Women's Ministry

Education & Fellowship

We are dedicated to building up our sisters in Christ through the study of His word and sharing each other's lives.

What about you?

We want to help and encourage you in your walk with Jesus. You'll find warm and open conversation and sisterhood.

What's going on now?

	Tuesday Evening Ladies Bible Study - 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month - 6:00-7:00 pm -     Shepherd of the Valley
	Thursday Morning Ladies Bible Study - Every Thursday - 9:30 am - Shepherd of the Valley

These studies are led by lay women in the congregation. They study God's word in ways that directly relate to current women's issues and concerns.

Altar Guild

God's House is a holy and reverent place. We are dedicated to keeping the altar and chancel area clean and orderly, in faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

What about you?

Are you interested in the proper care of the Lord's table and His altar? We'd love to have you be a part of our heritage and church tradition.

What's going on now?

• Care and cleaning of the altar linens and paraments

• Care and cleaning of communion ware

• Preparation of communion ware and altar for communion services

• Proper rotation of paraments according to church calendar

• Banners and decoration of chancel, flowers, etc...

Lutheran Women's Missionary League

LWML is the official women’s organization of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, comprised of individual women and women’s groups within the congregations of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. The goal of the organization is mission education, mission inspiration, mission service, and financial grants for mission needs. The motto of the group is “Serve the Lord with Gladness” Psalm 100:2. The mission of LWML is to assist each woman in affirming her relationship with the Lord so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world.

The Mite Box ministry is one of the major emphases of LWML. Through these small Mite Box offerings from each member, LWML has funded tens of millions of dollars in mission grants since the organization’s beginning in 1942. The Mites are collected on a national level and the monies are disbursed to ministries in various countries such as Sudan, Africa, India, Siberia, Ghana, China, Japan, and ministries for Native Americans and African-Americans. These ministries include prisons, children, medical help, missionaries, spiritual materials, and seminaries.

Shepherd of the Valley’s LWML is called “Women of the Word” and it was started in September, 1996. Each year “Women of the Word’ selects a total of 6 mission projects (both “in-house” and community outreach projects) to support. During the past 12 years, “Women of the Word” has supported the following projects:

Helped package meals for Kids Against Hunger. Kids Against HungerTM of Des Moines is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to end that tragedy by packaging and shipping life-saving meals to starving and malnourished children in developing countries and in the United States. Creates and donates quilts on an ongoing basis for Lutheran World Relief; collects supplies for health and school kits for Lutheran World Relief. Purchased a Kitchen Corner play module, four tricycles, sand boxes, and wooden blocks for the SOTV Early Learning Center; Aids seminary students, vicars and their families by assisting with tuition/book fees, and acknowledging holidays and family birthdays. Donated funds for a freezer and scanner at Living Faith (Clive) when it was still a mission congregation. Sponsored a shower for kitchen supplies for SOTV. Helped to support a single parent Drake student living with an SOTV family so that she could complete her education and obtain a pharmaceutical degree. Donated funds to sponsor several of Pastor Mark Baldwin’s Radio Ministry broadcasts. Provided assistance to several SOTV families needing help to pay utility bills and meet other financial needs. Contributed funds to SOTV sanctuary remodeling. Contributed funds to the SOTV music ministry. Contributed funds to the Agape Pregnancy Center and participated in Agape’s various fundraising efforts. Provides funds to assist eligible youth wishing to attend summer camp at Camp Okoboji.

“Women of the Word” also coordinates “Advent by Candlelight” with the help of many other women and groups within the congregation. The main fundraiser for “Women of the Word” is the annual Christmas Tree Sale, where we also receive more wonderful help from SOTV members and the local Scout group. We thank each and every one of you who help us each year.

“Women of the Word” is a small group, but with the wonderful assistance of a great number of SOTV members, we strive to pursue our goal which is MISSIONS, MISSIONS, MISSIONS. We have a mission to serve, a mission to learn, a mission to love, and a mission to give.

If you are interested in this ministry, please call the church office at 225-1623.