404 N. Green St.

McHenry, IL 60050

P: 815-385-4030

F: 815-385-5330

www.shepherdofhills.org

info @shepherdofhills.org

Facebook.com/SOTHchat

WORSHIP

Saturday Evening

6:30 p.m.

Sunday Morning

8:00 a.m. & 9:15 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

(Contemporary Service)

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Grades K~8

8:00a.m. 9:15 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

NURSERY CARE

IS AVAILABLE

ON SUNDAYS

SHEPHERD’S SCROLL

A PUBLICATION FOR SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH

DECEMBER 2016

A message from our Pastor….

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

The Christmas story reminds us to be joyful, even when we are afraid. Fear cannot get the best of us. When the angels come to the shepherds, the writer of Luke tells us they were “terrified.” Into that terror, fear and confusion, the angels proclaim the good news of God’s love made known in the birth of Jesus Christ, our hope and our joy.

We need the angels to come to us too, don’t we? Centuries later, we need to be reassured of “the great joy for all people” made known in Jesus. It is the Christmas message, but we also need to hear it whenever we are anxious, as our country is now. Sometimes the past helps us see how we have managed through difficult times.

This is being written on November 22, 2016. You may recognize this date, knowing that 53 years ago, in 1963 our 35th president, John F. Kennedy was assassi-nated in Dallas, Texas. People were shocked and terrified by this news. Some histori-ans believe that event ignited the fire that was the 1960’s. It was a time when the United States was deeply divided and joy was scarce.

Those years were turbulent times. Into the noise of voices screaming and shouting, the church proclaimed the good news of great joy of God’s love for all peo-ple, the love made known in Jesus Christ. Hope was not abandoned because it was a difficult and trying time. As a nation, we persisted and moved forward.

Our country’s recent election cycle has exposed divisions among us. Again, the angels’ call reminding us not to be afraid but joyful is wise. Can we trust in God and his love and joy made known in Jesus, the one whose birth we celebrate at Christ-mas? Considering that question, realize the story does not end with the angels’ proc-lamation. The shepherds overcome their fear, travel to the manger to visit Jesus and then tell others, “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”

As believers in this time and place, we are called to be modern day shepherds. As the original shepherds obeyed and shared the angels’ commands, we have the same mission. Into any space where people are terrified, may we proclaim “good news of great joy for all people!” God is glorified and praised when our words and ac-tions overcome hate with love. That love – Jesus, our Savior, our Lord, our Immanuel – is born!

In God’s Peace,

Pastor Tom

PARTNERS IN FELLOWSHIP

DECEMBER FLOWER SPONSORS

4th The Charles Nelson Family

11th Karen Brabec in memory of Joe Brabec

Don and Twila Weichle in memory of their parents

18th Need

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - Poinsettias

DECEMBER COFFEE SPONSORS

4th The Charles Nelson Family

11th Karen Brabec in memory of Joe Brabec

18th John and Nancy Lawson in honor of John Lawson Jr.’s 46th birthday

Christmas Eve and Christmas - None Served

DECEMBER REFRESHMENT SPONSORS

4th 8:00 Bev Meikel

9:15 New Member Reception

10:45 Aaron and Jen Kwapniewski

11th 8:00 Karen Brabec in memory of Joe Brabec

9:15 Choir and Bells

10:45 Choir and Bells

18th 8:00 Need

9:00 Need

10:45 Need

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

The annual bazaar and craft fair will be

held in Fellowship Hall

Saturday, December 10th

and

Sunday, December 11th

Donations are needed!

Any questions, please contact Hazel

at

815-344-0558

Our Chrismon Tree

What is a Chrismon? A Chrismon is

a combination of two words. Christ

and Monogram….a monogram of

Christ. Our Chrismon Tree, which is

located in the front of the Sanctuary,

symbolizes eternal life, which our

Savior has won for us. The tree is

decorated with tiny white lights and

gold (a symbol of the glory and maj-

esty of God), and white (which sug-

gests innocence, purity and perfec-

tion of our Savior) Chrismon designs.

Our tree displays the Christian Year

Series of ornaments, accented by

several additional symbols. Please

take a few moments during this Ad-

vent to look closely at our beautiful

tree. The ornaments were lovingly

created by members of Shepherd of

the Hills.

Christmas Worship Services

Christmas Eve

3:00pm, 5:00pm, and 11:00pm

Christmas Day

10:00 am

THANK YOU FOR SERVING IN WORSHIP

USHERS 8:00 Dave Mihevc, Laurie Mihevc, Geffrey Krajci, Shirley Kively

Confirmation Students: Justin Karcz & Jaedin Kotecki

9:15 Ronald Jones, Vickie Boetler, Jim Augustine, Char Augustine

Confirmation Student: Riley Westwood

10:45 Steve Karaba, Cristy Karaba, Jim Brady, Sandy Cheatham

Confirmation Student: Gabrielle Wilson

GREETERS 8:00 Need 4

9:15 Patti Parisi, Need 3

10:45 Need 4

LITURGISTS Dec 4th 8:00 Karen Brabec 9:15 Bonnie Rostrom

Dec 11th 8:00 Music Sunday 9:15 Music Sunday

Dec 18th 8:00 Program 9:15 Program (Sunday School )

Dec 24th 3:00 Hal Hartwigs 5:00 Duane Cedergren 11:00pm John Porter

Dec 25th 10:00 am Duane Cedergren

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Dec 4th 8:00 Sue Murphy, Barbara Gaskell, Char Manusos, Don Manusos

9:15 Linda Kisly, Judy Mueller, Pat Corbley, Wanda Corbley

10:45 Julie Smith (3 Needed)

Dec 24th 3:00 Ron Gohl, Susan Porter, Katherine Porter, Need 1

5:00 Dave Mihevc, Laurie Mihevc, Sue Murphy, Ann Marie Cedergren

11:00 Don Manusos, Char Manusos, Nevie Gamble, Patti Parisi

Dec 25th Ann Marie Cedergren, Brenda Cox, Need 2

OUR ALTAR GUILD

Barbara Gaskell

Ruth Cepuder

Sharie Moy

Sue Borresen

Sandra Cheatam

SOUND

TECHNICIANS

Brian Anderson

Jim Vyduna

MAKING WORSHIP POSSIBLE

BULLETIN ASSEMBLY

Dec 4th Pam Schilf Dec 11th Barbara Powell

Dec 18th Amanda Puls Dec 24th Monika Strumberger

Dec 25th Monika Strumberger and Christina Schoeps

and Christina Schoeps

COFFEE MAKER

Dec 4th Gail K. Anderson Dec 11th Barbara Gaskell

Dec 18th Barbara Gaskell

OFFERING COUNTERS

Christa Grunert, Cristy Karaba, Donna Quinlan, Josephine Lin

CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE The Church Council recently made an offer to a candidate to

become our next senior pastor. The candidate declined the offer and has decided to remain in

his current position. Although this outcome is disappointing, we are confident that God already

has our next pastor waiting. The Call Committee will begin the search process again by gather-

ing and reviewing new RLP’s. With the Advent Season approaching, we expect things to move

more slowly as candidates are especially busy during this time. The Call Committee asks for

your continued patience and prayers as we move forward in our search. If you should have any

questions, you may Contact the Call Committee by leaving a sealed note in the church office

“Drop Box”, via email at callcommittee@shepherdofhills.org, or by simply calling the church of-

fice.

STEWARDSHIP MAILING THANK YOU Thank you to the following faithful servants for as-

sembling the stewardship packets this year: Terry Parejko, Annelise Bauer, Ron Ziska, Callie

Harms, Marge Hall, Gloria Wyatt, Bob and Bev Fluger, and Charlaine Tiffany.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED Teachers are still needed for the 9:15 and 10:45

Sunday School hours. Substitutes are also needed at all three services. Contact Jenny LaRose

if you are interested at 815-385-4030.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS As Christians, we reach out to others during

the Season of Advent to share the joy and love brought into our lives through

the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The outreach ministries of Shepherd of

the Hills provides individuals and families throughout our community with

Christmas meals and gifts. We assist our sister church, Holy Family Lutheran

Church in Chicago each year with gifts, as well. Fruit baskets will be delivered

by our Parish Worker to our homebound members to let them know we continue to keep them in

our thoughts and prayers. We will also have our Hat and Mitten Tree in the Narthex along with

the Giving Tree, for you to select children's names for gifts. If you would like to help with any of

these outreach programs this season, please watch the bulletin for the “Christmas Blessings” en-

velope.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU Thank you to the Glenn and Susan Wayman Family for beautifully

decorating our sanctuary and the Chrismon Tree. Your time and talents are greatly appreciated!

MUSIC SUNDAY Come and enjoy the talents of our Shepherd's Voices, Shepherd ’s Brass,

Shepherd's Bells, and Joyful Spirit on Music Sunday, December 11th. where they will be

presenting The Evolution of Music in the Church. This is a wonderful way to start out the

Christmas Season!

NEW MEMBER SUNDAY Welcome! On Sunday, December 4th at the 9:15 am service we

will have 13 new families joining our church! Please be sure to welcome them at our New Mem-

ber Reception following the 9:15 service in the Fellowship Hall.

RIDES TO CHURCH We are currently evaluating if there is a need for rides to church, spe-

cifically worship services. Would you be interested in getting a ride to church? Are you willing to

provide a ride to someone wanting to come to church? If you have any input, please call the

church office (815-385-4030) and we will determine how to proceed based on the interest gener-

ated. Thank you!

BAPTISMS

Camden Nicholas Dopke, son of Nicholas and Brittany Dopke, was baptized on No-

vember 20, 2016. Camden’s sponsors are Kyle Frazier and Melody Giovanni.

Kayden Renee Sirants, daughter of Richard Sirants and Marcella Ann Smith, was

baptized on November 26, 2016. Kayden’s sponsors are Michelle Zakoian, Katie Walker,

and Brennden Bond.

Gifts Given in Honor to….

Gertrude Jessup for her 100th birthday by Cecile Zimmerman

And

Jim and Hazel Colbertson for their 60th Wedding Anniversary by Cheryl Brincks

Our Condolences go out to….

Lorraine Murphy for the loss of her

son and to Susan Murphy for the loss of

her husband, Dennis Murphy.

MEMORIALS

To honor the life of a loved one

or friend, memorial envelopes are

available in the Narthex

SUNDAY SChOOL & CONFIRMATION

Sunday School & Confirmation will be held during all services:

8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Sunday School Confirmation

Dec 4th God’s Peaceful World Dec 4th Worship with Family

Dec 11th John the Baptist Dec 11th Judges

Dec 18th Christmas Program-No Sunday School Dec 18th Christmas Program-No Classes

Dec 25th Christmas Day-No Sunday School Dec 25th Christmas Day– Worship with Family

Acolyte Schedule

8:00 am 9:15 am 10:45 am

Dec 4th Hailee Kleimann, Alyssa LaRose Riley Westwood, Kyle Rasper Kylie Flathau, Gabby Wilson

Dec 11th Greg Barker, Kailey Barker Lukas Thomas, Kaitlyn Nelson Rachel Lappen, Avery Kuhl

Dec 18th Max Moulis, Miranda Moulis Kole Christoff, Grace Christoff Nate Puls, Gabby Wilson

Dec 24th Christmas Eve— 3 pm Kyle Rasper 5 pm Need 11 pm Need

Dec 25th Christmas Day—Needed

Monday Night Ministries High School Youth Group

December December

Monday December 5 -MNM Sunday December 4 -Cookies/Ornaments & Scooter B-Ball 6-7:30pm

Monday December 12 -MNM Monday December 5– MNM

Monday December 19—Jesus’ Birthday Party Monday December 12—MNM

Friday December 23—Youth Christmas Service /Dinner 5pm Sunday December 18– Cocoa Cram/Finals Study

Service Project—Snug Hugs for Kids Monday December 19—MNM Christmas Party

Winter Clothing Drive Friday December 23– Youth Christmas Service and Dinner 5pm

**MNM Meals begin at 5:30 p.m. **High School Youth are encouraged and welcomed

$3.00 per child per week to attend MNM

For more information on meals and programs contact Chad and Jenny at chad@floresmihevc.com

Christmas Program Practice Schedule

Dec 4th and 11th -12:00 pm—1:30 pm

Dec 17th - Dress Rehearsal for everyone in the program

9:00 am - For speakers and anyone dressed in a costume

9:30 am - For 8:00 am service participants

10:15 am - For 9:15 am service participants

Dec 18th– Christmas Program Day - All Three Services

7:30 a.m. - Speakers Arrive