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PASTORAL
CARE |
Support
Ministries: - Lay
Eucharist Ministers
are trained lay ministers who visit the homebound to bring prayer and the sacrament
of Holy Communion.
- Prayer
Chain Ministry is a volunteer group who pray for members of the congregation,
their families, friends, or colleagues struggling with serious illness, crisis,
or difficult life experiences.
- Pay
It Forward
is a confidential support ministry that strives to show Christ's love by caring
for one another in times of need or crisis such as illness, birth, unemployment,
mourning, divorce. This is accomplished through providing meals, transportation,
and any other practical assistance.
- Prayer
Shawl Ministry
is a small group who make shawls in prayer as a physical sign of God's ever-present
love and caring and are given to those in need of God's comfort. We meet in the
narthex at 9:15 a.m. the third Sunday of every month to swap patterns, bless completed
shawls and pray. Please join us!
- Laying-on
of Hands
Since
2006 the Healing Ministry Team of the Parish Healthcare Ministry has been offer
anointing along with the laying-on of hands during contemporary services. Anointing
with oil is a symbol of our sacred connection to God and was used by the elders
of the early church in communion with prayers for healing. (James 5:14) |
| Parish
Healthcare Ministry Caring for the Body of Christ
Dedicated to
nurturing mind, body, and spirit. This ministry provides workshops and health-related
resources, informative presentations on health issues, Healing Touch Spiritual
Ministry training, blood pressure monitoring, and also sponsors blood drives.
Members of the Pastoral Care Ministry Teams, Stephen Ministry and Parish Healthcare,
have attended Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry workshops to learn the principles
and practice of the laying-on-of-hands to enhance our Christian care-giving program.
The practice of the laying-on-of-hands is modeled after Jesus Christ's own ministry
of healing and is a way of "communicating" the very Spirit of God to another person
to facilitate healing for their highest good. During Contemporary Worship, a healing/prayer
station is prepared in a quiet area of the worship space for all who seek consolation
or emotional, spiritual, physical or relational healing. This rite of healing
does not replace God's gifts that come through the scientific and medical community,
nor does it promise a cure. Instead, it celebrates God's presence and comfort
in time of suffering, God's promise of wholeness and peace, and God's love embodied
in the community of faith.
 Forgive
as the Lord forgave you. -Colossians 3:13b
The Lutheran Church of
the Good Shepherd embarked in early 2009 to establish a "Culture of Peace." Much
has taken place since then. We established a Peacemaking team; we have had numerous
small group studies with more than 120 "graduates"; and we established a Reconciliation
Team ready to help members with daily, down-in-the-trenches conflict and disagreements.
We want to make you aware of a greater opportunity - the opportunity to
attend the annual Peacemaker Conference, close to home in Reston, VA, just outside
Washington, DC near Dulles airport. On September 16-19, Peacemaker Ministries
will focus the conference on Forgiveness.
Forgiveness - what a concept.
Have you ever asked for Forgiveness from another? Has another ever asked you for
Forgiveness? Were you forgiven? Did you forgive another? Really forgive another?
What does Forgiveness really mean? Perhaps you could find some answers in the
workshops: How
Should Christians Respond to Unrepentant Offenders? Living
Out the Gospel through Family Peacemaking Dealing
With Unforgiveness Personal
Why do I do what I do? Exploring
Motivations of the Heart
Go
to the Web site to find out more on these and other workshops and consider signing
up for the conference to join five LCGS members who have already signed up. http://www.peacemakerconference.net/
Questions? Please contact Owen Ashbrook | |