Shepherd's Heart 12/26/25
At Good Shepherd Advent, and Christmas, was more than a day…
It was more than a season… more than a celebration…
Advent, and Christmas, was and is, a reflection of the JOY that is evident at our church!
The JOY of our Savior Jesus lives in the Body of Christ known as Good Shepherd! The JOY that comes from Jesus is what we get to celebrate here at 1310 Shepherd Drive, and it goes out to our neighbors and the world!
This season was filled with a desire to welcome as many people as we could to come before the Christ Child in the Manger in Bethlehem, to feel the transformational presence of God. It was also that the JOY would go deep into each of our hearts that we might receive Jesus the Christ as living Lord of our lives every day. The numbers of people who worshiped was the invitation, what God did through the presence of His Word was the core. Lives were brought face to face with the greatest gift humankind could ever receive… Jesus Savior of the World!
This season was also a call to serve and to serve others. Our outreach over this season was off the charts. So many of God’s children received gifts through the generosity of this church through our mission partners. Our disability ministry was shining bright all season, and I loved seeing how much of Advent featured families lighting candles on the Advent Wreath from this community.
The opportunity to invite a guest to Encounter Christmas brought people who may not have a relationship with Jesus into our worship and proclamation of this magnificent moment of God’s love coming to be with us.
Inside the walls people served at worship, on our welcome and hospitality teams, and in hours of decorating and bringing a beautiful environment to celebrate, reflect, and grow.
During this season we also celebrated congregational generosity that will support our ministry reach for the next year. An additional 1 million dollars was given to help us move FORward in Faith. God is so very good!
Yes thousands of people came to worship… and as you reflect on that see so much more… lives were changed, supported, and bound together in the JOY of Jesus.
As we enter 2026 give thanks for the JOY of Jesus. Never forget, the JOY of the Lord is our strength!
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10.
It was more than a season… more than a celebration…
Advent, and Christmas, was and is, a reflection of the JOY that is evident at our church!
The JOY of our Savior Jesus lives in the Body of Christ known as Good Shepherd! The JOY that comes from Jesus is what we get to celebrate here at 1310 Shepherd Drive, and it goes out to our neighbors and the world!
This season was filled with a desire to welcome as many people as we could to come before the Christ Child in the Manger in Bethlehem, to feel the transformational presence of God. It was also that the JOY would go deep into each of our hearts that we might receive Jesus the Christ as living Lord of our lives every day. The numbers of people who worshiped was the invitation, what God did through the presence of His Word was the core. Lives were brought face to face with the greatest gift humankind could ever receive… Jesus Savior of the World!
This season was also a call to serve and to serve others. Our outreach over this season was off the charts. So many of God’s children received gifts through the generosity of this church through our mission partners. Our disability ministry was shining bright all season, and I loved seeing how much of Advent featured families lighting candles on the Advent Wreath from this community.
The opportunity to invite a guest to Encounter Christmas brought people who may not have a relationship with Jesus into our worship and proclamation of this magnificent moment of God’s love coming to be with us.
Inside the walls people served at worship, on our welcome and hospitality teams, and in hours of decorating and bringing a beautiful environment to celebrate, reflect, and grow.
During this season we also celebrated congregational generosity that will support our ministry reach for the next year. An additional 1 million dollars was given to help us move FORward in Faith. God is so very good!
Yes thousands of people came to worship… and as you reflect on that see so much more… lives were changed, supported, and bound together in the JOY of Jesus.
As we enter 2026 give thanks for the JOY of Jesus. Never forget, the JOY of the Lord is our strength!
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10.