Good Shepherd United Methodist Church is a fellowship of believers in Christ called to be servants, who worship God, love others, and reach out to the community and the world.

From the Study By Bob Machovec, Pastor The Lenten season is often a time for spiritual

growth and renewal. In the Christian church

there is a tradition of giving

something up – as an act of

self-denial and sacrifice.

Unfortunately, for many, it

means “giving up” something

(like chocolate or pop) and

then counting the days until

Easter when one can resume

old habits. The idea behind

the tradition is that in giving

something up, one might

grow closer to God (To be

honest, I’ve never understood

how giving up something like

chocolate helps one grow

closer to God).

Plain Dealer columnist, Regina

Brett*, offers the following suggestions:

What are you giving up for Lent? If you haven't

picked something, here are a few things to give

up for Lent -- and maybe, for good:

Your fear of failure. God loves you as is, flaws

and all. Accept it and live happily ever after.

The need to be right. Caring what other people

think of you. Believing everything you think.

Whining about the good old days. Instead, make

today better for those who will outlive you.

Instead of giving up something, you could start

doing something for Lent:

Try out these nine new words: I

am sorry. You were right. I love

you.

Look a homeless person in the

eye and pretend he is your

brother. Oh, wait. He is.

Practice mercy instead of

demanding justice.

Believe there is enough to go

around.

Donate one hour's pay to the

church, Red Cross, the City

Mission or the nearest soup

kitchen.

Read Psalms 16, 30, 43, 59 or

108.

Wake up 15 minutes early to

sit with God. Just the two of you. Best time you

ever spent with anyone, guaranteed.

Be still and know that you aren't God. What a

relief.

Above all, remember that Lent is about drawing us

all closer to the love of God.

See you in church!

(Regina Brett, “What are you giving up for Lent?” The Plain

Dealer, February 22, 2009)

G O O D S H E P H E R D U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

M A R C H 2 0 1 5

“You have shown me

the path to life,

and you make me glad

by being near to me.

Sitting at your right side,

I will always be joyful. ”

Psalm 16:11 CEV

Worship Services

EVERY SUNDAY Traditional Service 9:15 AM

Praise Service 11:25 AM

Sunday School for all ages 10:30 AM

Bible Studies Attend one of our weekly Bible Studies! Mondays For Men Every Monday (Excluding Holidays) 6:30—8:00 pm Location: Stage Room Pastor’s Bible Study Every Thursday 10:00 AM Location: Library Weather Permitting

Special Worship Services

Maundy Thursday April 2, 2015 Seder Meal 6:30 pm Service 7:30 pm Good Friday April 3, 2015 7:30 pm Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 9:15 am & 11:25 am

The Crosses of Lent—A Hymn Festival

The choirs of Ridgewood and Good Shepherd will present "The Crosses of

Lent” on Sunday, March 15 at 4:30 p.m. This Lenten hymn festival includes

readings, hymns and anthems reflecting on the crosses of humility,

righteousness, hope, love, grace, salvation, love, assurance, comfort, dying

and rising, and missions.

A hymn festival is something of a “cross” between a worship service and a

concert. Hymns are presented in deliberate, concertato style, usually with

choral leadership, and instrumental music. But the "audience" is expected

to sing along, becoming a sort of congregation. Reflective readings between

the hymns help to tie everything together.

Ira Cooper, MCM, is Ridgewood’s Director of Worship/Music and will

conduct this hymn festival from the organ. He has arranged the hymns and

edited the reflections. He has studied with some of the finest hymn festival

presenters of today, including David Cherwien, John Leavitt, and Walter

Pelz.

All are welcome at this free concert and a reception in Friendship Hall will

follow.

Sunday, March 15, 2015 4:30 pm

Ridgewood United Methodist Church

6330 Ridge Road, Parma, OH 44129

GSUMC’s Latest News

New Church Office Hours Beginning Monday, March 2, 2015 Please take notice that starting on Monday, March 2, 2014 the Church Office will be open Monday—Thursday from 9:30 am—3:30 pm and on Fridays from 9:30 am—1:30 pm with a daily closing from 11:15 am—12:15 pm.

The All Church Birthday Party Plans Have Been Finalized! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 18, 2015 for the All Church Birthday Party. The church will be turning 89 years old and we would like to celebrate with you! This year we will start the celebration off with dinner at 6:00 pm, then a magic show put on by the magician Michael Mage at 7:00 pm! Michael is a very enthusiastic, comical, talented magician who keeps an audience of all ages entertained. There is no admission fee for this program or the dinner, but donations will be appreciated. Bring your family and friends to celebrate the ministry of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church!

Special Worship Services in April In April there will be three special worship services to celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made for us: Maundy Thursday Service at 7:30 pm on April 2, Good Friday Service at 7:30 pm on April 3, and the Easter Sunday Services on April 5 at 9:15 am and 11:25 am.

Financial Summary December 2014

Month Income Expense Over (Under)

January $17,006.66 $21,110.60 -$4,103.94

February $16,624.73 $21,712.99 -$5,088.26

March $18,448.54 $22,992.84 -$4,544.30

April $26,664.23 $18,818.43 $7,845.80

May $18,274.92 $20,161.35 -$1,886.43

June $22,164.38 $18,292.23 $3,872.15

July $13,726.14 $19,247.28 -$5,521.14

August $21,546.21 $17,750.19 $3,796.02

September $14,152.06 $17,739.32 -$3,587.26

October $16,110.39 $18,033.92 -$1,923.53

November $23,458.97 $17,643.14 $5,815.83

December $23,109.88 $22,433.27 $676.61

Total $231,287.11 $235,935.56 -$4,648.45

Guidestone (Berea Children's Home) $215.00

Parma Hunger Center $1,142.00

Project Smile $310.00

Westside Community House $120.00

Conference Apportionment $15,335.00

District Apportionment $1,516.00

Special Easter Giving $3,572.00

Thanksgiving $588.00

Christmas $6,318.00

White Christmas $1,110.00

Human Relations Sunday $79.00

UMC Student Sunday $10.00

One Great Hour of Sharing $40.00

UMCOR $440.00

World Wide Communion $20.00

The Nehemiah Mission Project

June 7-13, 2015

This coming summer we invite you to join us on a unique local mission experience. The

Nehemiah Mission is a mission of the North Coast District of the United Methodist Church located

at 6515 Bridge Avenue in Cleveland. Crew members will stay in their barracks for the week, and will

provide help and support to needy people in the heart of Cleveland. Mission experiences may

include construction, yard work, painting, cleaning, and working in food pantries, soup kitchens, and

vacation Bible camps.

This experience is open to youth and adults. You must be at least 15 years old to attend. The

cost for the week is $302.50 and includes air-conditioned sleeping quarters, all meals, building

supplies, and a t-shirt. There will be a $100.00 discount for the first 10 crew members who register

with a deposit of $50.00 and turn-in all completed medical and release forms. Checks should be

made payable to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

Please go to www.nehemiahmission.org for more details.

Contact Bev Schultz or Carly Neczypor with your questions or for registration information.

Beverly Schultz Carly Neczypor

beverlyschultz@gmail.com cneczypor@live.com

“Send me to the city, so that I may rebuild it.”

Nehemiah 2:5

Missions & Outreach

Youth News

By Jennifer Sefl, Youth Director youthdirector@gsumparma.com | 216.741.8876

Youth Group is open to all 7th – 12th graders.

Sunday School starts in the Youth Room at 10:30 am.

Sunday School Room Assignments

Grades 7—8

Junior High Room

Grades 9—12 Youth Room

All grades initially

meet in the Youth Room.

Valentine’s Dinner

Thank you to all who supported the Valentine’s Dinner. We served 20 couples! A HUGE thank you goes to Elizabeth Whited for organizing the event along with her set up and kitchen crew: Lidia, Wayne and Victoria Whited and Wayne Ownby. The service and clean-up was great thanks to RJ and Kaitlyn Cesa, Taylor and Paige Rericha, Garret and Cameron Tkachik, Rachel Carpenter, and Megan Fullerman.

Retreat We had a great time at the 2015 retreat! We focused on our solid rock, Jesus Christ, as the foundation of our lives. We ended our Saturday night with a powerful worship service planned by the teens. We also had fun with snowball fights, sledding, rock wall climbing, movie time, eating, and impromptu late night talent show and games! Thank you to all of the volunteers who drove, taught and helped

with the retreat. We could not have had such a great event without you! Thanks to Allen & Linda Garret, Barb Kindel, MaryAnn Herron, Pastor Bob, Kevin Sefl, Victoria Whited and Lidia Whited.

Group Picture If you attended the retreat, be sure to pick up your copy of the group photo on Sunday morning in the youth room.

Saturday, April 18, 2016 All Church Birthday Party & Magic Show Dinner 6:00 PM Magic Show 7:00 PM All are welcome to attend the celebration for Good Shepherd Untied Methodist Church’s 89th birthday!

The celebration will take place on Saturday, April 18 starting with dinner at 6:00 pm and ending with a magic show at 7:00 pm. Dinner will consist of pizza, salad, beverages, and cake for dessert. The magic show will be performed by none other than Michael Mage!

The program is free, though donations will be appreciated.

Location: GSUMC’s Lower Level

District Events March 21, 2015 North Coast District Spring Conference 9:30 am—3:00 PM Location: Garfield Memorial UMC Free Local Events

March 7 & 8, 14 & 18, 21 & 22 History of Maple Sugaring 11:00 AM—4:00 PM Walk through time along the Sugarbush trail to see the sap-collecting methods and maple syrup –making processes used by Native , pioneers and modern sugar farmers. The History of Maple Sugaring hikes will ead to the Sugarhouse, where guests can watch sap being boiled into delicious 100% pure mpale syrup. Hikes are guided and leave the Sugarhouse every 20 minutes.

Location: Maple Grove Picnic Area Rocky River Nature Center (24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, OH 44070)

Sunday, March 8, 2015 Second Sunday for Seniors 12:30 PM Topic: Emotion & Mental Health Issues

The next session will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 12:30 pm in the Stage Room covering the topic of “Emotion & Mental Health Issues.” The presenter will bring a wealth of experience and expertise. The goal of this program is to help seniors gather information and form their own care team.

Reservations are not required, but suggested. For more information or to make a reservation, please call the church office at (440) 884-9090.

Fliers are available at the Forestwood entrance or by request from the church office.

Next month will be the last topic of the Second Sunday for Seniors program.

April’s Topic: Caring for the Care Giver Location: GSUMC’s Stage Room

Sunday, March 29, 2015 Easter Egg Hunt 1:00—3:00 PM Children and their families are invited to the Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 29 from 1:00—3:00 pm. There will be crafts, games, an Easter Bunny meet and greet, and an Easter Egg Hunt! Lunch will be provided. This is a free program open to families with children in sixth grade and younger. Crawlers, wobblers, and toddlers are welcome! A parent/guardian must be present with their child throughout the program. Location: GSUMC’s Lower Level and Front Yard

Upcoming Events

Easter Lily Order Form

You are invited to order Easter Lily plants to decorate our chancel area for Easter! Plants can be in memory or in honor of someone or an event. Please complete the form below then turn it in to the office. Payment must accompany your order. $7.00 per plant (6 1/2’ pot). Orders must be in the church office by March 20, 2015.

Full Name: ______________________________________________

Phone #: ___________________

Number of Plants: _______ Total Money Enclosed: ___________

□ Check No. ________ □ Cash

In Memory of __________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

In Honor of _____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

After completing and reviewing your order form, attach payment and enclose in an envelope.

Orders may be placed in the offering plate on Sundays or by using one of the methods below.

Drop off: Monday—Thursday 9:30 am—3:30 pm or Friday 9:30 am—1:30 pm

Office closed daily from 11:15 am—12:15 pm

Mail to: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Attn: Julie Weigand, 5930 State Road, Parma, OH 44134

Payment Methods: Cash or Personal Check written to Good Shepherd UMC.

We ask that you take your lily plant home after the service you attend on Easter Sunday or pick it up during

normal church office hours the week following Easter. Plants must be taken home by Friday, April 10, 2015.

Messages, Sympathy, and Thanks

Dear Good Shepherd Friends, I am writing this letter to say thank you for your continued good efforts and commitment to mission work and sharing God's love by helping others. I am very grateful to those who have contributed to the Schiering Fund, which supports mission work and honors the Schiering Family and all that they have done over the years to spread the gospel. This endeavor was especially important to my grandfather Rev. Dr. H. C. Schiering who began this church, and to my mom Eunice Schiering, who died 5 yrs. ago. We are very thankful for your willingness to support this fund and reach out to others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Our sympathy to the family and friends of Audrey and William Bourjaily, parents of Jan Horvath, who passed away in February 2015.

Good Shepherd UMC

Rev. Jan Schiering and Family

Pastor Bob and my Good Shepherd Family, My sincere gratitude for your calls, cards, prayers, and home cooked meals. I am blessed to be a part of a true Christian community.

Mary Alice Lesiak

Dear Pastor Bob and the Church Family of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, We cannot thank you enough for your kind and heartfelt sympathy, love, prayers, and your continued support for our family now and over the years. Gladys Holmberg and her family made this church their home of faith and source of spiritual guidance back when it started out as Parma EUB. What a rich and wonderful church history. This was always a place we loved with people she loved for more than 64 years. She enjoyed serving in the nursery, teaching Sunday school, and being the church librarian. We appreciate all that went into making her memorial service so beautiful. I cannot put into words adequately how much this meant to our family. We ask for your continued prayers.

The Holmberg Family

Our sympathy to the family and friends of Shirley Bradley, sisters of Sue Merwin, who passed away on February 7, 2015.

Good Shepherd UMC

29 Palm Sunday

1 PM Easter Egg

Hunt

6:30 PM Bowling

League, YTL

30

6:30 PM MFM, SR

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

6:30 PM MFM, SR

3

6:30 PM DBS, L

7 PM D14, SR

4

7 PM Choir

5

10 AM Pastor’s

Bible Study, L

7:30 PM TCM, L

6

7 PM PTP, S

7

8

12:30 PM Senior

Sunday, SR

6:30 PM Bowling

League, YTL

9

6:30 PM MFM, SR

7 PM PSCM, O

7 PM Prayer

Shawl, P

10

12 PM RC, SR

6:30 PM DBS, L

7:00 PM CEM, L

11

7 PM Choir

Practice, S

12

10 AM Pastor’s

Bible Study, L

7:30 PM WCM, P

13

7 PM PTP, S

14

15

16

6:30 PM MFM, SR

17

6:30 PM DBS, L

7 PM D14, P

18

7 PM Choir

Practice, S

19

10 AM Pastor’s

Bible Study, L

20

7 PM PTP, S

21

22

The Children’s Choir

performs in both

services.

6:30 PM Bowling

League, YTL

23

6:30 PM MFM, SR

24

6:30 PM DBS, L

25

7 PM Choir

Practice, S

26

10 AM Pastor’s

Bible Study, L

7 PM SPRC, L

27

7 PM PTP, S

28

Titles

CEM—Christian Education Meeting

MFM—Mondays for Men

TCM—Trustees Committee Meeting

PSCM—Program Staff Committee Meeting

CCM—Care Committee Meeting

SPRC—Staff Parish Relations Committee

Meeting

PTP—Praise Team Practice

FCM—Finance Committee Meeting

RC—Rachel Circle

D14—Disciple 14

ACM—Administrative Council Meeting

DBS—Disciple Bible Study

Locations

O—Church Office

SR—Stage Room

S—Sanctuary

P—Parlor

YR—Youth Room

YTL—York Town Lanes

LL—Lower Level

YTL—Yorktown Lanes

United Methodist Church

March 2015

Office Hours: M—Th 9:30 am—3:30 pm

F 9:30 am—1:30 pm

Closed daily from 11:15 am—12:15 pm

Tel. 440-884-9090

Email: office@gsumparma.com

www.gsumparma.com

Contact Us

Good Shepherd UMC

5930 State Road

Parma, OH 44134

(440) 884-9090

office@gsumparma.com

Visit us on the web at

www.gsumparma.com

Prayer Requests

Let us pray for you.

Submit prayer requests

through the website, by

phone, or by e-mail.

SAVE THE DATE!

Second Sunday for Seniors

March 8, 2015

12:30 - 1:30 pm

Topic:

Emotional & Mental Health Issues

Reserve your seat by calling (440) 884-9090

April’s Topic:

Caring for the Care Giver

Good Shepherd

United Methodist Church

5930 State Road

Parma, OH 44134

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