Howdy Pardners, we're still in need of one more Donut Deputy to take responsiblity for rounding up Sunday morning donuts for the month of October. If you can help, please see Donut Deputy Chief Pam Peters.

As a reminder, coffee and donuts are available each week in the conference room from 9:15 until 9:55 AM. The church bells will ring each week at 9:55 AM as a notice that fellowship time has ended. Don't make a Donut Deputy have to toss you in Church Jail for failing to yield to the bells!

A reminder that you may submit a name or cause to be entered on to the Good Shepherd Church prayer list by completing a prayer card found in the pews and placing the card in the offering plate.

Please note that the computer program used to track our prayer listings places a time limit on entries. If a name or cause that was included on the list is no longer listed in the bulletin prayer list but you would like it to be, simple complete another prayer card. Likewise, if you would like to update a prayer request and have it removed from the list before it automatically cycles off by reaching its time limit, this too can be done using the pew prayer cards.

This Saturday, February 16, the committee tasked to design and construct the All Souls Memorial Prayer Garden at Good Shepherd Church will hold their meeting at 10:00 AM. The committee will be identifying the exact area on the property where construction will begin on this outdoor area of retreat. Initial plans call for the placement of benches, flowers, and Christian art/statues, with a second phase to include a memorial walkway lined with bricks engraved with the names memorializing parishioners' loved ones.

The All Souls Prayer Garden committee includes: Margaret Aucoin, Mel Aucoin, D.J. Estopinal, John Falanga, Jerry Wetzel,  Sharon Wetzel. and our pastor, Reverend Graf.

Story and photo by D.J. Estopinal

That’s right! The bells are back!!!!! On Sunday, February 10, 2019 at the 10:00 A. M. Good Shepherd Church service, Mrs. Renda Coleman, Music Director, conducted the church’s youth and a few of the adults in the playing of the bells to the song “Kum Ba Yah”.

In addition, Mrs. Coleman also had the entire attending church congregation singing the song as the children played the bells to the song. All participants enjoyed themselves and we're all looking forward to the next time we hear the bells played.

A reminder that for our January and February mission we are working to support homeless veterans and are collecting for Camp Nora (No One Rides Alone). Camp Nora, which is administered by Ride of the Brotherhood, is a “one-stop housing, outreach, and supportive system” for our local veterans. It is located in Covington, Louisiana. If you would like to read more about this organization, feel free to visit http://www.rideofthebrotherhood.org/camp-n-o-r-a/.

If you would like to give to this mission, please place your contribution in one of the white envelopes and write MISSIONS on the front of the envelope. For more information, please see our Missions Coordinators Mrs. Heidi LaGarde or Mrs. Trisha Mondello.

We still need a few Donut Deputies! What's a Donut Deputy? A Donut Deputy is a member of our church family who is duly deputized and fully authorized to make certain the ever-important duty of having donuts present on Sunday mornings gets carried out. THIS is an important calling, folks!

Many thanks to those who have volunteered for Sunday donut duty in 2019. We invite you to join us for coffee and donuts in the Conference Room each week from 9:15 until 9:55 AM. The church bells will ring each week at 9:55 AM as a notice that fellowship time has ended. Don't make a Donut Deputy have to toss you in Church Jail for failing to yield to the bells!

We still have need for volunteers to get the donuts for a few months in 2019. If you can help, please let Pam Peters know.

When you see one of our Donut Deputies, make sure you give them a BIG GOOD SHEPHERD THANK YOU!

As a reminder, we ask our members to please enjoy each other’s company before worship in the Conference Room so that those who choose to enter the Sanctuary prior to the start of services may experience a quiet time of prayer and preparation for worship.

Does the iPhone drive you crazy? Would you like to know more about how to use its many features?

The East Jefferson YMCA in partnership with the Jefferson Community Foundation want to help you learn to use your iPhone to it’s full capacity!

On Tuesdays, January 29, February 5, 12, and 19, the East Jefferson YMCA will be presenting a course entitled iPhone Basics for Boomers.

January 29th: Using the iPhone as a phone, setting up contacts, 3 way calls, speaker setting
February 5th: Using the iPhone as a phone, setting up contacts, 3 way calls, speaker setting
February 12th: Texting, including group texts and adding a picture
February 19th: Texting, including group textsand adding a picture

There is no charge to attend this class, but pre-registration is required due to limited capacity! For more information, contact the East Jefferson YMCA 6691 Riverside Dr. Metairie, LA 70003, or by telephone at (504) 888-9622.

Article and photo by D.J. Estopinal

Do you remember last years church picnic at Wally Pontiff Playground? It's not too early to mark your calendar NOW for our 2019 church picnic!

So, mark your calendar! This years Good Shepherd Church’s Picnic will again be held at Wally Pontiff Playground, Shelter # 3 on Sunday, April 14, 2019, (Palm Sunday). Shelter # 3 is the exact same shelter that we had last year. It is the closest shelter to the bathrooms and children’s playground.

Our Palm Sunday services will NOT be held at our church but instead will be held on the grounds of Pontiff Playground as a part of our picnic. Please make certain you make note of this on your calendar so that you do not miss the picnic or worship on Palm Sunday!

Just like last year, there will be NO cost to attend the picnic. All we ask is that you bring an appropriate picnic covered dish, folding chairs for your group and whatever everyone in your group wants to drink. For further information, see D. J. Estopinal.