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Dear Good Shepherd Family,
     Fall is upon us! For me, this is always the true beginning of the “New Year”. The kids are all back in school, the weather starts to cool down, (Praise the Lord!) and a new year of activity and programs crank up in earnest. This year is no different, though we do have some new opportunities to come together as a family of faith in worship and learning. I hope that you will seriously consider coming out and being a part of it all. All of a congregation’s ministries begin with worship and healthy, positive fellowship. Let’s all recommit ourselves to nurturing these things in the coming year.
     The first of these new opportunities is for our young people. Beginning in October, there will be a Sunday School type program for the kids. It will take place between the two services on the First and Third Sundays. The focus will be on biblical literacy and will be comprised of activities based on or around “classic” Bible Stories. This will also help to prepare our children for confirmation classes when they’re a bit older. This is a great opportunity to reclaim some of our Faith Formation programs that have become so difficult to schedule with all of the other, extracurricular activities in which our kids participate. I encourage everyone to take part…and invite a friend!
     The second new program actually had its beginnings at Holy Trinity in Kingston. It’s called Beer and Bible Study. I bet I have your attention now, don’t I?! This program is for adults and older youth and will be topically based. Holy Trinity had to put the program on hiatus when they lost the place they were meeting. We have now found a new host at TGI Fridays in Wilkes Barre, and are opening up the program to both HTLC and GSLC. We gather for food and the beverage of your choice and have biblically and theologically focused discussion on current, relevant topics. The conversation can be lively and enlightening. It will not be a “lecture” format, but an open, frank, and respectful discussion of the topic at hand. It’s a great opportunity to grow in faith and to get to know people from both congregations. Bring your favorite Bible and a willingness to join the conversation! It should be a really rewarding and positive experience.
     A healthy family lives, works, prays, and plays together, enjoying each other’s company while giving thanks to God for all of the blessings He provides us. As part of our commitment to nurturing and growing our church family, let’s all come together and make this a reality. I pray God will pour His Holy Spirit on all of our endeavors. Trusting in Him always, we will move together into a bright and faith filled future.
Good Shepherd is a great place to be! Working together and with God’s help, we will build on that firm foundation and emerge stronger than ever.
     With great appreciation for all that you do, I remain
                          Your co-worker in Christ,
                          Pastor Wes Poole †