God's people longed for the promised Messiah ~ the one who would rescue them from the darkness of sin and bring hope, joy, and peace. They opened their hearts in prayer for many years. In answer to their prayers, this is how God showed His love to the world: He sent us Jesus! This is the answered prayer we celebrate every CHRISTmas: Jesus is our Hope, our Joy, our Peace, our Savior! Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior! 

All worship folders and live stream links will be posted when they are available.

Wednesday, December 24 | Christmas Eve

3pm  |  Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

5pm  |  Contemporary Worship in the Gym

7pm  |  Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

11pm  |  Christmas Vigil in the Sanctuary with Holy Communion

Thursday, December 25 | Christmas Day

10am  |  Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary with Holy Communion

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" Luke 2:11

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!

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

The holiday season is meant to be a joyous time. But this season is often painful rather than joyful if you have lost a loved one, regardless whether the death is recent or long past. If this describes you or someone you know, please come to our "Surviving the Holidays" GriefShare event this Saturday, December 6, from 10am to noon in the Atrium. You may even register at the event. The manual alone is worth much more than the $5 it costs to attend, and you will find the session to be a great blessing. 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!

Join us for our December Active Senior Luncheon on December 11 at 10:30am-1:30pm in the Parish Hall. Lunch will be provided by June & Mark Elmshauser and our wonderful ELC kids will be joining us for a Christmas carol sing-along. Please RSVP to Dorothy Rognerud at 925-683-6739.

The ELC Christmas program will be held on December 11 at 6pm in the Gym. Please join us for the joyous message of Jesus's birth this season.

Christmas Treats Blessing for our ELC | We're looking for people who can bake/bring cookies, brownies, rice krispie treats...any sweet treat that can be eaten easily without a fork. If you're willing to provide a batch or two of a sweet treat please contact Sina. swilliams@sothfamily.org or 707-326-8666.

Please bring your sweet treats to the church office by 5pm the day of the ELC Program.

On November 8, Breakfast with Baby served 35 children from 21 families. After breakfast and a devotion in English and Spanish, parents shopped for clothes, diapers, wipes and other available items. For the December 13 event Size 4 & 6 diapers, wipes and Size 3T boy’s winter clothes are needed. Your contributions are a real blessing!

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.

Our Xtreme & SHYP Youth Christmas party is on Sunday, December 14 from 4-7pm in the Youth Room. Come together to celebrate with food, drinks, games, and a gift exchange! Bring a $10-$15 wrapped gift if you want to participate in the gift exchange. Questions? Contact Sina swilliams@sothfamily.org

Seeking Him Prayer Group meets Thursday, December 18 at 6:30pm in the Atrium to pray for God's guidance and blessing on the Staff, ELC, Lay Leadership, and future direction of Shepherd.

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! 

Young Adults will get together to have brunch on Sunday, December 28 from 9:30-10:30am in the Youth Room. If you have any questions, please contact Sina at swilliams@sothfamily.org.