Good Samaritan
Church
Presbyterian Church USA
United Church of Christ

Church2

Church Calendar

Tuesday, Nov. 18th
7p - Growth Team
Tuesday, Nov. 18th
7p - Game Night
Wednesday, Nov. 19th
5p - Cornering for Peace: 4th St. & 22nd Ave, St. Pete
Wednesday, Nov. 19th
6:30p - Bell Choir Rehersal
Wednesday, Nov. 19th
7p - AIDS Fellowship Dinner
Thursday, Nov. 20th
6p - Head Start
Friday, Nov. 21st
2-8:30p - Church Directory Pictures
Friday, Nov. 21st
8p - American Stage, "A Tuna Christmas"
Saturday, Nov. 22nd
10a-5p - Church Directory Pictures
Monday - Thursday
9a to Noon - Food Pantry
Wednesdays
10a - Bible Study

Worship Schedule

Sunday Mornings
9:15 Choir Rehearsal
10:30 Worship
Fellowship Hour follows Worship

First Sunday Communion.
Baptism - Sunday by Arrangement
Nursery at all Services

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God is Still Speaking,

THE PASTOR’S DESK

“The world of the generous gets larger and larger.”
Proverbs 11:24 (The Message)

This line from Proverbs is our 2008 Stewardship theme.  You might be thinking, Who can afford to be generous right now?  Why, the world is crashing down around us, not getting larger.  The Dow is a roller coaster.  Foreclosure signs in yards are as prolific as the red-white-and-blue campaign signs.  Some of us have lost jobs.  Others have had their hours cut back.  We’ve all seen savings and pensions plummet.  People are afraid.  Negative campaign ads seek to make us even more afraid.  And yet… The night is darkest before the dawn.  So you’ll see me wearing sunglasses – trusting God’s promise that the future ahead is bright and that it is already shining into the present. 

After all, the Rays have climbed out of last year’s cellar and fans in World Series t-shirts are ringing cowbells from the rooftops!  Today people complaining about a recession are paying hundreds of dollars for a ticket.  We choose to find a way when there is something we really care about.  And history is asking us today: What do you really care about?

What do you really care about when you go into the voting booth?  Voting right down the party line?  Voting your pocket book?  Or considering the candidates and amendments that will further peace and justice for all people?  Cast your vote on the side of God’s shalom.

Do you care enough about the future of Good Sam to invest two hours in a focus group and let your voice be heard?  Will you hold our congregation in prayer during this process?

Will you make pledging a financial issue – or a prayerful response to a call to spiritual growth?  Will you commit time, talent, and treasure?  I have never regretted my decision to tithe – only that I did not do it sooner.

Truly, how can we not trust God’s promises when we have been given so much?  This month, count your blessings.  In fact, sit down in the Peace Garden and look around.  Good Sam has been gifted by so many.  Often these gifts have come right out of the blue, from the heart of God, from unexpected places and from people who surprised themselves with their gift.  Maybe you were one of them.  Remember how good it felt to give.  Throughout October we have all experienced the joy of giving back to the community in new ways to bring people together for Peace.  The world of the generous gets larger and larger as we pour ourselves out that the Living Christ might fill us, that Spirit might make us one with God and one another.  This is Holy Communion, the Eucharist, or “The Great Thanksgiving,” celebrated in our daily lives. 

“O God of abundance, you feed us every day.  Rise in us now, make us into your bread that we may share your gifts with a hungry world and join in love with all people.”

Have a Great Thanksgiving!  With gratitude for God’s gift of you,

                                                                             Sue


Meet Our Pastor

SueSherwoodLR-1

Reverend Sue Sherwood

SESSION

Jim Anderson, Clerk
Kate Hall, Treasurer
CLASS OF 2008
Gretchen Ackerson
Rafael Catala
Al Frymier
CLASS OF 2009
Eleanore Neumann
Sam Pruyne
Thea Pruyne
Ralph Skewes
CLASS OF 2010
Robin Becker
Kate Hall
Christopher Johnson
Eddie Kosinski

GOOD  SAMARITAN  CHURCH STAFF:

Pastor:

Rev. Sue Sherwood

 

Office Manager:

Carol Kosinski

carolCarol was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL. She has been married to Eddie since 1982. They have four sons, two grandsons and a great-granddaughter. Carol has worked for Good Sam since 2002 and has loved every minute of it. She enjoys spending time with her family, going on cruises, camping, shopping and cross-stitching.

Music Director / Organist:

Harold Potter

Harold comes to us from St. Louis, St. John's United Methodist Church, where he served for five years. Harold has 16 years of teaching experience ranging from kindergarten through junior college, and professional music experience ranging from church music to Broadway shows to Grand Opera. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and has participated in numerous Music Technology Workshops, Music Educator's National Conference, Lake of the Ozarks, MO, 1997 to 2006. Among the shows he has produced are: Oklahoma, Guys & Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Music Man, Hello Dolly, Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He has also been a chorister in the St. Louis Chamber Chorus as well as the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Custodian:

Bill Lindfors

BillBill relocated from New York in 1996 and began enjoying the Florida climate. After working various jobs, he began a career at the St. Pete Times Newspaper. He is married to Susan and has four children and eight grandchildren. His hobbies include fishing, water skiing and going to the beach.

Buildings/ Administration:

Eddie Kosinski

 

Church School:

Cynthia Morell

 

Director, Center for Spiritual Development:

Bev Kelly
Rafael Catala

 

Worship Team:

Robin Becker
Dotti Boake
Al Frymier
Chris Johnson
Rev. Wally Shearburn

 

Growth Team:

Bev Kelly

 

Justice & Witness:

Rich Feigel

 

OASIS Coordinator:

Thea Pruyne

 

Missions:

Al Frymier

 

Care Team:

Jack Wilcox
Dottie Hart
Shirley Clarke
Kate Fullerton
Delores Lowe
Lee and Joe Nasser
Elly and John Hopkins
Ralph Skewes

 

Messenger Editor:

Eileen Banks

 

Messenger Mailing Volunteers:

Jane & Dick Gaylord
Carol Kosinski

 

Photographers:

Ralph Skewes
Derek Raper
Jim Freeman
Bev Kelly

 

Web Site Team:

Sarah Butz, Harry Miller, Karen Lederer, Carla Moseley

 

Copyright 2009 Good Samaritan Church. All Rights Reserved.
Presbyterian Church(USA) "More Light"  *  United Church of Christ "Open and Affirming"
6085 Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park, Florida 33781  (727) 544-8558