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Monthly Newsletter for April, 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.
Our Lenten Midweek Sermon Series Concludes - Dying His Death - Living His Life Maundy Thursday, April 2 • Remember His Death (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Our Lenten Sunday Sermon Series Concludes with Easter - The Book of Job: Blessed be the Name of the Lord Martin Luther asserted that “Job is magnificent and sublime as no book of Scripture.” Others have called Job “the Shakespeare of the Bible.” Yet the early Christian scholar Jerome perhaps put it best when he called the book of Job an “eel,” since the more one tries to contain it, the slipperier it becomes! The purpose of our Lenten emphasis is to learn how to apply Job to our lives, so that the book becomes less like an eel and more like a loving companion through life’s dark valleys. Good Friday, April 3, “Tearing Down the Spite House” (Job 42:7–9) Easter Sunday, April 5–The Resurrection of Our Lord, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives!” (Job 19:23–26) Job’s most famous statement appears in 19:25, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” Christ is alive. He has conquered death and the grave. His Word is sufficient. His grace is enough. His love brings comfort and healing. And this Lent these gifts come to us through the book of Job. Our Next Sermon Series: Knowing the Knowable God Knowing the Knowable God—that’s what we were made for. Knowing the Knowable God—that’s life’s greatest goal. Knowing the Knowable God—that’s what the Holy Spirit empowers. Knowing the Knowable God—that gives deep pleasure and abiding joy. “Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD.” (Hosea 6:3) Interest in theology and knowledge about God, along with the capacity to think clearly and talk correctly about Christian doctrine—this is important, but it is not the same as knowing God. God is knowable! Knowing God implies a relationship, a personal rapport, a fervent and increasing eagerness to spend time with our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. This series will help us toward these holy habits of the heart. Here is the sermon lineup: April 12 “Our All-Knowing God”
Sunday Morning Bible Class
I invite you to be a part of these worship services and studies, as together we get to know our sovereign and saving, mighty and merciful God who we know most fully through Jesus Christ our Lord. –Pastor Keith
Maundy Thursday “Bring-A-Dish-To-Share” Supper We are having our last “Bring-a-Dish-to-Share” Supper will start at 6:00 p.m. with the service starting at 7:00 p.m. Bring any main dish, side dish or dessert you like and join us for fellowship before the service. Table service will be provided.
This Month in Our Prayers For Successful Medical Care and Healing For Our Members: • Dr. Bob O.—healing and recovery from surgery For Friends and Family Members: • Patty & Marshall F.—(Food Distribution Volunteers)—significant elderly health issues Additional prayer requests, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of comfort: Prayers of thanksgiving in celebration of Joan Barnett’s birthday on Mar 30 This list is current as of March 26, 2026. 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.
Easter Brunch
Thank You for Supporting Good Shepherd Pantry Distribution!
* Notes: Food items that we don’t usually get from the Santa Barbara Food Bank, such as:
Hygiene and household goods, such as:
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.
Room Needed for a Short Time After Eye Surgery _________________________________________
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Art Show at Good Shepherd Theresa Egan and Lizzy Savage are Art takes many hours and it is the expression of an artist to share their expression of Christ to you. Don’t miss the long piece above the door called "Open the Scrolls" as we do that each time we come to church. The piece is Jesus as HE is the Word of God brought forth in our church. Lizzy also has art this month at the:
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!
April -- Nan How to Read a Book by Monica Wood May – Val Linda Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt June – Jean My Beloved by Jan Karon
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 ________________________________________________  ___________________________________________
What is the GSLC Memorials and Endowments Fund?
The Memorials and Endowments (M&E) Fund is administered by the M&E committee, which consists of three volunteer congregational members and three ex-officio members that include Pastor Keith, our Accountant/Bookkeeper and our Treasurer.
Its purpose is to disburse funds for projects and programs within the Good Shepherd Community that are not part of the annual church or preschool budget expenditures.
Past M&E Fund disbursements have included Preschool music, the Good Shepherd concert series (which is self-sustaining now), audiovisual equipment in the sanctuary, Food Pantry equipment and scholarship assistance for children of Good Shepherd staff members.
Donations are typically made as either memorials (in memory of someone) or endowments and can be specified (restricted for the first five years) to particular program areas such as music or youth. Gifts can be cash, stocks or even real property.
It is important to note that with endowment funds, only earnings (interest) generated by the principal amount may be spent. Since most conservative interest earnings are currently in the range of 2% to 4% per year, only a large endowment (probably $1 million or more) can earn adequate interest to fund a program.
Please see Pastor Keith or Dan Barnett, our GSLC Treasurer, if you have questions regarding donations to the M&E Fund. Disbursement requests may be made on the request form (see our church secretary, Trisha, for a form) and will be considered at the next M&E committee’s meeting.
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 April - June, 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! They will also be available on the table in the church narthex on Sunday mornings.
Most Recent Reported Offerings as of March 24, 2026 "Month"-End
Note: Financials (above) will be brought up to date when available.
2026 Mission Offerings (as of 3/24/2026): District $150.00; Nelson Family $200.00; Dental Mission $500.00; Hispanic Mission Backpacks $1000.00 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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Our post-Lenten Bible Studies will look at Isaiah 40:12–31. This section of the Bible powerfully describes who God is and what he has done. Isaiah’s words are chock-full of beauty and truth! 
supper Thursday, April 2nd (Maundy Thursday) before the service.
The lectors typically read the Old and New Testament readings, including psalms as scheduled.
8:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. before Easter worship and continue after Easter worship till around noon.
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.