Like Us on Facebook www.facebook.com/SVLCSimi Assistive Listening now available for Sunday worship. Please ask an usher for details. Newsletter +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Fellow Pilgrims, The largest and oldest celebration of the Church will soon be upon us. It is likely the sanctuary will be packed during at least two of our services that day. The Altar Guild will have spent many hours decorating in preparation for the celebration; the Bell Choir will provide some beautiful special music; many who attend will be decked out in new outfits; when the words, “Christ is risen” are spoken, the response, “Christ is risen, indeed!” will be spoken with gusto; and many will leave that morning with a sense of hope and empowerment upon hearing of God’s great sacrifice given for each of us. The following week, a day called the “Second Sunday of Easter” on the Church calendar, will likely live up to another name given to the day, “Low Sunday.” Yes, with the echoes of “Christ is risen” still ringing in our ears and the scent of Easter lilies fresh in our nostrils, many will chose to stay away on the week following Easter. And it won’t be all because the CEO’s (Christmas and Easter Only) will have skewed the attendance figures upward, either. People, for whatever reason, stay away in droves on the week following the Easter celebration. I have to admit this is a phenomenon I have never understood. If people attended the Good Friday service and didn’t come back I could understand. After all, Good Friday ends with us remembering Jesus being crucified and placed in the grave. For many death marks the point of no return, the end, the final journey, a one way ticket to paradise. But Easter? Easter says to us death does not have the last word and that Good Friday is not the end. Easter ushers us into a new reality reminding us that God’s unconditional love is forever, and not something we receive and celebrate only one day a year. Many of the earliest followers of Jesus were Jews who were accustomed to worshipping on the Sabbath, essentially Saturday. Immediately, however, the day for Christ followers to worship changed from Saturday to Sunday because Sunday was the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Each time the believers/followers gathered for worship, with the exception of Easter day itself, the worship was considered a “mini-Easter” celebration, as we still celebrate each Sunday as a mini-Easter today. We will have a wonderful Easter celebration again this year. And the week following will likely live up the its nickname, “Low Sunday.” Still, we celebrate with those who attend and those Christ followers around the world who gather on a weekly basis to remember that we continue to celebrate Easter, God’s “Yes,” to us and to life. Your Partner in Ministry, Pastor Gary QUARTERLY CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUNDAY, APRIL 19 FOLLWING THE 11:00 AM WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY We will need a quorum of 50 voting members to decide upon a new “Welcome Statement” for SVLC. The proposed new statement is as follows: All are welcome! As a community of faith following Jesus’ commandment to love one another, the members of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church are called to include all people seeking a relationship with Christ, regardless of age, economic status, ethnic background, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation gender identity or marital status. We affirm with the Apostle Paul that “in Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith, for all who were baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28)
Dear Fellow Pilgrims, The largest and oldest celebration of the Church will soon be upon us. It is likely the sanctuary will be packed during at least two of our services that day. The Altar Guild will have spent many hours decorating in preparation for the celebration; the Bell Choir will provide some beautiful special music; many who attend will be decked out in new outfits; when the words, “Christ is risen” are spoken, the response, “Christ is risen, indeed!” will be spoken with gusto; and many will leave that morning with a sense of hope and empowerment upon hearing of God’s great sacrifice given for each of us. The following week, a day called the “Second Sunday of Easter” on the Church calendar, will likely live up to another name given to the day, “Low Sunday.” Yes, with the echoes of “Christ is risen” still ringing in our ears and the scent of Easter lilies fresh in our nostrils, many will chose to stay away on the week following Easter. And it won’t be all because the CEO’s (Christmas and Easter Only) will have skewed the attendance figures upward, either. People, for whatever reason, stay away in droves on the week following the Easter celebration. I have to admit this is a phenomenon I have never understood. If people attended the Good Friday service and didn’t come back I could understand. After all, Good Friday ends with us remembering Jesus being crucified and placed in the grave. For many death marks the point of no return, the end, the final journey, a one way ticket to paradise. But Easter? Easter says to us death does not have the last word and that Good Friday is not the end. Easter ushers us into a new reality reminding us that God’s unconditional love is forever, and not something we receive and celebrate only one day a year. Many of the earliest followers of Jesus were Jews who were accustomed to worshipping on the Sabbath, essentially Saturday. Immediately, however, the day for Christ followers to worship changed from Saturday to Sunday because Sunday was the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Each time the believers/followers gathered for worship, with the exception of Easter day itself, the worship was considered a “mini-Easter” celebration, as we still celebrate each Sunday as a mini-Easter today. We will have a wonderful Easter celebration again this year. And the week following will likely live up the its nickname, “Low Sunday.” Still, we celebrate with those who attend and those Christ followers around the world who gather on a weekly basis to remember that we continue to celebrate Easter, God’s “Yes,” to us and to life. Your Partner in Ministry, Pastor Gary
QUARTERLY CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUNDAY, APRIL 19
FOLLWING THE 11:00 AM WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY
We will need a quorum of 50 voting members to decide upon a new “Welcome Statement” for SVLC. The proposed new statement is as follows:
All are welcome! As a community of faith following Jesus’ commandment to love one another, the members of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church are called to include all people seeking a relationship with Christ, regardless of age, economic status, ethnic background, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation gender identity or marital status. We affirm with the Apostle Paul that “in Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith, for all who were baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28)
Undergoing surgery, various tests, treatments, recuperating and continued comfort John Yanuklis, Brian Faunce (Barry & Linda Watters’ son-in-law), Jeanne Shafer, Susan Pineda
Brian Pierret (Dorothy Fee’s son), Jean Schlosser, Madison Franks, Sue & Mike Wedemeyer, Liz Bucka,
Jan Yoder, Ralph Nelman, Justin & Birdie Scholberg (Corrine Stevenson’s parents),
Jean Stevenson (Pastor Gary’s mother), Diane Annis, Shirley Ruben, Gwen Hadvina, Helen Anderson.
We extend our Christian Sympathy to Jan Yoder family and friends on the loss of her son Jeremy.
Our Military Personnel now serving: Joe Anderson, Dan Balaun, David Bond, Jeffrey C.A. Bower,
Wayne Combs, Tyson and Blake Crosby, Nisha Dean, Richard Deobler,
Robert Deobler, Travis Girard, Nick Goldsmith, Jorden Gutowski,
Mike Hultman, Michael Kidd, Macaden Kidd, Frank King, Chris Labelle, Brian Lowen,
John Parker, Brian Richardson, Jonathan Scholberg, Raymond Schooler, Captain Ted Slocum,
Cpl. Brett Tyre, Sgt. Elliott Van Marion, Thomas Weaver, Matthew Wilkins.
The congregation of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church thanks you for your service
CONFIRMATION FOR YOUTH GRADES 6-8th
Confirmation classes are held on Wednesday evenings.
Please meet in Eichele Hall at 7:00 pm class will last until 8:15 pm.
April Schedule Eighth Grade Sixth & Seventh Grade April 1 – No Class (Holy Week) April 1 – No Class (Holy Week) April 8 – No Class (Holy Week) April 8 – No Class (Holy Week) April 15 – Lutheran Worship Practices April 15 – King David April 22 – Law + Gospel and Saint + Sinner April 22 – David and Nathan April 29 – Fun/Service April 29 – Fun/Service
Palm Sunday – March 29th 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00
Maundy Thursday – April 2nd 7:00 PM
(Live Re-enactment of the Last Supper)
Good Friday – April 3rd Worship 7:00 PM
Easter Sunday – Sunrise Service April 5th 6:00 AM
Followed by: 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 worship services
Egg Hunt: April 5th - 9:30 AM
Shepherd of the Valley Women Upcoming Events
March 29, 2015 - Palm Sunday Continental Breakfast - The Women’s board and youth
will be serving from 9:00a.m.-11:00 a.m. a delicious oatmeal bar with all the fixings,
including fresh fruit, baked goods, yogurt, granola, coffee, tea and juice. A free will offering will be
taken.
In addition, we will be having a bake sale so….please get your ovens warmed up as we will need lots
of donations of baked goods such as: sweet breads, muffins, sweet rolls, coffee cakes, etc. All
proceeds will benefit the youth program.
April 19, 2015 - Waffle Sunday – Join us from 9:00-12:00 for some delicious waffles topped with
strawberries and whip cream, sausage and juice or coffee. Cost is only $5.00. This fundraiser will
benefit the youth going to the Detroit Gathering.
May 1, 2015 - 10 Things Party - Join us for a great evening of fun. What is a ten things party you
ask? Between now and May 1st, start collecting 10 items (or less) from your household that you may
not want anymore, but you think someone else would want. This is NOT a white elephant party, so
please no gag gifts or items that would probably be thrown away. We will meet in Eichele Hall at 6:30
p.m. When you arrive the rules of the party will be explained. In addition, we ask that you bring an
appetizer to share and the beverage of your choice. All women are invited so the more the merrier.
We Care For U packages - This is a new ministry this year. Whether they head out of state or
stay close to home, going to college is a new adventure that can be a little scary, as well as exciting.
Please help us let our enrolled students know “We Care for U” that our/their church is keeping them
in our thoughts and prayers and sending them comfort and support. Donations for the items listed
below would be greatly appreciated. They can be dropped off in the back of the church in the
Fellowship Train Trip to Olvera Street The Fellowship Committee is planning a trip to Olvera Street on Sat. April 25th. We will meet at church in the west parking lot at 9:15 am to carpool to the Sylmar/San Fernando MetroLink station. We will take the 10:21 train and arriving in Union Station at 11:00. Weekend Day Pass tickets can be purchased at the Metrolink Station for $10.00. We will walk 3 blocks to Olvera Street to shop and enjoy a delicious Mexican lunch. Our return train leaves at 3:50 and we arrive back at Sylmar/San Fernando MetroLink Station at 4:21pm.
