“Hanging of the Greens” is Saturday, November 29 at 8:30am. Coffee, juice, donuts will be provided! Join us to decorate the Sanctuary and Gym stage for the Advent/CHRISTmas seasons.

High Schoolers, join us for a jolly good time on Sunday, November 30 from 3:30-5:30pm as we decorate our youth room for Christmas. Snacks and festive music provided! 

We'll be sending out college and military care packages in early December. If you want your child/grandchild to receive one please make sure Sina has their first/last name and current address. Remember to add in any dorm or mailbox numbers if needed! Addresses due to Sina by Sunday, November 30. swilliams@sothfamily.org

Help bring the sparkle and joy as we transform our space into a festive winter wonderland on Sunday, Nov. 30, 12:15-3:30pm. Lunch provided. You can fluff garland, hang ornaments, or just spread good cheer! 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7

Shepherd’s theme for 2025-26 is “Praying with an Open Heart,” based on Philippians 4:6-7. Three characters from Jesus’ early life prayed with open hearts, and they experienced God’s peace despite the unusual circumstances in which they found themselves. Their prayers were also songs to God—faithful expressions of thanksgiving and trust—because they had learned: When anything happens, pray; trust God will always answer; thank Him!

This Advent, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, please join us for our Wednesday evening services, where we will highlight the prayer-songs of Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon!

Praying with an Open Heart…

     December 3 | When Life Is Unexpected: Mary’s Song       

     December 10 | With Confident Expectation: Zechariah’s Song

     December 17 | With Gratitude: Simeon’s Song

Advent Wednesday Schedule

5:15-6:15pm | Supper in the Parish Hall

6:30pm | Worship, including Children’s Chat

Join us as we kick off Advent and the Christmas season with a simple soup supper in the Parish Hall. Soup, salad, bread rolls, and cookies will be served at 5:15pm on the Wednesdays before our Advent worship service.

We could use more soups each Wednesday and 2-3 more people to set up and clean up. Sign-up below. Hope to see you there!

Soup Supper Sign Up

Join us on Friday, December 5 from 6-8:30pm for an evening of joy, fellowship, and Christmas cheer! Enjoy heavy appetizers, live Christmas music, and festive drinks as we celebrate the birth of our Savior together.

A Children’s Christmas Party will take place separately in the Kids of the Kingdom Zone, filled with fun, games, and Christmas activities.

Come dressed in your festive best and share in the joy of the season with your church family!

RSVP HERE

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” — Luke 2:14

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one and can’t figure out the next step, we would love to help begin the journey. Come to the Atrium Saturday, December 6, 10am-noon. Register at GriefShare.org

Save the date for our next Congregational assembly on Sunday, December 7 at 12:15pm, in the Sanctuary. We will vote on the 2026 budget and on Church Council officers.

The Angel Trees are now in the Welcome Center and Gym. Please take an ornament and log your name and what gift you are donating. Attach the ornament to the gift bag and place by the Angel Tree by Sunday, December 7. Thank you for supporting children in our community!

On Saturday, December 13 from 10am-5pm in the Fellowship Hall, our church will lead a local outreach event - Jesus Door-2-Door. Lunch/snacks will be provided.

Jesus Door-2-Door (JD2D) is a 1-day local outreach program started in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. It consists of a religious canvassing survey done by two church members – one who gives the survey as the other records information on provided forms. It’s respectful - there is no arguing. If people don’t want to talk, they are thanked for their time and left alone. The Gospel is shared with anyone who will listen.

A person who has done the survey before will be here for the event to provide instruction and answer questions prior to conducting the survey. Any congregation member who is in 6th grade or older can participate. If you can’t join in, your prayers for this effort are greatly appreciated.

If you have questions or want to sign up to participate, please contact either of the Pastors (bstoltenow@sothfamily.org or boesch@sothfamily.org) or John Hoener at (303) 619-6828. You can also RSVP HERE.

Practice | Saturday, December 20

9-11:30am

Sunday School Christmas Program practice is Saturday, December 20, 9-11:30am in the Gym. All children participating in the program will do a walk-through, practice songs, and prepare for the special presentation of “Mary’s Treasure Box” the next day. 

Christmas Program | Sunday, December 21

10:45am Contemporary Service

Sunday School Christmas Program is Sunday, December 21, at the 10:45am Contemporary service. The children’s program tells the Christmas story through the eyes of an older Mary, Jesus’ mother. Support our children as they share the true meaning of Christmas! 

The Flying W Ranch Christmas program features a meal and musical entertainment led by our very own Michael Amidei! Holy Cross in Colorado Springs invites Shepherd members to join them and purchase tickets to this event on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 3pm (tickets/transportation handled individually). When purchasing tickets, please put in the comment box that you are with Holy Cross Lutheran Church, and they will seat you in the same section. This is a world class music event and a great fellowship time for our congregations! 

Tickets will disappear soon, so please order ASAP. Go to: flyingwranch.thundertix.com/events/251466/performances.

Dear Shepherd Church Family, 

We are currently in the process of updating our Church Directory, and we want to ensure that everyone's information is current and complete. We kindly ask that all updates be submitted by November 30, 2025, so we can update and distribute the new directory in a timely manner. Your participation helps us stay connected as a church family so we can better serve one another. Use the form below to update your information. Thank you for taking the time to help us keep our records accurate! 

Directory Updates Form

Thank you Shepherd for the outpouring of donations for our Thanksgiving Food Drive benefiting the Salvation Army. We collected $745 in gift cards and a car full of groceries.