This pastor's letter discusses the importance of worshipping God despite busy schedules. It notes that as the seasons change and activities increase, people often sacrifice worshipping God. However, the pastor reminds the congregation that worship should be one of the highest priorities and that people were set free by God through Jesus Christ specifically so they could worship Him. The pastor encourages the congregation to make time for weekly worship.
1. Dear Faithful Members of the Good Shepherd Family:
time for us to willingly
worship Him. Yet we
struggle to sacrificea little
more than an hour per
week and are easily
tempted to “take off” or
“sleep in”. Our priorities
and our time management
are constant reflections of
what we value, worship
and serve. We must re-
member that people of
faith have always been
tempted away from God
and that our busy agendas
or anything else that com-
petes with the worship of
God needs to be taken very
seriously. When Jesus was
tempted by the devil (Luke
4:8, Matt. 4:10), he re-
sponds, “It is written,
Worship the Lord your
God and serve only him.”
So in our transition into
Spring/Summer let us re-
member that we have been
set free to “Worship the
LORD with gladness; come
into his presence with
singing” (Psalm 100).
Come on Saturday at
5:30 p.m. or on Sunday at
10:00 a.m…and bring a
friend!
To God be the glory!
Eric Olaf Olsen, Pastor
It would be an under-
statement to say that our
lives are complicated and
busy. As we change
gears and transition into
Spring/Summer we find
ourselves scrambling for
ways to order our days
and manage our time.
Ball games, graduations,
picnics, reunions, vaca-
tions, weddings, work
and many other impor-
tant and special events
and activities compete
for our time. How can
we do it all? Well the
answer is that we usually
can’t do it all. Something
has to be sacrificed.
As we consult our cal-
endars, plan activities,
and order priorities
where is worship on our
list? (Did you notice that
I intentionally left
“worship” off the above
list?) Time is one of the
greatest gifts given to us
by God - yet how easy is
it to squeeze God off the
list and sacrifice wor-
ship? Is it because we
take our salvation and
the grace that God gives
to us for granted? Or do
we just figure that God
understands and will for-
give? While it is true
that our salvation is a
free gift and that God is
slow to anger and
abounding with steadfast
love, should we not re-
member that our freedom
was won through the
death and suffering of
Jesus and that God paid
dearly to set us free? We
are not recipients of
cheap grace, but priceless
grace.
In Exodus we recall
that God tells Moses to
ask Pharaoh for the Isra-
elites to be set free. Al-
most everyone remem-
bers that part of the re-
quest, but the reason for
asking for that freedom is
often forgotten. Seven
times God says through
Moses, “Let my people go
so that they may worship
me.” God delights in our
worship and praise, and
we were created for this
purpose. The freedom
that we have received
from God through Jesus
is given to us for the same
purpose.
God’s overwhelming
love for us is clear
through the undivided
attention he has given us
through our savior Jesus
Christ. God sacrificed
everything on his agenda
to give us a free life full of
G O O D S H E P H E R D
L U T H E R A N
C H U R C H &
S C H O O L
M A Y 2 0 1 1
A M E S S A G E F R O M
O U R P A S T O R
Therefore,Therefore,Therefore,Therefore,
since we aresince we aresince we aresince we are
receiving areceiving areceiving areceiving a
kingdom thatkingdom thatkingdom thatkingdom that
cannot becannot becannot becannot be
shaken, let usshaken, let usshaken, let usshaken, let us
give thanks,give thanks,give thanks,give thanks,
by which weby which weby which weby which we
offer to Godoffer to Godoffer to Godoffer to God
an acceptablean acceptablean acceptablean acceptable
worship withworship withworship withworship with
reverencereverencereverencereverence
and awe;and awe;and awe;and awe;
(Hebrews 12:28)(Hebrews 12:28)(Hebrews 12:28)(Hebrews 12:28)
3. ABOUT OUR VISITING PREACHER
FROM FOOD FOR THE POOR
MAY 7 & 8
On the weekend of May 7-8, Pastor Ron Starenko,
an ELCA retired pastor, will be our guest preacher.
Pastor Starenko will be representing the ecumenical
ministry of Food For The Poor (FFP), founded in
1982. Working to end the suffering of the poor in
the Caribbean and Latin America, FFP provides food
for the starving, builds small houses for the desti-
tute, digs water wells for parched villagers, provides
medicine and medical equipment for the sick and
elderly, supports orphanages and education for chil-
dren, and much more. The largest international
charity in the U.S., FFP carries out its ministry with
more than 96 percent of all donations received going
directly to programs that help the poor.
Pastor Starenko and his wife Katy make their home
in Naples, FL. During his active ministry he served
several congregations, worked as a counseling pas-
tor, and has been on active and inactive duty as a
U.S. Navy chaplain. He has served on the speakers
bureau of FFP since September 2001.
COFFEE HOUR
SCHEDULE
Just a reminder that the following committees are
scheduled to host upcoming coffee hours:
May 2 Communication & Technology
May 8 Council
May 15 21+ Men’s Group
May 22 Council
May 29 Finance Committee
June 5 Flower Committee
June 12 Council
June 19 21+ Men’s Group
June 26 21+ Men’s Group
July 3 Good Shepherd Fund
As a result of the efforts of our stewardship cam-
paign, we are happy to report that the anticipated
income from regular weekly envelopes is up by ap-
proximately $15,000, which represents an 8 percent
increase.
We encourage all members who pledged to
prayerfully honor your commitment. And for those
of you who didn’t—it’s never too late.
HALLELUJAH! CHRIST IS RISEN!
. . . AND SO HAVE OUR PLEDGES!
I want to thank everyone for making my 90th
birthday such a happy occa-
sion. Special thanks to Ethel, Pastor Eric, Rodney and Gunhild for the
work and preparation. The cake was beautiful and delicious. Thank you
all so very much. The highlight of the day was the children singing happy
birthday to me in church. I can’t describe what a wonder-
ful feeling it was. Thank you all, again, for such a wonder-
ful day.
My Love and God’s Blessings,
Dorothy Cronin
Editor’s Note: this letter was supposed to have appeared in last month’s newsletter; how-
ever, it had been saved on the wrong hard drive during the compilation process.
Many thanks to all who contributed to
the food drive. This month the food was
delivered to Helping Hands Mission in
Huntington, and it filled many empty
spaces on the shelves.
Any and all non-perishable groceries are always wel-
come and very much appreciated.
The items listed below are those that are frequently short
in supply but high in need:
Powdered Milk
Cold Cereal
Corn
Canned & Dry Beans
Rice-A-Roni Side Dishes
Spaghetti Sauce (no glass jars, please)
Canned Tuna
Paper Towels & Napkins
Toiletries
Thank you again for your love
and support of this mission service!
FROM OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY TEAMFROM OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY TEAMFROM OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY TEAMFROM OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY TEAM
A SpecialA SpecialA SpecialA Special “Thank You!”“Thank You!”“Thank You!”“Thank You!”
FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE. . .FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE. . .FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE. . .FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE. . .
GOOD SHEPHERD’S SENIORS are still sponsoring a project to
help our Marines in Afghanistan. As the summer months ap-
proach with daily temperatures reaching 110° our
Marines depend on baby wipes for their personal
hygiene. YOU can help buy buying unscented
baby wipe refills (no plastic tubs, please) and small
ziplock bags at the Dollar Tree store or your favor-
ite supermarket, variety, or drugstore. A collection
container for this project is in the narthex. All you need to do is
donate the items & our seniors will send it out. Thank you for
your support!
4. T H O S E W H O C E L E B R A T ET H O S E W H O C E L E B R A T ET H O S E W H O C E L E B R A T ET H O S E W H O C E L E B R A T E
Jason & Melissa Jansky whose daughter Leigha
Noelle will be baptized on May 15; Jennifer &
Stephan Carrieri whose son Austin John will be bap-
tized on June 12; and Jesse & Victoria Jansky whose
son Gavin Cooper will also be baptized on June 12.
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH &
SCHOOL
99 Central Park Road, Plainview, NY 11803
Phone: 516-349-1966 Fax: 516-349-8438
E-mail: church@ourshepherdlives.org
Website: www.ourshepherdlives.org
Ministers: The Members of Good Shepherd
Reverend Eric O. Olsen, Pastor
Judy R. Hinsch, A.I.M., School Director
Teresa Ratkowski, Director of Choir and Organist
Maureen Cooke, Church Secretary/Newsletter Editor
John E. Menig, Jr., Sexton
Page 4
The family and friends of Leonard Banzer; the family
and friends of Eugene Brent; The family and friends of
Elaine Pietrofere; the family and friends of Eva Zahn.
T H O S E P R E P A R I N GT H O S E P R E P A R I N GT H O S E P R E P A R I N GT 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 RF O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T RF O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T RF O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T R YYYY
Roger Griffith
T H O S E I N N E E D
WE PRAY FOR...
Ryan Faret & family, Genevieve Thompson,
Brian Banner (Knotek Family Friend), Mat-
thew Munch and Matthew Jackman (Helen
Lanza’s relatives), Patricia Petralia (Bea
McCabe’s daughter), Emma Mehrer and
John Binsfeld (Benner family friends),
Charles and Chris Strakele (Ruth’s husband
and son), baby Jake (Brent family friend),
Maureen Araujo, Sean Walsh, Geraldine
Shilstone (Robert Pietrofere’s mother),
Mary Knotek, Joan Reis (Helen Lanza’s
friend), The People of Japan, Henry Kir-
schbaum (Lori Tollefsen’s uncle), Doris
Monten, Nancy Kwiatkowski (Janet Cox’s
daughter), Viena Ludewig, Jay Boryea (Paul
Hinsch’s friend), Ken Dixon (Pastor Eric’s
friend), Deb Gebhart (Ruff Family Friend),
Sven Faret (Gunhild Schabel’s son), Rever-
end Patricia Large (Lori Mason’s cousin),
Diane Lisa (Cathy Vollono’s friend), Janice
Ridings (Rickmeyer family friend), Francis
Lee (Helen Kopf’s son), Lynne Carlson
(Irma’s daughter-in-law), Ed Lennon (Lori
Mason’s relative), Mary Melvin (Virginia
Schroeder’s daughter), Mary Ellen Moyse
(George’s wife), Don and Francine Unger
(Katalina Paterakis’s grandparents), Fred
Ruff, Joyce Tare, Jake (Maisch family friend)
and his family, Ian Spadaro (Dottie’s grand-
son), James Fields (Vincent and Dorothy
Cronin’s nephew), Richard Karl (Naomi
Pfund’s friend), Mary Gessing (Dorothy and
Vincent Cronin’s cousin), Rita Cunningham
(Cronin family friend), and Chris Cucci
(Naomi Pfund’s student).
T H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V I N GT H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V I N GT H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V I N GT H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V I N G
T H O S E S E R V I N GT H O S E S E R V I N GT H O S E S E R V I N GT H O S E S E R V I N G
I N T H E M I L I T A R YI N T H E M I L I T A R YI N T H E M I L I T A R YI N T H E M I L I T A R Y
Lt. David Jacobs (Joyce Tare’s nephew, Alec &
Madison’s cousin), CPT. Paul Rickmeyer, Major
Phillip Sounia, MSgt. Richard Miranda, Christo-
pher Zito (Mary Knotek’s friend), Sgt. Vincent
Mezick and Russ Boynton (civilian) in Afghanistan
(Hinsch/ Ressmeyer family friend).
VOLUNTEERS DON’TVOLUNTEERS DON’TVOLUNTEERS DON’TVOLUNTEERS DON’T
NECESSARILY HAVENECESSARILY HAVENECESSARILY HAVENECESSARILY HAVE
THE TIME. . .THE TIME. . .THE TIME. . .THE TIME. . .
THEY JUST HAVETHEY JUST HAVETHEY JUST HAVETHEY JUST HAVE
THE HEART.THE HEART.THE HEART.THE HEART.
SOURCE UNKNOWNSOURCE UNKNOWNSOURCE UNKNOWNSOURCE UNKNOWN
VOLUNTEERS,
AGES 13 —100+,
ARE NEEDED
TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR
GOD’S GOOD SHEPHERDS
VACATION BIBLE
STUDY SCHOOL
Monday, 6/27Monday, 6/27Monday, 6/27Monday, 6/27 ———— Friday, 7/1Friday, 7/1Friday, 7/1Friday, 7/1
By giving five mornings over one week,
you will find this exciting
experience to be mutually
rewarding for you and our children!
Please sign up in the narthex.
Should you have any questions, please see
Kitty Hall, Marilyn Benner or Pastor Eric
5. SERVICESERVICESERVICESERVICE
ASSISTINGASSISTINGASSISTINGASSISTING
MINISTERMINISTERMINISTERMINISTER LECTORLECTORLECTORLECTOR ACOLYTE(S)ACOLYTE(S)ACOLYTE(S)ACOLYTE(S)
Saturday, May 7
Third “Sunday” of Easter Ellen Sangesland Stephen Haupt Please VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease Volunteer
Sunday, May 8
Third Sunday of Easter John Hinsch Paul Hinsch Adriana Vollono & Eric Kovel
Saturday, May 14
Fourth “Sunday” of Easter Dell-Ann Benson Miranda Benson Please VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease Volunteer
Sunday, May 15
Fourth Sunday of Easter Marilyn Benner George Milhim Michaela Pietrofere
Saturday, May 21
Fifth “Sunday of Easter Ellen Sangesland Please Volunteer Please VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease Volunteer
Sunday, May 22
Fifth Sunday of Easter
(Recognition Sunday)
Terry Miccio Dell-Ann Benson
Miranda Benson &
Robby Pietrofere
Saturday, May 28
Sixth “Sunday” of Easter Please VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease Volunteer Stephen Haupt Please VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease VolunteerPlease Volunteer
Sunday, May 29
Sixth Sunday of Easter Anne Rickmeyer Gretel Saul
Danielle DeFilippis & Zach-
ary Vollono
MAY SERVICE SCHEDULE
ASSISTING MINISTERS,
LECTORS & ACOLYTES
6. Vacation Bible SchoolVacation Bible SchoolVacation Bible SchoolVacation Bible School
God’s Good ShepherdsGod’s Good ShepherdsGod’s Good ShepherdsGod’s Good Shepherds
June 27 ~ July 1, 2011
9:00 ~ 11:30 am
entering Pre-K through entering Grade 6
* $30 per child * $75 family of three or more
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School
99 Central Park Road Plainview, NY 11803 516-349-1966
Please complete the registration form below and return it to
Good Shepherd with the required $30 per child.
MUST BE RETURNED BY JUNE 10th
!!!
………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………...………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………...………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………...………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………...
I’d like to register for Vacation Bible School 2011:
Child’s name: ___________________________________________________
Grade entering September ’11: _____ Birthdate: ___/___/_____
Address: _______________________________________________________
Town: ________________________________ Zip____________________
Phone: __________________________ Emergency Phone: ____________________
E-mail Address:_________________________________________________________
Family Worship:Family Worship:Family Worship:Family Worship:
Friday, July 1Friday, July 1Friday, July 1Friday, July 1stststst
at 11 amat 11 amat 11 amat 11 am
All are welcome to participate.All are welcome to participate.All are welcome to participate.All are welcome to participate.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. UPDATE FOR MAY 2011
WITH COUNSELING SITES LOCATED IN:
NASSAU SUFFOLK MANHATTAN QUEENS WESTCHESTER
Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools
We’ve all heard the tragic sto-
ries. More and more fre-
quently, the media reports
cases of children and teens
harming others or committing
suicide in response to the hor-
rific emotional pain of being
threatened, harassed, or em-
barrassed by peer(s) through
the use of the internet, mobile
phones or other electronic de-
vices. How can we keep this
from happening to our children
and teens? Understanding the
facts behind cyberbullying and
knowing how to intervene may
help prevent another teen’s
suicide.
As parents, we need to become
aware of the fact that it is pos-
sible for a child to be a victim
one minute and a perpetrator
the next. The anonymity of the
internet can embolden a per-
son being bullied to respond to
being hurt by trying to hurt the
other person. There are several
important measures we can
take as parents:
Visit and become familiar with
helpful information from im-
portant websites about pre-
vention, dealing with poten-
tial situations, receiving help
and reporting cyberbullying
in case it happens to your
child. These websites are:
www.stopcyberbullying.org
and www.wiredsafety.org
Be the one trusted person
your child or children’s
friends can go to when
things go wrong online or
offline.
If an attack or provocation
does occur, do not over or
under react, but take the
information seriously.
Be supportive of your child; words
and attacks can wound a child
and have a lasting effect.
Let your child’s school know of
any cyberbullying behavior your
child is experiencing.
If your child has not experienced
a cyberbullying attack or threat,
be sure that he or she under-
stands the importance of adher-
ing to the following online rules:
Never give our or share your per-
sonal information, including PIN
numbers, name, address, phone
number, school name or e-mail
address when online. Never
send pictures of yourself to oth-
ers.
Ask permission from parents be-
fore sharing any information
with a chat buddy or another
website, even in registering
products, like games. Never
give anyone your password ex-
cept your parents
Don’t believe everything you read
online. People you meet online
can lie about their ages or their
lives.
Be polite to others online. If
someone sends a mean e-mail
message, don’t respond. Online
bullies are just like off-line ones
in that they want to get a reac-
tion from you.
Never send a message to another
person when you are angry.
Calm down and don’t say any-
thing that you may regret later.
Never open a message from
someone you don’t know. If in
doubt, ask your parents.
Do not delete or erase messages
from cyberbullies. Keep the
message as evidence in case it
is needed.
Trust your instincts. If something
happens online that doesn’t “feel
right”, it probably isn’t. Turn off
the computer and talk to a trusted
adult.
Never arrange to meet with some-
one you have met online unless
your parents go with you. Also, if
you and your parents do meet
them, choose a very open place,
like a restaurant.
If you are the victim of a cyberbully-
ing incident, tell your parents or
another trusted adult.
Mr. Chris W. Abatelli, LMHC, has a
Master’s of Educational Psychology
in Adjustment Counseling as well
as a Certificate of Advanced Gradu-
ate Studies (CAGS) in Counseling
from American International Col-
lege in Springfield, Ma. He works
as a mental health therapist for
Pederson-Krag Center and is Direc-
tor of Youth for St. John’s Evangeli-
cal Lutheran Church in Sayville, NY.
Mr. Abatelli counsels with children,
teens, couples and adults for a
wide range of issues including sub-
stance abuse, children with special
needs, adoptions and conflict reso-
lution. He sees clients at LCC’s Dix
Hills and Patchogue counseling
sites.
You may reach the Lutheran
Counseling Center at 516-741-
0994 or 1-800-317-1173 or e-mail
us at Center@lccny.org. LCC has
seven counseling sites in and
around metropolitan New York.
Visit our website at www.lccny.org.
LCC has seven counseling sites over the
New York metropolitan and surround-
ing areas.
CYBERBULLYING: WHAT IF IT HAPPENS TO MY CHILD?
By: Mr. Chris Abatelli, LMHC, LCC Staff Psychotherapist
12. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School
99 Central Park Road
Plainview, NY 11803
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit Org.
U.S POSTAGE
PAID
Permit # 490
Hicksville, NY 11801
DATED MATERIAL
ManythankstoallwhodedicatedtheEasterLilies,Hydrangeas,Daffo-
dils,and/orTulipsthatgracedthechancelforourCelebrationofthe
Resurrection.Didn’ttheyjustlookbeautiful!Pleaserememberthat
everySundayisanopportunityforaflowerdedication.Itisabeautiful
waytorememberaspecialoccasion,milestone,orlovedone.Oritmay
beawaytohonororgivethanksforsomeonespecialinyourlife.
Ifyouwouldliketoorderaflowerdedication,pleaseconsultthesign-
upsheetinthenarthextoensurethatyourdesiredSundayhasnotbeen
previouslyreserved,writeyournameonthechart,completetheorder
form(alsoonthebulletinboard)andreturnittotheofficewithyour
$25donation.Youmayalsoorderonlineatwww.ourshepherdlives.org.
Allordersmustbereceivednolaterthan2p.m.onWednesdaytodedi-
cateflowersforthecomingSunday.
WiththeexceptionofAdventandLent,wearealwaysreadytohave
oneofourflowerguildmembersmakearrangementswhenthereisa
dedication;followingtheworshipserviceyouareinvitedtotakeoneof
thearrangements.Thesecondbouquetisdeliveredbythepastortothe
homeboundorhospitalized.