This Sunday, September 14, 2025, Shepherd by the Sea is happy to welcome back Pastor John Freesemann, Pastor John will conduct a service of Holy Communion at 10 am at our sanctuary in Gualala. All are welcome to the service, which is followed by fellowship and cookies.
Season of Pentecost
The dove and flames in this image of the dove mark the season of Pentecost, a time of celebration and remembrance following Easter, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the birth of the Christian Church.
Mens Group
Shepherd by the Sea's new Men's Discussion Group is flourishing. The group meets the second Thursday of the month at 11 AM at the church. Lamar Van Gunten initiated the group, noting that "a lot has been written lately about men (and women) becoming isolated in our increasingly digital device oriented society. As our own Shepherd by the Sea initiative against this drift we have formed a Men’s Group. We gather once a month to get to know ourselves a bit better, reflect, and discuss topics of interest. These subject matters are not necessarily religious (but can be), and are intended to jump start conversations. " To request to join the group, use the @ email link to the right.
Easter Services
On Easter Sunday, a full house attended worship services at Shepherd by the Sea to share the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Rev. Dr. Portia Hopkins and the Rev. Dr. Moses Penumaka jointly presided, with Rev. Moses preaching the homily, and Rev. Portia offering communion. Also joining us were the Coastal Singers, enhancing the service with their beautiful voices. An Easter brunch, with wonderful dishes prepared by members of the congregation, followed the service.
Past Programs
On Friday, Friday evening, July 11, at 6:30. Rev. Rebekah Davis spoke at Shepherd by the Sea on her current experiences at the St. Andrews Refugee Services in Cairo, Egypt. She related the stories of refugees displaced by war, hunger, and poverty; and the effort at St. Andrews (https://www.stars-egypt.org/) to support these people in their struggles to reach for security, hope, and freedom.
Pastor Davis visited us on a short break from her leadership position at Saint Andrews Refugee Services (StARS) in Cairo, Egypt. In 1979, StARS (https://stars-egypt.org) began serving refugees through English language instruction and community support. Founded by St. Andrew’s United Church of Cairo, StARS was one of the first organizations in Egypt dedicated to improving the quality of life of refugees and vulnerable migrants, offering education, psychosocial, and legal aid programs.
On Wednesday evening, March 12, 7 PM, Shepherd by the Sea held its first community program. Rev. Randall Balmer (see https://www.randallbalmer.com/) spoke compellingly on the " Origins of ‘Christian Nationalism’ in the US." A prize-winning historian and Emmy Award nominee, Randall Balmer holds the John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth University.
Shepherd by the Sea Episcopal-Lutheran Mission is a Protestant congregation open to the community in Gualala and the Mendonoma area. Our roots are in the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and our worship liturgy is drawn from both traditions.
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we would like to meet you.
