Chocolate Fest!
Sunday, February 19 during fellowship
Following SOTC tradition, we will feast on chocolate the Sunday before Lent begins! ALL are invited to bring a chocolate delicacy to share during fellowship.
Ash Wednesday Worship
February 22 @ 7:00 pm
Lent begins with an invitation to be honest with ourselves and with God. In worship, we’ll recall the ways that we have sinned against God and each other and will receive the mark of ashes. Marked with the cross of Christ, then we gather in repentance around the communion table as we tangibly receive God’s forgiveness. Note: Ash Wednesday worship will be livestreamed using the same link as Sunday morning worship.
Midweek Lenten Gatherings
Wednesdays starting March 1, 6:30- 7:30 pm
We’re looking forward to our gatherings starting up after Ash Wednesday! Each week, our time will be a combination of large group and small group time that will incorporate Scripture, prayer, and music. Have kiddos? Bring ’em along! We’ll have some activities for them as well.
If you’re thinking about joining us, please sign up here. One name per line please. If you do not sign up, but desire to join us on any given week, know that you are welcome. We will assign you to a small group when you arrive.
Note that Wednesday Gatherings (post Ash Wednesday) will not be livestreamed.
Lenten Opportunities at Zion and Grace
Not quite feelin’ the vibe of our Midweek Lenten Gatherings at Shepherd? Check out what’s going on at Zion and Grace! As sister ELCA congregations, we are sharing information about what each congregation is doing so as to provide for the various spiritual needs of our members.
Zion
Ash Wednesday worship begins the season of Lent with worship at 5:30 pm. Midweek Lent services follow the next week at 5:30 pm. Worship will use the Holden Evening Prayer liturgy and will focus on the theme of “Unfinished: Out of the Depths” (a series on the book of Jonah). A meal will be served following each midweek Lenten service (free will offering).
Grace
Ash Wednesday worship is at 6:00 pm. Midweek Lent services follow the next week at 6:00pm. Worship will follow a Service of the Word format, about 30 minutes in length. The focus of worship will be “Faith”, following the stories of faith of people throughout the Bible and considering what faith means today. A meal will be served prior to worship.
Lutheran Disaster Relief Support for Earthquake Victims
If you’re looking for an avenue to give in response to the devastation caused by earthquakes impacting Turkey and Syria, consider giving to Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). LDR is committed to supporting our partner organizations that are responding to the needs of survivors. Give by clicking here or offering your donation at Shepherd. Donations that we receive will then be forwarded to LDR. For any donations given through Shepherd, please clearly mark the intent of your gift on your check or envelope.
We need some more ping pong paddles!
Our Shepherd kids LOVE ping pong! Due to good ol’ wear-and-tear, we’ve needed to get rid of some of our paddles. Do you have some extra at home you’d be willing to spare? Or, would you be willing to grab a set from Wal-Mart? If we have two more paddles, our kids can play doubles! Bring paddles to the youth room and let Pastor Aleese know if you’re willing to donate some!
Sock and Laundry Drive
February 26 – April 2
This Lent we will be supporting Laundry Love, a ministry sponsored by Midtown Laundry Mat and Trinity Episcopal. Right now, they are looking for cash donations to fund the cost of laundry services and are looking for donations of the following items:
- Socks (kids and adult)
- Laundry detergent
- Dryer sheets
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
Our kids will be contributing $200 from their children’s sermon fund. The challenge to the congregation is to match that amount. Look for a tote for donations and a bucket for monetary contributions in the narthex soon!
Summer Christian Day Camp
June 13 -17
This summer, several congregations and organizations are coming together to sponsor a Christian Day Camp hosted at Saulsbury Park. Camp will be 9:00 am – 3:00 pm daily with the option for campers to spend the night from Friday into Saturday. Kids who have completed grades kindergarten through 6th grade are eligible. $10 registration fee. To register, click here or pick up a registration form in the narthex!