Church membership continued to increase. Membership was 539 at the end of 1966. A pictorial church directory was published in 1967, with subsequent updates and new editions through the years. A fall retreat was planned, the Ridge Home Boy Scout Troop received financial assistance for uniforms and boots, and the church was designated a polling place.

At issue that year was whether to have gold or chrome-plated microphones; gold won out. The approved budget for 1968 was $62,000 and the parking lot was enlarged.

Christian Education coordinator Mary Wilcox shared her time with Green Mountain Presbyterian Church in 1968, and the mapping of parish neighborhoods was undertaken. Twenty-six families signed up for the church retreat and 303 members attended a fellowship dinner in December. Discussion began on building a permanent sanctuary.

Setting the Cornerstone, New Sanctuary, Summer, 1971

 In 1969, a member provided funds to retire the local bank loan, an evening adult education class and the first recorded women's association bazaar were held in December. The Rev. Edward J. Hunt Jr. came to Shepherd of the Hills as an assistant minister in May. He later was installed as associate minister.

In 1970, work started to expand the church. The spiraling membership had outgrown Charter Hall, the original sanctuary.

Robert Strange, an architect and a member of the congregation, designed the unique tent roof design for the sanctuary. The design speaks to the real meaning of Shepherd of the Hills - that however solid brick and mortar walls are - the church, like a tent, needs to keep its adaptability to be flexible, mobile and ready to adjust in order to meet the needs of the community and church family. The design literally was inspired by the biblical "David's tent" or "tent of meeting."

Members contributed $105,900 to the building fund and the sanctuary costs were not to exceed $250,000. The youth took a trip to the Penasco Valley, paid for by a firewood sale, and horses no longer were allowed to graze south of the parking lot.

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