REMINDER: The May edition of the Shepherd's Voice Newsletter is now available in print copy (in the narthex of the church) and for download. Get your copy today!

Article and Photos by D. J. Estopinal
 
It has started! Yes, phase one of the Prayer Garden has been completed.
           
Phase one of construction, of the Prayer Garden, was getting that old tree taken down, removed and the tree stump ground down. This was completed on Friday, April 5, 2019. In reality, with or without construction of the Prayer Garden, the tree was in a condition that arborists call "end of life" and that was placing it at risk for coming down during a storm--something that could cause significant building damage.            

Phase two is getting loads of mud to level the area where the Prayer Garden is going to be constructed. Phase two is now in progress as dirt was delivered on April 30. If you can help move sand, Mel Aucoin will be heading the sand moving project beginning at 8:00 AM this Saturday, May 4 and working until noon. He expects it to take several dates, so please let him know if you can lend a hand.

Finally, the Prayer Garden Committee has picked out several beautiful statues and vases for the garden, including a life-sized statue of Jesus kneeling in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and most of those items have had their costs covered by donations. We need the plants that will go into the Prayer Garden donated, after the construction is completed. If anyone would like to donate items needed or funds for the items still needed for the Prayer Garden or help in its construction, please contact Mel or Margaret Aucoin.             

Story and Photod by D.J. Estopinal

On Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019, Good Shepherd Church held their church service and annual picnic at the Wally Pontiff Playground, Shelter Number 3 in Metairie. The weather was a little cool with a slight northwesterly breeze, but the sky was a beautiful clear blue. It seemed like all of our church parishioners were in attendance.

The children of the church enjoyed the playground equipment, while the adults caught up on their fellowship with each other. Our own Reverend Graf held the Palm Sunday church service under the playground shelter and Mrs. Renda Coleman played hymns on an electric piano while the church’s choir sang beautifully, as usual.

Mr. Jacob Aucoin BBQ'ed hamburgers and hot dogs, and as usual, did an excellent job. All of the families who attended brought a covered dish. There was more food than could be consumed by twice as many people. Mel and Margaret Aucoin transported and set up all of the needed items from the church. I would like to thank all of the parishioners for a job WELL done.

After everyone finished eating, a game of kick ball was played by the adults and children. It seemed that everyone in attendance had a great time.

Story and photo by D.J. Estopinal

Twice a month, starting during the church service on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, at 10:00 A. M., there will be changes made to the way our church service is conducted.  On the Sundays that Holy Communion is to be celebrated, you will notice that the children of the church will have a very active participation role.
Some of the older children of the church will be in the procession at the beginning and end of the church service. In addition, they will also be serving and assisting Reverend Graf throughout the service and including during the Sacrament. The children will serve as scripture readers, acolytes, altar servers, torch bearers, and during holy communion.

If you would like to have your child or grandchild participate in the church service, please speak to the pastor. If your child or grandchild are involved in these church services, you may want to sit in the pews toward the front of church, on the side of opposite the choir. These seats will give you an excellent position to video or take pictures of them as they assist Pastor conducting the Sunday litrugy.

Story and photo by D.J. Estopinal

On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, the third of the “Songs of Celebration” continuing series of music concerts was held by Ms. Patsy Engles at Good Shepherd Church.

As in the past, the very talented Ms. Engles played the piano and offered beautiful and varied religious hymns. The Reverend Jerry Bass sang in accompaniment with Ms. Engles playing of the piano.

Pastor Randall Graf moderated the concert and made a very interesting observation. Our Lord and music had brought together many persons of different Christian traditions. Religious differences did not matter at this musical event. The twenty-four (24) attendees were members of the Good Shepherd Church, Parkview Baptist, Metairie Baptist, Munholland Methodist, St. Ann, Fellowship Bible Church, Sacred Heart, Celebration Church, St. Angela, St. Philip Neri, and Unity Church. It was a beautiful site to witness. So many different faiths coming together to listen to and sing music praising our Lord.

Everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The next in this musical continuing series will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. If you have never attended one of Ms. Engle’s music concerts, you should really try and attend.

Parents, as Easter approaches, we have several opportunities to involve our younger members in our upcoming Easter morning worship service.

On Thursday evening, April 4, Rev. Graf will be offering a worship workshop for youth who wish to assist in various aspects of the Sunday liturgy, including, but not limited to, Scripture readings, acolytes, altar servers, etc.  The workshop will be held immediately following Thursday evening worship which begins at 6:35 PM. Then, on Thursday, April 11, those youth who will be participating in the Easter Sunday liturgy will then have a "dress rehearsal" to show off what they learned at the workshop by participating in their various roles at evening Holy Eucharist at 6:35 PM.

Also, this Sunday, April 7, Rinda and Debbie will  hold a brief youth choir rehearsal after the 10:00 AM service. This rehearsal will be used to teach the youth their parts in the join Youth-Adult Easter Choir anthem to be performed at the 10:00 AM Easter Sunday service.

Story and photo by D.J. Estopinal

On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Good Shepherd Church held a Fish Fry fundraiser for the church after the 10:00 A. M. church service. The Fish Fry was well attended.

A BIG Good Shepherd Church THANK YOU to all of the persons that made this fundraiser the huge success that it turned out to be.

Good Shepherd Church netted over $1,700.00 for our general fund budget.  ALL food, drinks and deserts were donated. The church had NO cost for this event making the money raised 100 % profit. Well done Good Shepherd Church!

The April edition of the Shepherd's Voice Newsletter is now available for download with printed copies available in the narthex of the church.

GSC Men's Club - Monday, April 8 at 6:00 PM; Dinner will be served.

GSC Women's Guild - Tuesday, April 9 at 10:00 AM; Guest speaker will be Patsy Engles who will present The 10 Commandments of Common Sense.