Update 8.1.2020
The more things change the more they stay the same…
We (at church here) can’t be the only ones feeling all the feels that go with this actuality. We certainly feel like we are living it at Shepherd. What we mean by this is we are in a new way of being church, but the things that we love about being our church community have not changed….meaning that we simply want to be together in new and creative (and safe) ways.
So here’s what’s new at Shepherd as we all make our way in this new way of being church:
Our worship: HELLO Parking Lot Worship!! This new model is giving us the opportunity to be together in our cars, or sitting in front of our cars or even sitting on the lawn. You can listen on your car radio at 88.9 FM or simply listen to our (very efficient) loudspeaker system. We have one service at 9:00 am and even celebrate Holy Communion each week. Communion supplies are offered as you drive into our parking lot and then one of our many parking lot ushers will guide you to a parking spot. We have gratefully seen some visitors during our Parking Lot Worship experiment! We are even beginning our “Coffee and Donuts Time” after church on the lawn. It is BYOE (bring your own everything) but this will be another opportunity for us to gather safely.
Our building: The summer weather in Minnesota is (usually) delightful and we are taking full advantage of this time to be together in small groups outside whenever we can make that happen. Whether on our deck out back (the garden is beautiful!), on our lawn or at Island Lake Park, we know that we do not need a building to gather as the Body of Christ.
We will remain grateful for the opportunity to gather in any way that we can. All of this is to say that we will also continue to ask the question of when we, as the people of Shepherd of the Hills, feel comfortable moving back into our building in a fuller manner. We want to hear your voice! To do that, another survey has already been sent out (the last one was sent out on May 28) and we will let you know what we are collectively thinking/feeling about all of this.
As we have been saying all along, the church is not closed and never has been. We have been worshiping, doing Bible study, teaching our youth and our preschoolers, doing pastoral care, conducting church business and connecting through virtual gatherings in all sorts of different ways since this pandemic came to visit in March. And we will do all of those things in-person again…when we are ready. In the meantime we will explore new ways where we can be
together and all feel safe and comfortable doing so.
In God’s Peace, Your Shepherd Staff Pr. Renee, Jilene, Pr. Brice, Joe, Sr. Tashina, Miranda and Michelle
For previous updates, please click on the link below to be directed to our News and Updates Blog
The more things change the more they stay the same…
We (at church here) can’t be the only ones feeling all the feels that go with this actuality. We certainly feel like we are living it at Shepherd. What we mean by this is we are in a new way of being church, but the things that we love about being our church community have not changed….meaning that we simply want to be together in new and creative (and safe) ways.
So here’s what’s new at Shepherd as we all make our way in this new way of being church:
Our worship: HELLO Parking Lot Worship!! This new model is giving us the opportunity to be together in our cars, or sitting in front of our cars or even sitting on the lawn. You can listen on your car radio at 88.9 FM or simply listen to our (very efficient) loudspeaker system. We have one service at 9:00 am and even celebrate Holy Communion each week. Communion supplies are offered as you drive into our parking lot and then one of our many parking lot ushers will guide you to a parking spot. We have gratefully seen some visitors during our Parking Lot Worship experiment! We are even beginning our “Coffee and Donuts Time” after church on the lawn. It is BYOE (bring your own everything) but this will be another opportunity for us to gather safely.
Our building: The summer weather in Minnesota is (usually) delightful and we are taking full advantage of this time to be together in small groups outside whenever we can make that happen. Whether on our deck out back (the garden is beautiful!), on our lawn or at Island Lake Park, we know that we do not need a building to gather as the Body of Christ.
We will remain grateful for the opportunity to gather in any way that we can. All of this is to say that we will also continue to ask the question of when we, as the people of Shepherd of the Hills, feel comfortable moving back into our building in a fuller manner. We want to hear your voice! To do that, another survey has already been sent out (the last one was sent out on May 28) and we will let you know what we are collectively thinking/feeling about all of this.
As we have been saying all along, the church is not closed and never has been. We have been worshiping, doing Bible study, teaching our youth and our preschoolers, doing pastoral care, conducting church business and connecting through virtual gatherings in all sorts of different ways since this pandemic came to visit in March. And we will do all of those things in-person again…when we are ready. In the meantime we will explore new ways where we can be
together and all feel safe and comfortable doing so.
In God’s Peace, Your Shepherd Staff Pr. Renee, Jilene, Pr. Brice, Joe, Sr. Tashina, Miranda and Michelle
For previous updates, please click on the link below to be directed to our News and Updates Blog
VIRTUAL WORSHIP SERVICES
PARKING LOT WORSHIP
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SUNDAY MORNING
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FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES
Faith formation and connecting with our community is a huge part of how we do church at Shepherd. Please, see the links and descriptions below for ways that you can continue to connect while we practice social distancing. NOTE: Due to FBI warnings Zoom Links will not be provided here. You can find them via Shepherd's emails. Reach out to Sister Tashina with any questions you may have.
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KIDzone:
Click below for a dynamic children's program, KIDzone! Our Service is geared towards children age three to fourth grade. Join us on Zoom at 10:30am for Worship on Sunday! Click Here for Sunday Worship. 
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Youth Ministries:
Click HERE for a full description of our Summer 2020 Youth Ministry at Shepherd Staying Connected: Our Youth Ministries will be staying in touch via Email and Discord. Our ReFuel youth will also be using Remind. Reach out to Sister Tashina with any questions about how you can connect. 
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Faith Formation and connection for All Ages:
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TUESDAYS AT SHEPHERD:
Curbside Blessing & Communion Pickup: We miss seeing your face and being at the table of Holy Communion with you all! Every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30 am and 5:30-6:30 pm your pastoral team will be out in our Shepherd parking lot to pray for you, share pre-packaged communion kits (and communion bread recipes) for use with Sunday worship, and send you off with a blessing. All are welcome! Outdoor Lunch: Pack up a picnic at home (or order takeout) and join your staff for lunch every Tuesday from 11:30-1pm on our lawn! We'll maintain proper social distance while enjoying a meal together in the summer sun.BYOP (Bring Your Own Lunch/Blankets/Chairs). |
WEDNESDAYS AT SHEPHERD:
Join us at 1pm for Bible Study at Island Lake Park, Pavilion #1 for in person, socially distancing Bible Study. Join us at 6:30pm for Bible Study via Zoom. If you are not on the Bible Study email list reach out to one of the Pastoral Team and we will make sure you get the 6:30 Zoom link! 
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THURSDAYS AT SHEPHERD:
Coffee and Bagels Thursday at 1:00 pm Join us each Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Time for community, fellowship, and conversation. Hope to have you join us! Zoom links sent out via email. 
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WAYS TO GIVE
FINANCIALLYAs we journey through the next two weeks as a community in a virtual way Shepherd's bills continue needing to be paid. Paying them allows us to meet your faith community needs and provides us with the opportunity to continue seeking ways to reach our neighbors during times of struggle.
Please, continue to give of your time, gifts, and talents You can do so via online contributions that can be made at HERE at this link. You can also do so by mailing in checks directly to: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 3920 North Victoria Street Shoreview, MN 55126 
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SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORSIt’s times like these that friends doesn’t do justice to what we are. We are a family. We celebrate, laugh, cry and mourn together all in the midst of this thing we call a community.
Our family, the Body of Christ, looks a little different from what it normally does in that we are all being asked to maintain a certain distance from each other. We know why. To keep ourselves and our neighbors healthy. BUT this does not mean that things cease to be needed. Groceries need to be picked up, vital errands need to be run, conversations still need to be had, relationships need to keep being made. This link at the end of this will take you to a survey. In this survey, you’ll find two questions. The first question asks how you can help, are you able to run vital errands, go grocery shopping, build relationships by writing a letter or making a phone call to an isolated person? The second question asks if you NEED any of the aforementioned items. Please take a minute or two to fill out where you might to be able to help out or ask for it. Make sure to include your name, email, and phone number. We, the LYN Ministry Team and Pastoral Staff, will compile and pair individuals up to make sure we remain strong together! Click HERE to fill out the survey. |
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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA)
3920 North Victoria Street, Shoreview, MN 55126 Phone: 651-483-5419 Fax: 651-483-2296 Email: staff@shepherdshoreview.org |
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