Weekly Connections

September 16, 2022

This Sunday we are blessed by God and celebrate the two wonderful gifts: the dedication of the newly renovated Butterfly Christian Preschool Center, and a visit from Pr. Karen Castillo and Diego Gil of ILAG who will update us on their impactful ministry in Guatemala.

Guatemala Fellowship Gathering

THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Anytime from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  | Gathering Space
Drop in anytime to meet Pr. Karen and Diego for fellowship, wine, and cheese. They will provide updates on the ministries happening in Guatemala such as sustainable agricultural practices, the Leadership Development Program, the transformational ministry for young women at the Milagro Center, and the Lutheran School for Children in Guatemala City.

Sunday Worship + Dedication Celebration

8:15 a.m.  Worship |  Sanctuary
9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Dedication Celebration | Courtyard
10:45 a.m.  Worship |  Sanctuary + Livestream
This Sunday in worship we will have a special Message with Pr. Karen and Pr. Tom in dialogue about what God is doing through ILAG, and we are excited to have the Vibetet providing music!

In between services, gather in the Church Courtyard for breakfast, fellowship, butterfly tattoos for the children (temporary:), and tours of Butterfly. At 10:15 a.m. meet at the steps of the Butterfly Center for the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony.

Sunday Adult Bible Study 

9:15 a.m. |  Library + Zoom
Continuing our study of the Minor Prophets, we will discuss the second half of Zechariah. We will close out the class early in order to attend the dedication of the new and improved Butterfly Pre-school Center. Contact Ruby Cadenhead for more information.

Guatemala Ministry Trip Interest Meeting

Noon | Library
Interested in going to Guatemala? Hear firsthand from Pr. Karen and Diego about participating in a Guatemala Ministry Trip.

NextGen for Grades 5-12

7:00pm | Activity Center
NEXTGEN Youth spend time with Diego!

Don’t forget to check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events

Pickleball

SATURDAYS
9:00 a.m. | Activity Center
TUESDAYS
5:30 p.m. | Activity Center
THURSDAYS FOR BEGINNERS!
5:30 p.m. | Activity Center
No sign up, just show up! Contact Julie Hudnall if you have questions.

Wednesday Bible Studies

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
7:30 a.m. | Early Riser’s Study on Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Late Riser’s Study in the Library and on Zoom
Start hump-day with your best foot forward. Early Risers can jump online every Wednesday morning for a 30-minute look into the Gospel of Mark, or later in the morning for an hour-long study in the library or online. Both studies are Pastor-led. Contact Pr. Lauren or Pr. Tom with questions!

Bells and Choir Practice

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
5:30 p.m. | Bells Practice in the Sanctuary
6:45 p.m. | Choir Practice in the Sanctuary
Our music programs are warming up for a spectacular fall. If you would like to join Bells or Choir, contact Kevin McClure, Director of Worship and Arts.

Rally Day

NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
9:45 a.m. | Gathering Space
Hey families, WE ARE BACK! Toddlers and kids thru Grade 4 should bring their parents and join us in the Gathering Space for a celebration with popsicles, friendship bracelets, and time to decorate the space and meet your teachers! Register your children for Sunday’Scool before October 2!

UPCOMING DATES

Sunday’Scool

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
9:45 a.m. | Family Ministry Center (Upstairs)
Sunday’Scool begins for Toddlers and Kids thru Grade 4. Don’t be late, we’ll meet in the common area for stories, songs, and prayer before choosing an exploration station to learn about the week’s bible story in a whole new way! Make sure and register your child(ren) today.

Gather Us In

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
Noon | Rm 205
Interested in learning about our community of faith? Join us for lunch and conversation as we get to know each other and answer questions you may have about life at Shepherd. Please contact Ministry Coordinator Amanda Forsberg if you plan to join us.

Caring for God’s Creation Team has been hard at work.

Check out the new signage! Now you can now scan a QR code to access the Prayer Walk guide online, learn the history of labyrinths, and wander through the garden plots. If you want to adopt a plot for fall planting, email Anita Knight.  

Giving is an expression of joy and gratitude for the bounty of God’s goodness! There are so many ways to give-both 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!

Beyond Capital Fund Appeal

145 Households are participating, with $2,289,770 dollars to date given towards our goal of raising $3 million to pay for the recent renovation of the Butterfly Center and eliminate all debt! Learn more here.

Serving

Serving is a great way to give back and get to know others in our community. 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!

BREAD FOR ALL (BFA) FOOD PANTRY
BFA is now serving upwards of 100 families every Monday due to the current crisis of inflation and rising rents. The pantry is in need of dried pinto beans 1lb, canned pinto beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, spaghetti, and baby wipes. Please check for expiration dates before giving items. Contact Weldon Allison. Donation Bins are out every Saturday + Sunday, and on weekdays by ringing the office bell.

BFA FOOD DONATION REQUESTS
We have received a special request from BFA for size 5 + 6 diapers, mac and cheese, and pasta (no spaghetti please). In addition, all non-perishable food is welcome. Thank you for loving and serving our neighbors!

BFA DISTRIBUTES FOOD EVERY MONDAY
Find everything you need to know about volunteering here.

Sunday’s Altar Flowers are given by the Butterfly Staff in gratitude for the many people who have contributed in all ways to the renovation of Butterfly Christian Preschool.

In need of prayer? Please contact a pastor to be put on the prayer list.

Would you like someone to pray alongside you during troubling times? Contact a Stephen Minister who can travel with you on life’s sometimes bumpy road.

We pray for Rodney Varner, Linda Roesle, Stacia DeBill, and Charlie Enochs

We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Shirley Lunecki, Mother of Dan Lunecki, The Diebitsch Family, friends of Terrie Thomas

God of new life, you are always renewing your people and our life together.  We give you thanks for Butterfly Christian Preschool and its renewed building, which will continue to hold the ministry of faith and learning for young children in our community.  We thank you for the hands and the hearts that have made this renewal possible, for the pledges and the contributions that have kept it moving forward, and for your Holy Spirit who has infused every moment with your presence.  We dedicate this preschool building and grounds, the people who will work and learn within it, and the new life that will flow out of it, all to your glory.  Send your blessing upon all who enter, and bless every child, parent, teacher, and friend who calls Butterfly Preschool a home.  In the name of Jesus Christ, whose love makes us new each day.  Amen!

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!

*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks, unless we are notified otherwise.