Below are the minutes of the January, 2010 Elders' meeting.
1. The elders welcome Matt Wobeck as a new member to the Board of Elders.
a. Matt's name will be presented to the Voters' Assembly for approval
2. Nominations were opened and Ron Smith was unanimously elected as Head Elder. Thank you Ron for accepting this leadership role.
3. Lists of inactive members were reviewed with each name being discussed. The Elders made attempts to contact each individual on their list that has not attended a worship service at Shepherd of the Hills in over 4 years. Those members that are known to have moved away, joined another congregation or responded their desire to be removed as a member of Shepherd of the Hills will be combined on one list. This list will be presented to Church Council with a recommendation to remove from the membership of Shepherd of the Hills
  a.  Council will need to approve recommendation
  b.  Council's action will be presented as a report to the Voters' Assembly. The procedures followed by the Elders are per the Church Constitution.
4. Reviewed Pastor's Report
  a.  Pastor will attend the 3-part Doxology Program with the first session starting late January.
  b. Pastor and Marge's daughter Kari will have Surgery February 2 & 5. Please keep Kari and her family in your prayers.
c. Pastor requested 1 or more Elders to attend the second part of the Doxology Program with him. Ron Smith volunteered to attend with Pastor
  d. Pastor's computer has failed and needs to be replaced. In addition, improvements need to be made to the network to improve efficiency and safety of storing and protecting electronic files.
  a.  $1000 is estimated for this equipment and improvements
  b.  An appeal will be placed in the Church Bulletin for these funds
5. Warren Bey brought to the Elders' attention that the Gospel Choir that he has been a part of the last several years is putting their performance schedule together and looking to perform in March or April at Shepherd of the Hills. It would be an afternoon or evening performance.
  a.  The Elders welcome and approved this request and encourage members of Shepherd of the Hills and the community to attend. The performance date will be announced at a later date.
Have you noticed how the days are getting longer? With February there is a sense that winter is losing its grip on us and there is the anticipation of spring and a renewal of life in our su r r oundings. February is also the month where "love" is in the air and we celebrate our love for those who are close to us on Valentine's Day. Isn't it great to get that special gift, a special meal or special time together? How long does this last? How long does the gift or special time keep it's shine. Is this what love is?

What do we love? There are certainly many things in this world that are the focus of love for the citizens of this world. As Christians we do not claim to be citizens of this world, but citizens of God's Kingdom. Our Father made it clear to us what we are to love and not to love. In Deuteronomy 7:7 ,,7The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples." Christians are certainly the fewest of all peoples. Verse 11&12 states "IlKnow therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of the who love him and keep his commands. 12If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers." When we follow God's commandments our actions towards one another can only be in a loving way. It is the LORD's love that works through us, and comes out of us, and all those that have contact with us, will recognize God's love within us. How comforting it is to know that we have been chosen by God to be with him eternally because of his Love for us.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernie Clements
Board of Elders

  

Below are the minutes of the January, 2010 Elders' meeting.
1. The elders welcome Matt Wobeck as a new member to the Board of Elders.
a. Matt's name will be presented to the Voters' Assembly for approval
2. Nominations were opened and Ron Smith was unanimously elected as Head Elder. Thank you Ron for accepting this leadership role.
3. Lists of inactive members were reviewed with each name being discussed. The Elders made attempts to contact each individual on their list that has not attended a worship service at Shepherd of the Hills in over 4 years. Those members that are known to have moved away, joined another congregation or responded their desire to be removed as a member of Shepherd of the Hills will be combined on one list. This list will be presented to Church Council with a recommendation to remove from the membership of Shepherd of the Hills
  a.  Council will need to approve recommendation
  b.  Council's action will be presented as a report to the Voters' Assembly. The procedures followed by the Elders are per the Church Constitution.
4. Reviewed Pastor's Report
  a.  Pastor will attend the 3-part Doxology Program with the first session starting late January.
  b. Pastor and Marge's daughter Kari will have Surgery February 2 & 5. Please keep Kari and her family in your prayers.
c. Pastor requested 1 or more Elders to attend the second part of the Doxology Program with him. Ron Smith volunteered to attend with Pastor
  d. Pastor's computer has failed and needs to be replaced. In addition, improvements need to be made to the network to improve efficiency and safety of storing and protecting electronic files.
  a.  $1000 is estimated for this equipment and improvements
  b.  An appeal will be placed in the Church Bulletin for these funds
5. Warren Bey brought to the Elders' attention that the Gospel Choir that he has been a part of the last several years is putting their performance schedule together and looking to perform in March or April at Shepherd of the Hills. It would be an afternoon or evening performance.
  a.  The Elders welcome and approved this request and encourage members of Shepherd of the Hills and the community to attend. The performance date will be announced at a later date.
Have you noticed how the days are getting longer? With February there is a sense that winter is losing its grip on us and there is the anticipation of spring and a renewal of life in our su r r oundings. February is also the month where "love" is in the air and we celebrate our love for those who are close to us on Valentine's Day. Isn't it great to get that special gift, a special meal or special time together? How long does this last? How long does the gift or special time keep it's shine. Is this what love is?

What do we love? There are certainly many things in this world that are the focus of love for the citizens of this world. As Christians we do not claim to be citizens of this world, but citizens of God's Kingdom. Our Father made it clear to us what we are to love and not to love. In Deuteronomy 7:7 ,,7The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples." Christians are certainly the fewest of all peoples. Verse 11&12 states "IlKnow therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of the who love him and keep his commands. 12If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers." When we follow God's commandments our actions towards one another can only be in a loving way. It is the LORD's love that works through us, and comes out of us, and all those that have contact with us, will recognize God's love within us. How comforting it is to know that we have been chosen by God to be with him eternally because of his Love for us.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernie Clements
Board of Elders