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A Family of Families
The Story of Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church’s
FUTURE
A family from Utah
heading south on I-15 sees a big brightly lit cross in the distance. It touches their hearts and they feel it drawing them
toward Barstow. They stop for the night in one of Barstow’s motels and the first thing they do is ask about that cross
they saw from the freeway.
The desk clerk tells them about Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church. She says it’s
known all over the High Desert as a small, traditionally Lutheran congregation that warmly welcomes visitors. She hands the
family a Desert Dispatch reprint that tells about Shepherd of the Desert’s ministries.
They read how the Drama Ministry
makes the gospel come alive for believers and non-believers alike. They learn that the Drama Ministry provides an after-school
youth community theatre program, including theatre arts internships for local high school and college students. This program
develops character, leadership, and theatre skills. The medium of drama provides a non-threatening format for mentoring kids
and helping their families deal with life’s struggles. They read how on Sunday mornings and other times the spiritual
component of the Drama Ministry makes church fun and exciting for people of all ages.
The travelling family reads about
how Shepherd of the Desert’s Healing Ministry touches people in the Barstow area with the love of Jesus. They read how
a team of volunteer chaplains cares for elderly folks, shut-ins, hospice patients, and hospital patients. They read about
the healing power of advocacy, care referrals, listening to patient’s stories, sharing the love of pets, and of course,
healing prayer and anointing.
They read how people at Shepherd of the Desert grow as disciples of Jesus through the All
Hands for Jesus ministry. The article tells stories of people growing in their relationship with Jesus through helping run
the church, leading worship, helping with the church’s ministries, and working on a variety of outreach projects. They
read how the people gather in small groups to share their experiences, pray together, and study God’s word.
The
family can’t wait to tell their friends back home what they’ve seen and heard, but they want to learn more. The
next morning they drive to Shepherd of the Desert just in time to hear the music flowing from the church’s roof. They
park their car and walk over to the prayer garden at the base of the cross they saw from the freeway the night before. As
they sit with the awesome beauty of the desert spread out in front of them they begin getting a feel for the place. They know
instinctively that they are sitting on holy ground. They know this is a place where healing happens, where people give their
lives to Jesus, and where broken families are made whole.
Our Mission
OUR VISION: Thrive and make an impact as a family of families.
OUR CORE VALUES: We're Lutheran and we're here to stay.
OUR
PURPOSE: Be the hands and feet of Jesus, spreading the Gospel, healing and growing disciples.
OUR GOALS: Take some specific
steps to achieve financial stability and toward making our vision a reality.
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During Lent:
February 6, 2008
12 pm - Ash Wednesday Service @ SDLC
7 pm - Ash Wednesday Service @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 512 E. Williams St., Barstow
Ecumenical Lenten Services:
Wednesday Feb. 13 - "The Alpha & Omega"
The Rev. Lili Bush @ First Congregational UCC,
220 N 2nd Ave, Barstow
Wednesday Feb. 20 - "The Bread of Life"
The Rev. Carol Ziegler @ First United Methodist Church,
404 E Mountain View St, Barstow
Wednesday Feb. 27 - "The Good Shepherd"
The Rev. Lee Seals @ Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church,
1301 E Mountain View St, Barstow
Wednesday March 5 - "The Light of the World"
The Rev. Clarence Luckey @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
512 E Williams St, Barstow
Wednesday Macrh 12 - "The Way"
Seminarian Liz Thayer @ Bethel AME Church,
312 N 5th Ave, Barstow
All Services are at 7 pm, with receptions following
SPREAD THE GOSPEL – HEAL THE SICK –
GROW DISCIPLES
Sundays (Holy Communion every week):
8 am Traditional Said Liturgy
9 am Spirited Sung Liturgy
3:30 pm Discussion Group "Journey Together Faithfully" using the ELCA provided
materials in order to help form a social statement @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 512 E Wiliiams St.
5 pm Youth Group Meeting @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 512 E Williams St.
Tuesdays:
5:30 pm Potluck Dinner
6:15 pm "Tuesday Table Talk" with
Holy Communion
we are discussing the ELCA provided materials "Journey Together Faithfully"
Thursdays:
9:30 – 10:30 am VNA Grief Support Group
(1st & 3rd Thursday only)
3 - 4:30 pm Stars of the Desert,
Barstow’s Youth Community Theatre
(non-religious)
Saturdays:
(1st Saturday of the month only)
5 - 7 pm "Music In Motion" Youth
Dance and church for 4th-6th graders
7 – 9 pm "Shakin’ with the Shepherd"
Youth Dance and church
for High School Age
(2nd Saturday of the month only)
8:30 am Women’s Breakfast at Carrow's
ALL ARE WELCOME!
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