Blood Pressure Sunday

This coming Sunday, August 3rd is Blood Pressure Sunday. If you would like your pressure taken, please see one of the health care team after service.

Pastor's weekly message

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

In the Old Testament lesson for this coming Sunday, God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost (Isaiah 55:1-5).  In our gospel lesson, Jesus feed the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God (Matthew 14:13-21).  At the Eucharistic table we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today.  As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.

 

Prayer of the Day

 

Glorious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance.  Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen

 

Announcements:

· A memorial service for Julie Zetterberg's father, Maurice Labrousse, will be held this Wednesday, July 30th, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sherwood.

· SOV's youth will meet the second pastoral candidate at Papa's Pizza this Wednesday at 6 pm.

· Summer Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7 pm, July 30th through August 13th:  This summer we are taking a long, hard look at the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapters 5-7.  The heart of Jesus' teaching is more relevant than ever in a world of turmoil.  How should we as Christians and as a Church respond to the challenge of his words?  Join us on Wednesday evenings for some powerful  and provocative discussion and study.  The group will be facilitated by Kevin Cope and will meet this week at the home of Neil and Dolores Austin.

· This coming Sunday, August 3rd, you are invited to meet the second pastoral candidate.  Time:  7 pm.  Place:  SOV, of course! 

Prayer concerns:

Julie Zetterberg and family—prayers for God's comfort and peace following the death of her father, Maurice Labrousse;

Darlene Anderson—prayers for healing after two falls (She is bruised and sore.);

Charlotte Harris, hospitalized and going to rehab soon—prayers for healing and strength for Charlotte, Ken and family;

Christine Edgar—prayers for God's wisdom, strength and peace as she deals with a difficult situation;

Ron Farnsworth, diagnosed with prostate cancer—Prayers for healing and strength and for successful treatment;

Rachel Flath,—Prayers for continued healing and strength;

Bob McFall—prayers that he may find relief from pain;

George and Evelyn Selzer and family, as they grieve the death of George's grandson and daughter-in-law—prayers for God's peace and comfort;

Ann Smith— continued prayers for healing;

Jacob Tabor—Prayers for continued healing and strength, as he prepares for upcoming surgery to reconnect the bowel;

…Prayers for strength and guidance for all who are caring for loved ones.

…Prayers for strength and guidance for all who are unemployed.

Pastor's weekly message

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

It's an exciting time in the life of Shepherd of the Valley!  In the next two weeks, you will have an opportunity to meet two pastoral candidates who are being considered for the call to serve here at SOV.  On each of the next two Sunday evenings, one candidate will lead devotions and engage in conversation with you, the members of Shepherd of the Valley.  This is an important step in the process of discerning whether either of these pastors is the right fit for the congregation.  I hope that you will be able to attend these gatherings and share your impressions with your Call Committee.  Please remember to hold the Call Committee members, the candidates, and the whole congregation in prayer.  The members of the Call Committee are:  Arden Tarum, chair; Daniel Carlson; Valsala George; Joe Hoffbeck; Connie McFall; Linda Rasmussen; Lee Bonacker (alternate); Dick Kuykendall (alternate).

 

Meet the Pastoral Candidates!

 

When:  Sunday, July 27 at 7 pm, and Sunday, August 3 at 7 pm

Where:  Shepherd of the Valley

Format:  Devotions followed by an informal fellowship time

 

Looking ahead to this Sunday's worship….

 

In baptism God promises that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8:26-39).  As Solomon prays for wisdom, so we seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith, ancient yet ever new (I Kings 3:5-12).  In our gospel lesson for this coming Sunday, Jesus offers images from everyday life that reveal to us the reign of God.  It is like a tree that becomes a safe and sheltering home, like yeast that penetrates and expands, like a treasured pearl, like a net that gains a great catch (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52).  Even as we seek the riches of God's reign, the great surprise is that God's grace finds us first!

 

Prayer of the Day

 

Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy.  By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen

 

Other announcements

 

· Summer Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7 pm, July 23rd through August 13th:  This summer we will take a long, hard look at the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapters 5-7.  The heart of Jesus' teaching is more relevant than ever in a world of turmoil.  How should we as Christians and as a Church respond to the challenge of his words?  Join us on Wednesday evenings for some powerful and provocative discussion and study.  The group will be facilitated by Kevin Cope and will meet this week at the home of Neil and Dolores Austin.

 

Prayer concerns

 

Darlene Anderson—prayers for healing after two falls (She is bruised and sore.).

Charlotte Harris, hospitalized—prayers for healing and strength for Charlotte, Ken and family;

Ann Smith— continued prayers for healing;

Christine Edgar—prayers for God's wisdom, strength and peace as she deals with a difficult situation;

Ron Farnsworth, diagnosed with prostate cancer—Prayers for healing and strength and for successful treatment;

Rachel Flath,—Prayers for continued healing and strength;

Bob McFall—prayers that he may find relief from pain;

George and Evelyn Selzer and family, as they grieve the death of George's grandson and daughter-in-law—prayers for God's peace and comfort;

Jacob Tabor—Prayers for continued healing and strength, as he prepares for upcoming surgery to reconnect the bowel;

 

…Prayers for strength and guidance for all who are caring for loved ones.

 

…Prayers for strength and guidance for all who are unemployed.

Call Committee Meet & Greets

Sunday 7/27 and 8/3

 

Please join the Call Committee and the two finalists (one each Sunday at 7:00 PM) for a Meet and Greet.

 

Bob

Caregiver retreat

On Thursday, July 31st, Legacy Caregiver Services will hold its annual Caregiver Retreat.  The event begins at 9:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in NW Portland.  

If you're interested in attending, call 503/413-7652 to register and select your activities (or email caregiver --at-- lhs -dot- org).  The $15 fee can be paid by credit card or payment can be sent to Legacy Caregiver Services.  Deadline is July 25th.

Jean McFalls
Legacy Caregiver Services
1015 NW 22nd Avenue
Portland, OR  97213
503/413-8018

Pastor's weekly message

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

The Scripture lessons for this coming Sunday remind us that the mystery of God's ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent.  Jesus associates with the lowly and those often excluded from the religious community.  Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God's mercy and forgiveness (Romans 7:15-25a).  We gather in worship to be refreshed by Christ's invitation:  "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens" (Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30).  In the Christian community gathered around Word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls.

Please read on for congregational announcements and prayer concerns!

Announcements:

What a great time we had at Vacation Bible School!  We learned a lot, had fun, ate great food, and we even beat the heat on Saturday with lots of water breaks and Popsicles!  Thanks again to everyone who made it possible.

Wow!  Attendance at worship this past Sunday was 129—very good for summertime, when many are traveling!

Summer Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7 pm, July 2nd through August 13th:  This summer we will take a long, hard look at the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapters 5-7.  The heart of Jesus' teaching is more relevant than ever in a world of turmoil.  How should we as Christians and as a Church respond to the challenge of his words?  Join us on Wednesday evenings for some powerful and provocative discussion and study.  The group will be facilitated by Kevin Cope and will meet at the home of Ken and Charlotte Harris.

Prayer concerns:

Ann Smith—prayers for healing and for a good outcome on her upcoming cat scan;

Theresa Kotvis, recovering at home following emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy and blood clot—prayers for healing and for comfort at the loss of their baby;

George and Evelyn Selzer and family, as they grieve the death of George's grandson and daughter-in-law—prayers for God's peace and comfort;

Bob McFall—prayers that he may find relief from pain;

Ron Farnsworth, diagnosed with prostate cancer—Prayers for healing and strength and for successful treatment;

Rachel Flath, undergoing treatment for cancer—Prayers for healing and strength;

Jacob Tabor—Prayers for healing and strength to persevere with his restricted diet;

…Prayers for strength and guidance for all who are caring for loved ones. 

 

…Prayers for strength and comfort for the people of California who are threatened by wildfires