Dear Friends,

One of the unique challenges of being new to a city is learning how to navigate your way around from point A to point B. That’s a normal thing…but the task becomes all the harder when you move to a city and 36 hours later a hurricane up-ends everything! In the earliest weeks after the storm our routes were diverted and re-directed over and over again due to power lines, debris trucks, and more. It was common to see Detour signs everywhere.

Signs are all around us.

Every day we see signs while we’re driving. Some tell us what to do (Stop), others tell us where we are (4th Street), and still others point beyond themselves to our destination. Signs are important because they can provide a message of warning or progress, they point out where we’ve been or where we are going (whether we want to or not). A wedding ring is a sign and symbol of marriage, but it does not signify the full meaning of marriage. There is the sign...and then there is the meaning of the sign…

This Sunday we are discussing the first of Jesus’ signs in John’s Gospel. There is no Greek word equivalent to our English use of the word miracle and John opts to use the word meaning sign (semeia). Such is John’s preference that the first half of his Gospel is devoted to the signs performed by Jesus in Galilee and it is referred to by scholars as “The Book of Signs.” Our task on Sunday will be to determine what the sign of the wedding at Cana is pointing to and why it matters. I invite you to begin reading through John 2:1-11 as you prepare to look at the passage with us on Sunday morning.

Peace,
Porter+

AN EVENING FOR NEW MEMBERS
On Friday, January 31 we will be hosting an evening for our new members and for those who are interested in joining the parish. Our evening will begin with dinner at 6:00pm and then we will have a short teaching which will explore our vision, a bit about our Anglican heritage and the Episcopal church, and information about how to join us in mission and ministry. Childcare will be provided. We are so glad you’re at Good Shepherd and look forward to sharing this special evening with you! Please RSVP here.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS WORKSHOP
We humans inherently seek identity and purpose, asking questions like: Who am I? Why am I here? What is my role? Paul offers a powerful answer in his letter to the Ephesians saying we were “created for good works.” Our faith anchors our identity and purpose in Christ, and by virtue of our baptismal covenant, each of us is called to mission and ministry. Finding one’s role in the Kingdom of God offers unparalleled fulfillment. We are thrilled to welcome the Rev. Cynthia Brust to Good Shepherd on Saturday, February 1, as she helps us explore the “other side of yes,” reminding us that each of us is a minister.

The workshop will be held at EDS from 9:00am - 2:00pm and childcare will be available. The cost of the workshop is $10 per person which will cover the cost of our lunch. To sign up, please click this here.

CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY
On Saturday, February 1, Bishop Logue will be here for Fr. Porter’s Celebration of New Ministry. This is an exciting time in the life of the parish as this special liturgy formally marks the beginning of our shared ministry as rector and congregation. This service is a joyous occasion to affirm our mission, offer our prayers, and dedicate ourselves anew to God’s work in our community. The celebration includes the presentation of symbolic gifts—such as a Bible, a vessel of water, and bread and wine—that reflect the responsibilities of ministry and our shared commitment to proclaim the Gospel, nurture discipleship, and celebrate the sacraments. Following the service we will have a reception in the Parish Hall.

Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend the service which will begin at 5:00pm.

COGS
Thanks to everyone for their support of our COGS outreach ministries. Our next COGS outreach will be returning to work with Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries Food Pantry whose mission is to “feed the hungry in our community.” Our group will be ministering on February 15 from 8:30-11:30am. Those participating should come to the St. John UMC parking Lot (736 Greene Street) between 8:00-8:30am where the DCCM participants will be setting up the food distribution. Participants should plan on parking on 8th St. or across the street on Telfair since the parking lot is used for the drive through and walk-up distributions. The participants will be at the various stations with the food and place it in the client’s trunk as they drive up. They have a separate area for the walking clients. A “personal shopper” takes their cart and goes to get their food. The food distribution generally occurs between 9:00-11:00am.

Those participating in this ministry must be at least twelve years of age and if they are under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please e-mail Lynn Tyson at lt*******@gm***.com if you would like to participate or call or text at 706-833-7415. I will have name tags for our COGS participants. They report that donations of granola bars or ready to eat items such as peanut butter crackers for snack bags for the homeless are always appreciated. DCCM reports that this ministry is doing what Christ has asked us to do: “Feed his sheep.”

OFFICE CLOSED
On Monday, January 20, 2025, the church office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

JOIN THE ST. GREGORY CHOIR
We are excited to share that the St. Gregory Choir will continue singing at the 8:30am service. We will be holding an informational meeting and practice on Sunday, January 26th from 4:30-5:00pm in the choir loft. This kick off event is open to any child 8 years old and up at Good Shepherd who is interested in singing. We will discuss the important role of the choir, review the order of service, and show choristers how to find hymns in the hymnal. We will make sure every member has a robe that fits and a cubby with materials.

Join us on January 26 from 4:30-5:00pm in the choir loft as we get ready for the second half of the program year! Many thanks to Coles Doyle for organizing a team of choir parents to help in the transition as we seek a new Director of Music Ministries.

NO RECTOR’S FORMATION
Rector’s Forum will not be meeting this Sunday. All of our other adult formation and children’s formation classes will be meeting in their usual locations at 9:45am on Sunday morning.

EPIPHANY HOUSE BLESSINGS
For centuries the Church has set aside the Feast of the Epiphany as a day for house blessings and “chalking of the doors.” Epiphany house blessings take place at the front door with the priest praying a prayer of blessing and marking the door frame with a special inscription: 20 + C + M + B + 25

The COGS clergy are available for house blessings throughout the Epiphany Season (January 6 - March 4). This special liturgy lasts only a few minutes and is a great opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors to join you. To schedule a house blessing, please email Rebecca Taylor ( re*************@gm***.com ).

EPIPHANY READING GROUP
This Advent we participated in Bishop Logue’s diocesan reading group. It was such a hit that we’ve decided to keep the fun going on our own this Epiphany. Our Epiphany book selection is Epiphany: The Season of Glory by Fleming Rutledge which is part of the Fullness of Time series by IVP. In this small book, Rutledge unlocks new insight into this deeply important liturgical season. Please join us for our discussion of the book on Sunday, February 9 at 4:30pm in the Conference Room. The Book Tavern has copies available for us.

STEWARDSHIP
It is not too late to submit your pledge for 2025 online, by return mail, or on Sunday. If you have not already turned in a pledge card, we encourage you to prayerfully consider doing so!

EDS FAMILY NIGHT SUPPER AND BOOK FAIR
Please join us for the EDS Family Night Supper ($10/plate and $40/family max) and Book Fair. There will be an 8th grade girls vs. moms basketball game from 5:30-6:00pm and an 8th grade boys vs. dads basketball game from 6:15-6:45pm. Concessions will be open during the games for candy and treats ONLY. The Book Fair will be open from 5:00-6:30pm.

EDS IS LOOKING FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
Episcopal Day School is looking for part-time substitute teachers. If you want to work with children, set your own schedule, and, as a bonus, get paid, this is a great opportunity for you! Training is required, but we will pay you to complete the training. If this has you excited about your future as a substitute teacher at Episcopal Day School, please contact Mrs. Nina Tomlin, Assistant to the Division Heads, at nt*****@ed********.com or call the main office at (706) 733-1192. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Head to the Shell Newsletter for details & to sign up for upcoming events.
For any questions, email mg****@go******************.org .

Sunday, January 19th

8:30 am

Organist, Dr. Dan Hardin

Lay Readers, Camillia Davis, Bobbie Ingenito

Verger, Kathleen Bailie

Ushers, Matt Tracy, Jonathan Adams

11:00 am

Organist, Dr. Dan Hardin

Lay Readers, Andrew Austin, Yvonne Harrison

Verger, Mark Burgreen

Ushers, Trey Hargrove, Lewis Baird

6:00 pm

Organist, Mark Dickens

Lay Readers, Jennie Haynes, Faith Moore

All Services

Altar Guild Team III

Breakfast Ministry Team II

Vestry Person of the Day, Beth McCutcheon

 CHILDREN’S FORMATION: 

•  Three Year Olds: Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Room 305

•  PK-K: Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Room 306

•  1st-3rd Grades: Level II Catechesis  of the Good Shepherd, Room 304

•  4th and 5th Grades: Weaving God’s Promises, Room 302

STUDENT FORMATION: 

•  Rite-13: Lead by Jessica Perry and Taylor McCutcheon, Room 208

•  J2A: Lead by Katie Wynn and Brice Wright, Room 303

ADULT FORMATION: 

•  Exploring Faith with Matt Matson: Meet in Room 209 at 9:45am

•  Sawmill Theology with Ken Hardy: Meet in the Conference Room at 9:45am

•  NO RECTOR'S FORUM THIS SUNDAY

Back to the Bible Groups (for more info, go to goodshepherd-augusta.org/b2b)

• Sundays, 10 am & 4:30 pm (Bride's Room)
  • 4 pm at the home of Nancy Sutherland
• Tuesdays, 4 pm (Bride's Room)
• Wednesdays, 11 am (Bride's Room)
• Thursdays, 5:30 pm