Last summer, we introduced Our Vision for ministry: Shepherd of the Valley (SOTV) will invite all people to experience the Welcome, Transformation and Sending of Jesus Christ. Last fall, we published specific plans of how we would invest in worship to achieve Our Vision, including the creation of a new full-time Worship Leader position.
The job of the full-time Worship Leader is to plan and lead our band-led worship, and also help evaluate our worship options in terms of structure, style, visuals, music and overall experience. While we worked over the past year to identify a candidate for this position, Brian Bremer served as a part-time
interim leader. We are very grateful to Brian for his work, leadership, and
dedication to the ministry of SOTV. Brian’s collaboration with staff and volunteers enabled a successful transition of band-led worship from the Great Hall
to the Sanctuary. We are thankful to Brian for his work as the interim leader.
Brian will continue to lead the band through the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, July 28, 2013. Following the 11:00 service, Brian will be available to greet you in the Great Hall. Please join us and express your appreciation! We look forward to continued worship and fellowship with Brian and his family.
Our year-long search was a significant, wide, and prayerful process which
included input from a large group of people. We are pleased to announce Shawn Vaughan will join our team as the new Worship Leader effective August 1, 2013. Shawn will lead 11:00 a.m. worship beginning Sunday, August 4, 2013.
Shawn comes to SOTV with many years of worship and band leadership across a variety of venues. His training and education includes a degree from McNally Smith College of Music, in addition to a passion for ministry and excellence in worship. Shawn will report to Mark Ertl, Director of Music and Worship, and collaborate with the pastoral staff. In addition, he will provide leadership to the band and other musicians. We are excited to experience Shawn using his skills and gifts to create meaningful and inspirational worship. Please join us and warmly welcome Shawn!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Favorite Hymns
This past weekend in worship, we concluded our series on the Psalms with a Hymn Sing. The original hymns were Psalms, after all.
Below are a series of videos featuring members of SOTV speaking about their favorite hymns, all of which were featured in worship as part of Pastor Duane's sermon. You can also listen to Pastor Duane's sermon.
The hymns we sang in worship last weekend were chosen by you! There were 385 total votes, and here were the top vote-getters (# of votes):
1. Beautiful Savior (42)
2. Amazing grace (37)
3. How Great Thou Art (35)
4. Borning Cry (18)
5. On Eagles Wings (17)
6. A Mighty Fortress (13)
7. Lift High the Cross (12)
8. Children of the Heavenly father (11)
9. Holy, Holy, Holy (11)
10. Here I Am, Lord (10)
11. What a Friend We Have in Jesus (9)
12. Praise to the Lord the Almighty (7)
13. Just As I Am (7)
14. This is My Father’s World (6)
15. Battle Hymn of the Republic (5)
16. Earth & All Stars (4)
17. Shine Jesus Shine (4)
18. I Know That My Redeemer Lives (4)
19. I Love to Tell the Story (4)
20. Love Divine (4)
21. Abide With Me (3)
22. Day by Day (3)
23. You Are Mine (3)
24. We Are Called (3)
25. We Are Marching in the Light (3)
26. Jesus Christ is Risen Today (3)
27. For All the Saints (3)
28. This Little Light of Mine (3)
29. Jesus Loves Me (3)
30. When Peace Like a River (3)
31. Canticle of the Turning (3)
32. Silent Night (3)
15 songs had 2 votes. 62 songs had one vote. The top three songs had over 25% of the vote. The top ten songs had over half the votes. Thank you to all those featured in our hymn videos, to everyone who voted for their favorite hymns, and special thanks to Arlen Wilson for suggesting the idea for the Hymn Sing.
Below are a series of videos featuring members of SOTV speaking about their favorite hymns, all of which were featured in worship as part of Pastor Duane's sermon. You can also listen to Pastor Duane's sermon.
1. Beautiful Savior (42)
2. Amazing grace (37)
3. How Great Thou Art (35)
4. Borning Cry (18)
5. On Eagles Wings (17)
6. A Mighty Fortress (13)
7. Lift High the Cross (12)
8. Children of the Heavenly father (11)
9. Holy, Holy, Holy (11)
10. Here I Am, Lord (10)
11. What a Friend We Have in Jesus (9)
12. Praise to the Lord the Almighty (7)
13. Just As I Am (7)
14. This is My Father’s World (6)
15. Battle Hymn of the Republic (5)
16. Earth & All Stars (4)
17. Shine Jesus Shine (4)
18. I Know That My Redeemer Lives (4)
19. I Love to Tell the Story (4)
20. Love Divine (4)
21. Abide With Me (3)
22. Day by Day (3)
23. You Are Mine (3)
24. We Are Called (3)
25. We Are Marching in the Light (3)
26. Jesus Christ is Risen Today (3)
27. For All the Saints (3)
28. This Little Light of Mine (3)
29. Jesus Loves Me (3)
30. When Peace Like a River (3)
31. Canticle of the Turning (3)
32. Silent Night (3)
15 songs had 2 votes. 62 songs had one vote. The top three songs had over 25% of the vote. The top ten songs had over half the votes. Thank you to all those featured in our hymn videos, to everyone who voted for their favorite hymns, and special thanks to Arlen Wilson for suggesting the idea for the Hymn Sing.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
A Recap of a Busy June
The transforming winds of the Holy Spirit have blown briskly throughout Shepherd of the Valley this June. Usually the start of summer is a quiet time, but not so this year! If you've been away for a few weeks (no judgment here, it is summer!) here's what you might have missed:
Thank you to the many, many volunteers who have made June worshipful, meaningful, and fulfilling. Is Christ calling you to get involved in the flurry of activity at SOTV? Check out our current list of volunteer opportunities.
Questions or concerns? Drop us a line. We review each and every comment - your voice really does matter!
God bless you this 4th of July.
Trip Sullivan
Communications Director
- Band-led worship has moved from the Great Hall (at 9:45 and 11:00 on Sunday) to the Sanctuary (at 11:00 only). There are many reasons for this move. Essentially, the Sanctuary is a larger and better space for worship. You can read about the full list of reasons or watch Pastor Chris talk about them.
- Organ and piano-led worship continues to thrive--unaltered--at the worship times of 5:00 p.m. (Saturday), 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. (Sunday). In addition, we have added a service for the summer months at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, for folks who are out of town during the weekend. Often there's ice cream on Mondays too, and who doesn't like ice cream?
- Sunday fellowship (aka coffee and donuts) has moved from the Narthex to the Great Hall. There's much more space for people to visit and meet in the Great Hall, and now less clutter in the Narthex. In addition to coffee and donuts, we're offering a Hot Breakfast on Sunday, July 14, August 18, and in the fall on dates to be announced.
- We've added technology to the Sanctuary, under the leadership of our Production Manager, Omar Reyes (hired this spring): screens, new video camera, and a larger sound booth area that will enable staff and volunteers to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. It's pretty exciting!
- Pastor Paul Harrington has officially retired. There was a fantastic celebration of his ministry during worship on June 22, 23 & 24. You can listen to or watch his final sermon online. He and Margaret will remain active members of SOTV.
- If that wasn't enough, there were also two fun-filled weeks of Vacation Bible School and our most successful garage sale ever. This year the Shepherd's Sale had more volunteers than ever before and our largest ever profit. $28,000 was raised for children in need!
Thank you to the many, many volunteers who have made June worshipful, meaningful, and fulfilling. Is Christ calling you to get involved in the flurry of activity at SOTV? Check out our current list of volunteer opportunities.
Questions or concerns? Drop us a line. We review each and every comment - your voice really does matter!
God bless you this 4th of July.
Trip Sullivan
Communications Director
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
A Most Heartfelt Word of Thanks!
From Pastor Paul and Margaret:
The last couple of weekends have been among the most special times in our lives. Margaret and I decided these days rank right up there with our wedding day and the day of my ordination into the ministry of the church. Words fail us as we try to thank everyone who had anything to do with our farewell celebration. But let us try.
To the Planning Committee and the SOTV staff that made everything run so smoothly despite the large crowd and the somewhat limited space due to the Shepherd’s Sale preparations, thank you.
To have almost the entire Senior Choir show up on a summer Sunday to sing that gorgeous piece of music (“Fairest Lord Jesus”) was more than we could have hoped for.
To the four speakers at the program, we are so indebted.
To the Men’s Quartet that sang at the Monday evening “cabin service”, we are grateful.
To Pastor Duane who orchestrated the entire event and who also wrote two musical “masterpieces” sung by the staff and by the Men’s Quartet, our sincere thanks.
And for hundreds of cards, emails, letters, gifts, hugs, and well-wishes with some of the most affirming and heartfelt words you can imagine, we say THANKS to one and to all! You have been a blessing to us and our family for over three decades and we count you among the greatest gifts God could have ever given to us.
This is a remarkable congregation so filled with love, devotion, and a deep desire to make a difference in the world today. It has been an extraordinary joy to have served with you for these past 33 years and we will never forget your many kindnesses, your faithfulness, your generosity, and your love for one another.
We will always be thankful for each and every one of you! You have been one of the greatest blessings of our lives!
Your friends in Christ,
Pastor Paul and Margaret Harrington
The last couple of weekends have been among the most special times in our lives. Margaret and I decided these days rank right up there with our wedding day and the day of my ordination into the ministry of the church. Words fail us as we try to thank everyone who had anything to do with our farewell celebration. But let us try.
To the Planning Committee and the SOTV staff that made everything run so smoothly despite the large crowd and the somewhat limited space due to the Shepherd’s Sale preparations, thank you.
To have almost the entire Senior Choir show up on a summer Sunday to sing that gorgeous piece of music (“Fairest Lord Jesus”) was more than we could have hoped for.
To the four speakers at the program, we are so indebted.
To the Men’s Quartet that sang at the Monday evening “cabin service”, we are grateful.
To Pastor Duane who orchestrated the entire event and who also wrote two musical “masterpieces” sung by the staff and by the Men’s Quartet, our sincere thanks.
And for hundreds of cards, emails, letters, gifts, hugs, and well-wishes with some of the most affirming and heartfelt words you can imagine, we say THANKS to one and to all! You have been a blessing to us and our family for over three decades and we count you among the greatest gifts God could have ever given to us.
This is a remarkable congregation so filled with love, devotion, and a deep desire to make a difference in the world today. It has been an extraordinary joy to have served with you for these past 33 years and we will never forget your many kindnesses, your faithfulness, your generosity, and your love for one another.
We will always be thankful for each and every one of you! You have been one of the greatest blessings of our lives!
Your friends in Christ,
Pastor Paul and Margaret Harrington
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