August 16, 2024
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord!
The Gospel readings each week of August remind us that Jesus is our Bread of Life, and we will offer a different kind of bread each Sunday for Holy Communion to help us reflect on Jesus as our Bread. Using different breads reminds us that Jesus is present among all of us; no matter what type of bread we receive at Communion, the same Jesus is received in each, and it further reminds us that we as individuals are drawn together into one body. Just as we sing in Now the Feast and Celebration: “As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill were gathered into one to become our bread. . .So may all your people, from all the ends of the earth, be gathered into one in you.” We will taste this unity as we taste different bread! There will be different gluten-free options, as well. Join us in worship for this unique opportunity to experience God’s love through our sense of taste!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Gospel of St. John 6:51-58
Join us this Sunday for Backpack Blessings, as we celebrate Jesus, the living bread, nourishing our souls and sending us into the new school year with life and love. We also welcome new members (see below), and special guest musicians Jonathan Davies and Bob Cannon.
Altar Flowers: Given in honor and love of Lawayne Guengerich
BREAKFAST FOR ALL
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Simplify your morning! Join us every Sunday for breakfast in the gym. T-shirts will be on sale during breakfast in August.
BYLAW REVISIONS + SPENDING PLAN FORUM
9:30 a.m. | Gym
In preparation for the upcoming Congregational Meeting on August 25, please review the congregation meeting packet mailed to you and bring your questions to this forum to review two important agenda items. The 1st item concerns updating our church bylaws to be consistent with changes in nonprofit law, to reflect the current organization of ShepHills, and to be consistent with our church operations. The 2nd item is to review the council-approved spending plan for fiscal year 2024-2025 (starting on 9/1/24). Contact Bill Dawson.
ACOLYTE TRAINING
9:45 a.m. | Sanctuary
Calling all 4th graders and up! Join us for a hands-on Acolyte Training where you’ll learn the important “why, what, and how” of serving as an acolyte, from lighting the candles to assisting with communion. Contact Joel Timmons.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Please join us for the next two Sundays, as our discussions follow the sermon scripture. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
NO NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8, 9-12)
We will not meet for NextGen this week as we all settle into a new school routine. Join us next Sunday, August 25, to look at the fall calendar, including retreats, special events, and our curriculum for the year! Contact Joel Timmons.
NEW MEMBERS
A LOOK AT THE WEEK
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDIES
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Join us in lively and thought-provoking discussions on the weekly scriptures. Choose the time and place that works for you. Contact Pr. Lauren.
LIFETIME LEARNING INSTITUTE
Wednesday, August 14 – Registration Opens
Lifetime Learning Institute, a low-cost extended learning class provider for folks 50 and over, is returning for the fall semester to Shephills. Registration begins August 14, 2024. Brochures are on the ledge by the stairs or use this online link to see the class list and register. The classes offered at ShepHills are:
- Tuesdays, beginning September 10, upstairs Room 205 from 1pm to 3pm – #27 History of the European Renaissance, 1350-1550;
- Thursdays, beginning September 12, upstairs Room 203 from 10am to Noon – # 51 Meditation (from the instructor’s book “The Divine Art of Meditation”);
- Thursdays, beginning September 12, upstairs Room 205 from 10am to Noon – #52 Spanish Beginning Level 1A
- Thursdays, beginning September 12, upstairs Room 205 from 1pm to 3pm, – #60 Spanish for Beginners 2A
- Thursdays, beginning September 19, Gym from 1:30pm to 3pm, – # 62 T’ai Chi (Taui) and QiGong;
- Thursdays, beginning September 19, Gym from 3pm to 4pm, – #63 Yoga – Functionally Fit
- Fridays, beginning September 12, upstairs Room 205 from 10am to Noon, # 67 Adventures in Botany
BYLAW REVISIONS + SPENDING PLAN FORUMS
Wednesday, August 21 | 7:00 p.m. | Zoom
A congregation meeting packet with proposed bylaw changes and spending plan documents was mailed this week in preparation for the upcoming Congregational Meeting on August 25. Please review it and bring your questions to this online forum to review two important agenda items. The 1st item concerns updating our church bylaws to be consistent with changes in nonprofit law, to reflect the current organization of ShepHills, and to be consistent with our church operations. The 2nd item is to review the council-approved spending plan for fiscal year 2024-2025 (starting on 9/1/24). Contact Bill Dawson.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
Thursday, August 22 | All Day
The staff are gathering offsite for their bi-annual staff retreat to connect, plan, and fuel up for great things to come in the year ahead!
RALLY DAY
Sunday, August 25 | 9:45 a.m. | Sanctuary
Join us as we kick off the start of Sunday’sCool! We will gather for song and prayer before getting down to the business at hand: the ultimate family-friendly challenge of Clue Countdown! All are welcome to join in or watch the fun. Questions? Contact Megan Getman.
SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, August 25 | 12:15 p.m. | Gym
Lunch and Childcare Provided
Members are invited to vote on ratification of ShepHills’ 2024-25 spending plan (budget) and revisions to the bylaws. Contact Bill Dawson.
SNAP SHOT
BREAD FOR ALL
Ever wonder who volunteers each Monday at Bread for All Food Pantry (BFA)? Well, wonder no more, here’s who was there last Monday! There are two shifts: one in the early afternoon for set-up, and one in the evening for distribution. Contact Weldon Allison for more information!
GIVING
Giving is an expression of joy and gratitude for the bounty of God’s goodness! There are so many ways to give financially and through serving.
PLEDGES, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS
Keeping current with your pledged or regular giving has never been easier because you can do it all online! Questions? Contact Bill Dawson for help. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.
GIVING STATEMENTS
Year to date giving statements were emailed on Wednesday, August 15. For those without email, statements were mailed to our last known address. Please review and if you have any questions concerning your statement, updates to giving methods (i.e. bank or credit card info), or exploring different types of giving (like gifts of appreciated stock), please contact Bill Dawson.
DONATIONS FOR BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
All sizes of diapers are needed and we continue to covet (in a good way) donations of peanut butter, dried beans, and canned goods. Bring your donations to the bins on weekdays from 9am-4pm, Saturdays from 9-11am, and Sunday mornings.
VOLUNTEER AT BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
Volunteers are welcome to help with setup and food distribution at the Bread for All Food Pantry. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals and groups of all ages. For more information on descriptions, times, and locations, please visit the calendar or contact Weldon Allison.
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact Pr. Lauren to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for: Marie Fortune and Hunter Clark.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Drew Officer and Kate Sheeran, friends of Kathleen Macaulay; Justin Cain, son-in-law of Rex and Sheila Fortune; Mary Campbell, aunt of Laura Hills Amy Pike, friend of Pastor Lauren; Ben Funk, stepfather of Lynn Spillar; Audrey Lentz, sister of Donna Auby; Chuck Wiemann, cousin of Jan Burn; Joyce Carter, cousin of Karen Flint; and Edgar Smith, son of Norma Smith.
O God, we give you thanks for all the saints who have gone before us in faith, and now rest in your eternal life, especially: Lawayne Guengerich, father of Steve Guengerich; Florence Diehl, mother of Linda Miller; and Teedle Steele, great-grandmother of Joel Timmons.
We pray for your comfort and peace to surround all who grieve, as we trust together in the resurrection promise. We commend Lawayne, Florence, and Teedle to your never-ending love.
God of learning and growing, we pray for all who are heading back to school this month – for students eager to learn, for teachers dedicated to helping students be the best they can be; for principals and assistant principals who keep our schools thriving; for school counselors who help kids grow from the inside out; for those in the front office who greet students and parents with a smile and answer all the questions; for custodians who care for school buildings; for bus drivers who transport students with great care; for cafeteria workers who feed students nourishing food; for all that takes place within and outside the walls of our schools, we pray for your blessing.
O God, you have built your church on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and as we continue in the call process for an Associate Pastor, we pray for your wisdom to guide us. Bless our call committee as they continue in this diligent and faithful work. Bless all the candidates who come our way, and give us clarity when it is time to extend a call. Send your Holy Spirit upon us.
O God, we give you thanks for our ministry partnership with Mariposa Family Learning Center and our own Butterfly Preschool. We thank you for the gift of learning and growing, and we pray that you bless the students, teachers, and families of Mariposa and Butterfly.
Would you like someone to pray alongside you during troubling times? A Stephen Minister can travel with you on life’s sometimes bumpy road. Contact Alana Oehler with inquiries about this confidential ministry.
*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks unless we are notified otherwise.