Transforming
If someone told you they had a mountaintop experience, what would you think they meant? Most of the time, people mean they had an experience that changed them. They went someplace or to an event or perhaps just experienced something in a new way that they never had before and it fundamentally changed something inside them or transformed the way they viewed the world.
There are a lot of things that happen on the tops of mountains in the bible and most of the time, these things have something to do with meeting God. In our gospel text for today, Jesus goes to the mountaintop to pray. In our Old Testament lesson, Moses goes to meet God in a mysterious cloud on the mountain. It is here that Moses receives the Ten Commandments.
The prophet Elijah, who also shows up in this gospel text, had a significant mountaintop experience, too. He was the superstar of prophets and at a very low period in his life and ministry, one of those times when it would be really good for God to show up in an unmistakable way, he runs to the mountain to find God. Or perhaps to just hide and get away from those who were trying to kill him.
Many of us might understand this. Not the part about hiding from people who are trying to kill us, I hope! The part about having a low period in our lives and really wishing God would show up and give us direction or make everything right. Like a bolt of lightning or one of those burning bushes. Or even just let us know we are not alone. Lots of people come to our area, here in the Appalachian mountains, for just such a thing as this. They, like all of us on some level, want to have a moment of connection with something bigger than ourselves, something that gives life meaning and perspective, and perhaps a connection with that which is holy and divine. They find it here, in the mountains……
This Week at Shepherd of the Hills
Keeping you up to date with happenings at Shepherd of the Hills!
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Annual Chili Cookoof!
Get those Crockpots Going! It is time for our Annual Chili Cookoff This Sunday, November 11th after worship. There will also be a cornbread competition as well. Fun prizes to win and funds raised from the contest will help fulfill our annual gift to Community Table.
All Saints’ Sunday
This past Sunday was All Saints’ Sunday and we joined together in the sure hope of the Resurrection to light candles for those who now live eternally with God.
Some have inquired about the extra candles in the trays on the ends. These candles were in memory of those who have died this year in episodes of senseless violence and for those whose names are known only to God.
Veterans Day
One hundred years ago this Sunday, at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1911, the horrific violence of the first world war came to an end. The celebration of this day, Armistice Day, coincides with Remembrance Day in Great Britain, which marks the same event. In the United States, this one hundred year old tradition has come to be a day in which we honor all veterans.
There will be a Veterans Day Parade in Sylva on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
More information can be found by clicking here.
Blessing of the Quilts
This Sunday we will bless quilts made by The Tuesday Quilters for Lutheran World Relief! Thank you, once again, to these wonderful, generous ladies who give of their time and talent for this project, sending warm, durable blankets around the world.
Add to your calendar….
- Sanctuary open for prayer on Election Day, 11/6 from 10:00am to 6:00pm
- 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff 11/11
- Thanksgiving 11/22 Church office closed Thursday and Friday
- Advent begins 12/2
- First Advent Wednesday with Holden Evening Prayer 12/5
| Weekly Activities In Our Building +LCM Mondays 6:00pm +Tuesday Quilters Tuesday 10:00am +Quilts of Valor on the Fourth Wednesdays 10:00am +Guitar Choir Rehearsal Various Wednesdays 6:30pm +Sunday Worship 11:00am +Dillsboro Drumming Group third Saturday +Shepherd’s Choice Bookclub third Saturday +Quilts of Valor last Wednesday |
Sunday School Has Returned!
Join us in the Fellowship Hall for a new Sunday School Class. We are currently studying the Apostle’s, Nicean, and Athanasian Creeds and will be following this with a study of Luther’s Small Catechism, specifically for adults. We gather around 9:45.
Please Help Us Be Good Stewards of Our Property
If you use the church building, please remember to:
+clean up+
+take off your trash+
+set the thermostat on 76+
++LOCK the DOORS++
Do you want to use the building for a group meeting or project? Check the calendar in the Narthex to see if there are any regularly scheduled activities on the day. Then check with Dee Dee or Pastor Rosemary so we can put you on the calendar.
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Looking for a great daily devotional you can use on your phone or computer?
d365.org is a great one to try. It is free and even has nice music you can play while you read the scripture for the day. Click here for the website or find the app in all the usual app services. Want to download the app to your phone but need help? Bring your phone to church and Pastor Rosemary will help you out.
Your council members are:
Susan Braithwaite
Betsy Aspinwall
Peggy Smith
Phil Kneller
Terry Emly
Bill Bishop
Carol Coone
Our finance officers are: Robert Braithwaite and Russ SeagleMorning Prayer
Please Pray For…
+The natural world around us, God’s good creation of which we are stewards, as we head into Fall and begin preparing for cooler weather and the winter days ahead.
+Students, faculty, and staff at WCU and SCC.
+Those who are hungry, have no safe home, those who grieve, those who suffer, and especially children who are without responsible care for their well-being and safety.
+Those who feel alienated from God, especially those who have been harmed by people who should have provided safety and care.
+Our full prayer list is available at the church or you may email Dee Dee for a copy. Honoring privacy, we do not send out this list of names in mass email form.
Have a prayer request to share with Pastor Rosemary?email Pastor Rosemary PeekWant to have a name added to or removed from the prayer list
for Sunday Mornings?email Dee Dee at the church office
