OUR MINISTRIES

 

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Study Groups

Every Wednesday @ 10 am, a study of lectionary readings for the following Sunday. Please note the Wednesday Text Study

 is not currently meeting, but will start again in January. 

The Spiritual Renewal Reading group meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month @ 6:30 pm.

The Book Club meets on the 4th Monday of each month @ 7 pm. (We will not be meeting the months of July & Aug) For information about location,  please call the church office. 

"2nd Hour" Adult Bible Study meets right after Church Service in the Conference Room on Sunday when scheduled.

(Don't worry you can bring refreshments with you into the study)

 

Church School

Children, kindergarten through 5th grade, are dismissed to Church School following the Children's Message during worship.  

If you would like to get involved in the church school program, we are always looking for teachers/ assistants and substitute teachers/assistants.

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​ Adult Education Forums

We are very excited to offer a variety of adult forums throughout the year. This year's forums have included presentations about Healthy House, Valley Crisis Center and our Bicycle Ministry. Be sure to look at Events for more information!  

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Youth

Confirmation (6th-8th grade) meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 9:00 am.  The curriculum also includes the annual one-week Shalom Camp at Mt. Cross near Santa Cruz. Other youth activities are scheduled throughout the year. 
 

 

Seniors
We offer transportation/meals/companionship. If you or someone you know could use a little extra TLC, contact the Church Office.
 

 

Fellowship

The Birthday Fellowship Luncheon meets at 1 pm at Table 59, 3360 N. State Highways 59, on the third Thursday of every month. All are welcome! 
 

 

Music and Worship

The Choir practices on Sunday morning @ 9 am. 

We also have a Bell Choir that meets on Thursdays @ 6:30 pm. 

If you would like to get involved, we also have opportunities for service as readers, worship assistants, and vocalists/instrumentalists.
 

 

Prison Holiday Gift Bag Project

In partnership with the Inmate Family Council, we collect greeting cards and hygiene products for gift bags at Christmas for inmates at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla. 

 

 

Campus Ministries of Merced

We have joined with other Merced congregations in a partnership to develop ministry among students at Merced College and UC Merced. In April, 2017, our church hosted an event with Dr. Ted Peters, professor emeritus at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union. In 2018, our guest speaker was Dr. David Vasquez-Levy, President of the Pacific School of Religion, who shared a faith perspective on immigration. 
 

 

Community Service

Here at Shepherd of the Valley service is a vital part of who we are as a faith community. There are always ways to get involved in a variety of outreach ministries and these opportunities are shared in the Sunday  bulletin and monthly newsletter.

  Each month our congregation chooses a benevolence to support, which is announced in the Sunday bulletin and monthly newsletter. Your financial support of these important community organizations is greatly appreciated!

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Prayer Chain

"...pray for one another..." (James 5:16)

Our church has a devoted team of members who practice intercessory prayer on behalf of those in special need, members and non-members. To submit a prayer request, call the church office at (209) 383-0632 or send an e-mail to shepherdofthevalleyelca@gmail.com

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Centering Prayer Group

Centering Prayer is a form of silent meditation and helps you to quiet your mind and become centered in daily life. The group meets at the church on Wednesdays at 9:00 am and is open to church and community members. Please contact Dave Hetland for details (388-1608)

 

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 SOV Bicycle Ministry

The Shepherd of the Valley Bicycle Ministry builds adaptive bikes and trikes for special needs students and adults.  The program custom designs and fabricates each bike to meet the particular need of the the student.  The finished bikes, funded by SOV and the Merced Sunrise Rotary Club, are provided free to the recipients. For more information, call the Church Office. 

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Garden Project

                                                             As part of our community engagement, our church partners

                                         with local agency Healthy House to provide space for Hmong elders to grow produce.