HOLY WEEK HAPPENINGS
The events of Holy Week will begin on Palm
Sunday, March 29 with a moving cantata, “The
Passion and the Glory of the Risen Christ”, to
commemorate the events of Holy Week.
On Maundy Thursday, April 2, the evening’s
events will begin with a vegetarian soup supper in
Fellowship Hall at 6pm. While in the Hall, we’ll
celebrate Communion and then continue the
Maundy Thursday service in the Memorial Garden.
Following the service, the Sanctuary will be
open for meditation until 9pm. On Good Friday, April 3, the Sanctuary will
be open from 9am – 5pm for those wishing to
meditate and reflect.
The Good Friday service will take place in the
Sanctuary from 12:15pm – 12:45pm (please note
the time change). On Holy Saturday, April 4, “Calvary”, the last
movie from our Lenten Faith and Film series, will
be shown at 3pm in the Sanctuary.
On Easter Sunday (aka “Resurrection Day”),
April 5, the day begins at 7am with a “Sunrise”
service in the Memorial Garden (that includes the
“transformation of the cross*”).
From 7:30am – 9:30am, breakfast will be
served by the men in Fellowship Hall (if you wish
to help, please contact Pastor Chuck at
602.432.3398 or at [email protected]).
At 9:30am, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt (if
you wish to help, please contact Paula Christensen
or Bill Janiga.)
At 10am, everyone is encouraged to gather in
the Sanctuary for an Easter Sunday Celebration
which will also include the reception of new
members and “the transformation of the cross*”
with cut flowers.
*On Easter Sunday, please bring a flower to
worship (extras are always available) and add
your gift to this symbol of life reborn.
INTRODUCING THE INTERTESTAMENTAL BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
By Rev. Chuck Aurand
The Sunday Adult Bible Study is now reading the
intertestamental books of the Bible. Come and
experience these important books which were read
and studied by Jesus.
In these books are found the first time people
began to believe that God created out of nothing, an
expansion of the importance of angels, the
development of hell, and so much more.
Really, you won’t want to miss this introduction
to the Old Testament Apocrypha or Deutro-
canonical books.
The Sunday Bible Study Group meets in the
Fireplace Room in Fellowship Hall after Worship.
SHOW YOUR PRIDE AND SUPPORT
On the morning of Sunday, April 12,
2015, you not only have the chance to
show your support of the LGBT
community, you also have the opportunity
to connect with your UCC friends from
across the Valley as we march together in the
11:00am Pride Parade through downtown Phoenix.
Contact Bill Janiga for details at 480-540-5760
SUNDAYS AT SHEPHERD
Welcome to the season of Easter. It is more than
just a day. It’s a new way of experiencing life.
Listed are our (tentative) Sunday themes for April:
April 5 “Resurrection Day” Mark 16:1-8 April 12 “Jesus Appears To the Disciples” John 20:19-31 April 19 “I Am Not A Ghost”
Luke 24:36b-48
April 26 “The Good Shepherd” John 10:11-18
Shepherd Life
The Monthly Newsletter for Shepherd of the Hills Congregational UCC
Volume 54/Issue 4 April 2015
Shepherd of the Hills is a faith community which seeks to learn, to love, and to serve together.
WITH HONOR AND IN REMEMBRANCE…
As you take in the
splendor of the Easter lilies
this Resurrection Day, you
are invited to reflect on the
significance of these flowers, the donors, and the
lives they honor through this symbol of new life:
Connie Archer – In Memory of Josephine
Jeanette & David Baker (2) –
In Memory of Louise Baker, Helen Harmon
Dick & Pat Becker –
In Memory of Daughter, Carol Elizabeth,
and Parents, Martha & Bill Becker and
Kathryn & Don Prior
Helen Boorman – In Memory of Bob
Paula Christensen – In Memory of Jeanie Clark
John Clark – In Memory of Jeanie Clark
The Janiga Family – In Memory of Roger Burritt
Beth & Joel Johnson (4) –
In Memory of: Dorothy N Johnson,
Henry W Johnson, Elizabeth E Bates,
William J Bates
Laurel & Bruce Kimball
Jan and Anna Morrow (2) –
In Honor of Phyllis Carrington;
In Memory of Hubert Carrington
Dan & Liz Mullen (2) –
In Memory of Aunt Doris Bacon
In Memory of Aunt Freda Willers
Jim & Carolyn Newman –
In Memory of Their Parents:
Arthur & Martha Newman,
Kenneth & Georgia Taylor
Javie Richardson – In Memory of Mike
Nancy Riley – In Memory of Frank Riley
Ted and Jeanne Roper (2) –
In Memory of Patrick L Roper
In Memory of Cleon H. Livingston
David Schintzius and Geoff Guidera (2) –
In Memory of Their Son, John Schintzius,
and in Honor of Their Mothers
Corrine Severson –
In Memory of Her Mother, Hazel Lilleskau
Sally Shackelford & Family –
In Memory of Ellis Shackelford
Carol & Lew Shaw –
In Memory of Martha Shaw & David Shaw
Nadine Smith – In Memory of Stephen K Smith
Beth Sposito – In Memory of Dan Sposito
Dick Taubert – In Memory of Lenore Taubert
A SPECIAL THANK YOU! By Gloria Schmidt
Psalm 94:17 says, “Unless the Lord has been my
help, my soul would soon have settled into silence.”
As Pastor Patti pointed out last Sunday, you could
not have sung “Happy Birthday” to me without
God’s healing intervention for me.
Verse 19 of the Psalm 94 says “In the multitude
of my anxieties, your comforts delight my soul.”
Let me list just a few of those comforts I received
when I was so sick.
First was the report of all the prayers being sent
to God by the people at SOH for my healing. This
includes the group of seven, called together by
Missy, who came to my bedside in the hospital and
provided a “circle of prayer” for my recovery and
spiritual renewal.
Second was the continuing care of my husband
Peter who had to learn more about providing
nursing care than he ever thought would be required
of an engineer. Then, there were all of those who
sent cards and provided meals to keep Peter fed and
healthy so he could care for me.
Thank you all for being the loving, earthly hands
of our Lord providing comfort to both of us during a
very challenging time.
Friday, April 24, 2015
7:30 pm
Shepherd’s
Fellowship Hall Suggested Donation:
$10 per person
CAMP COMING SOON By Nola Enge
Continuing with the long-
standing Shepherd tradition,
preschool and church folks will
once again head to Friendly
Pines in Prescott on May 2nd
and 3rd
.
We’ll sing campfire songs, eat S’mores and relax
in the fresh air of the Ponderosa Pines. We’ll enjoy
bubbles, crafts, soccer, parachute games and hikes
to the meadow and lake. Some fish and others
enjoy the peacefulness of a Sunday morning service
in the woods.
Not a camper? Sleeping quarters are heated
single-family dwellings with private
bathrooms/showers. The cost is $45 per person and
includes three delicious meals.
Won’t you join us? Let someone else do the
activity planning and cooking while you enjoy
nature. Do as much or as little as you like at this
relaxing, beautiful camp.
Please call the church or school office if you’d
like to join the fun.
IS NOW THE TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN
SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS UCC? By Bill Janiga
The membership committee is inviting anyone
interested in becoming a member on Easter Sunday
to contact the office or Bill Janiga (480-540-5760 or
JOIN US FOR A DISCUSSION OF
C.S. LEWIS’ MERE CHRISTIANITY
The Wednesday Wanderings Group is
meandering into classic Christian teachings as we’ll
read and discuss C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity
beginning April 15th
.
You are invited to join us every Wednesday at
10am in the Parish House for prayer and Christian
study.
PASTOR/PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
By Liz Mullen
We’re still here! If you have questions,
comments, or compliments on church activities,
please let any one of our committee members know.
We are your Pastor/Parish Relations Committee
members: Sue Spahle, Beth Franco, Tom Trickel,
Liz Mullen and Pastor Patti.
WOOLGATHERING By Rev. Patti Aurand
“So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror
and amazement had seized them…” Mark 16:8
Terror and amazement. Those aren’t quite the
emotions that come to mind when we think of
Easter. Usually we think of joy and wonder.
Usually we think happy, uplifting thoughts. But
there was nothing usual about that first Easter
Sunday.
It is believed that the Gospel according to Mark
is the earliest of the Gospels, and therefore the most
accurate. This version of the Easter story hasn’t had
the “Disney” treatment of being watered down.
This Easter story is presented in its raw, unrated
form. This Easter story is filled with terror and
amazement.
When was the last time you took the filters off
and truly heard – and experienced – the Easter
story? When was the last time you let the untamed,
unpredictable Christ be Lord of your life? When
was the last time you truly went searching for the
Jesus of your assumptions and instead found the
Christ of your redemption?
This Easter – this Resurrection Day – may we
each seek Jesus and may we each be found by Jesus
Christ, the Lord of life and the Conqueror of Death.
Google image: http://alidavies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Growing-tulips.jpg
THE ENDOWMENT IS GROWING!
Thanks to the generosity of the Shepherd’s flock,
the Endowment grew by leaps and bounds in
March. By utilizing the clever envelope system (so
creatively displayed in the lobby), $3762 has been
given thus far by 53 donors.
Thanks to your generosity and a more robust
stock market (hopefully it stays that way), we have
reached the $100,000 milestone!
There’s still time to contribute. While this
Sunday (March 29) is the last Sunday the envelopes
will be available, donations are always welcome!
MAKING A DIFFERENCE ONE PURCHASE AT A TIME…
The Good Earth Group holds its monthly sale of
Fair Trade coffee and chocolate before and after
Worship on the first Sunday of the month.
Purchasing your coffee, chocolate, and fresh
produce from the Good Earth Group is a simple
way to help make a difference for the sake of your
health and for the sake of the earth’s health.
And now, for your added convenience,
Shepherd of the Hills is now able to accept credit
and debit cards (either by visiting the website:
www.learnloveserve.org or via “Square” – just
look for the person holding the pink iPad!)
USHER’S 3rd ANNUAL SPRING GATHERING
By Diana Schneeman, Usher Coordinator
Spring has sprung, and so has the renewal of
Shepherd of the Hills usher friendships. The good
Lord gave us the most perfect weather which set the
background for a delightful evening last Saturday
night on March 21, 2015 at John and my home here
in Phoenix.
Thank you to all who attended to make this 3rd
annual usher gathering a success. (See above
picture.) Many thanks to Beth Johnson who loaned
us Garrison Keillor’s “NEVER BETTER, Stories
from Lake Wobegon” CD to play for our guests.
We listened to one of the stories, a 10 minute
story that was about a “national usher contest”.
WHAT A HOOT! It felt like we were at one of his
shows. Thank you, Beth, for bringing more joy and
laughter to our party. Sorry you and Joel were
unable to attend.
To all the ushers, and those who volunteer from
other committees who give of themselves to serve
as ushers to our congregation, you are appreciated
more than you know. Thank you for your heartfelt
spirit which you so willingly share.
BOOK CLUB NEWS
The Book Club meets on the
second Thursday of the month at
11:30am in the Library off the
Parish Hall. This month we will
meet on April 9th
. We are reading
Supreme Court Justice Sonia
Sotomayor’s autobiography, My Beloved World. It
comes highly recommended by Betty and Caroline
who both enjoyed it immensely.
We would love to have you join us. All are
welcome.
ICM FOOD & CLOTHING BANK NEWS
By Liz Mullen
It seems that many ICM clients are in transition:
they’ve just moved and are trying to set up a
household, their things have been stolen or
repossessed, adult children and grandchildren
return. They are often looking for the things that
make a home: cookware, bedding, towels, dishes,
small electrical appliances, even lamps, fans, books
and knickknacks. If you are simplifying your home
and have extras of these items, please donate them
to ICM.
FINAL SHEPHERD SANDWICH SEMINAR
(OF THE SEASON) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15th
The final Shepherd Sandwich Seminar of the year
invites you to discover our Maricopa County trails
and parks. We have made special arrangements to
have a representative of the “Parks & Trails”
department to come and speak to us about the many
opportunities to enrich yourselves, as well as what
we can do to help. You won’t want to miss this
informational presentation.
This month’s Sandwich Seminar is April 15th
from Noon to around 1:30pm in Shepherd Hall. This is a BYOBBL event (Bring Your Own Brown
Bag Lunch). We’ll supply the coffee, water, and
lemonade.
SUNDAY HOSPITALITY
Would you be willing to supply treats (examples
include: cookies, bars, fruit, muffins, cheese &
crackers, etc.) after Sunday worship?
If so, please call the church office, or pick a date
on the sign-up sheet in the Church Lobby. Coffee
and lemonade are already provided.
MEET WILL HEASLEY AND ANNETTE GREIMAN
By Mary Benin
Will Heasley and
Annette Grieman are two
of Shepherd’s newest
members.
Born in Hawaii, Will
spent his early childhood
and early teenage years in
California before moving
to Arizona when he was 15. Will started college at
ASU but didn’t finish before he moved back to the
bay area of California in his 20s. Will worked in
construction, and moved back to Arizona in his late
30s. Shortly after he moved back he decided that,
he would like to finish his degree in Urban and
Environmental Planning, which had always been an
interest of his.
At ASU Will finished his undergraduate degree;
and this past May graduated with a Master’s in
Urban and Environmental Planning. Currently Will
is working with a start-up company that he helped
get off the ground. ReNature, Inc. focuses on
sustainability by creating liquid fertilizer from food
waste.
Annette was born in Mason City, Iowa. She
moved to Arizona in 1994. Annette, a licensed
massage therapist and a licensed esthetician, works
at the International Skin Care Institute in Scottsdale,
that she helped open.
Will and Annette found Shepherd of the Hills
while they were searching for a preschool for their
son, Griffin. Last May, when they were checking
out preschools, they were invited to a Shepherd
Camp in Prescott so that they could meet many of
the parents and children who attended the Hills
Preschool. They not only met the families of the
Hills Preschool, but they also met Pastor Patti.
They really enjoyed meeting and talking to her.
They loved her take on religion and the world, so
they decided to check out the church.
One of the things that helped them decide to join
Shepherd was all of the good things that our church
is involved in (like VIP). Will and Annette wanted
to be part of a church that was very actively
involved in the community. They wanted a church
that was more than just a place to worship, but a
place to make a difference in the community.
Will and Annette feel a lot of affection and caring
at Shepherd. They want to be part of the process of
making our church thrive.
THE HILLS PRESCHOOL REPORT By Nola Enge
Our annual Teddy Bear Picnic is a highlight for
the children. It's a picnic...with bears! If you
happen by campus (or wish to join us) on April 11,
you’ll see a lot of families having a good old-
fashioned picnic on a blanketed lawn.
Everyone brings a teddy bear or two, we have
professional live music, face painting, the children
perform songs with their music teacher, and we
usually raise a bit of money for the playground to
boot. Feel welcome!
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING By Anthony Moujaes, adapted from www.ucc.org
Share as you are able. The oldest special mission
offering of the United Church of Christ, One Great
Hour of Sharing, has been transforming lives
around the world since 1949. Each year in the
Spring, UCC members, through gifts to the One
Great Hour of Sharing offering, make it possible for
the UCC to provide disaster relief, refugee
assistance, development aid and more.
With help from international partners, 91 cents
of each OGHS dollar helps provide clean water and
food, education and health care, small business
micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and
resettlement for refugees and displaced persons.
OGHS also supports domestic and international
ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
Nearly 70 percent of UCC congregations took
part in OGHS last year, which is one of the five
special mission offerings of the UCC.
Donations have long supported emergency relief
efforts, disaster response, sustainable development
and social services in 138 countries around the
world.
A majority of the One Great Hour of Sharing
offering goes to support water, hunger, disaster
relief and empowerment programs. By addressing
those issues, we address some of the root causes of
suffering in our world.
Shepherd of the Hills will receive the One Great
Hour of Sharing special offering on Easter Sunday.
WITH SYMPATHY…
We extend our sympathies to the family of
Trudy Goddard. Trudy passed away on March 9,
2015. Services were held here on March 14, 2015.
We also extend our sympathies to the family of
Barbara Gormley. Barbara recently passed away
in Wickenburg. Services will be held for Barbara
at Shepherd of the Hills on Sunday, April 19,
2015 at Noon.
WITH CONGRATULATIONS!
The Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer (our illustrious
Conference Minister) has recently been approved to
be the sole nominee to become the next General
Minister and President of the United Church of
Christ.
The official vote will take place at this summer’s
General Synod, taking place in Cleveland.
OFFERING A “RE-SOUNDING” THANKS
Since receiving the anonymous $10,000
challenge to fund a new sound/video system for the
sanctuary, thirteen donors have stepped forward
with donations totaling $4100.
As a way to thank all the current (and future –
hint, hint) donors, the Aurands will host a special
Dinner of Resounding Thanks. This dinner is
offered exclusively to those giving $100 or more
per person (those who gave prior to March 28 are
automatically invited to the dinner regardless of the
donation amount).
The dinner will be offered on Friday, May 8, at
6:30pm in Fellowship Hall. To be included in this
special evening, please make your “sound”
investment by Sunday, May 3, 2015.
Once again, a resounding thanks to all who have
made a “sound” investment in Shepherd of the
Hills!
E.P.I.C. ARTICLE: GETTING MUGGED AND OTHER ADVENTURES IN HOSPITALITY
By Ken McIntosh, Growth and Leadership Coordinator
I wish that everyone could have the experience
of visiting churches around the Southwest
Conference; doing so I have been blessed meeting
many wonderful people—and also picked up some
inspiring ideas. This year I’ve seen several neat
ways that our churches display extravagant
welcome to visitors.
When I visited Church of the Good Shepherd in
Albuquerque New Mexico an announcer at the start
of the service asked if there were any first-time
guests. I have to confess, I’m not a fan of making
visitors identify themselves but hey, I’m conference
staff and I’m not shy, so I figured “Sure, why not?”
I was surprised and very pleased when an usher ran
over to present me with a blue ceramic coffee mug
with the church’s name on it, and some teabags and
a pen (also inscribed with the church’s name)
inside. So I joked about getting “mugged” at
Church of the Good Shepherd---but I loved it. This
is a great idea. It’s something anyone can use—and
it’s a substantial gift—and it has the church’s name
to remind visitors of their experience. Marketing
studies show that giving SWAG does actually work,
provided it consists of “stuff” that people actually
want—and Church of the Good Shepherd scores
high on that.
I came across an equally inspired but more
subtle way of showing welcome at Shadow Rock
Church north of Phoenix. Pastor Ken Heintzelman
performed a funeral for a young person and knew
that many of the deceased’s peers would be in
attendance. What could he do to put them at ease,
and maybe even find meaning in their unstructured
time on the Shadow Rock grounds? The answer was
to provide square pieces of colorful cloth and
accompanying Sharpie pens so that the funeral
guests could write prayers and then hang their
colorful flags on a line between trees. This is the
Tibetan practice of hanging a Dar-ding (square
prayer flag, hung horizontally). The prayer flags are
now an ongoing part of the Shadow Rock
experience: blank flags and markers are always
available in a kiosk near the line to hang them on,
and rows of handwritten flags show how popular
this custom has become.
From giving a coffee mug to offering a prayer
flag, our sister churches are offering extravagant
welcome in creative ways. What can your church do
to say “welcome” in a new way?
LOOKING FOR LEADERS
On May 17, Shepherd of the Hills will hold its
semi-annual meeting. At that time, we will be
looking to elect new leaders for a variety of
positions. On the Church Council, we’re looking
for people to offer leadership to the Diaconate
Team, the Membership Team, and the Christian
Education Team. There are other opportunities
to serve as well. To learn more, contact
Moderator Mary Benin, Vice-Moderator Laura
Minnick or Rev. Patti Aurand.
Shepherd of the Hills Congregational United Church of Christ 5524 E. Lafayette Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85018-4599
Address Correction Requested
Through our ministry of hospitality, we provide space to the following:
Sun - 3:00pm Marshallese Worship in Hall
Sun- 4:00pm Meditation Group in Parish House
Mon - 8:00pm AA Group/Al-Anon Group, Hall
Tues - 6:30pm AA Group, Al-Anon, ALA-Teen
Wed - 9:15am The Hills Preschool Music Group, Fireplace Room
Wed - 8:00pm AA Group, Hall
Mon-Sat - 7:00am First Light AA Group, Fireplace Room
Sat – 8:30am Hatha Yoga, Hall
Tues - 6:30pm AA Group, Al-Anon, ALA-Teen
Wed - 9:15am The Hills Preschool Music Group.
Wed - 8:00pm AA Group, Hall
Mon-Sat - 7:00am First Light AA Group, Fireplace
Rm
Tues - 6:30pm AA Group, Al-Anon, ALA-Teen
Wed - 9:15am The Hills Preschool Music Group.
Wed - 8:00pm AA Group, Hall
Mon-Sat - 7:00am First Light AA Group, Fireplace
Rm
Tues - 6:30pm AA Group, Al-Anon, ALA-Teen
Wed - 9:15am The Hills Preschool Music Group.
Wed - 8:00pm AA Group, Hall
Mon-Sat - 7:00am First Light AA Group, Fireplace
Rm