They are responsible for studying the community and the needs for ministry that exist in the community. This is an extensive review of demographic and other information that helps a congregation to know its neighbors better.

This process helps a congregation grow in understanding the needs and trends of those who are not yet part of the congregation, and is critical in laying the foundation for the call process. Pastor Marj Funk-Pihl, Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Mission, will guide this team as they do their work.

The Transition Oversight Team is available to answer
any questions, please feel free to contact any member
of the team.

Caryl Benner

Sandi Engh

Barbara Kaye

Chip Lee
Erin Studer
Jan Garris

Selected Calendar Items for this Week:

Wednesday, February 15

6:30 p.m. Youth Hang Time
7:00 p.m. High School Youth and Confirmation

7:00 p.m. Preschool Board Meeting

Thursday, February 16

5:00 p.m. Yoga with Julie

7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir

Saturday, February 18

8:30 a.m. Intermediate Yoga

Sunday, February 19

9:00 a.m. Sunday School
9:30 a.m. Sunday School Club House
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
10:45 a.m. Foundation Meeting

Monday, February 20
Office and Preschool Closed in observance of President's Day
7:00 p.m. Stephen Minister Supervision Meeting

Tuesday, February 21
9:00 a.m. Bible Time with Pastor
4:00 p.m. Weekly Word Group
7:00 p.m. Council Meeting

Wednesday, February 22

9:15 a.m Weekly Word Group

10:15 a.m. Crochet/Knitting Club

6:30 p.m. Youth Hang Time
7:00 p.m. High School Youth and Confirmation

Together We Give and Serve

Each week in worship we project a Bible verse while the offering is being received.

Last Sunday's Verse for Reflection:

"When you say, 'The altar of GOD is not important anymore; worship of GOD is no longer a priority,' that's defiling. And when you offer worthless animals for sacrifices in worship, animals that you're trying to get rid of--blind and sick and crippled animals--isn't that defiling? Try a trick like that with your banker or your senator--how far do you think it will get you?" GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you.

Malachi 1:7-8

2017 Youth Winter Retreats are Here!

The winter retreats are amazing weekend long events spent with other youth groups in California. This year the theme is Quality over Quantity, where youth will be given a deeper understanding of God that has named and claimed them with a love too abundant to comprehend.

Friday, February 24-26	Middle School	El Camino Pines
Friday, March 3-5	Middle School	Luther Glen

The price to attend is $149. This is an incredible time full of fellowship, worship, and games. Hope they can make it!

You can get more information about the retreats at the LRCC Homepage or speak to our youth minister, Caitlin Arndt for more details.

Gideon Rubin Piano Recital

Gideon Rubin Piano Recital

Saturday, February 25

3:00 p.m.

Please join us in the sanctuary for a Piano Recital featuring Gideon Rubin. He will be performing music by Chopin, Brahms and Rachmaninov. Free will offerings are encouraged and will benefit Shepherd of the Valley Church.

Please join us for this special musical performance!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Tuesday, February 28, at 6:00 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate "Mardi Gras" with pancakes and all the fixin's... bring the whole family and join our
annual celebration! There is no set cost for this event but donations will be gladly accepted. This will be the first fundraiser for the 2018 National Youth Gathering in Houston!

Ash Wednesday Worship

The Lent season begins with Ash Wednesday Worship on

Wednesday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m.

The Reformation: 500 Years of Renewal for ALL

Sunday, March 5

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m

St. Joseph the Worker Conference Hall

19855 Sherman Way, Winnetka, CA 91306

(One block west of Corbin Ave.)

Speakers:

Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith (Ecumenical and Inter Religious Affairs Officer, Archdiocese of Los Angeles)

The Rev. Lisa Dahill, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Religion, California Lutheran University)

The reformation movement gave birth to various independent "Protestant" Churches, but also a catalyst for some much needed self-examination, renewal, and change in the Catholic Church itself.

The speakers will examine the complex historical and theological causes of the Reformation, the ideas and ideals of the Protestant reformers, and the Catholic response. From the distance of 500 years, we look back on the Reformation, it's roots and consequences, and it's meaning today in the ecumenical age.

Reservation is not required, but please contact our office at 818-348-8343 if you would like to attend, so that adequate arrangements can be made.

LSS News & Events

Moving forward Breakfast

Saturday, March 11

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Knights of the Columbus Council 3601

21433 Strathern St., Canoga Park, CA 91304

Come join us as we celebrate the churches and volunteers that enable all that we do! This is a chance to meet other supporters of Lutheran Social Services Community Care and help continue the great work for those in need.

If you would like to attend, please contact Beth Yaros at 818-901-9480 or Interncp@lsscommunitycare.org

Hal Manthei Memorial Golf Tournament
Monday, May 15, 2017

If you are interested in donating a product or service to
LSS Silent Auction Fundraiser at the annual golf tournament, please contact the LSS Community Care office
at 818-901-9480.

Proceeds from the event will benefit LSS of Southern California continue to serve thousands of people every day!

Save the Date - Vacation Bible School 2017

Monday - Friday
July 10-14

This year's theme, Maker Fun Factory, is sure to capture the imagination of all the children who participate. kids will discover that God made them AND gave them a purpose too! VBS is filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences that kids see, hear, touch, and even taste through team-building games, cool Bible songs, science gizmos and other standout activities each day.

Keep an eye out soon for sign up links, but in the meantime, please mark these dates on your calendar! We hope you can join us!

On the Trail of Martin Luther

Bethlehem Lutheran Church presents

On the Trail of Martin Luther

July 12-22, 2017

Join Pastor Megan Fryling on this once in a lifetime experience as they follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther marking the 500th anniversary of the day of the Reformation.

Visit the Gutenberg Museum and see the famed Gutenberg Bible.
Travel to Worms where Luther refused to recant and the Imperial Diet (Assembly) declared him an "outlaw."
Visit Wartburg Castle, the place where Luther translated the New Testament into German while in hiding.
Enjoy a guided tour of Eisleben - site of Luther's birth and death - including a visit inside the home where he was born.
Discover St. Thomas Church where Martin Luther preached and Johann Sebastian Bach was a cantor.
Join a church service in one of the Luther churches in Wittenberg.
Enjoy a tour and prayer service in the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt, where Luther lived and studied.
Enjoy a musical performance played on medieval instruments inside the Bachhaus Eisenach.

For more information, please contact Bethlehem Lutheran Church / Pastor Megan Fryling
at 818-360-4777

Stephen Ministry Training Class

The Caregiver's Compass is a common thread in the training and service of our Stephen Ministers. The symbol in the center of the compass

is a Chi-Rho, an ancient symbol for Christ. It reminds Stephen Ministers of the Christ-centered nature of their caring ministry. The four points of the compass guide Stephen Ministers to be compassionate, full of faith, skilled, and trustworthy. Continue to pray for our Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders as they use this compass as a guide for their ministry, always striving to provide Christ-like care on behalf of our congregation.

Shop with Scrip

Shop with Scrip and support Shepherd of the Valley! We have a great Gift Cards to offer! Call ahead (818)348-8343 to confirm we have the gift cards you want. You can also visit shopwithscrip website to see the current and future bonuses.

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Looking Ahead

Saturday, February 25
3:00 p.m. Gideon Rubin Piano Recital

Tuesday, February 28
6:00 p.m. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Wednesday, March 1
7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Worship Service

Weekly Word Group

Wednesday, 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the study this Sunday or Download a copy at our website member section.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
23838 Kittridge Street, West Hills, CA 91307
818.348.8343 www.sovlc.org