Welcome to
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran
Who We Are
Our mission is to provide a safe and accepting place to celebrate God’s grace, invite and engage the curious, reach out to the world in love and service, and strive to be an example of how the Lord would live in today’s world.
Shepherd of the Valley is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), founded in 1973 and located in Beaverton, Oregon.
What to Expect
Worship starts at 10AM on Sundays. While Shepherd of the Valley (SOV) tends to be more casual, you are welcome wearing whatever feels comfortable. You’ll see people in jeans and T-shirts, and you will see people dressing up, too. After you enter the front doors, head to your right into the sanctuary. The usher’s station is right inside the sanctuary, and the ushers will be there to greet you and answer any questions you may have. Family groups can generally find seats together, or the ushers can help you relocate chairs to accommodate your entire party. Everything you need to follow the order of service will be on the two screens at the front of the sanctuary – order of service, visuals, and song lyrics. Hearing assisting devices and large print copies of the service order can also be found at the usher station.
Families and Children Welcome
We welcome children into our worship and into our church community. We have a small area toward the back of our worship space set aside for children and fondly call it the “prayground.” Children will find books, coloring pages, and other items to keep them entertained and engaged during the worship service. Prior to the message for the day, Pastor will call children of all ages to come up to the front for the Children’s Message. Pastor will sit with the children and laugh and talk with them as they hear the good news of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand.
We usually offer an educational time (Sunday School) during the school year for children (about ages K-6th grade), which takes place downstairs right after the Children’s Message and finishes in time for Communion.
Services and Communion
Sunday services are typically an hour long and begin at 10:00. We celebrate communion each Sunday, and all who want to share in the communion bread and wine are invited to come forward and receive God’s gift of gracious love. Coffee and refreshments are usually available after service for people who wish to stay for a while and visit. During the seasons of Lent (before Easter) and Advent (before Christmas), we offer a short midweek service on Wednesdays.
Accessibility Features
Our sanctuary is accessible to persons with disabilities. There are no steps between the parking lot, and our powered entry door is ADA compliant. If needed, the ushers can provide a hearing assistance system. We also have a wheelchair accessible restroom that has an infant changing station.
Get to Know Us Online
Recordings of our services can be found on our YouTube page. You are also invited to like us on Facebook.
What We Believe
Shepherd of the Valley is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The ELCA confesses the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.
ELCA teaching or theology serves the proclamation and ministry of this faith. It does not have an answer for all questions, not even all religious questions. Teaching or theology prepares members to be witnesses in speech and in action of God’s rich mercy in Jesus Christ.
To learn more about ELCA faith and teaching, please visit the ELCA web site.
Staff
Pastor Henry Martinez joined Shepherd of the Valley as our full-time called pastor in April 2021, when he and his family moved to the Pacific Northwest. Prior to this call he and his spouse served as coordinators for ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program in Australia. Since moving to Oregon he has enjoyed volunteering as a coach in youth sports, getting outdoors, and drawing.
Council and Leadership
Executive Officers
Council President: Christine Todd
Vice President: Cal Sugyiama
Treasurer: Linnea Harmon
Secretary: Stacey Roeder
Council Members & Committee Chairs
Community Life: Wendy Roeder
Property: Reynold Roeder
Social Ministry: Lisa Ramsey-Barnes
Worship: Caryl Husk
Financial Secretary: Chris Kragh-Buetow
Memorial and Endowment Board
Caryl Husk
Cal Sugiyama
Debbie Johnson
Kathy Tabor
We rely on volunteers. Special thanks to the many members and friends of this congregation who give hours and weeknights to make these ministries happen.
Kristi Ray has been attending services since late 2001. As time passed she became more involved with the ministries of SOV. Beginning with Parish Education and then Social Concerns (now Social Ministry) she grew to love the people of SOV and the work they do. In 2022, she became the office administrator where she continues today. Ask her anything, and she will give you an answer but there is no guarantee that it is accurate or true. As a child, she went on a family vacation along the coast of California where she saw many career paths. She wanted to try them all except for painting the Golden Gate Bridge. She is happy to say that her position at SOV fulfills her career goals of not painting the Golden Gate Bridge.
Join us in person for worship at 10AM on Sundays.
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