BIBLE FACTS ON TODAY’S READINGS Mark 9:2-9 - Given importance by its placement near the center of Mark's gospel, the narrative of the transfiguration reveals Jesus, the hidden messiah, as the apocalyptic Son of Man. Just as Moses, who represents the law, and Elijah, who represents the prophets, ascended to God at their death, so will Jesus. The mountain, the light, the cloud, and the voice denote God's presence, as on Sinai. The dazzling white clothing is a frequent apocalyptic motif. The booths may refer to Hosea 12:9, a promise that the people will again live in tents. God's adoption of Jesus as the beloved Son, heard first at his baptism in Mark 1, is repeated. The reference to six days probably means to cite Exodus 24:16. For Mark's readers, the crucified Jesus is momentarily seen as the divine judge at the end of time. 2 Kings 2:1-12 - Written in perhaps the sixth century B.C.E., the book we call 2 Kings continues the history of 1 Kings. Told from the theological perspective of Deuteronomy, 2 Kings narrates the career of the ninth-century prophet Elisha, beginning with Elijah's ascension to God and the transfer of his authority to Elisha. This ascension takes place at the Jordan, where Elijah divides the waters, thus recapitulating Moses at the Exodus. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 - Concluding his arguments in 2 Corinthians 2 -3 about his authority as apostle, Paul here uses the metaphor of light to connect God's creative power, the gospel message, Christ's face, and the believer's heart. All are shining. LENTEN DEVOTIONS FOR GOD'S STEWARDS Lent is upon us! Beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012, we begin the season of Lent, the forty-day period that reflects the forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness. Lent is a time of spiritual self-examination that prepares us to not only observe his Passion, but eventually, to also celebrate his Resurrection. Self-examination is accomplished with spiritual disciplines … prayer, Bible reading, meditation, fasting, good works, confession, generosity and similar practices. A "discipline," which comes from the same root word as does "disciple," helps us to see ourselves the way God sees us. Perhaps one of the least recognized of these disciplines is generosity. Lent is a time for a fresh opening of ourselves to God; a chance to start anew after this period of self- examination. It calls us back to our best character goals, to our commitment to follow Jesus, and gives us a chance to realign ourselves as a steward of all of God's gifts. We hope you will enjoy a Lenten Devotions that will continue to be distributed today, February 19th (to insure each family gets one).  We ask that you read the daily devotion beginning Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22 for the 40 days provide.  On Palm Sunday, April 1st, we will distribute a "% of income chart" and a pledge card which you will be asked to fill out and keep for yourself.  We ask that you pray and consider whether God is asking you to increase your giving to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. A year from the date of your pledge, you are invited to check to see how you are doing maintaining that pledge.   Please know that if you experience a financial decrease in your income due to unforeseen difficulties, it is perfectly O.K. to adjust your pledge accordingly.  We pray for God's guidance in your life and in this spiritual discipline.  May God guide your heart and your mind in this endeavor. Pastor Barb DO YOU HAVE TRAVEL PLANS? If you are traveling over the next few months please take the time to write out a postcard and send it along to Ron Kappes. Before his capillary angioma, Ron and Kay had planned to travel extensively across the United States.  He has already received a few postcards from Arizona, where the Hansen’s are on vacation. The mailing address is: Ron Kappes, c /o Stockton Healthcare & Rehab, 501 E Front St, Stockton, IL 61085. CHILI & FILLED NOODLE SUPPER Trinity Lutheran Church in Derinda will be holding a chili & Filled Noodle Supper today, February 19, from 4:30 - 8:00 pm. the meal includes: Chili & Filled Noodles, Ham Sandwiches, salad, dessert and beverage at a cost of $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 6 - 12 yrs old. This years proceeds will go to the Church Improvement Fund and Multi-Generational Activity Fund. ADULT FORUM  Adult Forum resumes today at 9 am with Lesson One on the Gospel of John.  All are welcome to join us in Classroom 3 (lower level). PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOOD PANTRY THIS WEEK   We have a grocery cart in the entry way to receive your gifts.  The local food pantries benefit from our giving, and our donations stay right here in Jo Daviess County helping our neighbors in need. This month the need is soup, cereal, canned meats (tuna, chicken), pancake mix/syrup and one-box meals. A SIMPLE SURVEY If you have not yet completed the Simple Survey which was first handed out at church on January 29 please get one from the Welcoming Center and take about 10 seconds to fill it out. Put it in the basket in the Welcoming Center designated for that purpose. DEVOTIONAL MATERIAL Pick up your January - March Portals of Prayers.  They are on the Welcome Center table.  On-line devotions provided by Luther Seminary in Minneapolis-St. Paul are now available on our church web site’s home page at www.shepherdofhill.com.   It is short, to the point and even has the scripture passage included.   Don't forget to get your day started or ended on the right note by doing a brief devotion with scripture.  UPCOMING EVENTS Week of February 19, 2012  Wednesday , February 22th     Ash Wednesday Service 7 pm JAMES ANDERSON ANDREW BOTTELL (Eva Koehn’s niece’s Son-In-Law) TAYLOR DANIEL (Nancy Sell's granddaughter) TERESA FOLKS CHRISTINA FRIEDERICHS (Sandy Wilke’s Daughter) COLLEEN HANSEN (Jim Hansen's Sister-In-Law) ANITA HANSON BONNIE HUBER (Kathy Kent’s Mom) RON KAPPES BROOKE KELEHER (Laura Duerr) CARL LANTAU (Tammy Winter’s Grandfather) PASTOR LAURA KOPPENHOEFFER LIAM PETELLE (Edie Petelle's grandson)  NORMA PRAHL (Israel, Krueger) LENORA BRANDT ROOT (Betty Holland) BROOKE SCHUBERT ALISON SCHWARTZ (Esther Huizenga) JOHN SINCOX CLINT SITZMANN (Diane Gehrts) MARY ANN STADEL JEANEEN SUITS TONYA SAKOWICZ (friend of Hansen’s) KARLIE WHITE MEN AND WOMEN serving in the armed forces PEACE IN THE WORLD SERVING US  February 26th  Service Family     8 am - Keith Hesselbacher Family 10 am - Steve & Trish Bianchetta Communion Acolytes 8 am - Sam Hesselbacher 10 am - Clay Folks Readers 8 am - Keith Hesselbacher 10 am - Steve or Trish Bianchetta Sunday School Cookies Sarah & JoAnn Hesselbacher Tellers Larry & Sue Cording Hospitality TBA