E-Pistle

FOR THE WEEK OF March 29, 2020

 ~ ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES & MEETINGS – Click on top red bar to Learn More ~

This Weeks Message from our Pastor, Steve Leiser:

We are quickly approaching the end of this season’s Lenten journey.   Let us remind ourselves that our most loving and merciful God is the light and life of every soul and our source of hope.  Please join with me in praying we may experience the Holy Spirit’s transforming power that we may continually prepared for Christ’s ministry.  May we continue on our faith journeys knowing Jesus Christ is with us and sustains us. 

Christ’s Peace, Pastor Steve

JOIN US FOR ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES and GATHERINGS THIS WEEK:

Wednesday, April 1st at 7:00 pm ~ Online Lent study and discussion of “Dear Church” (chapters 7 & 8) – CLICK HERE

Sunday, April 5th at 10:00 am ~ PALM SUNDAY ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE – CLICK HERE
Assisting Minister: Keith Lilley
Scripture Reader: Peggy Cain
Gospel Readers: Liz Novack, Keith Lilley, Jerry Lorenzen, Ann and Ken Miller

Sunday, April 5th at 2:00 pm ~ Scotch and Tea with Pastor Steve – CLICK HERE

*** We sincerely thank you all for your generous offerings electronically and through the mail.   Please note to NOT leave cash or checks in our mailbox at the church, as the mail is being forwarded temporarily.  To donate online, please click here: GIVE NOW

~ This weeks’ Announcements ~

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP ONLINE ZOOM SERVICES – CLICK HERE
Palm (Passion) Sunday – April 5th at 10:00 am
Maundy Thursday – April 9th at 7:00 pm
Good Friday – April 10th at 7:00 pm
EASTER SUNDAY – April 12th at 10:00 am

HEALTH AND FACILITY UPDATE:  Summit County Health Department has issued a Public Health Order in Section 6:  PUBLIC GATHERING PLACES.  Effective March 15, 2020, all museums, gyms, exercise studios, spas, fitness centers, health clubs, indoor recreational facilities, CHURCHES, and all entertainment venues including without limitation music performance venues, live stage performances, and lectures, shall be closed to members, guests, patrons and the general public.

OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN:  What better way than planning and planting a garden if you are staying home!  It is almost garden time! The Community Garden at SOTM has plots available for your planting and eating pleasure.  Complete with fence and drip watering system.  Contact Kari Moe-Hoffman, Karen Broussard or Mary Antinori for more information.

Reoccurring Meetings – THESE ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Bluegrass – 5:30 pm every Thursday
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

Committees:

Council – 6:30 pm, 2nd Monday of the month – (4/13/20)
Education/Youth – 9:45 am, 2nd Sunday of the month (TBA)
Executive Committee – 12:00 pm varies (TBA)
Fellowship – 9:30 am, 2nd Sunday of the month (4/5/20)
Finance – 5:30 pm, 4th Monday of the 1st month of the quarter (TBA)
Property – 6:30 pm, 4th Monday of the month (3/23/20)
Social Ministries – 9:30 am, 2nd Sunday of the month (4/5/20)
Bereavement Team – TBD
Stewardship – 7:00 pm, 1st Monday of the month (TBA)
Shepherd Connections – 9:30 am 2nd Sunday of the month (4/5/20)
Worship/Music – 11:30 am, 1st Sunday of the month (4/5/20)

Lectionary Bible Readings

Lectionary Bible Readings for Sunday, April 5, 2020: Palm Sunday: Isaiah 4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14–27:66

~ PLANNING AHEAD… Announcements ~

Please view the Worship Schedule and other events happening this week on our calendar

*** WORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT *** – As a community of faith, we at SOTM want our worship and fellowship to be uplifting and joyful, not permeated by fear.  Common sense actions and a few simple changes can make everyone feel safe at worship.

CDC recommendations for limiting spread of viruses:

  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or inner elbow
  • Clean frequently-touched surfaces with ordinary cleaners
  • Hand Hygiene
    • 20-second soap and water hand wash
    • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

Our actions at Shepherd of the Mountains:

Before worship ~

  • Wash your hands in the restroom before entering sanctuary
  • Greet others in the way that you feel comfortable
  • Respect others’ wishes regarding physical contact

During worship ~

  • Respect others wishes if they want to avoid hand contact
  • Share God’s love in a way that is meaningful to you
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or elbow to keep hands clean

After worship ~

  • Remove all items you may have used such as tissue or coffee cups
  • Deposit tissue in waste basket
  • Put cups and glasses into dishwasher in kitchen

This keeps others from being exposed to your germs

Holy Communion ~ 

  • You may choose to take only bread at Communion if that is your preference
  • We are studying best practices regarding Communion
  • We plan to make a recommendation soon

Staying Safe and Healthy at Worship ~ There are long Jewish and Christian traditions of cleansing oneself before entering God’s house

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before entering the sanctuary
  • Wash for 20 seconds
    • Yes, it seems like an eternity!
  • While you wash, recite the Lord’s Prayer in preparation for worship.  That takes about 20 seconds – easy peasy!

LIVING LUTHERAN MAGAZINE – If you would like a copy mailed to you while our offices are temporarily closed, please let Hope know by emailing the office at:  office@shepherdofthemountains.org or call her home phone at 435-615-2047.

~ YOUTH ~

OUR NEXT YOUTH CONVERSATION – If you would like to participate in our youth conversation titled “Who does God calls us to be at this time of Covid 19?”  Please join us on Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 pm.  To join the zoom meeting, CLICK HERE

ELEMENTARY SUNDAY SCHOOL – Erin Thomas will send out the lessons to the children via email and/or zoom meetings until we get back to our regular services.  Thank you ! 

~ COMMUNITY EVENTS ~

SUMMIT COUNTY SAVOURY KITCHEN DELIVERS TO YOU:  Tired of cooking for the family while in isolation?  A local caterer is offering meals delivered at NO DELIVERY CHARGE.   Their meals will serve a family of 4 to 6 people.   Call Savoury Kitchen at 435-608-1408 or visit their web page here to order:  MENU

~ONGOING AT SHEPHERD OF THE MOUNTAINS~

SHEPHERD OF THE MOUNTAINS LAUNCHES NEW 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 on this link to set up your profile to contribute:  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 your 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

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME AND TALENT – When we get back to our normal worship schedule, we know that the wonderful people that serve SOTM every Sunday would like to have new folks help and serve with any of the positions on a Sunday.   If you know you can help assist at communion, be a reader, host fellowship, be a greeter or if your child would like to be an acolyte for a Sunday Service, please let the office know.   It is a small commitment to give the church your time on “One Sunday a Month” and we are so appreciative to those that can step up and give us the gift of your Time, Talent and Treasure.

 Please let us know if you can help with the following:
Acolyte – see Pastor Steve
Altar Guild / Bread Baker – see Pam Evans
Communion Assistant for either service – see the office
Greeter at either service – see Pam Evans or the office
Host a Fellowship – see Ann Hoffman or the office
Scripture Reader at either service – see Val Thurnell or the office
Ushering at either service – see Randy Thomson

Rocky Mountain Synod Information – The information is on the ELCA bulletin board and here is a link:
http://conta.cc/2z3Naap

Recycling Update – 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 Mary Antinori (801-243-9635) to help her out.  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:  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.  Please contact Julie Cooper, Mickey Palomaki or Mary Antinori to join our team or get the scoop on what we’re doing to achieve our goals.

Food Pantry –  Thank you everyone for your food donations, which we deliver to the Christian Center of Park City Food Pantry monthly. Please know that their need for food is constant and greatly appreciated. Please drop off your non-perishable food donations in the basket in the narthex.  Thank you!

Fun PROJECT Friday – TBD

Eyeglasses for Lions Club – Always in need for Prescription Glasses and Sunglasses. Please donate to the wooden box by the office.

Box Tops – Shining Stars school is collecting box tops.  If you are not saving yours for another cause, they would be happy to take them. There will be a collection box in the narthex.

Wendy’s Wonderful Wednesday Workout – Every Wednesday, 7:00 am – strength, core and balance. Right here at SOM. Just $5 per class.

Women’s Bible Study – These are cancelled in our church building until further notice.  Please reach out to one another and offer prayer for each other.

Book Club –  TBA

Solar System Performance: Barely contributes during 12 February 2020 to 12 March 2020 ~ Basically the solar panels were fairly deeply covered with snow for the reporting period, clearing in the first days of March.   Low production was compounded by the very high usage by the Church and its tenants. During the period, 28 days, the solar system was only able to generate 339 kWh of energy. Most of that was during the first 10 days of March.  We were not able to offset much of the very high usage (6,614 kWh) by the Church and its tenants.  The panels did produce about 5% of the power used by the Church and its tenants.  Now that the panels have been cleared by Mother Nature, the solar panels should be providing much of the power for the Church until next winter.  ~ Tim Fehr

Property Coordinator – Annie Lamb is serving in this position. Her email is annie.1974@live.com. She is now coordinating all the various groups that use our building.  If you have an event and you would like to use the building, she is the person you contact or contact the church office.

Sunday Servants – There are many opportunities to serve during our worship services. We need additional volunteers. Worship takes 20-25 people to assist every Sunday. If you would like to assist, here is the list of the people who do the scheduling:

Assisting Ministers, Communion Assistants and Readers – Val Thurnell:  vthurnell@gmail.com
Altar Guild, Bread Bakers and Greeters – Pam Evans: evansstrayhome@aol.com
Counters – Jim Hier: jimheir@gmail.com
Keyboard – Stephanie Hurt: saamhurt@allwest.net
Fellowship – Ann Hoffman: sagahoffman@msn.com
Ushers – Randy Thomson: thomson@xmission.com
Acolytes – Pastor Steve: steveleiser@comcast.net

Musical Talents – We invite you to share your musical talents during worship at 8:30. If you would like to provide special music (vocal or instrumental solos and groups) during the offertory, please talk with Mary Antinori (435-649-6877) or Pastor Steve.

The Praise Band  is looking for musicians for the 10:30 am service. Practice is Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm. Join us for practice and see how you like it! Contact Jennifer Leiser (801-631-9981) for more information.

In Our Prayers –

We ask your continued prayers for Healing and Wholeness for:
Hope, Lizzy, Lori D, Thomas Ryan, Kitty, Kira, Dylan Wilcox, Ed Mentzer, Jim VanderLinden, Kimberly Gosell, Barbara Lubin, Jill L., Aunt Lou, Chuck Lamb Sr., Robert Howell, Sam, Howard, Bonnie Futch, Mary Jane Schmidt, Pat Rusk, Marlene, 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 JJ Ehlers, jrhehlers@sisna.com or call her at 435-647-0977, 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 deadline for Sunday Bulletin Announcements is NOON of the previous Wednesday. Please send them to the Church Office.

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.  Deadline is Wednesday at 12:00 noon.

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 !