December 10, 2008 - Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church will hold its Christmas Eve worship service on Monday, December 24, 5 PM in the Sitzmark Room of Will O' the Wisp, with the Rev. Donald R. Thomas officiating. Special recorder music by Ruth Seib and Marcie McClive of the Marsh Mountain Consort will begin at 4:45 p.m.
Designed as a worship opportunity for the community, the candlelight communion service will include many Christmas hymns, and special music provided by provided by the afore-mentioned recorder duo, flutists Ruth Seib and Sammi Bessey, vocalist Deirdre Kildow and the Praise Ensemble of Shepherd of the Hills.
Will O' the Wisp is located at 20160 Garrett Highway on US 219, ½ mile north of the traffic light at Glendale Road. The Sitzmark Room is located on the lower level. Handicap entrance access is by car at the rear of the building; enter at the patio doors.
Weekly services are held at Garrett Eight Cinemas, Sundays at 9:30AM. Tourists, newcomers and those seeking a church home are always welcome to attend.
Shepherd of the Hills is the first mission congregation of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) since the merger of the ELCA in 1987. For further information, persons may contact Shepherd of the Hills at 301-387-0400 or the church website at www.shepherdofthehillslutheran.org .
Thanksgiving Community Worship Service
Sponsored by Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Nov. 14, 2008 - The Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran congregation invites you to join us in the celebration of our national festival of Thanksgiving. We will gather to worship and give thanks to God on Tuesday, November 25 at 7 p.m. in the Sitzmark Room at Will O' the Wisp, 20160 Garrett Highway at Deep Creek Lake.
The Thanksgiving service, led by Reverend Paul Blank, will include festive music, proclamation from the Word of God, common prayer, and Holy Communion at the table of the Lord. John Wilson will be the guest lector. We invite all who attend to bring food for Thanksgiving Day to be blessed. This may include elements intended for your own Thanksgiving dinner, as well as special food offerings to meet the needs of the poor in our community. We extend a warm welcome to all!
Shepherd of the Hills is a mission congregation of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Regular Sunday services are held at the Garrett 8 Cinemas at 9:30 AM. For further information, persons may contact Shepherd of the Hills at 301-387-0400, or the church website at www.shepherdofthehillslutheran.org
“The Study of Islam”
Wednesdays - April 2, April 9 and April 16, 2008
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church has announced that it will sponsor a mid-week study on “The Study of Islam” for three consecutive Wednesdays, beginning Wednesday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m., and continuing April 9 and 16. Rev. Donald R. Thomas will lead the study. The church classroom facility is located in the office complex directly above and behind the Subway restaurant on Rte 219 at Deep Creek Lake. Ample parking is available at the rear of the building. The course is free and open to the community.
Islam today is the second largest and fastest-growing world religion, with majority populations in 56 countries spanning from North Africa to Southeast Asia. It also has significant minorities in Europe and the United States. Today it has 1.2 billion adherents; yet many in the West are familiar with only the actions of the radical extremists. Like Christianity and Judaism it is one of the great monotheistic faiths that trace its ancestry to Abraham.
The course will look at the five pillars of faith that form the foundation of the faith of Islam. It will also discuss prophet Muhammad, a messenger from God, who called for major reforms in the polytheistic, tribal Arabian society and served as the living model for all Muslims. Further discussion will cover the importance and controversial concept of Jihad, as well as look ing at the Quran, which is believed (by Islam) to be the literal, eternal, and final revelation of God to humankind.
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church holds worship services Sundays at 9:30 a.m. at Garrett Eight Cinemas, located on Route 219 at Deep Creek Lake. For further information, contact the church office at 301-387-0400 or the church website www.shepherdofthehillslutheran.org
April 19, 2008
Community Showing of the Film
“Facing the Giants”
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church invites one and all to a community showing of the film “Facing the Giants”. The free event will take place Saturday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m. in The Discovery Center of Deep Creek Lake State Park. Light refreshments will be served.
The theme of the film is “Never give up. Never back down. Never lose faith.” After six consecutive losing seasons, high school football coach Grant Taylor believes things can't get any worse. He's wrong. With fear and failure defeating him in football and in life, the downtrodden coach and husband turns to God in desperation. Trusting that God can somehow do the impossible, Coach Taylor and his Shiloh Christian Eagles soon discover how faith plays out on the field…and off. With God, all things are possible.
"This family-friendly and faith-filled motion picture is currently winning the hearts and minds of grassroots America. My wife, Gena, and I have seen it three times and taken others!" Chuck Norris, via WorldNet Daily