OUR MINISTRIES

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Note: Prior to COVID, Shepherd of the Valley was involved with a wide variety of ministries, and many were curtailed for public health concerns. The following is a list of pre-COVID and post-COVID activities. Those activities that have been resumed are marked with an asterisk(*). Please contact the Church Office for any recent updates.

 

 

Benevolence of the Month *

The monthly benevolence program challenges congregants to contribute above and beyond their normal giving to financially support its ministries and community organizations. Our church currently supports the following groups: Lutheran Outdoor Ministries/Mt. Cross, Merced County Fuller Center for Housing (formerly Habitat for Humanity), Senior Brown Bag Program of Merced Food Bank, Restore Merced, Boys and Girls Club of Merced County, and the Shepherd of the Valley Scholarship Program.

 

Study Groups

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

is not currently meeting.

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 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.

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"2nd Hour" Adult Bible Study meets immediately after the worship service in the Conference Room on Sundays when scheduled.

 

Church School

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

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​ Adult Education Forums

We are very excited to offer a variety of adult forums throughout the year. Past forums have included presentations about

Healthy House, Valley Crisis Center and the Lutheran Office of Pubic Policy.

   

Youth

Confirmation (6th-8th grade) meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 9:00 am.  The curriculum  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 on the third Thursday of every month at different restaurants. All are welcome! 

Check the newsletter or call the Church Office for current information.
 

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 in music and worship ministry, we also have opportunities for service as readers, worship assistants, and vocalists/instrumentalists.
 

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 ecumenical  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.

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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 in the church sanctuary on Wednesdays at 8:30 am and is open to church and community members.

Please contact Dave Hetland for more information at  209-489-8969.

 

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.

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