SHEPHERD'S E-NEWS
SHUMC CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
Take a Moment to Stay in Touch
|
|
The church campus remains closed and the staff is working remotely from their homes. You may contact the church via telephone or email.
623-584-2280 or
church@shepherdofthehills.org
Join us for worship online at
shepherdofthehills.org
In-person worship will be resumed
when we are confident that it is safe.
Be safe out there. God is with us.
|
|
COMMUNION SUNDAY
As you prepare to worship with us this weekend, August 1 & 2, please set up a simple altar at home and provide communion elements for you and those watching with you. This could be crackers or some kind of bread, along with small glass(es) of juice.
During the service we will bless these elements and you will partake in your homes. While we will be worshiping at different times and in different spaces, our wonderful God transcends all time and space, and is with us wherever we are.
|
|
FOOD BANK COLLECTION
SHUMC is collecting non-perishable food items to support the Valley View Community Food Bank. The collection will run Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7, from
7:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
A plastic collection bin will be near the outdoor kiosk. Please place your items in the bin. Shawn will be checking the bin continuously throughout the day so the items are not left sitting in the extreme heat.
Thank you for your generosity and supporting the Valley View Food Bank.
|
|
We are grateful for your financial support, even when we cannot gather.
We invite you to check our newest way to give and see if it may be the right one for you.
Donate right from your smartphone. Giving through our GivePlus Mobile app is an easy and convenient way to donate to our church. It only takes a moment to download the app and set up an account.
1.
Download the free GivePlus (Give+) app from the App Store or Google Play.
2.
Find our church by Zip Code or by searching for Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church.
3.
Give as a Guest or set up an account.
Thank you for your generosity!
Due to our current situation, Julie will have to call you back as soon as she picks up her messages and/or emails.
|
|
Please join us in prayer for…
|
|
Our sister United Methodist Congregations:
Lakeview UMC, Sun City
Liberty UMC, Buckeye
Maranatha UMC, Phoenix
Mission Bell UMC, Glendale
|
|
PRAYER PHONE
Please call our prayer line at 623-584-2922 to hear a short prayer. Then you will be invited to leave specific prayer requests, which will be forwarded to the Prayer Team.
|
|
Shepherd's Love
Our
hearts are saddened at the news of the death of Faye Powers, on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.
Please hold in prayer her daughter, Vicki, son-in-law Roger and their family and friends during this difficult time.
There will be no local service.
Cards may be sent to:
Roger Gustafson and Vicki Powers-Gustafson
41815 La Cantera Drive
Anthem, AZ 85086
|
|
STAYING IN TOUCH WHILE WE ARE APART
|
|
JOIN US FOR COFFEE!
This Sunday, August 2 at 10:00 AM, grab a cup of coffee and join us online via ZOOM (or by phone) to spend a little time catching up.
Pastor Deborah has returned from her vacation. so pop in and say "hi."
If you have trouble logging in, call Deb Helgeson at 623-322-5816 and she will help you.
Shepherd of the Hills is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Sunday Coffee Hour!
Time: 10:00 AM Arizona time
August 2, 2020 10:00 AM
Aug 9, 2020 10:00 AM
Aug 16, 2020 10:00 AM
Aug 23, 2020 10:00 AM
Aug 30, 2020 10:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
(BY COMPUTER – can be audio only or video)
Meeting ID: 969 8515 2672
Password: 521004
BY PHONE – Audio Only
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
|
|
July 29, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of the Desert Southwest Conference,
We are learning more and more about the Coronavirus, how it spreads, who it affects, what the long-term effects are, and how to best protect ourselves. As the pandemic spreads, more of us are being impacted by the virus and the illness it causes. Not only is this pandemic taxing our medical and health systems, the impact of COVID-19 has rippling effects on our national and global economy, housing and homelessness, educational systems and much more; impacting those vulnerable and marginalized to the greatest extent.
A recent conversation with someone in one of our churches revealed that this individual believed that the coronavirus was a hoax. This person did not know anyone who had contracted COVID-19, nor did that person know anyone who had died because of it. Therefore, the logic was that this was all a hoax. Along with that pronouncement came the strong request that churches in the DSC be allowed to reopen fully for in-person worship and programming. For those of us who personally know someone who has contracted COVID-19 or someone who has died because of the disease, it is unthinkable that this pandemic would be called a “hoax.” I pray that this individual will never have to endure the suffering or the grief of coming face-to-face with COVID-19.
This is a time when we must lean on our faith to remind us that even if we cannot worship in person in our church sanctuary, we do not abandon our commitment to be in ministry, nor does God abandon us. In this time of continuing challenge, we place our trust in God’s presence with us. Let us remember that “The Lord is my strength and my might, and (God) has become my salvation; this is my God, whom I will praise and I will exalt.” (taken from Exodus 15:2)
It is important that the primary work of all the congregations in the Conference is to encourage us all to be part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic, not a part of the problem. Please collaborate with church leadership to formulate a re-opening plan and a congregational covenant. If you have not already begun this helpful process, please do so. The re-opening plan can be found
here
.
It appears that wearing a mask is making a difference in the statistics for both Nevada and Arizona. However, we have not reached the level of decline that we want to see before moving into Phase I of the Re-Opening Process. So, for the moment, we will continue our suspension of in-person worship and other gatherings with the following exceptions:
- If you have a written agreement with a third-party entity for the use of the church, you may be required legally to honor that agreement and allow for the entity to use the church campus. Please work on updating your agreements and making clear what the responsibilities for cleaning/sanitizing after use, even if the church is not meeting for worship. Please inform your District Superintendent if you have not already done so.
- Churches that want to record or livestream worship with a group of no more than 5 persons are permitted to do so. Please inform your District Superintendent if you have not already done so.
- Food pantries and clothing centers offered by the church in response to the needs of the hungry in the community may resume these ministries of caring and compassion following strict no-contact safety guidelines.
- Childcare and pre-schools may re-open following your church’s re-opening plan and CDC, state, and local guidelines. This exception includes both third-party, non-UMC as well as church-sponsored child-care and pre-schools. In order to open child-care or pre-schools, special legal issues must be considered. A legal webinar was offered and has been recorded and is available with notes. If you are interested in this material, please contact our Conference Chancellor, Marilee Miller Clarke. I am strongly suggesting that you and your team view the webinar and develop a plan for re-opening the child-care or pre-school with your church’s legal advisor. If you do not have a legal advisor, our Conference Chancellor, Marilee Miller Clarke can be consulted. There is a $300 one-time fee for her professional consultation (a UMC reduced rate).
- Churches that are interested in conducting a drive-in worship must create a plan specifically related to the drive-in worship in addition to their general plan for re-opening. Although this is not a signal for the re-opening, it is an exemption for drive-in worship where congregation members remain in their cars and there is no contact. Please contact your District Superintendent if you are interested in and for approval of this model of worship.
Several churches in areas where the incidence rate of COVID-19 is low are interested in outdoor worship with social distancing. We are studying this model and will have guidance soon.
In the meantime, we had strong encouragement from our legal advisers that we need to give serious consideration to three matters. In order to get a better grasp on the complexities of these three, our conference chancellor, Marilee Miller Clarke, will be leading a webinar. The date and time for this webinar will be announced soon. The three topics are:
- Signed waivers
- Health questionnaires
- Signage at the entrance of church property or where gatherings will be held
Again and again I assure you that the work we are doing in the midst of this pandemic will become an integral part of our being the vital and courageous church when the pandemic in over. We pray fervently for that day. And we uphold one another and keep ourselves and others safe by our actions.
My next update will be published on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. Until then, pray with me as I pray for you!
In Christ,
Bishop Bob
|
|
We will be Calling You
Is your caller ID showing calls from
515, 435, 801, 309 or 928
area codes?
Please know that it may be someone from our church’s Care Team who is looking forward to checking in with you in the next 3-4 weeks.
Pastors Alma and Stephanie, our Parish Nurse, Esther Vallet, Congregational Care Coordinator, Kathy Culliton, our Lay Leader, Carolyn Hicklin and members of the Care Team callers, (Don and Mary Giese, Patty O'Neal,
Pat Caster, Pam Rice, Joyce Rapp and Julie Killebrew), are on a mission to get in touch with a large number of congregants.
If you have not been contacted in the past 1-2 months by a member of our team, or one of our caller volunteers, your name will be on their list.
In case you are not able to answer their call, they will leave a message (if allowed) letting you know who they are, how much we love you and when they may try to contact you again.
We hope you are as excited as they are, as they get ready to take this opportunity to hear your voice, pray with you over the phone and tell you
how much we miss you.
Be safe, stay well.
|
|
The "
Crazy Monday"
feature is getting rave reviews! So many people look forward to "what will it be this week?"
Please send in your photos of hobbies, crafts, vacation pictures, etc. Everyone loves to see them.
Thank you to everyone who has sent in photos of the great things you have been doing.
Every Monday we will feature a person or group showing us what keeps them entertained during quarantine.
All you need to do is send an email with an attachment to:
Subject Line - Crazy Monday
Questions: Call Carolyn Hicklin at 515-979-2861.
We look forward to seeing what everyone has been doing!
|
|
Sandwich Making
Your donations and sandwich making continue to make a difference in the life of the homeless seniors that seek shelter and services at the Justa Center. Thank you for your support of this ministry. Special thank you this week to the Wednesday sandwich makers, Don and Diane Schroetlin, Marlene Northup, Bryan and Margaret McIntyre and Patty O’Neal.
If you would like to make sandwiches on Wednesday, August 5, at 9 AM, please contact Pam Rice at 801-540-6573 or
pamean@MSN.com
We also accept donations of peanut butter and jelly. Please bring them to the outside bench at the church office during the hours that Shawn is there …before 1 PM. (Some of us prefer the creamy peanut butter because it spreads easier and faster!!)
|
|
LIFE CHANGING BIBLE STUDY
This weekly Bible study will be held via Zoom every Thursday at 1:30. Please join in whenever you are available.
We will use the “Life Journal” which identifies scripture readings for each day of the week. Journals are available at the church. They are on the bench in front of the glass sliding doors or at
https://www.liferesources.cc
.
It’s okay if you don’t have one. We will give you the daily scriptures.
We will read the passage together and then each of us will do the following:
S
- Identify which scripture verse spoke to you.
O
- What is your observation for this verse - what does it mean to you?
A
- How can you apply the meaning to your life?
P
- Pray that God will help you change based on your application of the verse.
Following our group study, everyone is encouraged to read the scripture daily and do SOAP in a journal. During the course of our time together, you can share any meaningful passages.
The most important or life changing aspect of this study, is that we get into the habit of reading the Word daily. If you can't make a Zoom session, it is okay. Unlike an ongoing Bible Study, you just pick up the next time you attend.
A reminder email will be sent Thursday morning with the link to join the bible study group.
Hope you will join us!
|
|
HOLDING UP YOUR CORNER:
Talking about Race in Your Community
Book Discussion
On Wednesday, August 5, at 3:30 PM, we will continue with discussing Chapter 4 of
Holding Up Your Corner.
Holding Up Your Corner
is written by Dr. Rev. J. Willis Johnson. Pastor Johnson had his “clarion call” or awakening to the realization that everything had not been alright the evening when he heard chanting and hollering outside on his quiet street. This was August 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, and the Wellspring Church and his home were “bookends” to the Ferguson Police station. He stepped out of his home and that was the first step on his journey toward addressing racial injustice.
The author challenges people of faith to “grapple” with complexity of taking on injustice from a Christ centered perspective. The challenge to each of us is to determine what role we can play in our area, our community to address injustice.
Everyone is welcome to join the discussion. There are a few books still available on the bench outside of the church and the book is also available on Kindle.
To Join the Zoom Meeting, click on the link below.
To Access the Meeting by Phone:
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
You may be asked to enter the meeting ID and Password
Meeting ID: 956 1252 4943
Password: 842373
|
|
Dear Rev. Lerner,
Just a note to let you know that the members of the Desert Southwest Conference Health and Caring Committee are praying for you and your congregation. We know the past few months have been a very trying time for everyone. We are praying for good health and centering on what God wants from each of us. Keep a smile in your heart and God Bless.
Your Brother in Christ,
Howard G. Guetherman
|
|
WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE WEEKLY
|
|
If you are on our contact list:
We will send you an email Saturday afternoon containing a link to the worship service. When you open this email, you will see a picture with a triangle over the picture. Click the triangle, and the video will begin to play.
If you are not receiving these emails and wish to,
please contact the office to add your email address.
Click the triangle above the date you want to watch.
If you are a Facebook user, find it posted on either our Shepherd of the Hills page and/or the Shepherd Hills Facebook account. Click the triangle.
Please watch, then forward to a friend or two.
We are trying out a new registration attendance form.
Click the link in the email labeled
Online Attendance Card
and
let us know that you are worshiping with us.
|
|
MISSION CANDLE
During this time when we are unable to worship together, please know that your request to have a Mission Candle will be honored. It will be mentioned at the beginning of the worship service that we record each week.
Please call the office or email us to set this up. The cost is $15 per request. The Mission Candle can be dedicated to anyone to celebrate a birthday or anniversary or in memory of someone special. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
|
|
MONETARY DONATION
TO FOOD BANKS
Give hope to your neighbors in need. $1 helps provide enough food for 7 meals. Your donation is 100% deductible and may qualify for the
Arizona Charitable Tax Credit.
You may also donate on behalf
of your business by clicking
HERE
.
If you have questions, or would like to donate by phone,
call (602) 242-FOOD.
|
|
Click on the link below to see Hospice of the Valley's web page and the Zoom link for the Thursday, August 6, 2020 discussion
at 2:00 PM.
|
|
FACE MASKS DESPERATELY NEEDED FOR NAVAJO NATION
Rev. Evelene Sombrero Navarette is now serving as Director of the Four Corners Native American Ministry in Shiprock, New Mexico. She will distribute donated face masks as received.
Mail them to Rev. Navarette
Four Corners NA Ministry
P.O. Box 400
Shiprock, NM 87420
|
|
Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church
13658 W. Meeker Blvd.
Sun City West, AZ 85375
623-584-2280
|
|
Pastor on Call for Emergencies: 623-584-7642
Prayer Line: 623-584-2922
|
|
We are counting on your financial support, even when we cannot gather. You can give in many ways:
a.
Mail a check to the office: 13658 W Meeker Blvd, Sun City West, AZ 85375 or drop your gift through the mail slot in the left side of the glass sliding doors.
b.
Go to the website at
www.shepherdofthehills.org
and click on the ONLINE GIVING tab. You will be guided through several choices for your giving.
d.
Call Julie Calvert, our Financial Secretary, and leave a message. She will return your call to set up regular online giving or to make a gift with credit or debit card by phone.
e.
Add Shepherd of the Hills to your list of payees for bill pay from your checking account through your bank. This can be set up for weekly or monthly gifts to the church.
f. Donate right from your smartphone through our GivePlus Mobile app. Here is what you have to do:
1. Download the free GivePlus (Give+) app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Find our church by Zip Code or by searching for Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church.
3. Give as a Guest or set up an account.
Thank you for your generosity!
Due to our current situation, Julie will have to call you back as soon as she picks up her messages and/or emails.
|
|
Shepherd of the Hills
United Methodist Church
13658 W Meeker Blvd
Sun City West, AZ 85375-3700
Website: www.shepherdofthehills.org
Email:church@shepherdofthehills.org
Office: 623-584-2280
FAX: 623-584-1868
|
|
Pastor-On-Call for Emergencies:
623-584-7642
Prayer Requests:
623-584-2922
Partners in Prayer: prayers@shepherdofthehills.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
