1. (Jesus said,)
"Don't think that I
have come to
abolish the law or
the prophets: I
have come not to
abolish, but to
fulfill...
Therefore whoever
breaks one of the
least of these
commandments, and
teaches others to do
the same, will be
called least in the
kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you, un-
less your righteous-
ness exceeds that of
the scribes and the
Pharisees, you will
never enter the
kingdom of
heaven."
(Matthew 5:17,19-20)
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4
 Blessed are those who have no time to pray
~ for they are MY prey.
 Blessed are you when you read this and
think it has everything to do with other
people and nothing to do with you. ~ I've
got room for YOU at my inn.
I know that many of us, myself included,
like to skip over the law and rush to the Gos-
pel. Theologians like Bonhoeffer warn that in
doing so we run the risk of cheapening the
precious grace gifted to us through Jesus’ sac-
rificial love. If we are indifferent to the law,
we turn our back on its calling, which often
moves us to separate ourselves from worldly
success and embrace our calling as disciples of
Jesus.
The great atheist-turned-Christian author,
C.S. Lewis said, “Prosperity knits a man to the
world. He feels that he is finding his place in
it, while really it is finding its place in him."
Jesus does not dispose of the law; Jesus
embraces it and with it battles with tempta-
tion and everything that calls us away from
God. For Matthew's community and for us-
Jesus is not only the new Moses- a law giver,
but Jesus the messiah is actually the law fulfil-
ler! And most importantly, Jesus not only ful-
fills the law for His sake, but for Our sake as
well! That's right—it is Jesus who does what
we could never do for ourselves—and Jesus
does this to show us how much God loves us!
Our whole lives are opportunities to live in
joyful appreciation, praise, and service in re-
sponse to this precious Grace!
May we all grow in appreciation for the
gift of the law and embrace not only its mean-
ing, but also the Spirit behind the law which
is Jesus Christ. May we also remember that
Jesus' promise to be with us to the end of the
age means that we can be bold to follow in
Jesus' footsteps knowing that when we stum-
ble and fall, that the Good Shepherd will for-
give us, and raise us up again and again.
Blessed are you- dear child of God!
CELEBRATING 63 YEARS IN GOD’S SERVICE
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL
Dear Faithful People of Good Shepherd,
During the long dark days of February we
continue our Epiphany journey each Sunday
hearing Jesus’ challenging and comforting
words from his Sermon on the Mount. This
collection of sayings is worthy of a life- time of
study, reflection and practice. Many of the
greatest theologians have used the Beatitudes,
which begin the sermon, as a guide for faithful
living. It was these beatitudes that seemed to
compel Dietrich Bonnhoeffer to leave the com-
fort and safety of New York City during the
outbreak of WWII to return to Nazi Germany
to help the fight against Hitler and to bring
comfort and hope to his people. His decision
would cost him his life, but as Jesus says later
on in the gospel, “For whoever wills to save his
life will lose it and whoever will lose his life
for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)
Today, how do we hear Jesus sermon? Are
these sayings of Jesus moral imperatives that
we strive to live by- or do we plug our ears and
turn the page to other words that comfort us
and challenge us less? Perhaps if we pause and
look at a twisted version of the sermon- one
that Satan might use- maybe then we will get
the point!
Satan's Beatitudes
 Blessed are those who are too tired, too
busy, too distracted to spend an hour once
a week with their fellow Christians in
Church ~ they are my best workers.
 Blessed are those who wait to be asked and
expect to be thanked ~ I can use them in my
business.
 Blessed are those who are touchy. Soon
they will stop going to church ~ verily, they
shall be my missionaries.
 Blessed are those who sow gossip and trou-
ble ~ they are my beloved children.

2. Well here we are in the middle of a true northeast winter. Even though the elements
somewhat restrict what we can do outdoors, I can tell you that planning continues
with regard to major improvement projects made possible through the ForFutureGen-
erations Campaign. Within a week of this writing we will be signing a contract with
our contractor for the church roof. After materials are ordered and received the con-
tractor will keep an eye on the weather and pick a week to complete the installation.
This work will be accomplished on week days. Specifications for the roof call for six
inches of insulation, thereby sustaining our commitment for energy conservation
throughout our campus. Our Request for Proposals on the replacement of the win-
dows and entry doors has been completed and several contractors are preparing their
responses.
We will keep everyone informed of our progress and the actual start date for the roof project.
In Christ,
Kevin Ocker
Congregation President
One of the great joys for me of serving at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and
School is helping to lead Children’s Chapel with Pastor, Judy Hinsch, and our
wonderful teachers and assistants. Several times a week I spend time with those
who are the future of our world and church. It both humbles and inspires me that I
am called to help teach our young children the unconditional love of God through
our Lord Jesus Christ!
In a recent Children’s Chapel I spoke about what it means to give our hearts to
Jesus. I asked the children to give me some examples of what it means for them.
With some prompting they responded with sharing toys with friends, listening
well to teachers and parents, and letting someone else take a turn first, etc., and
then, completely unprompted, a young child raised his hand and said, “Vicar Nick, I’ve already given my heart
to Jesus.” I was speechless. And overjoyed! And moved by such a beautiful witness of faith from a three year
old! We have so much to learn from our children, no matter their age. They inspire me with their openness,
their faith, their trust, their curiosity, and their love.
Each and every day is a new day for all of us to learn and grow in faith and love of
God. Here is a prayer Pastor and I say with the children each
time we meet which has become one of my favorite prayers:
“Dear God, thank you for another day.
Help us to have open eyes, and open hearts,
and open minds to learn about your love. Amen.”
I hope it becomes one of your favorite prayers too!
In Christ,
Vicar Nicholas Sollom

3. The Good Shepherd Fund has received eleven (11) grant applications to consider for the 2013-14 granting cycle. As funds are limited, you are
welcome and encouraged to submit your input to the board. The applications will be available for your review beginning Sunday, February 2
in two ways.
1. Copies of the applications will be available for viewing in the narthex. Although the applications must remain in the narthex, there will be
a summary sheet available for you to take home.
Members may also view the applications online at www.ourshepherdlives.org. Please follow the following instructions to view the applica-
tions:
Click on: Members
Click on: Keep and Share
Enter log in: gsmember
Enter password: jesuslovesme (all lower case letters)
When advertisements appear, Click on: Continue to My Account
Click on: Visit Friends’ Shares
Click on: Files (under Good Shepherd) and then 2014 Grant Requests
Read document by clicking on the downward green arrow
Please share in writing your comments about the applications with any member of the Good Shepherd Fund Disbursements Board either in
person or via email through Sunday, February 23. Comments will also be solicited at the open forum held during the Adult Education Hour
from 9 – 9:45 a.m. in the school gymnasium on Sunday, March 2.
Applicants were instructed of the guidelines as follows:
“The Good Shepherd Fund provides grants to Christian organizations to assist with the development of fresh and innovative
initiatives designed to bring the love of Jesus Christ to persons who might not otherwise be reached with the Gospel.”
Relevant factors in the evaluation of grant applications to The Good Shepherd Fund include:
a. Articulation of the evangelical outreach of the ministry proposed
b. Capability of persons in charge to provide appropriate oversight of the distribution of funds
Commitment of the applicants to seek funds from within their own constituency and/or funding sources additional to the Good Shepherd Fund
where appropriate
The process the Board follows is:
1. The Board shall gather grant applications and reproduce copies for interested members of the congregation
2. The Board shall solicit the written reaction of the membership.
3. The Board shall provide for a congregation open forum for discussion of applications.
4. The Board shall present a disbursements plan to a meeting of the Congregation Council after it has taken congregation member reactions
into consideration.
Upon approval of the Congregation Council, the Board shall report the adopted disbursement plan to the congregation at the meeting to be held
in May and authorize the disbursement of funds.
The Good Shepherd Fund Disbursements Board
John Hinsch, Chair: j4bhinsch@hotmail.com
Eric Betz: ebetz@verizon.net
Jeff Kassan: jkassan48@gmail.com
Lori Mason: lorimason442@gmail.com
Anne Rickmeyer: arickmeyer@gmail.com

5. The synod energy program, voted for by our Good Shepherd representatives at the 2010
convention, has not been showing good results. More participation from all our synod congrega-
tions to decrease our overall atmospheric pollution by more efficient energy use is hoped for. Good
Shepherd has been making good progress from earlier efforts but has considerably more wasteful
energy targets to address.
At the end of the calendar year 2013 our energy consumption was at a 31 percent reduction.
From 2004 to present this has resulted in about $155,000 savings in utility cost. Only 5 percent of
our walls and roofs were insulated, and now 40 percent are. As we start to insulate the remaining 60 percent, we will
approach our 50 percent savings goal and eventually our 75 percent savings potential. The many improvements re-
quired have been identified and some might be approved in time.
- Submitted by Odd Sangesland
Plenty of God’s work is being done here at Good Shepherd, be it through our For Future Generations capital cam-
paign ensuring the perpetuity of our Church’s mission or the Good Shepherd fund providing grants to Christian organi-
zations to assist with the development of fresh and innovative initiatives designed to bring the love of Jesus Christ to
persons who might not otherwise be reached with the Gospel or through our own efforts to conserve energy.
There are plenty of opportunities here in which you may participate. In addition to those mentioned above,
here are just a few more...
OurSocial Ministry Team
With the support of our congregation and our community. Social Ministry reaches out in love to our brothers
and sisters in Christ throughout the year. We supply warmth with the collection of hats, gloves, scarves, and coats; joy
in the spirit of Christmas with gifts under the tree, and nourishment by helping to keep the shelves at the food pantries
full.
Our Worship and Music Team
Worship & Music has welcomed three new members to their ministry team: Lois Fassino, Judy Hinsch, and
Marge Wenger. The team has responded to the very real need for additional ushers by asking individual families and
groups of friends to serve. If you would be willing to serve as an usher once every couple of months, please contact a W
& M team member.
The team has also been involved in planning a once a month Taize service on the third Sunday of the month be-
ginning in May. Taize is a candle-lit service consisting of meditative singing, silence, prayer, and scripture. While start-
ing out as a vespers service, the intention is to hold a Taize communion service several times a year. Grant requests have
been submitted to the Good Shepherd Fund Disbursements Board and the Memorials Ministry Team to provide start up
funds for this new ministry.
Worship & Music is once again giving baptismal banners to children being baptized. Additionally, we are
looking into getting a firm in to assess the organ and make recommendations and exploring options for baptismal font
repair or replacement.
Our Finance Team
This team plays an important role in developing Church and School Budgets, reviewing financial statements and report-
ing monthly to Church Council and School Board members. Do you have experience as a bookkeeper, accountant or are
you just really good at managing money? If so, we’d love to have you on our team!
For more information about these and other ministry teams on which you may like to serve, please contact the church office!

6. Congratulations to John & Judy Hinsch,
on the birth of their grandson,
Daniel James Wilinski, III!
Kimberly Allan - 2/27
Martha Berardino - 2/26
Alexis DiSapio - 2/15
Calista DiSapio - 2/20
Sabrina Greig - 2/28
Brianna Hansen - 2/27
Kristina Jordan - 2/22
Loré Kachianos - 2/22
Dillon Kwarta - 2/15
Matthew Marlin - 2/22
Dr. Allison D. Mecabe - 2/17
Ann Oker - 2/20
Mackenzie Pech - 2/12
Skylar Pekarek - 2/4
Josef Saueracker - 2/1
Gunhild Schabel - 2/18
Lauren Sieloff - 2/3
Nancy Ann Stingelin - 2/27
BABY’S FIRST BIRTHDAY!
LILLIANA SHIOWA MASON—2/20
OH BOY! OH BOY!

7. Beginning Wednesday, February 5, at 3:00 p.m.
You are invited to a monthly
Service of Healing
At Shepherd Hill Community Center
To be held on the first Wednesday of each Month
Followed by tea & conversation.
We look forward to sharing
these special times with you.
Your friends & neighbors at
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

9. CALENDARASOF1/28/14—SUBJECTTOCHANGE—PLEASESTAYABREASTOFUPDATESONOURWEBSITE.

10. WE PRAY FOR...
T H O S E S E R V I N G
I N T H E M I L I T A R Y
Roger Griffith & Nick Sollom
Judy and John Hinsch, celebrating the birth of their grandson,
Daniel James Wilinski, III, on December 28th .
T H O S E W H O A R E C E L E B R A T I N G
T H O S E I N N E E D O F H E A L I N G
Maureen Kelly Araujo, Elaine Backmeier, Alex & Derek Bartkow, Cindy
Becker, Edwina Bishop, John Binsfeld (Benner family friend), Martin Bolivar
(Louise Lamont’s cousin), John & Eddie Brusdeliens (J. Hinsch family friend), Lynne Carlson (Irma’s
daughter-in-law), Edna Carrera (Martha Peterson’s friend), Carol Cassis (Elaine Cassimatis’ mother), Ava
Cataldo (GSL student), John Ciarico (Olsen family friend), Gisela Conforti, Dorothy Cronin, Chris Cucci
(Naomi Hulver’s student) & his family, Frank D’Elia, Claudia DeMauro, Kristin DeMayo (McGowan family
friend), Ken Dixon (Pastor Eric’s friend), Susan Dowd (Maisch family friend),
Sally Ducey, Anna Duda (Denise Bartkow’s mother), Becky Ernst (Paul
Wenger’s cousin), Ryan Faret & his family, Jim Fassino, Irene Fields (Naomi
Hulver’s aunt), James Fields (Vincent Cronin’s nephew), Judy Gersten-
feld & Family (Naomi Hulver’s relatives), Mary Gessing (Vincent Cronin’s
cousin), Lilah & Jim Gillett (Kathy Prinz’s friends), Erika Green, Sidak
Hans (Victoria Shenko- Jacobson’s friend), Margaret Holleran
(Eleanor Pearson’s friend), Renee Iannone (Irma Carlson’s niece), Alexis Jacob-
sen (GSL teacher LeeAnn’s daughter), Jake (Maisch family friend) & his family, Anna Jerome, Lois Kaza-
rian, Dillon Kwarta, Toni Anne LaGois, Kenneth Lane, Martha Langhahr, Else Lippold, Phillip Lorch, An-
thony Marazzo (Brown family friend), Jim Mason, Bea McCabe, Pastor Fred McElderry (St. Andrew’s in
West Hempstead), Claire Mehrhoss (Alice Vorstadt’s friend), Ruth Odwazny, Meghan Ortega (Lisa
Olsen’s niece), Nick Portugal (Liam Broggy’s friend), Dr. Mark Prowatzke (Danny Wenger’s father in law),
Roger Ressmeyer (Judy Hinsch’s cousin), Justin Rogers (Karin Kienle’s nephew), Fred Ruff, Julia Saprenza,
Glenn Schabel, Susie Shaffer (Kathy Prinz’s friend), Adam Sink (Judy
Hinsch’s nephew), Ian Spadaro, Nancy Stingelin, Audrey Schwartz,
Anna Stutzbach, Joyce Tare, Madison Von Bargen (Ruff’ family friend),
, Kirsten Wenger, Carole Weyant (Maisch family friend), Vicki Zaleski
(Olsen family friend), and Richard Zaltman (Michael Allan’s father).
Keith & Kyle Calderone (Army), Specialist Sean Hassett (Lori Mason’s cousin), CPT. Paul
Rickmeyer, Captain Robert Saueracker, LTC. Phillip Sounia, USMC, Corporal Nicholas
Ventrelli-O’Connell (Patty Larson’s family friend).
I N G R A T I T U D E
Many thanks to all who
came to my home on
12/22 to Christmas carol.
It was truly uplifting!
—Dorothea Spadaro
T H O S E P R E P A R I N G
F O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T R Y

15. UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 2014
WITH COUNSELING SITES LOCATED IN:
NASSAU SUFFOLK MANHATTAN QUEENS WESTCHESTER
Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools
What is Valentine’s Day?
The one day a year couples express their special
love for one another and celebrate the special rela-
tionship they have together? A church festival day?
(But our contemporary Valentine’s Day has come a
long way from the old Feast Day of St. Valentine
listed on many church calendars.) Wikipedia de-
fines Valentine's Day as “the day of the year when
lovers show their love to each other. This can be
done by giving flowers, chocolates, Valentine's
cards or just a nice gift.” Maybe it’s just one day a
year when you’re not allowed to be negative in any
way toward your significant other?
The best and latest research on couple relation-
ships suggests that every day of the year “zero
negativity” is an important key to a loving, con-
nected relationship. Being critical, blaming, con-
temptuous, defensive, and stonewalling are behav-
iors that are the main predictors of separation and
divorce. If you are in an intimate couple relation-
ship and are reading this article, I’d like to suggest
to you some EVERYDAY ways that you can enter a
“zone of zero negativity” and do your part in having
that loving togetherness you both desire. Creating
and preserving an atmosphere of connection, com-
passion, and safety in a marriage needs to be a
daily priority. Without a feeling of safety, there can
be no connection. And without connection, love
can quickly wither and die. Here are five keys to
entering that zone of zero negativity:
1) Develop personal habits to make your rela-
tionship a completely positive place. Learn how to
love your partner in the way they want to be loved.
For example, frequently express appreciations and
admiration for them; let your partner see your
fondness for them in your glance, touch, and tone
of voice; plan to spend regular quality time togeth-
er; make your partner’s needs and desires as im-
portant to you as your own.
2) When negativity threatens, become a love-
finder instead of a fault-finder. Find and share
something in your partner that you value and ap-
preciate; keep focused on what you find that is
right about your partner, rather than what is
wrong.
3) Build a joint emotional bank account. Re-
search is showing that successful relationships
have 5-to-10 positive interactions for every one
that is negative or conflict-based (5+deposits for
every withdrawal). Make deposits regularly by giv-
ing acknowledgments and appreciations, continue
dating and spending one-on-one quality time to-
gether, showing and expressing your care and love
for your partner in all kinds of ways.
4) Don’t get hung up on self-righteous anger.
Conflict in every relationship is normal. Conflict is
growth trying to happen. Disagreement is inevita-
ble but hostility is optional. Move from negative re-
activity to seeing every frustration and conflict as a
gift and opportunity to stretch and grow. Doing
what is hardest for you to do to make your partner
feel loved and cared for will promote your own
greatest growth and maturity.
5) Ask not what your relationship can do for
you; ask what you can do for your relationship. Be
committed to clearing up those things that get in
the way of you and your partner connecting. Learn
and use new communication skills that help resolve
conflict (like Imago dialogue). And ask yourself,
What is it like living with me, being in a relationship
with me? Make yourself safe enough for your part-
ner to tell you what is going on for them. Be em-
pathic, understanding and validating toward your
partner.
The key is to end all negativity in the way you
relate to your partner. This is not easy, because
many of us are addicted to negativity and have a
hard time letting go. But this is a very positive per-
sonal project to work on, which can reap phenome-
nal benefits in your life and your relationship.
These guidelines come from Imago Relationship
Therapy, the model I most frequently use in my
counseling with couples.
THE ZONE OF ZERO NEGATIVITY
Rev.. Ronald W. Lehenbauer, D.Min, S.T.M., M.Div., Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, New York LMFT
Contact Lutheran Counseling Center at 1-800-317-1173 or e-mail us at Center@lccny.org for more information or to set an appoint-
ment. Visit our website at www.lccny.org .

16. DATE SERVICE
ASSISTING
MINISTER
LECTOR FLOWERS
ETHEL’S
COFFEE HOUR
February 2
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
10:00 a.m.
Bonnie McGowan &
John Schwaninger
Ellen
Sangesland
Anne Rickmeyer Adult & Bell Choirs
February 9
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
10:00 a.m.
Anne Rickmeyer &
Christin Walsh
Lori Mason Anne Rickmeyer
Gisela Conforti &
Beatrice Haas
February 16
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Pastor Marc will preside
at all services
10:00 a.m.
Judy Hinsch &
Marilyn Benner
Judy Hinsch Judy Hinsch
Ellen Sangesland &
Carol Burfeindt
February 23
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Vicar Nick will preside
at all services
10:00 a.m.
John Schwaninger &
Kathy Ocker
Anne Rickmeyer Nancy Stingelin
The McGowan &
Jansky Families