So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”  Acts 1:6-11

On May 30 we will celebrate the Ascension of our Lord at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with a 7:00 pm service.

Ascension Day is the coronation celebration of our Lord as He is proclaimed to be King of the universe.  Jesus’ ascension to the Father is His entrance to the greater existence beyond the confines of time and space, being no longer bound by the limitations of His state of humiliation.  Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, which Luther correctly taught as everywhere, having again taken up the power and authority that were His since before time.  Yet our Lord is present with us who remain bound by time and space.  He is with us as true God and true man, exercising His rulership in the Church through the means of grace which He established: His Word and His Sacraments.  We mortals in those means of grace can grasp the King of the universe and receive a foretaste of the feast to come.

(From Treasury of Daily Prayer)

 

 

PEOPLE MATTER COMMUNITY CARNIVAL

The Third Annual People Matter Community Carnival is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 11, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm on the grounds of Wachter Middle School in Bismarck.

Here is a little history.  People Matter began through a simple conversation between Pastor Wolfgram and Wachter Middle School principal, Lee Ziegler, considering how to meet the growing needs of people in our community.   That conversation led to the first People Matter Community Carnival held at Wachter Middle School in May 2017.  The purpose of the event is to introduce families of school age children to the many free services that are available to help them.   Bismarck Police officers and fire fighters participated along with 17 organizations.  Families with school age children connected with services that could help them enjoy a better life. The carnival atmosphere was enhanced by free food, prizes, bounce houses, a dunk tank and various games and activities.  Wachter Middle School staff and community leaders were dunk tank “guests of honor”.   This first event drew over 500 attendees.

In 2018, the event grew as 45 community organizations were represented with well over 1,200 people in attendance.  Families have been impacted as they learn about services available to them and as they build relationships with people who are here to help.  This year’s Community Carnival event is Saturday, May 11th from 11:00am to 2pm.  This event provides a great opportunity for Shepherd of the Valley to reach out to our neighbors, inviting them to VBS and informing them that we are here to serve them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Join us for this exciting day!

HEAVEN’S HELPERS SOUP KITCHEN

We have set May 18 as Shepherd of the Valley Volunteer Day at Heaven’s Helpers Soup Kitchen.  Please consider when during that Saturday you might be able to help.  Please visit with Micheal Henke and see the sign-up sheet in the narthex.

 

A Letter from Vicar Kyler

Dear friends, in one week, on April 30, I will be humbled by receiving a Call into the Holy Ministry. It is almost hard to believe that these four years, one of which was with the beautiful people of North Dakota, are coming to completion. After Call, I still have two weeks of education to complete my degree and graduate, but nothing compares to the anxiety and excitement that accompany the approaching Call Day.

Where will God send us to proclaim everlasting peace in the forgiveness of sins found in the cross of our Lord and Savior, Jesus? That question has been pondered by Donna and the kids all year. I too have pondered it. But we recently discovered, it doesn’t matter where we go. What matters is Christ’s work is for all people and it is Him who we work for. He will call me to proclaim the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation to his Church, regardless of location. And the best part is that He is doing the work! The excitement grows with each passing day. Our prayers for myself, my classmates, and our future congregations continue; they will continue until the day our Lord Christ returns to give us his eternal crown of life.

I ask for your prayers as well. Please pray for my family and I as Call Day approaches with ever increasing speed. Please pray for my classmates and the candidates out of St. Louis as well. Pray for the congregations who are about to receive a pastor. Pray for those who will still be desiring a pastor. Pray for the Church, that she may remain faithful to her Master. Our Lord desires that we pray for workers to go into his harvest field. For me, it was a great privilege to have been educated by you during my Vicarage, and I continue to pray thanksgiving for that. Thank you. Your friendships, time, support, and prayers are and remain a blessing to us beyond measure. We think about you and pray for all of you frequently, especially for Pastor Walla and Pastor Wolfgram.

One more week. April 30. 7pm Eastern. http://callday.ctsfw.edu/ Thank you, and God’s richest blessings to you in the forgiveness of sins through our crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ, Jeffrey Kyler

 

YOUTH OUTING

On Wednesday, May 15, youth in grade 8-12 are invited to join Pastor Wolfgram for a time of Bible study and to connect with one another.  We will meet at the church at 8:00 PM.  After a time of conversation and study of God’s Word, we will go to Applebee’s on South 3rd for appetizers.

HANG OUT

Young adults in their 20’s and 30’s are invited to gather on Tuesday, May 21, at 6:00 PM at Shepherd of the Valley for supper and fellowship.  Vicar Woodside will lead a study on worship.  Join us for food, fellowship, and study of God’s Holy Word.

MAYFEST 2019

It’s not too late to get your tickets for Mayfest.  It will take place on Saturday, May 4, beginning at 5:30 pm in the cafetorium at Wachter Middle School.  Tickets are only $20.00 per ticket.  There are some amazing items up for bid at the live auction this year.  You don’t want to miss it.  224-9070 for information and to get tickets.

VBS 2019

VBS volunteers wanted:  Please visit with Carrie Harling to let her know that you desire to help with VBS which is scheduled May 28, 29, & 30 from 9am to noon.  Online registration for students and helpers can be found at www.vbsmate.com/sotvbismarck.  Email Carrie at carrieharling14@gmail.com.

 

WOMEN WALKING WITH THEIR LORD

Our study on Waiting will take place on the second Saturdays in May and June, on May 11 and June 8, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and we’ll hold them at SOTV.

“Main Street Living North” Programs for May 2019:

May 5:             Rev. Chris Waldvogel, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND, presents the message: “A Public Reinstatement” based on John 21:15-19. Today’s “This Is the Life” program is: “The Big Little Lie”.

May 12:           Rev. Tom Eaves, St. John Lutheran Church, Barnesville, MN, presents the message: The Good Shepherd based on Psalm 2. Today’s “This Is the Life” program is: “To the End of Time”.

May 19:           Rev. Clark Jahnke, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, West Fargo, ND, presents the message: “God’s Cure for Loneliness” based on Revelation 21:1-5. Today’s “This Is the Life” program is: “Face from the Past”.

May 26:           Rev. Brett Hartwig, Trinity Lutheran Church, Sabin, MN, presents the message: “Take heart, I have Overcome the World” based on John 16:23-33. Today’s This Is the Life program is: “Love is not Enough”.

Main Street Living can be viewed each Sunday morning on WDAY Extra, channel 594 at 10:00 AM.

LWML SALAD SUPPER

The ladies of Bethel’s LWML invite women of all ages to attend this year’s Salad Supper on Wednesday, May 8 at 6:00 pm at Bethel Lutheran Church. Bring your favorite salad to share, or just come enjoy the food and fellowship time. Guests and children are welcome, too!

 

Mark Meier with Heaven’s Helpers Soup Cafe will be the mission speaker.  We will be collecting items to give to the Soup Cafe if you wish to bring a donation.  Helpful items include:  Disposable gloves, cleaning products, Dawn brand dish soap, napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, beef base (seasoning), sugar, mustard, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, croutons, quart size canning jars, gift cards to Sam’s Club (to purchase food).  For questions, contact Kim Kuhlmann 701-320-0493 or Sue Hartley at 701-460-0229.

We look forward to seeing you there!

In the summer of 2016 we launched Vision Path through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund.  One of the tasks of the Vision Path Committee was to clearly state our mission, beliefs, and values as a congregation.  Here is the result of their work.

As a church family, our MISSION is to share, nurture, and live our faith in Christ.

As a family of believers, we BELIEVE:

  • The Bible is God’s unchanging Word and is the foundation for what we teach and how we live.
  • Sin separates us from the family of God.
  • Jesus suffered and died on the cross as payment for our sins, restoring us to God’s family.
  • Jesus rose from the dead, granting us eternal life.
  • Our faith is strengthened when we gather as family around God’s Word.
  • We are created in Jesus for welcoming, loving and supporting one another as God’s family.

As followers of Jesus, we VALUE being faithful to God’s unchanging Word, celebrating our mission as family in Christ and caring for our church family and community.

  • We are FOLLOWERS of Jesus.
  • We are FAITHFUL to God’s unchanging Word.
  • We CELEBRATE our mission as family in Christ.
  • We CARE for our church family and community.

 

May Baptismal Birthdays

Samy Gienger                                  5/1

Andrew Wolfgram                         5/5

Cindy Olson                                      5/7

Brad Nottestad                               5/10

Norman Mohl                                  5/11

Alexis Zeis                                         5/12

Kevin Olson                                      5/15

Rebecca Reiman                             5/16

Marion Meske                                 5/17

Hunter Peterson                             5/17

Sherrald Kostek                              5/18

Lowell Fahrni                                   5/20

Savannah Davis                              5/22

Don Gienger                                    5/22

Sara Behrens                                   5/24

Eldon Unrath                                   5/25

Irene Durant                                    5/30

Leon Lippert                                    5/31

 

THE PURPOSE OF SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH IS TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL NURTURE THROUGH WORD AND SACRAMENT, LIVE THE FAITH AND REACH INTO THE COMMUNITY WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
May Birthdays

Pat Bitz

Dale Kitzman

Rebecca Reiman

Cameron Dever

Mike Kapla

Jeremiah Kramer

Lyla Dockter

Margaret Ensz

Laith Hintz

Jenny Borneman

Michelle Dever

Noah Jackson

Savanah Davis

Kevin Reinhardt

Seth Vukelich

Nathan Nichols

Kage Ekstrom

Tiffany Kapla

Kyleen Ekstrom

Bridget Roll

Dane Wolfgram

Taylor Krecklau

Becky Gildea

LaDonna Kitzman

Kevin Brockel

Madison Gildea

MacKenzie Gildea

James Bechtold

Julia Dever

Sara Nelson

Melvin Sutheimer

Darline Bourn

Lydia Hauf

Terry Urness

                                

 

ELDERS OF THE MONTH

May 1-15     Dick Dever

May 16-30   Eliot Reinke

 

May Anniversaries

Larry & Denise Walker           5/05/1979

Aaron & Kristi Brewer            5/09/2014

Paul & Andrea Pansegrau     5/16/1981

Dick & Pam Dever                   5/19/1978

Garry & Janice Fuhrman        5/23/1998

Micheal & Samantha Henke 5/24/2015

Duaine & Lyla Dockter           5/25/1956

 

May Ushers 2019

*May 5           Don Geinger & John Hoffman                                    815am

Cheryl Purdy & Bob Ziebarth                                     1045am

 

May 12           Rob Burkhardsmeier & Robert Knutson                   815am

Curt Krecklau & Dan Jackson                                     1045am

 

*May 19        Kevin Brockel & Dwight Cook                                    815am

Justin Dever & Leon Lippert                                       1045am

 

May 26           Micheal Henke & Lonny Lang                                    815am

Greg & Melvin Suthiemer                                           1045am

 

May Greeters 2019

 

*May 5                Carrie & Nate Harling                                                  815am

Leon & Jerry Lippert                                                    1045am

 

May 12                Don Gienger                                                                 815am

Chuck & JoAnn Falkenstein                                        1045am

 

*May 19              Lowell & Corrin Fahrni                                                815am

Leslie Watson                                                               1045am

 

May 26                Marion Meske                                                              815am

Pam Dever & Lily Dever                                              1045am

 

May Acolytes 2019

 

*May 5           Emma V.                                                                       815am

Daisy A.                                                                         1045am

 

May 12           Keityn H.                                                                       815am

Reese D.                                                                       1045am

 

*May 19        Brekken Z.                                                                    815am

Kallen H.                                                                       1045am

 

May 26           Zeva B.                                                                          815am

Reagan D.                                                                     1045am