What's Happening at GSLC
ELCA Prayer Ventures
October 26 - November 2, 2020
26 Pray for the Spirit to deepen our understanding of what being a Lutheran Christian means, through prayer, Scripture, reflecting on our creeds and teachings, being renewed and united through the sacraments, and opening ourselves to God’s voice and guidance in an ever-changing society and world.
27 Give thanks that, though we have sinned and fallen short of God’s expectations, God has set things right with us and restored our relationship through the gift of grace we have in Jesus Christ. Pray that throughout our baptismal journeys we will spread the hope and good news of God’s merciful love for humankind.
28 The ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship program supports students of promise attending ELCA seminaries. Pray that we will generously support this program to make seminary more affordable, to enable more future ministers to study and to help them graduate with less debt as they respond to God’s call to serve as the church needs and the Spirit leads.
29 “God is our refuge and strength.” Give thanks and praise to God and reflect on how God sustains you, gives you courage, influences your decisions and actions, and equips you for living as a follower of Christ in the world.
30 Pray for the Spirit to guide and inspire our discernment and decisions in the upcoming presidential election, and to help us prioritize the needs of our neighbors, the well-being of communities in turmoil and the task of healing the deep divisions in our society.
31 Reformation Day Give thanks and praise to God for the ministry, teachings and impact of Martin Luther and other church reformers, who took great risks to refocus our faith, institutions and practices on the word of God and the good news of Jesus Christ. Pray that we will continue to be a reforming church, mindful of the Spirit’s guidance as we discern how to follow Christ ― now and in the future.
1 All Saints Day Give thanks for everyone God has gathered in the body of Christ — those who are living and those who have passed. Praise God for the diverse talents given to us that the Spirit uses to encourage faith in others, strengthen the community of believers and do God’s work in the world.
2 Native American Heritage Month Lutheran witness of the gospel with American Indian and Alaska Native people stretches back more than 350 years. The ELCA’s American Indian and Alaska Native membership is around 4,850, and American Indian and Alaska Native Ministries works with 30 native congregations around the country. Pray for the ministry and witness of native congregations and the work of the American Indian and Alaska Native Lutheran Association, that they might flourish and grow.
26 Pray for the Spirit to deepen our understanding of what being a Lutheran Christian means, through prayer, Scripture, reflecting on our creeds and teachings, being renewed and united through the sacraments, and opening ourselves to God’s voice and guidance in an ever-changing society and world.
27 Give thanks that, though we have sinned and fallen short of God’s expectations, God has set things right with us and restored our relationship through the gift of grace we have in Jesus Christ. Pray that throughout our baptismal journeys we will spread the hope and good news of God’s merciful love for humankind.
28 The ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship program supports students of promise attending ELCA seminaries. Pray that we will generously support this program to make seminary more affordable, to enable more future ministers to study and to help them graduate with less debt as they respond to God’s call to serve as the church needs and the Spirit leads.
29 “God is our refuge and strength.” Give thanks and praise to God and reflect on how God sustains you, gives you courage, influences your decisions and actions, and equips you for living as a follower of Christ in the world.
30 Pray for the Spirit to guide and inspire our discernment and decisions in the upcoming presidential election, and to help us prioritize the needs of our neighbors, the well-being of communities in turmoil and the task of healing the deep divisions in our society.
31 Reformation Day Give thanks and praise to God for the ministry, teachings and impact of Martin Luther and other church reformers, who took great risks to refocus our faith, institutions and practices on the word of God and the good news of Jesus Christ. Pray that we will continue to be a reforming church, mindful of the Spirit’s guidance as we discern how to follow Christ ― now and in the future.
1 All Saints Day Give thanks for everyone God has gathered in the body of Christ — those who are living and those who have passed. Praise God for the diverse talents given to us that the Spirit uses to encourage faith in others, strengthen the community of believers and do God’s work in the world.
2 Native American Heritage Month Lutheran witness of the gospel with American Indian and Alaska Native people stretches back more than 350 years. The ELCA’s American Indian and Alaska Native membership is around 4,850, and American Indian and Alaska Native Ministries works with 30 native congregations around the country. Pray for the ministry and witness of native congregations and the work of the American Indian and Alaska Native Lutheran Association, that they might flourish and grow.
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 Ministry
This 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
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 Ministry
This 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