february newsletter 2

Dear Faithful people of Good Shepherd:

W hat would a world infused with that

love look like?

W hat would our community, family and

friends look like?

W hat would we look like?

much injustice, hate and vio-lence in the world today how can we individually and collec-tively live a life committed to sharing God’s true love? What would a world infused with that love look like? What would our community, family and friends look like? What would we look like? We may wish to ask ourselves these questions as we journey to-wards Lent (which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9th) and the cross of Christ, the ultimate symbol of bold and selfless love.

Come to Good Shepherd every Saturday Evening or Sunday Morning for Worship this Epiphany and fill up on God’s brilliant love. Be caring enough to ask a friend or fam-ily member to join you in wor-ship. God can transform the world, and we can help-one heart at a time!

May God grant each of us the desire and power to stand for and share the truest love which is Jesus the Christ!

Agape,

Pastor Eric Olaf Olsen

Our starlight epiphany stroll continues throughout February this year. Casper, Melchior, and King Balthazar are heading home bedazzled by their encoun-ter with the “Light of the World.” We also have been radiated by God’s brilliant love and are poised to reflect that love to the world in a new way. It just seems right that we pause midmonth to celebrate the “day of love”, Saint Valen-tines Day.

According to legend a priest named Valentine lived in Rome during the third century at the time of the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius had a passion for war. He be-came enraged because many men who had fami-lies were reluctant to join the army. In response the Emperor issued a decree declaring a ban on all mar-riage ceremonies. Needless to say Pastor Valentine dis-obeyed Claudius’ decree and continued to marry couples in secret until he was caught, arrested and condemned to death.

During his imprisonment many young people came to visit Valentine, bringing him flowers and notes to make him feel loved. It is believed that the daughter of a prison guard risked her

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

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1

A M E S S A G E F R O M

P A S T O R E R I C

own life to visit with him often during those last days even though she vio-lated the law to do so. Her love and devotion inspired and comforted Valentine.

On February 14, 270 AD, Valentine left a note to the jailer’s daughter thanking her for the bold and self-less love that she shared with him during his last days. He signed the note, “Love from your Valen-tine.” He was then exe-cuted by being beaten to death and beheaded ac-cording to the sentence he had received earlier be-cause of his steadfast belief that nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of true love.

How bold are we in our loving and in defending the right to love others? Can we, reflect God’s love as perfectly as the legendary Saint Valentine? With so

OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY

is collecting underwear and socks for boys and girls (up to size 16) during the month of February.

Please remember that the need for food is not only monthly, but ongoing. Your contribu-tion, no matter how big or small, makes a pantry shelf less sparse.

As always,

thank you

for your support

of our mission!

Many exciting Many exciting Many exciting Many exciting things are things are things are things are happening! happening! happening! happening!

Some you can Some you can Some you can Some you can

see, hear, and feel. see, hear, and feel. see, hear, and feel. see, hear, and feel.

Some might not be Some might not be Some might not be Some might not be as apparent.as apparent.as apparent.as apparent.

Meaningful Progress;Meaningful Progress;Meaningful Progress;Meaningful Progress; Important Work.Important Work.Important Work.Important Work.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, MR. PAUL HINSCH. . .A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, MR. PAUL HINSCH. . .A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, MR. PAUL HINSCH. . .A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, MR. PAUL HINSCH. . .

If you want to get an idea of what the various Ministry Teams at Good Shepherd Lutheran School plan to accomplish this year, make sure you look at our 2010/2011 Vision for Mis-sion document. This comprehensive plan was pre-sented to the congregation at the May 2010 voters meeting. It covers the congregation’s fiscal year (July through June) and spells out each t eam ’ s a ccompl i shments in 2009/2010 as well as goals for 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. This past Sunday, January 23rd, many of the Ministry Team Chairs and Liaisons met to discuss where they stood with respect to their indi-vidual plans and goals. Many excit-ing things are happening! Some you can see, hear and feel. Some that might not be as apparent. I have mentioned it in previous articles but look at the website (www.ourshepherdlives.org) for yourself; you will see the printed word, hear the spoken word, and on occasion, hear the word in song. That same team, Communication & Tech-nology, has been working through a process that will lead to a recommen-dation for a new phone system. (The replacement of our current system is long overdue.) Defining a plan of action to make full use of a Church database is next on the agenda. This effort will require assistance from many, but it will po-sition us to be much more successful in all that we do. Meaningful pro-gress, important work.

The Education team reported that this summer we will once again hold Vacation Bible School. This is impor-tant outreach within our congregation, school and community. Is there a role for you to play? Can you offer to help? Meaningful progress, important work. The Stewardship team reported the results of their campaign and talked about the next phase. The first phase was very successful. A good in-crease in the number of members pledging was more than matched by the dollar amount pledged. The results are very encouraging! The next phase of the campaign involves ‘time and tal-ents’. Please help us make this just as successful. Meaningful progress, im-portant work. Worship & Music, as you can imagine, has an impact on what you see when you come to Church. Work-ing closely with Pastor Olsen and Theresa Ratkowski, the team has been involved in a number of important happenings, Saturday evening wor-ship, reclaiming the Chapel for Bible Study, the acquisition and dedication of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnals in our pews. Meaningful progress, important work. There is more, much more. We need your support, we need your in-volvement.

Please play a role in helping us realize our Vision!

Do you know Good Shepherd’s Vision for Mission?Do you know Good Shepherd’s Vision for Mission?Do you know Good Shepherd’s Vision for Mission?Do you know Good Shepherd’s Vision for Mission?

Lars is in Good Shepherd’s toddler separation program. Lisa is a devoted speech pathologist currently working in the New York City school system. The Olsen family was afraid that they would miss the Buffalo snow so they decided it was best to bring it with them to Plainview! Lori & Eric Tollefsen have had a long-standing relationship with Good Shepherd Church. Both their daugh-ters, Alyssa and Nicole, were baptized here and have been in our Sunday school since kindergarten. It only seemed a natural progression that Lori and Eric would become official mem-bers when the time was right. And it now seems that the time was right. Nancy Tucker is a life- long Lutheran, avid fisher-person, firefighter, emer-gency medical technician, and proud mommy to her puppy dog, Tim-ber. Nancy lives with her parents in New Hyde Park and is excited about being part of the Good Shepherd Fam-ily. A CPR instructor, Nancy recently gave of her time and talents by re-certifying our school staff! A close friend to pastor and his family, Luke and Lars affectionately know her as aunt Nancy .

Roy Steinhilber & Deborah Stein, both former residents of New Hyde Park, have come full circle with Pastor Eric. Roy is the father of two teenag-ers, Alex and Jessica, while Deb has two adult daughters, Kelly, who re-cently married in August, and Kristin, who is engaged to be married in May. During a difficult period in their lives, Roy and Deborah met at a support group that Pastor Eric ran at Gloria Dei Church. They became friends and

On Sunday, January 9, we cele-brated the Baptism of our Lord by welcoming 12 new members into our Good Shepherd family as they reaf-firmed their own baptism Chrissy Canino, along with her children Izabella and Anthony, have been part of our school family since 2007 and loves that experience so much that she mused about consid-ering more kids just to be able to continue to be involved with our school. Chrissy credits her children with their decision to become church members as “this is their home, and the place where they feel most comfortable.” They had been attending service here sporadically over the past three years and have celebrated with Pastor Phil, Pastor Jurik, Pastor Dianne, and now Pas-tor Eric. They have attended other churches, but have always found themselves returning to Good Shep-herd. Chrissy, who was raised Bap-tist and married a Catholic, finds the Lutheran faith to be a good me-dium between the two. Randi Filagrossi and her husband John celebrated the baptism of their baby, Aiden John, here at Good Shepherd on Sunday, November 7th. A long-time family friend, of Pastor Olsen, Randi is originally from Glens Falls, NY, and now resides in Seaford, NY. Lisa, Luke, & Lars Olsen are very familiar faces around our church and school, and we are delighted to have our Pastor’s family join our family. Seven year old Luke is a sec-ond grader at Trinity Lutheran School in Hicksville while brother

WWWW e warmly welcome e warmly welcome e warmly welcome e warmly welcome 12 new members into our Good 12 new members into our Good 12 new members into our Good 12 new members into our Good Shepherd family:Shepherd family:Shepherd family:Shepherd family: Chrissy, Izabella & Chrissy, Izabella & Chrissy, Izabella & Chrissy, Izabella & Anthony CaninoAnthony CaninoAnthony CaninoAnthony Canino Randi FilagrossiRandi FilagrossiRandi FilagrossiRandi Filagrossi Lisa, Luke & Lars OlsenLisa, Luke & Lars OlsenLisa, Luke & Lars OlsenLisa, Luke & Lars Olsen

Roy Steinhilber & Roy Steinhilber & Roy Steinhilber & Roy Steinhilber & Deborah SteinDeborah SteinDeborah SteinDeborah Stein

Lori & Eric TollefsonLori & Eric TollefsonLori & Eric TollefsonLori & Eric Tollefson Nancy TuckerNancy TuckerNancy TuckerNancy Tucker

~~~ “The decision was an easy one.

We found a home at

Good Shepherd.”

—Deborah Stein

MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS

moved to Greenlawn to-gether a year ago. “We were in search of a new church when our former Pastor and good friend, Pastor Olsen, told us that there was a pos-sibility that he may be mov-ing back to Long Island,” Deborah said. “Roy and I attended numerous services at Good Shepherd and found the congregation to be very warm and welcom-ing. The decision was an easy one. We found a home at Good Shepherd.”

If you provided your e-

mail address, you will

no longer be receiving

this newsletter through the

US Postal Service.

FROM OUR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY TEAM...FROM OUR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY TEAM...FROM OUR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY TEAM...FROM OUR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY TEAM...

FROM OUR COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY TEAM...FROM OUR COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY TEAM...FROM OUR COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY TEAM...FROM OUR COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY TEAM...

Our newsletter will be available through e-mail in order to ensure earlier delivery as well as savings on postage.

If you did not get an opportunity to provide us with your e-mail address in church over the past few weeks, no problem! You may send it to Mary Wiegert at [email protected]. If you do not have an e-mail ad-dress you will still receive your copy in the mail.

NEWS ABOUT OUR NEWSLETTER!NEWS ABOUT OUR NEWSLETTER!NEWS ABOUT OUR NEWSLETTER!NEWS ABOUT OUR NEWSLETTER!

IIII t is our hope t is our hope t is our hope t is our hope

that the Cradle that the Cradle that the Cradle that the Cradle

Roll will encourage parents Roll will encourage parents Roll will encourage parents Roll will encourage parents

to speak easily to their chil-to speak easily to their chil-to speak easily to their chil-to speak easily to their chil-

dren about God. dren about God. dren about God. dren about God.

Cradle Roll is part of the outreach of the Education Committee. A Baptism book is sent out prior to the Baptism explaining the meaning and importance of this special occasion. Materials are sent out six times during the first year and continue to be sent until the child is three, and then the child receives an invi-tation to come to Sunday School.

A calendar marking the events of the child's first year with stickers, birthday cards, and cards marking the baptismal birthday, a book for preschoolers, and a music CD are among the items sent during the three-year period.

It is our hope this will encourage and help parents to speak easily about God in the life of their new child.

Thank you for being such faithful stew-ards! We have re-ceived 72 pledges for 2011 as of January 11th. We encourage any-

one who hasn’t yet made a pledge to please do so. Send it or bring it to the church office. We need everyone’s financial support to help carry on our ministry here at Good Shepherd. Remember, “Faithful Giving” is our

responsibility as God’s children, and the assurance of “Abundant Living” is God’s gracious gift to us.

Stewardship is the heart of the church. It’s a year-round commit-ment, not just the giving of your treas-ures, but also sharing your talents and time. We look forward to matching your special gifts and talents with the appropriate ministry team(s).

Thank you for your willingness to share.

WWWW e need e need e need e need

every-every-every-every-

one’sone’sone’sone’s financial support to financial support to financial support to financial support to

help carry on our minis-help carry on our minis-help carry on our minis-help carry on our minis-

try here at try here at try here at try here at

FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY TEAM...FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY TEAM...FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY TEAM...FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY TEAM...

The Stewardship Team

T H O S E I N N E E D

O F H E A L I N G

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

Marc & Roger

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

99 Central Park Road, Plainview, NY 11803 Phone: 516-349-1966 Fax: 516-349-8438

E-mail: [email protected] 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

Bobby Lang, Sexton

Pastor Craig & his family, the family and friends of George, and the family and friends of Lempi.

WE PRAY FOR...

Paul (Lori’s friend), LuHi Stu-dents Ryan, Christos & Ted-Michael (Car Accident), Henry (Lori’s friend), Sven (Gunhild’s son), Paul, Mary, Reverend Patricia (Lori’s cousin), Janet Cox, Nick, Fran, John (Margo’s son), Diane (Cathy’s friend), Janice and Susan (Bob & Ann’s family friends), Francis (Helen’s son), Annie (Barbara’s aunt), Meghan (Lisa’s relative), Lynne (Irma’s daughter-in-law), Ed (Lori’s relative), Gail, Virginia, Mary (Virginia’s daughter), Sean (Pastor Eric’s friend), Mary Ellen (George’s wife), Don, Francine, Fred, Joyce, Bill and Jean, Jake, Ian, James, Richard, Mary, Rita, and Chris.

T 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 G I N T H E

M I L I T A R Y

CPT. Paul, Major Phillip, MSgt. Rich-

ard, Sgt. Vincent and Russ(civilian) in

Afghanistan (friend of Judy & John’s

families). Lt. David (nephew of Joyce,

cousin of Alec & Madison).

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Frid

ay

Saturday

1

7:30 p.m.

School B

oard

2

10:00 a.m.

Saintly “S

ew”ers

7:00 p.m.

Bell C

hoir P

ractice

8:00 p.m.

Adult C

hoir P

ractice

3

10:30 a.m.

Bible Study

7:30 p.m.

Troop #423

7:30 p.m.

Bible Study

4

5

5:30 p.m.

Holy Eucharist

6

9:00 a.m.

Sunday School

10:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist

7

11:30 a.m.

Seniors

6:30 p.m.

Confirm

ation Class

8

NEWSLETTER SUB-

MISSIONS DEADLINE

9

10:00 a.m.

Saintly “S

ew”ers

7:00 p.m.

Bell C

hoir P

ractice

8:00 p.m.

Adult C

hoir P

ractice

10

10:30 a.m.

Bible Study

7:30 p.m.

Troop #423

7:30 p.m.

Bible Study

11

12

5:30 p.m.

Holy Eucharist

13

9:00 a.m.

Sunday School

10:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist

14

6:30 p.m.

Confirm

ation Class

7:30 p.m.

All M

inistry

Teams

15

7:30 p.m.

Council

16

10:00 a.m.

Saintly “S

ew”ers

7:00 p.m.

Bell C

hoir P

ractice

8:00 p.m.

Adult C

hoir P

ractice

17

9:30 a.m.

Evangelism

Team

10:30 a.m.

Bible Study

1:00 p.m.

21+ Men’s G

roup @

Jackie Reilly

’s

7:30 p.m.

Bible Study

Troop #423

18

19

5:30 p.m.

Holy Eucharist

20

9:00 a.m.

Sunday School

10:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist

21

Presidents’ D

ay Ob-

servance

Church Offic

e &

School Closed

No Confirm

atio

n

Class

22

23

10:00 a.m.

Saintly “S

ew”ers

7:00 p.m.

Bell C

hoir P

ractice

8:00 p.m.

Adult C

hoir P

ractice

24

10:30 a.m.

Bible Study

7:30 p.m.

Troop #423

7:30 p.m.

Bible Study

25

10:00 a.m.

WELCA Bible Study

St. D

avid’s L

utheran

Church

in Massa

pequa

Park

26

5:30 p.m.

Holy Eucharist

27

9:00 a.m.

Sunday School

10:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist

28

10:30 a.m.

Bereavement G

roup

6:30 p.m.

Confirm

ation Class

7:30 p.m.

Bereavement G

roup

*This ca

lendar is b

ased on all th

e information posted on the calendar in

the Church

Office

as of Ja

nuary 2

5,

2011. P

lease remember to

post yo

ur co

mmitte

e’s e

vent and tim

e on the calendar in

the Church

Office

or

call or e-mail M

aureen to post to

ensure its in

clusion on future newsletter ca

lendars. T

hank you!

FEBRUARY 2011

ASSISTING MINISTERS Fifth “Sunday” after Epiphany 5 Ellen Sangesland Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 6 Judy Hinsch

Sixth “Sunday” after Epiphany 12 Ellen Sangesland

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany 13 Dell-Ann Benson

Seventh “Sunday” after Epiphany 19 Ellen Sangesland

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany 20 John Hinsch

Eighth “Sunday” after Epiphany 26 Please sign up in the narthex

Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany 27 Terry Miccio

LECTORS Fifth “Sunday” after Epiphany 5 Ellen Sangesland Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 6 Danielle Vollono

Sixth “Sunday” after Epiphany 12 Ellen Sangesland

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany 13 Stephen Haupt

Seventh “Sunday” after Epiphany 19 Ellen Sangesland

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany 20 Gretel Saul


Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany 27 Terry Miccio

ACOLYTES Fifth “Sunday” after Epiphany 5 Please sign up in the narthex

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 6 Michaela Pietrofere & Zachary Vollono

Sixth “Sunday” after Epiphany 12 Please sign up in the narthex

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany 13 Danielle Vollono & Eric Kovel

Seventh “Sunday” after Epiphany 19 Please sign up in the narthex

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany 20 Robby Pietrofere


Eighth “Sunday” after the Epiphany 27 Adriana Vollono

OUR SATURDAY EVENING MASS NEEDS YOU! If you have a desire to serve at the Saturday evening mass, even if you have no experience, we are willing to train. We love it when you are able to share your gifts!

Lectors, Assisting Ministers, Acolytes—all are needed!

DELL-ANN BENSON IS GOOD SHEPHERD’S LIAISON

IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT, BENEVOLENT VENTURE.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS EFFORT TO FEED 500 CHILDREN!

THANK YOU!

UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 2011

WITH COUNSELING SITES LOCATED IN: NASSAU SUFFOLK MANHATTAN QUEENS WESTCHESTER

Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUST IN MARRIAGE*

By: Rev. Dr. Ron Lehenbauer, LCC Pastoral Counselor

It is obvious that trust be-

tween partners is very impor-

tant for a successful marriage

relationship. Some wise man

once said, “What counts in

making a happy marriage is

not so much how compatible

you are, but how you deal

with incompatibility.” Per-

haps the biggest challenge

for an intimate couple rela-

tionship is discovering how

you can “be there” for each

other, despite your differ-

ences and other inevitable

obstacles that arise when two

people share a life together.

Research is showing that

TRUST is what couples strug-

gle with most in the first five

years of marriage. “Can I

trust you ... to help me ... to

be there for me ... to be

loyal?” Sadly, sometimes low

levels of trust, deception and

betrayal can weaken and

even destroy the marriage

bond of trust.

Speaking of trust, there are

some important relationship

skills which are essential in

three interactional settings in

a marriage: 1) in everyday

interactions, 2) in dealing

with disagreements and con-

flict, and 3) in helping each

other heal from earlier emo-

tional wounds (often from

childhood). When these skills

are learned and practiced

with care and compassion,

over time and in many tiny

relationship moments and

interactions, trust is built be-

tween partners. If trust is

lost for some reason, it is re-

built in the same way.

Attunement is a vital key to

building trust in a marriage –

partners attuned to each other.

After work together as a couple,

the goals (seen in the following

acrostic) can be accomplished:

A = Awareness: Each partner

is aware and mindful of their

partner’s and their own feel-

ings, emotions, moods,

hurts and joys. You are

tuned into yourself and each

other.

T = Turning Toward: When

receiving an emotional bid

(perhaps a question, state-

ment, request, gesture or

facial expression) from your

partner, you do not turn

away or against them but

toward your partner in an

effort to meet the need be-

ing expressed.

T = Tolerance: Each partner is

able to tolerate their part-

ner’s expression of negative

feelings, hurt, frustration,

anger, etc., and respond

with care and compassion.

You frequently ask for, give

and receive forgiveness

from each other.

U= Understanding: Each part-

ner, in all conversations to-

gether, tries to clearly un-

derstand the other’s ideas,

feelings and perspective,

and accepts them as valid.

N= Non-defensive Respond-

ing: Each partner can con-

trol their own reactions in

the face of the other’s reac-

tion – you can listen to your

partner’s negativity with un-

derstanding, empathy and

compassion.

E= Empathy: Partners fre-

quently empathize with each

other and share their heart-

felt understanding of the

feelings and emotions their

dearest-one is experiencing.

Trust is built slowly over time as

couples practice this kind of at-

tunement with each other. Some-

times, in working on being more

attuned to each other, couples

find counseling helpful in learning

some new skills and getting some

new insights about themselves

and their relationship. That’s one

of the services of the Lutheran

Counseling Center. Feel free to

call us or refer couples to us if

you think we can be of help.

*Much of what I’m sharing here is

what I gleaned from a lecture I

recently attended presented by

Dr. John Gottman (a leading re-

searcher in couple relationships)

in Atlanta, GA, at an Imago Rela-

tionship Conference, October,

2010.

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR COR-

PORATORS’ MEETING: THURS-

DAY, MARCH 10, 6:30 TO 9:00

P.M. FOR ALL ASSOCIATION

CONGREGATIONAL PASTORS

AND 2 DELEGATES FROM EACH

CHURCH. MORE TO FOLLOW.

You may reach the Lutheran

Counseling Center at 516-741-

0994 or 1-800-317-1173 or e-

mail us at [email protected].

LCC has seven counseling sites

in and around metropolitan

New York. Visit our website at

www.lccny.org.

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 11802

DATED MATERIAL

february newsletter 2

Documents