A Place to Belong, Believe, and Become in Sun City West
On a wide stretch of Meeker Boulevard in Sun City West, Arizona, Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church has built a reputation as a congregation that keeps its doors, hearts, and minds open. The church describes itself as a place of belonging for individuals and families and centers its identity on three words: Belong, Believe, Become. Newcomers find a community that explicitly welcomes everyone regardless of race, age, socioeconomic status, or any other factor that might separate people from one another.
That welcome is put into practice by members who make it a point to meet every person walking through the doors, by greeters, and by a fellowship hour with light refreshments that follows every service. The congregation sees itself as a caring environment for fellowship, support, and practical help, especially for those facing loss, loneliness, or hardship.
Theological grounding is offered in plain language. As followers of Jesus, members trust in the promise of God and rely on God's goodness and grace to fill daily lives with meaning and hope. Jesus is understood as the living sign of God's loving presence, made real by the constant presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The church's stated mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, paired with a vision of being a place where the beloved children of God can first find belonging, then discover what it means to believe, and finally become all God has for them to be and do.
Spirited Traditional Worship on Sunday Mornings
The Sunday service gathers at 10:00 AM and is described as an upbeat Spirited Traditional worship. Classic hymns are sung with joyful energy, sometimes led by the choir and other times by special music, and always accompanied by an inspirational message. The service is livestreamed and recorded, so members who cannot attend in person can take part from home.
First-time visitors can expect informal, casual attire. The parking lot and worship spaces are fully accessible, and a team of ushers arrives at least 30 minutes before each service to greet worshipers, hand out materials, and offer assistance to those with walkers and wheelchairs. After the service, everyone is invited to Fellowship Hour for conversation and light refreshments, a practice the church considers central to its culture of belonging.
Worship is supported by a dedicated volunteer team. Worship Hosts serve as ushers. Liturgists lead the call to worship, the opening prayer, the assigned scripture reading, and the prayer of dedication, guided by a detailed worship tech copy. Communion Preparers arrive early on communion Sundays to set the table with bread and juice.
A Music Ministry that Rings and Dances
Music sits at the heart of Sunday worship. The Sanctuary Choir leads the 10:00 AM service with spirited hymns and rehearses every Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. There are no auditions; anyone who wants to sing is welcome to come and join.
Beyond the choir, the music ministry includes soloists and instrumentalists who bring a vibrant, dynamic element to the services, Shepherd's Bells, a handbell group whose resonant tones add a serene and reflective layer to worship, and the Miriam Dancers, a liturgical dance group whose expressive movements are choreographed to align with the themes and messages of each service. Bill Moore serves as Organist and Pianist, and Ken Goodenberger is the Director of Music.
Wednesday Evenings Around the Tabernacle
On Wednesdays at 5:00 PM, the Fellowship Hall becomes a classroom, dining room, and sanctuary all at once. The Tabernacle midweek gathering begins with a warm bowl of soup and a refreshing salad, then moves into an engaging Bible study and discussion that explores the Old Testament tabernacle, the portable sanctuary God instructed the Israelites to build during their journey through the Sinai Desert. Pastor Daniel Gomez and the team use the rich symbolism of that Tent of Meeting to draw out lessons about God's holiness, presence, and plan for redemption.
Connection Classes and Small Groups
Connection classes are designed as a place to build lasting friendships, deepen faith, and explore spiritual topics. A new study called Kings: Faith, Failure, and God's Faithfulness walks through the lives of the Old Testament kings, drawing out timeless lessons about leadership, poor choices, and God's unwavering faithfulness, with study books available for $13.
Connection groups meet throughout the week in a variety of formats:
- Mondays at 2:00 PM with Kathy Culliton via Zoom
- Tuesdays at 3:30 PM with Geni Phillips in the Conference Room or Fellowship Hall Meeting Room
- Wednesdays at 10:30 AM with Geni Phillips in the Fellowship Hall Meeting Room
- Thursdays at 2:30 PM with Pastor Daniel in the Conference Room or Prayer Room
Support Through Life's Hard Seasons
Shepherd of the Hills offers a steady lineup of support groups designed to provide a safe space for sharing, encouragement, and growth.
GriefShare is a 14-week curriculum-based program for those experiencing bereavement, providing a nurturing environment to share the journey of loss and find comfort. A separate, more open-ended Grief Support Group offers a gentle space for anyone who has experienced loss and wants to connect with others navigating similar experiences.
The Cancer Support Group meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM in the Prayer Room, offering hope, connection, and encouragement for those on a cancer journey, whether their own or that of a loved one. Julie Killebrew, MSN, facilitates the group.
The Weight Management Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM in the Prayer Room, with a fourth Thursday meeting on Zoom at the same time. Participants read and discuss articles together, creating space for honest conversation about the everyday challenges of healthy living, and the group regularly welcomes guest speakers on topics ranging from holiday nutrition to mindfulness.
Sandwiches, Food Banks, and Rescue Dogs
The mission of the church extends well beyond the building. Every Monday morning at 8:00 AM, the Monday Sandwich Makers gather in Fellowship Hall to prepare sandwiches for the Justa Center, a day center for homeless senior citizens. The group is always in need of grape jelly and creamy peanut butter (no organic or chunky, since it is hard to spread), and newcomers are welcome to simply show up.
Volunteers also serve weekly at St. Mary's Food Bank, unpacking boxes, sorting donations, and stocking shelves to keep food accessible for families and individuals facing food insecurity. No heavy lifting is required, though some walking is involved.
Throughout the year the missions team organizes visits to the Justa Center, as well as longer trips that may cross state lines or reach other countries. The church also collects school supplies for local schools and supports K-9 Konnections, a nonprofit dog rescue, with donations of collars, treats, food, towels, toys, and monetary gifts.
An Active Community for Body and Mind
Visitors are often surprised by how active the church is. The weekly schedule includes low-impact exercise classes, hobby clubs, concerts, support groups, and a free lending library open to everyone.
Cardio Drumming meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 AM in Fellowship Hall. This beginner-friendly class is primarily done sitting down, with participants drumming along to upbeat music using simple movements. Supplies include an exercise ball, a laundry basket, and drumsticks.
Strength Training meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:45 to 10:45 AM in Fellowship Hall. The class is low impact, so participants can sit or stand, and is free, with donations encouraged.
The Library offers a large selection of books, free and open to everyone, with an online catalog available for browsing.
United Women of Faith
United Women of Faith, a service organization rooted in a women's mission movement begun in 1869, meets the first Thursday of each month at noon in Fellowship Hall for a meeting and luncheon. Guest speakers share information about non-profit organizations that benefit many individuals, and the group supports a variety of causes locally, nationally, and internationally. All women are welcome; sign-up is requested for the luncheons.
Pastors Who Travel with the Congregation
The pastoral team includes Rev. Deborah Lerner, Senior Pastor, who describes her role as Lead Herder of Cats and grounds the church in the United Methodist mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Pastor Daniel Gomez, Associate Pastor, joined the staff on July 1, 2023, after serving University UMC in Las Vegas, Red Mountain UMC, and Velda Rose UMC in Mesa, Arizona. He completed his course of study at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas and is passionate about worship, pastoral care, community outreach, and evangelism. A father of three sons and an avid soccer fan, he often quotes, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Rev. Ron Friesen serves as Part-Time Assistant Minister of Care, bringing decades of experience as a mental health professional and as a chaplain of the homeless, hospitals, and hospice. He loves praying with people in hospital rooms, in their homes, or over the phone.
Rev. Cliff Asay serves as Part-Time Minister of Digital Arts, with a long record of service in the conference as the organizing pastor of North Scottsdale United Methodist Church, a communications director for the Rocky Mountain Conference, and a producer of video, sound, and livestream ministries.
Visiting Shepherd of the Hills
Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church is located at 13658 W Meeker Blvd, Sun City West, Arizona 85375. The office can be reached at (623) 584-2280 or church@shepherdofthehills.org. The 10:00 AM Sunday service is livestreamed for those at home. Parking is fully accessible, the building is wheelchair friendly, and a Heart Saver team trained in CPR and AED is on call during services and events.
Giving is offered through online donations, PayPal, Text to Give (text GIVE to 623-584-2280), Electronic Fund Transfer, IRA distributions, stock transfers, and planned giving through wills or trusts.