Our Sacred Ministries

We serve God by welcoming all to God's Table. We are an inclusive community in our service to all of God's people and creation.

We worship God following the liturgical traditions of the Lutheran and Episcopal Churches, using a Liturgy that is taken from the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer and the Lutheran Book of Worship. 

Episcopal and Lutheran supply clergy share the celebration of our services. Shepherd by the Sea is fortunate to have two clergy members who have a special relationship with the congregation. Both are ready to offer pastoral care in emergencies, and to provide comfort to those in distress or to discuss questions of faith that may be causing concern. The Rev Portia Hopkins is an Episcopal priest and The Rev. Dr. Moses Penumaka is a Lutheran minister; both are happy to talk with individuals of any faith or spiritual background. Contact information is on the Staff page

We enjoy each other's company, and we enjoy visitors and newcomers - at our services, coffee hour, after services, and other fellowship events and times. Members of Shepherd by the Sea serve as readers, lectors, musicians, and Eucharistic ministers. They also serve as greeters, coffee hour hosts, and members of the Altar Guild and the Mission and Worship Committees.

Designated by the Episcopal Church as a Jubilee Ministry Center for our nutrition programs along the Redwood Coast, we minister to one another and within the community. See Our Outreach Ministries to see some of our involvement in the local community, as well as our contribution to regional, national, and global needs.