Family Faith Night Kick Off!
Wednesday, August 28 @ 6:00 pm @ Grace
It’s tomorrow night! Everyone – lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school, high school, AND adults – are invited to join us!
Especially for the kick off, parents of kids/youth participating are highly encouraged to attend. Got a toddler/preschooler? Let us know and we’ll arrange for childcare and/or figure out something unique for them!
Reminder: meal is provided each night. Meal for kick off is hot dogs, veggies, chips and desert. If you are willing to assist with meals throughout the school year, we need you! Add your name to the spreadsheet, sign up in the narthex, or contact the church office.
Full schedule will be handed out at the Kick-Off and can also be found at our webpage highlighting various faith formation groups for kids and adults.
God’s Work Our Hands Service Project
Sunday, September 15
Each year, the ELCA uplifts a Sunday in September as “God’s Work Our Hands” Sunday as an annual day of service. This year, we’re joining with our ELCA congregations to sponsor a drive benefitting Sleep in Heavenly Peace – a local organization whose mission is to ensure no child sleeps on the floor.
Through September 15, we’re collecting kids bedding (twin sheets, blankets) and pillows. Monetary donations also accepted.
Bring your donations to the tote in the church narthex and we’ll get it delievered. Thanks for being God’s living bread for the sake of the world!
Support Kids Going Back to School through ELCA Good Gifts
Periodically, Shepherd has supported ELCA Good Gifts, an organization that uplifts individuals and families domestically and abroad. As we look to the school year, the ELCA has issued a special request for support for school supplies. For just $10 you can provide a child with school supplies or fill a backpack with nutritious food. With an ELCA Good Gift you have the power to introduce a child to a world of possibilities, grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives.
Your ELCA Good Gifts help share God’s love in Christ far and wide. Thank you for your support of the mission and ministry we share!
Listen, God is Calling Stewardship Emphasis and Events
Bonfire:
Sat, Sept 28; 6:30-8:30 pm
Breakfast Potluck:
Sun, Oct 13 after worship
Stewardship and listening. The two might not seem to go hand-in-hand. But we’ll investigate in late September and early October, as we listen to God’s call for ourselves, for our congreation, and for the community, we are stewarding God’s gifts entrusted to us.
To cap our stewardship emphasis this fall, we’re beginning and ending in celebration and community. Mark your calendars to join us for a bonfire night and a breakfast potluck during fellowship! We look forward to celebrating what God has entrusted into our care and listening to how God is calling us to use what we’ve been given for the sake of God’s Kingdom!
Shepherd Kid Days
October 18, January 20,
April 18
Last spring, our Shepherd kids gathered on Good Friday to learn about communion. This school year, we’re expanding that to offer three days throughout the school year. We’ll meet at SOTC from 9:00 – 11:00 am, each time focusing on a different topic (October: Stewardship and Service; January: Justice; April: Baptism)
For now, mark your calendars…and families – be on the look out for more information soon! If you know someone from outside SOTC that would like to participate, talk to Pastor Aleese.
Soup Fest
Sunday, November 3
As we look to fall, we’re also looking forward to SOTC’s (nearly) annual Soup Fest event. Once again, SOTC will host Soup Fest on the first Sunday of November. In time, we’ll be seeking bakers, cooks, servers, dish washers, and the like. For now, mark your calendars and let others know if they ask about this event!