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Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church
7 5 0 S e n e c a L a ne , I n d i an T r a il s A d d i t i o n
P . O . B o x 3 2 57 , Ja c k s o n, W Y 8 3 0 0 1 - 3 2 5 7
P h o n e : 3 0 7 - 73 3 - 4 3 82
N ove m b er
2014
THE SHEPHERD’S STAFF
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Pastor’s Message
2
Events/
Announcements
3
Meet the Volunteer
4-5
Outreach/Volunteer
News
6
Thanksgiving Service
7
Youth News
8
Schedule of Ministers
9
Calendar
Insert
Worship Schedule
9:00am Adult Study/Sunday School
10:00am Traditional Worship with Holy Communion
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Nov. 2
Guest Pastor: Rev.
Frank Johnson
Nov. 9
Guest Pastor: Bishop
Martin Wells
Nov. 11
Council Meeting at
6:00pm
Nov. 23
Only one service at
10:00am—
Thanksgiving Service
Nov. 23
Thanksgiving Potluck
following 10:00am
service
(No 8:00am worship during November)
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIME CHANGES
During the month of November there will not be the 8:00am spoken
worship service.
November 2nd—All Saints’ Sunday: Welcome Rev. Frank Johnson, supply pastor
November 9th—Welcome Bishop Martin Wells and Kristin Koskella the new
ELCA Net-Worker
November 23rd—Thanksgiving worship at 10:00am followed by a turkey
potluck dinner.
SOTMLC makes every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy and validity of the information provided in its newsletter.
PA S TO R ’ S M E S S A G E
PAGE 2
After prayerful consideration and conversation with my wife, our bishop, church council and
staff, and several friends, I want you to know my plan to retire in January 2015 from my ministry
as a pastor at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church. My last Sunday as your pastor will
be the last Sunday in January (January 25th).
When I became your pastor in 2010, I made a commitment to serve for four to five years. In
January, I will have served five. These years have been among the richest, most challenging
and most rewarding of my career. It has been a privilege and an honor to be your pastor for
these last years. It is a joy to be able to work with people who want to learn how to take the
gospel more seriously.
I hope my departure in January makes room for an interim pastor to serve you well while your
call committee works with the recommendations that come from the congregation and moves
into the process of calling your new pastoral leadership for the next era of Shepherd of the
Mountains.
I want to say a special word of appreciation and thankfulness to the people who stepped
forward to be leaders in this congregation while I was pastor. I especially want to thank Bob
Krause, Dan Schou, Kim Hunt and Mike Eden for their leadership as council presidents, their
support and love. I want to thank all those who serve on the church council—for their
willingness to take a look and support God’s vision for mission for Shepherd of the Mountains.
In my call as a pastor I have been greatly blessed with support, particularly in the last three
years with Mitzi, whose gift for ministry and compassionate heart are true blessings to
Shepherd of the Mountains. For 46 years in ministry this is one of the finest coworkers I’ve had.
She is more than a secretary to me, I consider her to be a friend.
There is the possibility that I may serve for a while at Star Valley United Church. Now that I have
resigned here, I have let them know that I am available to be called as their pastor. So, the ball
is in their court and God will decide.
It has been a joy for me to share life among you with De. She has found rewarding relationships
with you, has appreciated worship here, and has felt rewarded by her engagement with Circle of
Care and the Hospitality and Welcoming Ministry Board, and much more. We both will miss you
dearly, and will remember our time with you with fondness and gratitude.
We are thankful for the relationships that we’ve formed during these five years and that is why
we must say, “so long” but refuse to say, “goodbye.” We will see you in our travels, during
worship and at fellowship events for many years to come!
Contact Information:
(307) 713-6179 Cell
(307) 883-3159 Home
And finally, I want to thank my wife and
my true companion, De, for all she does
to make our life together a joyful and
loving relationship.
God loves you and so do we,
[email protected]
[email protected] Pastor Al and De Schoonover
EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Page 3
Daylight Savings Ends: Please remember to set your clocks back one hour
before you go to bed on Saturday, November 1st. Daylight savings time ends
on Sunday, November 2nd at 2:00am.
Saturday Night,
November 1st►
All Saints’ Sunday: Please join us in welcoming Rev. Frank Johnson who will
be the supply pastor on All Saints Sunday, November 2nd. Please add the
names of your Christians friends and loved ones that you would like us to
remember on this day to the sign-up board provided in the narthex.
Sunday,
November 2nd►
Please welcome Bishop Martin Wells and Kristin Koskella (the new NetWorker). We are grateful that they are joining us for worship on Sunday,
November 9th. Bishop Wells will be preaching the sermon and will be
available for conversation following worship.
Sunday,
November 9th►
Tuesday,
November
11th►
Church Council Meeting: Tuesday, November 11th at 6:00pm.
Sunday,
November
23rd►
Thanksgiving Worship Service and Turkey Potluck Dinner: The annual
Thanksgiving worship service will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at
10:00am. Ruth Ellefson has a wonderful service planned with readings of
thanksgiving and music.
A sign-up sheet for the turkey potluck dinner is located on the table in the
narthex.
K N E E R E P L AC E M E N T S U RG E RY
Pastor Al will be at home recovering from his knee replacement surgery on Wednesday, October
29th. He thanks you for your prayers and well wishes. He will be back in the pulpit on Sunday,
November 16th.
DECEMBER
Community Blood Drive: The blood drive will be at Shepherd of the Mountains on Wednesday,
December 3rd from 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm and on Thursday, December 4th from 8:00 am to
12:00 pm. Thank you to each and every one who supports this great cause. To sign up or volunteer, please contact Jolene Moulder at 413-4561.
M E E T T H E VO L U N T E E R
An interview with Nikki Thompson
Q:
Nikki, tell us about your family and your
background.
A: My parents, Rick and Colleen, migrated to Wyoming
from southern Minnesota in the early 80s. When Mom
was expecting me they learned I had spina bifida, so
they went back to Minneapolis where they knew they
would have family support and great medical facilities,
so that is where I was born. We all returned to Jackson
when I was about 5 weeks old. My brother, Chris, was
born 1991.
I graduated from Jackson Hole High
School in 2002 and went to college in
Rock Springs for a year, majoring in
journalism, but I had to quit due to
health reasons . . . I had sixteen
surgeries in about a two-year period. I
currently have an apartment in Pioneer
Homestead.
Q: How and when did you become part
of the Shepherd of the Mountains
Lutheran Church family?
A: My parents and I transferred to
Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran
Church (from Redeemer Lutheran) in
1989 when I was about 5 years old, so this is really the
only church home I remember. The first location I
remember worshipping was at the old Kindercampus,
which is where the Center for the Arts stands now. We
worshipped in different areas of that building as well
as the other elementary schools. Most of those
buildings don’t exist anymore. I remember when we
broke ground for the new church, we went out there as
a congregation and took a shovel and broke the
ground and we all took a rock from the soil to keep.
Page 4
Meet the Volunteer is a new addition to our
monthly newsletter and will focus on interviewing
one of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran
Church’s outstanding volunteers from time to
time.
What a nice way to get to know our members,
their families, and all that they do for the church
and our community.
Q: What areas of the church life of Shepherd of the
Mountains Lutheran Church have you been a part
of?
A: I recently was on Church Council for three years
and served as secretary, and I have been on the
Youth and Education Board about four years. I’ve
been the church’s liaison for Old Bill’s Fun Run for
Charities, filling out the registration
paperwork and attending the awards
party. I have helped out with Fellowship
over the years. Before we had a church
secretary I helped out with preparing the
bulletins and some administrative work.
I usher and count offering. I’ve also
helped with scheduling nursery
volunteers.
Q: You served on Council for 3 years.
Did you learn anything new about the
church?
A: It takes a lot to run a church!
Q: What has been challenging for you in
volunteering?
A: Being in a wheelchair I am somewhat limited in
what I can do physically, like lifting and doing dishes
at church (darn!), but other than that I am game for
pretty much anything.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your
involvement?
Continued on page 5
M E E T T H E VO L U N T E E R C O N T I N U E D
A: I have really enjoyed getting to know the people and
watching the church grow and change.
Q: Do you have a vision for the church?
A: That we keep growing in faith.
Q: How has your faith been important to you over the
years?
A: My faith has kept me stronger in weaker times.
Q: What occupies your time when you are not serving
at Shepherd of the Mountains?
Page 5
we just have to wait until the building is up, which
hopefully will be done next summer. I will work
about 12 to 15 hours per week as a supervisor in
the greenhouse, in charge of developmentally
challenged adults.
WOW, Nikki! You are a busy young lady! Thank you
for sharing your gifts and talents in so many ways
with your community, Shepherd of the Mountains
Lutheran Church and ultimately to the glory of God.
You are such a blessing!
A: I get out and about quite a bit. I learned to drive
when I was 15. My dad had a little Windstar and he
put hand controls and a wheel chair lift in it. I enjoy
movies, Jackson Hole Live Concerts, going out to eat
with friends and family, electronics, computer, keeping
up with people through FaceBook. I participate in a lot
of outdoor activities through Teton Adaptive Sports,
like skiing, biking, and kayaking.
From age 7 through high school I was involved with the
March of Dimes to raise money for research to combat
birth defects and premature births . . . and I helped
raise $30,000 during that time. Most of that was by
phone but I would also go door to door to raise funds.
Recently I have been helping with fundraising for the
Teton Timberwolves, which is the local adult team of
Special Olympics. It’s a mix of Community Entry
Services clients and independent athletes.
I serve as a job coach, which has entailed helping a
local young person deliver newspapers to the Living
Center, and helping supervise another young lady with
her daily grooming and hygiene.
Q: I’ve heard you might be involved with the new
Vertical Harvest venture?
A: Yes, we are finishing up training soon—we’ve been
training since June, learning about the plants we will
be growing and about the hydroponic system. Then
“As each has received a gift, use it to
serve one another, as good stewards of
God's varied grace.”
1 Peter 4:10
Page 6
VO L U N T E E R I N G
Meal Ministry
SOTMLC would like to begin a MEAL MINISTRY by having a ready and ample supply of frozen meals available at the church that can be taken to community members who may have
an illness, new baby, death in the family, etc. If you would like to bring an item, please
leave it in the freezer in the storage area behind the sanctuary. Please mark it with your
name and phone number, name of dish, cooking instructions and the date you made it. In
addition, please include the list of all major ingredients (such as, pasta, peanuts, ginger,
cilantro, tomato paste, type of meat, etc. as some families have food allergies.)
SOTMLC will then put a label on the item so it is ready to be distributed. Please call Jolene
Moulder, 413-4561, for more information.
Serving God Through Serving
Others
Warm Clothing for Kids on South Dakota Reservations
A request for donated warm clothing for children on South Dakota Reservations has gone
out to the communities. If you have any used winter clothing that you would like to donate,
please mail items to: Native American Heritage Association, 12085 Quaal Road, Black
Hawk, SD 57718-9862. If you are unable to afford postage, Marylou Klene has agreed to
pay delivery costs. Pre-addressed mailing labels are also available in Mitzi’s office.
Community Blood Drive
The blood drive will be at Shepherd of the Mountains on Wednesday, December
3rd from 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm and on Thursday, December 4th from 8:00 am to
12:00 pm. Thank you to each and every one who supports this great cause.
To sign-up or volunteer, please contact Jolene Moulder at (307) 413-4561.
DRIVERS NEEDED
Circle of Care is in need of people who are willing to drive friends to Idaho Falls for doctor’s appointments and hospital visits. Circle of Care will pay for the gas costs. If you
are able to assist in this area, please contact Carolyn Daily at (307) 690-1172.
Page 7
THANKSGIVING
Now Thank We All Our God
Hymn #840
This very familiar Thanksgiving
hymn was born out of a background of distress and grief.
Written in 1636 by German
pastor Martin Rinkhart, this
hymn was taken from Ecclesiastes. In Germany it has become the national Le Deum
and is sung at all festive occasions.
German pastor Martin Rinkhart served in the
walled town of Eilenburg during the horrors of
the Thirty Years' War of 1618-1648. Eilenburg
became an overcrowded refuge for the surrounding area. The fugitives suffered from epidemic and famine. At the beginning of 1637,
the year of the Great Pestilence, there were
four ministers in Eilenburg, but one abandoned his post for healthier areas and could
not be persuaded to return. Pastor Rinkhart
officiated at the funerals of the other two. As
the only pastor left, he often conducted funeral services for as many as 40 to 50 persons a
day—some 4,480 in all. In May of that year,
his own wife died. By the end of the year, the
refugees had to be buried in trenches without
funeral services.
Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom this world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers’ arms,
Has blest us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
DATE:
TIME:
November 23rd
10:00am Thanksgiving
Worship Service
“Let Us Give Thanks”
Please join us for our annual Thanksgiving service
on Sunday, November 23rd at 10:00am—actually
9:50am for a Thanksgiving sing-a-long! We
encourage you to invite your family and friends,
everyone is welcome. We will have some special
music and Thanksgiving readings and Bible verses.
Come, “Let us give thanks.” —Ruth Ellefson
Shepherd of the Mountains will provide turkeys
and we will need volunteers willing to cook them.
The Hospitality and Welcoming Committee will
need volunteers to help set up, serve and clean up.
The potluck sign-up sheet will be located on the
table in the narthex. Thank you for your
willingness to help!
This is one of the favorite and well attended events
of the year. We are thankful to each of you who
help make this such a continued success.
YO U T H N E W S
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ~
Every November, you hear about being thankful and grateful for all the
blessings in your life. Sometimes you
hear the word "thankful" so often that
it ceases to have meaning to you.
I urge you this Thanksgiving to view
the subject of thankfulness with a new energy and focus.
What does the word "thankful" actually mean? The dictionary defines the word thankful:
1. feeling gratitude: feeling or expressing gratitude.
2. glad about something: glad or relieved about something
How has God blessed you this past year? Can you recall specific times when you called out to Him in prayer? How did
God respond to your request?
Sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers the way that we
think that he should answer them. God sees our situation
much better than we do and we can trust that he always has
our best interest in mind. We only see a tiny piece of the big
puzzle and God has the entire puzzle in his vision.
Do you ever find it difficult to be thankful? Sometimes situations in our lives can make being thankful a difficult chore.
Even in the worst of times we can find reasons to be thankful. Knowing that Jesus loves us and chose to willingly die for
us is a very big reason to be thankful this year.
Knowing that God is in control and that he has a purpose for
our lives is another reason to be thankful. God blesses us in
so many ways and sometimes we fail to see or recognize His
handiwork in our lives. Think about all the wonderful things
in your life such as family and friends. Sometimes a brother
or a sister can seem to be anything BUT a blessing but think
about how empty your life would be without them.
Be thankful for your mom and dad. Take the time to tell
them how much you appreciate all the little things they do
for you. Write them a note and let them know that what they
do for you is valued by you.
Be thankful for the home in which you live. If you have a
warm bed to sleep in and good food to eat, then you should
thank God for providing for your needs. Give back to someone who is not as fortunate as you and donate food or your
time this holiday season to them.
- See more at:
http://www.homeschooledkids.com/bethankful.html#sthash.uma35Y4l.dpuf
PAGE 8
Page 9
SCHEDULE OF MINISTERS
The Schedule of Ministers serving during the month of NOVEMBER
If you are unable to serve on your scheduled day, please switch with someone and notify the person in
charge of scheduling that area. Thank you for your willingness to serve.
Ordinary Time: A Season of Green
In the long series of Sundays following Pentecost and before Christ the King at the end of November, the chancel and those
who preside in it wear the liturgical color green –the color of life and growth.
DATE
SUNDAY
SUNDAY
SUNDAY
SUNDAY
SUNDAY
Nov. 2
Nov. 9
Nov. 16
Nov. 23
Nov. 30
Thanksgiving
1st Advent
All Saints
Liturgical
Assistant
8:00AM
No 8am service
No 8am service
No 8am service
No 8am service
No 8 am service
10:00AM
John Daily
Mike Eden
Scott Daily
Heidi Schmillen
Holly Luense
Betsy Scott
Jo Schmillen
Diana Eden
Sherry Kinsella
Rose Jeske
Altar Minister
10:00
Lector
AM
Rusty Mizelle
Mary Lou Klene
Vicky Springer
Thanksgiving
Dale Jeske
Greeter
10:00AM
Carole Liebzeit
Susan Freeze
Lorrie Lee-Wells
Nancy Ninnemann
Mike Eden
Ushers
10:00AM
Sherry Kinsella
Tracie Welch
Freeze Family
McCreedy
Family
Schmillen
Family
Moulder
Family
Carolyn Svendsen
Christina Mizelle
Steffan Freeman
Rose Jeske
Jo Schmillen
Steffan Freeman
Nikki Thompson
William Shedd
Lorrie Lee Wells
Christina Mizelle
Counters
►November
NOVEMBER
READINGS
2
First Reading
Second Reading
Gospel
Revelation 7:9-17
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-13
►November 9
First Reading
Second Reading
Gospel
Amos 5:18-24
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-3
►November 16
First Reading
Second Reading
Gospel
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
►November 23
Thanksgiving Service
►November 30
First Reading
Second Reading
Gospel
Isaiah 64:1-9
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 3257
Jackson, WY 83001