Pastor Kenny: January 3rd-17th
After much thought and prayer, I’ve decided to temporarily move to online-only services January 3rd, 10th and 17th. While this will no doubt come as sad news to those of you who’ve been able to attend in-person services this fall and winter, several key factors have led to this decision:
- The safety of our congregation is of the utmost importance
- Washington County positivity rates have risen to 16% and continue to climb. Washington County rates are the worst in Maryland.
- The majority of those who attend in-person services were at medium-large family gatherings over the holidays. Closing for a handful of weeks allows any exposures or infections to come to light and pass
- Capacity at local medical facilities are at dangerous levels. Meritus has had several days already where it has had no choice but to divert patients to other hospitals
- Tithes and offerings have continued to be faithfully sent through the mail
Our next in-person services will be held on July 19th (10-11am), July 26th (10am-11:30am) and the first four Sundays in August (times to be announced). More details to come, so long as cases in Maryland don’t become more of a concern. We will also continue to provide online video services, kids videos and other content for those who can’t yet return to in-person services. As always, we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during these difficult times. It’s more important than ever that we unite as a church and don’t allow the enemy to divide us. Our mission remains the same as it has always been: to help you and your family know, love and serve Jesus Christ. And we can do that in-person, online and any other way by which God has blessed us and allowed us to connect.
Governor Hogan has announced an easing of some restrictions beginning this Friday. However, we will still be closed Sunday, May 17th and Tuesday, May 19th, and will not have any in-person services. We will be evaluating the situation and sharing a plan with you by Tuesday evening, May 19th, as to what you can expect Sunday May 24th and beyond.
Dear Faithful Friends,
“Since the people began to bring the offerings into the Lord’s house, we have eaten and have plenty left, for the Lord has blessed His people…”
The Good Shepherd Ministries
19763 Longmeadow Road
Hagerstown, MD 21742
You can find the latest TGSM updates and cancellations on this webpage. If you have any questions, you can also text or call Pastor Kenny at (301)302-9825, or e-mail him.
We would like to thank you for your continued prayers, stewardship and faithfulness. This is a challenging time for all churches, but we place our full trust in God and His plan for our future!

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- First, we must OBEY the decree of our land. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” It is not the end of the world. It is a time for followers of Christ to do what He tells us to do.
- Second, we must PRAY… pray as humble servants of our Lord. Pray for our land, its leaders, our church, our friends and our families. Pray a prayer from a humbled heart, asking the Lord’s direction in our prayers. This must be a time of brokenness for believers. The late Billy Graham once said, “To get our nation on its feet, we must get on our knees.” Prayer must be the first thing we do and it must be continually. If prayer comes last, then so will the solution to the problem! God does not like being last, nor should He ever be last.
- Third, believers must LEAD the way in prayer, calmness and being still, being quiet before the Lord to reflect His presence in our lives.
- Fourth, we need to WORSHIP daily. Look, behold His power… His ability to heal our land… to guide our leaders… to restore us to one another. When I am still before the Lord… when I humble myself before the Lord… then I will be led by the Holy Spirit to pray right and to worship right and then the needs of our brothers and sisters and the crisis all around us will be met through Christ. He is the light of the world.
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“Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.”
If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. And the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations… and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell.” – Isaiah 58:8-12
Oh Lord, Forgive me. Please Lord, shine through me. Let all Christian Churches shine during this time. We are not stuck! We are positioned right where God wants us! So come on, Church! Shine where you are positioned!
This is a difficult, uncertain time for many and we must respond to any and all challenges with the same focus on God, His Word, and the saving gospel of Jesus Christ as we always have. Over the coming weeks, we will be:
- Joining the precautionary efforts of our state and local governments
- Communicating with you on a weekly basis via our website, e-mail and Facebook
- Making wise, prayerful decisions about what is best for our congregation
- Continuing to develop and implement means by which we can stream and/or
broadcast services, sermons, devotionals, etc. online
If you are exhibiting any signs of illness, please contact your doctor and follow his/her instructions. Please continue to visit this page for daily updates about changes, postponements, cancellations or any other news we may share.
We thank God for all He is doing in our church, our lives and in our midst, even as a national emergency rages around us. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, and I will help you.”