On-Line Ministry Guide

Because God first loved us...
Called, we worship; Blessed, we share; Sent, we serve.

Contents

Accessibility
Altar Committee
Automated Giving
Bible Classes
Caring and Sharing
Coffee Hour
Confirming the Faith - Class for Youth
Discipleship Ministry Team
Early 1st Communion
Evangelism Outreach Ministry Team
Fellowship Ministry Team
Flowers/Altar
Health Ministry
Lay Worship Assistants
Lay Readers for Worship
Meet Pastor Thomas-Breitfeld
Ministry Partners
Music Programs
Senior Friends Group (Green Bananas)
Social Concerns Ministry Team
Sunday School
Ushers
Voting Members
Women's Gathering
Worship Ministry Team
Youth Groups
Youth Worship Assistants
When to Call the Pastor

In Christ's Name You Are Invited!

Accessibility

A wheelchair user surrounded by a heart demonstrates that our congregation is committed to providing physical access and also to opening its hearts and minds to people with all types of disabilities.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is enrolled in the Accessible Congregations Campaign. We are committed to being accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities as full and active participants. We realize that children and adults with disabilities have a right to a full life of faith that includes worship, study, service and leadership. Everyone benefits from the exchange of experience, perspective and insight that only a truly accessible congregation can offer.

Good Shepherd and more than 2,250 others in America have opened our hearts, minds, and doors to people with disabilities by enrolling in the Accessible Congregations Campaign.

Altar Committee

Members of the Altar Committee serve Good Shepherd by caring for the altar hangings, albs (assistants' robes), altar cloths and other linens used during our worship services. This includes changing and/or laundering these items as needed. Some members also prepare the altar for Holy Communion. This group requires minimal time commitment and provides a valuable service to the church.

Simply Giving - from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Good Shepherd provides a free program that makes it convenient for weekly or monthly giving to be automatically transferred from the donor's bank account to Good Shepherd's. No more check writing or catching-up on offerings after missed Sundays. This service is free and easy to apply for. See thrivent.com/fraternal/churchcommunity/simplygiving.html

Bible Classes

These classes give us an opportunity to learn more about the Word of God and to share ideas and information about our faith in a friendly, informal setting. With all the hectic busyness of life, take the time to grow and fellowship with friends.

Daytime Bible Class: This class is geared for those who have their days free.

Evening Bible Class: This class led by Pr. Thomas-Breitfeld has been meeting for over 12 years. This group usually chooses a book of the Bible to study in depth. This class meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Caring and Sharing (Health Ministry Team)

The Health Ministry works to weave the threads of spirit and faith into healing of the mind, body and spirit. The Health Ministry Team responds to the needs of the congregation by encouraging personal well being over a lifetime. The Health Ministry's stewardship of health has become one of the most effective methods of giving the vital healing message of the Gospel.

Examples of how Christians serve in this ministry:

• Acknowledging Christ's healing power by participating in daily and group prayers
• Sending Christian support and encouragement cards to members during trying times or cards of congratulations during times of celebration.
• Developing a nurturing Christian relationship with fellow members who are seriously ill by visiting with a prayer shawl made and blessed by Good Shepherd's Prayer Shawl Ministry.
• Sharing of healthcare knowledge by encouraging a lifestyle that advocates "Mind, Body, and Spirit"
• Giving of personal time and gifts to promote health programs to our brothers and sisters in Christ
• Using our blessings from God to assist the members with health and spiritual needs.

Coffee Hour

We enjoy a coffee hour every Sunday following the 9:00 a.m. worship service, in the Garden Lounge. This is a opportunity to meet new people, make friends and get involved. Members of the congregation, made up of two person teams, take turns providing the refreshments. The church supplies the coffee and tea. You could be a host. Add your name to the schedule found on the Bulletin Board across from the sanctuary door.

Confirming the Faith - Classes for Youth (Confirmation Classes)

Youth become adults in the church.

Good Shepherd has a program that continues students in Christian Education and prepares them for adulthood in the church. This program covers a 4 year period. Seventh graders to 9th graders participate in these classes during the regular Sunday School hour. The 10th graders meet with their Mentors each week at a time convenient for the two of them. Twice a year these Mentor Teams meet with Pr. Thomas-Breitfeld. The Rite of Confirmation is held on Pentecost Sunday.

Discipleship Ministry Team

Faithful use of the gifts and talents that God has entrusted to us for the service of one another. An offertory prayer declares what God has entrusted to us: "Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us -- our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love."

We have biblical basis for our understanding of stewardship as giving of time

Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. Psalm 139:16

talent

Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful one to whom the Lord has given skill and understanding to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded. Exodus 36:1

and treasure

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today. Deuteronomy 8:18.

Our use of these gifts for the service of one another accomplishes God's purpose for God's people:

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:17

As we offer God what is God's in first fruits giving, we allow God to provide what we need to continue to be God's faithful servants:

Therefore do not worry, saying, "what will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear?" But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31, 33

As Paul reminded the Corinthians, God reminds us,

What do you have that you did not receive? 1 Corinthians 4:7b

See information about the Discipleship Ministry Team.

Early 1st Communion

As Holy Communion is a meal that imparts God's grace to the participant and Good Shepherd doesn't want a child to ever feel separated from the grace of God, we offer communion to any young child who is able to eat solid food. In line with ELCA provisions providing for the communing of very young children, parents/guardians who sense readiness in their child are invited to ask for a meeting with Pr. Thomas-Breitfeld. At that meeting, Pastor, the parent/guardian and the child will assess readiness and arrange for communing to begin.

Evangelical Outreach Ministry Team

Matthew 28:19 says that Jesus instructed us to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Sharing Christ and promoting the ministry and services of Good Shepherd are the focus of this team. Be part of the Great Commission of Jesus and reach out to the people of God both inside and outside our walls.

See information about the Evangelism Ministry Team.

Fellowship Ministry Team

When people congregate together for fellowship, it increases their faith in God. The Fellowship Team focuses on how we belong to God's Family. Church fellowship can be defined as the status in which individuals or groups, on the basis of a common confession of faith, have mutually recognized one another as brothers and sisters and now consider it God-pleasing to express, manifest, and demonstrate their common faith jointly. The Fellowship Team will develop a minimum of 6 activities/events during the year that includes the sharing of a meal in order to build cohesion within the GS community. The goal is to increase and build upon these activities in order to grow our church and ministries, eventually going beyond the doors of GS into the community. Development of a strong multi-generational ministry that puts the focus on providing activities for youth within a Christian context is of special concern.

Flowers/Altar

Members and guests at Good Shepherd are invited to place flowers on the altar for Sunday worship services in honor of or in memory of a loved one, or to the Glory of God. In the event that more than one person selects the same Sunday, two (2) arrangements can be placed on the altar. To request flowers, please sign the Flower chart located in the narthex (on bulletin board across from the sanctuary door).

Lay Worship Assistants

Lay assistants assist our pastor and congregation by leading portions of the liturgy, including the Creed and the prayers, and assisting in the distribution of Holy Communion. Attending training session as scheduled is required. Lay Assistants serve on a rotating basis as scheduled.

Lay Readers for Worship

Lay readers assist our pastor and congregation by reading the Old Testament and New Testament lessons for the day. You only need the ability to read clearly and the desire to assist in celebrating our worship service. Attending a training session as scheduled is encouraged. Lay Readers serve on a rotating basis as scheduled.

Meet Pastor Thomas-Breitfeld

Want to become a member of the church? Watch for these special events to hear the basics of the faith and have your questions answered. This event is held quarterly during the day or evening so watch for opportunities to attend.

See also Frequently Asked Questions at Good Shepherd and From Pastor Thomas-Breitfeld

Ministry Partners

• Alanon
• Hope Center (formerly CCWC (Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County)
• El Salvador Companionship Program
• Greater Milwaukee Synod - ELCA
• Lutheran Campus Ministry
• Meru Diocese Companionship Program

Music Programs: Make a Joyful Noise To God!

We are encouraged by the apostle Paul in Colossians 3:16 to "... with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God." At Good Shepherd there are many ways to join together in that song:

• Chancel choir
• Children's voices
• Ensembles

Senior Friends Group (Green Bananas)

The Green Bananas (not quite ripe yet) is a group of those over the age of 55 who gather for a variety of fun activities and sharing a meal. This group gathers once a month. They journey to a variety of activities including concerts, plays at area playhouses, trips to museums, trips to historical sites, and their outings always include a delicious meal. If you are 55 or older, please join them for an enjoyable outing each month.

Social Ministry Team

The Social Justice Ministry Team is responsible for making the congregation aware of social concerns on local, national, and world levels. The committee has chosen an emphasis for each month of the year and has presented information via the Shepherd's Staff, the In Between, through children's sermons, guest speakers, and audio visual materials. Projects include:

• Keeping the congregation aware of local hunger issues
• Collecting food for the Food Pantry on the third Sunday of each month
• Assisting in serving the Hope Center Outreach Meal at Hope Center, 502 N. East Avenue
• Collecting school kits, fabric, soap, and quilts (made by the quilters of Good Shepherd) for Lutheran World Relief
• Participation in the Angel Tree Project, which provides gifts at Christmas time for the children of incarcerated parents
• Collecting warm hats and mittens on our Mitten Tree to be taken to the Waukesha County Christmas Clearing Council at Christmas time
• Participation by congregation members in Prison Ministry by writing letters, visiting and providing other support for those who are incarcerated
• Providing volunteers for a Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity project
• Collecting used children's books for a Milwaukee elementary school
• Offering opportunities for political action/grass roots responses to issues raised by the ELCA

We welcome others to join us, perhaps to share their enthusiasm for a particular issue and to share information with the congregation.

See information about the Social Justice Ministry.

Sunday School

Our Sunday School program focuses on developing a strong ministry within the youth. Starting as early as age three and continuing through to adulthood. Each class level develops the Bible stories at an age appropriate level through music, Bible study, and art.

See information about the Christian Education Ministry Team.

Ushers

Ushers are worshipers who make it possible for others to worship. As each worshiper expects to have a place to sit comfortably, to have the necessary books and papers at hand, to hear and to see what is going on, to be free from distractions, and to be able to exit safely when worship concludes, this becomes the usher's job description. Training is available to allow those called to serve in this hospitality ministry to carry out their duties without drawing attention to themselves.

Voting Members

All confirmed members (those who have undergone the Rite of Confirmation) of the congregation are eligible to vote regarding matters affecting church policy. Yes, that means those under the age of 18. Every member's voice is important. Congregational meetings are announced two weeks in advance in the In Between. Please join us!

Women's Gathering

As a unit of Women of the ELCA of the Greater Milwaukee Synod, women of Good Shepherd meet for study, service, and Christian fellowship. Presentations about women in the Bible have been highlights of our special dinners in May and in December. Our visitation ministry has included taking small gifts to our homebound and senior members. We accepted the invitation to help provide refreshments for the reception following the Installation of Bishop Jeff Barrow in 2010.

Worship Ministry Team

Service Times

• 9:00 a.m. Morning Eucharist: A communion service set to a traditional format with a variety of musical styles from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship and With One Voice hymnals
• 9:00 a.m. Healing Service: A communion service using a healing liturgy. Held occasionally. See the In Between for details.

See information about the Worship Ministry Team

Youth Groups

Believing that youth are the church today as well as the church of tomorrow, Good Shepherd welcomes youth of all ages to explore their faith, serve others and have a good time with other Christian youth. Watch the Youth Bulletin Board in the main hall for meeting and activity dates and times. Friends are ALWAYS welcome.

Youth Worship Assistants

Youth in grades 3 -12 are trained to assist in worship by carrying the candle lighter, accepting the offering from the ushers, and helping with Holy Communion distribution. Attending training sessions as scheduled is required.

When to Call the Pastor

Pastor Viviane is concerned about the lives of the people in this congregation and wishes to have the opportunity to minister to you in all situations. Sometimes Pastor is the last to know about major events in people's lives because people tell others thinking the person they told will get the word to our pastor. Sometimes that works but sometimes not. In an effort to maintain better communication, below are some of the times when Pastor needs to receive a call:

• When there is a birth in the family.
• When there is a death in the family.
• When someone close to you is ill or in the hospital, or in need of spiritual care.
• When someone in your family is going off to college or joining the military.
• When there are marital problems and before you call the lawyer.
• When someone in the congregation has done something to anger you.
• When you have a suggestion for the congregation.
• When you have a question about the Bible, Christianity, or Lutheranism.
• When something in your life is troubling you.
• When drug or alcohol dependency is a problem with you or someone close to you.
• When you want someone to talk with.
• When you want to be remembered in prayer.

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