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

How often do you think about where your food comes from? (Beyond the grocery store shelves...) As we continue to celebrate the Season of Creation, we turn our focus to the Land - and to crops and farm families and all that affects them. Join us for worship Sunday, August 23 at 9 AM as we sing, pray, listen to scripture, gather around bread and wine (holy food - but provided through agriculture), and more. We'll also welcome new siblings in Christ this weekend in worship. YOU are welcome here. #elca #champaignurbana #SavoyIL

This month's Game Night is extra special as we will be having an Ice Cream Social along with a night of playing games! Please join us from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, August 21st in the Fellowship Hall for ice cream, conversation & play! Hosted by our very own Deacon Jason! #champaignurbana #SavoyIL #elca

Thank you to everyone who came to help clean up and set up after we had some water in the Sanctuary. We worked as a team and we got the water cleared out and then we set up for Sunday Worship in the Fellowship Hall! Our congregation is amazing! #elca #champaignurbana #SavoyIL

We welcomed Vicar Hanna who will be with us for the next year at Good Shepherd! We’re thrilled to have you “Loving and Serving in Jesus’s Name!” #elca