August 11, 2023
It’s Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13
WORSHIP-BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Come give support, love, and encouragement as we bless the remarkable journey of our students, teachers, and school staff!
August is a month of blessings. Here’s what’s ahead:
August 20 – New Driver Blessing
August 27 – Congregation Blessing
HAITI LOVE OFFERING
This Sunday we will be collecting a Love Offering in support of our ministry partner CHARIS of Haiti. Find out about God’s work that is happening through CHARIS by watching this video or reading the latest newsletter. Gifts may also be made online.
BREAKFAST
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Activity Center
Don’t go around hungry, come fill your body and soul with food and conversation.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Join us this week as we continue our discussion of the Good Book. Contact Ruby Cadenhead for more information.
CONVERSATION CAFE
9:45 p.m. | Room 205
We begin a one-month sprint through the Bible! This Sunday we’ll cover Isaiah thru Luke 2. Contact Pr. Tom.
EVENTS
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for more details on these events, plus a complete list of additional events including Yoga, Pickleball, Choir and Bells, PALS, and Bread for All.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Saturday, August 12 at 8:00 a.m. | Butterfly Center
Note the new location. Good food, great conversation. Contact Weldon Allison.
EARLY RISERS BIBLE STUDY
Wednesdays, August 16, 30
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
Start your day off on the right foot. Bring your coffee and meet us online. Contact Pr. Tom for Zoom info.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, August 17
1:00 p.m. | Library + Zoom
This group offers support and companionship for caregivers of people with short and long-term illnesses. Please contact Sandy Smith.
MARIPOSA CHILDREN’S CLOTHES SWAP
Donations needed by Aug 18 | Mariposa FLLC, 403 Vargas Rd.
Mariposa is hosting a clothing swap for their families to share and exchange clothing at no cost. If you would like to donate gently used children’s clothing or shoes for this event, you may drop them off at Mariposa between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday no later than August 18. Contact Lizzy Castañeda with questions.
ASSISTANT MINISTERS ORIENTATION
Sunday, August 20
9:15 a.m. or 11:45 a.m. | Sanctuary
Whether you’re curious about starting or have done it for years, come to our Assisting Minister Orientation for some helpful pointers from our pastors and digital ministry staff. QUESTIONS? Feel free to talk to Pr. Lauren, Pr. Tom, or Amanda at any time.
FINANCE FORUM ZOOM MEETING
Thursday, August 24
7:00 p.m. | Zoom
This meeting will provide an overview of the proposed fiscal budget for 2023-2024 prior to the Pastoral Call and Congregational Meeting vote to approve on August 27. Please contact Bill Dawson.
ALTAR STEWARD TRAINING
Sunday, August 27
9:15 a.m. or 11:45 a.m. | Sanctuary
Whether you’re curious about starting or have done it for years, come learn about being an Altar Steward. QUESTIONS? Feel free to talk to Amanda at any time.
PASTORAL CALL AND CONGREGATION MEETING
Sunday, August 27
Noon | Activity Center
The time is fast approaching. Save the date and cast your vote to extend a Call for Senior Pastor to Pr. Lauren Dow Wegner, and to ratify the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget at the Congregation Meeting. Please contact Bill Dawson.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER!
More information will follow, but here is some of what’s planned for September!
HEARD SERIES RETURNS
Wednesdays in September
7:00 p.m.
The Welcome & Inclusion Team encourages faithful dialogue around topics that so often divide. In our desire for open conversation as fellow Christians, the Team invites you to another series of Heard: A Conversation with Queer Voices. You may remember the robust conversations we had as a community of faith during the first Heard series in 2021. Come join us for more on Wednesdays throughout September, in person or online. Contact: Joel Timmons.
BREAD FOR ALL DONATION SUNDAYS
Beginning Sunday, September 2
Donation Bins | Gathering Space
Starting in September we will hold an in-gathering of food on the first Sunday of each month in an effort to increase our donations of non-perishable food and diapers. In the meantime, please keep those donations coming this month. Sadly we have more clients than ever. Thank you for your endless support! Contact Weldon Allison.
RALLY DAY
Sunday, September 10
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School for PreK thru 4th grade kicks off with a celebration! Contact: Megan Getman.
GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS
Sunday, September 10
Noon | Activity Center
God’s Work, Our Hands is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) day of service nationwide. The Developing Missions Team will be hosting a light lunch and service activities as an opportunity to celebrate who we are – an ELCA church – freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Contact Norma Smith.
LIFETIME LEARNING CLASSES (Community Partner)
September 11 – November 3
Room 205
Registration opens online at noon on Wednesday, August 16. Classes offered at ShepHills will be Our Place in the Cosmos (Wednesday mornings) and Entomology (Friday mornings). Click here for a full listing of courses and descriptions.
MEMORIAL
KIMBERLY JACKSON
Saturday, September 9
11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
On Tuesday, July 25, Kimberly Jackson passed from this life into life eternal. We grieve with her parents Dee and Robert Jackson, their family, and all those who loved her as we place our
trust in the power and the promise of the resurrection life in Jesus Christ. Information on a live stream viewing and a reception will be available soon.
GIVING AND SERVING
“Gratitude flows from the recognition that who we are and what we have are gifts to be received and shared.”—Henri Nouwen
FINISH WELL, START STRONG!
Our personal relationship with God is the foundation for all other relationships…including money. The money we give to support our missions and ministries has a direct and indirect impact on the lives of people, including ourselves. To make sharing God’s Love our aim, our generosity to God is a sign of our love for others. It is that simple and that important!
- As we move toward the end of our Fiscal Year (Aug. 31st) it is our hope and desire that we will finish well and start strong in the new Fiscal year. Please look over your financial statement to see where your status for your giving thus far. If you have questions, please contact our Finance Controller, Kevin Marlow. All gifts should be posted by August 31.
PLEDGES, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS
Giving online is a great way to stay current with your pledge or to set up a recurring gift. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.
SERVING
Whether you are interested in serving locally, being part of a global mission, or volunteering to help in a variety of ways on Sundays, we have a place for you!
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact a pastor to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for Rodney Varner, Nancy Etzler, Jan Burnight, Janice Benzel, and Alexander Rosas.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Krista Bowers, niece of Herb and Kathy Palmer; Stirling Johnson, granddaughter of Sylvia & Curtis Johnson; Carol Carlos, mother of Sandy Wikelius; Charles Wikelius, brother of Larry Wikelius; Mike Young and Pauline Krc, friends of Terrie Thomas.
We pray for Sharon Collins and family on the death of her cousins John Keller and Linda Lovell. Give comfort and peace to those who mourn, and a sure trust in the promise of resurrection life.
We pray for all students in their learning and in their friendships as school begins in the days ahead. May all be filled with the assurance of your presence. Lord, give them courage to be water-walkers. We pray for our teachers, counselors, bus drivers, school support staff, administrators, and school board members. Give all the courage to be water-walkers with the knowledge of your presence in all the storms of life.
We pray for all impacted by natural disasters, especially those in Hawaii and our own community affected by wildfires.
We pray for rain and a break from the oppressive heat. Your creation needs moisture to nourish the earth, fill our streams and lakes, and grow food. May we resolve to care for the earth.
Merciful and Loving God, as war and violence rage in Ukraine and other parts of the world, we pray that leaders of the world will practice peace-making, bringing together people of every tribe and race under the umbrella of your amazing grace.
We pray for our global ministry partners: Rev. Karen Castillo in Guatemala; Iglesia Luterana Augustina Virgen del Rosario, Aurora 8 de Octubre, Guatemala. We pray for Malcolm and Joy Henderson and the ministry of CHARIS in Haiti.
We pray for our local ministries: Mariposa Family Learning Center, Bread For All, and Upbring Ministries.
We pray for our faith community, that we may be a church without walls and live out loud…faithfully!
Would you like someone to pray alongside you during troubling times? Contact Rebecca Guengerich to find (or learn more about) a Stephen Minister who can travel with you on life’s sometimes bumpy road.
*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks unless we are notified otherwise.