Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church 11th  Sunday after Pentecost Sunday Update, August 9, 2026 

Dear friends,
Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear. Jesus says: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears. In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the eucharist, God grants us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God’s presence to others.

Serving in Worship and Fellowship

Please keep the following in your prayers:

Jackie, Helen, Cheri, Rose, Linda, Dyvone, Jeanne, Kent, Carol, Ronald, Mark, Myrna, Cheryl, Opal, Maria, Gregg, Pat, Emily, Greg, Tony, Donna, Gale, Steve, Debbie, Patte, Dana, Michelle, Julie, Gracie, Doug, Joe, Laura, and Marlene Jackson.
We also pray for those who have lost loved ones, especially the families of Jim, John, Mark, Stewart, Bart, Anita, Ray, Beverly, Sally, Judy, Barb, Pr. Nord Swanstrom, and Liz Beale.

In case of pastoral emergencies: Please call Pastor Leslie on her cell phone: 815-981-5477

 Normal office hours for Pastor Leslie: Mondays 9am – 12pm & Tuesdays 9am – 3pm

Weekly worship at 9am: every Sunday except the last Sunday of each month (see calendar for location of 10am combined service each month) 

Altar flowers: When signing up, please include your phone number

Coffee hour treats: If you enjoy fellowship after service, please consider signing up to provide light treats!

 Save the Date! – Trivia Night Friday, October 2 @ 6pm  
Trinity Lutheran Church, Rockford. Registration will be available in August. The cost will be $20 per person, there will be a chili cookoff, a silent auction, and other fun stuff! So, please begin putting your team together to be ready when registration opens.

Bible Study: Join us the 4th Tuesday of August (8/25) at 9:30am in Shepherd Hall for our Bible Study. 

Also…Living Vine Women’s Bible Study is the 3rd Monday of every month. This study is lay-led and is also held in Shepherd Hall

Do you enjoy singing? We have a combined choir that sings once a month during our combined worship service with First Lutheran. Rehearsals: 9am (1 hour before worship) on the last Sunday of the month, [and sometimes a short rehearsal following our worship service the week prior].

pet blessing: Sunday, August 30th – 10am
We will be having a combined outdoor service at First Lutheran on Sunday, Aug. 30th. Bring your pets for a pet blessing!

SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, September 27th – church picnic

Stay tuned for more details!

If you still have your stone you picked up during Lent to pray for the person whose name is on the stone, please bring them back, fill out the little form, and leave them in the basket!

This week’s calendar:        

Monday, Aug. 10 – 9:00 am-noon — Office hours, Pastor Leslie Aska, – 11:30am Ladies’ Lunch (Jerry’s Cafe) 

Tuesday, Aug. 11-. 900 am- 3pm- Office Hours, Pastor Leslie Aska, – 10am – Worship and Music @ 10am on zoom

Wednesday, Aug. 12 – No activity in the church building

Thursday, Aug. 13 -, 8:30am –noon – 3pm: office hours (Nathi)

Friday, Aug.14 – no activity in the church building

upcoming calendar highlights 

Tuesday, Aug. 18 – Joint Council meets @ 5:30pm @ SOTV.

Sunday, Aug. 30 – 10am – Joint OUTDOOR worship at First Lutheran – with pet blessing

Sunday, Sept. 27 – 10am – Joint worship at SOTV & church picnic   
(more details soon!)