HOLY WEEK HAPPENINGS

The events of Holy Week will begin on Palm

Sunday, March 29 with a moving cantata, “The

Passion and the Glory of the Risen Christ”, to

commemorate the events of Holy Week.

On Maundy Thursday, April 2, the evening’s

events will begin with a vegetarian soup supper in

Fellowship Hall at 6pm. While in the Hall, we’ll

celebrate Communion and then continue the

Maundy Thursday service in the Memorial Garden.

Following the service, the Sanctuary will be

open for meditation until 9pm. On Good Friday, April 3, the Sanctuary will

be open from 9am – 5pm for those wishing to

meditate and reflect.

The Good Friday service will take place in the

Sanctuary from 12:15pm – 12:45pm (please note

the time change). On Holy Saturday, April 4, “Calvary”, the last

movie from our Lenten Faith and Film series, will

be shown at 3pm in the Sanctuary.

On Easter Sunday (aka “Resurrection Day”),

April 5, the day begins at 7am with a “Sunrise”

service in the Memorial Garden (that includes the

“transformation of the cross*”).

From 7:30am – 9:30am, breakfast will be

served by the men in Fellowship Hall (if you wish

to help, please contact Pastor Chuck at

602.432.3398 or at caurand3@gmail.com).

At 9:30am, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt (if

you wish to help, please contact Paula Christensen

or Bill Janiga.)

At 10am, everyone is encouraged to gather in

the Sanctuary for an Easter Sunday Celebration

which will also include the reception of new

members and “the transformation of the cross*”

with cut flowers.

*On Easter Sunday, please bring a flower to

worship (extras are always available) and add

your gift to this symbol of life reborn.

INTRODUCING THE INTERTESTAMENTAL BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

By Rev. Chuck Aurand

The Sunday Adult Bible Study is now reading the

intertestamental books of the Bible. Come and

experience these important books which were read

and studied by Jesus.

In these books are found the first time people

began to believe that God created out of nothing, an

expansion of the importance of angels, the

development of hell, and so much more.

Really, you won’t want to miss this introduction

to the Old Testament Apocrypha or Deutro-

canonical books.

The Sunday Bible Study Group meets in the

Fireplace Room in Fellowship Hall after Worship.

SHOW YOUR PRIDE AND SUPPORT

On the morning of Sunday, April 12,

2015, you not only have the chance to

show your support of the LGBT

community, you also have the opportunity

to connect with your UCC friends from

across the Valley as we march together in the

11:00am Pride Parade through downtown Phoenix.

Contact Bill Janiga for details at 480-540-5760

or wejaniga@cox.net.

SUNDAYS AT SHEPHERD

Welcome to the season of Easter. It is more than

just a day. It’s a new way of experiencing life.

Listed are our (tentative) Sunday themes for April:

April 5 “Resurrection Day” Mark 16:1-8 April 12 “Jesus Appears To the Disciples” John 20:19-31 April 19 “I Am Not A Ghost”

Luke 24:36b-48

April 26 “The Good Shepherd” John 10:11-18

Shepherd Life

The Monthly Newsletter for Shepherd of the Hills Congregational UCC

Volume 54/Issue 4 April 2015

Shepherd of the Hills is a faith community which seeks to learn, to love, and to serve together.

WITH HONOR AND IN REMEMBRANCE…

As you take in the

splendor of the Easter lilies

this Resurrection Day, you

are invited to reflect on the

significance of these flowers, the donors, and the

lives they honor through this symbol of new life:

Connie Archer – In Memory of Josephine

Jeanette & David Baker (2) –

In Memory of Louise Baker, Helen Harmon

Dick & Pat Becker –

In Memory of Daughter, Carol Elizabeth,

and Parents, Martha & Bill Becker and

Kathryn & Don Prior

Helen Boorman – In Memory of Bob

Paula Christensen – In Memory of Jeanie Clark

John Clark – In Memory of Jeanie Clark

The Janiga Family – In Memory of Roger Burritt

Beth & Joel Johnson (4) –

In Memory of: Dorothy N Johnson,

Henry W Johnson, Elizabeth E Bates,

William J Bates

Laurel & Bruce Kimball

Jan and Anna Morrow (2) –

In Honor of Phyllis Carrington;

In Memory of Hubert Carrington

Dan & Liz Mullen (2) –

In Memory of Aunt Doris Bacon

In Memory of Aunt Freda Willers

Jim & Carolyn Newman –

In Memory of Their Parents:

Arthur & Martha Newman,

Kenneth & Georgia Taylor

Javie Richardson – In Memory of Mike

Nancy Riley – In Memory of Frank Riley

Ted and Jeanne Roper (2) –

In Memory of Patrick L Roper

In Memory of Cleon H. Livingston

David Schintzius and Geoff Guidera (2) –

In Memory of Their Son, John Schintzius,

and in Honor of Their Mothers

Corrine Severson –

In Memory of Her Mother, Hazel Lilleskau

Sally Shackelford & Family –

In Memory of Ellis Shackelford

Carol & Lew Shaw –

In Memory of Martha Shaw & David Shaw

Nadine Smith – In Memory of Stephen K Smith

Beth Sposito – In Memory of Dan Sposito

Dick Taubert – In Memory of Lenore Taubert

A SPECIAL THANK YOU! By Gloria Schmidt

Psalm 94:17 says, “Unless the Lord has been my

help, my soul would soon have settled into silence.”

As Pastor Patti pointed out last Sunday, you could

not have sung “Happy Birthday” to me without

God’s healing intervention for me.

Verse 19 of the Psalm 94 says “In the multitude

of my anxieties, your comforts delight my soul.”

Let me list just a few of those comforts I received

when I was so sick.

First was the report of all the prayers being sent

to God by the people at SOH for my healing. This

includes the group of seven, called together by

Missy, who came to my bedside in the hospital and

provided a “circle of prayer” for my recovery and

spiritual renewal.

Second was the continuing care of my husband

Peter who had to learn more about providing

nursing care than he ever thought would be required

of an engineer. Then, there were all of those who

sent cards and provided meals to keep Peter fed and

healthy so he could care for me.

Thank you all for being the loving, earthly hands

of our Lord providing comfort to both of us during a

very challenging time.

Friday, April 24, 2015

7:30 pm

Shepherd’s

Fellowship Hall Suggested Donation:

$10 per person

CAMP COMING SOON By Nola Enge

Continuing with the long-

standing Shepherd tradition,

preschool and church folks will

once again head to Friendly

Pines in Prescott on May 2nd

and 3rd

.

We’ll sing campfire songs, eat S’mores and relax

in the fresh air of the Ponderosa Pines. We’ll enjoy

bubbles, crafts, soccer, parachute games and hikes

to the meadow and lake. Some fish and others

enjoy the peacefulness of a Sunday morning service

in the woods.

Not a camper? Sleeping quarters are heated

single-family dwellings with private

bathrooms/showers. The cost is $45 per person and

includes three delicious meals.

Won’t you join us? Let someone else do the

activity planning and cooking while you enjoy

nature. Do as much or as little as you like at this

relaxing, beautiful camp.

Please call the church or school office if you’d

like to join the fun.

IS NOW THE TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN

SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS UCC? By Bill Janiga

The membership committee is inviting anyone

interested in becoming a member on Easter Sunday

to contact the office or Bill Janiga (480-540-5760 or

wejaniga@cox.net).

JOIN US FOR A DISCUSSION OF

C.S. LEWIS’ MERE CHRISTIANITY

The Wednesday Wanderings Group is

meandering into classic Christian teachings as we’ll

read and discuss C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity

beginning April 15th

.

You are invited to join us every Wednesday at

10am in the Parish House for prayer and Christian

study.

PASTOR/PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE

By Liz Mullen

We’re still here! If you have questions,

comments, or compliments on church activities,

please let any one of our committee members know.

We are your Pastor/Parish Relations Committee

members: Sue Spahle, Beth Franco, Tom Trickel,

Liz Mullen and Pastor Patti.

WOOLGATHERING By Rev. Patti Aurand

“So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror

and amazement had seized them…” Mark 16:8

Terror and amazement. Those aren’t quite the

emotions that come to mind when we think of

Easter. Usually we think of joy and wonder.

Usually we think happy, uplifting thoughts. But

there was nothing usual about that first Easter

Sunday.

It is believed that the Gospel according to Mark

is the earliest of the Gospels, and therefore the most

accurate. This version of the Easter story hasn’t had

the “Disney” treatment of being watered down.

This Easter story is presented in its raw, unrated

form. This Easter story is filled with terror and

amazement.

When was the last time you took the filters off

and truly heard – and experienced – the Easter

story? When was the last time you let the untamed,

unpredictable Christ be Lord of your life? When

was the last time you truly went searching for the

Jesus of your assumptions and instead found the

Christ of your redemption?

This Easter – this Resurrection Day – may we

each seek Jesus and may we each be found by Jesus

Christ, the Lord of life and the Conqueror of Death.

Google image: http://alidavies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Growing-tulips.jpg

THE ENDOWMENT IS GROWING!

Thanks to the generosity of the Shepherd’s flock,

the Endowment grew by leaps and bounds in

March. By utilizing the clever envelope system (so

creatively displayed in the lobby), $3762 has been

given thus far by 53 donors.

Thanks to your generosity and a more robust

stock market (hopefully it stays that way), we have

reached the $100,000 milestone!

There’s still time to contribute. While this

Sunday (March 29) is the last Sunday the envelopes

will be available, donations are always welcome!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE ONE PURCHASE AT A TIME…

The Good Earth Group holds its monthly sale of

Fair Trade coffee and chocolate before and after

Worship on the first Sunday of the month.

Purchasing your coffee, chocolate, and fresh

produce from the Good Earth Group is a simple

way to help make a difference for the sake of your

health and for the sake of the earth’s health.

And now, for your added convenience,

Shepherd of the Hills is now able to accept credit

and debit cards (either by visiting the website:

www.learnloveserve.org or via “Square” – just

look for the person holding the pink iPad!)

USHER’S 3rd ANNUAL SPRING GATHERING

By Diana Schneeman, Usher Coordinator

Spring has sprung, and so has the renewal of

Shepherd of the Hills usher friendships. The good

Lord gave us the most perfect weather which set the

background for a delightful evening last Saturday

night on March 21, 2015 at John and my home here

in Phoenix.

Thank you to all who attended to make this 3rd

annual usher gathering a success. (See above

picture.) Many thanks to Beth Johnson who loaned

us Garrison Keillor’s “NEVER BETTER, Stories

from Lake Wobegon” CD to play for our guests.

We listened to one of the stories, a 10 minute

story that was about a “national usher contest”.

WHAT A HOOT! It felt like we were at one of his

shows. Thank you, Beth, for bringing more joy and

laughter to our party. Sorry you and Joel were

unable to attend.

To all the ushers, and those who volunteer from

other committees who give of themselves to serve

as ushers to our congregation, you are appreciated

more than you know. Thank you for your heartfelt

spirit which you so willingly share.

BOOK CLUB NEWS

The Book Club meets on the

second Thursday of the month at

11:30am in the Library off the

Parish Hall. This month we will

meet on April 9th

. We are reading

Supreme Court Justice Sonia

Sotomayor’s autobiography, My Beloved World. It

comes highly recommended by Betty and Caroline

who both enjoyed it immensely.

We would love to have you join us. All are

welcome.

ICM FOOD & CLOTHING BANK NEWS

By Liz Mullen

It seems that many ICM clients are in transition:

they’ve just moved and are trying to set up a

household, their things have been stolen or

repossessed, adult children and grandchildren

return. They are often looking for the things that

make a home: cookware, bedding, towels, dishes,

small electrical appliances, even lamps, fans, books

and knickknacks. If you are simplifying your home

and have extras of these items, please donate them

to ICM.

FINAL SHEPHERD SANDWICH SEMINAR

(OF THE SEASON) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15th

The final Shepherd Sandwich Seminar of the year

invites you to discover our Maricopa County trails

and parks. We have made special arrangements to

have a representative of the “Parks & Trails”

department to come and speak to us about the many

opportunities to enrich yourselves, as well as what

we can do to help. You won’t want to miss this

informational presentation.

This month’s Sandwich Seminar is April 15th

from Noon to around 1:30pm in Shepherd Hall. This is a BYOBBL event (Bring Your Own Brown

Bag Lunch). We’ll supply the coffee, water, and

lemonade.

SUNDAY HOSPITALITY

Would you be willing to supply treats (examples

include: cookies, bars, fruit, muffins, cheese &

crackers, etc.) after Sunday worship?

If so, please call the church office, or pick a date

on the sign-up sheet in the Church Lobby. Coffee

and lemonade are already provided.

MEET WILL HEASLEY AND ANNETTE GREIMAN

By Mary Benin

Will Heasley and

Annette Grieman are two

of Shepherd’s newest

members.

Born in Hawaii, Will

spent his early childhood

and early teenage years in

California before moving

to Arizona when he was 15. Will started college at

ASU but didn’t finish before he moved back to the

bay area of California in his 20s. Will worked in

construction, and moved back to Arizona in his late

30s. Shortly after he moved back he decided that,

he would like to finish his degree in Urban and

Environmental Planning, which had always been an

interest of his.

At ASU Will finished his undergraduate degree;

and this past May graduated with a Master’s in

Urban and Environmental Planning. Currently Will

is working with a start-up company that he helped

get off the ground. ReNature, Inc. focuses on

sustainability by creating liquid fertilizer from food

waste.

Annette was born in Mason City, Iowa. She

moved to Arizona in 1994. Annette, a licensed

massage therapist and a licensed esthetician, works

at the International Skin Care Institute in Scottsdale,

that she helped open.

Will and Annette found Shepherd of the Hills

while they were searching for a preschool for their

son, Griffin. Last May, when they were checking

out preschools, they were invited to a Shepherd

Camp in Prescott so that they could meet many of

the parents and children who attended the Hills

Preschool. They not only met the families of the

Hills Preschool, but they also met Pastor Patti.

They really enjoyed meeting and talking to her.

They loved her take on religion and the world, so

they decided to check out the church.

One of the things that helped them decide to join

Shepherd was all of the good things that our church

is involved in (like VIP). Will and Annette wanted

to be part of a church that was very actively

involved in the community. They wanted a church

that was more than just a place to worship, but a

place to make a difference in the community.

Will and Annette feel a lot of affection and caring

at Shepherd. They want to be part of the process of

making our church thrive.

THE HILLS PRESCHOOL REPORT By Nola Enge

Our annual Teddy Bear Picnic is a highlight for

the children. It's a picnic...with bears! If you

happen by campus (or wish to join us) on April 11,

you’ll see a lot of families having a good old-

fashioned picnic on a blanketed lawn.

Everyone brings a teddy bear or two, we have

professional live music, face painting, the children

perform songs with their music teacher, and we

usually raise a bit of money for the playground to

boot. Feel welcome!

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING By Anthony Moujaes, adapted from www.ucc.org

Share as you are able. The oldest special mission

offering of the United Church of Christ, One Great

Hour of Sharing, has been transforming lives

around the world since 1949. Each year in the

Spring, UCC members, through gifts to the One

Great Hour of Sharing offering, make it possible for

the UCC to provide disaster relief, refugee

assistance, development aid and more.

With help from international partners, 91 cents

of each OGHS dollar helps provide clean water and

food, education and health care, small business

micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and

resettlement for refugees and displaced persons.

OGHS also supports domestic and international

ministries for disaster preparedness and response.

Nearly 70 percent of UCC congregations took

part in OGHS last year, which is one of the five

special mission offerings of the UCC.

Donations have long supported emergency relief

efforts, disaster response, sustainable development

and social services in 138 countries around the

world.

A majority of the One Great Hour of Sharing

offering goes to support water, hunger, disaster

relief and empowerment programs. By addressing

those issues, we address some of the root causes of

suffering in our world.

Shepherd of the Hills will receive the One Great

Hour of Sharing special offering on Easter Sunday.

WITH SYMPATHY…

We extend our sympathies to the family of

Trudy Goddard. Trudy passed away on March 9,

2015. Services were held here on March 14, 2015.

We also extend our sympathies to the family of

Barbara Gormley. Barbara recently passed away

in Wickenburg. Services will be held for Barbara

at Shepherd of the Hills on Sunday, April 19,

2015 at Noon.

WITH CONGRATULATIONS!

The Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer (our illustrious

Conference Minister) has recently been approved to

be the sole nominee to become the next General

Minister and President of the United Church of

Christ.

The official vote will take place at this summer’s

General Synod, taking place in Cleveland.

OFFERING A “RE-SOUNDING” THANKS

Since receiving the anonymous $10,000

challenge to fund a new sound/video system for the

sanctuary, thirteen donors have stepped forward

with donations totaling $4100.

As a way to thank all the current (and future –

hint, hint) donors, the Aurands will host a special

Dinner of Resounding Thanks. This dinner is

offered exclusively to those giving $100 or more

per person (those who gave prior to March 28 are

automatically invited to the dinner regardless of the

donation amount).

The dinner will be offered on Friday, May 8, at

6:30pm in Fellowship Hall. To be included in this

special evening, please make your “sound”

investment by Sunday, May 3, 2015.

Once again, a resounding thanks to all who have

made a “sound” investment in Shepherd of the

Hills!

E.P.I.C. ARTICLE: GETTING MUGGED AND OTHER ADVENTURES IN HOSPITALITY

By Ken McIntosh, Growth and Leadership Coordinator

I wish that everyone could have the experience

of visiting churches around the Southwest

Conference; doing so I have been blessed meeting

many wonderful people—and also picked up some

inspiring ideas. This year I’ve seen several neat

ways that our churches display extravagant

welcome to visitors.

When I visited Church of the Good Shepherd in

Albuquerque New Mexico an announcer at the start

of the service asked if there were any first-time

guests. I have to confess, I’m not a fan of making

visitors identify themselves but hey, I’m conference

staff and I’m not shy, so I figured “Sure, why not?”

I was surprised and very pleased when an usher ran

over to present me with a blue ceramic coffee mug

with the church’s name on it, and some teabags and

a pen (also inscribed with the church’s name)

inside. So I joked about getting “mugged” at

Church of the Good Shepherd---but I loved it. This

is a great idea. It’s something anyone can use—and

it’s a substantial gift—and it has the church’s name

to remind visitors of their experience. Marketing

studies show that giving SWAG does actually work,

provided it consists of “stuff” that people actually

want—and Church of the Good Shepherd scores

high on that.

I came across an equally inspired but more

subtle way of showing welcome at Shadow Rock

Church north of Phoenix. Pastor Ken Heintzelman

performed a funeral for a young person and knew

that many of the deceased’s peers would be in

attendance. What could he do to put them at ease,

and maybe even find meaning in their unstructured

time on the Shadow Rock grounds? The answer was

to provide square pieces of colorful cloth and

accompanying Sharpie pens so that the funeral

guests could write prayers and then hang their

colorful flags on a line between trees. This is the

Tibetan practice of hanging a Dar-ding (square

prayer flag, hung horizontally). The prayer flags are

now an ongoing part of the Shadow Rock

experience: blank flags and markers are always

available in a kiosk near the line to hang them on,

and rows of handwritten flags show how popular

this custom has become.

From giving a coffee mug to offering a prayer

flag, our sister churches are offering extravagant

welcome in creative ways. What can your church do

to say “welcome” in a new way?

LOOKING FOR LEADERS

On May 17, Shepherd of the Hills will hold its

semi-annual meeting. At that time, we will be

looking to elect new leaders for a variety of

positions. On the Church Council, we’re looking

for people to offer leadership to the Diaconate

Team, the Membership Team, and the Christian

Education Team. There are other opportunities

to serve as well. To learn more, contact

Moderator Mary Benin, Vice-Moderator Laura

Minnick or Rev. Patti Aurand.

Shepherd of the Hills Congregational United Church of Christ 5524 E. Lafayette Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85018-4599

Address Correction Requested

Through our ministry of hospitality, we provide space to the following:

Sun - 3:00pm Marshallese Worship in Hall

Sun- 4:00pm Meditation Group in Parish House

Mon - 8:00pm AA Group/Al-Anon Group, Hall

Tues - 6:30pm AA Group, Al-Anon, ALA-Teen

Wed - 9:15am The Hills Preschool Music Group, Fireplace Room

Wed - 8:00pm AA Group, Hall

Mon-Sat - 7:00am First Light AA Group, Fireplace Room

Sat – 8:30am Hatha Yoga, Hall

Tues - 6:30pm AA Group, Al-Anon, ALA-Teen

Wed - 9:15am The Hills Preschool Music Group.

Wed - 8:00pm AA Group, Hall

Mon-Sat - 7:00am First Light AA Group, Fireplace

Rm

Tues - 6:30pm AA Group, Al-Anon, ALA-Teen

Wed - 9:15am The Hills Preschool Music Group.

Wed - 8:00pm AA Group, Hall

Mon-Sat - 7:00am First Light AA Group, Fireplace

Rm

Tues - 6:30pm AA Group, Al-Anon, ALA-Teen

Wed - 9:15am The Hills Preschool Music Group.

Wed - 8:00pm AA Group, Hall

Mon-Sat - 7:00am First Light AA Group, Fireplace

Rm