In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-2, 14

Last week the news was buzzing with the report of a New York City Police officer who had of-fered a “Random Act of Kindness” to a homeless man on the streets of New York City. On a cold night the officer noticed the shoeless man and thought to himself that this is unacceptable. He approached the man and asked if he had shoes. The man did not. The officer noticed that a shoe store was near and he went inside and asked the clerk for a pair of insulated waterproof boots and socks in the man’s size. He paid for the boots and socks with his own money and took them outside. He knelt down and presented the boots and socks to the man and watched over him as he put them on. This scene was captured by a passing tourist and the picture went around the world in moments as a testimony to the power and presence of kindness. One random act of kindness has changed the life of one man and perhaps many as the news has been broadcast worldwide. This story has great resonance with Christian folk as the story reminds us of the Christmas story. However, there is one significant and glorious difference. While God’s gift to us of his son Jesus Christ at Christmas is an Act of Kindness in the most exalted form – it was not a RANDOM Act. God with great faithfulness, intention and planning sent his son Jesus to just the right place, to just the right family, and at just the right time to accomplish God’s purpose of saving humanity from death and sin. Jesus accom-plished this in just the right way. All of this was God’s way and there is no randomness in God. God is faithful. God will never leave you or forsake you. God’s attention never waivers or is drawn away to take care of someone or something else. God is with us. That is what EMMANUEL means and the greatest proof of this is the birth, life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. God is intentional. God chose and called a people out of bondage in Egypt to be his people. God formed them into a people through the giving of the Law of Moses and guided them through the dessert for 40 years to the Promised Land. All of this was done on purpose – with intention – that peo-ple would know and experience God with greater clarity and presence. God plans. Jesus was with God from the beginning. Jesus was the Word that was spoken into the void to bring about creation. Yet, God waited until a particular time to send Jesus to live among us. It was a time when one human life could have the greatest impact and bring the clearest testimony of the love of God into the world. That moment of the birth of Jesus is the focus of our attention for the coming four weeks. We may be impressed by a RANDOM Act of Kindness, and is was a beautiful and humble act, but Christmas is not a Random Act of God’s kindness – Christmas is the most glorious INTENTIONAL ACT of GOD’S LOVE. Celebrate this ADVENT and CHRISTMAS with FAITHFULNESS, INTENTION and PLAN and be assured that Emmanuel – God with us – will re-veal the fullness of God’s love in every action we take.

Merry Christmas, Pastor

December 2012

Jesus

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN submitted by UMW Vice-President,

Joyce Campbell

Merry Christmas! We appreciate all the folks that came in and helped with “Hanging the Greens.”

On Dec. 10th we will have the Annual Christ-mas Luncheon and the entertainment will be unique—for some fun. Buy your ticket for $7.00. The monies we make on our event will go to our many Missions Projects. Join us on our journey. God Bless you.

JOY CIRCLE submitted by Beth Ferris

Joy Circle will meet at church on Wed. Dec. 12th at 9am. Gilda Wilson will be leading, covering Chapter Two and possibly Three of the Mission Study Book—IMMIGRATION. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

UMW READING PROGRAM submitted by Jeanne Brooks

The 2013 books are on the shelves across the hall from Pastor Tom’s office. There is a large print book in each category. There is a new category this year. You must read a book in each of the five cate-gories for the reading program. The list is posted on the bulletin board and we have several good authors this year; Debbie MacComber, Dee Dee Myers, Press Secretary for President Clinton & Jorge Ramos who writes about America’s Immigration Policy. Be sure to fill out your “Reading Program” folder found in the box on the top of the book case.

UNITED METHODIST MEN submitted by Jim Stephenson

The 6th Annual Good Shepherd Fellowship Golf Outing will be on Sat., Jan. 12 at Lake Fairways. Registration to begin Sat., Dec. 1st in the Narthex before and after services. Questions should be di-rected to Jim Stephenson, home: 656-4692 or cell: 839-0137.

Fifty-Five of our congregation attended our UMM breakfast on Wed. Nov. 14th who listened to our church organist, Sue Halverson, speak on the two books she has written. Sue was able to sell many copies afterwards. Our Dec. 12th speaker will be Jim Boesch from the Florida Conference. His uplifting topic will be “The 3 Things Men Want in Life.” Tickets are $5.00 per person.—ticket sales will end on Sunday Dec. 9th. No ticket sales at the door. Breakfast will be at 8am and will consist of eggs, sausage, hash browns, biscuits and beverages. Women are wel-come to attend. If you have any questions—please speak to Jim Stephenson.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE submitted by Judy Stephenson

I love this time of year!! I love the Christmas mu-sic – even the non-stop ones on certain radio stations – I love the bright Christmas lights in, on and around my neighbors’ homes. I love celebrating ‘the reason for the season’ – the birth of baby Jesus. I love all the stories (biblical) and shows (Charlie Brown, It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street) and traditions. Speaking of traditions – doesn’t our sanctuary and narthex look wonderful!! It will continue to sparkle when our poinsettia tree gets filled in the Narthex and the Advent candles are displayed. We had over 22 people come the morning after Thanksgiving to help transform our sanctuary and nar-thex. The banners were up, thanks to Bill Boden. Shirley Smalley made brand-new red-and-gold bows for the large wreaths on the wall behind the altar, and Phyllis Apple helped decorate them. Chuck Twa and Pat Camp-bell and Maury Bonecutter found a way to get the big tree out of the closet, around the bell choir tables and across the sanctuary, where Jackie Morton, Dorothy Bonecutter, and others soon had the Chrismon ornaments perfectly placed. Miriam Norris, Shirley Scarpella, and Irene Bartsch decorated the outside of the media booth. Barb Bosnick, Bev Mumby, Marcie Kittle, Dottie Hill, Sue Millisor and others got the wreaths for the sides of the sanctuary all ready to be hung. Special thanks (all would agree) go to Chuck Twa, Pat Campbell, Bob Apple, Bill Boden, Jerry Murphy – our “ladder men” who painstakingly hung the garlands and wreaths. It seemed sometimes that there was one little Indian at the top of the ladder and six Chiefs below offering suggestions and changes…hee! I know I’ve left some people out – but I want every ONE of you to know that you are SO SPECIAL in my eyes and nothing would have gotten done without your help and support!!! Second subject: Scheduling worship servers for December was pretty daunting, with five Sundays (2 ser-vices each), a Longest-Night service and two Christmas Eve services. PLEASE check this Journal AND the yel-low sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway. If I’ve booked you and you cannot serve, PLEASE try to get a substitute. Where there is a blank line and you can serve, please print your name on the sheet or call/e-mail me. God bless you all for your service – I am truly grate-ful. Merry Christmas!!!!

Sunday School/Adult Bible Study meets Sunday at 9:45am in the meeting room.

We will meet every Sunday until Easter.

A HEALTHIER YOU

submitted by Judy Greenstreet, Parish Nurse

PSALM 55 : 22 ….Cast your cares on the Lord and He

will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.

The Christmas season is here again. It is a time of joyous celebration, to be shared with family and friends. It is a time of gift giving, holiday decorations, warm remem-brances, exchanging cards and good wishes, and baking those delicious cookies and cakes. With all the many tasks to do, don’t forget the most important aspect of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. With the “hustle and bustle” of the season, it is easy to forget the significance of this sacred time and to focus on ourselves and how we may feel. Some of us may feel a sense of sadness because of losses in our life. This can be anything from the loss of a job, the loss of a comfortable home, the loss of a loved one, the loss of our health or the loss of a relationship that once existed. Sadness is truly a personal feeling and will be different for each of us. The following suggestions can help deal with the sadness and mild depression associated with the holi-days. Make realistic expectations for the holidays and be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Pace yourself. Don’t take on more responsibilities than you can handle. Live in the moment and enjoy the present. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment by com-paring today with the “good old days.” If you are lonely, try volunteering some of your time to help others, such as with the Salvation Army. Spend time with supportive people who under-stand and care about you. Reach out and make new friends. Make time for yourself to do fun things….go to a movie, make a craft, go for a walk. Keep track of holiday spending and remember not to overspend. Attending the Longest Night Healing Service on December 20th at 5pm is one way to care for yourself and to receive the healing power of the Holy Spirit. Come join us for this unique and fulfilling service. My Christmas wish for you…May God truly bless you during this Christmas Season and may you feel the healing presence of our Lord and Savior throughout the new year.

Don’t forget that the THINKING THINNER group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 11:30am…..you are invited to join us as we learn and share together.

CARING COMMITTEE submitted by Nan Friedman & Barbara Bosnick

MERRY CHRISTMAS

&

WISHES FOR PEACE IN 2013

The Caring Committee at Good Shepherd UMC wants to thank you all for the many visits and phone calls you have made and cards sent this year to all those who are on our shut-in list …..not just those in facilities but those in our communities. We know from the notes and phone calls we have received that these contacts have brightened many long, lonely days especially for those who have no family nearby. If any of you would like to join us but do not feel you can attend meetings, please call Nan Friedman (239) 731-3773 or Barb Bosnick (239) 656-4757. We can always use help in contacting these people and letting them know they are still a part of Good Shepherd Church. May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, bless you all and keep you in good health and spir-its as we begin the season of Advent and await the coming of the Baby Jesus.

MUSIC NOTES submitted by Jackie Scharfe, Choir Director

Welcome in the Christmas Season with music! Saturday, Dec., 8th, at 5 pm The Chancel Choir and Shepherd Bells will present portions of their Christmas Cantata, along with Lessons and Carols of the season. Sunday, Dec. 9 at both the 8:30 and 11:00 service, the Chancel Choir and Shepherd Bells will present the entire Christmas Cantata, entitled "Joy To the World." Come and bring a friend! Beginning in January 2013, there will be a choir at both services every Sunday. We welcome new members. Call me if you are interest-ed. Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 3 PM. Sue Halverson is always interested in peo-ple who would like to provide music for the Sat. services. Give her a call if you would like to partici-pate. Have A Blessed Christmas!

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO

VOLUNTEERS IN ANY CAPACITY!! WE COULDN’T DO IT

WITHOUT YOU!

WORSHIP SERVERS – December 2012 NOTE: WHERE THERE IS A BLANK LINE, IF YOU CAN SERVE, PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME! THANK YOU.

If your name appears above in any capacity, and you are unable to serve that day, please try to find a substitute to stand in for you. If that is impossible, please contact Judy or Jim Stephenson as soon as possible at 656-4692, or e-mail jim-judy@comcast.net. Thank you so much for your service!!!!

DATE GREETERS (2 for each service)

ACOLYTES (2 for each service)

USHERS (4 for each service, plus Head Usher)

COMMUNION SERVERS (4 for each service)

Dec. 2

Choir

8:30 Andy & Dorothy Bos,

11:00 Marge Gundling,

Nancy Phillips

8:30 Sue Symes,

Helen Townsend

11:00 Linda Lane, Barb

Sidaras

8:30 Jerry Murphy, Mark Crum, Joyce Campbell, Ann Ekas,

Jackie Morton

11:00 Barb Bosnick, Cindy Farragut, Sid Dobson, Don

Parsons, Peg Southworth

8:30 Bob & Marion Monacelli,

Audrey Martin, Betty Lou Randolph

11:00 Bob & Flo Gooding, Miriam

Norris, Betty Rossi

Dec. 9

Choir/bells at

both services

CANTATA

8:30 Steve & Marcie Kittle

11:00 Ray & Cheryl Razor

8:30 Joan Bowlsby,

Joyce Campbell

11:00 Jean May, Louise

Burns

8:30 Jerry Murphy, Ann Ekas, Audrey Martin, Betty Lou Ran-

dolph, Helen Townsend

11:00 Barb Bosnick, Eugene & Eleanore Greuling, Chuck Twa,

____________

Dec. 16

Choir

8:30 Chick & Anna Hodge

11:00 Chuck & Doris McHarg

8:30 Judy Greenstreet, John

Monaghan

11:00 Linda Lane, Cindy

Farragut

8:30 Jerry Murphy, Dave & Dolores VanHaaften, Rich & Sue

Symes

11:00 Barb Bosnick, Jim &

Shirley Scarpella, ____________

Dec. 20

“LONGEST

NIGHT”

5pm Ken & Beth Ferris

5pm

NO ACOLYTES NEEDED

5pm Jerry Murphy, Jim & Judy

Stephenson, Jim & Joanne Ullery Communion by Intinction

Dec. 23 8:30 Carolyn Sue Peek,

Betty Lou Randolph

11:00 Marie & Suzanne

Spaulding

8:30 Joan Bowlsby,

Joyce Campbell

11:00 Linda Lindquist,

Jean May

8:30 Jerry Murphy, Ann Ekas, Gene Noll, Audrey Martin,

Betty Lou Randolph

11:00 Barb Bosnick, Don & Donna Wilcox, Louise Burns,

Dec. 24

CHRISTMAS

EVE

5:00pm Jim & Joanne Ullery

8:00 pm Nan Friedman,

Kaye Hancock

5:00 Linda Lane,

Helen Townsend

8:00 Judy Greenstreet,

Jean May

5:00 Jerry Murphy, Sid Dobson,

Ann Ekas, Rich & Sue Symes

8:00 Barb Bosnick, Mark & Alice Crum___________

______________

5:00 Candlelight service and Choir 8:00 Candlelight service and Communion (intinction)

Dec. 30 8:30 Bob & Marion Monacelli

11:00 Grace MacMullen,

Betty Lou Randolph

8:30 Joan Bowlsby,

Joyce Campbell

11:00 Louise Burns,

Linda Lindquist

8:30 Jerry Murphy, Ann Ekas, Steve & Marcie Kittle

___________,

11:00 Barb Bosnick, Chuck &

Kay Twa, Don & Donna Wilcox

OUTREACH COMMITTEE submitted by Ginny Hess

Our sign as you leave our parking lot reads, “You are now enter-ing the mission field.” This is never more true than it is now!! The need is great, you as a congregation have always answered the call– yet there is more to come. This Thanksgiving we supplied close to 220 bags of food and $2,400 for turkeys to the Suncoast Community. On Nov. 20th, Sue Gil-lespie and volunteers distributed these bags, turkeys and more to 364 families (1,100 people.) Sue has asked me to express her deep appreci-ation for the large part we played assuring those in need a Thanksgiving Dinner. We are very pleased with the bags we purchased. Some of you have expressed you would like to use them for shopping. We will be sell-ing them for $2.00 until they are gone. The money goes to the Can –Do Ministries for Missions Projects. We now hope to make some families Christmas a little happier. We now have the opportunity to “Adopt A Family,” from Suncoast. Our goal is to adopt 15 families. We have the families and number in each family, the sizes, the requests. We need all gifts to the church by Dec. 16th. Distribution will be on December 17th. We have done this project in the past and the joy it brings is very special. We also have our “Toy Box” in the Narthex for collecting new un-wrapped toys (no plush animals please) for the children of Suncoast NOT included in the Adopt A Family. We are now signing up people to ring bells for the Salvation Army. We will be at the new Publix on Dec. 11—13th (Tues-Thurs). There are 2- hour time slots starting at 9am and 5pm-7pm. Come and join us—call Ginny Hess at 731-2104. Your generosity enabled us to raise $2,600 for UMCOR’s Relief for Hurricane Sandy victims. Our free will offering for our Veteran’s mission raised $650.00 Sara was very appreciative for making Thanksgiving a little better for our veterans and homeless. Last but not least we purchased $400 worth of uniforms for Little Elementary School’s children as their cupboard was bare. We also do-nated $100 to “Laces for Love” an organization based in Naples that supplies new shoes to needy children. We found that they had given shoes to Littleton Elementary School. Thank you for your support. We invited you to join us in fulfilling our missions. We wish you ALL of God’s blessings.

WORSHIP SERVERS – December 2012 NOTE: WHERE THERE IS A BLANK LINE, IF YOU CAN SERVE, PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME! THANK YOU.

If your name appears above in any capacity, and you are unable to serve that day, please try to find a substitute to stand in for you. If that is impossible, please contact Judy or Jim Stephenson as soon as possible at 656-4692, or e-mail jim-judy@comcast.net. Thank you so much for your service!!!!

REMEMBER PASTOR TOM AT CHRISTMAS

submitted by Staff Parish Committee

If you wish to give Pastor Tom a love offering for Christmas please make your check payable to Good

Shepherd UMC, and either mail it to the church or place it in an envelope, and in the offering plate.

Make sure you put Pastor’s Gift in the memo area. Thank you for thinking of him and his family.

TRASH

&

TREASURE

SALE

FEBRUARY

8TH & 9TH

REMINDER: If you have not worn or used items in the past year—it is time to donate…..

We are looking forward to an-other “H U G E” sale.

Please call church office before delivery.

Ellen Van Sice 12/1 Alice Crum 12/18

Doris Owen 12/3 Phil Hill 12/18

Lynn Everett 12/4 Chick Hodge 12/19

Sylvia Kelley 12/4 Marion Monacelli 12/20

David Van Sice 12/4 Greg Morton 12/20

Clyde Campbell 12/5 Louise Burns 12/21

Betty Longstreth 12/6 Arnold Willis 12/21

Beverly Mumby 12/7 Nella Gremban 12/23

Pat Pratt 12/7 Betty Morris 12/24

Dorothy Denman 12/8 Sue O’Rear 12/24

Bonnie Brown 12/9 Gloria St. Onge 12/25

Jim Stephenson 12/10 William Milligan 12/26

Shirley Hayse 12/11 Barie Fez-Barringten 12/28

Nancy Klebau 12/11 Barbara Sidaras 12/28

William Boden 12/14

Kaye Hancock 12/15 Marcie Kittle 12/30

Peggy Matthews 12/15 Adri Watkins 12/30

Cece Nesmith 12/15 June Freeman 12/31

Joan Bowlsby 12/16 Arline Hiller 12/31

Carol Campbell 12/16 Wava Straw 12/31

Evelyn Peck 12/16

Norma Spink 12/17

Bill Whitehouse 12/17

Bob & Donna Hamman

12/4/1948 64

Buck & Gayle Weston 12/11/1943 69

Dave & ZoAnn Myers 12/16/1956 56

Terry & Margel Smith 12/27/1967 45

Mike & Terri Boardman 12/31/1989 23

Ken & Deanna Stokes 12/31/1976 36

Good Shepherd Church’s Contributions & Expenses

for October 2012

The money you give to Good Shepherd Church pro-vides for the employment of staff, payment of our bills on time, worship and Christian Education, maintenance of church property, Conference and General Church Mission and Ministry support, mort-gage and other approved expenses.

Annual Budget Amount for

Operating Expenses $ 368,580.00

Monthly Budget Amount for Operating Expenses $ 30,715.00

Total Contributions Received $ 23,931.00

Actual Operating Expense $ 30,669.00

Mortgage Balance $ 163,510.00

Mortgage Payment $ 2,217.00

MERRY CHRISTMAS from all

the staff at GSUMC. May your

Christmas be filled with the

presence of Christ.

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NON-PROFIT ORG.

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PAID

Ft. Myers, FL Permit # 298

Dec 8th 5pm Sampler of Choir Cantata with Shepherd Bells

Dec 9th 8:30 & 11am Full Cantata with Shepherd Bells

Dec 15th 5pm Worship

Dec 16th 8:30 & 11am Worship

Dec 20th 5pm Longest Night

Healing Services

Dec 22nd 5pm Live Nativity from Lehigh UMC

Dec 23rd 8:30 & 11am Worship

Dec 24th 5pm Candlelight with Choir

8pm Candlelight with Communion

Dec 25th NO SERVICES TODAY at GSUMC

Join Pastor Tom at Lehigh UMC

Dec 29th 5pm Worship

Dec 30th 8:30 & 11am Worship