 The Time After Epiphany, and Lent, February 2015 
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
Our Mission: We are a welcoming family in Christ who serves through celebrating and sharing our many gifts.
February Events
2015: The Year of Sharing
“I pray that the sharing of your faith may become
effective when you perceive all the good that we
may do for Christ.” Philemon 1:6
At our church council retreat on January 11, I mused
about naming 2015 at SVLC “The Year of Sharing”.
This was not meant to dictate an agenda but rather
to activate, and give a little focus and direction. In
so many ways, are already an incredible community of sharing. I’m just
wondering about naming and putting even more intentionality on this
central Christian practice.
So here are a few initial thoughts about making 2015 The Year of
Sharing…
1. I keep thinking about my grandparents, who gave a canister of cookies
to my dad this Christmas. On the card they wrote: “Please share.” We
laughed at the time, and made sure Dad followed his instructions. But
the more I considered it, I think all of Jesus’ teachings might be summed
up in this short but fundamental command. And sharing is taught. I love
the multi-generational component to this simple illustration, as we think
about “doing church”, a.k.a., life together: Older generations (my
grandparents) teach/instruct the younger ones (my parents), who teach
me. And hopefully, we now turn and do likewise, teaching our children
and grandchildren. Above all, God shares with us, so we share with each
other. “Please share,” God says.
Feb. 2 – Bible Study 6:30pm
Feb. 3 – CPR Training, 6-9pm at SVLC
Feb. 8 – Congregational Meeting Part 2, 12pm
Chili Dog Fundraiser for lunch!
Feb. 9 – Bible Study 6:30pm
Feb. 3 – CPR Training, 6-8pm at SVLC
Feb. 15 – Celebration for Tanya, 12pm
Feb. 15 – Fat Tuesday Sunday, 6pm
Feb. 17 – Tuesday Morning Bible Study, 9-11am
Feb. 18 – Ash Wednesday, Service at noon & 7pm
Feb. 21 – Work Party 7:15am at SVLC
Feb. 25 – Lenten Supper @ 6pm & Service @ 7pm
Feb. 28 – Quilting at SVLC 9am-3pm
Confirmation 9am-1pm
Upcoming Events
Every Wed. in March – Lenten Supper @ 6pm
And Lenten Vespers @ 7pm
March 11- Chili Cookoff Potluck Supper
March ? – Evening with Richard Lederer
April 19 – Chili Cook-off for Agape House
at St. Andrews Lutheran
April 24-26 – Women’s Retreat at Luther Glen
2. Sharing is not a burden or a daunting task: sometimes, it’s actually way more fun to share. Cookies, yes (if we hoard them, we get
sick)...but so much more. Sharing brings us together and spreads joy around! Remember when the electricity went out all over SD? I
don’t know about your neighborhood, but in ours, everyone was out in their front yards sharing – on might say – time, talents, and
treasures. Like cookies, “take some, and then pass it on.”
3. Sharing doesn’t just mean sharing something that you received like a gift, or money, or time, or a resource. I also means sharing
your own thoughts, opinions, concerns and ideas. It’s not just listening to others, but also sharing part of yourself too. That’s risky,
but that’s part of what it means to share life together. Do we love and trust each other enough to speak from the heart?
4. Just as we share from our personal lives and “treasure chests” (time, talents, resources) with SVLC, so we also continue to share
from our SVLC communal life with the local community and beyond: TACO, Common Ground, El Nido, Crisis House, Survivors, Pacifica
Synod, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Retreats Camps and Conferences, Agape House, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary &
California Lutheran University.
To this end, flip the page for a few concrete ideas for 2015:
(Continued on next page)
SVLC Vistas  The Time After Epiphany / and Lent  February 2015
Our Welcoming Family in Christ…
2015: The Year of Sharing (continued from previous page)
...a few concrete ideas for 2015:
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A new photo directory…and recipes in one spiral-bound book! – sharing not just our food, but also how to make our food.
Summer pictures & stories -- sharing our adventures and learnings from our summer experiences.
“Hot button” dinner parties -- What are healthy and more loving ways that we might share more of who we are and why
we take a certain stance on [insert “hot button” issue]? Perhaps the church becomes the model for people disagreeing
but listening and loving each other anyway…
Living and continuing in our “Today’s Mission – Tomorrow’s Vision” Capital Campaign – lots of sharing here!
Sharing in worship every Sunday; and home devotions during the week; and group bible study
Emphasis on sharing/teaching skills and gifts we bring (quilting, singing, brewing, building, cooking etc.)
Interested in making any of these happen? What are your ideas about sharing? How can we share what God has so
graciously given us?
Pastor Dan
[email protected]
Annual Congregational Meeting, Part II
Sunday, February 8, 2014 ~ 12:00pm at SVLC
Come hear annual reports, review our updated Church
Constitution (Printed and pdf copies available this week),
welcome this years’ Council Liaisons,
and choose Voting Members for our Synod Assembly.
We’ll also serve Chili Dogs again with proceeds
from the free-will donations going towards our bid
for the golden ladle at the Annual “Hotter than
Thou” Chili Cookoff for Agape House Campus Ministries.
Did You Know?
Your 2015 Council ministry liaisons include:
President: Kevin Gannon
Vice President / Finance: Shaunda Jacobson
Secretary / Music & Worship Arts Liaison: Phil Overlund
Treasurer /Property Liaison: Brent Lokensgard
Education Liaison: Melissa Roa
Evangelism Liaison: Deanne Ross
Inreach/Fellowship Liaison: Camelia Gower
Outreach Liaison: Rachelle Collins
Stewardship & Memorials Liaison: Vern Kjonegaard
Women's Retreat...Save the Date! April 24-26 at Luther Glen Retreat Center
Need some time to yourself? Want to finish a craft or project that's been hanging over your head? Want to get to know some
of your SVLC sisters better? Want to commune with nature & God undisturbed? Then have we got the thing for you! The
Quilting Retreat is now a Women's Retreat. Devotions, meal times, & worship will be with everyone...then you make your
own agenda for the rest of the time. You can learn to sew or quilt and work on the prepared quilting project or you can bring
your own project or craft to work on. You can catch up on that stack of books you keeping meaning to get to or go walk the
labyrinth and have some quiet time with God. This retreat is what you make of it. Good food, friendship & laughter
guaranteed!! For more information contact Dixie Lokensgard, Stephanie Jordan, or Heather Roschke.
Interested in Camping?
A few of us at SVLC are planning a campout this
spring at Sweetwater Regional Park (See photo to
right) just to start things off. There are sites for
tents and for RV, even horses are welcome. Think
campfires, cookouts and group hikes. Perhaps
there will be more outings planned. Please sign up
in the narthex or send an email to
[email protected] if you’re interested
“Day” Campers Invited Too!
SVLC Vistas  The Time After Epiphany / and Lent  February 2015
…Celebrating Our Many Gifts
You’re Invited to a Celebration…
Tanya Quintero Campillo
has been a member of our ABC Barn staff for 15 years!
She is currently our Assistant Director
Sunday, February 15
Please join us for worship at 10:30am
and lunch immediately following the service
right here at Shepherd of the Valley
R.S.V.P. by February 6 to [email protected]
or call 619.670.7656
Hope to see you there!
ABC Barn Assistant Director Tanya Quintero-Campillo
Devotional Materials for Lent
After reflection on our upcoming biblical texts for the
season of Lent, the Worship & Music Arts team have
identified five themes. All are invited to reflect and
practice each of these themes as we travel the path (of
Jesus) through Lent. Every congregation member will be
invited to tie a purple yarn bracelet around their wrist to
remind us that the temptation to stray from the path of
Jesus is always with us. Each week a key tag will be
distributed to serve as a reminder of each theme.
Week 1: Forgiveness
Week 2: Generosity
Week 3: Hospitality
Week 4: Attentiveness
Week 5: Participation
We also have several printed devotional materials
available in the narthex. Please feel free to take home any
that interest you.
The Latest From Today’s Vision—Tomorrow’s Mission
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Another Tanya to be Proud of
Gina Seashore’s daughter Tanya was recently asked to
lecture to 200 high school students on American
culture in her town (Lingxi, China.) Tanya you’re great!
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Our council property liaison and building committee
member is talking with the City of La Mesa about our
plans.
To date we have pledges totaling $332,000, and we
have received $64,000 of that in donations already!
Thanks Be to God!
SVLC Vistas  The Time After Epiphany / and Lent  February 2015
Worship in the Center
FAT SUNDAY CELEBRATION – FEBRUARY 15 AT 6:00PM
Grab your beads and something for potluck and get ready to praise God New Orleans style.
Our second annual “Fat Sunday” celebration at SVLC will be Feb. 15th at 6PM. Enjoy upbeat
songs from the choir and a Dixieland band. Sing and clap along to some jazzed up hymn
favorites and, of course, enjoy some delicious Cajun-inspired food! Laissez les bons temps
rouler! (Let the good times roll!) RSVP/sign up in the Narthex or with the office.
Beginning February 25 and continuing every Wednesday
during Lent, join us for
6pm Potluck Supper / 7:00pm Lenten Vespers
ABC Barn Chapel Schedule
all at 9:30am*
Mon., February 2 – President’s Day
Tues., February 10 – Valentine’s Day
Mon., February 17 – Dental Awareness
Tues., February 24 – Zoo
From That Music Lady…
(aka Gina Seashore, SVLC Minister of Music)
*time subject to change; call the church office
to double-check .
Looking For Kids Who Like to Sing!
I am looking for elementary school age kids who like
to sing to join our choir for a song on Palm Sunday
(March 29th) at the 10:30 AM service. I have the
music and a link to listen to it online. It would involve
some time learning it at home plus 2 rehearsals at the
church on previous Sundays. See me at church or
email me for more information:
[email protected]
SVLC Easter Choir
If you like to sing, but have limited time, consider
joining our choir for Easter time only. We meet on
Thursday evenings at 7PM and will begin practicing
Easter music on February 26 through March. We’d
love to have you join us!
** EVERYONE WELCOME**
Bible Study at SVLC
The Monday evening (6:30pm) group will meet on Feb. 2
and 9, but will not meet during Lent.
The Tuesday morning group will meet on February 17
from 10am at SVLC. Come Study With Us!
Upcoming Narrative Lectionary Schedule
Requesting a Prayers & Squares Quilt
Here is a schedule of our readings in February
If you would like to request a quilt for
someone who needs our prayers, simply
complete a blue form found in the nursery
in the wall holder and then call or email
Janice Hardy and go to the closet to choose
a quilt. It would be helpful if you would also
let the church office know the date when
the quilt will be blessed and tied. While we
do not sell the quilts, donations are
gratefully accepted to help offset the cost
of materials. Just make the check payable
to SVLC and write “quilt” in the memo.
Next quilting day is February 28 from 93pm. All experience levels welcome!
February 1
Treasure in Heaven
February 8
Feeding 5000
February 15
Bearing the Cross
February 18
Who is the Greatest
February 22
Forgiveness
Matthew 6:7-21
Matthew 14:13-33
Matthew 16:24—17:8
Matthew 18:1-9
Matthew 18:15-35
May God go with us, as we continue to journey through our Holy Book,
Pastor Dan
SVLC Vistas  The Time After Epiphany / and Lent  February 2015
Serving and Sharing in Response
Extending God's Welcome
Saturday, February 21 at SVLC
Beginning February 7, and through February 21,
our neighbors at Santa Sophia Catholic Church in Spring
Valley will be assisting families in need by hosting the
East County Interfaith Shelter for two weeks. This
invaluable service helps people transition from
homelessness to a more stable life.
You can help! SVLC has the opportunity to provide
dinner for 12-15 people one evening, assist with
overnight chaperones, and help move items to the next
shelter location. Look for sign-up sheets and details
about dates in the narthex, or call the church office.
It’s just a chance to get together and have some fun
while getting a few things done for our church. This
month, among other items, we’ll help prepare the
garden for growing. Everyone is invited to start the day
with a hearty and happy breakfast.
Coffee is ready at 7:15am and the morning meal
will be shared shortly after that.
Come on Saturday, February 21th, anytime
From coffee until about 11:00am.
It’s the Souper Bowl!
Don’t be deflated by the issues of hunger in our
community. Here at SVLC we celebrate the SOUPer
Bowl. During the month of February we'll collect cans
of soup-- to boost the food pantry at Crisis House, and
to give to those who come to SVLC in need of food.
In the narthex you'll find a display where you can show
your support for the AFC (New England Patriots) or NFC
(Seattle Seahawks) football teams by bringing cans of
soup to put on your favorite side. The side with the
most cans is the Souper Bowl winner! The football
game is on Sunday, Feb. 1st, but we'll collect soup
throughout the entire month of February.
Get pumped up to participate!
P.S. If you're interested in cultivating a plot in the
Community Garden this year, talk with Rodney Ross for
more information. Happy Spring!
Needed: Lenten Supper Organizer
One of our wonderful traditions here at SVLC is gathering
together for supper before Wednesday Lenten Vespers during
the 5 weeks of Lent. Supper at 6pm, Lenten Vespers at 7pm.
Figuring out who's bringing what, who's going to set up, and
who's going to clean up pretty much encompasses the job
description in general, but obviously there are the details. I'd
always advocate keeping it simple, in the spirit of Lent: simple
soups, salads, breads. Potluck style. We've also had some
amazing feasts in the past too! Some of our previous
organizers have been Frances Butler, Stephanie Jordan,
Therese Monroe, Ellie Taylor, Ann Durham and Jan Hardy...to
name a few. I know they have much more insight and
knowledge as to what exactly goes into coordinating the event
each Wednesday. And perhaps they'd be willing to share the
wisdom of their experience, but...Is anyone willing to
volunteer?
Either way, thank you for considering, and may God continue
to bless and keep you in your many and various vocations
through these weeks.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Dan
SVLC Vistas  The Time After Epiphany / and Lent  February 2015
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
10842 Fury Lane
La Mesa, CA 91941 - 7305
Phone: (619) 670-7656
web: www.svlc.org
email: [email protected]
From the ELCA World Hunger E news—Walk For Water
The global water crisis doesn’t often make headlines. But the truth is that it claims more lives each year than war. (1) Globally, 1.8 billion
people – that’s about one out of every four people – drink from contaminated water sources. Unsafe water leads to illnesses that claim
the lives of 840,000 people each year, almost half of whom are children under the age of five. What’s more, women and children spend
hours each day collecting water. This keeps them from school, work, and time with family. This keeps families and communities from
learning, earning an income, and contributing to the local economy.
This year, youth have a unique opportunity to join together and do something big through ELCA World Hunger’s Walk for Water. This
special opportunity is a year-long, youth-driven fundraising challenge to raise $500,000 in support of water-related projects of ELCA World
Hunger. Thanks to a generous family, all gifts toward this goal will be matched, dollar for dollar, until we reach a total of 1 million!
Together, we can make a difference, creating healthier families, stronger economies and a future filled with hope. Stay tuned to find out
how YOU can be involved.
Sources: World Health Organization and United Nations Development Report, 2006
New Church Directory —Printed copies will be available on February 8 and we will also email a pdf version to our members.
Please check your own information and contact the church office ASAP if you notice any errors. A Photo directory will be
published soon too, courtesy of Life Touch Photography. Watch for info about getting your portrait taken soon. Every “group”
of one or more will receive an 8 x 10 portrait and a copy of the directory free of charge!
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
Our vision: Extending God’s welcome to all we meet along the way.
SVLC Office: 670-7656 / ABC Barn Office: 670-3898
Rev. Daniel Roschke, Pastor / [email protected]
Ms. Gina Seashore, Minister of Music / [email protected]
Mr. Ron Blake, ABC Barn Director / [email protected]
Jenny Fenner, Parish Administrator / [email protected]
Sunday worship services are held at 8:15 am and 10:30 am
Nursery care for young children and Sunday School for preschool through Grade 5 at 10:30.
Catch us on Facebook under the name, La Mesa SVLC” Become a Facebook “Friend” of SVLC — or at least tell us that you “Like” us : )
“Please keep in your prayers…”
Stewardship Notes:
¯ “I never would have been able to tithe the first million
dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which
was $1.50 per week.” — John D. Rockefeller, Sr. (1839-1937),
American industrialist and philanthropist.
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Those recovering from or dealing with illness
The poor and vulnerable
People facing challenges and facing up to injustice
Please send completed articles for Vistas by the 15th to [email protected]