Shepherd of the Hills

Transcription

1 Shepherd of the Hills Summer 2015 I see no help, for the trouble in my office and family is increasing daily... Do those thoughts sound familiar? I could sleep but little because the wind and rain stormed through the whole night and I always feel in such lawsuit troubles as if I am going to be hanged. Prayer and sighing do not always help and avail, and faith sees nothing; one s confidence is beset by the consciousness of one s many failures in office, one s constitution is enfeebled, and the spirit of life is dried up, and so one stands there before God, forsaken on every side, like a poor malefactor upon whom the judgment has been spoken, to enemies a hideous object, to the ignorant an object of all sorts of judgments and reflections.... God the merciful Father in Christ will, some day, out of grace for Jesus Christ s sake, redeem me from all evil and bring peace; otherwise I see no help, for the trouble in my office and family is increasing daily and my powers of body and mind are steadily decreasing. (The Notebook of a Colonial Clergyman, Condensed from the Journals of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, translated and edited by Theodore G. Tappert and John W. Doberstein, Fortress Press.) These are the words, written March 8, 1763, of a 53-year-old German Lutheran pastor trying to help a congregation entangled in a legal dispute over church property. Pastor Muhlenberg had come to the American colonies at age 31, called as a pastor of three small Lutheran Churches in the Philadelphia area. Over forty-five years of ministry, he traveled in North America as a missionary to German, Dutch and Swedish immigrants. One of his sons, Peter, became a famous brigadier general. Another, Frederic, became the first speaker in the United States Congress. His son Henry became the first president of what is now Franklin and Marshal College. This condensation of his journals offers a window into the thoughts and daily life of a child of God during difficult and dangerous times. Now colleges and churches are named after Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. He is called the Patriarch of American Lutheranism (Was there also a Matriarch?). While his achievements are great, his honesty about days of fear and doubt may be life sustaining for us. On March 8, 252 years ago, he wrote that prayer does not always help, faith sees no hope, and confidence is undermined by awareness of many failures in office. Troubles at home and office increased daily, while physical and mental abilities declined. Fortunately the truth that sustained him is also in this journal entry. He wrote: Inside This Issue 2 Vacation Bible School 3 Whats Happening 4 Anniversary Celebration 5 GBM School Help 6 Lutheran Ministries 7 Council Contacts Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 4887 Valleydale Road Birmingham, AL sothchurch@bellsouth.net God the merciful Father in Christ will, some day, out of grace for Jesus Christ s sake, redeem me from all evil and bring peace. Recognizing these thoughts as similar to our own, we are privileged to read the thoughts of a faithful person struggling to persevere despite dark and fearful days. Acknowledging his failings, fears and doubts, he still trusted God to bring him safety and peace. God s work will be done, not because of our strength, but because of God s faithfulness. Peace, Pastor Kiehl

2 Vacation Bible School VBS 2015 was a huge success. Many thanks to Kathy Anderson for leading SOTH s 2015 Vacation Bible School and to all the volunteers who worked so hard to make this program such a success. Complete with great dinners, funny skits in the Opening Ceremony each evening, adventures in the classroom, crafts and games, all had a wonderful learning experience and loads of summer fun! The group also gathered 375 food items for Oak Mountain Missions Ministries, Inc.

3 What s Happening at Shepherd of the Hills Blessings of the Backpacks On Sunday, August 9 th, we will have the Blessing of the Backpacks & Briefcases in a brief ceremony at the beginning of the service. We hope all of the children will bring their backpacks, and adults their briefcases, to the front of the sanctuary for the blessings! Calling All Campers Our annual camping trip will be the weekend of September 25 th 27 th at Wind Creek State Park on beautiful Lake Martin. We would love to have you join our SOTH family in the great outdoors spending the weekend hiking, biking, swimming, lots of eating (we are Lutheran!), and fun fellowship. For more information about the park and to make your reservation, visit Please Sue Collins (susan.c.collins@att.net) if you are planning to attend or if you have any questions. Summer Social Plan to join the learning committee for light breakfast snacks and fellowship on Sunday, August 16th at 9:45, after the early service. We will meet the teachers for Sunday School and lead a discussion with adults regarding their learning interests. Sunday School for adults and children will begin the following Sunday on August 23rd at 9:45. Fall Confirmation Retreat The fall confirmation retreat at the Boettner lake house will be August This is one of two required retreats. We will leave the church at 8:30 am on Saturday and return Sunday morning in time for the late service. Youth will worship together at SOTH and then are dismissed following the service. Sue Collins will be the point parent for this trip.

4 25th Anniversary Celebration On Sunday, June 28th, 2015, SOTH members and guests celebrated the 25th anniversary of the founding of our church. The founding pastor, Jeff Alvestad, came from his current congregation in Omaha, Nebraska, and gave the sermon during the service. Immediately afterward, Susan Pritchett, chair of the fellowship committee, thanked those who helped plan and prepare the celebration. She then shared the symbolism of the table centerpieces on the dining tables. The clay pots of growing impatiens signified how SOTH is rooted in the fertile soil of the gospel and Lutheran theology. The clay pots represented the physical building and the growing plants were like the congregation members that fill many roles and are living and growing as a part of SOTH. Ruth Rollinson and Carol Dotson spoke next and shared their thoughts on the rich history of SOTH that has brought us to this point. They spoke of the growth and struggles and highlighted the special time when Mission Builders were here working with members to build the physical church. Next Ron Wooster and Kim Boettner spoke about current life at SOTH and future hopes, especially those represented by the youth of the congregation. Following the presentations, all went downstairs for a BBQ lunch from Full Moon. Everyone had fun eating, visiting and celebrating our blessings!

5 We Need Food & School Uniforms! We need YOUR help -- will your congregation or organization help with GBM's annual School Uniform Drive for families already burdened by the cost of school supplies? On average, a school uniform costs between $55 - $75, too much for many families. All sizes of new clothing - children through adult - are needed. A Birmingham City School uniform includes: Solid White, Blue, Black or Khaki Shirt with A Collar Blue, Black or Khaki Pants or Skirts Plain Socks & Shoes, Belts Underwear & Undershirts Uniform & Food Donations may be dropped off Monday - Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Or you can send a check payable to GBM, th Ave North, Birmingham, AL Your support will help a child get off to a good start this school year!

6 You are cordially invited to the 25 th Anniversary Celebration of LUTHERAN MINISTRIES OF ALABAMA When: Where: Why: 2:00pm on Sunday, August 23 rd Shades Valley Lutheran Church 720 Shades Creek Parkway Birmingham, AL We will be honoring the Five Original Founders with a dinner and program. They are Pastor Tom Noon, Eldon Zimmerman, Norma Stagner, Pastor Fred Krautwurst and Pastor Steven Washington. There is NO CHARGE! Just celebration! RSVP: lynnphifer@yahoo.com or text or secretary@shadesvalleylutheran.org.

7 July Cecilia Thorson 7/2 Robert Peters 7/4 Lizzy Boettner 7/7 Brett Hamme 7/8 Spencer Hamme 7/8 Celia Slaughter 7/8 Taylor Hamme 7/9 Summer Trammell 7/13 Brian Slaughter 7/15 Ruth Rollinson 7/16 Sue Collins 7/19 John Boettner 7/22 Sara Grigsby 7/22 Tom Jones 7/25 Mason Larson 7/26 August Dylan Doig 8/1 Elizabeth Von Pingel 8/2 Harold Nordness 8/4 Lee Anderson 8/5 Scott Matherly 8/7 John Peacock 8/7 Jeanne Trammell 8/7 Katherine Truncali 8/7 Darryl Kiehl 8/9 Matthew Grigsby 8/10 Mark Hickson 8/10 Sean Yoder 8/12 Myrna Picogna 8/13 Alan Colvin 8/16 Rylee Sears 8/19 Holder Nevins 8/20 Scoeville Cox 8/22 Katy Boettner 8/24 Erin Burns 8/24 Mike Smith 8/26 Kathleen Prine 8/27 Mary Trela 8/27 Karen Smith 8/28 Greg Canute 8/29 Austin Trammell 8/29 Fred Heinemann 8/30 Samuel Pyle 8/30

8 Council Contact Information Name Position Phone Ron Wooster President Bob Oster Vice President Kathy Warren Secretary Margie Slaughter Member Nancy Dorman-Hickson Member Amy Knowles Member Gary Alshouse Member Jeanne Trammel Member 205= Gene Myers Member