God’s Stewards – Stewards of the Future
Our final week of the series on God’s Stewards points us to the future. Where will our faith journey take us? How will this congregation grow and flourish in the next 20 years?
This Sunday, we celebrate of Pentecost – the 50th day after Easter that some also call the birthday of the church. It was on this day that the Holy Spirit came upon the assembled disciples and gave them the spirit of language. It was on this day that Peter preached to the Jews about Jesus and the salvation that was one for all of them. It was on this day that three thousand folks were baptized into Christ.
This year, Pentecost at Shepherd of the Hills welcomes five students to the Lord’s Supper: Emma Maynard, Joey Krieg, Jack Cisko, Ethan Geiger, & Jordan Geiger. They have completed study and are very excited to join in this meal. We will also install the 2014-2015 Church Council. Both of these events point us to the future – of the faith that is being taught and learned, and of the work that this congregation does as God’s Hands and Feet.
Please join us for worship at 8 AM or 10:15 AM this week!. See you in church!
Time and Talents:
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 church on June 15 so we may offer them to God. 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.
Time and Talents Booklet
Time and Talents Commitment Form
These forms will also be available in hard copy at church. This congregation is grows because of you. Together, we will truly be able to welcome, equip. and send all of God’s children into the world.
Synod Assembly:
Last weekend, the 180 churches of the NJ Synod gathered to complete the business of the church. A spending plan was adopted for the Synod, as well as resolutions regarding Immigration, Same-sex Marriage, Hunger Ministries, and Sandy Recovery. This was the first assembly in over 20 years that was led by a new bishop! Another component of the assembly asked churches to share what help they might look for, what partnerships could be fostered, and how we can learn from each other about being church. These reports can be found at the New Jersey Synod website
Continuing Education:
With the remainder of the time and financial allowance, Pastor Tina attended Festival of Homiletics in Minneapolis earlier in May. This 4 day event featured worship and lectures about trends in preaching (that’s what homiletics means). Thank you for the time and the money to attend this event – it is spiritual fulfilling, educational, and full of fellowship with other pastors around the US and Canada.
New Member Class:
A three-session class is starting on June 7 from 10 AM to Noon for all those interested in becoming members of Shepherd of the Hills. Our first session will look at the history of Christianity, then the history of Lutheranism, and finally on June 21, we’ll look at Shepherd of the Hills and how your stewardship will add to our already rich community.
We will then receive new members through Affirmation of Baptism on June 29 – the day before our church’s anniversary. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Tina.
Rise Up Together! Kickoff:
Join the youth crew on Sunday June 8 at noon for a kickoff meeting and lunch! The 2015 National Youth Gathering of the ELCA will be in Detroit, 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 who will be in 9-12 grade next year 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 email Pastor Tina and she’ll share the info with you!