these hazy, hot and humid summer days, please be sure to

Transcription

1 HURRAY, SUMMER TIME, VACATIONS, NO SCHOOL! WHERE ARE YOU GOING? ARE WE THERE YET? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Summer is often a time of travel, vacation, service opportunities, gardening and changed routines. July 2018 Wherever you may find yourself these hazy, hot and humid summer days, please be sure to keep your church and church family in your prayers. We are a 12-month-a-year place of worship, spiritual growth and service to others, so continue to invite your friends and family, as we become more and more a community place of worship and service open to the needs of our surrounding community. Several years ago my parents, my siblings and their families (pre-grandchildren) all planned a family vacation in Fort Robinson! It was GREAT, time away from the everyday, down time, memory making, experiences we will never forget. However it didn t Just Happen! The months before the trip were spent with all of us busy putting in our ideas, getting time off, and making the necessary preparations. The time of preparation was necessary in order for 20 of us to spend quality time together! This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. - Matthew 3:3 John the Baptist was commissioned by the Lord to prepare the way for the coming of Christ. He spent his life in the desert being mentored and trained by God for his hour of fulfilling his kingdom calling. Before any great work can be done, preparations must be made. During this time of year many of us are preparing for vacations, we are planning for get-aways and time to spend with loved ones and friends. Rarely does anyone just take off without some preparation, especially if you are taking 20 people! Students now have made plans to do things for the summer break. Some of you will work, some of you will sleep, some of you will take summer classes. This is good, time to refresh, renew, and revive both physically and SPIRITUALLY. 1. Where are you going? Where does God want you to go during this summer break, with Him? What journey does God want you to take that you may discover His grace and power more now than you ever have? We all need to get in a place where you can hear from God and discover where God wants to take us. We need to decide where we are going. 2. How are you going to get there? Whenever anyone takes a vacation they travel, by plane, car, bus or train. There is a mode which one uses to get from one place to the other. What is your mode of transportation for getting from you are with God right now to where God is calling you. John s mode of transportation was being developed in the desert. If our destination includes Kingdom Living we can get there by reading the Word of God for direction; we can take time to be in solitude and meditation, Centering prayer is a great way to get you there; and we need to continue to worship, 3. What are you going to do? Once you are there what are you going to do? What is it that God wants us to do? Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, God wants to use our lives to advance God s kingdom. What are we going to do to continue to advance God s Kingdom during the summer months and beyond? Summer is challenging for churches because of the number of things contending for people s time. The warm weather sends many to the lake or swimming pools. Vacations are taken. Sports are active. (continued on the next page)

2 Page 2 The Messenger July 2018 Many just grow into the habit of sleeping later. These factors and others often lead to summer slumps. Attendance drops. Giving dips. Serving suffers. Fewer guests show up. Momentum seems to halt. But does this have to happen? Spiritual growth is still possible in the summer. Our need to be transformed and reflect Christ is ongoing. We All Still Need Community in the Summer; While the weather is warmer and our time may be more free, our need for community with believers doesn t go away. Taking a break from the church can leave us feeling empty. We need others to walk with us for accountability, encouragement, and fellowship. We should not give up meeting together, even in the summer. Jesus Is Still Worthy of Our Praise and Worship in the summer; We can praise Christ from the lake, ballpark, or backyard, but there is an important thing that happens when believers gather together to worship Jesus as one. Jesus is not less worthy of praise because school is out or the earth is closer to the sun. No Summer Slump; Let s refuse to let the urgency of the Gospel grow weak or unattended in the summer, Jesus is building His Church, Jesus remains active! Where are you going? How will you get there? What will you do? ARE WE THERE YET?! May Christ be celebrate and His Kingdom grown this summer and may your summer time and vacations be a time for continued spiritual growth and renewal. Although there is no Sunday school to gather our children during have the summer months, we will show movies on Sunday mornings at 8:45-9:55, in the youth room, for Children & Youth and the Young at Heart! Come learn and enjoy the Greatest Stories ever told! And although there is no Sunday school to gather our children during have the summer months, we do have parents, grandparents, and sponsors who have promised to raise their children in the Christian faith and will bring them to worship, and read Bible stories to them, and share their own faith journeys with them! Don t forget to join us each Wednesday from 12:30-2:30 for a time of refreshments, fellowship, and fun. All ages invited! Games, puzzles, bingo, movies something for everyone! Mark your calendars! Full schedule on bulletin board! Invite your friends and come hang out with us in the Gathering area! May God bless us all this summer as we go about our lives living in Joyful Service! Together in Ministry, Pastor Di I continue to be pleased to see church lived out through your actions! I continue to see this in the Community Dinner, through the Community Garden, and the helping each other with their gardens, in the taking care of our flower beds, in the cutting and sewing of backpacks for Camp Carol Joy Holling, in the radical hospitality of opening our church up to funerals, repasts, weddings, and community activities, in the volunteer work at the pantry, the weekly Bible Study, the sharing of talents in worship from singing, playing, projectionists, ushers, lectors, altar guild, bringing baked goodies Sunday mornings, watering our plants, locking and unlocking the church, making coffee on a Sunday morning, the beautiful bread we break each Sunday at the Lord s Table, volunteering in the office, coming over to set the alarm, our counters and council, and all the many unseen ways you serve Christ by serving one another. THANK YOU for BEING CHURCH, modeling Christ in all You do and say Staying Together and Serving Through Christ in Ministry. Pastor Di

3 Page 3 The Messenger July 2018 Faith Formation Classes this summer are a Sunday Morning Movie from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Children, Youth & Adults are invited! Plus Wednesday Summer fun from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday! All ages are invited for snacks, games, karaoke, movies and more! An Adult Sunday School Class meets each Sunday at 9 a.m. All are invited to this study of Jonah: Reluctant Prophet. Community Meal: Tuesday, July 17 th from 5-7 p.m. All are welcome! SPREAD the word! INVITE your friends and come celebrate with our community and church family! Portals of Prayer daily devotional booklets for July-September are available in the Narthex and the Gathering Area. A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held Sunday, July 22 nd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To make an appointment, sign up online at RedCrossBlood.org and enter Shepherd or Lisa Sorensen at lisa2204@rocketmail.com Thursday Bible Study will meet on July 5 th and 26 th at 1 p.m. in the Gathering Area. We are studying the God and Nature. If you have any questions, contact Del Finlay at (402) or delf60@cox.net. The 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer s will be held September 23 rd at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village. Support Bill Myers, or form a team yourself! Go to or contact Bill Myers at williamjmye@msn.com. Thank you for your support! Lutheran Women and Women s Circle will not meet during the month of July. Can you provide Special Music during the summer months? We welcome members and friends to share their musical talents to enhance our worship. If you are able to provide Special Music for some Sunday, please contact Janelle at (712) or hmiller26@cox.net. August Newsletter Deadline: Monday, July 23 rd. The Newsletter Folders will meet on Thursday, July 26 th at 9 a.m. Mark Your Calendars: On Sunday, August 5 th, we are invited to an Anniversary Celebration for the Myanmar Wesleyan Church that is nested in our congregation s building. The celebration will include worship at 1 and a feast of food at 2 p.m. Project Hope Pantry times = Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. With children out of school and eating all meals at home, summer finds the pantry shelves emptier than during the rest of the year. We can use your help to restock our shelves. Financial, clothing and food donations are always welcome! ESPECIALLY NEEDED: Plastic bags, White sugar (4 lb. bags or larger), breakfast Cereal any kind, Relish (sweet and dill), Barbeque sauce (all varieties), Ramen noodles (beef or chicken) Saltine crackers, Cookies (any kind), Pork and beans and any other beans Call Veda or Jen at (402) if you have any questions. The Pantry will be closed on July 4 th.

4 Page 4 The Messenger July 2018 Keeping in Prayer... The Cummings family, on the death of Dale s sister, Kathy. Prayers and help for those who struggle financially Rev. Russ Lambert, diagnosed with cancer; Russ is a friend of Pastor Di Chris Koz, recovering from a serious motorcycle accident For all who are traveling during the summer months, and for children who are out of school Mike LaPuzza, Lori s husband, who is recovering from heart surgery For those who are grieving the death of a loved one For Ann Hoff s sister Linda Lennon and brother Marcus Jarrett Kurt, son of Lauren & Elda Juracek Lisa Stacy & family on Lisa s health concerns. Lisa is a friend of Angie Yeshnowski All who are recovering from illness or surgery Virginia Driver s Niece, Bonnie, who is suffering from Neurological Sclerosis Jenny Tilleman and family, a mother with pneumonia and heart problems Friends of Deb Schneider Rhonda Peavy & family as her daughter needs a transplant Jose Torres is now rehabilitating at home The vulnerable ones in this world: refugees, immigrants, poor, those who are young and those who are elderly, and minorities of all types For all who are fighting against stubborn diseases such as cancer, Parkinson s, Alzheimer s, COPD, Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and others Anita Larson Andres sister with breast cancer, Rosalyn Larson-McCord Attention 5 th, 6 th, 7 th graders and your friends! What does it mean to be a Christian? What is a Lutheran? Why be baptized and why do we celebrate The Lord s Supper? What happens after we die? Why are there so many different religions? What is faith? What is church? Who is our neighbor and why do we have to care about any of this? Starting in September we will be meeting together three weeks every month to ask questions, to find answers, to explore and experience our faith through the study of God s Word and hands on activities. I would like to meet together over pizza with students and parents as we plan together for our confirmation journey. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday August 22 nd at 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate contacting me. I m EXCITED about starting on this journey together! Pastor Di Red Cross Blood Drive Shepherd of the Hills is hosting a Blood Drive on Sunday, July 22 nd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Red Cross is in desperate need of blood and donations to respond to the disasters near and far. To make an appointment, sign up online at RedCrossBlood.org and enter Shepherd; or Lisa Sorensen at lisa2204@rocketmail.com

5 The Messenger July 2018 Notes from Council Meeting June 10, 2018 Page 5 Pastor Di, Deb Parks and Ken Schroeder attended the Nebraska Synod Assembly 2018 in Kearney as delegates from SHLC. Anita Larsen Andres also attended as a lay leader for the church in Rosalie and as a representative for Reconciling in Christ. Bishop Brian Moss was re-elected Bishop of the Nebraska Synod at the assembly. Pastor Di will be hosting the Women s circle at her home for lunch on the 11 th of June. The work needed in the back parking will be completed in July. For security reasons it is strongly suggested that if you are SHLC building alone all doors be locked. Marge Sawerbrey, Secretary Please contact a Council Member with your thoughts, ideas and concerns. Bob Hoff Council President hoff860@cox.net 4706 Redick Ave Omaha (402) (402) cell Deborah Becker Council Vice President the-beckers@cox.net (402) work 2022 S. 80 th Ave Omaha (402) (402) Pam Cummings Treasurer pdcummings@cox.net 9607 Florence Heights Blvd, Omaha (402) Marge Sawerbrey Secretary sawerbreym@yahoo.com N. 191st Ave. Bennington (402) Kay Drain 4502 Larimore Ave Omaha (402) Bill Myers williamjmye@msn.com 4021 Verona Ave Omaha (402) Marvin Knapp BlueIndianMarvinKnappBlueIndian@outlook.com 8267 Iowa Street Omaha (402) Summer is Here! The financial needs of the church continue year- round. Please make a special effort to keep your offerings current during the summer months. Thank you for your faithfulness! All Are Welcome to the Wednesday Summer Gatherings Come to Shepherd of the Hills for a couple of hours for Fellowship, Snacks, Board Games, Movies, Karaoke, or other friend-building activities! We gather at 12:30 every Wednesday and adjourn by 2:30 p.m. In July, we will meet on July 11, 18 and 25. (No meeting on July 4 th ) There is no cost to attend; No registration required; Invite a friend!

6 Page 6 The Messenger July 2018 A MESSAGE FROM BILL MYERS Once again I am participating in the WALK TO END ALZHEIMER S. The Walk this year will be on September 23 rd at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village. I am in this for the long haul as I, along with the Alzheimer s Association dream of the 1 st Survivor of Alzheimer s and ultimately a means of prevention to protect our children and grandchildren from this horribly cruel disease. Funds raised from these Walks provide education programs, caregiver support, and research. I am asking for your support for myself and and the Alzheimer s Association. You can support the Alzheimer's Association by organizing a team for the Walk or you can support me by making a donation on my behalf. Many members of Shepherd of The Hills have supported me in past years and several have already done so this year. I THANK YOU if you have supported me with a donation. If you haven t, I am asking you to make a donation on my behalf at This will take you to my personal page where you can read my story of why I am doing this. If you would like to register your own team, go to DID YOU KNOW??? Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and also known as Burma, is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia. Myanmar is bordered by India and Bangladesh to its west, Thailand and Laos to its east and China to its north and northeast. To its south, about one third of Myanmar s total perimeter forms an uninterrupted coastline along the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The country's 2017 census counted the population to be about 54 million. Its capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city and former capital is Yangon. DID YOU ALSO KNOW??? We have a Myanmar congregation that meets in the building for worship and fellowship every Sunday afternoon and has a Bible study group every Wednesday evening? Did you know that they are holding Vacation Bible School Classes on weekday afternoons this summer? Pastor Kaw Doh communed with us last Sunday! We have been invited to join them in worship and for food and fellowship in celebration of their 5 th Anniversary Sunday August 5 th. This is a very important time in the lives of our Myanmar neighbors and a great chance for us to experience their culture through worship and food! The Varied Ministries at Shepherd of the Hills As our congregation grows and as leadership changes, the church-at-large is not always sure of who is in charge of what ministries. Some of these ministries are informal and continue from year-to-year without needing input from the Council or any formalized committees. The Council feels that it would be helpful to have a list of all of our many ministries and their leaders & supporters. Please send an to Bob Hoff at hoff860@cox.net or call him at (402) We wish to have accurate names and contact information so that we don t run into any conflicts! Thank you so much Bob Hoff, Council Chair

7 The Messenger July 2018 Page 7

8 Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church ELCA 6201 North 60 th Street Omaha, NE Phone: (402) Fax: (402) Office Hours: 10 am to 3 pm Monday-Thursday 10 am to 1 pm Friday Every Sunday: 10 am Worship in the Sanctuary Pastor... Rev. Diana ME Kuhl Office Manager... Dwight Williams Organist... Janelle Miller Custodian... Scott Yeshnowski 2018 Church Council: Bob Hoff... President Deb Becker... Vice-President Marge Sawerbrey... Secretary Pam Cummings... Treasurer Bill Meyers Kay Drain Marv Knapp Ushers: Video Tech: Counters: Altar Guild: Serving in July Bob Hoff, Angie Yeshnowski John Sawerbrey, John Quist Lisa Sorensen Anita Larson Andres and Deb Becker Marcia Anzalone July Birthdays 4 th Chuck Williams 5 th Anna Sorensen, Hannah Gabelhaus 10 th Lisa Quy 13 th Margenne Hendricksen 22 nd Adam Quy 25 th Jonathan Helmberger, Lucy Hammond 26 th David Schneider, Grant Becker 29 th Anita Larson Andres, Patti Vice, Jenna Teachman 31 st Connie Helmberger July Anniversaries 24 th Irving & Ingrid Holm If we have inadvertently omitted your birthday or anniversary, please contact the church office so we may update and correct our records! Thank you. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 6201 North 60 th Street Omaha NE 68104