“If anyone’s foot hurts him, yes, even the little toe, the eye at once looks at it, the fingers grasp it, the face puckers, the whole body bends over to it, and all are concerned with the small member. Again, once it is taken care of, all the other members are benefited.“
Martin Luther used this famous analogy, drawn from the words of the apostle Paul, to describe how the Christian community should treat and care for one another. He taught that just as your whole body bends down to care for a hurt toe, people of faith should rush to support and help one another when someone is suffering or in need.
Luther’s analogy describes the interconnectedness of Christians within the body of Christ, emphasizing empathy, mutual care, and the importance of every individual, regardless of how small or insignificant they may seem.
As we extend our helping hands and caring hearts to those in our North Georgia communities, we also seek to support and care for those in our own Good Shepherd family of faith.
VISITATION AND HOME COMMUNION
Sometimes those we love are unable to make it to a worship service or Bible study. This might be due to a stay in the hospital or rehab facility, or perhaps life has changed and it’s no longer possible to leave the home. We have a team of trained individuals who along with our pastor visit and share in the holy meal of bread and wine that nurtures and strengthens us in our lives of faith. Do you know someone who needs to be supported in this way? Reach out to the church office or our pastor.
CARD MINISTRY
We love to make cards and we love to send them! We have a vibrant card ministry at Good Shepherd that provides a plethora of handmade cards for all occasions, including birthdays, graduations, thinking of you, sympathy, and blank cards for our own messages. These cards can be purchased for a minimal fee, with all proceeds benefitting our Youth and Family Ministry. Check the back of the next card you receive. It might have been made at Good Shepherd.
PRAYER CHAIN
Prayers are critical to our life of faith, and we believe that God hears and responds to each prayer. We encourage those who need prayer to use our prayer chain. We’re a community who believes in the power of prayer and pray diligently for each prayer request. If an address is provided, we also send one of our cards, reminding the individual of God’s love and care.
YARN ANGELS
While our Yarn Angels donate items to a local charity called The Encouragement Project, members also make prayer shawls for our members. The shawls are knit or crocheted with loving care, prayed over, then delivered to those who need to be wrapped and surrounded in prayer. These shawls remind the recipient that they are loved and that God is very present with them. The Yarn Angels meet quarterly and we welcome all. More information is available from the office.