THE HILLS ARE ALIVE! A Newsletter of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church OOccttoobbeerr 22001111 IN THIS ISSUE_ Pastor s Note--1 Small Groups --2 Serving Others--2 Get to Know You--3 Promise Sunday--4 Children s Church--4 Upcoming Events--5 Women s ELCA--6 Texas 4000--6 October--7 November--8 The Hills Are Alive! is published every other month. We would like to thank the contributors for this newsletter, especially Pastor Marty & Claudia Guenther Hey All, This autumn is full of opportunities for the development of our faith together at Shepherd. There are several gatherings that will be unique and fun, and I really hope that we will use them to bring our friends and neighbors to see what s going on. Also, with many gatherings provides many opportunities to serve. If you want to help but don t know how or what to do, please do not hesitate to contact the office, or council member, and we can help you dig in! Here is an overall view of some of what s going on. Adult Confirmation This group began a few weeks ago. We have been looking at the Holy Communion and its theology. We have been studying Luther s Small Catechism and other Lutheran works. Wednesday nights have been our meeting time. We will be taking one subject and spending a few weeks on it, taking various subjects a few weeks at a time. When schedules allow us to dig back in we move on to the next thing. This is a great conversation and group. Talk to me if you want more details. Blessing of the Animals This service will happen on October 2 nd at Shepherd. We will be outside to bless and celebrate all of creation that day. We are inviting people to bring their pets so that they can receive a special blessing that day. We will gather downstairs in the outside patio/fellowship hall for worship on this day. We will hear from the Gospel and from Psalms about the love God has for all living things. This is guaranteed to be an interesting experience you won t want to miss! High Holy Days Pardes Levavot is gathering for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as they usher in the Jewish New Year 5772. Shepherd members are welcome to participate and experience the Word in their worship. Beginning September 28 and ending on October 8 th, these days also bring with them the decorated booths within our sanctuary. Please take time enjoy this unique experience in your walk with God. Oktoberfest On October 28 th we are going to get together for some fun and delicious food and drink. There will be many more announcements as this event approaches. Please invite your friends and neighbors to this great time. Consecration Sunday on Sunday November 13 th we will celebrate the opportunity to look forward in ministry together. This year has been a pivotal year in our ministry together. We have stepped up during some difficult times. This day is going to be a big time celebration of that journey and we will have some special guests to help us move forward. I hope to see many of you during these events and also at worship. As the fall is cruising along, let us remember the gift we share at the table together at Shepherd. Peace, Pastor Marty 1
Small Group News Women s fellowship We are reading Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. We will be discussing Chapter 2 on Saturday, October 8 at 10am at the church. Please come and join us. It is an interesting perspective on faith. You are welcome to join this group whenever you can. If you can t come each month, that is ok. Come when you can whether you ve read the book or not. Everyone is welcome. There is info about the book on the website, www.shepherdboulder.org Comfort Stitchers The Comfort Stitchers is always busy and would love new members. They make scarves for the homeless shelter and prayer shawls. If you know of a senior who will graduate this next May or June, please contact Jane Lesh. They want to get started on those projects early. Also, let her know of anyone who needs a prayer shawl, the person does not need to be a member of Shepherd. Beer and Bible Craig Johnson has been gone most of the summer but is still interested in Beer and Bible remaining a group. He has been reading some new books about the Bible and 1 st century Christian writings. Anyone interested in that topic? Email him at cjsiam@msn.com Boulder Homeless Shelter Donations needed: Bath Towels (very much needed), Bar Soap, Syrup, Twin-Size Cotton Blankets, Coffee, Jelly, and Pancake Mix. You may bring donations to Shepherd. We will be serving dinner at the shelter on the first Tuesday of the month starting in October. The group that does this is called Friends of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. It is just 2 hours of service, from 5:30-7:30pm. The dates will be October 4, November 1, December 6, January 3, February 7, March 6, and April 3. Contact Karen Johnson to sign up for this service project. 2 Serving Others Community Infant Program (CIP) Bring baby items to help struggling parents and single mothers. We have a need for disposable diapers for young families with children. You can bring these items to the church. Thank you! Navajo Mission We collect Box-tops for education stamps as well as soup labels (labels for education) to donate to the Evangelical Lutheran Navajo Mission. If you can contribute some of these, please place them in the labeled box near the entrance to Shepherd s Sanctuary. Thank you!
-Getting to Know You- Jane Lesh Jane has been a member of Shepherd for the past 15 years. She grew up in Montana. She and her husband Leo, raised their children in Montana. They moved to the Boulder area 25 years ago. Both Jane and Leo worked for CU. They have two sons, Kirk and Paul who graduated from CU. Jane and Leo are now retired. Jane shared that her faith increased after she had read a Guide Post article that talked about giving your problems to the Lord. Once she started to do that, her life has flourished. She feels fortunate that she found Shepherd of the Hills. Everyone was very welcoming and Susie Quick was a great recruiter at the time. Mike & Gwen Hildreth Gwen and Mike moved to the Boulder area in 1988. Gwen grew up in Omaha until the age of 12. At that time her family (Dorothy and Pee Wee Fallon) moved to California. She met Mike in southern CA where he grew up. They were married Thanksgiving weekend in 1983. They have two children, Ben age 22 and Katie 21. Gwen is a manager of a special events party shop in Gunbarrel and Mike has been an auto technician for the last 30 years. Gwen and Mike shared that in the last four months, many significant events have occurred. God has answered their prayers and been merciful, which they are very thankful for. They will be moving to north Longmont soon, but will continue to drive to Shepherd on Sundays. 3
Promise Sunday This was a Sunday where everyone reaffirmed their baptism. Children and the leaders of Children s Church went up front while we all recited the baptism service. Children s Church On September 11 th, we started something new; Children s Church. This will be held the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th Sundays of the month right after the Children s sermon until communion. Lindsey Oliver and Aileen Ehn are heading up this endeavor. We are very grateful for these two servants to step up and serve our children in the congregation. 4
Upcoming Events October 2 nd : Animal blessing Sunday All animal lovers and their furry friends are invited to celebrate the beauty and diversity of Godʹs creatures during this outdoor service. We hope to include the entire community, and WE NEED YOU spread the word to friends and neighbors. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our church family. Come one, come all, and donʹt forget your pets! This will be occurring at the end of October, the 28 th to be specific. Keep a lookout for more news as the date approaches. Craig Johnson is the lead council member for this event. This is the day we all pray as to what we can contribute to Shepherd for the coming year. This will include finances as well as talents. There will be a luncheon following the service. Jane Lesh is the lead council member for this event. Consecration Sunday CIP THANKSGIVING BASKETS Children s Christmas Program This has been an annual event at Shepherd for many years now. We provide a Thanksgiving dinner for close to a hundred families! As the event comes closer, you will be provided a list of ingredients needed such as green beans, dressing, mashed potatoes, etc. Don Wuebker is the lead council member for this event. Obviously this will occur during the Advent season. Peggy Barret is the lead council member for this. We will be needing people to help with costumes, rehearsals, music, etc. We d love to have you lend a hand! 5
Women s Gathering of the ELCA Because of the large geographical area of the Rocky Mountain Synod, four gatherings will be held this fall. The one for Shepherd will be at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Estes Park. Synod women will gather to explore the journey to find God's path for each of us. The gathering is on Saturday, October 15. Times are 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, registration is $50 which includes lunch and child care. Activities include devotions, Bible Study, musical activity, and a communion worship service. For more information, see the brochures on the kiosk outside of the sanctuary. If you have questions, contact Kay Werpy (303-530-5154 or kaywerpy@msn.com). Texas 4000 This past June Shepherd hosted the Texas 4000 Cyclist again for the 7th year. This bike ride is 4000 mile ride by about 40 riders in all who pedal from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska. Their intention is to spread encouragement for cancer patients and survivors by raising funds for cancer research. This year we had a chance to include many of the members of Shepherd by sharing a couple of meals with the young people. They shared a short presentation with us to help us understand their goals. They raise money for a cure for cancer and hope to educate all about the signs of cancer. It is my hope that more of our community will be invited when they ask it they can use our building for their much needed rest day again. Thank you to Wayne Otto and so many more who greeted the 22 college age riders from Austin, Tx. especially the Men's Bible Study group. 6
S h e p h e r d o f t h e H i l l s October 2011 Office Hours Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00am-4:00pm Wednesdays 9:00am-3:00pm Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Pentecost 16 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9:30A Animal Blessing Service 7:00P Beer & Bible East (Serranos) 10:00a Women s Fellowship Pentecost 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7:00P Cong. Council Women of the ELCA Pentecost 18 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7:00P Beer & Bible (Murphy s) Pentecost 19 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Oktoberfest Reformation Sun. 30 10:30A C&C, 5&6 grade, Trunk or Treat 31 Shepherd of the Hills 7077 Harvest Rd Boulder, CO 80301 Phone: 303-530-4422 E-mail: shepherdboulder@gmail.com Website: www.shepherdboulder.com
S h e p h e r d o f t h e H i l l s November 2011 Office Hours Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00am-4:00pm Wednesdays 9:00am-3:00pm Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 7:00P Beer & Bible East (Serranos) All Saint s Sunday 6 7 8 9 10 Veteran s Day 11 12 7:00P Cong. Council Consecration Sun. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10:30A Luncheon 7:00P Beer & Bible (Murphy s) Christ the King 20 21 22 23 Thanksgiving 24 25 26 10:30A CIP Thanksgiving Baskets Flag Football Advent 1 27 28 29 30 31 Shepherd of the Hills 7077 Harvest Rd Boulder, CO 80301 Phone: 303-530-4422 E-mail: shepherdboulder@gmail.com Website: www.shepherdboulder.com