Rev. Eleanor Terry
Rev. Ellie explores how during the time of Advent we can prepare for not just a one-day celebration of Christmas, but for an incarnation that will be born in us and will last for all time. Secular Christmas preparations happen in many ways but preparing our hearts is often harder to do. Easier to forget. Advent provides us the gift of time – to pause, reflect, slow down. A time to prepare our hearts for the extraordinary thing that is about to happen.
Gospel & Sermon for Advent 3, Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector
Blue Christmas
We gather to hold open together a strong and tender space of courage and compassion. We are part of one another, in communion with all that is.
Blue Christmas service with Candlelight and Taizé Chants
Fair trade craft sale
Beautiful, unique, affordable, Fair Trade handmade crafts on sale
Beautiful, Unique, Affordable, Fair Trade Handmade Crafts on Sale
Sunday, Dec. 14, 11:00-3:30
Sunday, Dec. 21. 11:00-3:30
The purchase of these Fair Trade items benefit the artisans who made them – Mayan Hands collaborates with 15 artisan groups in the rural Guatemalan highlands, representing about 200 skilled craftswomen; UPAVIM’s member cooperative, located in a “Red Zone” of Guatemala City plagued by gang and violence, is comprised of more than 70 women working as seamstresses and making handicrafts.
Proceeds from the sale benefit a scholarship fund for students in the Church of the Good Shepherd sister community of El Ocotillo, a small village in the mountains of El Salvador – the sale does not benefit the church.
These Fair Trade items are affordable as they haven’t yet been subject to higher tariffs that are likely to be imposed due to changes to the CAFTA-DR regulations.
The lovely handmade creations reflect ancestral techniques, artisan craftswomanship, and heirloom quality in new, updated designs for the modern market. Come shop for exquisite:
Baskets
Ornaments
Wooden crafts
Ceramics
Jewelry
Textiles
Scarves, Bags, Purses
Children’s novelties
These items will be available for purchase at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 164 Newrown Rd., Acton, MA.
The Rev. Eleanor Terry
Gospel & Sermon for the second Sunday in Advent, December 7, 2025, Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector
2025-12-07 Gospel & Sermon, Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector
Prelude for Advent 1
The service for the first Sunday in Advent opens with a piano and handbell improvisation inspired by the Gregorian chant introit for Advent 1.
Good Shepherd handbell players Delia and Karen join Ellen on piano to mark the beginning of Advent.
Rev. Ken Schmidt
If we remind ourselves of God’s ever-present love, we can move past fear and insecurity to grace, gratitude, peace, and love. This prepares us not only for Christmas joy but also for the coming of God’s kingdom. Advent is a time of preparation.
Gospel and Sermon for the 1st Sunday in Advent
Rev. Eleanor Terry
In this age of “No Kings” protests, what does it mean to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King? Rev. Ellie draws a stark contrast between what today’s world understands about power, leadership, authority, and strength and what we know as the Kingdom of God.
2025-11-23 Feast of Christ the King, Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector
Food drive is a success
“For I was hungry and you gave me food.”
Thank you to everyone who contributed food, funds or time to the food drive. And thank you to the leaders of this drive for your incredible flexibility.
As the weeks of collecting food extended into a time of suspended SNAP benefits, we found out that the Acton Food Pantry was full and could not accept more goods until after Thanksgiving. How wonderful to hear that local communities had filled their shelves!
Loaves and Fishes, the food pantry at Devens, had lots of room and was able to take everything on Sunday as planned. It was 582.1 pounds of food - an amount that impressed the pantry staff!
Advent wreath-making workshop
A beloved Good Shepherd tradition returns
On the First Sunday of Advent, November 30th, after each service, we'll be making our own Advent wreaths after each service. This is a perfect event for families, and our members, friends and visitors of all ages. The wreaths will be tabletop style, and centerpiece sized, around 12-15" when complete. They’re not difficult to make, and we will have parish wreath pros on hand to help if needed. They don't take long to make, so they'll fit right into Coffee Hour. We will have the candles, oasis wreath rings, and fresh greens here for you, all ready to turn into the Advent wreaths you'll take home with you or the season.
We need to know as soon as possible who will attend so that we can order supplies, as the wreaths will take a while to arrive, so I will be ordering it soon. There will be a free will offering to cover supply costs. That in mind, contact Margaret if you want to decorate a wreath. Please include your name and contact info. If it happens that you can’t participate after signing up, no worries - there will likely be people who hadn't signed up to make a wreath and then want to make one that day.
Also, since it will be the tail end of Thanksgiving week, any family and friends you have visiting will be welcome to participate. Lastly, if you are or know of any shut-ins who would like an Advent wreath, please let Diane Cooke know. We are hoping that anyone who loves wreath-making will be willing to make a wreath for one of the shut-ins. This will be a lot of fun, and we’re excited to see you there. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email or talk with me.
Rev. Eleanor Terry
What if resurrection isn’t just a promise for the afterlife, but a way to live right now? Rev. Ellie reveals how ordinary acts of kindness, courage, and love can become moments of resurrection—signs of God’s transforming hope breaking into our world.
2025-11-09 Gospel & Sermon, Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector