Help Share Good Samaritan's Christmas Eve on Social Media
We have events created on our Facebook page for each of our three Christmas Eve Worship services. We also have a video ad running on Facebook & Instagram channels. The best way to reach more people is through “organic spread”, which comes from people sharing. Sharing is a simple way to fuel exponential (and free!) spread of our message. Please consider sharing our events, our video ad, or our graphic in your social media circles as you feel is appropriate.
Blue Christmas at Good Samaritan
The Advent/Christmas season may carry grief, heartache, or struggle amidst activity, joy, and celebration. Each week in December during our Sunday services, special ornaments will be available to add to our Blue Christmas Tree. You may write the name of “something blue” on each ornament as a prayer to add to our community tree.
Pastor Max's Upcoming Vacation
Please note that Pastor Max will be on vacation 12/25-1/1. Pastor Jim will be preaching on 12/26 and on-call for pastoral emergencies at 763-300-9626.
Video of Jean Zivkovich’s Memorial Service
A memorial service for Jean Zivkovich was held on Saturday, December 21.
Here is a link for you to watch a recording of the service.
Lessons & Carols Music in Online Ministry
Our Christmas Eve, Christmastide Sunday, and Epiphany Sunday Online Worship will feature the beautiful music from our special Lessons & Carols worship. We hope you’ll tune in to hear the music of our Good Samaritan ensembles as part of your Christmas worship experience. Those services can be found any time after they premiere at good.org/watch, our Facebook Page, or our YouTube channel.
Online Readers Wanted
We want to extend an invitation to those who participate in Online Worship to be readers, especially for those who are not able to come to our in-person services. If you’re in the local area, we would be happy to come to you to record. If you are distant, we can find a way to help you record. We may even include the recording during In-Person Worship as well. Please reach out to christian@good.org if you would like to participate in worship remotely. You don’t have to be the perfect reader to be a part of worship.
Mission Team Needs
Good Samaritan is helping two small families (plus two extra men living with them) from Ecuador. We would like to make Christmas special for them as they don't have much money. We are looking for a medium or small artificial Christmas tree with/without lights. We have some ball ornaments but something more interesting would be nice. We are looking for four men's bikes since they do not have a car. Any warm mittens/gloves, scarves, balaclavas, or hats would be good. (We got them warm coats and delivered many items to them!) Also, a hairdryer, a rolling pin, games for 4- &/or 12-year-olds. Contact JoAnn Knutson, Brian Boysen, or Pat Deckas Becerra.
Christmas and Advent Music YouTube Playlist of Good Samaritan Musicians
Looking for the perfect holiday playlist? One that features some of the best music from our Good Samaritan Musicians from past and present? Maybe something to share with others who are looking for beautiful music or a place to center during this time? Then check out our Christmas & Advent playlist on YouTube. We’ll continue to add to this large collection as new music comes along this season. Check it out here.
STEP Donations
A big thank you to all who donated toys, books, and gift cards at our Hanging of the Greens service. We were able to donate 35+ toys, 5+ books and $500+ in gift cards to STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency program).
Pledge Cards available
Extra pledge cards and letters are available on the Welcome Table in the Narthex and on the table near the Church Office. Look for the envelopes labeled “2025 Stewardship Packet”. Completed cards can be left in the Deposit Box near the mail slots by the office. Thanks to those who have already turned them in!
2024 Donations to Good Samaritan
Due to potential holiday mail delays and best practices for year-end accounting, please mail any 2024 offerings to Good Samaritan by December 10 so we may receive them by December 15. Thank you!
Sanctuary Live Streaming & Recording Training
Christian Nielsen is offering training for operating our built-in sanctuary camera system for live streaming and recording. We need volunteers willing to train so that we can reliably offer live streaming for funerals, weddings, special services, and other events. Please reach out to Christian at christian@good.org or 952-221-1857 for more information or to sign up.
Let the Play Begin!
The Good Sam Pickleball Club invites interested adult Good Samaritan members to join in the newly added introduction/beginners pickleball sessions. The sessions will be held in the church Gym each Saturday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. No previous experience is necessary. Paddle equipment will be available. Regular pickleball play time is Mondays and Thursdays from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:00a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is required for ANY/ALL sessions. Registration forms are available outside the church office or at the Gym.
Memorial Service Help
We are looking for people who are interested in occasionally helping with memorial services held at Good Samaritan. This is something we used to do years ago and are exploring restarting it. The areas we could use help with are baking cookies, making coffee, washing tablecloths, and coordinating. You would be contacted when a memorial service is planned at Good Samaritan where the bereaved would appreciate cookies and bars provided by the church. If you are interested in being on the list, please contact Kathy Clark at kjcclark@icloud.com. Thank you for your time.
Chancel Chimes Needs You!
Chancel Chimes handbell ensemble is looking for new members. If you are interested in ringing handbells or even just trying them, now is the time. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 pm and we participate in worship approximately once a month. The ability to read music and a can-do attitude are helpful. Contact Kate Graber, kate@good.org, for details. The Bell Room 153 is on the lower level in the Music Wing..
Online Worship on SW Community Television!
Our Online Worship is now on Southwest Community Television, accessible to cable subscribers in Edina and surrounding communities on Channel 15 (Standard Definition) 799 (High Definition). Having our worship on cable will make it more accessible for those with limited technology access or knowledge and we hope it will increase our visibility in the area. Online Worship will also be available on demand from their website http://edinamn.gov/swtv and through their “Cablecast” streaming app for iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Roku and Fire TV users. Our schedule on channel 15 & 799 is:
- Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm
- Fridays 9-10 am
- Saturdays 7 - 8 pm
- Sundays 10 am (airs one week behind due to our production schedule)
Help Beautify our Worship
Our altar flower signup sheet for Sunday morning worship is looking very empty. Consider signing up! You can acknowledge an anniversary, honor someone, or provide flowers just because! There are several ways to provide flowers for the altar for all different budgets, including:
- Have Cindy in the office order an arrangement from Bachman’s for a cost of $65 (or more for a larger arrangement).
- To avoid the $18 delivery fee, order your own arrangement and pick it up yourself.
- Grab a bouquet from your local grocery store (Trader Joe’s has a great selection for lower cost) or farmers market (Fulton Farmers Market meets at Lake Harriet UMC on Saturday mornings).
- Cut flowers and foliage from your own yard.
When you sign up on the Altar Flowers chart on the Narthex kiosk, Cindy will be in touch with you to discuss what you would like to do. Contact her with questions - cindy@good.org or 952-929-0049.