Dear Good Shepherd Members and Friends
This year’s Stewardship Campaign focuses on “Creating an Environment of Giving” In my sixth year here at Good Shepherd we have been having a Stewardship Campaign, we have had several themes; this year I wanted to get to what I believe to be the foundation as we look into the three T’s (Time, Talent, & Treasure) as we look into the Grace of Giving by looking into scripture and prayer. Let me start with a prayer from the Presbyterian Foundation.

In life and death, we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel Whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in God alone Who loves us and enriches us with abundant gifts.

And so, we will seek to move… In attitude from scarcity to abundance. In lifestyle from consumption to renewal. In finance from debt to freedom.

We worship God alone Who empowers us to celebrate the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so, we will seek to move…In liturgy from avoidance to celebration. In giving from funding to offering. In emphasis from annual to year – round.

We serve God alone Who calls us to a life of thanksgiving to the Spirit, loving God, neighbor, and self.

And so, we will seek to move…In practice from maintenance to mission. In outreach from parochial to global. In relationship from domination to interdependence.

In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying “Come, Lord Jesus!” AMEN. (from the Hudson River Presbytery Stewardship Team).
 
 It is truly astonishing how great a part money plays in the modern religious movements and how little part prayer plays.

Before I continue the above statement. Let me give you some point in what I believe is stewardship and what is not.

Stewardship is Gratitude, Spiritual Growth, about making choices, caring for all that God has given us, Time, Talent, and Treasure, Disciple Making.

Stewardship is Not a once-a-year event, about money over God, individual fundraising, meeting a budget, and about an individual or a congregation.
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Stewardship is about giving to God, not about anything else. You will be asked to pledge for 2024. Yes, we don’t know what lies in the future, but we can Trust in God if we focus our everything to God and if things change in life don’t stop in giving, even if it's less and continue to serve God faithfully. Let us remember the spreading of Christ’s Kingdom lies in regular prayer, and not in the offering box.

2 Corinthians 9:7 – 8 “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”

We will be collecting pledge cards this month until November 19th so we can pray over them and please join us for the annual Stewardship Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall after worship service.

Let me end with this prayer that I got from one of my devotional books that I have titled: The Power of Prayer by E.M. Bounds
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I realize again today, heavenly Father, that prayer can change things. Our prayers move You, Lord. Let money not become too important in my life; I want You in first place. AMEN
 
Sincerely, Rev. Julio Cesar Peña

Stewardship Season 2024
Creating an Environment of Giving
 
​Greetings Good Shepherd Family,
 
“Everyone surely realizes that we are going through extraordinary times – and still we are required to fight the good fight, which means to continue to focus on others and on our community.” These are the exact words from last year's letter. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
 
John 14:12 states: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will also do and greater works than these he will do because I go to the father.”
 
When Christ returned to the Father, he became the great multiplier and our greatest ally. But how do we nurture an environment in which “giving” is given the highest priority? Like internet CLICK BAIT, we see the word giving and we think money. But God can multiply more than cash. He can help us to find more time to share all our gifts, a little goes a long way. Our church needs so much right now: more people, more leadership, more teachers, and workers to bring life to our church.
 
          Its frustrating. Money buys, but money does not work. Writing a check to keep the heat on helps, but money cannot greet visitors at the door, or sweep up after an event, or visit the sick. I have never seen a dollar bill pick up a table or empty the trash! Our Pastor Julio so desires to make our HOME so much more than it is. We would like to keep our Good Shepherd building, but a fantastic looking parking lot or, shoveled sidewalk says less to a community than a church filled with people.
 
          When I was younger, I use to hear the phrase, “Nice house, no one home.” I believe it meant that having the trappings of a beautiful house does not make it a home if no one is around to give it life. Let our whole being bring life to the church and love to our God.
 
Sincerely,
Jessica Meyer

We are a Bread for the World Covenant Church
Covenant Churches make an annual commitment to:
observe Bread for the World Sunday annually and integrate hunger concerns in prayer, worship, and stewardship and...
participate in Bread for the World’s annual Offering of Letters and engage in advocacy on other legislation in Congress.
make an annual financial contribution to Bread for the World, support local anti-hunger.
We support More Light Presbyterians.
Following the risen Christ, and seeking to make the Church a true community of hospitality, the mission of More Light Presbyterians is to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society.
We support Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is an international human rights movement, originating in the African-American community, that campaigns against violence and systemic racism towards black people.
We Are a Matthew 25 Church
The circular shape represents unity and equality. Like God, a circle has no beginning and no end, and it symbolizes our continuing effort to help one another. The shape also suggests a globe that points to our engagement with the world.
The three interlocking figures represent the equality of all people without gender or race bias. They have their arms around each other, symbolizing friendship, protection and service. The number three suggests the three focus areas of congregational vitality, structural racism and systemic poverty, as well as the Trinity.
Grace Seeds Ministry
& Share the Harvest
Planting.  Tending. Twining.
Watering.  Watching. Waiting. 
Praying and paying attention…
to what God is breathing, speaking, growing in the world.
Share the Harvest is a network of partners committed to direct, hands-on action to alleviate hunger in our communities.    We are grateful for each partner’s commitment to care for the earth, love their neighbor,  and share God’s grace and compassion through gifts from their gardens. For more information, please contact Grace Seeds Ministry, Rev. Linda Wygant.
By Phone: 773-495-7865
By E-mail: graceseedsministry@gmail.com
Good Shepherd is a Share the Harvest contributor, donating to St. Blase Food Pantry in Summit IL.
Adult Bible Study
All are welcome to learn the Word of God together in an informal group setting through lively discussions from the scripture and current lessons from worship services. Bible Study is on Thursdays from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM. For more information and to learn of the current study subject, please contact Pastor Julio Peña at the church office phone or e-mail.
Church / Community Picnic
Each Summer, Good Shepherd sponsors an opportunity for our church family and members of our Garfield-Ridge community to gather for good food, pleasant conversation and backyard games. We have a large open space where we set up chairs, tents and yard games. A good old fashioned backyard BBQ provides food and beverage for all. For more information please contact the church office by phone or e-mail.
Blessing of the Animals
During the Fall season Good Shepherd offers an opportunity for members of our Garfield-Ridge community to gather with us in celebration of the life and the love we receive from our animal friends. We provide a safe space for pets to play, rest, meet and greet new friends (animal and human), to partake of snacks (for animals and humans) and to receive a blessing from our Pastor for the lives of our most unconditionally loving family members. A free will offering is taken with all proceeds donated to the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago. For more information please contact the church office by phone or e-mail.
Labyrinth
Good Shepherd is please to provide this safe space for community members to come to pray, reflect, or just for peaceful meditation. During the warm weather months benches surround the Labyrinth and at the center a fountain with the soothing sounds of flowing water will greet you. Come check out our Labyrinth located in the church’s backyard. All are welcome!
Vacation Bible School
“Gear Up! Get Ready! Game On! Each August Good Shepherd presents Vacation Bible School for the youth of our church and the surrounding Garfield-Ridge community. Activities include games, arts and crafts, mini-worship, Bible lessons and an evening meal. VBS is offered for one week in August, Monday through Friday, 6:30PM to 8:30PM. We end the week with a special event for the children and their families, celebrating their accomplishments and honoring the leaders and volunteers. VBS students are pre-school through 8th grade. Volunteers are High School youth and adult members of Good Shepherd, led by Deacon Claudia Fuentes - Peña and Pastor Julio Peña.
Registration is required, so please contact the church office by phone or e-mail for the latest information.
Feed My Starving Children
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) believes hope starts with food. As a Christian nonprofit, FMSC is dedicated to seeing every child whole in body and spirit. FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development.
FMSC meals are developed by food science and nutrition professionals to supplement nutritional needs and reduce problems with malnutrition. Nutrition allows children to grow, thrive and develop to their full potential.
Good Shepherd is pleased to support the excellent work of Feed My Starving Children through financial donations and hands on work sessions at the organization’s food packaging facility in Aurora IL. Contact the church office by phone or e-mail for more information about Good Shepherd’s future food packaging events. Contact Feed My Starving Children directly. By Phone: 763-504-2919. By E-mail: [email protected]. On the Web: https://www.fmsc.org.
Southwest Chicago Homeless Services
Since its inception, Southwest Chicago Homeless Services has served homeless and housing insecure persons.
The agency operates in the Chicago Lawn community, across from Marquette Park, a Chicago Park District property where many homeless persons congregate and bed down at night, making it readily accessible to a sizable homeless population. We feed, bathe and clothe up to 35 of those indigent and needy individuals six nights per week. We offer case management services, and homeless prevention assistance. An experienced Housing Specialist is also part of our team.
Good Shepherd supports the outreach ministry of Southwest Chicago Homeless Services through direct monetary donations, serving meals to facility guests one night a week and by designating the freewill offering collection of one Midway Community Choir (MCC) concert annually. Contact the church office by phone or e-mail for more information about future MCC concert events. Contact Southwest Chicago Homeless Services directly. By Phone: 773-737-7070. By E-mail: [email protected].       On the Web: https://www.homelessservices.org.
Seraj Library Project
The Seraj Library Project is a non-profit 501(c)3 providing initiative and support in developing libraries in rural Palestinian villages.  Its mission is to assist in the education of Palestinian villagers of all ages and faiths through the development of high quality and accessible library programs.  The project is based on the belief that civic education is the best route to democracy, human rights and peace. 
For more information please contact the Seraj Library Project directly. By Phone: 630.606.5671. By e-mail: [email protected]. On the Web: https://www.serajlibraries.org.
Good Shepherd is proud to support the following organizations.

Contact the Church office to get involved!