» Healing, Rising, Serving

Hard economic times, natural disasters, and divisive, party strife can make us feel helpless and hopeless, as if we have been abandoned by God. Even the church—local congregations as well as denominations—may feel fear and panic in the face of declining numbers and revenues, loss of loyalty from members, indifference or hostility from the surrounding culture, and internal sniping among factions. The exiled people of Israel in Babylon experienced all of this and more, so our condition is neither unique nor beyond the reach of our God.

How can we belong if we can’t find our place, or fulfill our role? The reading from Isaiah reminds us of God’s power. Mark’s Gospel presents the problem and Jesus’ response to it, a response that may remind us of something else: he lifted, or raised, her up. However, in raising her up, he also restored her to her rightful place and role, and she proceeded directly to serving him. For us living in those times and places that feel helpless and hopeless, we are reminded that in Christ, we too have been raised up and will never be abandoned.

We Welcome.

New Members Class:
Are you interested in becoming a member of Shepherd of the Hills? Are you interested in the basics of Christianity and Lutheranism? We will meet on Saturday February 7, & 14 from 10AM-12PM. You will also be able to meet with folks from our church council and learn how your hands and feet help to make our mission of Welcome, Equip, and Sent Out come alive. Please contact Pastor Tina so we have materials for you.

This week we are going to study what it means to be Lutheran. All are welcome to refresh and review – along with our new members!

Lent Community Fish Fry:

We’re having a community fish fry fundraiser! Save the date for Saturday March 14 between 4:30 and 7:30 to eat-in with us or carry-out your dinner(s). The Thistle, a three generation fish and chips shop, with be helping us provide this authentic meal that will be available to eat-in or carry out.

We need your help to run this event as well as invite all your friends to come and see what Shepherd of the Hills is doing! We’ll need table folks, servers, pie bakers, and set-up/breakdown folks. We pray that this event will welcome the community,share our outreach ministries with them, and raise some money to help keep our facility in working order and open for the various ministries that meet here.

We Equip.
Faith Formation:
Our next unit of study is “Sharing the Good News.” We will learn about the Woman at the Well this week – about bringing folks to come and see the Good News about Jesus. Our unit outreach project on February 22 will be write cards and make bookmarks for the residents at Merryheart in Succasunna.

Confirmation tonight (1/30/15)! We will continue to learn about our faith in action as we study “Lutheran Worship”. Please be on time for worship at 6:30 so we end on time at 8 PM.

Looking ahead, the Middle School Retreat at Crossroads Camp and Retreat Center is April 24-26. The cost per student is $95. You may register directly with Crossroads. This is a great weekend of fun and fellowship with other youth. If you have questions, please see PTina!
We send.
SEC Food Pantry Gift of the Month:This year, we are switching up our offerings a bit. There are many things that folks need but are unable to buy with SNAP dollars. Lat month, our gift was deodorant and soap. This month. our gift will be spices. we all know that salt enhances the flavor of food – but there are other spices that work well with food – and these things aren’t part of the federal program. They are also things that we normally don’t think about when we donate our food.

Lunch Bunch: Lunch Bunch is meeting this Friday, February 6, 2015 at Casa Bellisima, not Giselle’s as previously announced. (Giselle’s is closed until April!) Join the women from the church at 12:30 PM for a meal and fellowship. All are welcome.

Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle enables us to journey in prayer through every region of the world and through every week of the year affirming our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems and sharing diverse gifts.

This week (2/8-2/14) we pray for Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands. Click on the country names to find out more for specific thinks to pray for and to give thanks.