April 1, 2012 by lholihan.

Again this year, our young ones enjoyed our annual Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday. And, of course, after collecting the eggs, they must (1) count them, (2) see what treasures are in them, and (3) start eating. A couple of pictures help demonstrate their focus and enjoyment.

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December 12, 2011 by lholihan.

Again this year, members generously responded to our request for toys. Each year we donate new toys to the Neighborhood Center for distribution to needy kids at Christmas. This year Terry and Ken proudly show off our collection.

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December 5, 2011 by lholihan.

When Patty Cubero passed away last year her family generously donated a huge amount of yarn to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Clermont.  This winter Patty’s love of knitting will bless many in the form of hats, scarves and mittens that were knitted and crocheted by women of the church.  After being blessed on 23 October they were packed up and sent to Family Social Services for the needy children in the Chicago area.
Last spring over 35 lap robes were crocheted and gifted to the South Lake Hospital, also from this same donation of yarn.  The lap robes were dispersed by the clergy serving the hospital.
What a generous gift and wonderful tribute to Patty from the Cubero family.

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December 5, 2011 by lholihan.

Unfortunately even over the holidays children get sick and end up having to spend time in the hospital. Fortunately this year, if a child has to be in Florida Hospital South, there will be a “Me” doll, many with Christmas hospital gowns, which they can hold close for comfort. The craft group at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church has been busy. They have made enough “Me” Dolls for 105 children this holiday season.

A “Me” Doll is a soft stuffed faceless doll with a heart on their chest, removable hair and wearing a hospital gown. The children are able to draw their own face or expression on the doll and if the child loses their hair due to treatments, their “Me” doll can continue to look just like them.

Doctors and nurses use the dolls to help explain and demonstrate procedures before the children have to experience them, thus making the procedure less stressful and we all can use less stress when we’re in the hospital! We all hope and pray that no child will ever be sick enough to have to go to a hospital, but how comforting it will be for 105 children to have one of these “Me” dolls to hold and love.

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November 28, 2011 by lholihan.

Support for the United States Military men and women who serve our country in Japan, Germany, Turkey and Italy remains strong. What started in July as $7,664.00 in Manufacturers coupons to two bases grew to $12,617.00 in coupons in August. That’s when we decided that your support was strong enough to add a third base. When your donations increased to $17475.00 in September we decided that it was time to add the 4th and last major branch of the military to our “adoption” list. This month we sent out $19,467.00 in Manufacturers coupons to help supplement the salaries and buying power of the families at our 4 “adopted” bases. In total you have cut out, and we have sent, coupons totaling $91,278.00.

If you are unfamiliar with this outreach project, there is information about our “adopted” bases on the back, pulpit side bulletin board.

Please continue to cut out Manufacturers coupons that are no more than two months out of date, they can use them up to six months out of date in their commissary and post-exchange stores. Separate the coupons into two categories, food that can be eaten by humans and all other coupons. If you can, tally the value of those coupons, and leave them at the back of the church. Every month a large box of coupons will be sent to each of our four bases. What an easy way for us to express our gratitude to our military families.

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November 9, 2011 by lholihan.

Get an early start on your Christmas gifts. The Quilt Circle will have the quilts they worked on all year displayed for you to look at during the 1st Advent Service, November 30th, and the 2nd Advent Sunday, December 4th. Most of these quilts go to Lutheran World Relief. However, the expense of making these quilts continues to go up despite generous donations of material, time and talent. Quilt batting is the single most expensive component of quilt making.

For a minimum donation of $50, you may choose your favorite handcrafted gift of warmth and love from this large selection of quilts. Tops are pieced from squares or strips and are hand-tied. Quilts are 60” by 80” which is a good size for a twin bed or couch throw. There is a new IRS requirements that items purchased and paid with a check do not qualify as a tax deduction as a product has been received. Tax deductions are only funds given that exceed the cost of a service or product. The estimated cost of producing the quilts is $25. If you provide your name and address when you receive your quilt, Shepherd of the Hills will send you a tax receipt for $25 is January 2012 for your 2011 taxes.

So in the spirit of Christmas, donate $50 or more and receive a quilt for a thank you gift and KNOW that you helped support this outreach ministry to those in need of warmth; you simplified your Christmas shopping; you will have a unique, hand crafted quilt to give warmth & your love to another; and the quilts will be blessed by Pastor Nancy.
Thank you for your generous support of the Quilting Circle and this Shepherd of the Hills outreach ministry.

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September 8, 2011 by lholihan.

by Paul Gysan

While attending the recent Churchwide Assembly at Orlando, I was more hopeful and grateful for the work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America than I have ever been. I saw and heard evidence at the Assembly that we are a church determined to put faith into action. We approved a new campaign to work against malaria throughout the world! We heard about congregations realizing that “to live is to give.” This is an exciting time in the life of our church!
We have over 4.2 million people who are called to live out their baptismal calling in daily life in so many settings. More than 4.2 million people living daily what it means to “live Lutheran.” I was reminded how Martin Lutheran said “we should learn well how to please Christ. We do please Him by dedicating our entire life…solely to the service of our neighbor.” Through our gifts to Shepherd of the Hills benevolent money is sent to the ELCA. Recently $71,000 was sent to help people devastated by a hurricane. While we may not be there in person, you and I are there through the work and ministry of the ELCA.
The worship services were the high points of the week for me. The preaching was powerful and the music was glorious! One preacher Rev. Renee Splichal Larson who spoke about work in Haiti. She and her husband and a friend were there the day of the earthquake. Caught under concrete, unable to move she heard her husband near her moaning and praying and drawing upon words of our liturgy, hymns, and scripture for strength. As time went on he became weaker and finally died. She was rescued and lived to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, of the living and the dead! I thank God for all those who live out the words of our mission, “God’s Work, Our Hands!”
At the close of one day I was in the volunteer office and sat down next to a woman who also volunteered. I introduced myself and she said, “I knew a Pastor Gysan, but he would be much older than you.” She went on to say, “he had the funeral for my mother-in-law in Pittsburgh.” “Who was your mother-in-law” I asked. Upon hearing her reply I said, “ I conducted that funeral.” She went on to tell me that her husband became a Pastor and now serves a church in Ormond Beach. What a small world it is when we are Lutherans!
What a fellowship we have in the Church! I prayed and thanked God for not only the work of the ELCA, but the work of our Synod, and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church!
The next ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be in Pittsburgh in 2 years. I just may journey up there as a volunteer! After that the Assemblies will be held every 3 years!

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August 29, 2011 by susan sherman.

Thanks to all of you who have been so diligently cutting out coupons and bringing them to church, our support for our military service men and women is far greater then we had hoped.  Not only are we able to send out coupons every month to the two bases that we originally “adopted”, those are the US Army in Germany and the US Marines and Navy in Japan, but we have been able to add a third base.  Our newest “adopted” base is the US Air Force in Incirlik, Turkey.  This base is located about ten miles from the Mediterranean Coast and just a short distance north of Syria.  More information about the base can be found on the bulletin board on the pulpit side of the church sanctuary. 

August mailings to the bases were: 8/16 Army $4444.00 in coupon value, 8/25 Marines/Navy $3926.00 in coupon value and 8/25 Air Force $4458.00 in coupon value.  Again, thank you for cutting and categorizing your coupons. AND For those of you who tally the coupon value, a very special thank you!

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August 13, 2011 by lholihan.

Great Bible Reef, the title to this Vacation Bible School, VBS program, offered at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, gave the 92 children who participated in the school a chance to hear some of the great, water based stories from the Bible. They learned that they should trust God, and follow his lead, to treat your neighbor as you would like to be treated. To show this care and love of neighbor the children were asked to bring offerings of food and school supplies to those of need in the Clermont and neighboring communities. These gifts of the heart will be given to Faith Neighborhood Center, which serves the financially needy families of the area with food and clothing, and to children in need at four of the area schools, Clermont, Groveland and Mascot Elementary and Saw Grass Elementary.

During the week long VBS the children also had chances to use their creative and inquisitive minds during craft, science, cooking, music and dance times. There was a play time that involved a huge indoor bounce house and an outdoor water slide. There was also a study time when they had a chance to demonstrate the learning they had received each day. On Sunday August 7 the children presented their offerings of material gifts for the needy and gifts of music and dance to the congregation in a wonderful closing program. It is always a delight to see children grow in their love and concern for others and we look forward not only to next year’s VBS but to the Sunday School year that will begin August 21.

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July 24, 2011 by susan sherman.

When we started saving our manufacturer’s coupons to help our overseas military personnel it was decided to send one packet of coupons per month to one of our “adopted” bases.  The Army in Schweinfurt, Germany will receive coupons on odd numbered months and the Marines/Navy in Iwakuni, Japan will receive coupons on even numbered months.  Because it was a bit time consuming getting the program started we ended up with a large amount of coupons in the beginning.  Our first mailing went out  July 10 to both bases.  At that time the Army base received $3106 in coupons and the Marines/Navy, $3558 in coupons.  Our next mailing will be sent on July 25 to the Army.  The total value of the coupons being sent is $4024.70.

Thank you all for separating your coupons and a special thanks to those of you who tallied the value of those coupons, wow did that make it faster and easier for me this week.  Thank you again from me and from the men and women who will be reaping the benefits of your kindness.

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July 19, 2011 by susan sherman.

No matter what your skill or interest, and regardless of how much spare time you have, there is an opportunity to serve God and your church family.

Please fill out one of the Time and Talent sheets, which can be found at the back of the church, call someone on the “needs help” list in the weekly bulletin, or posted on the organ-side bulletin board, or contact the Church Council President Laura Dilley with your offering of self.

Each week after our offering is brought forward we say ” we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us-our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love.”  How easy it is for us to show thanks by offering to be an usher, greeter, lector or one of the many other opportunities that require no additional time in your already busy schedule but can be such a wonderful service to our church.  If your health won’t allow you to give physical help, perhaps you can offer your wisdom and ideas to a committee.  Or perhaps you  have a strong back or a trade skill that can be put to use in garden or church maintenance.

The opportunities are there.  What is your God given talent and what time can you offer?

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July 19, 2011 by susan sherman.

For the eighth straight year, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church has helped provide school supplies to area children. What started as a small gift of back packs and school supplies to one area recipient, has grown into donations large enough to help four area schools, Clermont, Groveland and Mascot Elementary and Saw Grass Elementary schools. These schools were identified as those with the greatest number of children in need. All of the school principals, who receive the supplies on behalf of the students and teachers, tell us how very valuable these gifts are to the children of their school, many of whom would have to do without if we didn’t bring these supplies to them.

In the month before school begins a teacher/parishioner of our congregation brings the school supply list to church where it is posted. Everyone with a desire to help then goes on a school supply buying spree. The Sunday before classes begin all the supplies are brought to the front of the church where a Blessing is made for them, the givers and those who will receive them.

If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause please review the list on the table at the back of the church or just purchase whatever elementary grade school supplies you would like, and bring them to church by August 14 for the blessing.

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July 16, 2011 by susan sherman.

What an exciting time to be on Church Council.  With our new interim pastor, Pastor Nancy, about to begin her three years of service with us, this is the perfect time to bring all your great ideas to the council!

The position of Stewardship chairperson is available starting immediately.  This position traditionally has been associated with the encouragement of service and support to the church family.  The church’s constitution is being updated so this position has the additional opportunity to “spell out” just what it is you think Stewardship should be doing.

The board welcomes any member of the church, who has a heart for helping, to please see Council President Laura Dilley, or Vice President Diane Bursey.

Many thanks to Deborah Kiely who has stepped forward to take on this new challenge.  Good luck Deborah and thank you. 

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July 7, 2011 by lholihan.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

Do you sometimes long for a quiet, peaceful time or place to pray and meditate? On the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM our church holds a candlelight and prayer service that may satisfy your need. As you enter the church for this service, the sanctuary appears almost dark except for the candles on the altar and on the floor around it. Soft, soothing inspirational music is playing and the room is otherwise quiet, with the attendees lost in their own thoughts and prayers. The pastor conducts a short service including prayers, scripture, and communion, and the attendees are invited to come to the altar to light a candle and pray. After this service everyone is invited to stay as long as they wish to pray and meditate. This is a beautiful and comforting time for anyone, but especially those who are grappling with illness of their own, or that of a loved one, a devastating loss, or worry about someone who is serving overseas with the military. Everyone is invited to attend this wonderful period of prayer and reflection.

–Submitted by Donna King

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July 2, 2011 by susan sherman.

 Finally, I’m sure you have all been wondering what was happening to all those coupons that you have so faithfully cut, categorised and brought in to church. 

The program, presented by Carroll Fulmer via his granddaughter, took a while to research, but everything has now been done and the first envelopes will be mailed as soon as Dee, our treasurer, can get the one price mailers from the post office.

Now to explain….The program has been in operation for about 15 years and specific bases have signed up to be part of the program, which is run at their end too by volunteers.  The program requests are:  “Adopt” a base.  We have “adopted” two bases because we can supple a large amount of coupons.  Separate the coupons into 2 batches, those for food that can be eaten by humans, and all other items.  Tally the dollar amount of the coupons. Fill in an on-line form when you send the coupons telling them the dollar value of the coupons sent, and lastly send the coupons.  The suggested method is the one price mailer since that is the cheapest for the weight.

The reason for the separation is: most bases have two stores, a commissary for food items and a post exchange for all other items.  If we separate the coupons they can be distributed to the proper stores more quickly.  The reason for the dollar tally is to ensure that all bases participating receive an equal amount of coupons.  That too explains why we need to “adopt” a base. 

There are 26 bases, representing four branches of the military, participating in the Overseas Coupon Program.  Of those bases 20 were available for “adoption” the other six already having enough “adopter’s”  We chose to “adopt” an Army base in Schweinfurt, Germany and a Marine  base in Iwakuni, Japan. After the first mailings which will go out about the same time, because we have been saving coupons for a while now, the Marines will get coupons on even numbered months and the Army on odd numbered months.  We will post the coupon values once a month in the church bulletin or on this site so that you can see how much we are helping our military, who does so much to help us.  For the time being though I will tell you that I have tallied 1/3 of the coupons.  It took 4 hours, and the total value was ….$754 food and $2804.75 non-food.

Now for the final requests.  Please separate coupons, which are no more than two months old (this gives them time to arrive, be distributed and used before the six months out of date deadline that they are allowed) into two groups only, people food and all other.  If possible tally the value on the outside of the envelope or paperclip them together.  I will leave used envelopes under the coupon basket for reuse (got to be green).  If this is too much bring the coupons in any way that is convenient for you.  This is most important. I or some other volunteer can do the tallying.

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June 17, 2011 by lholihan.

Little Dresses for Africa is a non-profit 501c3, Christian based organization which provides relief to the children of Africa. Simple dresses are made out of pillow cases and distributed through the orphanages, church and schools in Africa to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy!

Knowing the history of the girls in Africa and the difficult road that lay ahead, a traveler decided she would take back some dresses to the children in the villages. A small group of ladies began to sew simple little dresses, made out of pillow cases, to be distributed to young girls through the orphanages in Africa. This was only the beginning. It continues to grow as groups of all sizes spring up across America. These groups cross age, gender and denominational lines to serve the most vulnerable of God’s children: little girls. To date we have received dresses and donations from all 50 states across the USA and received well over 175,000 little dresses, that have been distributed in 26 countries of Africa! We have also sent dresses to countries in crisis, when requested, such as Honduras, Guatemala, Philippines, Mexico and thousands and thousands to Haiti. In addition, we have sent dresses to children in need right here in the United States, in the Appalachian Mountains and South Dakota. But more importantly than how many are shipped, are the lives that they have touched. These dresses [and now also britches for boys!] go out as little ambassadors in the name of Jesus, to give hope to the children that receive them.

With Little Dresses for Africa there are many ways to provide help…from starting or hosting your own sewing group, sizing and packing little dresses, or donating financially toward shipping costs, such as boxes, tape, postage. To ensure that they actually get to the children, the majority of our dresses are sent with mission teams here in the United States, as they travel on their missions, for personal distribution. We are always need mission teams to agree to take the little dresses with them to distribute, so if you have a team going, please let us know. Due to the overwhelming generosity of so many, we can generally send you as many a you are able to take. We also mail them internationally and each year we take a team to deliver the little dresses personally, to the grateful and excited little girls that need them so desperately.

The following are countries currently recipients of the dresses:
Read the rest of this entry »

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May 31, 2011 by lholihan.

“Me” dolls are faceless cotton dolls with a big heart on their chest, removable hair and wearing a hospital gown. The faces are left black so that their owners can draw their own face or emotion on their personal doll. The hair is removable because some of the children will be loosing their own hair and want the “Me” doll to continue to look just like they do. The hospital gown is all that some of the children get to wear. But the most important part is the heart that nurses and doctors can listen to before checking the child’s heart. The crafters at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Clermont just delivered 59 dolls to the hospital which used 50-60 dolls per week. This bring to over 150 the number of dolls they have been able to supply over the past year and a half.

On a tour of the hospital conducted by volunteer coordinator Lisa Robertson the crafter from SOTH Church learned how very valuable the dolls are as a teaching tool. Before a procedure is done on a child the doctor can fully explain and demonstrate the procedure on the “Me” doll thereby eliminating that fear of the unknown factor that hits us all when we are in hospital. We were also able to see how the children get to choose their own doll, hair and hospital gown. Lisa says “this is one of the few things that children get to choose on their own. It is very important to the child to have this small amount of control in their lives.” If you are interested in contributing to the program or in helping to make the “Me” dolls.

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May 23, 2011 by rpdilley@earthlink.net.

Come to church on June 19th and meet Pastor Paul Lutze.  He will preach at both Sunday services, 8:00 and 10:15 am.  Between services, he will talk with those interested in the youth of Shepherd of the Hills.  After the 10:15 am worship service, Pastor Lutze will address the Congregation about the changes and transitions occurring at our church as a result of Pastor Jon’s illness and prolonged course of treatment. 

After the short address, he will have an open forum.  This is your chance to get your questions answered directly from the person at Synod level in charge of our church.  This is also an opportunity to express your opinion directly to the person who is making decisions about interim pastors for our church.

Pastor Lutze has been extremely supportive to Pastor Jon, Pastor’s Jon support group and the Executive Committee of the Church Council.  He is a valuable resource and responsive to the questions, needs and time sensitive nature of many of our areas of discussion with him.  Shepherd of the Hills is very fortunate to have a Pastor of his caliber and ability to lead our region of the Synod.

Please bring a potluck main dish to share.  Since I expect there will be alot of discussion, having lunch at the church will enable us to maximize our time with Pastor Paul.

Attending church on the 19th of June, meeting Pastor Lutze, and talking with him are a rare opportunity to have feedback at Synod level; to express your ideas; to help shape the future and direction our church will go in; and also to hear the perspective of a Synod leader on the problems and needs of our Congregation. 

 Laura Dilley       Church Council President

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May 22, 2011 by susan sherman.

     Leigh Dundore is heading up a campaign project that will reach out to all active duty military both at home and abroad.  The first step though is to get the names of those military personnel who are dear to you, be they family or friend.  The more information Leigh has the better we can care for these men and women who care so much for our country.

     Please give us the name, with rank and military branch, the address and if deployed overseas, the family’s address stateside, and any other information that you are willing to share, to help us to know your special person better.  This information can be dropped into the offering plate, left with Barbara at the church office or given directly to Leigh.

     Right now our plans are to send, on a rotating basis, manufacture’s coupons to the families of stateside personnel for use in their PX stores.  Carroll Fulmer has offered to provide for that shipping.  We would also like to be able to send cards to our overseas personnel and Leigh has offered to provide the postage to send a monthly care package, again on a rotating basis, to those deployed overseas.   When we are ready to proceed with that final step a shipping box will be placed at the back of the church with a list of those items enjoyed, but not readily available, to those serving overseas and a note to tell you where that care package is headed.

     Our Military men and women serve us everyday.  How nice it will be to let them know how thankful we are for all that they do for us.  If you have other ideas, questions, or would like to become more involved in helping to make this outreach work you may contact Leigh Dundore at 352-241-8359 (8AM service) or Susan Sherman 352-552-6512 (10:15AM service.)

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May 3, 2011 by lholihan.

Pastor Terry Krier of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Clermont delivers 30 lap robes to Debbie Allen, Chaplain of the South Lake Hospital.

All of the yarn used to make these robes is donated to Shepherd of the Hills to be used in their various community projects.

Susan, one of the Shepherd of the Hills members who crochets the lap robes says that she enjoys picking through the donated yarn looking for cheerful combinations for the young, masculine combinations for the men and feminine colors for the women. “I try to imagine the person who will receive the robe I’m making. Then I try to create a design or color scheme that will cheer them.“

We were told by Chaplain Debbie that these lap robes go to the young and old alike. The patients appreciate the opportunity to see something bright and colorful or snuggle warm during a time when they may not see much brightness or feel especially cozy. The love that goes into making these robes, and the concerns and prayers delivered by the chaplains who pass out the lap robes is another source of comfort for their recipients.

Donation of yarn is always appreciated.

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