Good Shepherd Church

Shepherd's Heart 07/24/26

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:13:53 +0000

As we've been looking ahead to our upcoming Sent to Serve series in August, I've found myself reflecting on something beautiful.

Being "sent" isn't just something we'll begin talking about next month. It's already who we are.

Our church is already living out that calling in remarkable ways.

This summer, as we prepared for the next phase of our building project, we found ourselves with chairs, bookshelves, books, and other resources that had faithfully served our congregation for decades. Rather than simply moving them out, we asked a simple question:

"God, who could be blessed by these?"

The response from our ministry partners was overwhelming.

Today, 150 chairs are providing comfortable seating in the chapel at Wayside Cross Ministries. One hundred chairs are on their way to Honduras, where they will fill a brand-new church and ministry center at El Ayudante. Forty chairs found a new home with an under-resourced Spanish-speaking congregation in Elmwood Park. Thirty more are now serving Lutheran Social Services, blessing foster families and those waiting for care.

Perhaps most meaningful to me, every single book and bookshelf from our library found a new purpose—serving people through prison ministry, battered women's shelters, Cherish Watoto Kenya, Hearts in Motion, and other ministry partners.

What once served us is now serving God's Kingdom in new places.

I love that picture.

It reminds me that God never wastes what has been faithfully offered to Him. Whether it's chairs, books, or willing hearts, He delights in sending what has been placed in His hands so it can continue to make an impact.

And that's exactly what He does with us.

Join Us Around the Table

One of my favorite opportunities this August is Sent to Serve Beyond Our Borders: Taco Thursday with Our Missionaries on Thursday, August 13, from 5:00–6:30 PM in Room 5.

We'll enjoy a Taco buffet together while hearing firsthand from Pete & Angie Raineri, serving in Honduras, and Erick & Karlee Mendoza and their family, serving in Mexico. Come hear stories of God's faithfulness, the joys and challenges of cross-cultural ministry, and discover how your prayers and support are making an eternal difference.

Whether you've supported missions for years or are simply curious to learn more, I'd love to invite you to join us.

Register for Taco Thursday here

Discover Your Next "Yes"

Then, on Sunday, August 23, I hope you'll stop by after worship to meet our Mission Leadership Team. If God has been stirring something in your heart, we'd love to help you discover where your unique gifts, passions, and experiences intersect with God's mission. Whether serving across the street or across the world, there is a place for everyone to live Sent.

Live Sent in Our Community

Living Sent doesn't always require a passport. Sometimes it simply means showing up for our neighbors.

One of those opportunities is serving at Naperville's Last Fling on Labor Day weekend. Grab your family, invite your Life Group, bring a friend, and choose a shift that fits your schedule. Together, we have the privilege of showing our community that Good Shepherd is a church that doesn't just gather—we go.

Sign up directly with the Naperville Jaycees here

As we prepare for Sent to Serve, my prayer is that we would each ask one simple question—not just this August, but every day:

"Lord, where are You sending me?"

Perhaps it's across the street.

Perhaps it's across the office.

Perhaps it's across the dinner table.

Perhaps it's across the world.

Whatever the place, every faithful "yes" becomes part of God's Kingdom story.

May we continue to be a church that joyfully says,

"Here I am, Lord. Send me."

I'm grateful to be on this journey with you.

Grace and peace,

Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister

Shepherd's Heart 07/17/26

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:09:04 +0000

VBS week is a glimpse of heaven.

Maybe not the goodbye tears or the occasional boo boo but when you pack over 700 kids and leaders in a building for a week of worship, the God Sightings abound.

I have been filled with joy simply by sitting in the hallways of Good Shepherd this week. As the groups of Rainforest Falls VBS travel from sticky scripture to bible adventures to imagination station, they are sprinkling high fives, singing songs about God’s love, and skipping along with their new friends. Kids can’t wait to share with each other about how they are watching for God. They are peppering the neighborhoods with lemonade stands to benefit Loaves and Fishes (even in this heat!). And of course they are jumping and singing at the top of their lungs when the band plays their favorite VBS songs.

Revelation is filled with descriptions of what heaven will be like- the heavenly host never ceasing in their praise, joy in the presence of God, the leaves of the trees of the holy city going out to heal the nations. I see what’s happening at VBS and can’t help but draw parallels to the finale of God’s story- the endless energy praising God from kids and leaders, the explosive joy from this community gathered together, the commitment to expand this joy to serve others. I’ll say it again, VBS is a glimpse of heaven.

It’s not an effortless glimpse. Staff and volunteers have been working diligently for months to prepare the each area of the curriculum and activities for the week. Student and adult volunteers have been in every corner of the building to lead small groups, help us include kids of all abilities, demonstrate song motions, individually pack snacks, and count the offering (among many many other jobs!). I am so grateful for the people that are committed to the vision of VBS at Good Shepherd. This isn’t just an excellent kids camp. We get to build a holy space for kids of all ages to encounter the love of God in ways that make sense for them. If you were one of the over 260 people that made VBS happen this year, thank you. From the biggest to smallest of things, your participation matters in building this picture of heaven for each and every participant.

If you missed out on VBS, don’t worry, the glimpse is coming on Sunday morning too. Make sure you join us in all services as our VBS participants and leaders show off their dancing and bring their joy to the congregation. Weeks like this renew my faith as I am reminded through this church of the awesome God we serve. Wow God!

See you Sunday!
Pastor Elisabeth

Shepherd's Heart 07/10/26

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:46:29 +0000

Next week, Vacation Bible School (VBS) will turn Good Shepherd into “Rainforest Falls.” Here’s a glimpse …

469 kids (aged 3-10) of ALL abilities!
257 volunteers (aged 11-88!)
3000+ snacks (goldfish, applesauce, pretzels, raisins, deconstructed s’mores, and birthday cake!)
5 days (10 sessions: 2 per day from 9:00-12:00 and 1:30-4:30)
1000+ vines creating a Rainforest Falls” experience at Good Shepherd

I love numbers as much as the next person (truthfully, probably more); and while these achievements are fun to celebrate, the most important number of all is that next week at VBS, all of our energy will be focused on worshipping, imagining, praising, learning about, giving back to, thanking, celebrating, and loving our ONE true God!

Our theme verse for the week is Psalm 103:22 … “Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.” And our five daily themes will be:

God is our creator (Wow, God!)
God knows everything (Wow, God!)
God is our safe place (Wow, God!)
God is love (Wow, God!)
God is forever (Wow, God!)

Can I get an “Amen?” I’m not exaggerating when I say that VBS is my favorite week of the year at Good Shepherd! It’s loud, and it’s fun, and it borders on being out of control at times, but IT IS AWESOME!

If you’re not one of the parents dropping off kids or one of the 257 volunteers coming to serve (and have never otherwise been here to experience VBS), all I can say is, “you think you know what it’s like, but you don’t.”
Come and experience it! If you want to serve, we’ll find a place for you! If you just want a taste, come at the beginning (8:45 or 1:15) or end (11:45 or 4:15) to see the hundreds of smiling faces coming and going. Just come and be a part of an amazing week!

Wow, God!

-tom

Shepherd's Heart 07/03/26

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:25:19 +0000

Church Council Quarterly Update - Summer 2026

Dear Good Shepherd Family,

As we begin the next fiscal year, your Church Council wanted to take a moment to share some of the work taking place behind the scenes and celebrate the many ways God continues to move in and through our congregation.

One of the great joys of serving on Council is having a front-row seat to the ways God is at work at Good Shepherd. Whether it's worship, discipleship, missions, facilities, staffing, or finances, we continue to see God's faithfulness in countless ways.

Celebrating What God Is Doing

This spring was filled with significant moments in the life of our church.

Claimed By God was especially meaningful, with 73 people remembering or affirming their baptism and 11 people receiving baptism for the first time. These moments remind us that God is still transforming lives and drawing people into deeper relationship with Him.

We also celebrated the dedication of the new Chapel, which has quickly become a treasured space for prayer, reflection, and worship. The response from the congregation has been overwhelmingly positive, and it has been encouraging to see people making use of the space throughout the week.

More recently, we opened our newly renovated Contemporary Sanctuary. What began as a vision a few years ago is now becoming a reality. We are grateful for the generosity, patience, and support of the congregation throughout the renovation process. The completed project positions Good Shepherd well for future ministry and creates welcoming spaces where people can encounter Jesus for years to come.

Leadership and Staffing

After an extensive search process, Council unanimously approved the hiring of Pastor Tim Nybroten as our new Executive Pastor of Ministries. Pastor Tim will begin serving at Good Shepherd in August.

Last week, many members of our congregation had the opportunity to meet Pastor Tim during an informal gathering on campus. The evening confirmed what the search team and Council experienced throughout the call process: a thoughtful, gracious leader with a deep love for Jesus and His Church. We are excited to welcome him to Good Shepherd this August and look forward to the ways God will use his gifts among us.

We are deeply grateful for the members of the search team who invested many months in prayer, interviews, discernment, and conversation. We are excited to welcome Pastor Tim and look forward to the gifts, experience, and leadership he will bring to our church family.
As Good Shepherd continues to grow, Council remains committed to supporting our staff and ensuring that our leadership structure is healthy, sustainable, and aligned with our mission.

Financial Stewardship

Council reviews the financial health of the church every month, and we are thankful to report that Good Shepherd remains in a strong financial position.

Giving has remained strong throughout the year, allowing us to support ministry initiatives, complete major facility projects, invest in missions, and maintain healthy reserves. We continue to be grateful for the faithfulness and generosity of this congregation.

Behind the scenes, Council and staff are also evaluating long-term financial practices, reserve strategies, and accountability processes to ensure that we steward the resources entrusted to us wisely and transparently.

Missions and Outreach
Good Shepherd continues to make an impact both locally and globally through our missionaries, our mission partners, and outreach efforts.

Council remains engaged in conversations regarding several of our mission partnerships, including Cherish Watoto, as we seek to balance faithful stewardship with meaningful Kingdom impact. We are grateful for the work being done through our Missions Team and for the many members of our congregation who continue to support these efforts through prayer, service, and generosity.

Future Ministry Leadership Discernment

Earlier this year, Council commissioned a team to explore future pastoral staffing needs at Good Shepherd. As that work has progressed, the team's focus has shifted from filling a specific position to first understanding the needs of our congregation, staff, and ministry areas.

Over the past several months, team members have met with pastors, staff leaders, and ministry leaders to listen, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of where additional leadership may be needed in the years ahead. Rather than beginning with a job posting and searching for a candidate, the team is working to identify the needs first and then determine whether a new position is warranted and what that role should look like.

We believe this slower, more deliberate approach will help ensure that any future staffing decisions are driven by ministry needs and mission priorities rather than by assumptions or timelines.

We are grateful for the faithful service of the members of this discernment team:

David Braner

Karl Cordes

Josiah Eschbach

Pat Hughes

Tara Wheeker

Zane Yu

Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment as they assist Council and staff in thinking about the future of ministry at Good Shepherd.

Looking Ahead

This summer and fall, Pastor Tara Beth and her staff will begin engaging the congregation in a season of prayer, discernment, and visioning as we seek God's direction for the future of Good Shepherd.

As Council, we are excited about what lies ahead. We believe God is continuing to open doors for ministry, deepen discipleship, and expand opportunities to share the Gospel in our community and beyond.

Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, your service, and your trust. It is a privilege to serve alongside you.

In Christ,
Tyler Wojtkiewicz
Church Council President
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Shepherd's Heart 06/26/26

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:11:24 +0000

Good Shepherd,

In some ways, it feels like just yesterday that we were starting demolition in the Worship Center, tearing up carpet and deconstructing the stage. In other ways, it feels as if we’ve been worshiping and doing ministry in the dust forever. It’s hard to believe that nine months (almost to the week) after moving contemporary worship down to the Activity Center, our building project is nearing completion!

I’ve commented many times about how much fun it’s been for me to come to church every day and see the progress made. The real joy, though, has been seeing your faces light up each Sunday (and in between) as you’ve seen the progress being made! From the first looks through the archway into the new Chapel, to the “I didn’t know that wall was coming down” surprises, I have loved nearly every step of walking this journey with you! Here are a few more memories that I will hold dearly forever:

Raising the shade to reveal the new stained glass window for the first time on Mother’s Day … and still seeing people experience the “Creation’s Symphony” in new ways
Watching nearly every single person who enters or exits through the front doors stop to find first, Good Shepherd, and second, their own home on the giant map of those who we are called to invite to walk together in the calling of Christ for a life of eternal impact
Honoring the past of the Sanctuary by restoring the chancel furniture and two sanctuary doors for use in the new Chapel
Seeing people of all abilities have the opportunity to get out from under the weather and enter our church in a more comfortable and accommodating way
Finding the place where my family signed the concrete floor of the (then) Worship Center seventeen years ago AND signing the floor again to commemorate new beginnings for the sacred space (We wrote two verses: Isaiah 43:19 and Deuteronomy 28:6)

The past couple of Sundays, your one and only question for me has been about the Sanctuary … “Will it be ready for the 28th?” Here’s what I can promise you:

No one is working harder than our Worship and Tech Teams to be ready!
It will be bright!
It will be loud!
Pastor Tara Beth will preach the Word as boldly as she ever has!
Ryan Hammer and the band will lead us to worship as passionately as we ever have!
The Holy Spirit will be present, just as He always is at Good Shepherd!

DO NOT MISS IT!

Love you, Church! You are a blessing to me and many!

-Tom

Shepherd's Heart 06/19/26

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:08:38 +0000

Dear Good Shepherd,

I am humbled by the way God is moving in the life of Good Shepherd. Whether it is VBS planning, our grief group, weekly men’s Bible studies, or students sent to work camp… I see the incredible hand of God among us. The Lord has been faithful across our groups, serving teams, and ministries.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not humans.” Colossians 3:23

This verse is a familiar one, and it offers deep wisdom to us. When we grow weary, when we wonder if what we do matters, or if we are truly making a difference, we can be confident that God sees us. Sometimes, we can get caught up in the routine habits of life and forget that what we do, our work, and how we serve matters greatly. When we keep our heart and intentions rooted in Christ, we can be sure that what we do has true meaning and purpose.

As the family of God, we have the blessed opportunity to work for the Lord… together. This summer, our grief team is serving every week to walk with people in our community who are hurting as they grieve. We do not want anyone to grieve alone. God raised up this grief ministry almost six years ago, and it is an honor that the Lord has called us to walk with and care for those who grieve. I see our grief team serving with the intent that they are serving the Lord. With hearts in the right place, they are making a difference for God’s kingdom as they help people find hope in the Lord.

As God works through Good Shepherd, it is beautiful to see so many of our congregants leading, serving, learning, and partnering with God. My hope and prayer is that we stay rooted in Christ as willing vessels that He is accomplishing His goodness in the world through.

It is a joy to partner together and be on mission for God. Every person who calls Good Shepherd their home church is needed and valued. I am grateful for the ways I see so many of our congregants, faithful men and women, using your gifts, giving of your time, and seeking out ways to connect with God and one another.

May God continue to lead, anoint, and encourage us as we are working for Him!

Love and God bless,
Pastor Pamela

Shepherd's Heart 6/12/26

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:25:17 +0000

Good Shepherd Family,

For nearly five decades, Good Shepherd has refused to keep its faith contained within its walls. Instead, we have lived it—in kitchens and classrooms, shelters and food pantries, prayer circles and packing lines. We have embraced God's call to serve our neighbors near and far, and time and again we have witnessed what happens when ordinary people offer their time, gifts, and compassion to God: He multiplies them in ways we could never imagine.

Mission Never Takes a Summer Break

As our schedules shift and routines change, God's invitation remains the same: to love and serve our neighbors near and far. Whether serving families in DuPage County or supporting vulnerable children across the globe, every act of generosity becomes part of the story God is writing through our congregation.

At Cherish Watoto in Kenya, students recently participated in a county-wide music festival during their second school term. What a beautiful reminder that because of your generosity, children who have faced tremendous obstacles are not only receiving an education, nutritious meals, and loving care—they are also discovering their God-given gifts and finding new ways to dream and shine. Thank you for helping create opportunities for our global neighbors to flourish and share their talents with confidence and joy.

Closer to home, opportunities to serve continue each month through partnerships like Loaves & Fishes, Hesed House, DuPage Care Center, Prison Ministry, and our faithful quilting ministry. These ministries remind us that missional living is not reserved for a select few—it is an invitation extended to all of us to love and serve our neighbors right here in our own community.

This Sunday, 47 of our high school students and 9 adult leaders will travel to Mt. Gilead, Ohio, for a week of home repair projects in a low-income community. They will serve with hammers, paint, and, most importantly, their presence. These experiences are often life-changing not only for the residents they serve, but also for the students themselves as they discover what it means to live out their faith through service. Please join me in praying for safe travels, meaningful relationships, and an impactful week as they share the love of Christ through both their work and their witness.

Looking ahead, we are excited to host Mission Trip Interest Lunch & Learns later this summer as part of our Sent to Serve sermon series. Whether you have traveled before or are simply curious about what God might be stirring in your heart, these gatherings will offer a chance to explore how and where you might participate in God's work around the world.

We are also grateful to welcome Karen Lindflott as our new Missions Coordinator. Karen is already helping strengthen our ministry by implementing a new child sponsorship software platform for Cherish Watoto and enhancing communication with our sponsors and supporters. Her gifts will help us deepen connections between our congregation and the mission partners we serve alongside, both locally and globally.

Thank you for being a congregation that continues to say "yes" to God's call. Together, we are serving our neighbors near and far, sharing the love of Christ, strengthening communities, and helping transform lives—one act of faithfulness at a time.

So grateful to be on this journey alongside you!

Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister

Juneteenth Book Recommendations from Mosaic

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:20:11 +0000

Below you'll find a list of book recommendations that were provided by our Mosaic group ahead of Juneteenth. If you're interested in joining the group or have questions, you can find more information about them on our groups page.

Please also consider joining our Mosaic group at an event to celebrate Juneteenth.

We're grateful for the recommendations from Mosaic and their continual efforts to help Good Shepherd better reflect the community we live in and serve in every day.

Shepherd's Heart 6/5/26

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:18:35 +0000

Good Shepherd,

Summer brings a substantial shift in energy around Good Shepherd. Some weeks are strangely quiet… and many others are filled with excitement. Most of the time, it’s because kids and students have something special going on.

It fills me with a particular kind of joy when young people gather together in worship and service. There is nothing like a crowd of young voices jumping, dancing, and singing their hearts out to God. Kids and students worship with a kind of unhindered joy that is contagious. I get a front row seat to the many times our youth will be praising together this summer.

Just this week, over 70 middle schoolers and 50 high school and adult leaders spent every night at Good Shepherd as part of our middle school camp, Eternal Impact. Parents coordinated dinners, high schoolers led small groups, students played at church with fishing, baking, show choir, and other activity treks. All week this group learned about what Jesus finished on the cross- the display of God’s love for us, the victory over sin, and the triumph over death. They worshipped with a full band in the chapel for the first time and every single person had a smile on their face after witnessing the joy in this group.

And today, even as this email is being sent, these students and leaders are still at Good Shepherd taking the concepts they’ve learned this week and putting them into action in service. They are doing projects for local mission partners, spreading mulch around the property, and creating tangible ways to love on our home bound members. They are worshipping not just in song but in action for our community.

But our middle schoolers aren’t the only ones with opportunities like Eternal Impact. In just over a week, our high schoolers will travel to Mt Gilead, OH for a week of home repair projects. 9 adults have given up a week of vacation to take 47 students on Workcamp where they will dance the “Get Down” dance and flood the stage for worship. But they’ll also learn what it means to have Jesus illuminate their lives and empower them to shine that light into the community. They will serve with hammers, paint, and presence for this low income area and it is life changing for the residents and students.

Kids 5th grade and younger will have their turn in July when we transform the building into a rainforest wonderland and welcome over 400 kids and countless leaders for VBS, Vacation Bible School at Good Shepherd. VBS is more than a party. It's more than a dizzying amount of activity packed into a few hours. VBS is a chance for kids to encounter real community, that is generous with their time and resources, and joyful in worship! Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?!

One of my favorite parts of VBS is the focus on generosity. Kids spend the morning (or afternoon) at VBS, then go have a lemonade stand in their neighborhood. They do chores willingly, and find incredibly creative ways to raise funds for a cause close to their, and our, hearts.

I get a front row seat to all of this, but I want you all to get to see it too.

As we prepare for all the ways that summer gives us space to help the next generation grow in worship and service, I want you to witness it for yourself.

Plan to linger for lunch after service on Sunday, June 21. Our Workcamp students will be returning from camp and they will be buzzing with stories (“God Sightings”) that they can’t wait to share. Come hear what God is doing within them.

Consider how you can join in to make VBS happen July 13-17. You have heard the stories, you’ve seen the dancing. Come see for yourself what happens when kids encounter Jesus. Check out the leader's registration to see what roles are still available.

The role of the shepherd is not to be the solo observer of beautiful things. It’s to guide the flock so that we experience it together. I love my front row seat to summer in Family Life and I want you to come sit with me. Whether it’s listening to stories or jumping in to serve with them, don’t miss out on getting the glimpses of the Spirit in this next generation. Your faith will be strengthen when you witness the contagious ways they worship and serve.

It's going to be a great Summer.

-Pastor Elisabeth

Shepherd's Heart 5/29/26

Fri, 29 May 2026 11:38:04 +0000

Dear ones,

Let me tell you what people do with the book of Revelation.

Some are afraid of it. They’ve heard enough sermons about beasts and bowls and blood-red moons to last a lifetime, and they’ve decided this part of the Bible isn’t for them. It’s too strange. Too violent. Too easily weaponized by people who seem certain about things no one should be certain about.

Some have mastered it. Or they think they have. They’ve got the charts. The timelines. The decoder rings. They can tell you which nation is which beast and which world event is which trumpet. Revelation, for them, has become a puzzle to be solved.

Some treat it as a calendar. A countdown. A roadmap to the end of the world that helpfully confirms whatever they already suspected about whoever they already feared.

And some of us, honestly, just skip it.

Hear me on this. None of those is what Revelation is for.

Revelation is a pastoral letter.

Let that land. The same genre as Paul writing to the Philippians. The same genre as the letter you’re reading right now. John the Seer is writing to seven real churches in real cities under real pressure, and he is writing to form them. To strengthen them. To help them see clearly when empire’s fog makes clear sight nearly impossible.

It is not a code.

It is not a timeline.

It is not a tool to terrify children or sell paperbacks.

It is a vision of Jesus, the slain and risen Lamb, who is somehow seated on the throne of the universe. It is a tearing back of the curtain so the church can see what is actually happening behind the headlines. Empires that look invincible are not. Babylon, whatever Babylon is wearing this season, falls. And the Lamb who was slain is the one history bends toward.

This is a book for the suffering church. For the confused church. For the church tempted to compromise with whatever power is offering protection that week.

In other words. It is a book for us.

Here is what I want you to hear this summer as we journey through the book of Revelation together.

Revelation will not master us if we try to master it. The book resists that kind of approach. It was written in symbol and song and liturgy and lament, and it asks to be read the way you’d read a poem written by someone in prison who still believes God is on the throne.

When we read it that way, something happens.

Our imaginations get reordered. We stop seeing the world the way cable news sees it and start seeing it the way the Lamb sees it. We notice the costumes empire wears. We learn to worship in the face of fear. We refuse to bow to beasts even when bowing would be easier.

This is dissident discipleship. That phrase belongs to Scot McKnight, and it captures something the church in America desperately needs to recover.

Revelation is not predictive. It is formative.

And formation is what we are after.

This Sunday, May 31, my dear friend and mentor Dr. Scot McKnight will be with us preaching at all four services. Scot is one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars and arguably the most trusted pastoral voice on Revelation writing today. He’ll open the series in Revelation 16 and 17, where Babylon gets unmasked.

You don’t want to miss this. Bring someone. Come early.

We are not preaching a sermon or two on Revelation and moving on. We are spending the whole summer here. Ten weeks. Four movements:

Babylon unmasked. Christ unveiled. The church formed and the beasts named. The eschatological resolution where God makes all things new.

I’m asking something of you.

Don’t let this series just wash over you. Don’t let it be background music to your summer travel and your pool days and your busy Junes. Let the text do its work. Read ahead. Read slow. Read it out loud sometimes, because that’s how the seven churches first received it.

And join us on Tuesday nights. Pastor Elisabeth will be leading a study walking through Revelation alongside the preaching, and that room is going to be one of the best places in our church this summer to ask hard questions, sit with strange images, and let scripture form you in community. There's still a few spots left!

Here is what I believe. I believe the book of Revelation can transform your heart and your mind this summer if you’ll let it. I believe it can loosen empire’s grip on your imagination. I believe it can give you courage you didn’t know you needed.

But only if we stop trying to master it.

And start letting it master us.

See you Sunday.

From my heart,

Pastor Tara Beth
.

Shepherd's Heart 5/22/26

Thu, 21 May 2026 16:43:09 +0000

Friends,

I have two updates for you today, and I hope you are able to take the time to read both.

As I write this, our team is setting up everything we need for Claimed by God Sunday, our annual celebration of baptisms, which will once again help us celebrate Pentecost and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our community.

Some of you are already planning on being baptized. This is something you’ve already talked to a pastor about or a ministry leader, and you’re showing up READY to go! It’s going to be a thrilling morning.

Some of you are planning on remembering your baptism. Maybe that looks like you getting fully immersed in water, maybe that it looks like having someone offer a blessing as they put the sign of the cross on your forehead. Either way, you’re intentionally creating space between you and God and how you are claimed by Him. I’m so excited!

Here’s my challenge to you. Some of you are going to worship on Sunday and you’re going to feel like God wants you to take a step of faith and participate in Claimed by God Sunday. We’ll have some extra towels, and your clothes will dry. Don’t let logistics get in the way of something like this!

With that challenge, I also have an invitation.

All of us are invited. Some of you have been around for Claimed by God the last couple of years, and some of you were here when we did Claimed by God before COVID. I want to make abundantly clear that this is a celebration of baptisms for our whole community. This isn’t just a party in the parking lot for our younger members of the church. This is for everybody.

All of this is happening outside of Door 1, so anyone will be able to physically get to this part of our parking lot. With the option for a sign of the cross being placed on your forehead, there’s no need to worry about getting your clothes or hair or makeup wet right after church. Most importantly, I promise you that the joy of witnessing someone, even someone you haven’t met yet, take a step in their faith life by getting baptized or remembering their baptism is always worth it. I’ve had so many amazing, life-changing moments in this community, but the joy of Claimed by God is truly unique, and I hope all of you will be a part of this. Don’t rush out on Sunday. Linger between services. Stay late after the second service. Join us, and see what God will do.

Lastly, I want to let you all know about an important update to our timeline with opening the Sanctuary for Contemporary Worship. If you’ve been tracking closely with us, you know that we were hoping to open the Sanctuary for Contemporary Worship on June 7, 2026. As we look ahead to that date and see the technical complexity of what’s left to be completed, we decided to adjust that date to June 28th. Again, barring any major setback, June 28, 2026 will be when we open our Sanctuary for Contemporary Worship. I’m excited about what God is going to do in that environment, and anxiously awaiting that reveal weekend when you all will see what our team has been working so hard ever since we moved back to the Activity Center. God’s timing is always perfect, and I’m confident He is working on something truly special for that Sunday.

I, for one, can’t wait.

-Ryan Hammer
Worship & Creative Arts Executive Minister

Shepherd's Heart 5/15/26

Fri, 15 May 2026 12:08:00 +0000

Church Family,

As the announcement regarding Pastor Tim’s hiring as Executive Pastor of Ministries is shared, we know many in our congregation may have questions about the process that led us here. Our hope is to provide some additional clarity and transparency regarding the work of the Search Team and Church Council over the past several months.

In late 2025, Church Council voted to form a Search Team to assist in the discernment and hiring process for an Executive Pastor of Ministries role at Good Shepherd. While this position is considered a staff hire and therefore does not require a congregational vote under our constitution, Council intentionally chose to involve members of the congregation in the process in order to honor the collaborative discernment practices that have historically been important to our church community.

The Search Team consisted of John Felton, Carol Selander, Lauren Reyes-Yu, Steve Marks, Kevin Peart and Vicki Abbinante. On behalf of Council, we are so grateful for their time, thoughtful deliberation to this process, and dedication to our church.

We also want to acknowledge upfront that we should have communicated the formation of this team more clearly and earlier in the process. That feedback is fair, and we understand why members may feel surprised by how quickly this announcement has come. While portions of pastoral hiring processes require confidentiality for both candidates and congregations involved, more public communication about the team and its progress would have been beneficial.

The search formally began with Search Team meetings in January 2026. Applications were opened and received in March, with a total of 24 applicants entering the process. Every applicant received an initial phone screening. From there, the team conducted six first-round interviews and two second-round interviews as part of their discernment and evaluation process.

Pastor Tim entered the process in March. After completing interviews and discussion, the Search Team entered a period of prayer and discernment together before independently sharing which candidate each member felt called to recommend for the role. While the team was deeply impressed by multiple candidates, there was a clear consensus that Pastor Tim Nybroten was the strongest fit for the Executive Pastor of Ministries position. Following those interviews, prayer, discussion, and discernment, the Search Team brought forward a recommendation to Council on April 22. Council then met directly with Pastor Tim on May 7 before affirming the recommendation and moving forward with the hire.

The team valued Tim’s experience serving in both senior and associate pastor roles, his Lutheran theological background and seminary training, his passion for congregational care, and his demonstrated organizational and leadership strengths. The team also felt it was important to recommend a pastor grounded in Lutheran theology and teaching. In addition to his leadership experience, the team believed Tim’s relational and approachable personality would allow him to connect well across generations within the congregation.
We also want to provide clarity regarding congregational voting. Under Good Shepherd’s governing documents, congregational votes are required for Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor Calls.

Pastor Tim will report to Pastor Tara Beth, and the Executive Pastor of Ministries position is considered a staff hire, which falls under Church Council’s hiring authority.

As part of our ongoing governance discussions within our LCMC structure, Council has also been moving toward a model where congregational voting is reserved for the Senior Pastor role moving forward.

Even with that authority in place, Council believed it was important to involve trusted members of the congregation in this process through the formation of a Search Team. It is the responsibility of our Council to discern the best possible path for any pastoral hire, and having a staff hire for this role was the clear choice. Our goal throughout has been to balance transparency, prayerful discernment, constitutional responsibility, and care for both candidates and congregation alike.

We recognize that transitions and staffing decisions can create excitement, questions, and sometimes concern. That is normal in the life of a church. We remain committed to communicating honestly and faithfully.

Thank you for your continued care, prayers, and investment in the life of Good Shepherd.

Grace and peace,
Tyler Wojtkiewicz
Council President ‘24-‘26

Announcement of Pastor Tim Nybroten

Fri, 15 May 2026 11:17:18 +0000

Dear Good Shepherd Family,

I have joyful news to share with you. After months of prayerful discernment, conversations, and discovery, we have extended a call to Pastor Tim Nybroen to serve as our Executive Pastor of Ministries at Good Shepherd Church.

I cannot wait for you to meet him.

Tim will provide oversight, coaching, encouragement, and care to the ministry areas that shape so much of our common life together: Family Life, Care, Adult Ministries, and Missions. To be clear, these ministries will continue to be led by the wonderful staff teams you already know and love. Tim's role is not to replace what they do so beautifully, but to come alongside them, to shepherd the shepherds, so to speak, providing the kind of pastoral leadership and care that helps each of them flourish in their callings.

Tim brings over twenty years of pastoral experience, much of it in large and multi-campus churches. When I first met him last November, I was immediately drawn to his humility and his gentle strength. He is a pastor who is deeply passionate about relationships, about pastoral care, and about helping people flourish in their faith. In January, Jeff and I had the gift of spending time with Tim and his wife Chandra at a Lutheran retreat in California, and I came so encouraged. They are a wonderful couple whose love for the Lord is clear and evident in everything they do. Tim is an ordained pastor in the ELCA, and he is enthusiastic about joining the LCMC family with us.

This is a new role at Good Shepherd, and it represents a meaningful step forward for the health of our staff and our church. As we have grown, and as I have watched and learned from other thriving LCMC churches, it has become clear that this kind of role is exactly what our season requires.

Historically, Good Shepherd has held a congregational vote for incoming pastors. After consultation with our Church Council and through prayerful study of staff models that we see throughout the LCMC - particularly from other growing LCMC churches with multiple pastors on staff — we are moving toward a process in which a Pastoral Search Team does the vetting of candidates and the Church Council does the voting on behalf of the congregation.

This is a shift, and I want to honor that. It is not a shift away from you; it is a shift toward a structure that allows us to steward growth wisely, call gifted pastors with the discernment such decisions deserve, and, in churches our size, lean on those entrusted with the governance work on the behalf of the congregation.

I share all of this with you because I believe you deserve to know not only who we are calling, but how we are growing into the church God is forming us to be. None of this is change for change's sake. All of it is rooted in our deep desire to be faithful. We want to be faithful to Christ, faithful to one another, and faithful to the calling God has placed on Good Shepherd in this season.

Please join me in praying for Tim and Chandra as they prepare for this transition. I cannot wait to introduce them to you. Tim's first Sunday will be Sunday, August 23rd, and we will have an opportunity for you to meet him at a date TBD in June for a Pastoral Meet and Greet.

The future is bright, friends. God is doing something here. I am grateful, as always, to be your pastor.

With joy,
Pastor Tara Beth

Shepherd's Heart 5/8/26

Fri, 08 May 2026 12:51:25 +0000

Good Shepherd Family,

One of the best parts of my job is having a front-row seat to what God is doing in our community.

I see the care Carol Green puts into making every item that comes out of the café feel special and reflect the hospitality of this place.
I see the thoughtfulness of Chris Rechsteiner and Ian Zamora, our incredible Disability Ministry team, as they connect with every family. When we talk about inviting everyone to walk together in the calling of Christ for a life of eternal impact, we truly mean everyone.
I get to celebrate alongside our Council, Tom Anderson, the building team, and so many of you who have served faithfully, as the countless hours invested into the renovations at 1310 Shepherd Drive move from vision to reality.
I get to cheer on our Worship Team and production partners as they thoughtfully work through every detail of our new Chapel and renovated Sanctuary.

Believe it or not, I’m not sharing all of this just to tell you how much I enjoy my job. I wanted to take a moment to name some of these observations (and honestly, I could list 100 more) because I want to encourage you to pay attention. Whether you’re here on a Sunday morning, a Monday night, or a Tuesday morning, I hope you take a moment to look around and notice the tangible ways God is moving in and through this community at 1310 Shepherd Drive.

Last night, I had the privilege of attending our Theology Cohort Preview Night, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The presence of the Holy Spirit in that room was tangible. I could feel it the moment I walked in, and I know I wasn’t the only one who sensed it.

Over the past year, this group of leaders that made up our Cohorts committed themselves to studying Scripture, building deeper relationships, and leaning in fully. They brought their questions, doubts, insecurities, experiences, and honest reflections week after week. And if you don’t believe me, just know that every person I spoke with was excited about the homework they had been given. Only God can make that possible!

While I absolutely hope all of you participate in our Theology Cohorts when they return this fall, I also believe there’s something all of us can learn from the example these leaders have set.

We didn’t walk through the Forward Generosity Initiative simply so we could have a nicer building. We did it because Good Shepherd spent years in a season of “hurry up and wait.”

Wait through pastoral transitions and staff changes.
Wait through the pandemic.
Wait for building improvements.

Those who went through Cohorts didn't wait and we don't have to wait anymore. Yet, if we want to fully live into all God has for us, we must also be willing to fully lean in.

May we all have the discipline to lean into His Word, the patience to discern what He has for us next, and the trust to believe He will guide our steps.

Trusting in Him,
Ross Cochran
Communications Director

Shepherd's Heart 5/1/26

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:33:03 +0000

Dear ones,

I have been sitting with a feeling all week that I cannot quite name. It is gratitude, yes. It is wonder, yes. But it is something more than any one of those words can hold by itself. It is the kind of feeling that comes when you stand at the edge of something holy and realize you have been standing there for a long time without knowing it.

This is what I want to say first, before anything else: I am so grateful for what God is doing in our midst. The last three years have felt a whirlwind of change and growth and new wineskins.

I do not say that lightly. I say it as someone who has watched this congregation over the last few years lean into the Spirit's work with a kind of holy hunger that I do not take for granted. I have watched you show up. I have watched you give. I have watched you welcome neighbors and strangers and the curious and the wounded. I have watched you say yes to renewal even when renewal asked something of you. The growth we are experiencing is not a strategy or a program or a clever idea. It is the fruit of a community that has chosen, again and again, to make room for the Holy Spirit to move. And the Spirit is moving. I can feel it in the prayers during worship. I can feel it in the conversations that linger long after the benediction. I can feel it in the way people are bringing friends, bringing children, bringing their honest questions and their unhealed places. Something is happening here. And I want you to know, from the bottom of my pastoral heart, that I see it, and I am thankful.

But I also need to name what is in front of us this Sunday.

This Sunday, our traditional worship service will gather in the sanctuary for the last time before we move into the chapel. I have been thinking about that all week. I have been walking through the sanctuary in the quiet hours, running my hand along the pews, looking up at the windows, remembering. And I think you should know that I feel the weight of it. I feel the weight of it because you have told me what that room means. I feel the weight of it because I know what has happened in that space.

That sanctuary is where couples have stood and made promises that shaped the rest of their lives. That sanctuary is where families have wept over caskets and somehow, by the grace of God, sung resurrection songs through their tears. That sanctuary is where babies have been baptized, where confirmands have answered their first vows, where prodigals have come home, where the dying have received communion one last time, where the prayers of generations have soaked into the wood and the stone. There is no piece of furniture in that room that has not held a story. There is no square foot of that floor that has not been wet with someone's tears or worn by someone's knees.

And it is all there because of you. Because of the faithfulness of the saints who came before us, who poured themselves out so that there would be a place for us to gather. Fifty years of generosity. Fifty years of building, repairing, cleaning, polishing, donating, pledging, sacrificing. The pews you sit in were paid for by people who loved a Jesus they were trusting you would also love. That is what a sanctuary is. It is not just a building. It is the visible memory of a community's love for God, made tangible in wood and glass and stone.

So this Sunday, we are not just transitioning to a new worship space for a new season. We are pausing to honor what God has done in this one. We are going to mark it the way the church has always marked sacred transitions, with liturgy. Together we will pray a liturgy of spaces, blessing what has been, naming what is, and committing what is to come into the hands of God. At the end of worship, all of our pastors will gather at the front, present together, holding this moment with you. It will be tender. It will be beautiful. And I think, if we let it, it will be one of those moments that you remember for a long time.

We are not closing the sanctuary. We are not abandoning it. We are stewarding it. We are preparing it for the next fifty years, so that when our grandchildren walk into that space, they will encounter beauty that points them to Jesus the way the saints before us prepared beauty for us. The move is not a departure from our heritage. It is the continuation of it. The same generosity that built this sanctuary in the first place is the generosity that will renew it now. And the chapel, where we will gather in the following week, will become its own kind of holy ground. The Spirit is not confined to a room. The Spirit goes where the people of God go. And we are going together.

Some of you will need to grieve this Sunday. Please do. Grief is not the opposite of faith. Grief is one of the languages faith speaks when it is being honest. If you find yourself with tears in your eyes, let them come. If you find yourself remembering the wedding, the funeral, the baptism, the moment when something cracked open in you and God met you there, let yourself remember. That is not nostalgia. That is gratitude. That is the kind of remembering the Scriptures call us to all the time.

And then, after we have remembered well, we will turn our faces toward what is coming.
Which brings me to one more thing.

This Sunday, immediately following worship, we will hold our annual meeting. I know annual meetings can feel like the kind of thing you can skip. I know there is laundry to do and lunch to make and a sports game (or a nap) calling your name. But I want to ask you, as your pastor, to stay. Please stay.

The annual meeting is not a formality. It is one of the most important gatherings we have all year. It is where we do the slow, faithful, ordinary work of being a congregation together. We will look back at what God has done. We will look forward to what God is calling us into. We will vote on the budget that will fund the ministry of this church for the coming year. We will vote on the church council members who will steward our common life. We will dream about the future together. Your voice matters in that room. Your prayers matter in that room. Your presence matters in that room. Click here for all the information you need before the meeting.

A church is not built only by what happens on Sunday morning. A church is built by people who keep showing up for the unglamorous parts. The committee meetings. The budgets. The votes. The questions about heating systems and sanctuary renovations and how we will be faithful with what God has entrusted to us. These are not separate from worship. These are worship. This is what stewardship looks like in a congregation that takes its calling seriously.

So come this Sunday. Come ready to grieve well and remember well and worship well in the sanctuary one more time. Come ready to bless the space that has held us. Come ready to step into the chapel with hope. And then come ready to stay, to engage, to vote, to dream, to be the church that decides together what we are going to do with this beautiful gift God has given us.

I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be your pastor in this moment. To watch what God is doing here. To stand with you at the threshold of what is coming. There is so much ahead of us. And we are going to walk into it together.

From my heart,

Pastor Tara Beth

AAPI Month - Presented by MOSAIC

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:19:19 +0000

Good Shepherd Family,

May provides an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the impact on those that make up the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities because May is AAPI Heritiage Month.

Mosaic, a safe and inclusive space for people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) exists at Good Shepherd to offer support to one another and discuss shared experiences. Mosaic provides a platform for community, empowerment, and advocacy at Good Shepherd.

Zane Yu, one of the leaders of Mosaic, had put together a newsletter and you can read that newsletter here. On May 17th I hope you take the opportunity to connect with some of the folks that make up Mosaic outside of services at the MOSAIC table booth for more info, trivia, and prizes.

I'm grateful for the advocacy work of Mosaic, and for any chance to reflect on the impact people from the AAPI community have made an impact on our world.

--Ross Cochran
Communications Director

Shepherd's Heart 4/24/26

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:47:25 +0000

Good Shepherd Family,

Dear Good Shepherd,

You are warmly invited to join us for our Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at
12:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, immediately following worship. Lunch will be served as we
gather together for this important moment in the life of our church.

The Annual Meeting is an opportunity to celebrate what God has been doing in and
through Good Shepherd over the past year, and to look ahead with clarity and purpose.
We will share updates on key areas of ministry, review and act on important matters
before the congregation, and continue our commitment to transparent and faithful
stewardship of the resources entrusted to us.

We are pleased to offer both in-person and online participation this year. Those joining
remotely will be able to participate fully, including voting. A Zoom link, along with
instructions for online participation and voting, will be provided in next week’s
communications.

All materials for the meeting, including the proposed budget, nominations, and any
additional items, are available on the Council page of our website. We
encourage you to review these materials in advance so you can come prepared to
engage in the conversation.

A quorum for the meeting is defined as 10% of voting members. Voting members are
those who have participated in Holy Communion and made a contribution of record in
the current or preceding calendar year.

Childcare will be available during the meeting for families who may need it.

Your presence matters. Whether you attend in person or online, your voice is an
important part of who we are as a congregation. We hope you will join us as we reflect,
celebrate, and step forward together in faith.

Grace and peace,
Tyler Wojtkiewicz, Council President

Shepherd's Heart 4/17/26

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:26:40 +0000

Earlier this week someone asked me, “What’s your favorite part of your job?”

It took me a minute, but I think my honest answer right now is teaching the sacraments.

I knew I was a Lutheran pastor because of my growing appreciation for baptism and communion. I often tell people that the sacraments wrap us up into the story of God. God claims us as his own in the waters of baptism and reminds us of that identity every time we eat the bread and wine. The sacraments don’t allow us to sit back and observe the resurrection and applaud. They draw us in, declare the truth of God over us, and send us out to participate in God’s mission of living out the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

We are in a season right now where the sacraments seem to be at the forefront. Our sermon series through Eastertide is going to remind us what baptism accomplishes in us. I have led three baptism classes for teenagers in the last month. As I write this, we have seven baptisms on the schedule between Easter and Pentecost. And that’s not counting all that will occurring during our Claimed by God celebration on May 24! We did a small communion class for four students who have been asking to learn more about this worship practice. And we have thirty-three high schoolers who are affirming their baptisms through Confirmation this Sunday at 10:45am!

Each one of these young people are being wrapped into the Story of God through baptisms and communion. They are not just learning about Jesus, they are experiencing the grace of God that he perpetually offers us. They are experiencing being buried with Christ and being raised to new life. They are standing in confidence that they are free from sin. They are being clothed with Christ and recognizing that Christ’s death was for them, specifically…for them too!

I love declaring this over the young people in our congregation. I love teaching about God’s great story of love and forgiveness and redemption. I love answering random questions and hearing how freshmen process the Trinity. I love when middle schoolers say to their parents, “I think I want to get baptized.”

What gift it is to receive the love and presence of Christ in communion! What beauty it is to watch God’s family grow in baptism! What joy it is to witness the stirring of the Spirit in those who affirm their baptism!

I love my job! And I am so excited to be the church together that has so much to celebrate in the weeks ahead!

- Pastor Elisabeth

Council Update: Winter 2025-2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:04:32 +0000

Council Update: Winter 2025–2026

Over the past several months, your Congregational Council has been actively focused on stewarding a season of meaningful growth and transition at Good Shepherd. Much of our work has centered around the ongoing building project, which continues to make steady and visible progress. While construction has brought some temporary disruption, we are thrilled by how the project is taking shape and remain confident in both the direction and long-term impact of these improvements on our worship and community life.

At the same time, we are grateful for the continued generosity of our congregation. Recent giving and commitment levels have provided strong momentum, allowing us not only to sustain ministry but also to move forward with key initiatives and project decisions with confidence. This generosity has been essential as we navigate both current needs and future opportunities.

Council has also been focused on pastoral staffing and leadership development for the future. Two pastoral search teams have been formed. One focused on an Executive Pastor of Ministry role and another taking time to evaluate and discern future pastoral needs before beginning a search. This approach reflects both a sense of urgency in key areas and a desire to be thoughtful and prayerful in long-term staffing decisions.

Key Updates from Council Work

Continued progress on the sanctuary and campus renovation project, with major construction milestones underway and ongoing evaluation of project scope and priorities
Strong participation in the FORWARD Generosity Initiative, helping position the church well financially as we move into the next season
Formation and launch of two pastoral search teams to address both immediate and future staffing needs
Several key staff hires and role transitions to support ministry operations and growth
Receipt of a $150,000 safety and security grant, which will fund important campus safety improvements
Continued response and care related to the Cherish Watoto situation, with efforts focused on stability, accountability, and ongoing support

Looking Ahead

In the months ahead, Council will continue to focus on completing the building project, supporting the work of the pastoral search teams, and preparing for the upcoming budget and annual meeting process. We remain committed to clear communication, faithful stewardship, and prayerful leadership as we move forward together.

Yours in Christ,
2025-2026 Good Shepherd Congregational Council

Shepherd's Heart 4/10/26

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:30:23 +0000

A Return to Hope

Five years ago, on my very first trip to Kenya, the children of Cherish Watoto stole my heart. I’ve returned every year since, and what a joy and privilege it has been to watch these children grow—year after year—right before my eyes.

These are children who come from vulnerable situations, many orphaned or living in extreme poverty. Without Cherish Watoto, their stories may have looked very different. But because this church boldly said yes to God’s invitation over two decades ago, hope was planted. Opportunity was created. Lives were changed.

I am deeply grateful to be part of a church that continues to say, we can, and we must, do better for these children.

This most recent trip, however, carried a different weight. It was emotional. The staff and students have endured a season of real hardship, and being together in person mattered more than ever. There was a shared sense of relief—of being seen and heard.

I took time to meet with each staff member—reaffirming our commitment to the mission God originally set before us. Together, we talked about what it will take to move forward, recognizing that rebuilding will require unity, trust, and shared responsibility. And we were reminded of this truth: The same God who was with us in the valley—through challenge, uncertainty, and stretching—is the same God who will lead us to the mountaintop again.

There is, by God’s grace, encouraging progress.

The new interim leadership team has brought structure, wisdom, and calm to Cherish. The children are once again receiving nutritious, well-balanced meals. And we saw it with our own eyes—a clean facility with happy, healthy children, eager to learn. Several students shared that the school feels transformed this year. When children are cared for well, they are able to focus, grow, and flourish.

One of the most important steps during our visit was going classroom to classroom—verifying each student, gathering updated profiles, and capturing new photos. This will support the launch of a new digital sponsorship system, strengthening both financial accountability and communication with our supporters. I am especially grateful for Sue Halford and Irene Temple, who invested countless hours to help move this important work forward.

The children and staff were eager to send greetings back to all of you. They send their love, gratitude, and heartfelt thanks for believing in them. For many sponsors, we brought back handwritten letters from students, which are available at the Connect Center.

As we continue moving forward, we are also committed to strengthening accountability. Following a thorough process, the previous Director and Finance Clerk have been terminated, and we are actively working through a forensic review and legal process to establish the full scope of what occurred and determine appropriate next steps—both for full accountability and to recoup losses where possible.

There is still work ahead. Our facilities require repair and attention, and we will continue to prioritize safety and structural improvements as funding allows.

To those who have been walking alongside Cherish Watoto for years—praying, giving, sponsoring, and believing—thank you. Your faithfulness has carried this ministry through both joyful and difficult seasons, and your impact is seen in every child who is learning, growing, and filled with hope today.

And if you feel a stirring to be part of what God is continuing to do at Cherish, we would love to invite you into this work. Whether through prayer, sponsorship, or giving, there is a place for you. If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to reach out to me directly or visit our Cherish page for more details.

This trip reminded me that while seasons may shift, God’s faithfulness does not. And the mission remains clear.

We are not finished. In many ways, we are being invited to begin again—with deeper wisdom, stronger systems, and renewed faith.

Thank you, Good Shepherd, for being a church that continues to show up—with courage, compassion, and generosity.

Because of you, hope is still alive at Cherish Watoto. And the best is yet to come.

Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister

Shepherd's Heart 4/3/26

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:10:42 +0000

Dear Good Shepherd,

The past week offered up a few warm days to head outside and do a little yard work. As
I spoke with my neighbor who was working on his landscape, he was commenting about
the massive amount of daffodil and tulip bulbs I planted for last year’s spring blooming
season. His awareness that yes, they were coming up again was a joy to him as he
said he really enjoyed the blooms that emerged last year. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if the
flowers would emerge for a second year. I had questions as to the quality of the bulbs I
had planted, were they a “one and done” level of quality? I also know from previous
plantings that the bulbs planted provide a feeding environment during the winter for the
local rodent population.

So yes, the blossoms look promising… the bulbs look like they are going to pop again!
Seeing the beautiful flowers brings joy to me, and now I am aware of the joy it brings to
my neighbors. There is new life!

It is so good to know that although the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus was a “one
and done “significant moment, it’s not a “one and done” that says that’s all there is. The
culmination of our Lenten Journey brings us to the Cross and the Empty Tomb that
speaks not just once or even yearly each Lenten Season, it speaks boldly with joy into
our lives every day.

My encouragement is to spend some time with a reflective and thankful heart this
weekend for what God has done and continues to do. It is so very easy to get caught up
in family gatherings, easter baskets, egg hunts and all that the bunny wants to bring into
our lives. My invitation to you is to stop and give thanks for the gift of salvation that God
has given to you… it is once and for all!

May you have a blessed Easter!

Pastor Greg

Shepherd's Heart 3/27/26

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:06:15 +0000

Good Shepherd Family,

There is a word I keep returning to this week.

Liminal.

It comes from the Latin limen — threshold. The space between what was and what is not yet. The doorway.

I have been living in doorways this week.

Not the dramatic kind. Not the kind that announce themselves with trumpets or tearing curtains. The doorway of Tuesday afternoon when the sermon is not finished and the pastoral care emails are stacking up and someone needs something you don't have and the calendar has no margin. The doorway of early morning when the house is still and you sit with your coffee and Mark 16 and you realize the women at the tomb were standing in a doorway too, between Friday's grief and Sunday's rupture, and they did not know which way the door was going to swing.

I am exhausted this week. Bone-deep, good-tired-exhausted. The kind that comes from carrying things that matter. The kind that doesn't mean something is wrong.

This is the week before Holy Week, which means it is the week before everything. The week of last preparations, last rehearsals, last conversations about sound systems and bulletins and whether the Easter lilies will arrive Thursday or Friday. The week of ordinary pastoral work continues. The week of trying to be present to the beauty of what is coming while also keeping the whole machinery of it from falling apart.

It is a lot to hold.

And yet.

There is something I keep noticing underneath the good-kind-of-exhaustion. Something that feels less like weariness and more like weight. Good weight. The weight of something that matters. The weight of a story you are about to carry across a threshold into another year of people who need it, who are bringing their grief and their half-faith and their hunger into a sanctuary on a Sunday morning and hoping — maybe not even letting themselves say it aloud — hoping that something will meet them there.

I keep thinking about the women in Mark 16. They bought their spices. They showed up in the dark. They had not yet heard a word about resurrection; they were still in the part of the story where death wins. And still they came. Still they carried what they had. Still they walked toward the sealed stone.

I think about the ones who will walk through your doors on Easter Sunday. The ones who haven't been in a long time. The ones who come every week and never miss. The ones who are holding something they don't have words for yet. The ones who don't believe but came anyway because grief or hope or habit drove them through a doorway they didn't know what to do with.

They are all standing on a threshold this week too. In the liminal space. In the doorway.

So are we.

So here is what I want to say to you, friend, ministry leader, faithful attender, quiet pray-er at the kitchen table:

You don't have to feel ready. The women weren't ready either. They were grieving and exhausted and still working from the old story. They brought what they had. They walked in the dark. They showed up.

That is enough. That is, somehow, exactly enough.

The stone will already be rolled away.

But we are not there yet.

We are here. In the doorway. In the liminal.

And there is something holy about staying here a moment longer, not rushing past the weight of it, not performing the joy before we've lived through the arrival of it, but just sitting with the fact that something is coming that none of our preparations can fully contain.

The week before is its own kind of sacred.

Receive it.

-Pastor Tara Beth Leach

Shepherd's Heart 3/20/26

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:45:41 +0000

There are moments in life when the noise just feels loud.

Not just audible noise—but the constant hum of schedules, notifications, responsibilities, and the weight of what’s happening in the world around us. Even in our spiritual lives, we can feel the pressure to “say the right words,” “pray the right way,” or “keep up” with everything.

And yet, throughout Scripture, we see a different rhythm emerge.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Stillness is not absence—it’s presence. It’s space. It’s listening.

On Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00pm, we will be hosting a Taizé Worship Service in our Sanctuary, and I want to personally invite you into this sacred space.

If you’ve never experienced Taizé worship before, it is beautifully simple and deeply moving. Originating from the ecumenical Christian community in Taizé, France, this style of worship is centered on:

Simple, repetitive songs and chants that allow truth to sink deeply into our hearts

Extended moments of silence for personal reflection and prayer

Scripture readings that are not rushed, but received

Candlelight and quiet atmosphere that draw us into a posture of peace

A slower pace that invites us to rest in God’s presence rather than strive

(To learn more about Taizé services, listen to Craig Parsons and Ross Cochrans excellent “Encounter Faith” podcast)

Taizé offers space, deep peace, and participation of the heart.

In many ways, it’s a different expression of the same truth we live out every week—that God meets us right where we are. But this gathering gives us the opportunity to encounter Him in the quiet…to listen…to breathe…to be.

For some, this may feel unfamiliar. For others, it may feel like exactly what your soul has been longing for.

In a world that constantly demands our attention, what would it look like to give God our full attention—even for just one hour?

My prayer is that this Taizé service becomes a holy pause in your week—a moment to lay down burdens, to be renewed by God’s presence, and to simply sit with Him.

Whether you come carrying joy, stress, grief, or exhaustion, there is space for you here.

Let’s step into the quiet, and let’s embark on the journey of Holy Week together.

Grace & Peace,

Ryan Hammer
Creative Arts Executive Minister

Shepherd's Heart 3/13/26

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:31:30 +0000

This past weekend, something powerful happened.

Because hundreds of volunteers stepped forward, 412,344 meals were packed—enough to provide daily nourishment for 1,129 children for an entire year. Pause for a moment and take that in.

Because people showed up.
Because hands were willing.
Because hearts were open.

Together with churches, businesses, and community partners from across our region, Feed the Need 2026 became a powerful expression of what happens when people unite around a shared purpose: ensuring children around the world receive the nourishment they need to grow and thrive.

Good Shepherd was strongly represented throughout the entire event. More than 275 of our volunteers packed and labeled meals across six shifts, while 62 additional congregants served as greeters, ambassadors, registration assistants, and specialized volunteers.

At one point during the weekend, a volunteer walked in and said, “I feel like I just walked into Good Shepherd—just in a different location.” And in many ways, that was exactly true.
And the impact extended beyond the packing lines.

Our volunteers also collected 813 pounds of food and supplies for Loaves & Fishes, helping provide care and dignity for neighbors right here in our own community.

This is what happens when God’s people come together.

Meals are packed.
Children are nourished.
Communities are strengthened.
Hope is restored.

Feed the Need is never just about a single weekend. It is a reminder of who we are and what God can do when we step forward together.

And if serving this weekend stirred something in your heart, we invite you to keep that momentum going. Throughout the year, Good Shepherd offers many opportunities to love our neighbors through hands-on service.

Monthly Serving Opportunities
• DuPage Care Center – Third Sunday
• Hesed House – Jan / Mar / May / Jul / Sep / Nov
• Loaves & Fishes – Feb / Apr / Jun / Aug / Oct / Dec
• Prison Ministry – First & Third Saturdays
• Quilting (Thursdays) and Knitting (Tuesdays)

Upcoming Serve Event
Rebuilding Together Aurora Community Block Build – May 8 & 9

Volunteers, skilled trades professionals, and community partners will gather for a two-day transformation on Aurora’s West Side—repairing homes, revitalizing neighborhoods, and rebuilding lives. More than a service project, this effort reflects what is possible when a community shows up for one another.

Mark your calendars and consider joining us. While each of these ministries may look different from Feed the Need, the heartbeat is the same: serving our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and love.

Thank you, Good Shepherd, for once again stepping forward with open hands and willing hearts.

For Jesus. For Our Neighbors. For Our World.

Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister

Shepherd's Heart 3/6/26

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:26:16 +0000

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27

It is such a great privilege serving our Lord and Savior. How blessed we are to get to bring the glory of Jesus Christ forward through servanthood. Over my nearly 30 years at Good Shepherd, I have served in a variety of roles and ministries. Some were an easy fit; others were amusing (ask me about taking my turn bleaching the baby toys); all required dependency on God. One that definitely requires constant communication with the Holy Spirit is serving on the Church Council. Interestingly, I served in this way more than two decades ago. While our pastoral leadership, staff, building, many congregants, and even greater community have changed, the role has not and the need to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance continues to be paramount. A very unique element of this service is that each member is selected by the congregation to fulfill a three-year term. For those who may not be aware, every year, three of the nine members leave upon expiration of their terms, and three new members join who had been voted on by the congregation at the Annual meeting (May 3 in 2026.) The yearly rotation keeps continuity among the remaining six while introducing additional insight and gifts from the newest members. The yearly change ensures additional accountability.

The congregation plays an active role in determining who God is calling and we are asking for your participation now. We are inviting you to nominate individuals (or yourself) that you
believe could serve in this way. Those names are forwarded to the Church Council Discernment Team (composed of former church council members) to prayerfully discern the people who will be placed on the ballot in May. As you reverently consider potential candidates, it might be helpful to know more about the role and a few of the responsibilities.

Working in partnership with the Senior Pastor and staff, the Council is primarily charged with seeing that the provisions of the church’s constitution and its bylaws are carried out. It has general oversight of the activities and long-term planning of the congregation, including its worship life, ensuring that practices are completed in accordance with the Word of God, and the faith and practice of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. The Council oversees staffing of the church, and is responsible for the financial and property matters of the congregation. We each engage in our personal process for hearing the Holy Spirit’s direction and, together, the group engages in corporate prayer. It is our utmost desire to hear and carry out the Will of God.

While I always “report to” my Lord and Savior, I feel a heightened sense of responsibility to the congregation. We are partners in ministry at Good Shepherd and I thank you for playing your role in the Church Council discernment process. Our shared commitment to serving Him binds us and centers our actions. I am beyond grateful for each and every one of you and humbled to serve with you, the incredible body of Christ that is Good Shepherd Church.

Nancy Wiersum
Council Vice President