Good Shepherd - Week of September 6th, 2026

This summer, we are continuing our sermon series on the parables of Jesus. These short stories are simple enough to remember, but deep enough to unsettle us, challenge us, and reshape the way we see God, ourselves, and the world around us. Together, we'll listen closely to the stories Jesus told and ask what it means to receive his kingdom with open ears, honest hearts, and lives ready to respond. Join us at the 9am and 10:45am worship gatherings in person, or the livestream option directly from our website at (gspc.org).  

Click below for the study guide for Sunday September 6th.

Next Sunday, September 13th, we will begin a new ten-week sermon series through Romans 1-7, exploring the power of the gospel and the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. We hope everyone will experience this series in community by joining a small group for these ten weeks. Get Connected cards are available at the welcome center, or you can sign up here on our website. Deadline to sign up is September 6th. 

Mary Billetts - prayers for healing following surgery.
MJ Van Melle - prayers for healing and recovery.
Sammy Rake - (son-in-law of Don Travis) prayers for upcoming heart surgery.                      
Diane Wood - prayers for healing and recovery.
Carol Ramseyer - prayers for healing, strength, and recovery.
Robert Woo - (husband of Annie Cavadini) healing from cancer.
Bonnie Hildebrandt - prayers to be receptive to physical therapy.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains-
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

Submit prayer requests to prayer@gspc.org or click the button below.

9/8 - Judy Foreman, 88

Join us for our Wednesday Night Kick Off on September 9th, Seniors - Faith@4:45, Dinner 5:45-6:30pm and then an intro to Romans in the Sanctuary from 6:30-8pm. Romans Study Workbook will be handed out then as well as a chance to meet your group! Kids and Youth programs will kick off as well! 

The campus will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.

Our Nominating Committee will soon begin seeking candidates to serve as elders and deacons in the coming year. Please prayerfully consider who in our congregation might be well suited for these important roles, it may even be you! Stay tuned for more information about the specific positions that will be available and how to submit nominations. 

We are excited to share that new ESV (English Standard Version) pew Bibles will be in place on Sunday, September 13th. The 1984 NIV (New International Version), which we previously used, is no longer published or officially available online, so we decided to switch to a translation that is more widely available. We chose the ESV because it is a faithful, widely respected translation that is similar to the 1984 NIV. The ESV will also be the translation displayed on the screen during worship. 

On the first and third Wednesday of each month moms with kids of all ages join together for a time of fellowship, study, and celebration. Join us on Wednesday, September 16th from 9-10:30am in the Patio Room for our first gathering this season. Childcare is available.

We want to support you as parents by taking care of your kids for a few hours! Drop off at 5pm, pick up at 8pm, and let us take care of the rest! Just $20/family! Dinner is provided.  

It's not every day that we do something that has such a lifesaving impact. Let's show the community and the patients in need of blood just how much we care. Please sign up today, we have 14 openings remaining to be filled. To schedule your appointment, use this link to find the drive GoodShepherdPresbyterianChurchBloodDrive 9-8 or call 1/800/733.2767.

Our Chancel Choir is enjoying a well-deserved summer respite, but we'll be back in action this Sunday, September 6th singing a favorite, "And the Father Will Dance."
We welcome anyone who loves to sing to join us - in two ways:
1. Chancel Choir: Sings praises to the Lord every Sunday. Rehearsals begin Thursday, September 3rd at 7pm, but you are welcome at any time. 
2. Festival Choir: A shorter commitment and lots of fun festive music! Join us just for the Christmas season community choir.
For more information email Dr. Binh Vu, binh@gspc.org, or speak to a choir member!
Don't sing yourself but know someone who does? Please pass the invitation along!

What happens on the First Friday of the Month?? GAME NIGHT! Come and join us for fun, fellowship, and games in the Fireside Room on September 4th at 6:30pm. 

Join us on Wednesday, September 9th at 4:45pm in the Choir Room as Pastor Doug shares some insights and experiences from his recent prayer retreat in Montana. He will relate how praying for nearly 200 members of Good Shepherd touched his life and shaped his faith. Doug will share some scriptures that call us to pray for each other and some guidance on how we may participate in the ministry of intercession. Bring a friend, stay for dinner afterwards.

Join us in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and lunch together on Thursday, September 24th at 12 noon. We welcome back the members of the Bridge Creek Band. They offer an enjoyable and energetic blend of classic genres using a diverse range of instrumentation including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, lap steel, harmonica, vocals, bass, and hand percussion. Cost: $8.00 per person. Sign up at the Senior Ministry table on the Plaza.

We are off to explore the new SoFi Stadium with an exclusive behind the scenes tour on Thursday, October 15th from 9:30-1:30pm. We will take a look at the luxury suites, the owners club, private VIP lounges as well as the locker rooms of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. Our time will include a chance to walk through the tunnel onto the playing field. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for this event. Large bags and purses are prohibited, please use a clear plastic bag or small clutch purse. We will have a "stadium lunch" before boarding our coach to return to church. Cost: $65.00 per person. Sign up at the Senior Ministry table on the Plaza. 

It's almost fall - and that means Literary Women will meet on September 12th at 9:30am in the Fireside Room. Join us to discuss the novel, This Book Made Me Think of You, by Libby Page. Come at 9:15am for coffee; open to all who love to read! 

Quilters meet on the 2nd Monday of each month at 10am in the Round Room #4. Their next meeting is on September 14th. 

Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comic strip, once said, "I get mail; therefore I am." Receiving a hand-addressed card or letter in one's mailbox really has become a rare delight in this time of emails, social media posts, and text messages.
Our Card Ministry reminds people that they truly matter. Seniors are celebrated once they turn 80 years of age; couples start receiving cards on their Golden Anniversary. One recipient thanks us this way: "It is so nice to know that I am not forgotten, even though I can only attend church online."
Sympathy, Get Well, and Thinking of You cards are also mailed to members of the GSPC family. Last year, 292 cards were written and mailed!
You can be part of sharing Christ's love by donating your unused cards. Many people belong to organizations that offer greeting cards to express appreciation for their support. Please consider giving them to the card ministry.
You can bring your card donations to the church office Monday-Thursday. You can also drop them off at the Local Missions table on Sunday.
Questions? Contact Sherry Johnson at sherryj54@gmail.com. Thank you so much for blessing others in this way!

Do you have a loved one with mental illness? This group is for you! You will receive encouragement, discover that you are not alone in this challenge, and find new resources to help you cope. Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 7-8:30pm in the Fireside Room. The next meeting is on September 10th. Questions? Contact Debbie O'Dell at debodell51@gmail.com.

Those who are mourning the death of a loved one are invited to join the next sessions of GriefShare, a faith-based support group for understanding and healing of the grief process. This series begins on Tuesday, September 15th, from 10-12 noon in the Patio Room, and continues for 13 weeks. For more information call Diana Klimek at 562/896.2505 or visit griefshare.org. 

Rising TIDE is a FREE afterschool program in downtown Long Beach that our church has supported for many years. Any GSPC donation received by September 20th will be matched by a member of our church (up to $5000), matched by Friends of Rising TIDE, and partially matched by "Long Beach Gives." Please write your check to Rising TIDE and bring it to the Rising TIDE table on the patio on or before September 20th for the three matches. Inner-city Long Beach kids thank you!

Looking for healthcare professionals to join - email Barbara Kozak at bjzaky@gmail.com.   

Flu Shots will be given on September 27th and October 10th between worship gatherings in the gym. Senior shots and regular shots will be available. Home visits can be arranged. Contact Beth Piburn for more information at 562/598.5136.

Get all dressed up and support the mission of Food Finders at their gala, "Ignite the Night" on Friday, September 18th. It will be at The Mayne, 16400 Bellflowers Blvd., Bellflower, CA 90706.
There will be Cuban-inspired music and cuisine presented by gourmet caterers, TGIS, plus opportunity drawings, silent and live auction. To purchase tickets click here.  

Help create a clean, welcoming, and nurturing environment for youth in crisis on this day of service, September 12th from 9am to noon, ensuring their space remains safe, comfortable, and well cared for. As a safe, home-like shelter for youth experiencing instability, their shelter requires ongoing attention to maintain the warm, supportive atmosphere they deserve. Beyond the practical impact, this project sends a powerful message to the young people they serve: their community cares about them! Roll up your sleeves and help us give Casa Youth Shelter a Fall Refresh. Serve Los Al will kick off with an assembly at 8:30am at Oak Middle School Outdoor Amphitheatre, 10821 Oak St., Los Alamitos and disperse from there. To register go to https://servelosal.org/Projects/View-Project?ID=83.

Email:    info@gspc.org
Phone:  562/493.2553
Prayer:  prayer@gspc.org
Office Hours:  9am-4pm Monday-Thursday