Who We Are

Luther's Seal

Shepherd of the Hills was officially organized in 1975 following 2 years of groups of interested Lutherans in central Vermont meeting with regional officials of various Lutheran Church bodies. Until 1987, when the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) came into existence, we were a member congregation of the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.

In the later 1970’s and well into the 1980’s Shepherd of the Hills met in several locations in the area in addition to regular meetings, pot lucks, and Bible studies in various members’ homes. The congregation purchased its own building in 1987 where many recent updates have made for a very nice home for the congregational family.

Throughout our history the church has been maintained and prospered largely due to the devoted work of many lay members. Supporting a full-time pastor has not proved possible in recent years but we have a widely shared sense of responsibility for the well-being of the church. That, and God’s grace, have brought us to the present day.

We are a member congregation of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We celebrate Holy Communion in our worship weekly, our liturgical style is traditional with openness to other forms, and we follow the lectionary and church year calendar. As a Lutheran Church we believe in the “priesthood of all believers” which means that our members are involved in all aspects of our shared life. At the heart of our worship is the Word preached and the sacraments of baptism and holy communion celebrated as God’s means of grace.

As a Lutheran congregation, which welcomes persons from any and all backgrounds, we accept the Bible as the basis of our beliefs and practice. We understand scripture and theology in accordance with the historic creeds of the Church as well as the Augsburg Confession. Law and Gospel are God’s ways of speaking to the human family and it is by the grace of God, revealed most fully on the cross of Jesus Christ and accepted by faith, that we are saved.

We are the people of God gathered at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. We work ecumenically with other Christian Churches for the sake of our community just as we extend a warm and hearty welcome to everyone who passes through our doors. Just as Christ opened his arms to the whole world on the cross, so too we open our arms to those around us.