What's Happening at GSLC
ELCA Prayer Ventures
December 9-16, 2019
9 The “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” is a public apology offered by our church in the context of the quadricentennial remembrance of slavery in this country. With faith in God’s forgiveness and mercy, pray that we will be unconflicted in our repentance, committed to understanding injustice and racism, and bold and persistent in working to end racism and white supremacy wherever they exist, including in the church.
10 Give thanks that we are freed by our faith to serve our neighbor and affect change in our communities, nation and world — change that is grounded in the gospel and God’s vision of justice, compassion, healing and peace for all people.
11 Pray that God’s righteousness, justice, peace and compassion for the poor and oppressed will flourish in the world, and that we will be bold and persistent in doing God’s work together.
12 Remember in prayer people, especially women and children, who live in refugee camps and immigration detention centers. Pray that they will soon return home or move to a community or country where they are welcome and safe, able to reunite with family and reestablish their lives. Give thanks for our church’s and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s commitment to advocate and care for refugees and immigrants everywhere.
13 Remembering that we have been welcomed without hesitation into the body of Christ, pray that we will exercise, without judgment or partiality, grace and hospitality toward our neighbors -- friends, antagonists and strangers alike.
14 Give thanks to God for the gifts, service and ministry of women as we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely.
15 Give thanks for being reminded and reassured — through the word of God, the sacraments and the witness of one another — that Jesus is the promised Messiah, our savior, teacher, life and hope.
16 Pray for ELCA missionaries and young people serving in the Young Adults in Global Mission program who are separated from their families and home congregations during the holidays yet celebrate the good news and gift of Jesus Christ with our companion churches and brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.
9 The “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” is a public apology offered by our church in the context of the quadricentennial remembrance of slavery in this country. With faith in God’s forgiveness and mercy, pray that we will be unconflicted in our repentance, committed to understanding injustice and racism, and bold and persistent in working to end racism and white supremacy wherever they exist, including in the church.
10 Give thanks that we are freed by our faith to serve our neighbor and affect change in our communities, nation and world — change that is grounded in the gospel and God’s vision of justice, compassion, healing and peace for all people.
11 Pray that God’s righteousness, justice, peace and compassion for the poor and oppressed will flourish in the world, and that we will be bold and persistent in doing God’s work together.
12 Remember in prayer people, especially women and children, who live in refugee camps and immigration detention centers. Pray that they will soon return home or move to a community or country where they are welcome and safe, able to reunite with family and reestablish their lives. Give thanks for our church’s and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s commitment to advocate and care for refugees and immigrants everywhere.
13 Remembering that we have been welcomed without hesitation into the body of Christ, pray that we will exercise, without judgment or partiality, grace and hospitality toward our neighbors -- friends, antagonists and strangers alike.
14 Give thanks to God for the gifts, service and ministry of women as we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely.
15 Give thanks for being reminded and reassured — through the word of God, the sacraments and the witness of one another — that Jesus is the promised Messiah, our savior, teacher, life and hope.
16 Pray for ELCA missionaries and young people serving in the Young Adults in Global Mission program who are separated from their families and home congregations during the holidays yet celebrate the good news and gift of Jesus Christ with our companion churches and brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.
God's Work Our Hands
Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry
http://www.gslcirving.com/fish_loaves_files/fish_and_loaveshome.htm
Souper Bowl For Caring Fundraiser for Stewpot Ministries
An annual fundraising event that takes place on “Superbowl Sunday” to raise money for the Stewpot Ministries of Dallas.
School Supplies for Lutheran World Relief School Kits
Christmas in July is an annual event in which members of Good Shepherd are asked to donate school supplies that will be placed in backpacks and delivered to LWR.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
An annual event held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in which the people of Good Shepherd, along with members of our sister congregation Abiding Grace in Southlake, prepare and serve a full Thanksgiving dinner for members of the community who may not be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with their family free of charge.
Many Helping Hands
An annual event held in December in which members of Good Shepherd are asked to donate items that are necessary for basic health needs (tooth brush, toothpaste, washcloths, combs etc.) along with warm clothes and blankets for area homeless. This is an ecumenical ministry partnership among local congregations.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Women's Piecemakers Needlework MinistryThis ministry focuses on quilting, hospice bibs, chemo caps and other projects. Prior experience with crafts and needlework is not necessary. The group meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. The sewing room will also be open on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
God’s Little Lamb
Good Shepherd’s Evangelism Committee has initiated an ongoing ministry with Baylor Hospital of Irving in which we provide gift packages for new mothers who may be unable to afford some of the most basic supplies for a new born baby. Inside of each gift package they receive diapers, lotion, a “God’s Little Lamb t-shirt and a small blanket.
Angels of Comfort & Hope
Recently Baylor Hospital of Irving has requested support for mothers who give birth to a still born baby. Good Shepherd is now providing cloth “angels” that the hospital hangs on the doors of those mothers who have lost their babies.
Mission Partnerships
Good Shepherd has developed ongoing partnerships with the following ministries who receive prayer support as well as financial support from the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church:
Briarwood Retreat Center, Argyle
Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest, Austin
Church of the Damascus Road, Weatherford
Dallas Oromo Ev. Lutheran Mission, Richardson
Community of Hope Lutheran Church, Fort Worth
Lutheran Campus Ministry at UNT and TWU, Denton
Lutheran Social Services of the South, Austin
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Dallas - Food Pantry Ministry
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Dallas
Walnut Hill Lutheran Church, Dallas
Mission Luteran San Gabriel, Alvarado
First/Sagrada Familia Lutheran Church, Garland
Umoja International Church, Dallas
King of Glory Lutheran Church, Fort Worth
Mosaic Home, Dallas