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Apologies for a mix-up that caused the sending of week's issue to be delayed! -SOTH Communications
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From Pastor Kristen
The Kingdom of God has come near. Last week, we heard Jesus declare this to the people of Galilee as he called his first disciples. And only 6 verses later, when Jesus is confronted by an unclean spirit in the synagogue, we realize that God’s kingdom is in direct conflict with the death-dealing forces of evil in the world.
The fact that Jesus’ first act is a confrontation with an unclean spirit tells us a lot about Jesus’ mission and character in Mark’s gospel. The death-dealing forces of evil in the world are real, Mark tells his listeners; as real is whatever force had bound the man in the synagogue. But the kingdom of God has come near. Which means that healing is available – now; liberation is available – now.
And while we do not face persecution as a church like Mark’s Christian community, we do face any number of death-dealing forces in our lives, including racism and white supremacy, addiction and abuse, pervasive hunger, and an unrelenting pandemic. There is a deep need in this world for wholeness, for peace, and for justice. And just as Jesus cast out the unclean spirit from that man, so has Jesus come to oppose all the forces that keep the children of God from the abundant life God desires for all of us. God will always stand in opposition to anything that robs us of the dignity and community and love for which we were created.
Let us pray: We praise you, Lord Jesus, for sending the powers of evil reeling, We thank you for bringing freedom, light, and life, and healing. Give us eyes to see our deep need, as individuals and as a congregation and then grant us the strength to trust in you to confront those death-dealing forces so that all the world might know healing and liberation. Amen
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Sunday Worship
We will worship online via Zoom at 9:00 a.m.
Please use the same link each week.
To join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/98324755628?pwd=WFY3czA2VVhzZHRob0hWKzlWSjAvQT09
Passcode: 536586
Or iPhone one-tap :
+13126266799,,98324755628#,,,,*536586# or +19292056099,,98324755628#,,,,*536586#
Or Telephone:
+1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 983 2475 5628
Passcode: 536586
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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Drive-Thru Event
ELCA World Hunger Synod Challenge
📅Sunday, February 7, 2021
1:00 - 2:30 pm
This year for Super Bowl Sunday we will have two ways to celebrate:
1. A Souper Bowl of Caring collection of hygiene products for the Little Free Hygiene Pantry. * see list of needed items and
2. A collection (cash or check made out to SOTH with memo "ELCA World Hunger") for the Big Game challenge, as our Central States Synod faces off against the Florida Bahama Synod to see who can raise more funds for ELCA World Hunger. You can also donate online for Team Kansas City: http://support.elca.org/goto/Kansas
Lent Pick-Up
Packets have been prepared for each household to help support a meaningful engagement in online worship during this season as well as useful spiritual practices for Lent. Items included are
- Bulletins for Wednesday worship,
- Ashes-at-home worship kit for Ash Wednesday, and
- Lenten Micro Practices booklet with some supplies.
(see next article)
While you're at it...
You can also return any Christmas Eve candles you may have picked up in December!
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Lent 2021
This year during Lent, we will be exploring "micro practices," small, simple actions that can help bring our focus to God and God's actions in our lives. Each day, beginning on Ash Wednesday, we will post a new micro practice on our Facebook page. A printed version of the practices is available in the Lent package that will be made available on February 7.
📅 Ash Wednesday is February 17
- Zoom worship at 7:00 pm
- Ashes-at-home worship kit provided in Lent package
Lenten Worship
📅 Wednesdays during Lent
- Zoom worship at 7:00 pm
- Created for Community theme
- Worship bulletins available in Lent package
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Faith Formation Resources
Resources for worship during the season of Epiphany (provided by Illustrated Ministry) can be found on our website:
Faith Formation Epiphany resources – Shepherd of the Hills (sothstl.org)
Coming in February: EMC Virtual Sunday School
This season's virtual Sunday School will focus on the Lord's Prayer, through a series of weekly videos that will be shared on our Facebook page. Stay tuned for more!
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Bible Study
📅 Wednesday February 10 at 9:30 am
💻 Zoom online session
SOTH Bible Study will begin a new series using the Dialogues on Race curriculum. This 8-week series, led by Seminarian Rachel Helton, is intended to bring people together to tackle difficult topics like race, and turn conflict into community. There is an emphasis in this curriculum on communication skills that help support positive conversation, and each participant household will receive its own learner's guide book. Newcomers are always welcome to this group! Contact Karen Scherer for the link or for more information.
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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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