The Fiery (and Outdated) Furnaces

George Ulrich

Our church building has greatly evolved over its 30 year lifetime, beginning with an eye to an unknown, yet hopeful and faith-filled, future. After five major construction projects, we currently have 15 furnace units that deliver heating and cooling, including equipment original to the building. Some units do not work properly, use older inefficient technology, consume more energy, and cost us extra expense in day to day operation, maintenance and repairs.

The #2 priority of our 2015 Capital Campaign is to improve our facility (after debt reduction). Meeting our campaign goal will make building changes possible and pay a dividend toward our future ministry. Reduced operating and energy costs will enable our resources to be used in other ministry areas as well. The possibilities are endless!

If you had a car with a noisy muffler, worn out springs, or was rusted out, you would need a sizable investment to afford replacing your old clunker. Your pledge to the Capital Campaign is a special investment that enables the church to use its resources efficiently, recover future funds, and continue to be a place of welcome and hospitality.

Please sign up to receive a visit and learn the full story of how your hopeful and faith-filled generosity can be magnified for the future in ways that we can’t fathom today.

Together, We Can Do More! 

Thanks to Bob Dennistoun and Greg Nonweiler for contributing the idea and content for this post.

Have You Been to a Hot Breakfast Yet?

This fall, we began offering Hot Breakfasts twice a month on Sunday mornings in the Great Hall. They happen on the 2nd and 4th weekends of the month from 9:00 - 11:00 am.

You've heard that breakfast is "the most important meal of the day" before, right? You could also say breakfast is the most important meal of the church too. Through breakfast, we can show others the welcome of Jesus Christ.

Food and fellowship on December 8.

Church can be perceived as an uncomfortable place sometimes, but comfort food like pancakes, bacon and eggs can make people feel welcome and part of the body of our faith community. In just the last few months we have witnessed many visitors, including whole families, sit down for a meal and make great connections with fellow churchgoers. This fellowship is priceless and is why we wanted to offer this delicious food at modest prices.

The magic happens in the kitchen!

First-time visitors can come and eat for free. Kids 2 & under are also free. Kids 3-10 eat for $4, youth & adults are $6, and seniors (55+) are $4. The maximum cost for a family of 4 or more is only $20. We accept credit and debit cards too, so you don't have to worry about having the right amount of cash with you. If you don't desire a full breakfast, please enjoy our coffee & donuts (which are available every week) for a freewill offering of your choosing.

If you haven't been to a Hot Breakfast yet, we hope you can come to one of upcoming dates: December 22, January 12 or January 26. Bring your friends!

Volunteers monitor the food stations all morning.

Finally, please know that these breakfasts only happen because of the tremendous work of dedicated volunteers back in the kitchen, and also out in the Great Hall managing hot stations, beverage stations, keeping things clean and greeting guests as they come in. Please consider volunteering yourself at a Hot Breakfast Sunday, and sharing the love and welcome of Christ with others.

A full list of volunteer roles can be found on our website.

Photos and video by Omar Reyes.

Join the fun and volunteer at a Hot Breakfast!

Growing Into Our Vision

In December 2012, Growing Into Our Vision was created and published in the Winter 2013 News for the Flock, as well as a standalone publication.

It explains in great detail how and why the Vision was created, and many of the steps that Shepherd of the Valley will take in the months and years to come as we seek to live out Our Vision. In particular:

• The Great Commission: What Jesus Asks of Us
• Welcoming All People
• Worship is Our Center
• The Path to Common Ground
• Expanding Beyond Our Walls

Download a PDF of Growing Into Our Vision

Sharing the Vision: A Three-Week Worship Series

Throughout 2011 & 2012, Pastor Chris Smith and a Vision Team worked prayerfully and diligently on a Vision for Shepherd of the Valley.

During the fall of 2012, Pastor Chris presented the main aspects of the Vision over the course of three weeks at all worship services:

Welcome - Transform - Send

These sermons can be viewed in their entirety below. Audio-only versions can be heard here. (Smartphones are not supported at this time.)