SHEPHERD'S E-NEWS
SHUMC CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
Take a Moment to Stay in Touch
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OFFICE HOURS & CHURCH USE |
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The church office and library are now open with limited hours:
The office is open to the public from 10:00 AM until 12:00 on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
The library is open to the public from 9:00 AM until 12:00 on Tuesday mornings.
Masks and social distancing are required. Guidelines to use the library are posted outside, with a limit of one person at a time in the library.
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MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TO ATTEND OUTDOOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP ON PALM SUNDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY
Register for our Palm Sunday and Easter services, in-person and outdoors, with a maximum of 100 in attendance per service.
We will hold services at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00. The 9:30 and 11:00 services are at or near full capacity, but there are still seats available at the 8:00 AM service both days.
If you register and later find you are unable to attend, please click the link again to cancel your registration, so that someone else can come in your place.
These services will require masks and social distancing and we will be very careful to keep everyone safe.
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In-person worship will begin with
outdoor services at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM
on Sunday, March 28, 2021.
Be safe out there. God is with us.
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SERMONS BY PHONE
Our weekend services, in a slightly shortened version, will be available by phone on Saturday
at 3:30 PM. Please share this news with friends who are not able to join us online or via DVD.
Simply call 1-623-223-9151.
The service will begin playing immediately.
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If you are on our email 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.
Click the link in the email labeled Online Attendance Card and
let us know that you are worshiping with us.
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The Mission Candle shines this week
to honor Mike P., on what would have been his 90th birthday on March 25. With love, from his wife, Peggy and their family.
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 during the worship service that we record each week.
Please note: The price to light the Mission Candle has increased to a minimum donation of $20.00. The cost has been the same since the program's inception in 1995. Through your generosity, the UMW will be able to raise more funds and allow the opportunity to help support approximately 13 local charities.
The Mission Candle can be dedicated to anyone to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, honor or in memory of someone special. Please call or email the office to set this up.
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Please join us in prayer for… |
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Our sister United Methodist Congregations:
City Square UMC, Phoenix
Community Church of Buckeye
Dove of the Desert UMC, Glendale
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INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Everyone prays to God for help in their time of need. Everyone prays to God to help others.
During this time of isolation when we are unable to gather and pray together, Bill and Linda White, our Prayer Ministers, will pray with you over the phone. Feeling the need to pray, and hearing a voice pray with you, does not run on a scheduled day or hour. You do not have to give your name or the detailed reason for your prayer request.
Bill and Linda are available any time YOU feel the need for prayer. If they do not answer, please leave your telephone number and your name (optional) and they will return your call. All calls will be kept confidential. This is between you and God, with Bill and Linda White as Intercessors.
Bill & Linda W.
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LEAVE A PRAYER REQUEST
On Our Prayer Line
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.
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Holy Week Services
March 27-28 Palm Sunday Services
Virtual Service available Saturday at 3:30
In-person services in the Courtyard 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM
with pre-registration by March 26
April 2 Good Friday Service
Virtual Service available by 4 PM
April 3-4 Easter Weekend Services
Virtual service available Saturday at 3:30
In-person services in the Courtyard 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM
with pre-registration by April 2
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40 Days of Scriptures and Prayers for Lent
For this Lenten season, we want to provide you with a new scripture each day of the 40 days of Lent, as well as suggested prayer topics and prayers for each of those days.
If we have your email address, you will receive every day during Lent, a reminder of the topic, a scripture verse and prayer for the day. Otherwise, you will be receiving it via regular mail. These spiritual resources are offered to you as more than one way to reflect and connect with the story of Lent, as well as the God of Lent this year.
With Short Daily Prayers for Lent you can choose to join in prayers already written and available so you can offer them to God as yours.
With 40 days to Pray by Topic you can opt for elaborating your own prayer using the topic offered for the day.
With 40 Lent Scriptures to Draw Near to God you may want to meditate and/or pray with the scripture verse as your starting point.
And of course, you can also choose a combination of these resources we found for you, in any way that better fits your prayer routine during Lent.
How powerful it will be knowing that all the congregants of our church are in prayer each day and letting the scripture of the day speak to them. Amazing things happen when we pray and we thank you for being a part of this prayer ministry. May you be blessed by this endeavor during Lent.
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WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT & HOPE
ON HOLD FOR LENTEN SEASON
The bi-weekly Words of Encouragement are on hold during Lent so we can focus on our spiritual renewal daily using the prayers and scriptures provided during the Lenten season.
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DEADLINE TO TURN IN EASTER ARTWORK
IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31
We have so many talented artists in the church!
The completed artwork that has been turned into the office is really beautiful!
The deadline is Wednesday, March 31 to have your original pieces of Easter artwork in the office so that they can be prepared to be hung in the trees for the Easter services.
The blue folders are on the cement bench near the glass sliding doors of the church lobby. There are six patterns to choose from. When you are done decorating them, return them to the office through the mail slot, or leave them in one of the plastic bins. Jodi will check the bins throughout the day.
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2021 Order Form
for Easter Honorariums
$10.00 per Honorarium
For Easter, you may purchase an honorarium
in memory of, or in honor of, loved ones.
The proceeds will benefit Circle The City. This is a mobile clinic that serves the homeless population who are so affected by the pandemic at different levels.
Deadline is next Friday, March 26.
Donor (s): _____________________________________
Your choice for entry on the Easter publication:
In Honor of _____________________________________
In Memory of __________________________________
To The Glory of God ___________________________
(Put Donor name(s) here)
A printed list of the honorariums will be sent via email on Good Friday. Printed copies will be available in the plastic bin on the bench by the church doors.
Please make your check payable to: SHUMC
(Shepherd of the Hills UMC)
And in the Memo: “Easter Honors”
Please place your check and this filled out form in an envelope
marked “Easter Honors.”
Blank forms are available from the plastic bins on the bench by the office door.
Place it in the mailbox outside the church office door
or mail it to the office.
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ZOOM LINKS FOR MEETINGS AND CLASSES |
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MEETINGS AND ZOOM LINKS
Every time a committee, class or bible study has a meeting, the office will send out a meeting reminder on the morning of the meeting day, along with the Zoom link and any attachments (such as an agenda, etc).
For meetings or classes with an open invitation to join in, the notice and the link are located in this section of the E-News every week.
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This will be the last coffee hour
(at this day and time)
due to the start-up
of in-person worship services.
COFFEE HOUR WILL MEET
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 21
AT 10:00 AM
(Then watch for announcements
of new day and time)
Call the office to get the link sent to your email.
Topic: Weekly Coffee Hour
Time: March 21, 2021 10:00 AM Arizona
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LIFE CHANGING BIBLE STUDY
The weekly Bible Study has resumed and meets on Thursdays, at 1:30 PM. We hope you will join us!
The Bible Study is held via Zoom. The link is provided below.
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 door or at https://www.liferesources.cc. It's okay if you don't have one. We will give you the daily scriptures. A reminder email will be sent Thursday morning with the link to join the bible study group. If you have any questions, please contact Pat B.or Diana K.
Topic: Life Changing Bible Study
Time: March 25, 2021 01:30 PM Arizona
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BOOK CLUB
The Book Club meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:30 AM. The link to join the discussion is listed below. Each book listed looks very interesting and the club hopes you enjoy them. Everyone is welcome to participate.
April 15 - Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. This book is a story about eight strangers who are held hostage during a failed bank robbery. During the hours of waiting, these people discover they all have anxiety and many other traits in common. Backman writes about ordinary people with feeling and humor.
Topic: Book Club
Time: April 15, 2021 09:30 AM Arizona
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STAYING IN TOUCH WHILE WE ARE APART |
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Church Wide Calling
March 22 - April 4th
The Care Ministry staff and volunteers will be calling our church family from March 22 - April 4th. You may receive calls from different area codes, voice messages and/or emails from volunteers of the care ministries, so be aware this is a SHUMC project, not a solicitor.
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VOTE FOR OUR CHURCH!!
Help to make us #1
Shepherd of the Hills UMC has been nominated for the Stars of Sun City West Contest/Best Places to Worship. You can vote for restaurants, doctors, churches, etc. Let's make SHUMC #1! Persons can vote by going online at:
We are in 2nd place, as of this writing, with 40 votes. Click on the link below:
1.This link will open on the Independent Newspaper page.
2.There is a gray banner running across the page.
3.Click on the Stars of Sun City West (near the right side end). This will take you to the page to vote.
4.Scroll down to the bottom for Places of Worship....you can vote or view results.
If you need assistance, please call the church office at 623-584-2280.
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PAY ATTENTION when you read the Bible!
The Bible is complex, beautiful and powerful. As Pastor Deborah noted in her sermon, we can learn to read the Bible not just for information, but also for spiritual formation and a closer walk with God.
When you read the Bible you can find meaning in the scriptures and hear God’s “personal message” to you for that moment in time. Paying attention to His message will enhance your spiritual growth.
Pastor Deborah facilitated a class, “Life Changing Bible Study,” during which she taught us how to use the Life Journal process as a simple way to hear God’s message during our daily scripture reading. Many of us have continued in the discipline and enthusiastically endorse the process.
Currently, a weekly Bible study using the Life Journal is offered via Zoom on Thursdays at 1:30. We welcome anyone who is interested to join us. Let us or Jodi know of your interest.
If our time does not work for you, yet you would like to begin this study with a small group, please let us know and we will help you make that happen.
Watch for future testimonials of the impact the group has had on individual participants.
Blessings,
Pat B. & Diana K.
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An invitation from
United Methodist Women
to join them in creating Easter Baskets
The United Methodist Women will be giving Easter baskets to the Valley View Food Bank children and “A Mighty Change of Heart,” organization (a program for Arizona’s foster children).
If you would like to shop and fill a basket, you can pick up the list of recommended items from a folder kept in the plastic bin on the bench outside the church office. The cellophane to wrap the baskets can be purchased at Michaels. We are also accepting monetary donations that we will use to purchase already made-up baskets.
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We are asking that you make your checks out to the church (SHUMC) and on the memo line put “Easter Baskets.” This way Julie can keep track of your gifts and donations for tax purposes. Please mail your checks to the church or drop them in the mail slot in the sliding glass doors. These instructions are different from the previous announcement.
Please plan to bring your basket(s) to the church by Friday, March 26. If you have questions, please call Sandy B.. Thank you for helping us bring joy to children this spring.
Blessings,
The UMW Team
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Sandwich Making for Justa Center
Thank you for your continuing support of the Justa Center ministry to homeless seniors in Phoenix. We have been very diligent in our sandwich making commitment.
We meet in-person (limit of 10) for sandwich making in Fellowship Hall on Monday, March 22 at 9:00 AM. Please call Pam R. to reserve a spot.
Special thanks to Ken P. who is our Justa Center sandwich courier.
We continue to accept donations of peanut butter and jelly. Please bring them to the outside bench at the church office before 1 PM. If you have questions about this service opportunity, please call or text Pam R.
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MISSIONS COMMITTEE NEEDS
Although everything has changed in our lives this year, some things remain the same. The need for warm clothing, gloves, socks and food are still needed for those in our community. Monetary donations are always welcome. Send the money to the church, addressed to Julie Calvert, and note which group the money is to go to. We can shop for you or order things online.
Missions (UMOM): UMOM has contacted the Missions Committee regarding their need for Bibles. (See article below).
Mats for the Homeless? Anyone interested in learning how to crochet mats for the homeless? If so, contact Pam Rice.
ONGOING We always need creamy peanut butter and jelly, lunch bags and sandwich baggies for the Justa Center Sandwich Program. Sandwiches are made from volunteer's homes at this time due to the pandemic. If you would like to help, call, text or email Pam R. We take 40-60 loaves of sandwiches each week to the Center. Thank you to the diligent workers who volunteer. We could not do this without YOU!
Thank you for your generosity.
Missions Committee
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COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES & INFORMATION |
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If You are Struggling to Get an Appointment for COVID Vaccine:
(Either first or second dose)
You can call 480-573-0332. This will connect you to someone from the Arizona Department of Health Services who will assist you.
Don’t be discouraged by the initial statements about no appointments being available. Eventually you will hear something like this: “If you are 65 or older and do not have access to a computer…or if you are 65 or older and would like some special assistance…..” All you have to do is wait, and eventually someone will assist you.
These assistants have access to a different kind of appointment system than is available online.
Other important contact information if you have not already tried them:
By Esther Vallet, Parish Nurse.
1-844-542-8201 AZ State Health Department website designated to assist those who do not have computer access to get registered for an appointment. Press 8 for an operator.
602-542-1000 (Monday-Friday 8am -5pm) For tech support but also helpful in securing an appointment. podvaccine.azdhs.gov is the site to register for an appointment at the State Farm Stadium and other state vaccination sites.
1-833-509-0908 to make an appointment for the Covid vaccine shot.
14300 W. Granite Valley Road, Sun City West, AZ
(across the street from Del Webb Hospital)
The main ingredient in this process is perseverance because Arizona receives weekly allotments which they dispense to the counties sites for vaccinations.
We know this can be a frustrating process for many and we encourage you to keep trying. You may find a piece of information shared here helpful, but if you feel you are at the end of your rope, don’t hesitate to give your church a call. We may find someone with time to walk with you through this process.
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The Cross
How has the cross impacted your life?
A visual reminder of how Christ died for us.
Send your photos of crosses that you have in your homes,
seen or purchased on trips or
you have seen in the media that touched your spirit. Send to:
church@shepherdofthehills.org
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BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
If you would like to have your name and birth month and day printed in the monthly newsletter, please send the information to Jodi. We need your permission in order to print your name.
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SEND US A POSTCARD
We realize many of you cannot get pictures to us, so we invite you to send us a postcard – a brief note to the church by email, or on the special “Postcard” section of your attendance/registration card.
We will put all your “postcards” together and send them out as part of Crazy Monday Photos and Postcards. It’s just another way we can stay connected, even when we cannot see each other. We love to hear from you. Send us a postcard this week.
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LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
Several members and friends of Shepherd of the Hills Church volunteer at St. Mary's Food Bank on the third Thursday of each month.
The food bank is located at 13050
W. Elm Street, near the corner of Bell and Dysart roads, behind the DMV.
Donated food comes in bags and boxes and our task is to sort it into big bins in the warehouse. No heavy lifting is required, but some walking is involved. Up to 10 people can be in the sorting area. Everyone must wear a mask (bring your own or they will be provided) and remember to stay at least 6 feet of distance apart. Gloves will be provided. Wear a name tag and closed-toe shoes. For more information contact Becky F.
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JUSTA CENTER NEEDS YOU!
Click on the link below to see how you can help the Justa Center in providing for the homeless seniors.
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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.
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To see our current calendar, please click on the link below:
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Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church
13658 W. Meeker Blvd.
Sun City West, AZ 85375
623-584-2280
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Pastor on Call for Emergencies: 623-584-7642
Prayer Line: 623-584-2922
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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.
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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
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Pastor-On-Call for Emergencies:
623-584-7642
Prayer Requests:
623-584-2922
Partners in Prayer: prayers@shepherdofthehills.org
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