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Monthly Newsletter for January, 2026
Newsletter Highlights This Month (click on a link to view)
Please Note: Our newsletters are for members only with no public access through the GSLC web site. Please bookmark this page or keep the newsletter notice email to return to this newsletter.
Epiphany Sunday Sermon Series - God’s ‘Better’ Is Best!
The author urges people to remain faithful to their Christian confession (Heb 3:1; 4:14; 10:23), warns against drifting away and neglecting salvation (Heb 2:1, 3), points out the danger of losing confidence in God's promises (Heb 3:6) and falling away from the faith (Heb 3:12). People were tempted to become rebellious and unbelieving like Israel (Heb 3:16–19) for they had not progressed into Christian adulthood (Heb 5:11–6:2). They had experienced God's saving gifts in Christ but may end up rejecting him (Heb 6:4–6; 10:29; 12:25). Sluggishness (Heb 6:12) could lead to something far worse—apostasy (Heb 10:26). Thus, repeatedly the author reminds people that in Christ, they have something better. Our Advent and Epiphany emphasis is God’s ‘Better’ Is Best! Hebrews repeatedly explains the gifts God gives Israel through Moses and then promises that we have something much better! January 4 “A Better King” (Matthew 2:1-12)
Sunday Morning Bible Class Our weekly class at 11:00 in the sanctuary offers an overview of Hebrews. This will be followed by a close look at several key passages in the book, including Hebrews 11—the Bible’s great hall of faith chapter. “God has planned something better for us!” (Hebrews 11:40) –Pastor Keith
This Month in Our Prayers For Successful Medical Care and Healing For Our Members: For Friends and Family Members: Additional prayer requests, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of comfort: This list is current as of December 30, 2025. Please see the most recent weekly Sunday Bulletin (on line or in the Narthex) for the latest updates to our prayer list.
Sunday Service Lectors Wanted - No Experience Needed
If you have lectored before, please come back. If you never have lectored before we want you! Please see Pastor Keith if you are interested.
Come and Help with Our GSLC Pantry Saturday, January 3rd
Ongoing Needs • Donate $$ Notes: Food items that we don’t usually get from the Santa Barbara Food Bank, such as: - Peanut Butter, jelly, jam, syrup, flour, sugar, unsweetened almond milk 4) Hygiene and household goods, such as: - Toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, soap For our Miscellaneous Table We are collecting individual items such as deodorant, shampoos/conditioners, cleaning supplies, diapers/wipes, male/female personal items...). Perhaps you have extras in your cupboards or can buy some locally.
Note: We do not accept over-the-counter medicines or soft drinks/sodas. Questions? Contact or see Val Eurman ((805) 705-3311) or Cindy (805) 680-4686) after church on Sundays.
We continue our in-person meetings in the Fireside Room for our monthly book club discussions.
The books chosen for our 2026 GSLC “Better Read than Dead” club discussions are below (click on link for the GoodReads summary). Join us in reading along!
January -- Ann February – Sue March – Martha Jump in! New folks are welcome anytime to read with us and “meet”. Just order/start reading the “next” book in line and give me, Val Eurman, a call at (805) 705-3311 or email (
Val Bible Readings
Please click HERE for the latest Sunday bulletin, which includes this week's readings.
Church Office Hours Our church office is normally staffed Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am until 12:30 pm.
Altar Flowers Policy If you would like to place Please make out your check to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (GSLC) and write flowers on the memo line. You can mail it to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or drop it by the church office Mon-Thurs, 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Quilting News & Notes (We will meet on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. until around 1:00 p.m. in Room 19. Some Saturdays will be reserved for “work days” when we can get together and iron, cut and do some general cleaning of the room or accomplish special projects. We will let you know when those Saturdays will be! For now, Wednesdays only and we hope to see you there!)
Join Adam for a Musical Meditation
Please join Adam (or a guest artist) in our sanctuary as they explore a variety of hymns and other musical prayers performed on a variety of instruments. The meditation is livestreamed on GSLC's Video Page and available afterwards as a video recording until the next live event. Older meditation videos are archived. The direct link to the Livestreamed / Latest Meditation is https://vimeo.com/event/1154783 . The Meditation Archive Showcase to view prior Meditations is at https://vimeo.com/showcase/7841964.
Jesus Sessions We continue with our Jesus Sessions every Tuesday from 3:30 to 6.
The prayer team meets in the Fireside Room. Please call Lizzie to make an appointment if you would like to attend.
Portals of Prayer
Portals of Prayer devotion booklets for January - March, 2026 are now available at the church office.
Please call Trisha and reserve a copy or come by the church office during business hours (Mon-Thurs 8:00 am—12:00 pm) to pick one up!
Flu Season is Here! Who should get a flu shot? How to prevent or avoid the flu? What if I have symptoms? Who Needs to see a doctor?
Most Recent Reported Monthly Offerings Through December 31, 2025
Year to Date, 2025
2025 Mission Offerings (as of 12/22/25): District $2,395.00; Nelson Family $1.300.00; Ukraine $500.00; Dental Mission $2,200.00; Hispanic Mission $0.00; Bible Sticks $1670.00, Disaster Relief - Fire $175.00 Note: Financials (above) will be brought up to date when available. Want to Keep Up With the latest GSLC News? Click HERE
 Our weekly Sunday Bulletin has the latest GSLC news! It's chock full of our prayer list, weekly schedule, basically everything that happens between these newsletters. The "members only" bulletin version is updated every Sunday morning and is easy to get to - just click above. It will open or download for you.
GSLC's On Line Giving Options - Credit Card? eCheck?
You can also make a special one-time donation (through Square) on Good Shepherd's website. For either donation type go to https://gslcms.org/giving and then click on the appropriate donation button. You can specify whether you are donating to the GSLC budget or the Food Distribution program. If you prefer, you can also mail us your offering or drop it off at the church office. Elders Available by Phone and Email Elders assist with our public worship, oversee the spiritual life of members, and offer spiritual and physical support for our Pastor and congregation. Please contact any Elder to share your needs, concerns, and prayer requests.
Church Phone Extension Numbers Please follow the auto attendant menu prompts or dial an extension directly if no one answers. Also, the preschool can be reached through the main church number as well as their direct number (805 967-6101).
One-Stop Publicity! If your GSLC committee or group is making an announcement or planning an event, you can now send ONE email with the details and it will go to those folks editing the Sunday bulletin, church web site articles, web site calendar and monthly newsletter. The Good Shepherd publicity email address is publicity @ gslcms.org. Please include what the event is, when and where it will be held, who is invited and any other information that will help our readers decide to attend. Also, please include a contact name and phone/email if we (or a reader) want more information. Staff, Board of Directors, and Other Leadership Contacts
You may find the staff contact information either above or on our web site (Staff Contacts) and congregational officer and committee chair contact information here or on the Members Only web page at gslcms.org:
On Line Event Calendar Our latest calendar is on line here. This link will take you to the "public" event calendar unless you use your member login. To see the entire calendar (with church meetings, etc.), please log in with your member ID. No member ID? Click on "Create an account" on the right hand side of the web page to get started. Your account will be approved and then you can browse the member page contents. |
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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Preschool
380 North Fairview Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117 • 805 967-1416
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The book of Hebrews addresses Christians in Rome undergoing persecution sometime close to 64 AD when Christians began dying for their faith under Nero. The book is a clarion call to not return to Judaism, which was a legal religion while Christianity had become an illegal religion.
The lectors typically read the Old and New Testament readings, including psalms as scheduled.
We are low on clothing for everyone, especially for men. Also we can use blankets, linens and jackets. All items must be clean and ready to use.
flowers on the altar, please call (805) 967-1416, or email (
Adam Phillips, GSLC's Music Director, provides meditative instrumental and vocal music every Wednesday morning at 10:00 am. 
Good Shepherd has offered electronic donation capabilities (through Vanco) for a while. You now have the ability to sign up directly through Good Shepherd's web site to donate on line (through Vanco) once or on a recurring basis.