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TREASURE VALLEY FESTIVAL OF REFORMATION

Lutherans are unique in their inclusion of a Reformation Sunday in the lectionary on the last Sunday of October. However, in addition to our Sunday morning worship, this year Treasure Valley congregations of the ELCA will also have the opportunity to cooperatively celebrate the Festival of the Reformation together. The service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in Boise on Saturday, October 25. Rev. Kelly Fryer (author of Reclaiming the “L” Word, Reclaiming the “E” Word, No Experience Necessary and others) will be preaching. St. Mark’s is located at 7960 Northview (a half mile north of Fairview between Milwaukee and Cole). There is seating for 1600 people.

What better venue is there for Lutherans to gather in order to demonstrate the ongoing erosion of barriers that have historically divided Romans Catholics and Lutherans since the Reformation? Bishop Michael Driscoll of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Idaho will be present and will bring greetings.

In addition, our ecumenical ministry partners are also being invited to attend (Presbyterian, Episcopal, United Church of Christ, Reformed and Methodist). Rev. Brian Thom, newly selected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho, has also been specially invited to bring greetings.

The hope for this day is to bring ELCA Lutherans together to celebrate our common heritage, and to do so in a way that gives witness to the cooperative ventures in ministry that can exist amid the great diversity of the church.

Plan to worship together on Saturday, October 25, at 3:00 p.m.

Note: Rev. Kelly Fryer will also be leading a workshop at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (3100 S. Five Mile Road, Boise) at 9:30 a.m. No registration is needed. Please attend.

An Explanation of Holy Week

The following link is to a file which explains Holy Week worship services in some detail:
Holy%20Week%20Explanation%2007format.pdf

You can also follow the links from our homepage under Worship / Seasons of the Church Year for more general information on the colors and meanings of the Lent and Easter seasons.

Preschool Registration Starts

Dates and priorities for registering children for the 2008-09 school year are:
Feb. 6 - Congregation members, 9 am to 1 pm
Feb. 13 - Current students and siblings, 9 am to 1 pm
Feb. 13 - Alumni of the preschool, 9 am to 1 pm
Feb. 20 - New students, 8:30 am to Noon
There is a $60 non-refundable registration fee. The school will need your registration form, immunization records, birth certificate, and the fee. The form can be picked up at the church office or from this website.

IMMEDIATE NEED: Nursery Staff

One or two persons over the age of 21 are needed to staff our nursery Wednesday mornings all year (9:30 am-Noon) plus Monday and every other Wednesday evening during the school year (as early as 5:30 pm and as late as 9 pm, hours vary).

Persons do not need to be members here, but must have an interview, background check, and infant CPR/first aid training. The Nursery has a budget for the background check and training.

If you have a lead on someone, or are interested yourself, please contact Parish Administrator Pat Witt (362-1112, ministry@sov-id.org), liaison Lori Hagen, or liaison Jennifer Buchanan. We will soon be losing a very reliable worker, so this need is immediate!

Altar Guild

If you are looking for a quiet, yet very rewarding way to serve, please consider joining the Altar Guild. Members help prepare and serve the communion meal and/or provide bread for the meal. You will be well trained and supported. For more information, please contact Karen Seay or Linda Mohr.

FIRST COMMUNION: Classes and Celebration

Classes: Wed., Apr. 4 and Thurs., Apr. 12, 19 at 6:30 pm

Celebration: Sunday, April 22nd at morning worship

It is time for our annual First Communion class. This class is for those young people (and their
parents) desiring to begin receiving Holy Communion as part of their regular worship experience. Our policy at Shepherd of the Valley is flexible with regard to the age when a child can begin fully participating at the Table. If a child of a member family has not begun participating by the 4th grade, we invite them and their parents, to these classes.

Younger children are also welcome. If your child is already participating in the Meal but has never taken these classes, you are also invited. Participating with a growing appreciation and
understanding of what is happening around the Table is the purpose for holding these classes.

For details or to register, please contact Liz Ridgway or Georgia Girvan. You will also find a sign-up sheet in the narthex.

SISTERS

Sisters will be coming together on Monday, April 2nd, at 6:30 pm in the church library. They are working on their fourth community service project. They are collecting used, in good condition, children and women's clothing to be donated to a local charity. If you are interested in participating and meeting with them, please call Jennifer Retana. Nursery care will be available.

Order Your Easter Calla Lily

On Easter Sunday, beautiful calla lilies will adorn the sanctuary. For $14 you may order one in memory or honor of a loved one. The deadline for ordering is Monday, April 2nd, by 10:00 AM. Simply put your name and dedication on the sheet on the sign-up table and leave a check to SOV in the basket provided. All calla lilies must be paid for at the time of order.

Maundy Thursday Drama

Maundy Thursday - This year will include a reenactment of DiVinci's portrait of the Last Supper. Drama is followed by Holy communion.

Primetimers Event

Primetimers will meet March 16th at 11:30am at the church for a "Bit O' Irish," a special program by Deirdre Kempe on Ireland, and a baked potato bar.

Please sign up on the list in the narthex to bring a topping for the potatoes.

Hand Bell Choirs at Grace Assisted Living

The Shepherd's Bells and Heavenly Ringers will be taking their Lenten/Easter music to share with the residents of Grace Assisted Living in Meridian. Our musical experience begins at 1:15pm on Sunday, March 18th. Come join the fun and support your hand bell ministry!

Prayer Vigil

A prayer vigil is being organized for Good Friday through Holy Saturday. Prayers will be offered for every member in half hour increments (either at church or at home).

Please look for details in the future Weekly Newsletters and consider joining the team as we move toward the glory of Easter. If you have any questions or suggestions call Sylvia Morris.

Holy Week Worship Help

YOU ARE NEEDED FOR HOLY WEEKWORSHIP SERVICES

Sign-up lists are on the table below the narthex bulletin board for worship ministers to serve at Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Sunrise Easter services. Please consider assisting for at least one service and sign up today!

Honor Our Graduates

The Youth and Education Departments honor our graduates, high school and college, with a small reception and recognition on Sunday, May 20th. If you know of a soon to be graduate, please send their name and their future plans to Debbie Jones at youth-ed@sov-id.org.

Love and Logic Parenting Class

Jim Fay, founder and former school principal, has devised a program that provides practical tools and techniques to help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children.

Interested in learning more? Plan to attend a six week session right here at Shepherd of the Valley during the Sunday School hour (10:10-11:05 AM), beginning April 1st.

Sunday School classes are provided for 3-year-olds through 12th grade and nursery care is available. Space is limited for this new class, so sign up in the narthex! Call Debbie Jones with
any questions.

Childrens Easter Event

It's almost time to break out those Easter baskets; the Shepherd of the Valley children's Easter
event is Saturday, March 24th, at 10 a.m. We'll have a craft, games, snacks, a bounce house and the main attraction—the mad dash for eggs!

Anyone interested in helping out with this fun kids event, please call Jenn Miran.

Ruth Circle - March

Ruth Circle will read Listen to the Silence by Marcia Muller for March. They will meet March 22 at 7 p.m. at Joan Nielson's home. Phone for directions.

The book for April is About Grace by Anthony Doerr, a local Boise author. All women are welcome to Ruth Circle to share in fellowship and a love of reading.

Anna Circle - March

Anna Circle will meet Tuesday, March 13th at 7 PM in the church library. They will be studying "Suffering" from both the Old and New Testament, especially focusing on Joshua 1:9.

Bring your Bible and join them for study, fellowship and prayer. All women are invited. If you have questions or need a ride call Martha.