SHEPHERD S VOICE. the. Pastor Extends Contract for a Year of Restructuring

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1 SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN the CHURCH SHEPHERD S VOICE CASPIAN WAY, CLERMONT, FLORIDA FEBRUARY, 2014 Souper Bowl of Caring Feb 2 New Member Classes Begin Feb 2 Women s Support Group Begins Feb 4 Council Installation Feb 9 90 Year Birthday Party Feb 9 Memorials Dedication Feb 16 Seniorfest Feb 18 Men s Small Group Feb 8 & Feb 22 Pastor Extends Contract for a Year of Restructuring At our January annual meeting, the Congregation approved a spending plan for 2014 along with a restructuring of council, new and expanded staff positions, and additional pastoral assistance. Thank you to all who attended the meeting, those who brought fingerfood treats, Larry Holihan for coordinating the powerpoint presentations and movie, Who Moved My Cheese, Wayne Ahlers for handling the microphones, and Sara Holton for sharing her musical talents! Join us as we fish for people in 2014! Pastor Nancy s interim contract has been extended for another year to allow the congregation to engage in a Year of Restructure. During this period the following items will be accomplished. Year of Restructure a. Restructure Council * b. Downsize Volunteer Job Descriptions c. Establish Small Groups: Task, Study, Support d. Add/Expand Staff ** e. Implement New Worship Service f. Expand Prayer Ministries g. Transition Check List h. Congregational Feedback and Participation * New Council Format: 4 officers, 5 core teams: Finance, Property, Christian Formation, Small Groups, and Worship and Music ** New Part Time Program Coordinator, New Pastoral Assistance continued on page 2

2 Year of Restructuring - continued from page 1 Next year we will implement the Call Process accomplishing the following items. Year of Call Process Small Groups Make Disciples and Grow Leaders At the congregation s annual meeting on January 26, 2014, the gathered assembly affirmed a revised council structure for Shepherd of the Hills that includes an intentional focus on Small Group Ministry. This focus will be developed and supported by one of the five core teams that are now a part of council; Diane Bursey will be the liaison to that ministry. Why small groups? Today, people are looking for a sense of belonging, a place to which they can connect in a meaningful way. While the front door of the church offers great hospitality and welcome as part of the worship experience, many people prefer a quieter entry through a side-door ministry such as a small group; attendance at worship may grow from this side-door entry point. In addition, small groups: 1. Provide a place where people can be nurtured by God s saving grace 2. Provide opportunities for prayer, study, and outreach/evangelism 3. Provide a forum for healing and support 4. Form ministry tasks into reasonable sizes to meet the busy schedules of today s volunteers 1. Call Committee in session 2. Complete Projects 3. Planning to say good bye to interim. 4. Congregational Feedback and Participation. 5. Make disciples and grow leaders There are three basic kinds of groups: task, study, and support. A task group is a committee or a circle; a study group is like the mid-week class studying Exodus; a support group is like the Women Dealing with Grief Group or the Men s Fellowship Group. To keep groups healthy, they all spend time in prayer, biblical reflection, care for one another, and periodically participate in a service project; each group allocates the time for each of these group dynamics differently based on their type of group. Small groups are usually no larger than 12 people. With the exception of some sensitive support groups, small groups are open to new members. When groups get too big, new groups begin to form; small group ministry multiples! These open groups can meet from once a month to as many times as is preferred. They can meet at a variety of places in addition to the church building. continued on page 3 2

3 Small Groups continued from page 2 Presently, functioning examples of small groups at SOTH are: Task Group: Virginia Circle (ongoing group) This group meets a church and prays, has a monthly devotion, cares for one another, and provides a variety of services to the church community such as setting up and cleaning up for pot lucks, purchasing table cloths for the rear of the sanctuary, and helping with the Annual Cleaning Days. Many of the participants also participate in the Craft and Quilting groups. Call Norma Thompson for more information. Study Group: (ongoing; meets Wednesdays at SOTH 7:30 pm following worship) This group started in the Old Testament book of Genesis and is now studying the book of Exodus. Chapter by chapter participants seek to learn about God s covenant promise of grace and salvation. Discussions follow with applications to today s world. Pastor Nancy leads this study. (New) Support Group: (six week support group; Tuesdays, 3:30-5 PM) Dealing With Grief and Loss-Women s Group (6 week group starting 2/4/14 in Pastor Nancy s office) This group is a specific topic for discussion in the context of prayer and study of the Word. Helping other women experiencing grief may become a service project. Contact Pastor Nancy for more information (New) Men s Fellowship Group: (meets twice a month) This group is still forming. Eight men attended the organizational breakfast meeting at Bob Evans Restaurant on January 25, They have agreed to meet twice and month on Saturdays and may include some week days in the near future. The next two meetings are at 8:30 am on Saturday 2/8 and 2/22 at Bob Evans for breakfast. Growing the prayer ministry at SOTH may be one of their service projects. Watch for updates on how this ministry grows! Contact Bill Wright for more information. Souper Bowl Sunday February 2, 2014 Our youth will hold soup pots at church doors on "Souper Bowl of Caring" Sunday, February 2, They will join young people in churches across the country to collect money for those who are hungry and hurting. In 2013, $7.47 million was collected by "Souper Bowl of Caring" participants for local charities. All of the money collected at Shepherd of the Hills will be donated to Faith Neighborhood Center in Groveland. None of the money is sent to the Souper Bowl of Caring headquarters. Organizers only ask that each participant report their collection so national totals can be determined and announced. Since the "Souper Bowl of Caring" began in 1990, more than $98 million has gone to help people in need. Please support the youth of our church in this effort to love our neighbors by dropping your dollar in the soup pot on February 2. For more information see 3

4 congregation council Leaders 2014 Installation Sunday: 2/9/14 at Both Services Thank you! The Halecki Family (John, Marci, Paul, Hunter and Hannah) extends their sincerest thanks for all the prayers, love, and financial gifts that were received in memory of Leighanna. Join us for a Dedication! Sunday February 16, 2014 at both services President: Debbie Kiely Vice President: Judy Lojko Secretary: Michelle Candage Treasurer: Pat Quellhorst Christian Formation: Ed Carroll Finance: Nanci Etienne Small Groups: Diane Bursey Property: Open Worship and Music: Open If interested in either open position, please see any member of council or Pastor Nancy. Items to be Dedicated: Communion chalice and tray Partitions Silk Plants and Tables Watch for a new TV in the fellowship area that will display news and items of interest for the congregation each week. Thanks to Scout Troop 551 for participating in our service on Scout Sunday on February 2. There is an open position on the Memorial Committee. If you would be interested in serving, please notify the church office. Church Office Hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed holidays Office phone : Emergency phone: shephillsclermont.org A Special Valentine Recognition! February 9, 2014 Special cake and fellowship after the 10:15 service Help us celebrate our three members who are 90 years old! Guess who they are! Bring lots of hugs to share. 4

5 African-American and Latino congregations in the ELCA and LCMS, and as a leader at national and local events for all ages. David currently lives in Orlando with his wife, Janet, and their two boys. Bob Baker, Keynote Speaker Seniorfest at Hope Lutheran Church, The Villages February 18, :30-4 pm Workshops, Keynote Speaker, Worship and Music. Travel Hosts: Pastor Nancy and Sara Holton. Car pools arranged (leave church by 7:30 am) A signup sheet and more information will be released this month. David Ludwig, Worship & Music Trained in theology and music, David Ludwig is a composer, pianist and organist, singer and worship leader. He currently serves serves as Worship and Arts Director at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Winter Park. A graduate of Valparaiso University and The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, David has served as music minister in Anglo, Bob has been Executive Director of Lutherhaven Ministries since 1996 and on staff there since Lutherhaven Ministries is uniquely pan- Lutheran and is among the largest Christian camp and retreat ministries in the nation. They operate Camp Lutherhaven on Lake Coeur d Alene, Shoshone Mountain Retreat on the North Fork of the Coeur d Alene River on the Montana- Idaho border, and 30 week-long Day Camps in communities throughout the Northwest. Each summer, over 4,000 children, youth, adults and families attend a Lutherhaven Ministries camp, while more than 13,000 guests of all ages and abilities come to one of the camps annually for retreat, renewal and leadership programming. Bob is a frequent speaker around the nation and was a presenter at the week-long ALOA Colorama Lutherhostel in northern Wisconsin last year. Before coming to Idaho, Bob served for 8 years in youth and family ministries in a Lutheran parish in western Montana; before that he worked one amazing decade in a remote backcountry wilderness ranger station in Glacier National Park. His wife, Chris, is a Charter school English teacher and they have three adult kids: Daniel, David, and Katie. All three kids work for Christian ministries. 5

6 Women s Support Group Dealing With Grief and Loss-Women s Group (6 week group starting 2/4/14 in Pastor Nancy s office) Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00 PM. This group is a specific topic for discussion in the context of prayer and study of the Word. Helping other women experiencing grief may become a service project. Contact Pastor Nancy for more information Men's Fellowship Group will meet twice a month on Saturdays at 8:30am at Bob Evans. The next two meetings are February 8th and February 22nd. For information please contact Bill Wright at We are still studying the Book of Exodus at our Wednesday Evening (7:30 pm) Bible Studies after our mid-week worship (which begins at 7 pm). All are welcome. Our next meeting is at 10:00 on February 11. All women are welcome. Bring friends. Call Norma Thompson at or at nnthomp3700@aol.com if you have any questions. 6

7 Mulch Madness Relax and let the Boy Scouts of Troop 551 help you improve your landscaping this spring. During our Mulch Madness fundraising campaign, the Scouts will deliver high quality shredded hardwood landscaping mulch (brown or red) to your home on select weekends in February, March and April. The price is just $4.50 per 2 cubic feet bag, and when you place your order by February 28 and select a delivery date, the Scouts will spread the mulch and remove the bags for free on delivery! To place your order online, go to or contact Brent Reynolds at brent.r.reynolds@gmail.com, or (352) (leave message). Boy Scout Troop 551 is a Scout led organization chartered by the American Legion Post 55, Clermont. The Troop meets every Monday night at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. All fundraising efforts help the scouts pay their way to their 2014 summer camp - 10 day excursion to Camp Woodruff in the Georgia mountains. Souper Bowl Sunday February 2, 2014 (Both Services) Please bring your $$$$$ and help fight hunger! Don t let Super Bowl Sunday make you forget the Souper Bowl of Caring! This year s collection sponsored by the High School Sunday School Class, All monies collected will go to the Faith Neighborhood Center Super Bowl Details: The Denver Broncos (13-3) and Seattle Seahawks (13-3) face off in Super Bowl XLVIII Sunday, Feb. 2,

8 Pictures of the Month This month we feature pictures of our youth attending Luther Springs Confirmation Camp on Jan Mackenzie Markussen, Piper Cox and Audrie Brosonski attended. The topic of the camp was the Old Testament. 8

9 Calling all members and friends of ELCA Congregations in the Heart of Florida Conference: You are invited to a conference-wide Service of Holy Communion with our new Bishop Robert G. Schaefer From the latest Lutheran: Death of Rev. John Rotto, 84 years old. Pastor and Mrs. Rotto worshiped with Shepherd of the Hills for many years. Mrs. Rotto Died about four years ago. 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 St. Stephen Lutheran Church Highway 434 West Longwood, FL Phone: (407) Come and meet Bishop Schaefer as we gather with our conference sisters and brothers around the means of grace and are sent together in mission! The Florida-Bahamas Synod: We are connecting and igniting congregations who are BOLDLY sharing Christ, PASSIONATELY making disciples and FAITHFULLY doing justice. Note for your calendars! Mark Your Calendars May 18, 2014 Zion Lutheran Church Groveland, FL 95th Anniversary More info TBA February 19 at Beef O Brady s 11:30 am ALL ARE WELCOME BRING A FRIEND Church Council Minutes and Monthly Financial Reports are located in the Members Blog on our website. If you don t know the password, Larry Holihan for it. 9

10 Mission Trip Opportunity! Erwin Nesvacil, a member of Emmanuel, Venice, has been to Haiti many times and is now planning to lead a group from the congregation for a special visit to celebrate the dedication of the church/community center at Pasquette. Emmanuel congregation, using the David Johnson Memorial Fund, gave the money for the purchase of the land for this building. The current plan is to leave Miami on Feb. 6, 2014, and return on Feb. 11. In addition to the celebration at Pasquette, the group will visit other church programs.! The estimated cost of the trip is $500 plus airfare depending on the number of people going as some of Evangelical Lutheran of Haiti s costs are fixed and not per person. If you would like to be on the tentative list to receive information about the details of this trip, please call Erwin at or send him an at ern1128@gmail.com New Member Classes Begin Feb 2 Dates: Sundays 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23 Time: 9 am in education area Received into Membership: Sunday 3/2 Curriculum: Baptized We Live Facilitator: Pastor Nancy Come and meet new people and learn what it means to be a Lutheran Christian in today s world. A great magazine for your child. Pick up a free copy on the information table in the Fellowship Area of the church. 10

11 WORLD HUNGER AND YOU Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18 More than 16 million in the United States 22% of all children live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level - $23,550 a year for a family of four. In Florida, the child poverty rate is 25% (1 in 4 children!). The needs are great. We have heard the statistics. Nearly 1 Billion people around the globe, 1 in 8 live in poverty. Now what is our truth and action? United together as a church, we can make a much greater impact than we can alone. That is what ELCA World Hunger is about. Uniting our efforts as a brothers and sisters in Christ to learn and take action in helping those in need both globally as well as here in the United States. ELCA World Hunger/Disaster Response works in over 65 countries around the globe working with local communities to bring change for the long term in communities. It also is about creating awareness and educating congregations about hunger and poverty, and how each of us can bring change to our own communities as well as impact the fight against hunger around the globe. Take action. Join together with a network of congregations and hunger leaders around the country to fight hunger and poverty. Engage and work together to learn and bring change. Here s how: Learn and Teach. Create awareness of the problem of poverty and hunger. Did you know ELCA World Hunger has many congregational resources to teach youth, adults, small and large groups about the root causes of poverty? And, they are free! To learn more, go to ELCA-World-Hunger Lead. The Florida-Bahamas Synod is looking for motivated individuals to be a part of the Florida Bahamas Synod Hunger Team. Our goal is to bring together people from around the state to work together to educate, advocate, and share the story of how our congregations can take an active role in the fight against hunger both here at home, and across the globe. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Mary Delasin at mzdelasin@yahoo.com. Donate. The work of ELCA World Hunger funded solely by gifts from ELCA congregations and individuals like you! 90 cents of every dollar directly supports programmatic work. (100% of gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response goes directly to assist those affected by the disaster.) Serve. Did you know ELCA World Hunger has a domestic grant program that funds local congregational and community projects across the United States? Last year 18 of these grants went to projects in our Florida Bahamas Synod. 11

12 PRAYER VENTURES February 2014 These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the church. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church. 1 During this Black History Month, pray especially for African American leaders in communities, congregations, families and all contexts, that they might be supported, uplifted, encouraged and blessed in all the ways they serve. 2 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany and Presentation of Our Lord: Almighty God, blessed are you for you have sent us our savior Jesus, whose presentation at the temple we celebrate today. Like Simeon, may we depart in peace for our eyes have seen your salvation. 3 Pray for the people of the Central African Republic suffering amid political unrest, our companion church the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic, and the ELCA missionaries temporarily displaced from their work. Pray that peace will replace the violence and deaths occurring in the country. 4 We give thanks for the ELCA congregations across the country that have embraced the ELCA Malaria Campaign. We lift up the efforts of the members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and their three-year fundraising goal. 5 Pray that the vision of peace and unity that made possible the recently completed Evangelical Lutheran Church at Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan will spread from the banks of the Jordan and throughout the Holy Land and the world. 6 Remember in your prayers the five Young Adults in Global Mission who are walking in accompaniment with our neighbors in Hungary. 7 Give thanks for the beauty in God s creation, and therefore in all of us, that we may be inspired to find and nurture that beauty in our neighbors. 8 Include in your prayers new ELCA missionary in Hong Kong Abraham Peterson, who teaches English at the Lutheran Theological Seminary to students who come from all parts of Asia. 9 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany O Lord our God, thank you for your loving guidance. Visit those who are alone in this world. Send your Spirit and the light of Christ to warm and guide those who feel helpless and hopeless. 10 Pray for the work of the Lutheran church in Costa Rica, Iglesia Luterana Costarricense, which recently ordained its first female pastor, Geraldine Alvarez. 11 Pray for the many ELCA associates in ministry lay leaders who serve in congregations and other ministries of the ELCA in such areas as youth ministry, social services, music and parish nursing. continued on page 13 12

13 continued from page While the ELCA has six full communion partners, pray that our relationship and dialogue with other partner churches, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Mennonite Church USA and the Roman Catholic Church, will continue to foster unity and mutual understanding. 13 Lift up in your prayers the work of the Rev. Lindsay Mack and Omar Turcios Mixco, ELCA missionaries serving as coordinators for the Young Adults in Global Mission program in Mexico. 14 On this Valentine s Day, pray that the love of Jesus Christ is welcomed into hearts that are in need of more than roses or chocolates. 15 Give thanks for the many congregations and individuals who support the work of ELCA missionaries and Young Adults in Global Mission through covenant sponsorships. 16 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Merciful God, receive the prayers of your people. We ask for your blessings on those living in Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico and Southern Africa. 17 Pray for the work of ELCA Mission Builders, who use their God-given skills to help ELCA congregations, schools, camps and social ministry organizations construct or improve their facilities. 18 On the day that Martin Luther died in 1546, give thanks that through the grace of God we are saved by faith. 19 Include in your prayers the nine members of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program serving for a year in Malaysia in various ministries. 20 Give thanks for the many adults who mentor the youth of this church and the innovative methods they use, such as the wrestling program that operates through Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. 21 Remember in your prayers ELCA missionaries in the Holy Land Danae and Steven Hudson and their work in communications. 22 Pray for the bishops and staffs of the ELCA s 65 synods as they unite the work of congregations within their areas, serve as regional support, and guide pastoral staff. 23 Seventh Sunday in Epiphany O God, we give thanks for the churches of Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta and their ministries among people who are sick and elderly. 24 Pray for the large and growing Christian church in China and its ongoing relationship with the ELCA as together we go about God s work. 25 Remember in your prayers the seven people who are spending a life-changing year serving in Madagascar as part of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program. 26 Pray for the ELCA Peace Not Walls campaign as it works for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel through accompaniment, advocacy and awareness-raising. 27 Remember in your prayers the ELCA Conference of Bishops as the 65 synod bishops and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton begin their winter meeting today. 28 Lift up in your prayers the ELCA Global Mission ministry of the Rev. Ann Klavano and her work in theological education in Papua New Guinea. 13

14 SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN the SHEPHERD S VOICE CHURCH the SHEPHERD S VOICE Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Caspian Way Clermont, Florida Phone: Web: Click HERE to view the church calendar