Get Connected!
Whether this is your first time here or you are a long-time member, we want to help you get connected! Take a look below at our weekly announcements to find out about upcoming events and other ways to get involved at SOTV.
This Week's Announcements - July 19
Save the Date: Zach Smith Ordination
Sunday, July 19 at 3:30 p.m.
SOTV
Join us as we celebrate a special milestone in ministry with the ordination of Pastor Zach Smith. Zach has been called to be the pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, Pa. We invite you to gather with us for this meaningful worship service as we give thanks for God's call and blessing on Zach’s ministry. Following the ceremony, everyone is welcome to stay for a cake reception to celebrate this joyful occasion together.
Register Today for Our Next Summer Social
Friday, July 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Smash Park West Des Moines
The Summer Social Series is the perfect way to relax, connect and build community this season, whether you’re coming as a couple or on your own. All adults are invited to our second Summer Social at Smash Park in West Des Moines on Friday, July 24 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Join us for a fun night of games, food and fun. You don't have to go to SOTV to attend—so bring a friend!
We’re renting lanes for axe throwing, shuffleboard and bocce ball from 6-8 p.m. You can choose which games you’d like to play and if you'd like to purchase food and drinks. If you’d like to throw axes, please arrive by 5:45 p.m. for instructor-led directions and wearing closed-toe shoes is required. The $15 per person registration fee covers the lane rentals.
Please register by July 22.
Young Adult Fellowship Nights This Summer
Sundays
July 19 at 6 p.m. at SOTV in Room 19
August 9 & 23 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Mull Home (4653 Timberline Dr, West Des Moines, IA)
All young adults are invited to the home of Pastor John David and Stephanie Mull’s home Sunday evenings this summer from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. to share a meal together, studying God’s Word, pray together and enjoy fellowship and fun!
Each evening will include:
- Dinner together
- Bible study and discussion on topics relevant to young adults
- Learning how to develop a personal devotional life and pray
- Games, outdoor activities, and time to connect
Additional Young Adult Ministry activities are in the works for this summer. Look for information in this newsletter, on Realm Connect (SOTV members) or the SOTV website.
Shepherd's Flock Early Learning Center Now Hiring
Our Shepherd’s Flock Early Learning Center is looking to hire two part-time teachers: one to teach 3-year-olds full days on Mon/Wed/Fri. and one 4-year-olds Mon-Thursday afternoons. A four-year college degree in education is required. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Diane Hensley at diane@sotv-wdm.org or (515) 225-1952 ext. 102.
Join the SOTV Greeter Team
At Shepherd of the Valley, we believe genuine hospitality helps people feel seen, welcomed, and connected from the moment they arrive. For many people, those first few minutes can determine whether they feel comfortable coming back. As we continue to grow, we're looking for a few more friendly faces to join our Greeter Team so we can welcome people at ALL of our entrances each Sunday. If you enjoy meeting people, offering a smile, and helping create a warm first impression, we'd love to have you serve. Please visit the Info & Announcements webpage to learn more or just contact Meg Zierke directly.
Join the JuBELLation Bell Choir
If you’re looking for a way to serve at SOTV, consider the JuBELLation handbell choir! JuBELLation uses the gift of music to enhance worship services and share God's love with our congregation and the wider community. Ringers work together to create beautiful music through dedication, teamwork, and a spirit of worship. The group generally performs once a month during both 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. worship services, September through May. JuBELLation also performs at outreach events in the community, usually around Christmastime. Practices are held Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. with an optional Bible study immediately following. This ministry is open to anyone interested in learning—no previous handbell experience is required. For more information and to get started, please contact Karla Gierstorf.
Use Raise Right Gift Cards for All Your Summer Gift Giving
As you’re celebrating weddings, graduations, and other special moments this summer, we’ve got an easy way to shop for gifts and support our youth at the same time. You can purchase gift cards through the Raise Right fundraising program and use them to purchase gifts or be the gifts for all those upcoming celebrations! It’s simple, practical, and makes a real difference for our youth. Stop by the table in the church lobby to get yours today! Or visit our Raise Right webpage to learn how to get started ordering gift cards online to support the SOTV Youth Group using the Raise Right app.
Now Hiring for SOTV Nursery
SOTV currently is looking for a childcare provider for children in our nursery on Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. once a month and possibly during special events. Children in nursery care will be 4 years old and under. This is a paid position. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Training is provided. If you are interested, please contact our Director of Children and Family Ministry, Tia Pugh.
Join Us for Morning Prayer on Tuesdays
Start your Tuesdays with us in prayer! Each week at 7:15 a.m., before our Pastor John David’s morning devotional on Zoom, we gather in the Sanctuary for a simple, meaningful time of prayer together. It’s a chance to center your heart, lift up our church and community, and begin your day grounded in God’s presence. Whether you can come every week or just once in a while, you’re always welcome. Join us this Tuesday using Door 6 to enter the church. We’d love to see you there!
Serve at SOTV in 2026!
We have several opportunities to serve now in a variety of areas. When needed, training will be provided. Please reach out to the appropriate contact if you are interested in learning more. We hope everyone at SOTV finds a way to support our church family through a heart of service.
Tech Ministry - Contact Angie Spann
- Run slides for 10:30 worship
- Run sound for worship services
Music Ministry - Contact Angie Spann
- Pianist for 8 a.m. services
- Adult choir director
- Adult choir member
- JuBELLation (handbell) choir member
Hospitality Ministry - Contact Meg Zierke
- Greeters
- Connectors
Children’s Ministry - Contact Tia Pugh
- Sunday School teacher
- Children’s Message leader
Worship Ministry - Contact Angie Spann
- Usher
- Greeter
- Scripture Reader
- Altar Guild
Daily Devotion and Prayer Available on Zoom
Have you have been looking for a way to start your day in God’s word? SOTV offers a daily devotion live on Zoom at 7:30 a.m. which follows the readings from the church year calendar. This devotion is led by Pastor John David Monday -Thursday, and by a member of our congregation on Fridays. If you wake up a bit earlier, you can jump on the Zoom at 7:15 to join others for morning prayer. Please email Pastor John David to request the Zoom link and meeting code. Previous devotions are available to listen to on our SoundCloud page.
Support Our Door 6 Ministry
Our “Door 6” ministry team -- made up of both high school youth and adults volunteers -- provides a free continental breakfast to students from Valley High School who park in our lot. Each Tuesday morning during the school year, VHS students make stopping by Door 6 to snag some breakfast items before heading to school part of their weekly routine. Our team builds relationships with the students by learning their names and activities they’re involved in, then sending them off with a cheerful smile and wishing them the best each week. It’s another way SOTV is practicing growing relationships with those outside our walls!
You can help SOTV continue this practice of our “genuine hospitality” value in one of three ways:
- Purchase a RaiseRight gift card for HyVee on Sunday morning and donate it to help pay for breakfast items.
- Donate directly using our online giving link. Select “General” for fund, and be sure to type “Door 6 Ministry” in the memo line.
- Help out on Tuesday mornings. Contact Angie Spann to sign up.
Support Our High School Youth Using Raise Right Giftcards
Purchasing gift cards through RaiseRight is an EASY way you can support the kids in our High School Youth Group. For every gift card you buy, a percentage in cashback is deposited directly into our fundraising account to help pay for travel, food and other costs related to participating in mission trips, district events and youth gatherings.
Download the RaiseRight mobile app to purchase e-gift cards instantly to use right from your phone. Download the RaiseRight app today at www.raiseright.com and sign up using our church enrollment code: AC2D2442L516. Or CLICK HERE for a direct link to our sign up page. For any questions, please contact our Raise Right coordinator, Amber Kelley.