A Lilburn Church with a Three-Way Welcome
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church sits on Killian Hill Road in Lilburn, Georgia, a place where a single Sunday morning unfolds in three languages of welcome. The English-language congregation gathers at 11:00 a.m. for a worship service that is faithful to traditional Presbyterian order and open to varied musical styles. Down the hall, Iglesia El Buen Pastor Fellowship holds its own Spanish-language service for adults from eight or more Latin American countries. And for those who cannot make it in person, every Sunday service is livestreamed on YouTube, with a sermon and worship archive that reaches back years.
The church's mission statement reads simply: "We are a community of believers growing in faith and sharing God's love, in worship and service, as disciples of Jesus Christ." That rhythm of growing faith, sharing love, and serving neighbors shows up in nearly every part of life here, from the choirmaster's baton to the rows of food donations stacked near the fellowship hall.
Good Shepherd is a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), part of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. Its motto, carried across everything the church does, is "Growing Faith, Sharing God's Love." Visitors arriving for the first time find clear signs of that welcome before they even reach the sanctuary door.
Sunday Morning at 11:00
Worship begins at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday, both in the sanctuary and online. The morning has a quiet, unhurried shape. Sunday School for all ages meets first, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with classes for children, youth, and adults. A combined cross-generational class gathers elementary, middle, and high school students together during that hour.
From 10:30 to 11:00 a.m., the Fellowship Hall opens for coffee and conversation. Anyone arriving a little early is invited to drop in for light refreshments and a chance to meet other worshipers. The service itself begins at 11:00 in the sanctuary and runs about an hour.
The order of worship is Presbyterian and traditional, but the music reaches across styles. The Chancel Choir, the church's adult choir, rehearses Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and sings at every Sunday service, contributing special music for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve. Choir members prepare anthems of many different styles and genres to help create a worshipful experience during each service to the glory of God.
Children have their own space during the 11:00 hour. Children's Worship meets from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for children from birth through fifth grade. Parents with infants can worship without worry while older children gather for their own age-appropriate teaching.
Visitors can park on the left side of the building in a designated visitor parking area, with a covered entrance and ramp that comes in handy during bad weather or for anyone with mobility needs. The dress code is whatever a guest is comfortable wearing. After the service, church elders are on hand to answer questions anyone may have about Good Shepherd, its programs, or how to get involved. First-time visitors also receive a small welcoming gift bag filled with church information and a few gifts meant to share the love of Jesus Christ with anyone entering the building.
Iglesia El Buen Pastor: A Spanish-Language Fellowship
The Hispanic ministry of Good Shepherd, called Iglesia El Buen Pastor Fellowship, has its own worshiping community, its own schedule, and its own pastoral leadership. It is led by Commissioned Lay Pastor Marlucia Damaceno Crispim and her husband Igor Terrazas.
The congregation gathers for worship on Sunday mornings in Spanish, with a nursery provided for small children. A Tuesday evening prayer meeting and Bible study follows during the week. Marriage seminars and women's programs are held at various times, and food donations are shared among the participants. The community is multicultural, made up of people from eight or more Latin American countries.
Three areas of focus shape the ministry. First, weekly worship and Bible study for the multicultural Hispanic congregation. Second, community outreach, which includes summer soccer tournaments on the church field (improved with help from a Presbytery of Greater Atlanta grant), serving as an approved site for court-ordered community service, and running English literacy programs. Third, the GSPC Hispanic Literacy Program and Library, where members have studied in preparation for the GED, the U.S. citizenship test, and the TOEFL exam. Activities have included celebrations for National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The ministry is also working toward opening a GSPC Hispanic Cooperative, a designated-hours drop-in space where Hispanic church members in need could access donated home goods, clothing, and food.
Music: The Chancel Choir and the Music Director
Music plays a central role in worship at Good Shepherd. Eric Etheridge serves as Director of Music Ministries, having joined the staff in December 2021. He trained at Alabama A&M University with a major in Music Education and later completed a Master of Arts in Religion at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, where he is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Worship.
The Chancel Choir, made up of adult singers, rehearses Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and leads worship each Sunday morning. The choir prepares anthems of many different styles and genres and contributes special music throughout the church year for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve. Victor Holton serves as accompanist, supporting the choir and other musical offerings of the church. Anyone interested in joining the Chancel Choir can reach the music director through the music email listed with the staff.
Children, Youth, and the Preschool Next Door
Children and young people are a major part of life at Good Shepherd. Christian education programs reach children from birth through fifth grade, middle school, and high school.
Children's ministries include Sunday School for pre-K through fifth grade from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Children's Worship during the 11:00 service, and Vacation Bible School for preschool-aged through fifth grade, held one week during the summer. The church also offers before- and after-school care for elementary school children through the preschool.
Youth ministries gather middle and high school students in a combined Sunday School class with elementary children from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. During the school year, the middle and high school youth meet on Sunday evenings for dinner, games, and a Bible study focused on biblical literacy and cultural relevance to the lives of the youth. Wednesday nights bring children, youth, and adults together for dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by various small group conversations about faith in an ever-changing world. Confirmation Class is offered, and other activities throughout the year include retreats, outings, mission trips, and service projects. During the summer, FISH (Fellowship in Someone's Home) brings the middle schoolers together on Tuesday evenings and the high schoolers on Thursday evenings.
Good Shepherd Preschool and School Age Programs serve children from 12 months through PreK, plus after care for kindergarten through fifth grade. Hours run 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Star Davis is director, with Esther Sun serving as assistant director. The preschool's mission is to provide an early childhood education that promotes physical, intellectual, social/emotional, and character development in a safe and nurturing environment, using developmentally appropriate curriculum. The preschool maintains a presence on Facebook and Instagram, with parents able to register online.
Adult Ministries: Bible Studies, Breakfasts, and Small Groups
Adults at Good Shepherd have a wide range of ways to grow in faith together. Sunday School classes meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for adults of all ages. Beyond the Sunday classes, the church runs a busy weekly rhythm.
On Tuesday mornings, women in the church meet for breakfast and discussion with Pastor Weekley at IHOP on Stone Mountain Highway. On Thursday mornings, the men do the same. Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. bring Bible studies and enrichment classes, paired with Wednesday night dinners and the children's music program. On Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., a women's Bible study gathers for study and conversation. Women's Circles add more Bible study, service, and fellowship opportunities throughout the year.
Small Groups of eight to twelve people, married or single, meet at least twice a month in homes and around the community to support, encourage, pray for, and study the Bible with one another. Luncheons, dinners, and special events bring the wider church family together throughout the year.
Caring for the Congregation
Congregational Care is one of the heartbeats of the church. Several ongoing ministries support members through the changes of life.
The Member Attendance committee reaches out by phone and letter to anyone whose attendance has dropped, with a simple message: you are loved here. The Military Support Group gathers families of those serving in the armed forces for prayer and mutual support, with a bulletin board in the Cranberry Room displaying photos and locations of deployed members and their families. The Adopt a College Student program matches church members with students heading off to college in September, running through the following May; each February, college students and military members receive a Valentine box full of surprises and love.
The Grief Ministry offers a series of books mailed one at a time over the course of a year, walking readers through the grief process with hope and encouragement. The Prayer Shawl ministry knits and crochets shawls that begin with a prayer for the recipient; shawls go to anyone needing comfort. The Prayer Shawl group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the Church Parlor. Angel Meals provides dinners to people going through illness, the death of a family member, or the joy of a new baby. The Undershepherds Team visits members facing serious illness, surgery, or recovery, tends to elders confined to home, nursing homes, or assisted living, sends cards, makes phone calls, and delivers Easter gift bags plus poinsettias and gift bags at Christmas. The Undershepherds meet on the first Sunday of each month after worship services.
The Prayer Chain gathers a list of people who believe in the power of prayer and will lift others up at any time. Prayer requests are sent by email. Anyone, member or not, can ask the Prayer Chain to pray for them.
Missions: Local and Global
Mission work shapes much of what Good Shepherd does. Locally, the church supports several ministries with both financial contributions and volunteer time.
Clifton Sanctuary Ministries provides shelter for homeless men and helps them access medical care, jobs, and the skills to transition to self-sufficiency. Good Shepherd supports Clifton with fundraising through its annual Pig Roast, donations of clothing and hygiene items, and volunteers who assist with evening responsibilities. The church serves meals twice a month at Clifton and has board members serving there.
Lilburn Cooperative Ministry helps individuals and families in the local community with food, clothing, and furniture. Good Shepherd runs food drives to stock the pantry and donates produce from its Community Garden.
Stand Up For Kids works to end the cycle of teen homelessness. Good Shepherd collects items for snack and hygiene packs, holds fundraisers, and volunteers for sorting and street crews, and participates in mentoring programs at local high schools.
Thornwell Home for Children provides a home environment for children in families in crisis. Good Shepherd supports Thornwell with work days, donations of children's clothing and gifts, and sponsorship of a cottage on the grounds. The church also provides office space for a social worker serving families in Gwinnett County.
The church also supports PC(USA) initiatives through the Christmas Joy Offering and One Great Hour of Sharing.
On the global side, Good Shepherd is a founding member of the Haiti EcoVillage School Partnership, which supports a sustainable, nationally-recognized school in the EcoVillages of Haiti. The EcoVillage community was built for survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, using funds provided in part by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Operation Christmas Child is another global ministry the church supports, filling shoeboxes with gifts for children and sharing the love of Christ around the world at Christmas.
Community Outreach: Garden, Yoga, JoyDance, and the Farmer's Market
Several community-facing programs extend the church's reach beyond its walls.
The "Feed My Sheep" Community Garden is a mission project in its own right. Plots are rented for $30 a season to individuals and groups, with the rental fee waived for anyone willing to donate their harvest to charity. Volunteers from Trinity Lutheran Church cultivated eight plots and harvested over 1,000 pounds of produce for the Lilburn Co-op, and New Mercies Christian Church joined by taking four plots for their Saturday food bank. Anyone wanting a plot of their own can contact the church office.
Community Yoga meets every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, led by certified instructor Kathleen Ploussard.
JoyDance meets every Monday night at 7:00 p.m., a movement-and-prayer practice that joins heart, mind, and body in worship. The group meditates on scripture, prays, and moves with the Spirit, with a focus on experiencing the love of Christ in a fully embodied way.
The church also hosts the Lilburn Farmer's Market on Fridays throughout the summer months, sponsors a Girl Scout Troop by providing facilities and leadership, opens its soccer field for community soccer tournaments, and welcomes international college and high school students with Christmas dinner and cultural exchange. In the fall, the church hosts a Trunk-or-Treat with games, hayrides, and other family fun for the surrounding neighborhood.
Visiting Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church is at 1400 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, Georgia 30047. Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m., Fellowship Time opens at 10:30 a.m., and the 11:00 a.m. worship service is offered in the sanctuary and livestreamed on YouTube. The church office can be reached at 770-921-7434, with the preschool line at 770-925-2411. Office emails include info@goodshepherdpc.org and office@goodshepherdpc.org.
First-time visitors are invited to park on the left side of the building in the visitor lot, with a covered entrance and ramp nearby. Coffee and conversation await in the Fellowship Hall before the service, and a small welcoming gift bag is offered to anyone new. Dress is whatever feels comfortable, and elders are available after the service to answer questions. Children's Worship is offered during the 11:00 hour for children from birth through fifth grade, with a nursery available during the Spanish-language Hispanic service.
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church is a community of believers growing in faith and sharing God's love, in worship and service, as disciples of Jesus Christ. From Sunday School to the soccer field, from the Chancel Choir to the community garden, that mission is lived out in the everyday rhythm of the week in Lilburn.