Ministries

God’s Work, Our Hands…

…is a hallmark phrase of the ELCA. It is easy enough to understand. Ministry begins where worship ends each week as we go out into the separate worlds of our lives. At Good Shepherd, we endeavor to carry out both internal ministries to our congregation as well as outreach ministries to the needs of our surrounding community and to global mission through the programs of the ELCA.

Loving, Living, and Sharing Christ

The fabric of the tapestry of The Good Shepherd is woven from the threads of every member of the congregation who take part in the many groups and organizations of our ministries. Some threads are leaders, some are followers, some just get involved in specific projects, and some just participate in a group, but all are needed and all are welcome. So whatever your interest, there is a place for you to contribute in keeping the fabric strong. You are invited to find where your threads, and those of your family and friends can be woven into the fabric of Good Shepherd Church and School. Check out our different areas of ministries below.

Learn about our

Ministries

Education

Education – is a continuing activity in our life as Christians. Opportunities to take part in our Spiritual growth are available for all ages. This area of church life includes our premier daycare and early childhood school program, childcare, Sunday School, First Holy Communion instruction, confirmation, youth ministry, and adult Bible study.

Finance

“So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” ~Luke 16:11

The mission of the Finance Team is to oversee the financial workings of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School. This area of church life includes fiscal responsibilities ranging from audits, budgets, disbursements, investments, and stewardship to the overall management of finances.

Music

Worship brings us into God’s presence and communion with Him. There are many ways to praise God through music. Whether it’s singing, ringing, playing, or listening, we are all involved in music during worship.

Here at Good Shepherd, we cherish our music ministry and the many ways it contributes to and blesses our worship experience. Led by director Caryn Yakacki, our diverse worship settings – traditional, contemporary, jazz, taize – provide varying musical atmospheres for all of our congregants to feel intimately connected to God, and moved spiritually by melodic prayer as we give praise and thanksgiving. As a church ministry, we continue to pray for opportunities to build and to evolve. We joyfully encourage all who feel called to contribute their talents, to join our team of musicians, professional and amateur alike, in our mission of worshiping the Lord in song and blessing the lives of our parishioners with the gift of beautiful music.

Parish Life

This area of church life includes planning and scheduling congregational events, hospitality, and other fellowship activities. The mission of the Parish Life Team is to promote increased participation and Christian fellowship beyond the Sunday Worship service. From coordinating the hosting of the coffee hour following the main Sunday service to planning major congregational activities the Parish Life Team is always looking for people to help.

Property and Grounds

Many hands make light work. The property and grounds team keeps busy with five acres of grounds and six buildings (including the church, church office, school building, parsonage, and cottages). This area of church life includes monitoring the maintenance, upkeep, and capital improvement planning for the congregation’s building and grounds.

Social and Caring

The Social Ministry team helps extend the reach of Good Shepherd into our community. This area of church life includes social ministry efforts such as visitation to the homebound and those in health care facilities, evangelism and community outreach, and support of outside church and community and global charitable efforts. Seasonal food drives are undertaken to support local food pantries. Annual coat and mitten collections support drives by Lutheran Community Services to deliver personal items and accessories to those in need. Projects such as blood drives help us connect with other churches in the support of community wide projects.

Worship

Worship Ministries enhance our worship experience through the celebration of our Christian faith together. This includes planning liturgies and special worship services and events. Participants who share their talents in this ministry include those preparing the altar, serving as acolytes, assisting ministers, deacons, greeters, and ushers.

Ushers hand out bulletins, welcome parishioners, and collect our offerings and direct communicants.
Assisting Ministers help Pastor in leading the liturgy and with the distribution of communion.
Acolytes carry the Processional Cross and assist Pastor with the distribution of communion.
Lectors are Lay Readers who read the assigned scripture readings of the day.
Altar Care handles all the adornments in the church and at the altar and order most of the worship supplies.
Flower Care create attractive arrangements for worship which are distributed to hospitalized of home-bound members following the services

Please come join with us for these very important ministries. We’ll provide training and assistance if you are inexperienced and there is so much we learn from each other. We’d love to have you participate as one of the worship assistants listed above.

Youth

This area of church life includes leading various activities and events throughout the year to encourage an enjoyable and positive faith formation for our children and teenagers. These activities may include social events, such as bowling, movie nights, car washes, and partnering youth ministries in joint events and camp programs.