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t h e   M i n i s t r i e s

Liturgical Ministries

Acolytes – A youth ministry serving in the  Sunday morning worship services at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. The acolyte ministry is one of assisting the clergy and lay ministers in making the service run smoothly – carrying the cross, torches, setting the Altar and performing other tasks as needed.

Altar Guild – This is a ministry of preparing the altar for Sundays, weekdays and special occasions. Members serve on teams that are responsible for setting up and cleaning up the vessels and linens used, maintaining candles, changing frontals and performing other tasks as needed.

Altar Guild Flower Team – Members of a team deliver flower liners to the florist to be prepared with a new arrangements for Sundays or special occasions.

Altar Guild Wedding Consultant Assistants – Assist the church wedding coordinator with arrangements for weddings performed at Good Shepherd.

Chancel Choir – This adult choir rehearses on Sunday Mornings before the 10:30 a.m. service. The choir leads the congregation in singing at the 10:30  a.m. service each Sunday and at the main services on holy days. The choir also takes part in the Seasonal Evensong celebrations at 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays.

Greeters – This lay ministry greets parishioners and visitors as they arrive for church services, distributes service bulletins, and answers questions as needed.

Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM I) or Chalice Minister – This lay ministry licensed by the Bishop assists the priests during all Eucharistic services. LEMs may read lessons when necessary, lead the congregation in the Prayers of the People and distribute the consecrated wine at the Eucharist.

Lector  – This ministry consists of reading the lessons during the Sunday services or other at other special services. Opportunities are available for Sundays at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Morning Prayer (Officiants and Readers) – The Chapel is open every morning of the week to celebrate the service of Morning Prayer. Officiants lead the service; readers read the readings for that day. If you are interested in participating, call the church office.

Oblationers – A Sunday morning ministry whose participants bring the bread and wine to the altar at the offertory.

Ushers – A Sunday morning ministry whose participants greet parishioners and visitors, distribute service bulletins, facilitate Holy Communion, and orient visitors to the church.

Youth Choir – A ministry for youth and children at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Participants lead the congregation in singing throughout the service and perform the offertory hymn.

Christian Education (Adults) – Adult Education ( also called Adult Forum) meets Hardtner Hall each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. The content may range from contemporary topics to Bible study led by various members of the parish. There are opportunities both to teach, as well as provide general support.

Christian Education for Children (PK3 - grade 6) – Christian education classes meet Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Faithweavers classes are for PK3-grade 4 and meet upstairs in the Sunday School classes in the East wing of the office complex. Club 56 (5th & 6th graders) meet in the Church Kitchen. There are opportunities both to teach, as well as provide general support.

Christian Education for Youth (grade 7 - grade 12) – Christian education classes meet Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. They meet in the upstairs conference room. There are opportunities both to teach, as well as provide general support.

Education For Ministry (EFM) – A lay program of Biblical and theological study created and administered by The School of Theology of The University of the South. It meets once a week for nine months a year. The program is designed to be completed in four nine-month sessions. 

Simple Supper- A weekly study for 6 weeks from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. during Lent (with Nursery and Kid Flick for the children) This series is "Wrestling for Angels," a video covering Guidance-Tony Campolo, Why Me?- PhilipYancy, Prayer-Richard Foster, Forgiving-Lewis Smedes, Doubt-Madeleine L'Engle and Love-Keith Miller.

Small Group Study -- A weekly study from 6:30 -8:00 p.m. that explores World Religions. 

Vacation Bible School – A week- long summer program designed for children ages PK3 to grade 3. There also are opportunities to volunteer to help with its execution (junior high school to adult).

Wednesday Morning Bible Study -- A weekly Bible Study with instructor that explores the books of the Bible with discussion at 10:30 a.m.

Angels on Wheels – A ministry of providing transportation to members of the congregation unable to drive.

Bereavement Support Group – An eight-week ecumenical support group for adults mourning the loss of loved ones. Group size is limited to 10 people; cost for supplies is $25.

Flower Delivery – A ministry of taking flowers from the Sunday services to those in the hospitals and those who are shut-ins.

Funeral Hostess – Helps arrange seating, coffee, and provide other needed items in Hardtner Hall at funerals during this time of grief.

Guild of the Christ Child – A ministry requiring a three-year commitment to a newly baptized member whom participants  support with letters and cards and other thoughtful acts.

Hospital Visitor – A lay ministry of visitation to those in the hospitals.

Lamb Ministry – A ministry of placing a wooden lamb in the yard of families to announce the arrival of a new child.

Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM II) – A lay ministry licensed by the Bishop whose participants deliver communion directly from the Holy Eucharist at the church to those who are unable to attend the services.

Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM II) Home Visit Assistants – A lay ministry whose participants accompany LEM II's on home visitations.

Nursing Home Ministry – A ministry of visiting residents in area nursing homes. 

Donut Delivery – A Sunday morning ministry of picking up the donuts for coffee hour.

Meal Delivery – A lay culinary ministry of preparing and freezing freshly prepared casseroles and other goodies to keep on reserve and to deliver to parishioners and others at times of need.

Ministry to Students Away – A lay ministry of remembering in prayer and action parishioners who are away at school. This group writes letters, sends goodies, and performs other thoughtful acts to help our students feel connected to their home parish.

Open Arms Committee – This committee welcomes visitors and incorporates new members. It meets the second Monday of each month.

Receptions – A ministry of coordinating receptions, dinners or other special occasions. Participants prepare food, set up and clean up. 

Community of Intercessors – A diocesan community committed to a life of discipline and prayer. The rule includes the reading of a Daily Office, prayer, spiritual direction, and retreat. Contact the Diocese of Western Louisiana for more information.

Contemplative Prayer Group – The group meets for quiet and centering prayer each Tuesday, at 4:00 p.m. in The Chapel of the Resurrection. Call the Church office if you are interested in attending. 

Daughters of the King--This Order of the DOK has a prayer box stationed in the Church Tower (entrance) to help with your prayer needs. The Daughters of Good Shepherd are beginning a new ministry called: The Helping Hands Society of Good Shepherd. Through a network of volunteers, they will help those experiencing catastrophic illness or a death in the family, those in need of transportation, keep in touch with our elderly/infirm parishioners through regular phone calls and reach out to those new to our parish and those visiting. Every member of Good Shepherd is needed to carry out this new ministry. Sign up on the kiosk in Hardtner Hall. 

                        Many hands make light work!

Moms in Touch – A prayer group addressing concerns of modern Moms. It meets each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the parlor across from the chapel.

Parish Intercessory Group – All individuals of the parish who have accepted the ministry of daily intercessory prayer for people and needs within this parish.

Order of St. Luke the Physician- An international healing and prayer group for laity and professional medical. A recent addition to our ministries. It meets the first Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. on a rotating basis for a discussion of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. We are planning a Healing Conference at Good Shepherd, April 18 and 19, 2008. 

                                                    Parish Life

Daughters of the King- The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK) is a spiritual sisterhood of women dedicated to a life of Prayer, Service and Evangelism. We have made a commitment to Jesus as our Savior, and we follow Him as Lord of our lives. We are an Order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, churches in communion with it, or churches in the Historic Episcopate. Today our membership includes women in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA) and Roman Catholic churches. We meet monthly the second Sunday of the month at 4:00 p.m. See Claire Mack for more information.

Lunch Bunch – A gathering of men & women in the parish for lunch and fellowship at various local restaurants.

Office Receptionist – A lay ministry of providing time and service to work for a morning or an afternoon during the week answering the telephone and performing light office tasks at the church.

Saint Cecilia’s Guild – A women’s ministry and fellowship of this church. The guild holds regularly scheduled gatherings on the second Monday of each month, as well as special social events throughout the year, and takes part in a variety of ministries.

Sunday Dutch Treat Lunch Bunch – A ministry of hospitality that meets on Sundays after the 11:00 a.m. service to share Sunday dinner together at a local restaurant. (call the church office if you would like to participate.)

Youth Group Middle School (grades 6 - 8) and High School (grades 9-12) meet periodically for fun, food and fellowship.

Abraham's Tent – Good Shepherd supports the ministry of this local food pantry through a monthly donation. Opportunities to volunteer as well as provide financial contributions are available.

Adopt Ethiopian Children--Parents with Aids- Information is available about supporting a child in Africa who has lost their parents to Aids.

African Team Ministry – A ministry of supporting churches in the continent of Africa via the sale of jewelry and other handmade gift items in November – just in time for Christmas.

Blood Drives – Good Shepherd regularly hosts blood drives to help replenish supplies in community blood bank. 

Casa on the Rock Orphanage- In Guatemala- Opportunity to help support 500 children who live at Casa on the Rock Orphanage. Founders, Mike and Dottie Clark, of the local community Moss Bluff started this ministry after Mike went to Guatemala on a mission trip. He was so moved by the need of the children of this country that he has made it a life-long mission. Visit http://www.casaparaninos.com to find out how to sponsor a child or donate money or supplies.

Christmas in April – Good Shepherd participates in the annual community ministry to local families by providing repairs to their home. 

Salvation Army Christmas Stockings and Bears – A Christmas outreach to children in need during Christmas through the local Salvation Army.

Sandwich Ministry – An outreach ministry of providing sandwiches to transients and other people in need.

Tend My Lambs – A ministry to the community of Bejin, Haiti, St. Mathias Parish and school in Haiti. A $55.00 donation will pay tuition for a child to attend school and provide a meal for the child and its siblings every day. There are a variety of ways to be involved in this ministry.

Interested in any of these ministries? For more information
or to join a group, contact the Ministries Coordinator.

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