A Tracy church that’s been sharing the good word for 50 years is about to do some more sharing.

Good Shepherd Community Church, which has served the community in the same building at the corner of Parker and Eaton avenues for a half-century, is about to embark on a mission more focused on outreach, said Marcia Kirk, wife of the Rev. Ivan Kirk.

The relatively small congregation, Marcia Kirk said, is a tight-knit group that supports one another and lends time to charitable efforts, including holiday food drives and a youth college ministry that provides a safe, homey place for young adults to hang out together.

The church also had a free-food giveaway for families and the needy every Wednesday, but because of small turnouts put that on hold a few weeks back, Kirk explained.

“It’s a church of giving.”

Kirk said the 50th anniversary of the church’s ministry was the perfect time to branch out into the community. She said the time is right for Good Shepherd to reach out more.

The kickoff for the church’s new focus will begin Saturday, Oct. 3, when Mayor Brent Ives will be on hand to present a proclamation honoring Good Shepherd’s tenure. The day will open at 10:45 a.m. with music and worship, and the celebration will begin at noon with the mayor’s speech, a potluck lunch, cake and an open mic, during which congregants can give testimonials about their experience with the church.