The Shepherd’s Staff

Thoughts from Pastor Andrew: Dear Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

Most years, Lent begins in February, but this year we will remain in the Season of Epiphany all month long because Easter is rather late (April 21). Epiphany can have as many as nine weeks, but it’s usually much shorter than that. The theological emphasis of Epiphany revolves

around the manifestation of the God-Man, Jesus as the Word Made Flesh, who dwells among us. Hence, His baptism in the Jordan (the first Sunday of Epiphany), His “first sign” (changing water into wine) and His Transfiguration (always the last Sunday of Epiph-any) are the pillars of this rich liturgical season. God is making Himself known in a new way through the humanity of the Divine Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

A good meditation for us then would be focusing on the divine character of Jesus who accomplishes God’s purposes through miracles and astonishing deeds, and that God the Father commands that we “listen to Him”. Since Epiphany is long this year, it’s an excellent opportunity to use the season to read again the Holy Gospel of John, which corresponds splendidly with the spirit of this very ancient season of the Church year.

Epiphany is also a great time to remember that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (I Timothy 15), and that His appearance as man is God’s eternal expression of mercy toward His creation. St. Paul emphasizes in his Epistles that because God has cho-sen to respond to our sin with mercy and forgiveness, we ought to be full of mercy and forgiveness toward each other. Such things are in high demand in our current culture to-day, unlike the present overabundance of things like unwarranted accusation, slander and the rush to demonize those whom we perceive to be our enemy. Yet, Christ came to show us God’s heart, which governs His eternal kingdom, not with accusation and finger-pointing, but with tenderness, understanding and a generous reply to the world’s jaded and unforgiving nature.

It is a joy to be a Christian, to be forgiven, to be guaranteed salvation and to have Je-sus in our daily thoughts and musings. He truly is the One from above who offers some-thing not of this world (John 3:31), but of another world where the devil’s mean-spiritedness has no foothold.

God bless you!!

Pastor Andrew

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The President’s Message Don Guckenberger, Council President

These haunting lyrics, sung by Roy Clark, keep playing in my mind as I think about our youth program. As the youth move from their hidden location in the back corner of the Family Life Center, to their temporary quarters in Classroom 2 to their eventual new Youth Room, they have become more visible and more evident. That brings wonderful tidings as we get to see our youth, but also brings challenges as maybe we forget that ‘Yesterday, when we were young…..’ we may not have been as ideal as we may remember today. Evidence of my encounter with my youth can be seen from these two pictures which were taken in 1958 and were part of the “Fiftieth Anniversary 1908-1958 – St Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church” commemorative booklet. My Confirma-tion memory verse was: ‘My son, give me thine heart: And let thine eyes observe my ways.’ (Proverbs 23:26). Pastor Andrew said it was a good verse for me, but Pastor Kavasch, seen in the first picture and who was my Pastor back then, may have been prayerfully transmitting a message to me. When I look at the ‘doodles’ in my Catechism, it confirms my recollection of not being one of the most attentive confirmands. In the first picture, that is the back of my head at confirmation, to my right is Jack, the Pastor’s son – so it was not me that

was being memorialized in the booklet! I well remember serving as the first treasurer of the Fresh-man High Walther League. I recall making Advent Wreaths and open-ing a checking account in the local bank. But as I look through the commemorative booklet, at the names of the adult leaders, I do not recall working with or associating with any of them. Continued. pg. 8

Note from the Editor: Even in his youth Don was heads above everyone!

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Mark your Calendar!

FEBRUARY MARCH Sunday , February 17,2019 Sunday March 31st, THE KINGDOM HEIRS CONCERT 5th Sunday POT LUCK DINNER

Greeters - Growth Committee Jan Simko, Chairman

Where have you been? We need your smile to greet visitors and members on Sunday mornings. There is no pay for this service, but it is rewarding!

Please find one day or one month, or any combina-tion of Sundays that work with your schedule and join us in this worthwhile mission.

It’s a wonderful way for new and old members alike to greet and meet new and old members and welcome visitors! There is a sign-up book on the desk in the Gath-ering Place.

Where to find: Page # Bible Studies 19 Celebrations 7 Christian Education Board (CEB) 18 & 19 Church Calendar 10 Greeters 3 & 14 Helping Hands 16 In Our Prayers 9 KICK Time 18 LWML 11 Meet New Member 9 Music Ministry 16 Pastor Andrew Radio Announce-ment 4 Presidents Note 2 Property Crew 15 Puzzle 9 SAGE (former Sr. Ministry) 5 Save These Dates 3 Serving the Lord 14 Sheepdogs 6 SLF Daycare 17 Special announcements & Thanks you’s 13 Stephen Ministry 12 Stewardship 13 Visiting Friends 6

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Note from the Editor:

Next month’s Shepherds Staff will be delayed by one week. This however DOES NOT change the deadline date of the 20th of the month.

If you rely on the newsletter for birthday and anniversary dates, please let me know and I will email you the names /dates for the first 2 weeks of March. Thank you for allowing me to take a vacation!! LOL Sue Cox

Pastor Andrew re-cording his daily message for the ra-dio station, 101.9, The Spirit. Be sure to listen to Pastor’s message on this radio station, 101.9, daily. SOTH has truly been blessed with such a special, dedi-cated man.

Morning Prayer Taken from Luther’s Small Catechism

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Don’t forget Pastor’s suggestion to read the Book of John!

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The Shepherd’s Singles: The Shepherds Singles will meet again on Friday, February 8 at Christy’s Pub Grub on Main St. at 11:15. We welcome ALL singles and hope to see some new faces there to join us in fun, food and chatter. A sign up sheet will be in the Gathering room so be sure to put your name there, call Dorothy Buuck 484-7204 or Doris Smith 788-3442 for more information.

SAGE = Seniors Against Getting Elderly

Happy Valentines Day!! Hard to believe we are already into February. We have been planning a few events for March and more details after the February council meeting. Again "Thank you" to everyone who have offered ideas for activi-

ties to enjoy and get to know each other better.

You may remember the Christmas tree contest we tried this year. Well the adult and bell choirs participated and provided a beautiful tree with handmade or-naments. They were awarded a gift certificate to the 5th Street Market restau-rant. We may give this another try next year. So put your thinking cap on and pick a team!

Something to think about: "The best thing to do behind a person's back is to pat it"

SAGE Lou Schultz, Chairman

The Caregiver Coffee Hour : The Caregiver Coffee Hour meets the third Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 20th at 2PM in the Family Room. We invite anyone to join us for fellowship, espe-cially those who are or have been a caregiver. For more information please call Pat Wiedemann at 337-0423.

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**

A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday February 24th be-tween services. We will be focus on board reports and the Fellowship Hall con-struction update.

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Visiting Friends is an important, if not well known group, in our church. Our mission is to make sure that every member knows that, as a congregation, we care about each other. If you know of someone who is strug-gling with health or personal issues, receiving a card of caring can do so much knowing that someone cares.

Visiting Friends not only send cards, we make phone calls to check on members, we make visits to those in need of cheering up and we occasionally deliver flowers donated by those who supply flowers for the Sunday services.

If this worthwhile mission is something that would bring you joy, knowing you are reaching out to mem-bers in need. Please contact Debe Hinterman, 931-248-8796 or at her email address debeman1@comcast.net This committee meets on the second Monday of every month, but IF meetings aren’t your thing, you can still participate in this meaningful mission.

Visiting Friends Toni McCarty, Chairman Debe Hinterman, co-chair

Sheepdogs Wayne Croy, Chairman

Winter is here and anyone using an electric space heater needs to be aware that 1/3 of all house fires are caused by electric space heaters and 80% of all deaths in cold weather house fires are caused by them. Below are some things to remember:

Don’t extend yourself with extension cords

Protect yourself with smoke alarms

Never leave the space heater unattended--if you leave the

room, shut it off

Keep it level

Keep the heater at least 3ft. from anything combustible

Keep it a kid free zone

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February Celebrations

B i r t h d a y s

Date Name

Date Name Years

2/07 Ron & Joanna Garand 45

2/09 Dwane & Flo Dobbs 39

2/14 Lloyd & Leora Miller 65

2/16 Jim & Dena Whitener 41

2/20 Billy & Linda Caldwell 8 In 2019 we will be keeping a running total of the number of married years we cele-brate each month. I think the total number of years of wedded bliss in our congrega-tion will be astounding!

Year to date: 445 years of wedded bliss!

Anniversaries

2/03 Alexis Brewer 2/04 Ron Jones 2/05 Gerry Burns 2/06 Dave Maeder 2/09 Punkie Geary 2/11 Len Braun 2/12 Sara Bradshaw 2/14 John Gruber 2/14 Jean Hresko 2/15 Joshua Higdon 2/15 Mae Pleinis 2/18 Carol Holman 2/18 George McKeel 2/18 Marilynn Wienke 2/21 Lance Holman 2/22 Bobetta Krueger 2/23 Linda Selby 2/25 Shelley Hoffman

Is your name missing ? Although we try to include the names of all members celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, we occasionally miss someone. Please let us know of any errors or omissions so we can do better next year! This information is taken from the official church records, so please make sure that your data is up to date and complete.

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That is sad, and telling – I wonder just how inter-involved where the adults and youth back then? I wonder if the adults back then had the same observations about the youth at St Peter’s, as many of you have about the youth here at Shep-herd of the Hills?

My point is, maybe I was not as ‘ideal’ a member of the youth at St Peter’s as I may recall today. I would like to believe that over time, I have grown and ma-tured as a Lutheran, and thanks be to God, do a decent job of serving His ministry today. But ‘yesterday, when I was young’ that may have been different.

Concerns about our youth were presented at the January council meeting. Later, Pastor spoke with several people and they came up with an approach to enhance Michelle’s youth leadership team with those who can assist and guide. I applaud and praise Pastor Andrew for his efforts and have already seen people volunteering to assist. He and Michele have set up an informal meeting on Feb-ruary 23rd at 11:00 AM in the Gathering Place. I ask you to prayerfully consider attending. This is a perfect way to continue my theme for this year: ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!’ You can serve by being involved with our youth program.

I have seen our youth in action, such as doing Puppets for the Santa Photo Op, and I have attended youth events like Dr Seuss. I have watched them assisting Pastor and processing with the cross, and have heard them playing pre-service music, such as on Christmas Eve. And I thank God for our youth. I have heard comments from members and while understanding, have wondered how they and I were when we were that age. And I ask God that our members be involved, be patient with and nurturing to our youth. Prayerfully, when our church youth are our age, and serving Christ’s ministry as we are, they will be able to look back and remember the adults that helped them, ‘yesterday when they were young’.

The President’s Message continued from page 2:

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Sunday, January 20th the SOTH Congregation grew by seven when we wel-comed Kori Reece, Jim & Peggy Roeder, Jeff & Linda Schumacher and Kent & Debra Zunker. At press time their photos were not available. We will try and remedy that for our next issue. Please add their information to your directory.

Kori Reece Jim & Peggy Roeder 203 Charleston Lane Apt Y102 241 Winningham Road Crossville, TN 38555 Crossville, TN 38572 937-537-8317 (Jim) 630-327-7245 (Peggy) 708-302-4364 Jeff & Linda Schumacher Kent & Debra Zunker 21 Mariners Court 157 Beechwood Drive Fairfield Glade, TN 38558 Fairfield Glade, TN 38558 (Kent) 262-818-5305

(Debra) 602-361-0210

Welcome Our New Members:

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

Neff Bible Study— 1PM

Lloyd & Leora (Folders)

2 QOV Sew In

10 AM—2PM

LWML Qrtly Mtg 10 AM

3

Holy Communion

KICK—12 NOON

4

Men’s Golf—9AM

Elders—3PM

5

Property—8AM Sheepdogs Meeting—

10AM

6

Bell Choir—4:30PM

Adult Choir—6PM

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Quilts of Valor—9AM FFG Bible Study

@TBA—7PM

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Neff Bible Study—1PM

Carolyn & Beth (Folders)

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Men’s Breakfast 8:30 AM

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Holy Communion KICK TIME 9:15AM

KICK—12 NOON

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Men’s Golf—9AM Visiting Friends—10AM

Stephen Ministry 4PM

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Property—8AM Lydia Sisters 9:00 AM

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Pastor’s Tea Party Gathering Plc. 11AM

Church Council

1:30 PM Bell Choir—4:30PM

Adult Choir—6PM

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Fellowship Classroom 1

10 AM

15

Neff Bible Study—1PM

Linda & Marilyn (Folders)

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17

Holy Communion

KINGDOM HEIRS -

3:PM

18

Men’s Golf—9AM

SS Steering Team PM

19

Property—8AM

20 Care Givers Coffee Hr.

Family Room 2PM Bell Choir—4:30PM

Adult Choir—6PM

21

FFG Bible Study @TBA—7PM

22

Neff Bible Study—1PM

Kristin & Linda

(Folders)

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Pastor/Michelle Pleinis Youth Leadership Team

mtg11:00 AM

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Holy Communion

Congregational Mtg between services

KICK TIME 9:15AM KICK—12 NOON

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Men’s Golf—9AM

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Property—8AM

27 Growth 9 AM

Sage 2 PM

Bell Choir—4:30PM

Adult Choir—6PM

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MEMBERS CHALLENGED BY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROBLEMS:

Pauline Castner Yvette Dolan Susan Dowell Shirley Dunham Hugh Embry Andrew Gallagher Marilynn Grennan Wilhelm Heilmeier Roger Helms Lloyd Miller Dennis Stuebben Tom Towers Betty Tuggle Pete Wiedemann Linda & Phil Winterroth Roz Ziemba

OUR HOMEBOUND: Ann Barich, Dottie Bickel, Margaret Geary, Albert & Linda Fink, Marg Higgins, Roger & Caroline Karstaedt, Marlys Lee, Elsie Schroeder, Barb Zaccari

OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Karen Clark (Elaine & Len Braun) Breana Shaw, (Sue Cox) Brian, (Sandy & Tim Dienst) Regina’s mother & sisters (Regina Harkins) Pat Hinterman (Bill Hinterman) George Cagle, (Gene Hinzman) Holly Punzel (Alice Hockenberry) Levi Gauthier (Carol Holman) Karen Foster (Georgianne Johnson) Aunt Patsy, Chuck & Denise Jordan Rose Gahns (Ed Leese) Len Stark, (Sally Lemke) Kathy Mura, (Jan Leschinski) Stephenie Cerni, (Ingeli Mathews) Milo Jewell, Karol Moosekian, Gary Dollian, (Bob Moosekian) Kirstine, (Fred & Diane Mundt) John Partain (Kathy Partain) Jeannie Bauer, (Jon & Susie Powers ) Craig Gottschall, Sharon & Mike Riharb Jack (Linda Swanson) Macey (Pat Wiedeman) Jeanne Dowell (Linda & Phil Winterroth)

OUR MILITARY, deployed or stationed out of the USA:

Nicole Blackwood (Joanne Bandazewski) Tobie O’Brien (John & Mary Beck) Ben Crain (Nancy & Gerry Burns) Kristin Budsynski (Albert & Linda Fink) Nicholas Broege (Della Glass) Jeff Pleinis (Mae Pleinis)

The prayer requests for our friends and families are difficult to keep current.

If your friend or family member is still in need of our prayers and does not appear on this list, please contact the Staff editor at: newsletter@sothmail.org and they will be entered on this new listing next month.

Removing those no longer in need of prayer will make room for others in need of our prayers.

Thank you, Sue Cox, editor

attention!

Please save your change.: “Mite Sunday” is the 3rd Sunday of each month. Your continued support will help our district reach its goal. Thank you, so much for your help.

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Jan Simko, President

The Lydia Sisters meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 9 AM, in the Fellowship Hall. Please consider joining them. They provide quilts not only to LWR but also local shelters and chari-ties. It’s a rewarding venture AND no sewing skills required!!!

Heavenly Father, please walk through my house and take away all worries, sadness, financial crisis, illnesses and please watch over and heal my family and friends. Please bring quiet where there is chaos, bring light where there is darkness and put love in our hearts. In Jesus’ name. AMEN

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STEPHEN MINISTRY Janice Baessler, Awareness Coordinator

SEE AND REACT Have you ever said, “It’s not my job?” Have you ever heard someone say it? We hear the Lord say in Philippians 2:4, “Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” That doesn’t sound to me like the Lord is checking to see whose job it is if something needs to be done. “See and React” is a phrase I remember a friend of mine saying often. He meant if you see something needs to be done, do it. See and React. Stephen Ministers are people for whom “See and React” seems to be a way of life. They are aware of what is going on around them, they notice what people are doing, they see a problem and think, “is there anything I can do?” If any of that sounds like I’m talking about you, perhaps you could be a Ste-phen Minister. Prayerfully examine your hearts to see if the Lord is leading you in this direction. All we do is at the Lord’s direction as we seek to do His Will. Those of us who have been members for awhile know that one of the qualities which makes Shepherd of the Hills so unique is the quality of caring for others. SOTH is a growing congregation and as the congregation grows, so does the need for Stephen Ministers. Becoming a Stephen Minister is not diffi-cult, but it does require a commitment of attending 50 hours of training. These classes are taught by Stephen Leaders who have been through the 50 hours of training plus an intense week of additional training. All this means you can know you will be well prepared. In the upcoming months you will be hearing more about the Stephen Min-istry, seeing who the current Stephen ministers are, and be given the oppor-tunity to talk with them. We look forward to meeting with anyone who is in-terested in getting more information.

Craig Jannusch -- 931-707-5079 Bernie Atwater -- 931-300-2120 Pastor Abraham -- 931-484-3461

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Bulletin Benders Sunday Fold Date Team

2/01 2/03 Lloyd & Leora Miller, Elinor Penney

2/08 2/10 Carolyn & Beth Gigg, Dana Burger

2/17 2/15 Linda Swanson, Marilyn Grennan

2/24 2/22 Kristin Knight, Linda

Board of Stewardship 6

Worship Attendance Weekly YTD Offerings 12/30 202 $ 7,500.00 $ 412,663.68 01/06 189 $ 7,057.21 $ 7,057.21 01/13 202 $ 13,083.00 $ 20,140.21

01/20 205 $ 7,654.42 $ 27,794.63

Alice Hockenberry is proudly announcing that she is a great grandma! Baby Lenni Olivia Staude was born on January 14th weighing in at 6 lbs 9 oz and she is 20.5

inches long. Her parents are Seth and Alexandria Staude.

My family and friends wish to thank you for all the prayers said for my granddaugh-ter Breana. She had a liver transplant 6 weeks ago and will be home before this newsletter is printed! Thanks be to God and His Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN Sue Cox

Special Announcement & Thank you!

In the Word Taken from the LWML Mustard Seeds Devotions

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10a

Of The Word Quiet. Ah, peace and quiet! Is your quiet time early in the morning when the sun is rising? Is it late at night after everyone else has gone to bed? Do you have your quiet time during solitary walks or drives? American lives are often so cluttered by commitments that no time is reserved for quiet. Worse yet, quiet time — sitting, reading, meditating — seems to bring on a guilty feeling. “Oh, I should get up and do something!” God reminds us, Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10a). He invites us, Come to me … and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Accepting God’s offer is sometimes hard. But God gave us the example; at the very beginning of time, He completed His work of creating and rest-ed on the seventh day. He wanted His people to know that resting times, quiet times, are im-portant, too.

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Early Service Late Service

02/10 Earl Thomas Flo Dobbs

02/24 Joy McKeel Jody Bauer

Ushers Team # 3 Early Service Late Service Tom Baldwin Don Guckeberger Mike Parli Chuck Buchtrup Sue Cox Kathy Buchtrup Jim Hardy Linda Caldwell

03rd Alexis Brewer

10th Cheri Revenie

17th

24th

Altar Flowers

Date Team # Members 2/03 & 3 Ingeli Matthews, Janet Frazier, 2/10 Salli Lemke, Sue Cox

2/17, & 4 Catherine Petersom, Linda Caldwell, 2/24 Joan Johnson

Serving The Lord in February

If you have a celebration or a loved one you would like to remember, you can remember with flowers and help bring beauty to our altar at the same time. There is a flower sign up sheet near the photo board at the entrance to the Sanctuary. Food City gives our church a special price. Please see Kathie at the Food City Floral Dept. by the Wednesday before your designated Sunday, to order and pay for the flowers. Delivery to the church is included for free. *To get tax ex-empt you need to stop by church for a card. If you wish to share your flowers, please con-tact Debe Hinterman with Visiting Friends. When you sign up for flowers please indicate if you plan to take them yourself. If you do not indicate on the flower chart, by writing T (take) after your name the Visiting Friends group will take them to shut-ins. Thank you. Barb Kleimola, Altar Guild Chairman

February 3th February 17th Early Early Late Catherine Peterson Late Catherine Peterson Ruth Worshik February 10th February 24th Early Early Late John & Sue Hilliard Late Ruth Worshik

GREETERS

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Property Crew “Old people doing young people’s work.” John Wedlund, Chairman

I was invited to attend the January 15 Building Committee meeting chaired by Fred Mundt. The general contractor for our expansion of the Fellowship hall, remod-eling 2 restrooms in the church building, and building a shaft for the lift that goes to the choir area was in attendance, as were the other members of the committee. Roof trusses, ceiling paint, a canopy for the new door to the Youth room, lighting, heat and air systems, electrical requirements were some of the items discussed. It was obvious to me the Committee has a “good handle” on these projects.

Members of the Board of church property have been busy each week. We got the old Sacristy room stripped of cabinets, closets, wall and ceiling material. The room will allow more square footage for the 2 new restrooms and lift proposed in that area. We will start demolition in the church restrooms to get them ready for remodel. The work our people do will save on contract costs. Bill Hinterman is saving us money also. He has been doing a lot of electrical work in the Fellowship hall. The work is needed due to the “expansion project”. The ladies on our Board have been a big help getting rid of things that have been in storage for years and have not been used. They also picked up the front lawn Man-ger scene pieces and put them in storage, and have been maintaining the front lawn

information sign. They tend to many re-curring weekly tasks also.

Among the jobs on our “to do list” 15 January was one to replace a me-chanical door closer (it fell off the door) in the Family life center building, and another where we needed to fix a loose door knob on an exit door to the sanctu-ary. Denny Barber and Jack Frazier fixed the closer by using bolts instead of screws to hold the closer secure. Mike Wasik and Bob Moosekian had to take apart the “panic hardware” in order to tighten the door knob. I hope you can see why I am so pleased with the guys and girls that do the work of our “Property crew”….. Thank you Lord!

Jim Hardy and Dale Ley inspecting the bare walls in the old sacristy. Already for the contractor’s to work on the new bathrooms and lift to the choir loft. They call that progress!!!

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Music Ministry Rick Weyhrich, Director Please prayerfully consider serving our Lord through one or both of these music ministry opportunities. See Rick Weyhrich, Music Director, for information. The choirs practice every Wednesday. The times are listed below.

Hand Bells at 4:30 p.m. Adult choir at 6:00 p.m.

YOUR MAILBOX may have moved AND that’s a very good thing!

Your name is ABOVE your box.

Each time we accept new members, the mailboxes are reor-ganized. Please remember to check your mailbox often!

13th annual SLF fundraiser golf outing Sunday April 28th Pastor Andrew has guaranteed a no rain, fair weather golf outing for this years SLF golf outing!

Golfers: Create your own foursome or you may sign up individually, in twosomes or threesomes and we will pair you with fun people. Golf will be a shotgun start scram-ble at 1:30 in the afternoon, Sunday April 28th, with banquet following golf, approx. at

6:00, in the FFG Multipurpose Center (opposite Druid Hills). Non-golfers: Spouses, family and friends that do not golf may still join the fellowship and meal prepared and served by the SLF staff for a $15 donation. Entry forms are available in the Gathering room.

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Shepherd’s Little Flock Sabrina Gunderson, Director

What’s Happened We continue to grow our center and have only a few spots left in a couple of our classrooms. Of course, we have a waiting list in our infant/toddler room. Peter Mill, one of our fathers here at SLF, made and installed our extra windows in the enhancement room. It was a long Saturday and one evening building and installing them. The room now will have extra protection from the outside elements. What’s Happening We will have a Jesus’s love me party on Thursday, February 14th at 9: 30 a.m. in our classrooms. If you would like to join us please, let SLF office know. Focus on the Flock Celebrating a birthday this month: We Wish Happy Birthday and God’s blessings to: Braxton who will be 3 on the 20th Micah who will be 3 on the 22nd Creative Curriculum

Our religion curriculum focus: Disciples and Jesus the teacher The letter for the month is: Hh and Vv Our themes will be: Community Helper’s, Disciples are Jesus’ Helpers and God is Love Our monthly Bible verse is: John 15:12 Love one another

Remember We will be having a pizza fundraiser starting on the 4th thru March 8th. See an ECM board member for your order. All proceeds will be placed in the contingency fund for new or the replacement of needed updated classroom toys and equipment.

Thank you Barb Ezelle for the wonderful job she is doing with keeping our bulletin boards up to date. They look fabulous!!

With the Love of Jesus, Shepherd’s Little Flock Staff

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The Board of Christian Education Bill Baessler, Chairman

Board of Christian Education As God’s people, sharing the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is our most important task.

As we continue to grow in our relationship with our merciful, gracious, loving, and awesome God, let each of us commit to step out of our comfort zone and challenge

ourselves to try some different or new way of sharing our faith. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church has many and varied opportunities for us to share the gifts with which God has blessed each of us. May the Holy Spirit guide every one of us as we consider how to let His fruit express itself in our life (Galatians 5:22-23).

Shepherd’s Little Flock: Our child care ministry fulfills the need of many parents to have a Christian environment for their child(ren) while they are at work. Our staff works diligently to provide a caring and loving place for preschool children. Within that context, there are several age levels at which we develop waiting lists. In order to meet the additional needs in those areas, the Early Childhood Minis-try Team is looking at ways to configure our facilities differently to meet those needs. Additionally, they are studying the feasibility of providing summer care for school aged children. Please pray for this ministry team as they deliberate the best means by which to accomplish these goals to better serve our community.

We thank the following members of our church family who regularly volunteer to assist our SLF staff weekly in meeting the needs of the children: Carol Jannusch, Becky Pittman, and Steve McLelland. Please see John Beck’s ECM article in this newsletter for further updates.

K.I.C.K. Time (Sunday morning children’s ministry): K.I.C.K. Time meets the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month during the 10:30 worship service The

curriculum (The Thread of Promise) engages children in a variety of ways with the central theme being that throughout history God makes promises to His people, that He loves His people and is always with them, and that God is faithful to every promise He makes through-out His Scriptures..

Lessons in February will focus on the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and his descend-ants to give them their own land (the Promised Land). We will be sharing the Scriptural ac-counts of God using Joshua to lead the Children of Israel into the land of Canaan, to give them their own king (especially David and Solomon) , and to use Solomon to build a temple for God’s glory. We would love to have your child learn how God fulfills all His promises to His people.

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YOUTH: Our youth are thankful to the members of Shepherd of the Hills congregation for the support they have

received on their life’s journey and helping them grow in Christ. They con-tinue to raise funds for attending the Synodical Youth Gathering in Minne-apolis, MN next July. This inspirational event is a very special way for them to grow in their Christian life. Thank you to everyone who has supported them in their efforts to date. Please pray for them and give them as much support and financial assistance as you are able.

Confirmation:

Five young people are now studying the six chief parts of Dr. Martin Luther’s catechism. They meet during the Sunday morning Bible study hour and discuss how we can grow in our relationship with God and respond to His love shown to us through His Son’s life, death, and resurrection as we look forward to His second coming. They will continue in these studies through May, 2020.

Adult Bible Studies:

Nurturing our soul with the Word of God is important to our Christian growth and allows the Holy Spirit to work His sanctification within us. You are invited to join one of several Bible study opportunities available at SOTH:

Sunday morning Bible Study: Pastor Abraham. Topic is Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation, c. 2017. Takes place at 9:15. Come early as there usually is a crowd.

The Neff Bible Study: Craig Jannusch, leader. Meets in Classroom 1 every Friday from 1 to 3 pm and will resume their study Friday, February 1st.

Deborah Circle Bible Study: Deborah Circle will not meet in February. Next meeting will be March 19th at the home of Janeth Moerdyk. Fairfield Glade Bible Study: group will continue their study of Parables on Thursday Feb. 7 and Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m. locations will be announced. Call Dorothy Buuck for more information, 484-7204.

Email Bible Studies: Contact sothbiblereadings@gmail.com. Choices include: Daily Devotions for Women; Daily Devotions for Men; By Faith Alone; (Greek) Word a Day; One Year Bible (full text); One Year Bible (passages only).

The Board of Christian Education continued:

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Pastor Andrew’s Sunday Bible Study

LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM with Explanation

9:15 –10:15 AM

We are Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. 1461 Sparta Hwy Crossville, TN 38572.

Phone: 931-484-3461

Fax: 931-707-0042 Email: soth@sothmail.org

Pray Requests: prayers@sothmail.org Web Page: shepherdcrossville.com/home/

Sunday Worship Services

8:00 AM and 10:30 AM

Adult Bible Study 9:15-10:15 AM

Kids in Christ’s Kingdom Sunday 12:00PM

Children’s KICK Time Sunday School

2nd &4th Sunday’s During 2nd services