Weekly update

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Sunday Update – Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 21, 2024

The image of the good shepherd shows us how the risen Christ brings us to life. It is the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep, one of mutual knowledge and love, that gives the shepherd authority. The shepherd’s willingness to lay down his life for the sheep shows his love. First John illustrates what it means to lay down our lives for one another by the example of sharing our wealth with any sibling in need.

Focus Question: How do I follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd?

We are going to begin including the names of those who give the Altar Flowers each week, so if you wish to include the reason you chose to give the flowers, please include that information on the Flower Chart, so we can include it in the information.

Today’s altar flowers are given by Sandy and Terry Sittman.

Please keep the following in your prayers:

Jackie Anderson, Elizabeth David, Cheri Eagleson, Rose Mandera, Linda Severson, Dyvone Freburg, Jeanne Retzer, Gracie Yoder, Carol Dahl, Diane Engel, Ronald Rice, David Collins, Alysha and JoAnn. Johnson.

We also pray for those who have lost loved ones: the family of Louie Dal Collo, the family of Bob Tooley, the family of Jacob Torgeson, the family of Bill Sanford, the family of Ann Freedlund, the family of Joyce Marcell, the family of Vicki Kundo, the family of Scott Francis, the family of Bob Pellant and the family of Deaconess Diane Kaufmann.

And we pray for: Opal, Maria, Helen, Valerie, Rose, Michael, Pat, Emily, Kim, Kathy, Al, Kristen, Greg, Gordy, Colleen, Mark, Jack, Pam, Brooke, Libby, Tony, Esther and John, David, Donna and the family of Sue.

In case of pastoral emergencies:

Please call Deacon Cheryl at 815-236-6657.

Calendar for the week of April 21

Sun., Apr. 21 – The Fourth Sunday of Easter Worship, 9:30 a.m., Presiding Minister, Bishop Emeritus Pastor Jeffrey Clements; Assisting Minister and Preacher, Deacon Cheryl Erdmann

Sunday School, after worship, for those aged 3 – 5th Grade

Mon., Apr. 22 – No scheduled activities

Tues., Apr. 23 – Office hours – 9 a.m. – noon

Wed., Apr. 24 – Weekly Bible Study [Texts: Acts 8:26-40; Ps 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8]

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85198710201?pwd=NHdydjZmMXp1UkF0TEJ3clVjYTZlZz09
Meeting ID: 851 9871 0201 Passcode: 714638
Dial via landline or cell phone: Dial 1 312 626 6799; then input the Meeting ID 851 9871 0201, then input the Passcode 714638

Thurs., Apr. 25 – Office hours will be 1 – 2:30 p.m. Dn. Cheryl will attend the North Conference Pastors/Deacons meeting at Grace, Loves Park, in the morning

Fri., Apr. 26 – Prayer with Litany, 11:00 a.m., via Zoom

Time: Fridays 11:00 AM Central Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84731771981?pwd=UU9TNWtMbllNT05tQlhYYnY0ekJZQT09
Meeting ID: 847 3177 1981 Passcode: 180747

Sat., Apr. 27 – No scheduled activities

Sun. Apr. 28 – The Fifth Sunday of Easter Worship, 9:30 a.m., Presiding Minister, Pastor Loren Nielsen; Assisting Minister and Preacher, Deacon Cheryl Erdmann

Sunday School, after worship, for those aged 3 – 5th Grade

A look ahead:

Mon., Apr. 29 – No scheduled activities at Shepherd of the Valley. The Faithful Sisterhood Women’s Interfaith Potluck Dinner will be at 6 p.m. at Inscape Collective, 201 – 7th St., Rockford. Shiraz Tat and Denise Colin will speak on “Taking Care of Ourselves: The first step in taking care of our community”.

Tues., Apr. 30 – Office hours – 9 a.m. – noon

Wed., May 1 – Weekly Bible Study [Texts: Acts 10:44-48; Ps 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17]

Thurs., May 2 – Office hours – 9 a.m. – noon

Fri., May 3- Prayer with Litany, 11:00 a.m., via Zoom

Time: Fridays 11:00 AM Central Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84731771981?pwd=UU9TNWtMbllNT05tQlhYYnY0ekJZQT09
Meeting ID: 847 3177 1981 Passcode: 180747

Sat., May 4 – Butterflies taken down, 9 a.m., Sanctuary.

Sun. May 5 – The Sixth Sunday of Easter Worship, 9:30 a.m., Presiding Minister, Pastor Loren Nielsen; Assisting Minister and Preacher, Deacon Cheryl Erdmann

Sunday School, after worship, for those aged 3 – 5th Grade

Other Announcements:

The Rockford Interfaith Community Garden received a 2024 grant from the City of Rockford (Yeah!), and the group of Interfaith Partners, including Shepherd of the Valley, have planned the following events to which you are invited! The Garden is found on the property of Creekwood Community Church, just south of SOTV, at the far South End of their Hope Garden.

- Sunday, April 28 – Interfaith Garden Blessing, 4 p.m. – The partners (including us!) will gather to “bless” the work to come.

Saturday, May 18 – Planting Day 1, begins at 9 a.m. – Will be transplanting the Starter Plants and planting the seeds for those direct-to-soil plants.

Saturday, May 25 – Planting Day 2, begins at 9 a.m. – Will be doing any planting not done the previous Saturday, and maintenance like watering and weeding.

Katie’s Cup Coffee Bar, 502 7th St., Rockford: please check out what’s going on at the Cup! https://www.katiescup.com/

One New Invitation, the Katie’s Cup annual Golf Outing on Wednesday, May 22nd at Timber Point. See the Gathering Area Desk for the sign-up forms.

Invitations from Christ Lutheran Church, Belvidere, and their Pathways Ministry (https://seekthepath.org/events)

Saturday, April 27, 2024, 9:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Creation Centered Awareness, Severson Dells Nature Center. Led by Pastor Carol Soderholm. More info to follow. Held at Severson Dells, 8786 Montague Rd., Rockford.

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Enneagram Workshop, “Unlocking Wholeness, Belonging and Community.” Held at Christ Lutheran Church, 425 Riverside Rd, Belvidere.

Here is additional Information on today’s observation of “Good Shepherd Sunday.”

Celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday with us!
Today, Shepherd of the Valley is joining with other congregations in the Northern Illinois Synod to celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday and lift up the programs and services of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI). By supporting the work of LSSI on Good Shepherd Sunday, your gift will be doubled! An anonymous donor will match all donations, up to $5,000 for each ELCA synod in Illinois, which means that your gift will have twice the impact. If you wish to make a donation to support this ministry, please use the pew envelope to make a donation, and mark it “LSSI”, see the LSSI bulletin insert for instructions to donate online; or follow this link https://www.lssi.org/make-a-gift/#donate-form

Thank you for choosing to make a difference!

Here is more information on ways to support the mission and ministry of LSSI:

Become a Youth Mentor with LSSI
The Marion Foster Care Office of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) seeks adults to serve as volunteer mentors to help make a difference in the lives of youth in foster care. Youth in foster care can struggle to find stability and supportive adult role models in their lives. The support from ONE positive adult relationship can provide the groundwork for the resiliency needed for a child to be successful. For more information about becoming a mentor for a youth in foster care near Marion, contact Licensing Specialist Alissa Miller at Alissa.Miller@LSSI.org or 618.251.7732.

Follow LSSI on Social Media
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is a partner in ministry with programs across Illinois. Learn more about their work at LSSI.org, and follow them on Facebook (@MeetLSSI), X/Twitter (@MeetLSSI), LinkedIn, and YouTube (@MeetLSSI). LSSI frequently features photos of ELCA members and congregations partnering to serve LSSI’s 50,000 clients each year. Like and share posts, so more people can be inspired!

LSSI Associate Board Accepting Applications
Join an enthusiastic group of people who are connected to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’s (LSSI) mission and dedicated to promoting and expanding the work of LSSI. As an Associate Board member, you will collaborate with other professionals to share ideas and plan community outreach efforts, like the popular Compassion on Tap events. Apply today at LSSI’s website or contact Kelly Nieman Anderson at Kelly.Nieman-Anderson@LSSI.org with questions.

Career Opportunities at LSSI
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) has a variety of positions available at more than 50 locations across Illinois, including many for child welfare and mental health professionals. Join a team committed to LSSI’s faith-based mission of healing, justice, and wholeness, and make a difference in people’s lives. View open positions, and learn more at LSSI.org/careers.

LSSI Foster Parents Needed
Make a difference in the life of a child by becoming a foster parent through Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI). Foster parents can be married or single, and once qualified, they receive ongoing support, training, and a monthly stipend. For more information, call 888.322.5774, email FosterAChild@LSSI.org, or visit LSSI.org/fostercare.