» God’s Stewards – Stewards of the Past

It is week four of our series on being God’s Stewards. After discovering how being a steward of God involves our gifts, our faith and our calling, today we will look at how we are stewards of our past.

The Spanish philosopher and poet George Santayana is credited with this quote: “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” We bear responsibility for teaching its lessons for the sake of future generations. Over and over again in scripture we hear God’s people telling of God’s deeds in the past so that future generations might learn and grow and have faith. This stewardship requires that we reflect upon our experience to discern the wisdom within it. If we are young, we would do well to listen to and honor the wisdom of our elders, and not dismiss them as irrelevant. If we’re “experienced,” we’d do well to judiciously impart the wisdom of that experience.

On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember the brave men and women who have served our country and given the ultimate sacrifice. We honor them, and seek to learn from the wisdom of their lives.

Worship with us on Sunday at 8 AM and 10:15 AM. Sunday School for ages 3 to 8th Grade is at 9:15! See you then!

Time and Talents:

Thank you for taking the time to complete a Spiritual Gift Inventory. As we heard last week, God has given us skills and talents to help build community.

The next step is to figure out how to use those skills to build community – specifically here at SOTH. The links will lead you to a booklet about areas where you may be able to help as well as a sheet that we ask you return to us by June 8 (Pentecost). Throughout June, folks will work to organize the results so that when our program year begins in the fall, we are ready to Rise Up! in Christ.

Church Clean Up:
We spruced up for Easter, but now it’s time to dig in and clean up and out! Saturday May 31 is the day – from 8:30 until the work is done. No time commitment is too small. There are tasks for all skills and abilities. Without you, we are unable to maintain our facility.

SOTH Directory Update:
In anticipation for a parish records review, we are asking for your help in updating our records. Have you moved, changed email addresses or phone numbers, maybe even changed your name? Please click on the link to share this information with us! Directory Update

Memorial Service for Audrey Kruse:
In the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection, Audrey Louise Kruse entered the Church Triumphant on February 24, 2014. Please join Audrey’s family as we celebrate her life and her home going to God. A memorial service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on Wednesday June 11 at 3 PM. There will be a time of fellowship after the service to meet with her family and to share memories of Audrey.

National Youth Gathering Kickoff:
Are you a high school youth? Do you want to learn more about your faith? Want to hang out with 35,000 other high school kids? Have you wanted to learn how to do social justice in an urban setting? Want to go on a road trip to the origins of Motown, the home of Ford Motor Company, and more recently – of Eminem & Kid Rock?

If you answered yes to any of those questions – join the crew on Sunday June 8 at noon for a kickoff meeting and lunch! The 2015 National Youth Gathering of the ELCA will be in Detriot, MI, a city that is rising up out of job loss and bankruptcy. God is calling us to bring our hands and feet and hearts to this place.

This is a meeting for both youth and parents – to share information about this amazing event and how as a community we will work over the next year to prepare and study why we are headed to the Motor City.

If you are unable to be there, please emailPastor Tina and she’ll share the info with you!

With praise and thanksgiving,
Pastor Tina 🙂