Looking Ahead to 2008

Greetings,

I share with you that the decision has been made by those involved to discontinue the 9:15 contemporary service. The last Son-Day Morning Live service will be held on Sunday, December 30th. Over the years, this service has been a blessing to those who have committed so much of their time, energy and passion to make it happen, as well as, a blessing to those who have attended. Many of the persons who helped start the service are no longer involved, and for a variety of reasons, some of those still involved are unable to commit the time and energy needed to continue to plan and participate in the service. There simply are not enough people involved to carry on at this time. The decision to end the service has been a painful one for many people. I give thanks for each participant's commitment and desire for the church to reach out beyond the local congregation through this service.

What will the new year bring for all of us at Shepherd Church? My hope is that there will opportunities to explore and dialogue together about what it means to be the church: people called together to worship, to grow in faith and understanding, to be inclusive in offering hospitality, to care for one another, and to reach out to others in our local community and beyond. My hope is that we will continue to support vital ministries that are taking place; let go of those that have served their purposes well, but are no longer viable; and find new ways to be in ministry to the glory of God. My hope is that more people will find a place to become involved. And I hope that we will continue to find ways to come together in small groups and as a whole congregation to enjoy good fellowship (and probably good food) in a variety of settings. These are just a few of my hopes for the new year.

Looking ahead: Easter is early this year, March 23, which means Ash Wednesday is early as well, February 6. We will observe Ash Wednesday that evening with a service at 7:00 p.m. We will gather to hear the invitation to observe a holy Lent, to join in the Psalm (51:1-17) of confession, and to receive the sign of the cross made with ashes on our foreheads, a sign of our repentance and mortality.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, that 40 day period of growth through self-examination, prayer, fasting, study and repentance prior to Easter. We will observe the six Sundays in Lent, the last being Palm Sunday, in our worship services. I plan to offer a Lenten study, probably on Sunday afternoons. More information will be communicated about the specifics of the study at a later date.

There is a possibility that you might receive this newsletter before Christmas. I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very joyful and blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy 2008!

May God bless you and keep you,

Pastor Kathy