Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

Worship

Worship is a public and social event. It engages our lives and faith, our thoughts, feelings, hopes, and needs. It includes actions and words, symbols and ritual, scriptures and liturgical texts, gestures and vestments, prayers that are spoken or sung. It is also shaped by the seasons, feasts, and fasts of the calendar of the church year. It expresses what we believe and know about God, as well as what we cannot put into words. We invite you to join us in our worship. There are many ways to become more closely involved in making worship happen.

Music & Choir

The Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Choir is a God-loving, music-loving family from diverse backgrounds with varying levels of music knowledge and experiences. We sing high-church music, back porch gospel songs, and everything in between. We are ready and willing to sing to the best of our ability. The unifying factor among all of us is that we love to sing for the Lord with each other. Through our church commitment and the time spent together during choir practices, we have developed deep and abiding friendships.

Your talent wasn't given to you to be used during just one phase of your life. It was given to you to be used for the glory of God wherever you are, no matter your age. Come and make a "joyful noise" with us. Don't read music? No problem! Play an instrument? You are welcome among our guitarists, violinist, harpists, flutist. Consider becoming a part of the music family here at Good Shepherd.

We practice Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:00 pm. We sing each Sunday at one service and for other special occasions. We take three months off in the summer.

Contact Chuck Bradley at (941) 830-2167.

The men and women of our Altar Guild serve silently behind the scenes, setting up the altar for the next service, making sure the linens and vessels are clean and in order, preparing Communion kits for the Lay Eucharistic Visitors. They also decorate the church for holidays and special occassions. What a privilege it is to serve in God’s sanctuary and at His altar!

To inquire or volunteer contact Lois Cottrill at (941) 485-7052.

Altar Guild

Acolytes

Acolytes assist during the service by carrying the cross or torch candles, leading the procession at the beginning of the service and at the reading of the Gospel. Acolytes stand near the altar to assist the celebrant. This is a favorite role for youngsters but is fulfilled by parishioners of all ages. Monthly training sessions are held on the first Saturday of the month at 11:00 am.

Contact Marcel Tabor - Liturgy Commission at (941) 716-2388.

The Good Shepherd Flower Guild is an incredibly talented group of people who gather each Saturday morning to arrange flowers for our sanctuary and for receptions and celebrations in our parish hall. Anyone is welcome to join this group and learn from the pros!
To volunteer contact Jane Murphy at (941) 400-7985.

Flower Guild

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers serve at the altar with the celebrant to distribute communion and assist during the service. These ministers are trained and licensed with the diocese. This is a very special ministry and open to all Episcopalians in good standing.

Eucharistic Visitors take communion on Sundays to those who are ill or homebound.

Contact Marcel Tabor -- (941) 716-2388 if you are interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister.

Holy Baptism is the initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into the Church, the Body of Christ.

Baptism of infants or children or adults often takes place during the service where Godparents or sponsors make promises with the baptized to help the new Christian grow in the knowledge and love of God.

If you are interested becoming Baptized, please contact the Parish Office at (941) 497-7286.

Baptisms

Weddings

The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage is a time for sharing with family and friends the beauty and joy found in discovering and loving one another. The Episcopal Church requires that one of the two persons be a baptized Christian, that two witnesses be present, and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State of Florida and the Canons of the Church.

Pre-marital counseling is required, giving the rector an opportunity to meet and know the couple and to discuss the meaning of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

If you are interested in getting married by a priest at the Church of the Good Shepherd, please contact the Parish Office at (941) 497-7286.

A funeral is the important liturgy marking our passage into eternal life. We at Good Shepherd invite you to consider making those arrangements for yourself and family before the time of a grave illness.

Also, because it is important and comforting to be in a right relationship with God at the end of one’s life, our hope is that you might arrange to make a final Reconciliation and receive Communion at the time of a life threatening illness. Unction or Anointing of the Sick is also received during a serious illness.

Good Shepherd provides forms to be filled out by you and designed to give clear direction to help both your family and the church provide a funeral that fully expresses your faith. We also provide instructions for burial, if desired, in our Memorial Gardens. For information contact the Parish Office at (941) 497-7286.