Green tip of the week -To save gas, drive under 60 m.p.h. or don’t drive as much.

Middle School Girls Choir We are forming a middle school choir for girls to sing at Senior Sunday in May. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. If you are interested, see Mr. Hearn for more information.

Today, Good Shepherd is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m.. - 1:00 p.m. All possible donors please give the gift of life!

Election of a New Bishop Information Meetings at Good Shepherd

Do you want to know more about the upcoming election of a Bishop Coadjutor for the Diocese of Texas? The Diocese of Texas? The Episcopal Church? The Anglican Communion? Do you know who will be voting in the election for the Bishop Coadjutor from Good Shepherd? And by the way, what exactly is a Bishop Coadjutor, and how is that different from the other kinds of bishops? All this and more will be featured at informational meetings at Good Shepherd May 4 and 7. For your convenience, this program will be offered three times: Today, at Noon, in the Mission Center rooms 205-207; Tonight, at 7:00 p.m., in the Great Hall; and, Wednesday, May 7, at 7:15 p.m., in the Great Hall. Caregiving will be available on May 7. The program will last no more than 90 minutes, including Q&A. Come and learn more about your church!

Laura Fields to Offer Learning Disability Presentation -Laura Fields will share the presentation she created for educators on her learning disability today, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Great Hall. Teachers, educators, and parents of children with learning difficulties will benefit from the presentations.

On May 7, the E.C.O.T.G.S. 50 + Group will be going to Montgomery, Texas, the birthplace of the Texas Flag. We will be stopping at the Nat Hurst Davis Pioneer Complex and Museum. The bus leaves promptly at 9:00 a.m. and should return around 4:00 p.m. After lunch, we will have free time to walk around the third oldest city in Texas and shop. A sign-up sheet, with additional information, is in the hall.

The Women's Book Group will meet this Thursday, May 8, at noon. The book of the month is The Spiral Staircase by Karen Armstrong.

Taizé service for Pentecost. Our monthly Taizé service will be on Pentecost Sunday, May 11. Come join others as we pray, sing and meditate on the coming of the Holy Spirit. The time is 6:30 p.m., in the narthex.

Order of St. Luke (OSL) Training to be Offered - OSL an interdenominational, international ministry order made up of both priest and lay people, who believe that Jesus heals today just as he did during his earthly ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. Good Shepherd’s chapter will begin a new class on May 14 following the Healing Service (7:15-8:30 p.m.). This class will meet the second Wednesday evening of every month and will discuss lessons provided in the membership booklet available from the OSL national office. If you are interested and/or would like a form to order materials, please contact Dianna Campbell, (281) 645-6235 or fishin_nanna@hotmail.com

Ladies of Good Shepherd, join us for a Good Shepherd Tea/Birthday Party for fun, fellowship, and a chance to contribute to the Good Shepherd Birthday Blessing list on May 17. RSVP if childcare is needed by May 10. Bring an afternoon tea related tidbit for sharing. The list will be posted in the hall, or feel free to be original in the purchase of your gift. Check off your purchased item so we don’t duplicate. RSVP to Jane Robles (281) 358-2345. More details to follow!

Pentecost! Celebrate the Church’s birthday! Pentecost is Next Sunday, May 11. Come dressed for the party in your bright red clothes and party hats! Pray for your church, that the Lord will continue to send the Holy Spirit on us and bless us as we minister to the people of Kingwood.

A labyrinth is coming to Good Shepherd on Sunday, May 18, from 1:00 -5:00 p.m. Slow down and find time for reflection and meditative prayer. Walking a labyrinth can be used in many ways, as a walking meditation, path of prayer, stress reliever, or a healing journey. A facilitator will be present to give a brief history of the labyrinth and how it is used. Feel free to drop in any time between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. for your prayer walk. For any questions, please call Andrea Badot at (281) 360-3788 or Lorrie Forgey at (281) 361-3139

Safeguarding God's Children is a program required by the Diocese of Texas and by Good Shepherd's Vestry for all those who work with children in our church, whether as a volunteer or as staff. This three-hour class will be offered on Sunday, May 18, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. in room 206, and on Saturday, August 16, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, in room 206. Caregiving is NOT available for either of these two sessions. Sign-up sheets are on the board outside the Great Hall. For more information, please call Pam Nolting at (281) 359-4887.

Senior Sunday is May 25. Every year at this time, Good Shepherd is pleased to celebrate the graduation of our high school seniors, many of whom grew up in this church.

The Class of 2008 will be honored at the traditional Senior Breakfast given by the Class of 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Pictures of the graduates and their families will be take then. The seniors will process in cap and gown at the 10:15 a.m. service and take an active part in worship. Write-ups of many of our high school and college graduates are in the May newsletter.

Book Drive for Belize The whole church can get involved in Sr. EYC’s summer mission trip to Belize to help build a library/computer lab for Holy Cross Anglican School. This school is in its second year of operation and needs books for their preschool through 8^th grade students. The 462 kids who attend school there are the poorest of the poor – children of the workers. Please donate new or gently used books appropriate for their ages, including needed dictionaries, and we will hand carry them to Central America to place in their newly constructed library. Drop off at the Donation Station in the Parish Hall anytime this month.

Moms, Dads and Young Disciples are headed to Camp Allen for the annual LABOR DAY FAMILY CAMP on August 29 to 31. Last year, six families from Good Shepherd attended and all agreed it was a fun-filled family weekend! Activities include: horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, nature walks, crafts, rock climbing, films, moon walks, slip-n-slide, a Luau and fireworks. (Look for flyers about this event following worship services.) For more information and/or to book your room at the conference center, contact: Toni Christopher at (936) 825-7175 or info@campallen.org.

Good Shepherd will resume Wednesday Night Dinners in the fall!

We are always looking for someone to step up and help in this ministry. If you are interested, please contact Jan Lopez at

janlopez@goodshepherdkingwood.org

A Record of Our Faithfulness in Worship and Giving

Expenses As of March 31, 2008

YTD Income Before Expenses $ 305,586

Less: YTD Expenses $ (240,098)

YTD Mortgage Principal Payment $ (9,065)

YTD Income After Expenses $ 56,423

Attendance

Average March 2008 Attendance 362

Average Attendance YTD 2008 407

Attendance on Sunday, April 27, 2008 337

Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled. In God's house are many dwelling places. Jesus shows us the way, saying that whoever believes him will also do the works that he does. Through our offerings we share his good news and his life-giving ministries. Believe and follow Jesus with your tithes and offerings, and with the gifts of your lives!

Fair Trade, Organic Coffee now available

The Environmental Stewardship Committee of Good Shepherd Church has now made available for sale, Bishop’s Blend Organic, Fair Trade coffee. Each bag of Bishop’s Blend that you purchase helps support the farmers that grow the beans by giving them fair pay. It helps the environment because the beans are shade-grown, meaning that no trees were cut down to grow and harvest the beans. Proceeds benefit Episcopal Relief and Development, which helps congregations and people rebuild their lives after a disaster strikes. And lastly, our church community benefits, because your purchase enables Good Shepherd to purchase and provide great tasting coffee each Sunday, all the while supporting the causes mentioned. Prices are $10 each and they are available in the Parish Hall. If you have any questions, one of the hostesses will be happy to assist you. Buy Bishop’s Blend today!

Episcopal Youth Community

Silverado Party Today 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Jimmy and Barbara Hemphill will give a presentation on Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia before we go to Silverado and give a spring party for the senior residents there. Lunch will be provided right after the 10:15 services in the Youth Room.

End-of-School Celebration Service We’re having a special outdoor service in the park across the street on Wednesday, May 28. If you’d like to help plan it, come to a planning meeting on Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.

New Light Service Appeals to Teens! The New Light service every third Sunday will now have wonderful guitar music and contemporary Praise & Worship songs. This will be particularly appealing to teenagers. This will be a worship experience that you’ll feel comfortable bringing your friends to! It begins May 18.

Important Sr. EYC Mission Trip Meeting The mandatory meeting for all participants and parents is Sunday, May 18, at 2:00 p.m.

Jr. EYC Mission Trip: Inner City Immersion! The July mission trip for those presently in 6^th-8^th grade will be to downtown Houston to serve the street community and the poor. An informational meeting for all those going and their parents is on Sunday, June 8, at 2:00 p.m. The final $100.00 balance will be due the same day.