Small Church. Big Heart. Great Tradition.
The Blessings of Worshiping at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church
There is something wonderfully special about worshiping in a small church. At Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, you can experience the beauty, reverence, and richness of the Episcopal tradition while also enjoying something that a much larger congregation cannot always provide: a true sense of belonging and community.
A Small Church with a Great Tradition
Shepherd of the Hills may be a small congregation, but the worship we share connects us to a tradition that reaches around the world and across centuries. Our worship follows the Book of Common Prayer, the foundation of Episcopal worship. Shepherd of the Hills describes our worship as inclusive, with members participating together through prayers, Scripture readings, Eucharist (Holy Communion), and hymns. That same Episcopal tradition is at the heart of worship at Washington National Cathedral, an Episcopal church. The Cathedral’s worship is rooted in the doctrine and practice of The Episcopal Church and based on the Book of Common Prayer. In other words, when we gather at Shepherd of the Hills, we are not simply attending a small local church. We are participating in the same beautiful Episcopal worship tradition practiced in some of the most historic churches around the world.
Connected to the “Church of the Presidents”
There is also a remarkable connection to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, in Washington, D.C., famously known as the “Church of the Presidents.” St. John’s officially records that every President of the United States, beginning with James Madison, has attended a service there. Presidents have entered that church not because it was grand or politically influential, but because it was a place to pray, worship, seek God, and find spiritual grounding. The significance is not that Shepherd of the Hills is trying to be a cathedral or a church in Washington. The beauty is that our small congregation shares in the same Episcopal heritage of worship, prayer, Scripture, sacrament, and community.
The Beauty of Being Known
One of the greatest gifts of a small church is that you are not just a face in a crowd. People notice when you are there. They notice when you are absent. They know your name, your family, your joys, and the seasons of life you are walking through. There is an opportunity to develop genuine friendships and relationships that can become a source of encouragement and strength. A small church can feel like family. At Shepherd of the Hills, worship is followed by fellowship, giving people the opportunity to stay, talk, laugh, share a cup of coffee, and strengthen those relationships.
A Place Where Everyone Can Participate
Small congregations also provide opportunities to do more than simply sit in a pew. You can celebrate your gifts and become personally involved in the life of the congregation. Shepherd of the Hills has ministries involving fellowship, outreach, prayer, evangelism, and service to the community. Your presence matters. Your gifts matter. Your voice matters. Your prayers matter.
A Church That Welcomes You as You Are
Perhaps one of the greatest blessings is simply knowing that you have a place where you belong, where you matter. “We welcome you as you are.” Yet, as part of God’s human family, we all are called to change as we journey toward Christ. That is the heart of Christian community. Not perfection, prestige, numbers, or organization. But organism (the body of Christ) coming together to worship God, receive grace, love one another, and serve our neighbors.
Small in Size. Rich in Tradition. Big in Heart.
Here, we can experience the dignity and beauty of Episcopal worship. We can worship through the same Prayer Book tradition that shapes worship at Washington National Cathedral. We can stand within a tradition shared by historic Episcopal churches such as St. John’s, the “Church of the Presidents.” And yet, we can sit together over coffee, know one another by name, pray for one another, celebrate together, grieve together, and serve our community together.
That is one of the great gifts of this small church. A place to encounter God’s love.
Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church—small enough to know you, rich enough to connect you to a great tradition, and faithful enough to grow closer to God with you.
Welcome
Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church
107 Walnut Lane, Branson
262-203-2670 Father Bill Myrick
shec.episcopal@gmail.com
Check out our website: shepherdofthehillsepiscopal.diowestmo.org
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