small chat, give communion, and have a prayer. Interested in joining this ministry? Contact Don Skibba

at 787-0498. If you or someone you know would like a visit from our care ministry team, please contact the church office 788-0450.

Shepherds Voice Mailing Crew is wondering if you are interested in helping out prepare the Voice newsletter with address labels and stickers? We meet the 4th Thursday of each month at 8:30am in the choir room. Everyone welcome!

Hand Bell Choir Practices are on Sunday evenings 5:30pm for adult bell choir and 6:30pm for youth bell choir. If you have any questions please contact Linda Jerome at linda@gslacrosse.org.

Sounds of Praise is a music ensemble that helps enhance the worship experience through music on a regular basis. If you can play an instrument we want you! Interested? Contact Randy Lyden at randy@gslacrosse.org or call (608) 779-9669.

Sanctuary Choir meets each Sunday between worship services at 9:30am. We regularly enhance worship services by singing wonderful songs! Questions? Contact Karl & Jaime Greenfield at karl@gslacrosse.org or (715) 214-8528.

Gloria Dei Choir is the children’s choir at Good Shepherd. If your child(ren) would like to be a part of the Gloria Dei Choir please contact Darlene Lassig at (608) 788-5686 or at darlene@gslacrosse.org.

Mark Torgerud President of the Congregation mark@gslacrosse.org

Tom Andersen Vice President of the Congregation

Dianne Hamann Treasurer

Maree Smith Secretary

Arianne LaCoste Youth Representative

Other Church Council Members include: Renee Dunn, Don Skibba, Dave Kilmer, Duane Schoen, Lori Lowell, Barb Smyth, Bev Sorenson, Barbara Kilpatrick, Sara Wrobel, and Monty Gilbertson

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Sun Mon Tue WedDec 28 No Sunday School 9:45am Care Ministry Meeting

29 6:30pm W5

30 1pm Lydia Circle

31 New Years Eve

4 Communion Sunday No WELCA Meeting 4pm Girl Scout Troop 6:30pm BS Troop 22 Adult Meeting

5 5pm Girl Scout Troop 4172 6:30pm W5

6 West Pastors Conference 1pm Lydia Circle 6:45pm Boy Scout Troop 22

7 8:30am Quilting10am Staff Meeting6pm Youth Group (Grades 96:30pm Confirmation (Grades 6

11 11:30am Praise & Worship Team Meeting No 4-H Meeting

12 6:30pm W5

13 1:45pm Hillview Communion 6:45pm Boy Scout Troop 22

14 8:30am Quilting6pm Youth Group (Grades 96:30pm Confirmation (Grades 6

18 Communion Sunday & 1st Grade Milestone 4pm Girl Scout Troop 4109

19 5pm Girl Scout Troop 4172 6:30pm W5

20 6pm Parish Ed Meeting 6pm Building & Grounds 6:45pm Boy Scout Troop 22 7pm Council Meeting

21 8:30am Quilting10am Staff Meeting6pm Youth Group (Grades 96:30pm Confirmation (Grades 6

25 9:45am Care Ministry Meeting

26 5:30pm Membership Growth & Fellowship 6:30pm W5

27 6:45pm Boy Scout Troop 22

28 8:30am Quilting6pm Youth Group (Grades 96:30pm Confirmation (Grades 6

January 2015 To access the most up

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Wed Thu Fri Sat New Years Eve

Jan 1 Happy New Years Office Closed

2 Office Closed

3

8:30am Quilting 10am Staff Meeting 6pm Youth Group (Grades 9-12) 6:30pm Confirmation (Grades 6-8)

8

9

10 1pm Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Sam Dunn & Reed Johnson

8:30am Quilting 6pm Youth Group (Grades 9-12) 6:30pm Confirmation (Grades 6-8)

15 11:30am 55 Plus

16 6pm Bunko Night (Theme: Regift and Clearance) Voice & Annual Mtg Articles

17

8:30am Quilting 10am Staff Meeting 6pm Youth Group (Grades 9-12) 6:30pm Confirmation (Grades 6-8)

22 8:30am Mailing Crew

23

24

8:30am Quilting 6pm Youth Group (Grades 9-12) 6:30pm Confirmation (Grades 6-8)

29

30

31

Adult Bell Choir Meets every Sunday each week. at 5:30pm. Youth Bell Choir Meets every Sunday each week. at 6:30pm. Sanctuary Choir Meets every Sunday Each week at 9:30am. Gloria Dei Choir Meets every Sunday each week at 9:45am. Sounds of Praise Meets every Saturday each week at 4pm.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

8:30am Worship Service 8:45am Sunday School

10:30am Worship Service 10:45am Sunday School

Communion 1st and 3rd Sundays of Each Month

To access the most up-to-date calendar visit GSlacrosse.org/calendar.