We had a fantastic game night and ice cream social Friday night! Sweet treats, pizza with fun table games was a great way to relax, laugh, and spend time with our friends and neighbors. Thank you to Jason and the Fellowship Committee for hosting! Please bring a friend or more and join us for Game Nights September 4, October 9 and December 11. #ChampaignUrbana #SavoyIL #ELCA

Washed in the waters of baptism and claimed as God's own! Welcome, Jonah!

Some of our youth having fun on the mini golf course yesterday!

It was a glorious Sunday and we welcomed nine new members to our congregation! #ChampaignUrbana #SavoyIL #ELCA

Do you want your children to know that God loves them? To grow in their compassion for the world God loves? To learn the stories of God's people? Sunday School is a traditional-sounding name for what is in reality a hands-on, interactive environment where young people are protected, nurtured, and encouraged to explore aspects of the Christian faith. Some weeks, kids are divided by age level with dedicated teachers and volunteers; other weeks, we all gather together to learn and explore. Our year begins September 13th with a large-group service project (and more!) and small age-related groups begin on September 20th. If you're interested, follow this link: gslc.breezechms.com/form/3abc43 or use the QR code in the image to register. (You can also just show up! But advance knowledge lets us plan better to welcome you.)

Last Sunday we started our Season of Creation, and Pastor Lynette's forest-themed sermon was a powerful reminder that we dwell on this earth as part of creation, and we have much to learn about nurturing and community from our tree neighbors. Did you know that trees release compounds called phytoncides, and breathing them in has been shown to increase immune system activity and lower stress? What have you learned from trees?

I'm sharing a picture of a tree that my dog, Nikola, and I miss from our old neighborhood. Watching the seasons and light change in its branches reminded us to stop, breathe, and rejoice in the goodness of God's promises. Nikola loved to search under its branches for the perfect pinecone to bring home, resulting in quite an accumulation of pinecones!

As we settle into this new community, there's much to discover, and we would love to hear about your favorite trees. Please post a picture and tell us a story if you have one!

We invite you to Good Shepherd for next Sunday in the Season of Creation. "Land” is the theme this week, and we will also celebrate and welcome 8 new church members. Come rejoice with us! All are most welcome. We look forward to meeting you (and your tree friends)!

Vicar Hanna and Nikola
#ChampaignUrbana #SavoyIL #ELCA

Please join us at GSLC for a showing of the award winning docudrama "Voice of Hind Rajab" on Friday, September 18th at 6:30 p.m. This is sponsored by Al Mytty who is a member of the Social Ministry, Justice, and Advocacy (SMJA) committee. We will take donations at the door to cover the cost of the screening. #champaignurbana #SavoyIL #elca

This Sunday - August 23 - we welcome new siblings in Christ through affirmation of faith AND through Holy Baptism. Join us to celebrate as we welcome baby Jonah in baptism and then welcome his parents and 5 other new sisters and brothers to the community of disciples we call Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Worship begins at 9 AM. #ELCA

Throwback Thursday! Block Party fun in 2014 with some of our girls who are all grown up now! #champaignurbana #elca #SavoyIL