Dear Friends,

We have collectively entered the final stretch of Christmas preparations. Gathering the ingredients for Christmas meals, wrapping (or purchasing) the last few gifts, and making all of the arrangements before we celebrate the birth of our Savior. As Christians, we are not immune to the hustle and bustle of a world bathed in Christmas lights, jingles, and parties. But there’s more to the story…

The Fourth Sunday of Advent is our final stop before we arrive in Bethlehem. On Sunday we are introduced to a young girl named Mary who is given the most magnificent news: she is going to bear the Christ child. This part of the story declares that the promises of God are finally coming true, the Lord has looked with favor upon his people and upon his servant, and God will dwell in flesh among us. We discover that God is with us, God is for us.

As we make those final preparations for next week and as we come to hear the story again and anew, may we remember that this magnificently good news of amazing grace is not just for us. This good news is a “joy to the world,” a light in the darkness, a new hope in a weary and worried world. The most incredible gift we can ever give someone is the gift of the news that God loves them and that “unto us a Savior is born.” Invite the people around you to hear that story at Good Shepherd on Sunday and Christmas Eve. We will also welcome the newcomer, connect with first time worshippers, and invite them to participate in our common life together, a life marked by the goodness and graciousness of God.

Peace,
Porter+

ADVENT BOOK CLUB
Bishop Logue has selected The Love That is God by Fritz Bauerschmidt as his 1Book1Diocese Advent read. This is an amazing book and it’s only 128 pages! I encourage everyone to purchase a copy and read it. For those who want to “read together,” join me for a Book Club discussion this Sunday, December 22 at 4:30pm in the Conference Room. All are invited and welcome!
- Porter+

INTERFAITH SERVICE
An Interfaith Service for Healing of the Mind and Spirit will be held on Tuesday January 7,2025 at 6;30pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3131 Walton Way,  This service is a community-wide event for all those whose lives have been touched by mental health concerns as well as for health care providers, family members and care givers.  Participants from Christian, Jewish, Muslin, Unitarian, and Hindu traditions will be represented in the service. All are welcome.  A reception will follow with education about mental health resources in the community.  There will be Episcopal representation at the service and a grant from Community and World Ministries at Good Shepherd has helped to support this initiative.   For more information contact Lynn Tyson  lt*******@gm***.com .

COGS
Thanks so much to everyone for supporting COGS  ministries in our community this year at Golden Harvest, Habitat for Humanity Restore, Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries, Take Back the Block, and numerous events at the Byllesby Center including Fall Festival, Thanksgiving Boxes, and Christmas Festival. Our new Rector has pointed out that we are not simply volunteers but ministers spreading the message of the Gospel and mission of Good Shepherd in the community with our outreach. Wishing everyone a blessed Advent and Christmastide. Please let me know of any ideas for further ministry or if anyone would like to serve helping in coordinating our outreach. In the New Year our COGs outreach ministry will begin at Golden Harvest on Jan 11th from 1-4pm packing food including backpack meals and senior boxes for those with food insecurity in our community. If you would like to participate please let Lynn Tyson know lt*******@gm***.com .

CHURCH CLOSED
The Church Office will be closed, December 24-26th. The office will close at noon on December 31st and will reopen on January 2nd.

STAFFING CHANGE
Emily Mumford will be leaving her position as Parish Administrator for a new position of Business Administrator at Grace United Methodist Church. Her last day at Good Shepherd is December 30. We are grateful for her work and service for the past ten years and we wish her well!

STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship is part of our ongoing “yes” to opening our hearts fully to the Lord and joining him in his redemptive work in the world. The Vestry will soon begin budget preparations for 2025. Pledge cards help us have an accurate picture of our financial landscape during the budget season and allow us to plan for our ongoing mission and ministry. It is not too late to submit your pledge for 2025 online, by return mail, or on Sunday.

ADVENT RESOURCES
Printed copies of our three Advent resources (Resource Guide, O Antiphons Liturgy, and A Liturgy for the Lighting of Advent Candles) are now available in the Foyer. Stop by and pick up a copy if you prefer a print version. We created these resources to be used and to be shared, so please enjoy them and pass them along!

ADVENT PAGEANT
Saturday, December 21st, the speaking cast will rehearse from 9:30-11:30 in the sanctuary. Animals and Angels will gather in the parish hall at 10:30 for a full rehearsal. Pizza will be served at 11:30 in the small parish hall. Sunday, December 22nd, all children should arrive by 8:15 to put on costumes. Cast will be in the Chapel of the Resurrection. Animals in the conference room, and Angels in the parish Hall. This is a good time to take pictures. Parents, save space in the pew for your child. They will join you at the conclusion of the pageant. Be sure to return the costumes to the correct rack.

ADVENT PAGEANT RECEPTION
Help celebrate our children with goodies and punch in the parish hall immediately following the 8:30 service.  Sign up in the Shell to bring a sweet or savory dish or call Jinny or Lynn.

CHILDREN OF THE CRECHE
Children bringing figures to the crèche will line up at 3:45pm in front of the church. They will enter the church during the singing of “The Friendly Beasts.”  At the conclusion of the hymn, they will join parents in the pew.

THE POSADA
Joseph and Mary continue their journey to the homes of the Bowden’s December 20, the Austin’s December 21, the Sutherland-Nesbits December 22, and the McKennas December 23. The McKennas will return the Holy Family during the 4pm service December 24th.

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!  Training is required, but we will pay you to complete the training. If this list 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, December 22nd

8:30 am

Organist, Jim Nord

Lay Readers, Bob Nesbit, Cissy Bowden

Verger, Kathleen Bailie

Ushers, John Stewart, Drew Daniel

Acolytes, Charlotte Jones, Merritt Jones, Rob Wynn

11:00 am

Organist, Jim Nord

Lay Readers, Kelley Norris, Heather Wheeler

Verger, Rob Dennis

Ushers, Paul Trotter, Mike Leverett

Acolytes, Elle Benjamin, Raymon Benjamin, Spencer Weston, Annie Weston

6:00 pm

Organist, Jim Nord

Lay Readers, Jennie Haynes, Faith Moore

All Services

Altar Guild Team I

Vestry Person of the Day, John Manton

NO CHRISTIAN FORMATION (ALL AGES)

 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

•  RECTOR'S FORUM: Meet in the Parish Hall at 9:45am

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