%@ Language=JavaScript %>
News and Updates at
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (ELCA)
Home
Dear Friends,
Alan and I have just returned from an amazing trip to the Holy Land.
It’s been a long time dream of mine to visit the land where Jesus lived
while here on earth and to see in person the places we’ve read about in the
Bible for so many years.
The trip was sponsored by Bright Stars of Bethlehem. The mission of Bright Stars of Bethlehem is to assure that Christianity in
the Holy Land survives and thrives by seeding and providing support to Christmas
Lutheran Church ministries in Bethlehem to provide hope, healing and education
to the Christian community that is quickly disappearing from the Holy Land.
Alan and I didn’t realize until we were in Bethlehem that the make up
of the community is now 80% Muslim and less than 20% Christian.
Pastor Mitri Raheb of Christmas Lutheran has done a remarkable job of
helping to keep the message of Christ’s love and forgiveness alive in this
place. One of our most memorable
moments of the trip was when we sang “O Little Town of Bethlehem” while in
worship at Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem, Palestine.
We look forward to sharing more about our trip and some of the many
pictures we took at a time to be announced soon.
It takes a while to organize all the photos we took!
Now we’re back in full swing here at Shepherd of the Valley.
On February 22, the season of Lent will begin.
Please see the full Lenten schedule elsewhere in this newsletter,
including information about our Ash Wednesday services and our mid-week suppers
during Lent.
As we continue this journey toward Lent and ultimately toward Easter, I hope
we can all be reminded daily of the teachings of Jesus.
Recently in church we heard the mandate to become “fishers of
people”. Please prayerfully
consider how you could invite someone you know to come hear the Good News of
Christ and of his love and forgiveness for all.
In Christ,
Pastor Wold
Shepherd News and Happenings
In
our prayers:
Harold
Wilson, hospitalized but now home, Liz Holden; Ann Honer, recovering from knee
replacement surgery; Marian Kressly, sister-in-law of Neva Abel who is under the
care of Hospice, and Alice
Persaud who is diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Our
sympathy to Ron and Joyce Hunt and family on the death of Ron’s sister,
Delores Hunt, who passed away in January.
Hospitality
Table Can
you please take a moment to sign up to bring treats and serve at the hospitality
table? Please remember, you may turn in your receipt for reimbursement. Get
together with a friend to split the fun!
Educational
Opportunities at Shepherd of the Valley
¨ Bible Study at Peterson Meadows, on Wednesdays,
from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. with wonderful fellowship and treats.
(See complete article below.)
¨ Sunday School is held each Sunday, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
¨ Adult Forum is held each Sunday, from
9:30-10:30 a.m.
¨ Confirmation Class is held once a month with Saturday classes from 9-12
noon.
Bible Study at Peterson Meadows, Bible Study is held every Wednesday,
from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at Peterson Meadows on Newburg Rd.
Come join us for an hour of Bible study, treats and fellowship for adult
men and women! The setting is informal and discussion with input from
participants is only by choice.
YEAR END STATEMENTS OF GIVING for tax purposes are available to pick up from the table next to the
sanctuary. If possible, please pick
them up to avoid postage costs. Also,
please check to see if you have picked up your 2012 offering envelopes.
Please help us get these to the right people.
Rummage Sale is coming!
Friday and Saturday, April 20-21st! Start
saving your items for the sale. You may start bringing your items April
9th and put them in Moline Hall. If you have any questions, please call
Kristen Spangler, 815-871-5255.
Lenten Schedule
Wednesday,
Feb. 22 Ash Wednesday
7:00
a.m. Breakfast/Worship Service
Wednesday
Feb. 29:
6:00 p.m.
Lenten Supper
6:00 p.m. Lenten Supper
Wednesday Mar. 14:
6:00 p.m. Lenten Supper
Wednesday Mar. 21:
6:00 p.m. Lenten Supper
Wednesday Mar. 28:
6:00
p.m. Lenten Supper
Thursday, April
5: Maundy Thursday
7:00 p.m. Service of Holy Communion
Friday, April 6
Good Friday
7:00 p.m. Tenebrae
Service
Sunday, April 8
Easter Sunday, 8:15 & 10:45 services
9:15-10:30
am. Easter Breakfast
![]() |
Senior
Luncheon, Tuesday, February 28 at noon.
Bring a can of either chicken or beef base soup. Also, sign up at
the Kiosk to bring either bread, salad or dessert. Beverage and paper
products will be provided. Following the lunch, a speaker from the Center
for Learning in Retirement at Rock Valley College will share how CLR
promotes lifelong learning through classes, trips, social events, fitness
programs and much more! Do something new in 2012 |
6410
East State St., and 1810 Harlem Rd., Loves Park. A hearty nutritious meal served
in a welcoming setting every Monday through Friday, from 7:30 to 10:30 am. Each
meal provides one-third of the recommended daily allowances for those 60 and
older. How does it work? Seniors 60 and older, along with their spouses,
can choose whatever they want from six available menus. The meals are fresh and
prepared to order. Dine-in only. Carry-outs are not included in this program. How
much does it cost? For those 60-plus and spouses, it’s a suggested $2.50
donation. If you are under 60, you pay full price for the meal. It’s easy!
Preschool at Shepherd of the Valley:
Registration for children, ages 3-4 of church
members will begin January 9 for the 2012-2013 school year. There is a
discount for church members. If you are thinking about preschool for your
child/children, this would be a good time to register because registration will
be open to the public on February 6, 2012. This is a Christian program. The four
year olds meet in the morning on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The three year
olds meet in the morning on Tuesday and Thursday. Our preschool is fully
licensed by the state. For more information, please call the pre-school at
815-397-5880.
Shepherd
of the Valley Helping Hands Fund Most
of our members are aware that in the past couple of years our congregation has
generously helped with members or staff that have faced financial hardships due
to medical related issues.
We have now set up a
fund that would help others through
financial hardships at other times as well.
With today’s current economic climate, it is no surprise that many
people are having to watch their financial situations closely. This fund would
give the Pastor the ability to provide gift cards to those needing some small
assistance, for such things as groceries or gas to ease the
burden while they get back on their feet. This will be an ongoing fund
that you can contribute to at any time. Please write Helping Hands in the memo
section of your check or on the envelope. Please think about giving a yearly one
time gift to help establish and keep this account going. Thank you.
|
|
Lenten
materials
are displayed on the library table in the narthex. Please write
your name on the library card and leave it in the box provided. |
Do
you grocery shop at Logli or Hilander?
If so, why not pick up an eScrip card and at
no cost to you give back a percentage to SVLC.
These cards are available in the Narthex.
Follow the directions on the card to activate the card, or if you need
help, phone the church office at 815-399-5503 and we will be glad to help you!
Donate your old car – help others – you
receive a tax deduction! It’s fast, it’s easy and it
requires only one initial contact! Cars For Help will take care of the rest.
Cars For Help, a 501c3 not-for-profit charity is working together with Lutheran
World Relief to help people in need. If
you would like to donate your vehicle, or just have questions, please call
630-595-9272 or visit them on the web at www.carsforhelp.com.
Outreach
Activities
¨ College/Youth Ministry keep our college/university students in our prayers. Their pictures and
college information is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. We are
thankful to be given the opportunity to serve nine of our members who are
currently attending a college/university either away from home or here in
Rockford.
College students can be added to
the ministry at any time of the year.
¨ Please take a minute to sign up at the hospitality table. You may serve after the 1st or 2nd service or both.
¨ The next Outreach Committee meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 12, 2012 after the 2nd service in the
Library.
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY IS FEB. 5th, with our youth taking over worship
at both services, doing everything from greeting people at the door to providing
the gospel story and sharing music with the congregation.
Please remember to bring an extra dollar (or two) with you to worship on
Souper Bowl Sunday. Our youth will
be stationed at sanctuary exits to receive donations to fight hunger –
locally. Every dollar collected in
the soup pots will go directly to the Rock River Valley Food Pantry here in
Rockford.
HELP
IS NEEDED FOR SOUP KITCHEN SUNDAY AT EMMANUEL MISSION HOUSE. Date:
Sunday, Feb. 12 : 1st
Shift: 7:30-9am, 2nd shift:
9 am-10:30 am for cooks; 1st shift:10:30-noon, 2nd shift: Noon-1:30 for
servers. Please check the kiosk for
complete information or contact Rhoda Fox 815-397-8144.
![]() |
Youth/Souper Bowl Sunday
February 5th is the date for the 2012 Souper Bowl of Caring.
Souper Bowl Sunday will see the youth take over worship at both
services, doing everything from greeting people at the door, providing the
gospel story, music, etc. Confirmation Class will be held on
Sat. February 11th from 9-noon
at SVLC. |
The 2012 Flower Calendar is posted next to the
Secretary’s Office. Please feel free to sign up for your special dates.
Sunday, February 19 at 2 pm, Court Street United Methodist Church
will present Music (violin and piano). Performance will include: Norman
Lloyd’s Three Pieces for Violin & Piano, movie themes by John Williams, and Sonatina, Opus 100, by Dvorak. Court St. Methodist is located at 215 N. Court St. A
Free will donation will be collected.
A Candidate forum will be held Sunday, February 19 at 2 pm at First Presbyterian Church (N. Main & Park Ave.) State Candidates (representatives & senatorial) will be discussing current issues and questions from the audience.
Becca’s Closet Fundraiser
at Skateland Saturday,
February 18, from 4:30-6:30 pm; admission $3.50 ($1.75 of each admission will
be donated to Becca’s Closet). Skates:$1.50,
speed or inline skates: $3. Skateland Family Meal Deal Specials: $12.25 whole
cheese pizza/pitcher of soda. $1.85 slice of pizza, 8 oz. Soda.
Mardi Gras, February 21, 2012
“Fat Tuesday” All you can eat Swedish pancakes, $6.00, 9
am-1 pm; $3 for children. Includes Swedish pancakes, sausage, lingonberries,
butter, milk, juice or coffee.
Rockford Area Lutherans will “Dine at Denali’s for
(Habitat) Dollars!”
Rockford,
IL - Rockford Area Lutheran congregations are invited to “Dine for (Habitat)
Dollars” at Denali’s Pizza. Denali’s, located
at the corner of Alpine and Newburg Roads, has graciously agreed to donate 15% of
one’s total bill (before taxes) to help raise funds for this year’s Rockford
Lutheran Habitat House.
The fundraiser is
especially important this year since the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity
Chapter has recently been awarded
a $34,815 Thrivent
Builds grant. This Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans’ commitment
To help Denali’s efficiently serve large numbers of people, each congregation has been assigned one Monday and one Tuesday. SVLC’ date is Monday, March 12 & Tuesday, March 13 for dining in or for carry-out orders, coupons will be available at each church. Coupons will be honored between 11 am and 9 pm for March 12 & March 13 only.
Congregational Resource Event
at Kiswaukee College in Malta on March 10, 2012. The speaker will be Reverend
Jeff Marian, the topic is: Seeds Grow Fruit - From God's
Story to Our Story . Pastor Jeff served as an associate pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in
Loves Park, Illinois from 1987-1994. He currently serves as Lead Pastor at
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN. There are over 50 workshops to pick from—enough to meet
everyone’s learning needs! If you
register before March 1, the cost is $17.00 per person and includes lunch. After
March 1, the cost is $22 per person and lunch may not be provided.
![]() |
Hours
of Operation: Katie’s Choice Book Club, all are
invited to engage in conversation about books of interest to you.
Books are available for purchase at Katie’s Cup or bring your own
copy. There is no cost or pre-registration needed. Please call RALM at
815-962-4279 for any information. The Katie's Choice Book Club meets the third Monday
evening of every
month at 7 pm as well as the following Thursday
morning at 10 am. |
January 2012
statistics (based on the four weeks):
¨ average weekly
worship attendance: 154.
¨ average weekly
contributions: current & benevolence $4,653
and building fund $391.
| Financial results as of December 2011 and Year To Date totals | |||||
| C & B | C & B | C & B YTD | C & B YTD | ||
| Actual | Budget | Actual | Budget | ||
| Income | $21,873.44 | $23,990.50 | $202,637.15 | $203,384.00 | |
| Expense | $19,392.76 | $17,984.06 | $222,250.63 | $212,719.22 | |
| Inc/exp | $2,480.68 | $6,006.44 | -$19,613.48 | -$9,335.22 | |
| plus offsets | $3,073.90 | $2,845.00 | $22,338.31 | $7,750.00 | |
| plus interest | $2.83 | $4.25 | $33.12 | $50.00 | |
| Net income | $5,557.41 | $8,855.69 | $2,757.95 | -$1,535.22 | |
| 12/31/11 | 11/30/11 | ||||
| C&B balance | $4,022.11 | ($1,615.30) | |||
| Building | Building | Bld YTD | Bld YTD | ||
| Actual | Budget | Actual | Budget | ||
| Income | 1,889.00 | 1,900.00 | 25,559.50 | 23,386.00 | |
| Expense | $2,063.20 | $2,078.20 | 22,914.84 | 25,438.40 | |
| Net inc/exp | -$174.20 | -$178.20 | $2,644.66 | -$2,052.40 | |
| 12/31/11 | 11/30/11 | ||||
| Building fund balance | $21,341.22 | $21,515.42 | |||
| Please note: Financials run one month behind in the bulletin | |||||
| Also note: The total bill for the new AC/Heat units for Moline and the | |||||
| Narthax totaled $13780.00 and $13184.00 has been collected | |||||
| as of December 31, 2011 | |||||
If you have questions, please feel free to
contact any member of the church council or Phil Smalley, church treasurer.
Please
note that financials run one month behind.
Worship
Services
|
|
|
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Ash
Wednesday Morning
Breakfast and Worship at 7 am Evening
Lenten Worship at 7 pm |
Sunday, February 26, 2012 Worship w/Communion 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday
School & Adult Forum at
9:30-10:30 am |