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Domesticating Jesus
“In our churches and in our personal faith, have we so domesticated Jesus that he simply affirms our values and traditions? Or is Jesus still the radical who turns our world upside down?” (Ringma, Charles Cry Freedom, 9/13)
That quote was in my morning reading eight days ago and I cannot let it go. This is a question that we should ask ourselves each night as we lie down to slumber. Did I try this day to change myself to live as Jesus would have me live, or did I justify my thoughts, words, and deeds by making Jesus my pet who simply condones all I think, say, and do?
I see it all the time. In myself and in others. There is something that we are doing. And have no intention of abandoning. We know that it is wrong. That Jesus would not approve. But we can’t (no, we won’t) let it go. The spouse who cannot be faithful because “my husband doesn’t understand me”. The proprietor who inflates his prices so that he can buy that new car. The golfer who skips worshipping God in church every Sunday because he feels “closer to God in nature.” In each case, if asked how he/she squares that with God, the response would be, “Jesus wants me to be happy.”
I wonder … Is Jesus more concerned with our happiness or with our faithfulness?
keep on keeping on…
bunny +
Wednesdays at Good Shepherd (WAGS)
Dinner this week is: Pork Tenderloin, Parmesan Grits Casserole, Salad, and Pumpkin Brownies. The program begins at 6:30 pm with our guest speaker, Celina Keys, the Executive and Clinical Director of Family Counseling Center. Celina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and holds a SAMHSA certification specializing in the treatment of trauma as the root of mental illness and addiction. We wrap up our program with compline and end at 7:15 pm.
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- Dinner: 6 pm, Program: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- $6 (ages 11 +), $4 children ages 4-10, children 3 and under eat free. The family max price is $25.
- Youth meet in the 3rd floor Youth Lounge after dinner.
- Children meet Jinny in the Parish Hall after dinner. Pk-2nd Grade will go to Room 209 and 3rd - 5th will go to Room 302.
- Register ONLINE HERE
Brown Bag Lunch with the Saint John's Bible
Bring your own "Brown Bag Lunch" to enjoy as we reflect on a different illumination and scripture each week. Every Tuesday at 12 pm in the Conference Room, September 19 - November 28.
EVENSONG and the Summerville Tour of Homes & Reception
On October 22, as a close to the annual Summerville Tour of Homes, the Good Shepherd Choir will offer a service of Evensong. Evensong is considered by many to be the “Crown Jewel” of all Anglican liturgies. The service will be taken from the Book of Common Prayer, 1789, which was the prayer book in use at the founding of the parish. All the music will be of the period and rendered in much the same manner as it was heard in the early days of Summerville. The service will begin at 5:30 pm and last about thirty minutes. Afterward, join us for a catered reception in the Parish Hall.
The Church of the Good Shepherd has always been at the center of Summerville, both spiritually and physically. The congregation was chartered in 1869 and first met in the Summerville Academy building on William Street. In 1871, Artemas Gould donated the land on which the church sits, and the name “Good Shepherd” was suggested for the new Parish by his son, Johnny. The original wooden structure was replaced by a more substantial brick one in 1880. That building burned in 1896, but the walls and stained-glass windows, with the exception of the Altar window, were saved and used in the rebuilt church. The present structure was reconsecrated in 1898 and has been in continuous use to this day.
Pet Blessing
Blessing of the Pets on October 7th at 10 am. Bring your cats, dogs, snakes, birds, or any pet at all to be blessed and receive a St. Francis pet medal. Pet and human treats provided. DNA (Dog Networking Agents) will be there with pups and kittens. Please bring your donations of puppy pads, small bites dog and cat food, and kitty litter.
SAVE THE DATES:
October 7: Pet Blessing at 10 am
October 22: Evensong and Reception
October 25: Halloween Party
November 5: Annual Parish Meeting
November 12: Bishop's Visit with Confirmation and Reception
November 16-19: Happening #108 at Honey Creek.
Parish House HVAC
We are finished updating the HVAC on the Parish House Roof. All spaces are now with AC and heat. We are so thankful for the generosity of the Parish in being able to complete this project!
Parish Directory
We are finished with taking photos for our Parish Directory. Thank you to Jerry Woods for all of his hard work. Look for the finished directory soon!
Head to the Shell Newsletter for details & to sign-up for upcoming events.
For any questions, email mgwynn@goodshepherd-augusta.org.
CORNERSTONE EVENT: Join us for our next Cornerstone Event on Saturday, September 30th, where we will be hosting a Pet Adoption with local, non-profit, Hands to Paws at St. Augustines Church (3321 Wheeler Road) from 10:30 am-1:30 pm. This will be a fun opportunity for youth to engage with the community while helping rescue animals find forever homes! (Cornerstone is an ongoing collaboration between Episcopal Churches in the CSRA to create and strengthen youth relationships throughout our convocation. Grades 6th-12th.)
KAYAKING TRIP: Save the Date! All youth in grades 6th-12th are invited to join us for a fun day of kayaking down the Broad River outside Danielsville, GA on October 15th. The kayaking cost is $25 per person. Please RSVP to mgwynn@goodshepherd-augusta.org.
ACOLYTES: Click here for the new Acolyte Schedule that will run through September 24th. Please plan on being in attendance for Acolyte Training THIS SUNDAY, September 24, from 1:30-3pm to be included in the Acolyte Program this year. Open to Grades 3rd & up! New schedule will be released after Acolyte Training. Please reach out to Lauren Hargrove with any questions.
PET SUPPLY DRIVE
Please help us gather supplies for two wonderful local non-profits, Hands to Paws and Dog Networking Agents. Drop donations off to the Parish Hall foyer now through October 7th.
- September 30th: Cornerstone Youth Pet Adoption Event at St. Augustines
- October 7th: Good Shepherd Pet Blessing
Pet supplies needed: Dry or wet dog and cat food, cat litter, dog and cat treats and toys, gallons of bleach, Dawn liquid dish soap
SERVING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
8:00 am
Celebrant, Bunny Simon Williams
Preacher, Ted Clarkson
Organist, Wayne Lord
Lay Readers, Bobbie Ingenito, Lynn Tyson
9:00 am
Celebrant, Joe Bowden
Preacher, Ted Clarkson
Organist & Choirmaster, Jim Nord
Ushers, John Stewart, Trey Hargrove
Verger, Sada Huggins
Lay Readers, Jennie Haynes, Cissy Bowden
Acolytes: Anne Harper Daniel, Liam Selby, Emma Sue Getchell, Eliza McCutcheon, Caroline McCutcheon
11:15 am
Celebrant, Bunny Simon Williams
Preacher, Ted Clarkson
Organist & Choirmaster, Jim Nord
Ushers, James Jones, Matthew Norris
Verger, Mark Burgreen
Lay Readers, Andrew Austin, Anne Floyd
Acolytes: William Hargrove, Sam Hargrove, Rob Wynn, George Wynn
6:00 pm
Celebrant & Preacher, Ted Clarkson
Organist, Nick Lowery
Lay Readers, David Lentz, Faith Moore
All Services
Altar Guild Team II
Breakfast Team IV
Vestry Person of the Day, Sada Huggins
Christian Formation
NURSERY
- Infant Nursery - Room 101
- Toddler Nursery - Room 102
CHILDREN’S FORMATION:
• Three Year Olds: Room 305
• PK-K: Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Room 306
• 1st-3rd Grades: Level II Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Room 304
• 4th and 5th Grades: Room 302
STUDENT FORMATION:
6th - 8th Grades: Room 208
9th-12th Grades: Room 301
ADULT FORMATION:
Young Adults Class: Meets in Room 209. With August comes a new school year and a new Sunday School season. We have selected “Christian Leadership” as our study guide (from LifeGuides) for the fall. We have used other books from the LifeGuides series in the past and have found it to be approachable and good for engaging in discussion. Led by Matt Matson.
A Cup of Joe with Honey Buns: Sawmill Theology, meets in the Conference Room. Join Ken Hardy, Bunny+ and Joe+ as they share God Stories – no telling what will happen next!
Adult Confirmation Classes: For those adults interested in being confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church when the Bishop comes on November 12, or for anyone simply wanting to learn more about the Episcopal Church, we will meet in the Setz Cottage during the Sunday School hour this Sunday. Fr. Ted will lead this week’s session, which will focus on Episcopal identity and ethos. Later sessions led by all the clergy will explore the theology of the church and practical aspects of worship in the Episcopal Church
Our year with the Saint John's Bible is coming to a close! Please take advantage of the following wonderful opportunities.
