March Newsletter from Young Adults in Global Mission in Hungary

This link is a thank you from our Young Adults in Global Mission in Hungary.  Their March 2019 newsletter is here:  March 2019 Ministry Update from Rachel & Zach

The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29 into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. As they offer themselves in service, ELCA young adults are shaped by the witness of our global neighbors. They share in the journeys of companion churches and organizations in one of nine countries around the world.

Click on the Missions Abroad link to find out more about the missions that Good Shepherd supports.

This Week at Good Shepherd, March 25-31, 2019

Tuesday, March 26
7:00 p.m.- CLA Circle – Connie Buresh hosts

Wednesday, March 27
5:30 p.m. – Lenten Worship Service
6:00 p.m. – Simple Soup Supper
7:00 p.m. – Choir rehearsal
8:00 p.m. – Band rehearsal

Thursday, March 28
10:00 a.m. – Bible Study with Pastor Amy
12:00 p.m. – Centering Prayer

Sunday, March 31 – Fourth Sunday in Lent – no radio broadcast during Luther break
8:45 p.m. – Choir Warmup
9:30 a.m. – Worship Service with Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. – Fellowship Hour
10:50 a.m. – Sunday School/Youth Forum
11:00 a.m. – Adult Forum: “Jazz and Worship” with Jon Ailabouni

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Can Receive Thrivent Choice Dollars

We are pleased to announce that the Congregational United Church of Christwhich administers the Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund, has been identified as an organization to receive Thrivent Choice dollars.  The Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund is a resource for those experiencing immigration related emergencies, and helps with needs such as rent, food, utilities, and transportation on a short term basis within the Northeast Iowa community. The need is great and constant.

By directing Choice Dollars, eligible Thrivent members can recommend which nonprofit organizations they feel should receive charitable grant funding from Thrivent.

If you have Choice Dollars available to direct, please consider directing to Congregational United Church of Christ, Decorah.  All Thrivent dollars received will be directed to the Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund.

To learn more, visit thrivent.com/thriventchoice. Or call Thrivent at 800-8474836 and say “Thrivent Choice” when prompted.

Emily Neal to Speak at Fellowship Hour, Sunday, March 24, 2019

Emily Neal, Assistant Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities at Luther College, will speak during Fellowship Hour on Sunday, March 24, 2019. She is also a staff instructor in Environmental Studies. Emily will speak about her experiences that led to her interest in the Water to Thrive project. 

A passionate science educator, she has over 20 years of experience teaching people of all ages, on how to integrate concepts of wellness, sustainability and stewardship into their lives. Recognizing that human health is interconnected to the health of our planet, Emily oversees a wide array of healthy living and environmental programs at Luther, including the summer Discovery Camp programs and Endeavor Together, Luther’s  pre-orientation program. Additionally, Emily oversees outreach programs to regional schools. She works with teachers on integrating topics of sustainability into the curriculum and increasing STEM education. She supervises a team of FoodCorps/AmeriCorps members serving schools to help districts foster healthy environments for students, staff, and the communities they serve. She has a Masters in Science Education and an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science, both from the University of Iowa.

This Week at Good Shepherd, March 18-24, 2019

Tuesday, March 19
4:00 p.m.- Social Justice subcommittee
7:00 p.m.- Congregational Council

Wednesday, March 20
1:00 p.m. – Prayer Shawl Ministry – Connie Buresh hosts
2:00 p.m. – Governance Advance Team
5:30 p.m. – Lenten Worship Service
6:00 p.m. – Simple Soup Supper
7:00 p.m. – Choir rehearsal
8:00 p.m. – Band rehearsal

Thursday, March 21 Newsletter Deadline
10:00 a.m. – Bible Study with Pastor Amy
12:00 p.m. – Centering Prayer
5:00 p.m. – Community Meal at St Benedicts

Sunday, March 24 – Third Sunday in Lent – no radio broadcast during Luther break
8:45 p.m. – Band Warmup
9:30 a.m. – Worship with Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. – Fellowship Hour offered by Sunday School and Youth Forum
Information about Water to Thrive project shared during Fellowship Hour