Shepherd of the Valley

A people & place for rest and renewal in Jesus Christ.

 

Our values help us work out how to be such a people and place. SPHERE is our acronym that helps us remember our values.

Shepherd of the Valley is a Lutheran church and has further historic and Christ-centered beliefs that are the true core of our identity.

God’s Word

We value God’s true unchanging Word, the Holy Bible. We believe that the simple gospel of salvation by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ has power to save the lost of this and all generations. We seek God’s truth through biblical preaching and Bible study for all. We value our Lutheran Christian identity grounded in God’s Word, and the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. We value obedience to God in all aspects of life and encourage the observable practice of God’s Word to help raise people to spiritual maturity.

Worship

We value God and worship Him for all He is and all He does for us. We practice gospel-oriented, enriching, & restorative worship that encourages the full expression of our gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. We seek to create an environment in which people can glorify God and receive His love through His Word, prayer, music, preaching, and the celebration of the sacraments.

Prayer

We value God’s invitation to enter into His presence through prayer in the name of Jesus Christ and with the power of the Holy Spirit. We commit to the continual development of active prayer lives as individuals and as a body. We pray for each other. We rely on God’s answers to our prayers to guide our ministries and activities. We provide many opportunities to join in prayer as spiritual, personal, community, and global challenges are revealed.

Holy Baptism

In Holy Baptism, God makes us family regardless of who we are or how old! Through baptism, as members of God’s family, we have a place at God’s table of grace (undeserved love). Baptism is not something we “qualify for” in some way. It is a gift of God’s grace to be received in faith. In baptism we are joined to the death and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:4) so that we may live in peace with the assurance of salvation. The Bible says, “Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved…” (Mark16:16). Because the Bible teaches that people have a sinful nature from birth (Psalm 51:5, Ephesians 2:3), God’s forgiveness, deliverance, and the promise of eternal life are given to us in baptism. In the Bible, Christ Himself commands that all be baptized in the name of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Jesus specifically invited children to come to Him (Luke 18:15-17) and that we should receive his kingdom as little children. Therefore, Shepherd of the Valley, following Christ’s command, offers baptism to all who seek it; regardless of age or level of comprehension. Baptism is God’s gift of belonging. Finally in Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit (John 3) who calls us to grow in faith and faithful response to God’s gifts of grace.

Confirmation

Confirmation is a period of instruction in the Christian faith as confessed and lived in the evangelical Lutheran church. Confirmation is connected with baptism because it is the baptismal faith that is being confirmed. Confirmation instruction is usually offered in middle school years or later. It’s purpose is to help baptized persons understand the gifts of their baptism and live as God’s people. Two chief resources are the basis of confirmation instruction: the Bible and Luther’s Small Catechism. At the conclusion of the period of instruction, the candidates for confirmation make public affirmation of their faith in a service of holy Communion.

Communion

Is communion only for Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church members? This is not the case at Shepherd of the Valley. Lutherans have never understood it to be God’s will to restrict participation in the Lord’s Supper to those who are members of any congregation. The Bible says nothing about church membership being a requirement for the reception of the Lord’s Supper. Rather, the only thing that matters is whether the person who desires to receive Holy Communion is baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and believes that in the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) we receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ as he himself said “This is my body…this is my blood” (Matthew 26:26-28). Luther’s Small Catechism states that a person is truly worthy and well prepared to receive Holy Communion who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins”…the words “for you” require only a believing heart.

Shepherd of the Valley Milestones

• Organization of the church congregation as a new mission under Pastor Norman Nessett – 1966
• First worship service held at Wilson School – February 20, 1966
• Dedication of Church Building in the city of Corvallis – June 16, 1968
• Installation of second Pastor, Rev. David Wobrock – September 18, 1977
• Installation of third Pastor, Rev. Arthur Siegried – March 9, 1980
• Installation of fourth Pastor, Rev. Patrick Chinaud – October 2, 1988
• Service of Celebration & Capital campaign begun on occasion of 25th anniversary – February 24, 1991
• Dedication of phase I new construction on church building – March 22, 1992
• Discovery and Growth Groups in full swing – 1992
• Dedication of phase II additions on church building – December 2, 1995
• Installation of “Three Crosses” and new church sign – 1999