Christmas Season at Good Shepherd

As we approach the Christmas season, we invite you to share in the joy, hope, and love that comes with the birth of our Savior. This is a time for celebration, connection, and generosity. At Good Shepherd, we have several opportunities for you to engage in meaningful giving, participate in festive events, and attend inspiring worship services that bring our community together.
Serving Opportunity

Help Make Christmas Special at Good Shepherd

Christmas at Good Shepherd is a meaningful and memorable experience, made possible by God’s provision and the dedication of our volunteers. Help us make Good Shepherd a place of belonging for everyone this season by getting involved in one of the serving opportunities below.

UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES

Coming Together in Worship & Celebration

Join us as we come together in worship, reflection, and joy this season. This time of year offers a chance to gather, reflect, and celebrate the blessings in our lives and the gift of Christ’s love. We welcome you to be part of these meaningful moments with our church family.
Thurs, Dec 12 — Fri, Dec 13

Encounter Christmas

This Christmas, give yourself the gift of quiet reflection and peace at Encounter Christmas—an offering designed to help you unplug from the busyness and noise of the world. This year, we’ll focus on the Prince of Peace, embracing the true meaning of the season.
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Join us for this meaningful time of worship at the following service times:

  • Thursday, December 12th — 7:00pm
  • Friday, December 13th — 5:45pm and 7:45pm

We’ll also host an online watch party on Tuesday, December 17th at 6pm.
Saturday, December 21

Blue Christmas Service

Our Blue Christmas Service offers a comforting space to navigate sorrow during the holiday season. We recognize the tension of a season filled with joy and anticipation for Jesus’ birth while carrying the weight of life’s challenges—loss, divorce, addiction, estranged relationships, and more. Join us for an evening of prayer, Christmas music, and reflection as we acknowledge our pain and entrust it to Jesus. 
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Join us for a meaningful time of worship and reflection.
  • Saturday December 21st - 4:00pm

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer."
– Romans 12:12

Contact Pastor Pamela Palmer for more information.

Monday, December 23

Christmas Eve Eve Services

Everyone is welcome to join us as we celebrate Christmas Eve a day early! If you call Good Shepherd home, or will be traveling on Christmas Eve, join us on December 23rd. By attending early, you’ll help make room for guests and newcomers on Christmas Eve, creating a welcoming space for all.
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  • Contemporary Service — 5:00pm
    • Nursery Staffed
    • Disability Ministry Support Available
  • Contemporary Service — 7:00pm
    • Nursery Open

Please register ahead of time if your family is in need of support from our disability ministry for the indicated services.
Tuesday, December 24

Christmas Eve Services

Join us for Christmas Eve services as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ! Christmas Eve is a wonderful tradition at Good Shepherd, and we would love for you and your family to be a part of it.
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  • Family Service — 12:00pm*
    • Nursery Open
  • Traditional Services — 3:00pm & 5:00pm
    • Nursery Staffed at 3pm
    • Disability Ministry Support Available at 3pm
    • Nursery open at 5pm services
  • Contemporary Services — 3:00pm & 5:00pm*
    • Nursery Staffed at 3pm
    • Disability Ministry Support Available at 3pm
    • Nursery open at 5pm services
  • Traditional Service — 7:30pm*
    • Nursery Open
  • Acoustic Service — 11:00pm
    • Nursery Open

Please register ahead of time if your family is in need of support from our disability ministry for the indicated services.

* indicates service will be livestreamed

Sunday, December 29

Christmas Sunday Service

Join us for a special family-oriented Christmas Sunday service. We’ll come together in the Sanctuary to worship, enjoy fun activities, and explore deeper truths from classic Christmas movies. Feel free to bring the whole family in pajamas or your favorite ugly Christmas sweaters—whatever makes you feel comfortable!
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Please note that while the nursery and Fusion programming will run as usual, there will be no other kids’ ministry that day. We can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with you and your family!

  • Family Service — 9:00am*
    • Staffed Nursery
    • Disability Ministry Support Available
  • Family Service — 10:45am
    • Staffed Nursery

Please register ahead of time if your family is in need of support from our disability ministry for the indicated services.

* indicates service will be livestreamed
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
This season, give the best gift of all - the gift of hope - to our neighbors and the world around us!  Whether it is a simple shoebox with needed personal items and toys, meal kits with essential supplies for struggling families, or holiday gifts for foster children and seniors who often feel forgotten, your generosity makes a difference. This is the true spirit of the season: bringing joy to both the giver and the recipient.
Cherish Watoto Kenya Christmas Essentials Meal Kit (Final Collection — 12/15)
Good Shepherd supports 240 children through Cherish Watoto Kenya, and as their school year ends after November’s national exams, many will return to families in the surrounding slums. Though about 60 children live at Cherish, most of our students will be at home until school resumes in January. Sadly, for many, this means facing the holiday season without a daily meal, as families in Nairobi survive on roughly $2.00 a day.

We’re committed to closing this gap! Join us in providing life-sustaining meal kits for each student’s family during the holiday break. This impactful gift can make a world of difference, nourishing both bodies and spirits.

It’s easy to help:

  1. Enter your donation amount. A $40 donation will fill a meal kit for one student, or $70 will provide a family-size meal kit.

  2. In the memo line, select “Holiday Meal Kit.”

  3. Choose your payment option—and that’s it! You’ve helped provide a life-sustaining gift to feed a student and their family this Christmas.

Gift a Meal Kit
UPCOMING EVENTS

Festive Events for Fun & Connection

Come connect, celebrate, and enjoy the joy of community! Our calendar is packed with festive events designed to bring us together. Whether you’re looking to make new friends or spend quality time with loved ones, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Join us as we celebrate the season, make memories, and share in the fun and fellowship that make this time of year so special!
Sunday, December 15

Student Christmas Party

Open to all middle & high school students! On December 15th, during our typical gathering time, we’ll celebrate Christmas together.
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  • 6:30pm – 8:15pm
  • Good Shepherd Church — 1310 Shepherd Dr, Naperville

For more information, reach out to:

Max Schiewe
Middle School Ministry Leader

Collin Puckett
High School Ministry Leader
Monday, December 16

Bears v. Vikings Men's Ministry Watch Party

Come hang out and watch the Bears… win? Great food and good time guaranteed!
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  • Arrive as early as 6:30pm for food before kickoff
  • Downstairs at Good Shepherd Church — 1310 Shepherd Dr, Naperville