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December2017
Shepherd’s Voice Worshiping✢Educating✢Shepherding✢ReachingOut
...inthemercyandloveofJesus!
InsideYou’llFind
2 DecemberCalendar
3 MemberNews
5 Missions
8 Jack’sCorner
9 Pastor’sLetter
10 Youth/SchoolNews
ShepherdoftheHillsLutheranChurch7691S.UniversityBlvd.Centennial,CO80122
303-798-0711ShepherdHills-Church.org
Here We Stand! Word, Faith, Grace 1 Peter 1:2
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1Peter1:2"…accordingtotheforeknowledgeofGodtheFather,inthesanctificationoftheSpirit,forobediencetoJesusChristandforsprinklingwithhisblood:Maygraceandpeacebemultipliedtoyou.”HereWeStand!Word,Faith,Grace.Christmasisa'comin'!ThisyearitseemsoddthatAdvent does not begin right after Thanksgiving. Many people have asked me inclarification,"WhenisAdvent?"ItseemsweshouldbepreparingforChristmasalready(andmanyofushavealreadystarted.)Wehavearuleinourhousethatwecan'tstartlisteningtoChristmasmusicuntilafterThanksgiving,andIfinditablessingtohearnewand old Christmas selections well before Advent starts. In listening to our extensiveplaylistofmusic,IbegantohearsubtlethemesofChristmas.ManytimeswefocusonJesus Christ because it is His birthday celebration. Butwhat about God, the Father?What about God, the Holy Spirit? How do they play a part in our Christmascelebrations, our congregation and the Christian Church's practice? Or simply put:WhatdoestheCreedhavetodowithChristmas?We stand upon the Creed as Christians and as Lutherans. Not only dowe claim thetruths of all three Creeds (Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian) but we also weeklyprofess, confess, speak aloud and boldly practice the truths of these Creeds. Manychurches today and throughout history have abandoned the Creeds for variousseeminglyself-importantreasons.Itistoorote.Itistooboring.Itistoodifficult.Itisnot modern enough. We believe, but why do we continue to say it? I find it sorefreshing to go into another denomination or non-denomination church and seeevidenceoftheCreeds.ItnotonlyisanhistoriclinktoAncientChristianity,butCreedsalso present truths that teach future generations. Herewe stand upon theWord ofScripturetaughtsimply,theGraceofourTriuneGodexpressedconciselyandtheFaithofChristianityfoundintheCreeds!
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December2017
December Calendar of Events
Sun, Nov 26
8:00 am Traditional Worship-HC 9:15 am Coffee & Fellowship 9:30 am Sunday School/Bible Study 10:45 am Contemporary Worship-HC
Traditional Worship-HC Last Sunday of Church Year;
Christ the King Sunday
Sun, Dec 10
8:00 am Traditional Worship-HC 9:15 am Coffee & Fellowship 9:30 am Sunday School/Bible Study 10:45 am Contemporary Worship
Traditional Worship-HC 4:00 pm Parents Night Out 6:30 pm Koinonia (SHYP & Xtreme)
2nd Sunday in Advent
Sun, Dec 24
8:00 am Traditional Worship-HC 9:15 am Coffee & Fellowship 9:30 am Sunday School/Bible Study 10:45 am Contemporary Worship
Traditional Worship-HC 3:00 pm Traditional Service 5:00 pm Contemporary Service 7:00 pm Traditional Service 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Vigil
4th Sunday in Advent; Christmas Eve
Mon, Nov 27
8:00 am AHS Moms Bible Study 6:00 pm AA Meeting 7:00 pm Church Council
Mon, Dec 11
8:00 am AHS Moms Bible Study 6:00 pm AA Meeting
Mon, Dec 25
10:00 am Christmas Service-HC 6:00 pm AA Meeting
Christmas Day No School; Office Closed
Tues, Nov 28
7:00 pm Men’s Thunder Chorus 7:00 pm Tues Evening Bible Study 7:30 pm Praise Team
Tues, Dec 12
7:00 pm Men’s Thunder Chorus 7:00 pm Tues Evening Bible Study 7:30 pm Praise Team
Tues, Dec 26
7:00 pm Tues Evening Bible Study 7:30 pm Praise Team
Christmas Break – No School
Wed, Nov 29
6:30 am Men’s Bible Breakfast 8:30 am Faith Families 7:07 pm Shepherd’s Chorale
Wed,
Dec 13
6:30 am Men’s Bible Breakfast 8:40 am School Chapel 5:30 pm Advent Soup Supper/Event 7:00 pm Advent Service 8:00 pm Shepherd’s Chorale
Wed,
Dec 27 6:30 am Men’s Bible Breakfast 7:07 pm Shepherd’s Chorale
Christmas Break – No School
Thurs, Nov 30
9:00 am TR Morning Bible Study 10:30 am Women’s Bible Study 7:00 pm Elders Meeting 7:00 pm Women’s Bible Study
Thurs, Dec 14
9:00 am TR Morning Bible Study 10:30 am Active Seniors 10:30 am Women’s Bible Study 6:30 pm ELC-8 - Christmas Service 7:00 pm Women’s Bible Study
Thurs, Dec 28
9:00 am TR Morning Bible Study 10:30 am Women’s Bible Study 7:00 pm Elders Meeting 7:00 pm Women’s Bible Study
Christmas Break – No School Fri,
Dec 1 Fri,
Dec 15 3:00 pm SS Christmas Setup Fri,
Dec 29 Christmas Break – No School
Sat, Dec 2
8:00 am Hanging of the Greens 8:00 am Men’s Bible Study 10:00 am Christian Karate 10:00 am FACES Christmas Party 5:00 pm Worship Service
Sat,
Dec 16
8:00 am Men’s Bible Study 8:30 am Mission Council 9:00 am SS Christmas Practice 10:00 am Christian Karate 5:00 pm Worship Service
Sat,
Dec 30 8:00 am Men’s Bible Study 10:00 am Christian Karate 5:00 pm Worship Service
Sun, Dec 3
8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:15 am Coffee & Fellowship 9:30 am Sunday School/Bible Study 10:45 am Contemporary Worship-HC
Traditional Worship 2:30 pm SHYP Underground 3:30 pm Stranger Danger Class
1st Sunday in Advent
Sun,
Dec 17
8:00 am Traditional Service 9:15 am Coffee & Fellowship 9:30 am Sunday School/Bible Study 10:45 am Contemporary Worship-HC,
with Sunday School Traditional Worship
2:30 pm SHYP Underground 7:00 pm Pastor Z Bible Study
3rd Sunday in Advent; Sunday School Program
Sun,
Dec 31
8:00 am Traditional Service-HC 9:15 am Coffee & Fellowship 9:30 am Sunday School/Bible Study 10:45 am Contemporary Worship-HC
Traditional Worship-HC 6:00 pm New Year’s Eve Service-HC
1st Sunday of Christmas; New Year’s Eve
Mon, Dec 4
8:00 am AHS Moms Bible Study 6:00 pm AA Meeting 7:30 pm AA Study Meeting
Mon,
Dec 18
8:00 am AHS Moms Bible Study 6:00 pm AA Meeting 6:00 pm School Board 7:30 pm AA Study Meeting
Voice Deadline
Tues, Dec 5
7:00 pm Men’s Thunder Chorus 7:00 pm Tues Evening Bible Study 7:30 pm Praise Team
Tues, Dec 19
7:00 pm Tues Evening Bible Study 7:30 pm Praise Team
Wed, Dec 6
6:30 am Men’s Bible Breakfast 8:40 am School Chapel 5:30 pm Advent Soup Supper/Event 7:00 pm Advent Service 8:00 pm Shepherd’s Chorale
Wed,
Dec 20
6:30 am Men’s Bible Breakfast 8:30 am Faith Families 5:00 pm FACES Night Out 5:30 pm Advent Soup Supper/Event 7:00 pm Advent Service 8:00 pm Shepherd’s Chorale
Thurs, Dec 7
9:00 am TR Morning Bible Study 10:30 am Women’s Bible Study 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry 7:00 pm Women’s Bible Study
Thurs, Dec 21
9:00 am TR Morning Bible Study 10:30 am Women’s Bible Study 6:30 pm LMA Christmas Perform. 7:00 pm Fellowship Ministry 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry 7:00 pm Women’s Bible Study
Christmas Break – No School
Fri, Dec 8
Fri, Dec 22 Christmas Break – No School
Sat, Dec 9
8:00 am Men’s Bible Study 10:00 am Christian Karate 5:00 pm Worship Service-HC
Sat,
Dec 23 8:00 am Men’s Bible Study 10:00 am Christian Karate 5:00 pm Worship Service-HC
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December2017
AdventSuppersPreparationfortheCelebrationComeandeatagreathomemademeal,enjoy some fellowship, and stay forAdvent Worship at 7 p.m. Our AdventthemeforthisyearisSongsoftheFaithful.AdventSupperswillcontinuetobeheld in theParishHallonWednesdays,December 6, 13 and 20 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Adventprograms (Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song and Simeon’sSong) will begin at 6:15 with the Advent Worship Servicebeginningat7:00pm.
ThanksgivingFoodDriveatShepherd–ThankYouThankyou,ShepherdoftheHillsforblessingfamiliesinourCentennial community with food for Thanksgiving FoodBoxes.Wecollectedfivegrocerycartsfulloffooditemsandwere given gifts cards for a dozen turkeys. All of thesedonationswent to the SalvationArmywhodistributed thefood boxes in time for Thanksgiving. We thank you againforsharingJesus’lovewiththesepeopleinneed.
~ShepherdMissionBoardPickaGiftfromtheAngelTreeThisholidayseason,Shepherdhastheprivilegeofblessingachild’s Christmas with a gift through the Salvation Army’sAngelTreeprogram.Fiftychildren’sChristmaswishesareonthe tree in the narthex. Please pick a child, following theinstructionson the tag,andreturnyourunwrappedgiftbyDecember10.Thankyouforbrighteningachild’sChristmas.SanctuaryWallCrossesCan you guess which of the sanctuary wallcrosses is the one described below? Eachmonth’s VOICE will feature one of thecrosseswe’ve received.Weare alsoputtingtogether a bookletwith thedescription andpicture;thiswillbefastenedtothesanctuarywallforalltosee/read.
~CrossfromSusanShoafThis sweetcrosscanvaswaspurchasedatourShepherdoftheHillsauctionanddonatedbySusanShoaf.Thecrossmaylook simple, but it contains some priceless aspects ofShepherd’s largestmissionandministry: thefingerprintsofGod’syoungsaints—thechildrenofMrs.Mueller’s2016-17EarlyLearningCenter3-year-oldclass.OneofSusanShoaf’sgrandsonswaspartofthatclass.
MemberNews
2PatrickandAlexandraHarden8MitchandJanetSeek16DonavonandTiffanyBuss16DaveandDarleneSoderquist22ErvandKarenHolle27HermandKathyHeine28KurtandValerieBrockman
GregandSaraZillinger29TimandSaraSchwankl30BradandJodieStoltenow
ConfirmedinChrist10/29/2017JonathanBennettWardCollinsMaxDeeringJoshuaHoenerZacharySchuldtClaireTorresNickZirkleNewMembersJordanandMandySmith1681ERedFoxPlHighlandsRanch,CO80126
HangingoftheGreensFor unto us a child is born,tousaSonisgiven.~Isaiah9:6Pleasejoinusaswepreparefor Jesus’ birth and theChristmas season. TheFellowship Board will besponsoring “The Hanging of the Greens” on Saturday,December2,beginningat9:00a.m.WewilldecoratethechurchwithChristmastrees,garland, ribbonandbows. Itwill be a festive morning of Christmas music, warmfellowship, food,and fun.This isagreatway foryouandyour family to prepare your hearts for the celebrationofthebirthofourMessiah.
BaptismAveryAustynWeiseDaughterofWesleyandBrookeWeiseandsisterofHayleeandTaylorBorn:10/5/2006Baptized:11/26/2017
December Anniversaries
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December2017
BibleLessonsfortheMonth
December3–1stSundayofAdventLessons:Psalm80:1-7;Isaiah64:1-9;1Corinthians1:3-9;Mark13:24-37
December10–2ndSundayofAdvent
Lessons:Psalm85;Isaiah40:1-11;2Peter3:8-14;Mark1:1-8
December17–3rdSundayofAdventLessons:Psalm126;Isaiah61:1-4,8-11;
1Thessalonians5:16-24;John1:6-8,19-28
December24–4thSundayinAdventLessons:Psalm89:1-5(19-29);2Samuel7:1-11,16;
Romans16:25-27;Luke1:26-38
December24–NativityofOurLord;~ChristmasEve(3,5,7pm)
Lessons:Psalm110:1-4;Isaiah7:10-14andEzekiel37:26-27;1John4:7-16;Luke2:1-20
December24–ChristmasEveVigil(11pm)
Lessons:Psalm96;Isaiah9:2-7;Titus2:11-14;Luke2:1-20
December25–NativityofOurLord;
~ChristmasDayLessons:Psalm2;Isaiah52:7-10;
Hebrews1:1-6(7-12);John1:1-14(15-18)
December31–1stSundayofChristmasLessons:Psalm111;Isaiah61:10-62:3;
Galatians4:4-7;Luke12:22-40
December31–NewYear’sEveLessons:Psalm90:1-12;Isaiah30:15-17;
Romans8:31b-39;Luke12:35-40
GreeterSchedulefortheMonth
December3–1stSundayofAdvent
8am–Steve&LiesbethOsa;Rick&AudreyMonson10:45Trad–Ken&MaryAnnSchlichtemeier;
Rod&JenniferSweeney10:45Cont--NomaReiser;Steve&SueBerscheid
December10–2ndSundayofAdvent
8am–Dennis&AnitaPlohocky;NomaReiser10:45Trad–MaryBackhus;Mark&KayBremmer10:45Cont--Gary&JaneSchwankl;DonnaBuehner
December17–3rdSundayofAdvent
8am–Russ&PamRobbins;DorisRobohm10:45Trad–Harley&DebBritton;JoyceBuckley10:45Cont–CarolynHelstrom;DonnaBuehner
December24–4thSundayofAdvent;NativityofOurLord~ChristmasEve
8am–Kris&DebSaline;EmileeSchuchman
10:45Trad–Bill&SandyGriffis;Gary&JudyHillman10:45Cont–Jim&DebbieMulford;DonnaBuehner
December31–1stSundayofChristmas;NewYear’sEve
8am–Ron&BarbSchuchman;
Dave&D’WaynStone10:45Trad–Larry&DebLallement;
Ron&CarolManuello10:45Cont–NomaReiser;DonnaBuehner
MemberNews
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December2017
WonderingHowtheIRACharitableRolloverWorks?Year-end will be here before you know it, so plan now!Individualsmust be age 70½ or older in order tomake atax-free gift from their IRA. The maximum amount anindividual can contribute in a taxable year is $100,000.Charitabledistributionsmustbemadetoaqualifiedcharity(Shepherdqualifies).Thedistributionmustbemadedirectlyfrom the donor’s IRA to the charity. The distribution doesnot give the donor a charitable tax deduction, but it doeslower the donor’s adjusted gross income andmay save inordinaryincometaxes.FacilitiesJobOpeningatShepherdIt is crazy busy at Shepherd, and we need some helpkeepingupwithourfacilityneeds.Wehaveanopeningfora part-time maintenance person now! Basic maintenanceskills are needed for this 19-hour/week position. PleasecontactDave Soderquist [email protected] ifyouorsomeoneyouknowwould like toserve theLordbyservingatShepherd.Missed Getting Your Photo Taken fortheDirectory?If you missed your appointment to haveyour picture taken for our new directory,you can reschedule it by calling Lifetouch’sschedulingoffice at866-756-0281 between7amand3pmMST.Don’tmissthischanceto be included in the Shepherd familyalbum!ConsiderGivingtotheBuildingEndowmentFundTheWorshipBuildingEndowmentFundwascreatedearlierthis year to begin the process of accumulating funds forbuilding a newworship facility at Shepherdof theHills. Injust a few months, contributions have grown to over$4,800!Givingtothisfundnowisimportantbecauseofthetime value ofmoney. Unlike other endowment funds, theearned income in this fund stays in the fund, adding to itsgrowth until building approval is given. Please considermakinganofferingorelectronicdonationdesignationtotheWorshipBuildingEndowmentFund.
MemberNews
CompassionInternationalUpdateandThankYouMedicalcare forStevenwhowascriticallyburned.Prayersof gratitude and forgiveness. Gratitude. You and manyothers opened your hearts to his suffering, raising over$500,000forhimandotherchildrenfacingdifficultmedicalsituations. Steven is no longer in Intensive Care.Forgiveness.Ecuadorianpoliceapprehended theboyswhoallegedly committed this crime. Steven’s family specificallyasksforprayerfortheirfamilyastheyworktoforgivetheseboys.LCMSWorldReliefandHumanCareThankYouEarthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires. Who would havethought this last year would bear witness to suchdevastation? Your response to these tragic situations hasbeen amazing and we thank you. To date, Shepherd hasgiven$6,736totheLCMSDisasterResponse.Thisprovidesimmediate,robust,disasterreliefwhere it isneededmost.Theroadtorecoveryislong;pleasecontinuetoshowmercytothosesufferingfromthesesubsequentdisastersthroughyour special offerings. In addition, if you are interested involunteeringtohelpinTexas,pleasecontactJimMulford.ThriventPiggyBanks!Giveyourkids (ages9andyounger)a freePiggyBankthatinstillsthevalueofbudgeting,proportionalgiving,andlong-term planning. This powerful piggy bank visual has threecompartments for saving, spending, and sharing. It is agreatteachingtool,anditisnevertooearlytobeginthislifelesson.Signup forabankby includingyournameand [email protected], first served!We have 150 bank! Pick up your piggybank(s)inthegymonDecember17between9-10:30am.
Foradultswhowouldliketolearnhow to put these three stagesinto their life now, our nextFinancial Peace University classwillbeginonJanuary7from5:30-7:30 p.m. This proven nine-weekclasswillhelpyouget ridofdebtand spend and save wisely tochange your financial future! Toregister,gotofpu.com/1052916.
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December2017 MissionsandMinistries
MissionaryUpdates–November2017PastorEdmundandCherieAuger:TheAugershaveleftthemission field. Wepray forGod’sblessings andwisdomastheyplantocontinuetoservetheLordinanothercapacity.Pastor Tim and Beth Heiney: The Heiney’s most recentnewsletterincludedthecelebrationoftheReformationandnotedthatTim isadistantrelativeofMartinLuther. Bethhas been teaching adult Bible study on Sundays. Thecurrentstudyison“MarriageandtheFamily.”Beth’sinitialreactionasshepreparedforthisstudy“wasshequalifiedtoteach this class and sufficiently adapt it to the culturalcontext.” Beth gives glory to God for the success of thisclass and how couples praying together and sharing canchangehearts. In theareawheretheHeineysservemanychurches come in and out regularly, making only apresentationandthenleaving.TheHeineyshavebeenabletoworkwiththepeopletheyserveandhavesentoutvicarsto live in small villageswhere theywill stay and show thepeopletheyaretheretolovethemandhelpthem.Prayforhearts to be opened to God’sWord. A team fromMOSTMinistries will be coming to give eyeglass clinics and willvisitthemanyvillagestoprovidecare.Kristin Lange: After threemonthsofcelebratingthe500thAnniversaryoftheReformationthingsarebacktonormalinWittenberg.Kristinwrites:“OnReformationDay,wewereenormouslyblessedattheInternationalLutheranCenteratthe Old Latin School (OLS)! I had been expecting maybe300-400 visitors throughout the day. After all, asmy lastnewslettershared,having950+guestsinthemonthofJulywasthestandardIwasgoingby.Well,onReformationDayroughly1,300visitorsturnedouttotheOLS!Iwasshocked.Theyjustkeptstreamingthroughthedoors!Forthespecialserviceweheld,ledjointlybyGermanandEnglishmembersof the International Lutheran Society ofWittenberg, therewasstandingroomonly!Iendedupplayingtheorganlast-minute(asecuredseat!)andhadtoaskthepeopleinfrontoftheorgantoclearapathformetotakemycuesfromthepastors in front. Thatwas a first! Wewere able to live-streamthisontheOLSFacebookpage,so ifyoudidn’tgetto join inandwishto,checkthatout! Youcanalsowatchthebeautifulconcertwithaluteplayer(aninstrumentthatLuther played!) which was organized and put on bymembersintheSELK.”
PastorNaeem: BOLMhas received theirnon-profit status501(c)(3) andwill again be able to serve themanypeoplearoundtheworld.TheMissionCommitteeencouragesthecongregation to support this important mission. PastorNaeemhas“conductedalongmissionarytripintheUnitedStates, visiting 26 states and 74 cities, meeting withconverts and potential converts. The Lord has saved 63whoconverted toChristandwerebaptized in thisblessedtrip.”Joe and Viya Stoltenow: Joe and Viya write that Ray ofHope “has been flourishing sincewe opened back in July,andourstudentsarealreadyshowingsignsofimprovementeducationally, physically, andmost of all spiritually.” Thechildrenstudyhardandhaveacclimatedintotheprogram.Since the kids are raisedon the streets, teachingmannersand respecting their elders has been a challenge, but thechildrenarecommittedtoimproving.Joe,ViyaandRaywillbetravelingtotheUSinNovember.Weprayforsafetraveland blessings as they visit family and friends during theholidays.John and Jenn Wolf: John traveled to Togo where theLutheran Church of Togo (ELT) was started in the early1980s. The ELT continues to grow and plant churches.“Togo is also the center of Lutheran pastoral training inFrench-speaking west Africa via the “Centre Lutheriend’Etudes Theologiques (CLET) seminary which supportsstudents from eight French speaking nations (and evenmanaged by an Africa Director).” John was able to visitlocations for LCMS missionaries, as well as current andfutureprojects.
~MISSIONS/MissionarySupportMinistryAllmissionariesmustraisetheirownlivingexpenses.Thefunds are received from churches and individual donors.You or your small group may, at any time, give to aspecificmissionary bymarking their nameon “Other” onyour Shepherdoffering envelope. Consider adoptingoneof these missionaries either individually or as a group.Moreinformationonthemissionariescanbefoundonthechurch website or by contacting Maynard Buck, MissionMinistryLeader.
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December2017MissionsandMinistries
MinistryOpportunitiesPriscilla Circle servesmeals for families after funerals andassistswithon-campusweddingmeals.Ifyouareinterestedinbeingpartof this circleasahelperor tobring food forthese occasions, please contactMarge Duffy at [email protected].
LovingMealsMinistryWhen someone in our Shepherd family has surgery orbecomes ill, helpwith preparingmealsmay be needed. Ifyou or someone you know could use this kind of help ofsmall meals on a short-term basis, please contact thechurchofficeat303-798-0711andyouwillbecontactedbyoneofourmealcoordinators.
ContemporaryServiceAltarSetup/CleanupTeamThissetup/cleanupteamtakesturnspreparingthealtarfortheContemporaryservicesbyfillingcandlesandsettingoutthe altar ware on Sunday mornings. After the service,things get put away. It doesn’t takemuch time and therearenomeetingstoattend.Tobeapartofthisteam,pleasecontact either Ruth Borchers at [email protected] [email protected].
ThewomenofRuth/Altar Circleprepare thechancelareain the Sanctuary for the traditional services. Communionpreparations, changing paraments, filling candles with oiland vacuuming are just a few of the duties performedbefore services.OnCommunionSundays, there is cleanupafter the services.We get together for a shortmeeting andenjoy fellowship and devotion the third Tuesday of eachmonth,September throughMay.We’realways looking forwomentohelpwithpreparationsandCommunioncleanup.The work is shared among our members so it isn’t a bigcommitmentof time.Evenifyoudon’twanttocometothemeetings, please consider assistingwithCommunion cleanupaftertheservices.ContactCarmenSmithat [email protected].
UsedEyeglassesThis year 149 eyeglasses have been collected. Theeyeglasses have been delivered to the Lions Club andwillbe distributed to those in need throughout the world.Since 2010,we have donated 1015 pair of glasses! A fewhearing aids have also been collected and given to theSertomaorganization.Yourcontributionsareablessingtomany!Thankyouforyourdonations!
WhoBenefitsfromStephenMinistry?Everybody benefits from Stephen Ministry!ThosereceivingcarefromStephenMinistersbenefit because they receive prayer andsupport throughout the crisis they face.Stephen Ministers benefit through thespiritualgrowththeyexperiencefrombeinginvolved in meaningful ministry. Our pastors benefitbecausecaringministryatShepherdoftheHillsisexpandedand fewerpeoplewill slip through the cracks. Mostof allyou benefit from the knowledge that special care isavailable to you should youneed it. In addition, younowhave a place where you can refer a friend, neighbor,coworker, relative, or anyone else you knowwho is goingthroughadifficulttimesothattheycanreceivespecialcarewhentheyneeditmost.StephenMinistrymakesShepherdoftheHillsamuchmorecaringplace!Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowcouldbenefit fromaStephenMinister, please contact Ron Manuello (303-979-7776) orGaryStephenson(303-858-1973).
Worrylooksaround,sorrylooksback,faithlooksup.
MissionaryoftheMonth:DougandTriciaStonerEach month, Shepherd of the Hills Mission Ministrydesignates a missionary that the congregation supports.December we will highlight Doug and Tricia Stoner,missionariesservinginEurope.The Stoners are Area Leaders for Pioneers in CentralEurope.TheyliveinVienna,Austria,acitythatisthefastestgrowingintheregionwithaquarterofthepopulationbeingfromother cultures. As anArea Leader, Doug equips andassiststhePioneerleadersinthecountriesofAustria,CzechRepublic, Slovakia, and Slovenia to startmore churchesbyempowering the local churches.Altogether, far less than1percent of the population has trusted in Christ alone foreternallife.Pleasebe inprayer for theStonersandthe leadersof theirteams. Also, pray that theHoly Spiritwould transform thehearts and lives of those who live in these countries, andmaytheyacknowledgeJesusastheironeLordandSavior.
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December2017
Jack’sCorner
QUESTION: My parents raised me to be“good.”Today,itseemsmanyparentsaremore concerned with their children’s
happiness than good behavior. Is there some kind ofbalanceinthisarea?ANSWER: I believe it hasmore to dowith priorities thanbalance. Most of us over 60were raised by parents whobelieveditwas importantforusto“begood,”meaningwewere to be responsible, hard-working, considerate andpolite.Ourbehaviorwasmoreimportantthanourfeelings.Whenwegottobeparents(oftenasareactiontoourownunhappinessindifferentareasoflife),wedecidedtoplaceagreatdeal of emphasis on keepingour childrenhappyandbuilding their self-esteem. Feelings were often moreimportant than behavior. (As evidence, consider thebehaviorofmanyyoungchildrenthesedays.)Manyparentsthesedaysbendoverbackwardstodiscuss,empathizeandunderstandtheirchildren’sfeelingsoftenattheexpenseoftheirkids’behavior.Happiness is important, of course. Godmade heaven forthat,andmuchmore.Happinessisjustnotasimportantasa number of other life qualities…strength, integrity,sacrifice, and holiness to name a few. Do we as parentsspendasmuchtime,energyandmoneyinordertodevelopthese qualities as we do in pursuing happiness for ourchildren?It’seasiertotrytokeepthekidshappythanitistotrytohelpshapethemintheimageofChrist.DoesourHeavenly Father value happiness as much as he valuesstrength, integrity, sacrifice and holiness? If happinesswereat thetopofGod’spriority list*,hewoulddomuchmore to relieve thepainsof this life andmakeushappy.Instead,heusesthesepainstoshapeourcharacter.Inthisworld, happiness does not shape godly character verywell…itoftenretardsit.At times,weare called to sacrificehappiness fora greatergood…for a nobler goal. Jesus understood. He lived it!SuchsacrificeisinkeepingwiththecharacterofChrist.Letus parents and grandparents beware that placinghappinesstoohighonthelistofprioritiesinlifemayverywell doom our children and grandchildren to a life ofnarcissism, hedonism and godlessness…as well asdepressionandanxiety.Wehavesomuchmoretogiveourchildren than just lots of opportunities to be happy. We
have the treasures of strength, integrity, sacrifice, andholiness wrapped within a relationship with God.Happinessmightjustcomeaspartofthepackage!Asaparent,Ireallywantmykidstobehappy.Itbreaksmyheart when they aren’t. But, I want something more forthemthanjusthappinessandlifegoingwell.I’mconvincedthat Imust let them struggle and endure, for these timesareopportunitiesforChrist-likegrowth.Fathersareoftenalittlebetteratrecognizingthevalueofthesemomentsandletting their children endure them. Mothers are often alittletooworriedabouttheirchildren’sfeelingstoletthesemoments have their full effect. (Obviously, this is ageneralization.) I actively pray for opportunities forChristian character growth in my children, even at theexpense of some happiness. Although it’s so hard as aparenttowatch,I’mwillingtosacrificesomehappinessforthe development of strength, integrity, sacrifice, andholiness.As a therapist, I am seeing an ever-increasing number ofyoung adults who are depressed, anxious and unable tohandlereallife.Theyareemotionallyfragileandoften(notalways)comefromfamilieswhoseparentshaveprotected,evencoddledthem.Theseyoungadultsarenotadequatelyequippedtoliveinafallenworld.Theyarefrequentlystuckinadolescence…naïveandnarcissistic. Theycannothandlethedemandingboss(whodoesn’tgivearipabouttheirself-esteem), the disappointments of real life (that requirestrengthandendurance),orthemarriageandfamily(whichdon’t contribute enough toward happiness as expected).Theypossesslittlestrength,integrity,sacrificeorholiness.ForChristians,happinessisnotthehighestgoalinlife.Itiswonderfulanddesirable,butshouldnotbeourtoppriorityasweraiseourchildren.Ittakesintentionaleffort,prayerandrelianceonGodtorealignourpriorities.*Iwould suggest thatGod’s top threepriorities in this lifeareto(1)Forgiveussohecanhavearelationshipwithus,(2)Transformus intothe imageofChrist, (3)SendusoutintotheworldtospreadtheGoodNewsanddoactsofloveandmercy. Jack Lipski, M.A. ShepherdSchoolandChurchCounselor(Permission to copy granted for personal use only.)
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December2017
MostanyonecanseethetietoChristmas intheCreedsaswe confess and practice the Second Article about JesusChristour LordandSavior. Hewas Incarnateandborn sowe might be saved! The Creeds are really Christmasproclamations aboutwho Jesus is,whyHe came,whatHedid for us, and how He has changed our eternal standingwithGodtheFather!However, sometimes God the Father is seen as abackgroundperson in theCreedsandatChristmas. SomemighteventhinkHis job isalreadydonesowemoveontomoreimportantpersonsoftheTrinity.ButthatisfarfromthejoyfulrealityoftheTrinityatChristmas.GodtheFatherwas lovinglyorchestrating theperfectChristmasgift forallof sinful humanity for thousands of years, beginning withAdamandEve. InGalatians itstatesthat inthefullnessoftime God the Father sent Jesus Christ into ourworld. Hepickedtheperfectgift, theperfecttimeandevendroppedrecognizable hints to humanity throughout the ages as tohowjoyouswouldbethegiftofJesusChrist. WereadtheChristmas Scriptures every year and sometimes fail to seethejoyfulanticipationofGodtheFatherandHisexuberantexcitement at our joy and wonder at Jesus Christ. As afather, I have seena littlebitof thiswhen Ihave selectedthe perfect gift and the perfect timing to give that gift tothoseIlove.Ioftentakegreaterjoyinthegivingthanthoseactuallyreceiving(andtheyareprettyexcited).
Pastor’sLetter
Continuedfrompage1
Whatabout theHolySpiritatChristmas? WhenyouspeaktheCreedsyouwillfindthehistoryoftheCreedsaremostlyfound in theFirst andSecondArticles,but thepresentandfuture actions of the Creeds happen in the Third ArticlefocusedupontheHolySpirit. TheThirdArticleisnotaboutChristianhistorybutaboutChristianpresentcontinuingintothe future. Because of the Father's plan and the Son'scoming,living,dying,risingandascending,wenowasGod’schildrenhavethegiftoftheHolySpiritintheChurchandinour lives. He has sanctified for God the Father a peoplebelonging to and in communion with Him as His childrenbecauseoftheblood,deathandresurrectionofJesusChristtheSonofGod.Heactivelyandpresentlyforgivessinstodayin our individual lives and through the Gospel andSacraments in the church. He leadsus forwardaswewaitformore gifts to come in the resurrectionof thedeadandphysical and spiritual life everlasting with God the FatherandJesusChristforalleternityinthenewHeavenandEarth.The Holy Spirit is all about gift giving in and through JesusChrist! TheHolySpiritgivesgiftsalongthewayuntil Jesus’second coming--like a celestial Advent calendar aswewaitforHim! HereWe Stand! Word, Faith, Grace - upon thegiftsofandintheCreeds!IntheChristmasGiftofFather,SonandHolySpirit,oneGod!Pastor Zillinger
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Shepherdof theHills’Spiritual FormationPlan encompasses your child's spiritualformation from the womb all the way towhentheyleavethenestafterhighschool.Itisageappropriateanddesignedtoassistyour children to mature as LutheranChristians so theymay takea joyful standfor Christ in our dark world. For moreinformation about any youth groupactivitiesorChristianeducation foryouth,please contact Pastor Greg Zillinger,[email protected], Molly Poppe,[email protected] or JodieStoltenow, [email protected] can find specific information,upcoming events and the yearly calendaronline at http://shepherdhills-church.orgundertheUpcomingEventspage.Xtreme-Middleschool(5-8grades)youthgroupmeets forBibleStudyonSundayat9:30 am. Xtreme also participates inKoinonia, a mentoring program with highschool youth. This once-a-month eventoccurs on either Friday night or Sundayafternoon.SHYP-ShepherdoftheHillsYoungPeople(High School) meets for Bible Study onSundayat9:30am.SHYPalsomeetseverySundayat2:30pm.
Youth Group Notes
SchoolandYouthNews
Letter from the Principal OneofthecorevaluesatShepherdoftheHillsChristianSchoolisrespect.In eachof our interactionswithothers,weexpect and culitvate the ideathat respect, kindness, treating another well, even in the face ofdifferences, becomes a way of making life more fruitful, pleasant andultimatelyGod-honoring.Ourworld, in almost every aspectof our culture, has takenon theexactopposite characteristic. It seems as if our culture has, instead, turned tomockery, nastiness, and falsehoods. Our media trivializes the importantinto something marketable; our entertainment industry thrives ondepictinghumansufferingandtheinappropriateresponsetotragicevents.WheneverIwatchlatenighttelevision,Iamstruckbytheintensityofthemeannessandtheharshnesswithwhichindividualstreateachother.Thiskindofnastinessanddisrespecthasbecomehabitualandexpected.Together, families, our school, andour church canandmust supportourown counterculture that strives for a more respectful and kindenvironment for all members of our community. We have designated“respect” as one of our values because it is so important for children,teachers,andparentstolivethisvalueeveryday.Weareallpartnersinthebig picture of educating our children. We want their world to becharacterizedbykindandrespectfulinteractionsbetweenpeople.Wearenot naïve.We know that theworldhas suchdarkness in it and canbe adifficult and sometimes cruelplace.However,wecananddocontrolourenvironment, andwe can insistwith each interaction thatwe treat eachotherwith respect,evenwhenwedisagree.Wecanbe intentionalaboutshowingJesus’s loveandkindnesstowardeachperson.Wecanbea lightandmaketheworldbetterwitheachsmallactofrespect.It is not enough forus to act in a kindway. It is alsonecessary forus todemandkindnessandrespectfromothers,includingourpublicandmediafigures. As a society, we need to raise our expectations. We need todemand respect from ourselves and from those around us, expecially ifthey are public figures. As Christianindividuals, we have the power toshape the environment around us.Let’s reshape the rudeness andnastiness of our world into a placewhereGod’sloveshows!InChrist,
Lisa Jennings
Shepherd’sVoice December2017
CHURCHSTAFF
Rev.GregoryZillingerAssociatePastorGZillinger@sothfamily.orgRev.DuaneFeldmannAssociatePastorDFeldmann@sothfamily.orgRev.Dr.GeorgeNaeemAssistantPastorGNaeem@sothfamily.org
GailBlackDirectorofParishMusicAssistanttoSeniorPastorGBlack@sothfamily.orgJordanSmithContemporaryMusicLeaderJSmith@sothfamily.org
Shepherd’sVoiceisthemonthlynewsletterforthechurchfamilyatShepherdoftheHillsLutheranChurch
7691S.UniversityBlvd.,Centennial,CO80122303-798-0711www.ShepherdHills-Church.org
ThedeadlinefortheJanuaryissueoftheShepherd’s
VoiceisDecember18.Pleasehaveallarticlesintheofficeoremailedtovoice@sothfamily.orgbythisdate.
POSTMASTERSendAddressChangesto:Shepherd’sVoice7691S.UniversityBlvd.Centennial,CO80122
JodieStoltenowDirectorofFamilyMinistryJStoltenow@sothfamily.orgMollyPoppeYouthDirectorMPoppe@[email protected]
LynneRodefeldAccountantLRodefeld@[email protected]
LAYLEADERSHIP
JimMulfordHeadElderzoomieBlue@comcast.netJessicaCampbellSundaySchoolSuperintendentJessica.campbell@[email protected]
