Lessons from the Lectionary Bible Study
In person at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season in the Church Year known as Lent. The word Lent comes from an Old English word for Spring (“lengten”, the time of the year when the days grow longer). For the last 1700 years, the Church has set aside the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter as a time of special preparation. It is a time of repentance and renewal.
During Lent, our rejoicing is muted as we remember our Lord’s suffering and death. But it is with a purpose: we know that the Lord who died took up his life again on Easter Sunday morning. So our 40 days of Lent are ones lived in the certain hope of the resurrection.
The color of the season is purple. Purple is the ancient color of royalty. We have this kind of king: he wore a crown of thorns, and carried a cross for us. Thanks be to God!
For the precise counters in the congregation, the Church speaks of 40 days of Lent because they did not count the Sundays, which retained their significancs as “little Easters.”
Marriage Collective
The Marriage Collective is an effort to connect the commitment in marriage with the community in our congregation to maximize marriage. If you are committed to the pursuit of a strong marriage for yourself and for others, come and discover the plan to maximize marriage!
GriefShare
A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you’ll discover what to expect in teh days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability - and gain solid support each step of the way.
Everyone Outreach
Everyone gets to participate in the next Everyone Outreach event. All you have to do is attend worship…with your “first-time guest eyes.” In other words, plan to approach worship on January 25th from the perspective of a first-time guest, paying close attention to what we do well and where we could make improvements. After worship, we’ll have a brief de-briefing session with the goal of incorporating your suggestions. Everyone is welcome!
New Member Welcome & Annual Meeting
Our new congregational leaders will be installed in worship. After the service we will have our annual new member welcome brunch to honor all those who were added to our church family in 2025. Our annual meeting at the same time will allow us to give thanks for the blessings God granted in our ministry in 2025 and look ahead to what’s in store for 2026!
New Year's Hike
Who’s up for a group hike to start off the new year? Meet at the Red-Tailed Roost and Agua Dulce Trail Loop Trailhead at 10 a.m. A $5 day pass is required for parking (if you sign up ahead of time for the hike, we can purchase these for you). The hike is not difficult, but it will take a few hours, so plan to bring plenty of water, a snack, and wear layers.
Sunday Service
Join us for service followed by a pancake breakfast, story time for little kids, and a craft activity.
Children's Christmas Service
Our school children have already begun working on heir songs and recitations for the Children’s Christmas Service. They will share the Christmas message in a special service. Please plan accordingly for parking and seating to help us welcome as many in attendance as possible - space is likely to be limited.
Membership Class
No matter where you fall on the spectrum between curious or committed, the upcoming membership class is for you. It is the perfect setting to raise questions and dive deeper into the Word. Lunch will be included. Contact Pastor Boehm with questions.
Carols & Cocoa
How can you possibly top the warm glow of a flickering fire while beloved Christmas music sweetly fills your ears? We think a hot cocoa bar might do the trick, and we invite you to help us find out! Please make plans to join us on Friday evening, December 15, at 6:00 p.m. for a relaxing evening by the fire - complete with hot cocoa!
Women's Advent by Candlelight
We are holding an Advent by Candlelight for all women of the congregation, and their female family members (5th grader and older please), friends, and neighbors. There is no charge for this event. This is a wonderful evening of Word, music, fellowship to help you prepare your hearts for the Advent season!
Congregational Meeting
After worship, we will hold our end of year congregational meeting. The primary purpose of this meeting is to approve the proposed 2026 Ministry Spending Plan and slate of candidates willing to serve as leaders in 2026.
Thanksgiving Eve
Our traditional Thanksgiving EVEning of Fellowship and Worship is right around the corner! Join us for appetizers at 6 p.m., worship at 7 p.m., and a pie/dessert social afterward.
SoCal WELS Youth Night
Youth Night is coming in January! Join new friends and old friends for another phenomenal night of worship, study, connections, games, food and fun!
Who: 6-12th grade
Where: King of Kings Lutheran Church
Please register ASAP to help plan accordingly.
Let's Go Bible Study
God’s people went to tell others about the peace, joy, and forgiveness they have in Jesus. Buy many Christians are unsure how to do this. Join us as we learn some simple, practical ways to reach out to the lost sols God has brought into our lives. This 7-week study, held on Sundays after worship, will serve at a springboard to help us gear up for Everyone Outreach.
Trunk of Treat
It’s happening again this year! Treat yourself to a fun-filled evening of dressing up (optional), candy, games, and connecting with others!
Let's Go Bible Study
God’s people went to tell others about the peace, joy, and forgiveness they have in Jesus. Buy many Christians are unsure how to do this. Join us as we learn some simple, practical ways to reach out to the lost sols God has brought into our lives. This 7-week study, held on Sundays after worship, will serve at a springboard to help us gear up for Everyone Outreach.
Bible Basic Seminar
DOES IT MATTER?
What really matters in life? Health? Friendships? Family? Money? We give these things much of our attention, and rightfully so – they’re very important to us! But... they aren’t what matters the most. What matters most is where one stands with God. How can we know? He tells us in the Bible. Come by yourself or bring a friend. Discover – or rediscover – what God has done to bring us close to him.
Last Summer Beach Party
Join us at Ski Beach!
SOTH will provide hamburgers and hot dogs. Please bring a side or dessert to share.
Kick off Christian Education Sunday/Barbecue
May God bless our 2025-26 school year and ministry together! We look forward to celebrating this new year with fellowship, food, and fun!
Good Shepherd Bible Camp
Did you know that campers and staff can sign up online for Good Shepherd Bible Camp this summer, July 7-13? You’ll find online registration and answers to your questions using the link below. Space may be limited, so register soon!
Blood Drive
Location: Parking Lot
Please make a commitment to save a life.
*Score a new, limited-edition Padres 2025 summer blood drive t-shirt (while sizes and supplies last) when you donate blood.
Father's Day
Join us on June 15 for Father’s Day. Fathers are gift from God that can help us better appreciate and understand the relationship we have with our heavenly Father. However, even when earthly fathers don’t measure up or have abused or neglected their responsibilities, our heavenly Father never will! Dad’s, thank you for all that you do to keep Jesus front and center for your kid(s)!
Mother's Day
We’d love for you to join us as we express our gratitude to God for his gift of mothers. Moms, we will have a small gift for you as a token of our appreciation and a “thank you” to God for all that he does for us through you!
Easter Sunday 2024
Be our guest for Easter Sunday on March 31, 2024! After our 9:00 a.m. service, hang around for an egg hunt and brunch - we’d be honored to have you!
WHAT IS EASTER ALL ABOUT?
Life is full of either/or moments where you face an unavoidable choice between two alternatives. Some of those moments are relatively insignificant. Either I have the chicken, or I have the fish. Other times, they shape the course of your life. Either I accept this new job offer, or I keep my current job for the remainder of my career. Either I accept his marriage proposal, or.… Some either/or moments are bigger than others.
Here is the biggest either/or of them all. Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose. One might ask, “How does that either/or affect me?” Because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and Savior from sin. He said the proof is that he would rise from the dead. “The Son of Man must suffer many things … be killed and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31). Thus, if Jesus remains dead, he is both failure and fraud. However, if Jesus rose from the dead, he proves he is who he claimed to be—the Messiah. And he did what he came to do—save us.
Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose. That means, either Jesus is a complete waste of your time, or he is your only hope for salvation. If Jesus is still dead, it is completely logical that you should want nothing to do with him. If Jesus rose, it is only logical that he becomes the center and greatest priority of your life. Either Jesus is still dead, or Jesus rose. This season of Easter is a 50-day-long celebration of the fact that the Holy Spirit has answered that either/or for us. We believe this life-changing truth. Christ is risen! He lives!