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From Pastor Kristen
Let us pray, As we process the events that took place on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, may we lift our laments to God, who hears each one of them. May we put our trust in the steadfast love of God, as we seek to discern faithful ways to heal and grow as a country, so that this does not happen again. - Pastor Kristen
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Last Sunday
Thanks to Reverend Karen Scherer for preaching this past Sunday as we celebrated the Second Sunday after Christmas. In her message, Pastor Karen shared with us her desire on new years eve to leave the whole of 2020 in the past where she would not have to think about it again or relive any of the difficult experiences. But then, she said, it struck me that there was an even greater consequence to denying or wanting to dismissing all of this.
If we choose not to remember the suffering and death (which we are want to do), then the good news/gospel of a God who chooses to dwell with us in the midst of such a world of suffering has little or no meaning for us. If we choose not to acknowledge the injustice and our part in it, then the good news of God’s Son coming to reconcile us with his mercy and truth and love, has little or no power to make us children of God. And if we choose to separate our religious life from our worldly life, then the good news of a God who chooses to come in the flesh and give us new life, lasting life, provides us with little real hope for a world where heaven and earth will one day meet.
Instead, John invites us to hear of God’s acting through Jesus Christ to restore us to God and one another so that the world might be saved. And that action is ongoing. It continues right now, in your hearing, in your heart, in this community of believers. From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace” – love, mercy, healing, life and hope in the midst of loss and suffering and injustice and discouragement.
As we read/encounter God’s word each day, as we are gathered together by the Spirit each week, we are reminded of the deep night of this world, of our lives, but we are also given God’s strong Word through Jesus Christ of the reality of God’s forgiveness and presence with us ALL – and always– and of God’s promise and intention for us that shines through.
There is our hope! Hope in the Lord and in God’s present future. May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus now and in the days ahead.
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Worship for Next Sunday
We will worship online via Zoom at 9:00 a.m.
To join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/98369385071?pwd=UG5NUHl3MGt1TGx2dGhVZE1MbDVpdz09
Passcode: 480129
Or iPhone one-tap :
+13126266799,,98369385071#,,,,*480129# or +19292056099,,98369385071#,,,,*480129#
Or Telephone:
+1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 983 6938 5071
Passcode: 480129
Recordings will be posted to our Facebook page and our new YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UCx9jz0SAxLzAS1uZsTlcucw
and to https://www.sothstl.org/category/worship/.
Virtual Coffee Hour
You are encouraged to remain online after the worship service to chat with fellow worshipers and connect with other community conversations.
Holy Communion
During our worship service we celebrate Holy Communion from our own homes. You are invited to prepare for this by having a small piece of bread or cracker, as well as juice, wine, or water with you as worship begins. Please contact Pastor Kristen if you have any questions.
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Faith Formation Resources
Illustrated Ministry is providing free resources for worship during the season of Epiphany.
Jan. 10 - Baptism of our Lord:
https://www.sothstl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BaptismOfTheLord-SS-resources.pdf
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Pastor's New Schedule
As a result of the 2021 budget, Pastor Kristen is working 75% time. Her availability for non-emergency issues will be limited to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week, as well as Sundays. She will also have one weekend off each month, usually the second Sunday of the month. Please do not hesitate to call if there is an emergency.
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Bible Study
📅 Wednesday January 6, at 9:30 am
📅 Wednesday January 13, at 9:30 am
📅 Wednesday January 20, at 9:30 am
📅 Wednesday January 27, at 9:30 am
💻 Zoom online session
SOTH Bible Study will begin a new series on First Thessalonians, using the same Zoom link as before. Newcomers are always welcome to this group! Contact Karen Scherer for the link or for more information.
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Church Council Meeting
📅 Sunday, January 17 at 10:30 am
💻 Zoom online session
Church Council will meet.
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Annual Congregational Meeting
📅 Sunday, January 31, after worship
💻 Zoom online session
We will gather via Zoom, to celebrate the many ways God worked through the people and ministries of Shepherd of the Hills over the past year. Please take note that if you are the chairperson for a team or committee, you are asked to send your annual report to the church office.
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Lutheran School of Theology St Louis is committed to offering classes throughout the year of 2021 that are designed specifically to equip the church to grow in its public witness in proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel. We begin in Epiphany with two Zoom sessions taught by Dr. Clint McCann, Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO. During Lent we offer a six-week Zoom class on Jesus and the Gospels, taught by Dr. Fred Niedner.
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Caring for Creation as a Christian Calling
📅 Saturday, January 16, 2021, 9:00 – 11:00 AM CST
💻 Zoom online session
Environmental writer and activist Bill McKibben concludes that “environmental devastation stands as the single great crisis of our time, surpassing and encompassing all others” (The Comforting Whirlwind: God, Job, and the Scale of Creation, p. 15). After reminding ourselves of the major dimensions of the current ecological crisis, we’ll explore how the Bible and our theological tradition calls us to partner with God and each other in caring for creation. Attention will be devoted not only to the creation accounts in Genesis, but also to a variety of other biblical texts from the Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Psalms, and the New Testament.
🎫 $20 registration fee
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pm-92-caring-for-creation-as-a-christian-calling-tickets-133376176735?ref=estw
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I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food (Matthew 25:35): Addressing Hunger and Food Insecurity in the USA and the World
📅 Saturday, January 23, 2021, 9:00 – 11:00 AM CST
💻 Zoom online session
Hunger and food insecurity continue to be issues facing the world, including the USA. Even though there is enough food for the entire human population, nearly 700 million people live in extreme poverty that means that they are constantly threatened with hunger and malnutrition. In this session, we’ll explore the scope of the problem, the biblical rationale for feeding the hungry, and some ways to begin to make a difference.
🎫 $20 registration fee
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-was-hungry-and-you-gave-me-food-addressing-hunger-food-insecurity-tickets-133415083105?ref=estw
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Support Shepherd of the Hills
We encourage you to keep up with your pledged giving in support of SOTH’s continued ministry.
As always, you can mail a check to 4161 Cypress Road, St. Ann, MO 63074.
You can also give online by visiting https://www.churchtrac.com/donate?ui=0F8921C9
Please refer to instructions for setting up an online account.
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Stay Connected
Please stay tuned to sothstl.org and this email list for updates.
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