Shepherd's Heart 09/11/26
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
I have to tell you something… this is my favorite time of year! There is just something so special about this season at Good Shepherd. Summer begins to wind down, school starts back up, and suddenly there is a renewed rhythm of gathering, learning, and serving.
Ministries are launching. Groups and Bible studies are beginning. Community Nights are bringing people together around tables for conversation, support, and belonging. Our Theology Cohorts are getting ready to begin another year of formation, discovering what it means to follow Jesus more deeply, and finding oneself in God’s story.
What I love most is not that we have a lot happening, rather, I love watching what God does when our church comes together. I get to see people take steps of faith. I get to see new friendships form. I get to see people discover gifts they didn't know they had and begin serving. I get to see God at work in the lives of His people. And I can't wait to see what He is going to do in us and through us in the months ahead.
That is one of the beautiful gifts of the Church. Psalm 133 begins with the words, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” How good. How pleasant. Yes! There is something beautiful about being together.
And I think that is why I get so excited when I see our church calendar begin to fill up this time of year. Behind every ministry, every Bible study, every group, every Community Night, and every cohort are people. People whose hearts and lives are being shaped by God.
And when we gather, God has a way of meeting us right where we are. Maybe you have been looking for a place to connect. Maybe you have been wanting to grow deeper in your faith but aren't quite sure what that looks like. Maybe you have been coming to Good Shepherd for a while but haven't yet found your people. Maybe you have been walking with Jesus for many years and are ready for a new serving opportunity. Or maybe you need
care, encouragement, and a reminder that you don't have to do this life alone. There is a place for you.
I want to encourage you to take a look at what is happening at Good Shepherd this fall. Come to Community Nights. Join a Bible study. Find a group. Consider being part of Cohorts. Visit the Café. Try out a serving team. Take just one step.
I'm praying that you will find the spaces where God wants you to grow. I'm praying that you will experience meaningful relationships and belonging. I'm praying that our conversations will point us back to Jesus. And I'm praying that, in the midst of this season, we will remember why we gather in the first place. We gather because Jesus has called us together.
Good Shepherd Family, thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for caring for one another. Thank you for continuing to grow in your faith and for being willing to take the next step wherever God is leading you. I am so excited for this season, and I am even more excited that we get to experience together how God is moving among us.
Love and God bless,
Pastor Pamela Palmer
I have to tell you something… this is my favorite time of year! There is just something so special about this season at Good Shepherd. Summer begins to wind down, school starts back up, and suddenly there is a renewed rhythm of gathering, learning, and serving.
Ministries are launching. Groups and Bible studies are beginning. Community Nights are bringing people together around tables for conversation, support, and belonging. Our Theology Cohorts are getting ready to begin another year of formation, discovering what it means to follow Jesus more deeply, and finding oneself in God’s story.
What I love most is not that we have a lot happening, rather, I love watching what God does when our church comes together. I get to see people take steps of faith. I get to see new friendships form. I get to see people discover gifts they didn't know they had and begin serving. I get to see God at work in the lives of His people. And I can't wait to see what He is going to do in us and through us in the months ahead.
That is one of the beautiful gifts of the Church. Psalm 133 begins with the words, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” How good. How pleasant. Yes! There is something beautiful about being together.
And I think that is why I get so excited when I see our church calendar begin to fill up this time of year. Behind every ministry, every Bible study, every group, every Community Night, and every cohort are people. People whose hearts and lives are being shaped by God.
And when we gather, God has a way of meeting us right where we are. Maybe you have been looking for a place to connect. Maybe you have been wanting to grow deeper in your faith but aren't quite sure what that looks like. Maybe you have been coming to Good Shepherd for a while but haven't yet found your people. Maybe you have been walking with Jesus for many years and are ready for a new serving opportunity. Or maybe you need
care, encouragement, and a reminder that you don't have to do this life alone. There is a place for you.
I want to encourage you to take a look at what is happening at Good Shepherd this fall. Come to Community Nights. Join a Bible study. Find a group. Consider being part of Cohorts. Visit the Café. Try out a serving team. Take just one step.
I'm praying that you will find the spaces where God wants you to grow. I'm praying that you will experience meaningful relationships and belonging. I'm praying that our conversations will point us back to Jesus. And I'm praying that, in the midst of this season, we will remember why we gather in the first place. We gather because Jesus has called us together.
Good Shepherd Family, thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for caring for one another. Thank you for continuing to grow in your faith and for being willing to take the next step wherever God is leading you. I am so excited for this season, and I am even more excited that we get to experience together how God is moving among us.
Love and God bless,
Pastor Pamela Palmer