Thrivent Group Donates to Friends of the Library

Updated August 22, 2010, 2010

Our Thrivent group recently presented a check for $600 from Thrivent Financial for the Friends of the Library. The group helped the library with their recent book sale.

Jesus and the Gospel

Updated February 21, 2010

Starting Sunday February 28 we will embark on our latest of the Learning Company series, "Jesus and the Gospels.", a far-ranging course.

It examines not only the canonical Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John familiar to us from the New Testament, but also the many other, apocryphal narratives and literary works that have contributed to our perceptions of Jesus, Mary, and Christianity. All of these works are encompassed by the word "Gospel."

Professor Luke Timothy Johnson attempts to show us the human Jesus underlying the many portraits we have. He approaches the Gospels and our perceptions of Jesus from a different perspective than the popular quest for the "historical Jesus."

Professor Johnson asserts that the portrait of Jesus addressed by such an approach, legitimate and compelling though such an approach may be, leads to questions that are virtually "impossible to answer satisfactorily" through proper historical methods.

"It is, after all, as literature that the Gospels influenced history. And it is through literature that present-day readers can continue to encounter Jesus," he says. "It has never been the historical Jesus who has served as the motivating force for anything, except during his lifetime, but rather the Jesus who is inscribed in these Gospels."

Professor Johnson, who spent nine years as a Benedictine monk, is one of his field's most distinguished and famous scholars. He is the author of 20 books and several hundred articles and reviews, and has been repeatedly honored for his teaching skills. At Emory University, he has twice received the "On Eagle's Wings Excellence in Teaching" award. In these 30 minute video lectures, presented with passion, a scholar's attention to nuance, and a delightful sense of humor, he considers not only what is being said, but how it is being said. And because these narratives were born of an oral tradition, he often reads aloud to best convey their full richness and original meanings.

Classes are held each Sunday at 9:15, Tuesday at noon (brown bag), and on Wednesday evening after services (about 7:45 p.m.). All are invited. Bring a guest. The class meets in the sanctuary.

New Council Members Selected

Updated February 6, 2010

Diane Bursey, Dennis Wick, Dee Shields, and Rachel Jeppesen were elected to the church council at last week's congregational meeting. Laura Dilley will replace Ken Felt as council president. Ken's term on council expired. Other positions and officers will be announced after this month's council meeting. Members were installed on Sunday, February 7.

New Organ Purchased

Updated January 27, 2009

Ed Frame, Director of Music, has announced that our organ fund drive was successful and has raised enough money to purchase the new organ. It is now on order and should be installed in the next few months. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Many thanks to all our donors and particularly to the unnamed donor who provided $35,000 of the funds.

Ed Receives Major Grant

Updated January 20, 2009

Our music director, Professor Ed Frame has recently received a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for research into the mythology of the Kadazan peoples of Sabah, Malaysia. Professor Frame will return to an area of the world where he previously researched the music of the indigenous tribes of Borneo on a Fulbright Doctoral Dissertation grant while doing doctoral work at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. Professor Frame is a tenured faculty member at Valencia Community College in charge of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. He also teaches honors mythology and Asian humanities. Professor Frame has also been chosen by the Honors College of Valencia to lead a group of honors students to Morocco during the Spring Break.

Luther Course Begins

Updated September 1, 2009

He was only one man-a humble monk and Bible professor-yet he sparked a religious rebellion that changed the course of history. Who was Martin Luther? What made his theology so explosive in 16th-century Europe? Was it really his intention to start Protestantism, and with it a new church? How did this late-medieval man launch the Protestant Reformation and help create the modern world as we know it? And how should we think of him: hero or heretic, rebel or tormented soul?

Martin Luther is so interesting to study, Professor Phillip Cary believes, because he is so controversial. In fact, Luther may be more interesting to study today because the controversy surrounding him is more complicated-less black-and-white-than when he was alive. Many Catholics today find things in Luther to respect and admire, while many Protestants reject aspects of his legacy as misguided, embarrassing, or even evil.

Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation will help you reach your own conclusions. This course explores Luther's theology, the circumstances surrounding his conclusion that the papacy was "antichrist," and major issues and events in the Reformation as it unfolded in Luther's life after he posted his famous 95 Theses on the door of the church of Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517.

Professor Cary presents Luther as a multifaceted human being, a man with extraordinary virtues and profound flaws. You will meet an inspiring religious thinker who presented the Christian Gospel as a message of comfort, joy, and freedom; as great good news for sinners and God's loving promise of salvation. And you will encounter a leader whose unswerving certainty about his doctrines led him to launch vicious attacks against those with whom he disagreed most infamously and malevolently-the Jews.

What makes this course so involving for students is that it is not intended to leave you with a neutral impression of Luther. Professor Cary wants you to use his lectures-supplemented by your own research and reading-to make your own judgments about Luther, the man and his teachings.

Beginning on Sunday, September 13, this course is composed of 30 minute video lectures with discussion afterward (led by Pastor Jon) and will be presented on Sunday at 9:15 a.m., Tuesday at noon (brown bag), and Wednesday evening at 7:45 p.m. All are invited -- bring neighbors and friends. You won't be disappointed!

Organ Fund Drive Begins

Updated August 10, 2009

Ed Frame, Director of Music, has announced that an unannounced donor has offered a substantial amount of matching funds to purchase a new organ. As of the current date, we have about $54,000 (including the matching funds) toward an estimated need of about $77,000. We are encouraging members and friends to donate to this fund in order to enable us to replace our aging (over 30 year old) organ, as it is increasingly hard to obtain parts and keep it in shape. The picture here is similar to the proposed organ. It has many advanced features, including the ability to sound just like a pipe organ -- and real pipes can be added at a later date if desired.

Sunday School Begins

Updated August 10, 2009

Laurie Freshour, Directory of Family Ministries, has announced that Sunday School will begin the fall season with a Rally Day to meet the teachers on Sunday, August 30 from 9am to 10am. The first day of Sunday School will be on September 13.

Teachers for this year are:

• Pre K: Kadie Senesi
• K-1: Aimee Markussen
• 2-4: Heather Faraci
• 5-6: Diane Bursey
• 7-12: Debbie Kiley
• Adult: Pastor Jon

Great World Religion Series Studies Buddhism

Updated July 17, 2009

We have completed our Great Religion Series studies of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. We turn to a study of our next religion, Buddhism, beginning on Sunday, July 19. There are twelve 30 minute lectures followed by discussion. Each week, the class will be held on Sunday at 9:15 a.m., Tuesday at noon (brownbag), and Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. This series continues to be popular and well attended. Bring family and friends. (Please note that the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions are behind about 1-2 weeks from the Sunday sessions.)

Buddhism challenges some of the most important Western ideas about God, human life, and the self. In Buddhism there is no single almighty God who created the world. Instead, Buddhism teaches that all of life is suffering, and there is no permanent self. And it teaches that in accepting that all life is suffering, bliss can be achieved in this life.

Professor Malcolm David Eckel is winner of Boston University's highest honor, the Metcalf Award for Teaching Excellence. He has spent most of his adult life studying Buddhism in Asia and North America, and shares his insights about this endlessly fascinating faith in this vital series.

Malcolm David Eckel is Associate Professor of Religion at Boston University. He holds two bachelors degrees, one in English from Harvard University and a second in Theology from Oxford University. Professor Eckel earned his Masters in Theology at Oxford and his Ph.D. in the study of Comparative Religion at Harvard.

Youth Honored for Graduation, First Communion

Updated May 31, 2009

Three Shepherd of the Hills members were honored at May 31 worship for their graduation accomplishments:

Congratulations to Richard Freshour, Son of Laurie & Richard Freshour, on His Graduation from East Ridge High School.

Congratulations to Ariel Stuemke, Daughter of Edward & Jennifer Stuemke, on Her Graduation from East Ridge High School.

Congratulations to Krysta Felt on Her College Graduation.

Also Congratulations to Gretchen Faraci, John (Jack) Kiely and Emily Cooper for observing their First Communion on May 31

Some Children's Programs in Recess for Summer

Updated May 28, 2009

Laurie Freshour, Directory of Family Ministries, has announced that Sunday School, Alleluia Singers and Alleluia Ringers will recess for the summer after the May 31 service. They will begin again on Rally Day, scheduled for September 13. However, Vacation Bible School and Summer Camp provide a wealth of activities for the kids in the summer months.

Leighanna Needs a Wheelchair

Updated April 5, 2009

Leighanna, one of the smaller members of our congregation, has cerebral palsy and is in need of a wheelchair. We are raffling off a quilt to raise monies to purchase the wheelchair. Thrivent Financial will match some of our funds. Raffle tickets are being sold for the next few Sundays. Any additional help you can give to one of our needs members is appreciated.

Great World Religion Series Continues

Updated April 5, 2009

We have completed our Great Religion Series studies of Islam and Christianity. The next religion, Judaism, will begin on Sunday, April 12. There are twelve 30 minute lectures followed by discussion. Each week, the class will be held on Sunday at 9:15 a.m., Tuesday at noon (brownbag), and Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. Lots of people have attended this series and it has gotten great reviews. Bring family, neighbors, and friends. All are welcome.

What is the essence of Judaism? Is it the Ten Commandments, given by God to Israel at Mount Sinai? Or is it the totality of teachings in the Hebrew Bible? Or is it symbolized by something outside the Bible? However Judaism is defined, the beliefs, practices, attitudes, and institutions of Jews through the ages display a striking diversity, despite the fact that all would ascribe to a common heritage.

Professor Isaiah M. Gafni of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem addresses these and other issues as he explores the ever-changing 4,000-year-old saga of Judaism, one of the world's most ancient and influential religions.

Indeed, as Professor Gafni points out, Judaism is something more than a religion. Christianity and Islam are faiths, or systems of beliefs, that embrace diverse communities and ethnic groups throughout the world. Although Judaism also adheres to particular beliefs and practices, many Jews would nevertheless consider the designation of Judaism as a religion as far too narrow or confining a categorization.

Condolences

Updated March 25, 2009

Meredith Felt, a long-time member of Shepherd of the Hills died today. A viewing will be held at Becker's Funeral Home on Sunday, March 29 from 5 to 8 pm. A service will be held at the church on Monday at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be in Bushnell at 1:30 p.m. We offer our condolences to Meredith's family.

Garden Club

Updated March 13, 2009

We are forming a garden club to plan and maintain the Memorial Garden. If interested, please sign up on the sheet in the back of the church. For more information, please call Carol Rosum at 407-469-2742.

Condolences

Updated January 7, 2009

Marty Hertko, a long-time member and member of the choir, died on Saturday, January 3, 2009. Our condolences to his wife, Oma and the family. A memorial service will be held for Marty on Saturday, January 10 at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.

Garden

Updated November 9, 2008

Our memorial garden is nearing completion. Here is a picture taken on November 9:

Condolences

Updated October 14, 2008

Our condolences to Kevin Jakob and family upon the passing of Bette Anne Jakob on Sunday, October 12,2008. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Condolences

Updated October 9, 2008

We are sorry to announce the passing of Leeann Grussaute. the mother of Brian Grussaute on Wednesday, October 8, 2008. Please keep Brian and the family in your prayers.

Memorial Garden

Updated October 9, 2008

A new memorial garden has been started in the area between entrance sidewalks in the front of the church. The garden which includes a memorial fountain and plaques to enter names of loved ones is funded by memorial gifts and other donations. The garden will be completed before the end of the year. A diagram of the garden is pictured below.

Condolences

Updated August 25, 2008

We are sorry to announce the passing of Harold Raymond Reed or Ray as he was known in our congregation. Memorial services will be held on Friday, August 29 at 11:00 at the church. Please keep Carole and the family in your prayers.