Into the Wild
This week things seem to have returned to normal. The kids are back in school, we’re working our normal hours, and the routine of our lives moves on as if the holidays never happened.
But wait – life can’t be normal once you have experienced Christ in your life. The Magi returned home changed and this week, John and those who were waiting for baptism were changed as Jesus entered their wild existence in the desert to be baptized. The experience not only prepared Jesus for ministry, it was also an epiphany as God declared that Jesus was God’s Son, his Beloved.
And as we remember Jesus’ baptism, we will pause to give thanks for our own baptisms and to remember those who were baptized at Shepherd of the Hills in the last year (all 14 of them!) – all of us who were also named “Beloved.”
Arise! Your light has come!
Worship with us this Sunday at 8 AM and 10:15 AM!
Join us as well on our website, Facebook page, and Twitter (@spartapastor).
Living in the light,
Pastor Tina +
Congregational Meeting Notice:
A special congregational meeting is being convened on Sunday January 11 at 9:15am to discuss the following topics:
1. Elections of Audit and Nominating Committees
(omitted from our December meeting)
2. Replacement & repair of building boilers
(which is required for expenditures greater than 1% of operation budget)
We Welcome.
Faith Formation:
Christian Education for those 3 yrs to 7th grade returns this week. Our theme this month is “Called to be a Neighbor”. We will focus on how friends/neighbors help in need. All families are invited to participate in Outreach Sunday on January 25 – as we craft Good Neighbor bags. FF begins at 9:15 in the education wing.
Adult Brown Bag Bible Study @ Noon is back!. We are studying of the Gospel of John. Next week we will be studying John 3:1-21, Please let PTina know if you are interested in joining us to study this Gospel so that you can receive a learner’s guide to prepare and use.
We Equip.
2015 Offering envelopes: For those of you who continue to give using envelopes, the 2015 boxes of envelopes will be available beginning this Sunday, December 21, in the narthex. Please begin using these January 4, 2015.
If you would prefer, you may also give via Simply Giving online giving from your checking or savings account. The following link will lead you to a secure page where you are able to set up your own account.
Simply Giving online giving
Confirmation Resumes tonight! We will continue to learn about our faith in action as we study “Stewardship of Creation”. Please be on time for worship at 6:30 so we end on time at 8 PM.
We send.
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 January 24, January 31 and February 7 from 10-12. 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.
Fellowship Hour: We are in need of folks to host our time of coffee and sharing on Sundays after the 10:15am worship service. This involves setup and cleanup. Direction and help provided as needed. Sign up on white shutters.