Events at Good Samaritan

Sunday School – following Children’s Time in Worship
Pre-K-6^th Grade, Room 200 with Jan Russell, everyone is invited!
This Sunday, Dec 22: “Love!”

December 24 – Family Christmas Eve Service! Tuesday, December 24 – 4:00 p.m. Featuring the book Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola. The birds are abuzz with news of strange happenings. Come join us for an interactive bird’s eye view of the Nativity.

Save the Date:  Vacation Bible Camp – “Road Trip” June 23-27, 2025
Participants 4 years old – 4th grade.  Youth volunteers 5th grade – 12th grade.

Save the Date:  Adaptive Bible Camp – August 4-7, 2025
Traditional bible camp adapted for kids with learning and physical differences.  Participants kindergarten to 6th grade.

God’s creation calls to many of us this time of year, along with a desire for more time with friends.  “Take a Hike” simply offers you opportunities to do both simultaneously!  Good Samaritan offers here a bit of structure, a spiritual focus, an open invitation, and some easily-accessible-resources to make it happen.  Twice monthly, you are invited to meet at a designated park, share a quick devotional thought, and head out to look anew at God’s creation either alone or in groups.  Whoever shows up will be encouraged to reconvene afterwards to share their discoveries and journeys along the trails.

You won’t need to commit each week, nor worry about letting someone know if you can’t make it.  Whoever shows up will be the group of the day.  If no one else shows up, enjoy a hike with just you and God!

As a participant you will receive:

• Updates as to where and when Good Samaritan gatherings are taking place
• Links to short devotional podcasts by Pastor Jim
• Address and contact information (if available) of the designated park, along with a general Google map of the area and parking options
• Trail map of the park (when available digitally) showing hiking options

Summer schedules are often busy and ever-changing for folks; therefore, three gathering times are being offered each week:

Gathering #1 … Monday Evenings 6:00 – 7:00 PM

Gathering #2  …  Thursday Afternoons 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Gathering #3 … Saturday Mornings 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Feel free to join any of the times being offered, or simply use the resources and go take a hike whenever it best fits your availability.  Hiking sessions will take place the FIRST and THIRD FULL WEEKS in each month, from May – September.

Plan to meet at the designated location 10 minutes before the session begins.  Park Hosts are being sought who will help get the group gathered and started; if none are available that week, do your best to find each other and prepare for your time together on your own.  Recognizable symbols (sign, flag, pinwheel, etc.) are also being sought to help you to easily identify the Good Samaritan Hikers.

Most parks offer paved and unpaved trails of various distances and difficulties; choose the trail which is right for you.  It is recommended that you wear good hiking shoes and a hat, and bring along a water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellent.  If you are into photography bring a camera too!  Restroom facilities are usually available, along with benches.  Pets may or may not be allowed in every park.

In case of inclement or questionable weather, we will NOT be sending out any cancellation notices.  You will need to make your own judgement in each case.  We recommend staying home if any conditions arise which might threaten your health or safety.

If questions or concerns arise, please contact Pastor Jim (Jim@Good.org) and find the answers together.  Feel free to invite friends, grandchildren, or neighbors to take a hike with you.  Best of all, use this opportunity to take a hike with God!  So let’s get started…

If you are an experienced pickleball player, you are welcome to join the players in the Good Samaritan Gym during any of the following sessions:

• Beginner’s lessons: Saturdays – 10:00 to 11:00 [equipment provided]
• Experienced players: Saturdays – 11:00 to 1:00 [bring your own paddle; balls are provided]

Contact Robin Stangis with questions – rstrangis12@gmail.com

A current list of prayer items, along with a short devotional reflection, are sent out weekly to over 100 prayerful supporters.  If you have a prayer of joy, concern, or praise you would like lifted to the Lord, simply send a note to Pastor Jim Beard (Jim@Good.org), Director of Congregational Care, by the end of the day Tuesdays.   Or if you are one who would like to pray for others and be included in these weekly notifications, simply let Pastor Jim know.  You need not be a member of Good Samaritan UMC to be included in this life-giving ministry.

There will be times throughout our lives when hardship and struggles will come.  You need not feel alone when such things occur.  Good Samaritan has three on-going support groups which each meet monthly.  Our Caregivers Support Group is especially for those who provide care to others with long-term illnesses or similar conditions.  Our Compassion Collective offers a safe, supportive space to personally share stories for those going through health struggles and the like.  Finally, Good Samaritan also has an active Caring Ministries Team who stay in contact with those going through difficulties, especially those who may find themselves less able to get to church, are facing long-term recovery or rehab, or who are feeling isolated for whatever reason.  The Lord will never leave your side; Good Samaritan aims to be there for you and your loved ones as well.

Sunday School is available for children and youth age 4 through grade 6.

Sunday School – following Children’s Time in Worship

Wednesday Night Youth Group (6th – 12th grade)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Rooms 200, 201

• December 18 – Cookie Baking
• December 24 – 4pm – Family Christmas Eve Service! Featuring the book Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola. The birds are abuzz with news of strange happenings. Come join us for an interactive bird’s eye view of the Nativity.
• December 25 and January 1 – Christmas Day and New Year’s Day! – No Youth Group

Save the Date:  Vacation Bible Camp – “Road Trip” June 23-27, 2025,
Participants 4 years old – 4th grade.  Youth volunteers 5th grade – 12th grade.

Save the Date:  Appalachia Service Project – July 12-20, 2025

Save the Date:  Adaptive Bible Camp – August 4-7, 2025
Traditional bible camp adapted for kids with learning and physical differences.  Youth volunteers 7th grade – 12th grade.

Tuesday Bible Study meets every Tuesday morning at 9:30 in the Fireside Room between the second week in September through the first week in May.

Visitors and new members (men and women) are more than welcome.

The 2024 fall season will begin September 10 with the book How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations by Max Lucado.

Please direct questions to Carol Smith (carolsden@gmail.com), Christina Leenders (christinaleenders@gmail.com), or Mary Stanton (rstanton5@comcast.net).

According to the ASP website, “each year, more than 15,000 volunteers serve with ASP, providing critical repairs for more than 350 families.” Projects can include roofing, flooring, shoring up foundations, digging drainage ditches, making rooms or homes wheel-chair accessible, or other projects that help make homes warmer, safer, and drier. In addition to building and improving homes, ASP is also a relational ministry for both the families we serve as well as those serving.

This ministry is about lifting the spirits of Appalachian families and reminding them that God’s love knows no boundaries. In the process of putting your faith in action, God acts in your heart. And when you change the lives of others, they have a way of changing you.

All students who have completed the 8th grade or higher are invited to serve with families in Central Appalachia. Students who are not members of or otherwise affiliated with Good Samaritan church are also invited to participate in the ASP trip. Bring a friend.

For more information contact Amy Manolis or  Jan Russell.

Good Samaritan’s adult bell choir performs monthly at Sunday Worship Services in addition to playing in festivals and concerts throughout the Twin Cities.

Learn More: Contact Kate Graber at Kate@good.org

Chancel Choir is open to any adult who loves to sing. This choir provides weekly music at most Sunday services. This is a friendly, supportive group where you will be accepted and in addition, your faith will be nurtured.

Learn more: Contact Carey Shunskis at Carey@good.org

Confirmation Class (8th grade and older)

• Historically Confirmation was for students in 9th grade. We are now going to open it up to anyone 8th grade and older. When a student enters 8th grade they will be eligible to register for Confirmation, and they will remain eligible all the way through High school. This way you can choose when the right time for your family is to participate in Confirmation. Maybe that means waiting in order to allow siblings to attend together, maybe that means waiting for an academic year that is less demanding, maybe your student isn’t interested as an 8th grader but will become interested as they get older. Whatever the case may be, we want to make this program more accessible! If you know of a family that would be interested in this program, let Jan know!

Did you know that Good Samaritan has a Good Samaritan Online Community group on Facebook. This group helps serve as a hub of online interaction and information for our community, as well as having special curated content from our staff and Digital Team not available on our Facebook Page. It will be a private, safe, and moderated space. On Sunday, Christian and the Digital Team will have information to help you join our group. We hope you’ll join us in this new ministry of the church as we continue to reach beyond our walls. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to CHRISTIAN@GOOD.ORG.

You can signup for the new Good Samaritan Online Community NOW.

Hearts & Hammers is a Twin Cities organization that provides exterior home improvement assistance for senior citizens, disabled adults and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or their surviving spouse so they may continue to live independently. A typical Hearts & Hammers home requires exterior painting, moderate carpentry and landscaping.

This is Good Samaritan’s contemporary music ensemble. This group presents a variety of original songs as well as familiar covers. In addition to performing monthly during a Sunday Worship Service, Homeward Bound also performs at other venues in the community.

Learn More: Contact Brad Carlin

Our Friday Breakfast Group welcomes everyone to the conversation! They meet at Jerry’s (5125 Vernon Ave, Edina) for breakfast at 8:30am on the first and third Fridays of each month. This is a great opportunity for you to come and bring a friend. Contact Brian Boysen with questions.

Calling all Knitters, Quilters and Embroiderers! Work on personal projects while enjoying the company of others

Contact: Carol Smith

Our next meeting will be on January 9th at 1:00 in the Fireside Room. The first discussion title of the new year is FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon.  A work of historical fiction, it based upon real-life story of midwife, Martha Ballard and her challenges in 1789 New England. Please join us for a lively discussion, fellowship and refreshments. Questions: Contact: Vicki Dunn, victoria.dunn@q.com.

The large, light-filled, and welcoming nursery is staffed by professional childcare workers. Your child can enjoy the nursery while you enrich your soul and mind in worship. The Nursery is on the upper level, steps from our sanctuary.

The Children, Youth and Families Advisory Council provide input into events, programming and the physical space that welcomes our new and existing families. The Council meets quarterly. If you’d like to participate, contact Jan to learn more!