FOR THE WEEK OF January 17th, 2021
This week’s message from our Pastor, Steve Leiser:
Our Lord continues to draw us into warm and binding relationships with members of the Body of Christ. Together we faithfully follow our Lord. We walk and talk with Christ’s presence surrounding us. I pray we keep this in mind as we move forward this coming year in Christ’s mission. As we enter this New Year, even as we wish we were worshiping together in person, as difficult as it is to hear we will likely not be gathering in-person until after Easter, may we continue to be grateful that God continues to gather us as people of God…entrusting us to continue in Christ’s mission. Even amidst the pandemic we recognize we are blessed and so let us lift up the possibilities that God places before us. Let us continue to walk in the light of Christ and generously share the love of God.
Christ’s Peace, Pastor Steve
JOIN US FOR ONLINE MEETINGS and WORSHIP SERVICES THIS WEEK ~ CLICK HERE
WORSHIP SERVICE and DIGITAL HOLY COMMUNION, January 24th at 10:00 am ~ Online Spoken Word Service: CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 565-414-081 – Please be patient as you will be in a waiting room to be admitted into the service.
Those serving us online this Sunday with Pastor Steve Leiser:
- Assisting Minister: Ann Hoffman
- Reader: Liz Novack
- Music: Mary Antinori
- Zoom Monitor/Co-Host: Hope Malloy
OTHER MEETINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY ~ CLICK HERE
- Adult Education LGBTQ+ Discussion – January 24th at 9:00 am
- New Member Discussion with Pastor Steve – January 24th at 11:00 am
- Confirmation Retreat with Pastor Steve – January 24th at Noon
- Sunday School with Ms. Erin will be live online at 11 am and in a video format (see the YOUTH section below). TO VIEW THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS: >> CLICK HERE <<
- For the Zoom Link to join Ms. Erin live at 11 am on Sundays, >>CLICK HERE<< passcode is: kidsSOTM
- ZOOM BINGO NIGHT – January 24th at 7:00 pm. More information below in Announcements…
~ ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEK … ~
LAST WEEK TO SEND CARDS – The Mugridge Family would like to do something special for their Mom / Grandma that is turning 80 years old on January 26th. Heather and the girls would love to see 80 Birthday Cards be mailed to her for her Birthday. The pandemic has been hard for Flo, so please consider mailing a Birthday Card to Flo! Here is her information to send her a card…
HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY to: FLO CALDWELL, 82 West 750 North #A-226, Heber City, Utah 84032
ADULT EDUCATION SERIES FOCUSING ON LGBTQI – Starting on January 24th, we will have 4 weeks of Adult Ed classes focusing on LGBTQI topics and discussion. Please join us as we listen to short personal narratives and further our understanding of how to be inclusive in our community. Please contact Hope in the office HERE to add your email to our list as we will be sending out information prior to the classes. Class will be on zoom from 9:00 – 9:45 am (MST) on Sunday prior to worship service. Thank you ~ Peggy Cain, Liz Davis, Jennifer Leiser and Ann Hoffman
ADULT FELLOWSHIP GAME NIGHT – BINGO! Please join us for adult game night! Sunday, January 24th from 7:00-8:00 pm we will be playing BINGO on zoom and joining in fun fellowship. Pick up your Bingo cards from the basket outside church doors (2 Bingo cards in each envelope) or contact the office to send out in the mail. In years past, we have gathered for a fun night of game playing and laughter….the tradition continues but modified to keep us all safe this winter!
BOOK STUDY FOR LENTEN SEASON – Join Pastor Steve on Wednesday Evenings for our Lenten Service and Book Study of DIALOGUES on RACE. These discussions will be included in the worship service which take place on every Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm, starting on February 24th through March 24th. You can purchase a copy online. Amazon has used and new books for sale. Here is the Amazon link to purchase the book: CLICK HERE
CHRISTIAN CENTER OF PARK CITY AND HEBER CITY NEEDS YOUR HELP! If you would like to help our Social Ministry and Fellowship committees, we are needing volunteers to create and assemble “Homeless Comfort Kits”.
These kits should come in 1-gallon Ziploc bag and can contain a selection of the following items (not necessarily all items, these are just some ideas):
- Thick winter socks
- Hand warmers
- Neck gaiter or buff
- Disposable masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Body wipes
- Lotion
- Disposable razors
- Feminine hygiene items
- They would love a nice encouraging note as well
* Usually the bags are specific to men and women. So please write on the front of the plastic bag which gender. The need for these kits is IMMEDIATELY. You can either drop off your kits directly to one of the Christian Center Campuses at PARK CITY: 1283 Deer Valley Drive or HEBER CITY: 55 East Center Street. If you would like to make a donation to the CCPC – CLICK HERE TO DONATE. Thank you for your support with this project.
DIGITAL HOLY COMMUNION EVERY SUNDAY STARTING ON REFORMATION SUNDAY! Join us each Sunday for Digital Holy Communion. Please come prepared with the elements of bread and wine/juice each Sunday morning. If you would like prepackaged communion cups, we have these available at the church. You can stop by and pick up what you need from the white bin outside on the weekends, or from the office during the week. There is a wafer on top and a portion of juice in the cup. Please note to shake before opening – see below.
The Rocky Mountain Synod has many opportunities including Adult and Young Adult education. These are also Study Guides or Meetings / Discussions on Zoom. Please see the following links if any of these interest you.
- Lenten Discussion Series: Struggling with our Stories of Race. For more information and to register for the series: CLICK HERE
- Lutheran communion stands with church in U.S. – For Article: CLICK HERE
- Living Faith: Church in Society – a New Adult Forum/Small Group Discussion Guide: CLICK HERE
- ELCA – “Stories in Action” 2020 – 2021 virtual annual book: CLICK HERE
~ STAY SAFE and STAY HEALTHY ~
DR. GOOD’S – WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATES: We will be posting information pertaining to the pandemic weekly here. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO to see the weekly update that Dr. Michael Good, CEO shares with healthcare professionals. We will have monthly discussions with Dr. Jennifer Leiser to discuss the video and article, so that you can better understand the Covid-19 virus and what we can expect in the coming months. These meetings will take place on the Third Sunday of the Month via Zoom after worship. CLICK HERE to join the Zoom Meeting for Sunday, February 21st at 11:00 am. Passcode: Covid
SUMMIT COUNTY REQUIRES FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC: By order of the Summit County Health Department, face coverings must be worn in any indoor spaces open to members of the public, as well as indoor or outdoor community gatherings over 50. Joint Public Order 2020-08, Effective June 27, 2020. CLICK HERE
~ Reoccurring Meetings ~ (some of these groups are not meeting right now due to Covid-19)
Bluegrass – 5:30 pm on the last Thursday of the month
Praise Band – 7:00 pm every Wednesday
AA – 7:00 pm every Wednesday (co-ed), 7:00 pm every Thursday (men only)
Alzheimer’s Support Group – Meets 1:00 pm – 3rd Wednesday of every month
Monthly Committee Meetings:
Council – 6:30 pm, 2nd Monday of the month – (2/8/21 via Zoom)
Fellowship – 11:00 am, 2nd Sunday of the month (2/14/21 via Zoom)
Finance – 5:30 pm, 4th Monday of the 1st month of the quarter (TBA)
Property – 6:30 pm, 4th Monday of the month (1/25/21 via Zoom)
Shepherd Connections & Social Ministries– 11:00 am, 2nd Sunday of the month (2/14/21 via Zoom)
Worship/Music – 11:00 am, 1st Sunday of the month (2/7/21 via Zoom)
~ Lectionary Bible Readings ~
Lectionary Bible Readings for Sunday, January 24, 2021: Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20
~ PLANNING AHEAD… Announcements ~
Please view the Worship Schedule and other events happening this week on our CALENDAR ~ Calendar is subject to change due to our current gathering situation ~
~ YOUTH ~
SUNDAY SCHOOL VIA ZOOM ~ Greetings! The congregation of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church will continue to offer Sunday School for our children. Almost every week, Ms. Erin will post a new lesson for Sunday School. We encourage the children to watch the videos and participate in any way they can. To find the Lessons, see below or click on the image. For the Zoom Link to join Ms. Erin live at 11 am on Sundays, >>CLICK HERE<< passcode is: kidsSOTM
FOR THIS PAST WEEK’S SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON: > > CLICK HERE < <
~ COMMUNITY EVENTS ~
TBA when it is safe for everyone to gather again.
~ONGOING AT SHEPHERD OF THE MOUNTAINS~
SHEPHERD OF THE MOUNTAINS ON-LINE GIVING PLATFORM – TITHE.LY – We now have an On-line giving button on our web page to make it more convenient for members and visitors to contribute to SOTM. The donor has the option to cover the processing fees for the church or if they decide not to, SOTM will cover the administration fees that are processed through Tithe.ly. To give on line – click here: GIVE TODAY This is a simple way to give if you don’t have cash or a checkbook on you at one of our worship services. Thank you for supporting Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church!
AMAZON SMILE – Help donate to Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church with every purchase you make on Amazon, click on link: AMAZON~SMILE
LIVING LUTHERAN MAGAZINE – HAPPY NEW YEAR ! THE JANUARY ISSUE HAS ARRIVED! If you would like a copy of of any issue mailed to you or left at the front door, let the office know and we are happy to take care of that for you. Either email or call the office: office@shepherdofthemountains.org or 435-649-2233.
BOOK CLUB VIA ZOOM – If you would like to join the SOTM Book Club, please contact the office HERE and we will forward your information onto who is hosting the Book Club Meetings. The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 19th at 7:00 pm via zoom . The book is “Transcendent Kingdom” by Yaa Cyasi. If you would like to join the meeting, please contact the office for the meeting ID and link on Zoom.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD – Shepherd of the Mountains is part of the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod. For information, click on this link: RMS ELCA
RECYCLING – Thank You to all of you who are recycling at SOM. It’s a big job to take these items to the Recycle Center and if you would like to help in this wonderful “Save our Earth” mission, please contact the office. Also, please remember that if cardboard is contaminated with food particles, it can not be recycled. SHEPHERD OF THE MOUNTAINS HAS JOINED RECYCLE UTAH’S GREEN BUSINESS PROGRAM – This program is a resource that helps us operate in a more sustainable manner through education and goal setting. We’ve identified three goals for 2019 – 2020: 1) increase recycling and awareness in the building, 2) explore lighting efficiency options in the building and parking lot and 3) evaluate our energy usage throughout the building. Additional information on the program can be found at www.recycleutah.org/green-business-program.
FOOD PANTRY – We are not excepting donations at this time at the church. We suggest you drop off your pantry donations to the Christian Center of Park City on Deer Valley Drive. Thank you!
EYEGLASSES FOR THE LIONS CLUB – Always in need for Prescription Glasses and Sunglasses. Please donate to the wooden box by the office or leave in the mailbox.
WENDY’S WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY WORKOUT – Every Wednesday, 7:00 am – strength, core and balance. Right here at SOM. Just $5.00 per class.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – These are postponed in our church building until further notice. Please reach out to one another and offer prayer for each other.
SOLAR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: DECEMBER 10, 2020 to JANUARY 12, 2021 – The solar system was not much of a contributor because the panels had not been cleared of snow during the reporting period, 33 days.
The use of power by the Church and its tenants increased by about 50% from the already high level of the prior month. And shorter days and almost total snow cover on the panels reduced the power generated by the panels. The solar system generated 500 kWh during the reporting period of which 8 kWh was put back into the grid when we were producing more power than using during a sunny day.
Total SoM power use was 6,730 kWh, 492 kWh was provided during daylight hours by the solar system, and 6,238 kWh was provided by Rocky Mountain Power. We drew down the remaining 1,405 kWh from the bank we established earlier in the year so we were charged for 75% of the power from the grid. ~ Tim Fehr
Sunday Servants – These are on HOLD until we gather again safely in the church building. HOWEVER, if you would like to be an Assisting Minister, Reader or Zoom monitor on any Sunday, please let the office know. We are hoping to be worshiping in person soon, although we are being very careful as we see an increase in Covid-19 cases each day. PLEASE STAY SAFE and HEALTHY!
~ In Our Prayers ~
We ask your continued prayers for Healing and Wholeness for:
Mark, Marlene, John and Ruth, Sally and George, Barb Lorenzen, John Sandstrom, Cara, Bonnie, Marge Neumayer, Keith and Sharon Lilley, Leslie Smith, Guadalupe Montes De Oca Ruelas, John Knudson, Lizzy, Lori D, Thomas Ryan, Kitty, Kira, Dylan Wilcox, Jim VanderLinden, Kimberly Gosell, Barbara Lubin, Jill L., Aunt Lou, Robert Howell, Sam, Bonnie Futch, Mary Jane Schmidt, Pat Rusk, Bob, Vera Palomaki, Marge, Mugridge Family.
SOM Prayer Chain
We are updating our prayer chain. We have kept everyone on the list that has been added in the last 3 months. We will rotate names off the prayer chain after a month unless we receive a request to keep a name on. Please contact the office to add a name to the chain. Thank you!
Housekeeping
The date of the E-pistle is figured from “the first day of the week,” the day of Resurrection–Sunday.
The weekly E-pistle is an internet ministry of the congregation of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church. All announcements or subscriber list additions/subtractions should be sent to the Office Administrator, at: office@shepherdofthemountains.org.
Please note our church office hours are: Monday – Friday, 9 AM to 2 PM. Friday’s may be a modified schedule in the office. Thank you !