5th Sunday of Easter: Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.
Another metaphor that was easily recognized to those who heard Jesus. A vinegrower pruning the grapevine to produce the best fruit. If you don’t produce – you are pruned. Gardeners and landscapers understand this as they prepare beds and yards.
I am the Vine and you are the branches.
But the GOOD NEWS today lies in this fact: we are part of the vine of Jesus – and we bear much fruit. This news is comfort to us in times of civil and social unrest, of earthquakes and droughts, of grief and pain. We are to abide in him and he in us. As we are a part of the vine, we receive nourishment and care from God – and through God, we are able to grow and bear fruit. As we remain with Jesus, Jesus remains with us.
I am the Vine and you are the branches.
We Welcome.
Congregational Meeting:
On Sunday May 3, a congregational meeting will be held to share the activities of the church during 2014 as well as elect new council members. The schedule for the morning will be:
9:30 AM – Unity Worship
10:30 AM – Congregational Meeting
11:15 AM ish – Congregational Brunch
Please click on the following links for:
Meeting Agenda and Candidate Biographies
2014 Annual Report
December 2014 Congregational Meeting Minutes
Spring Cleaning?: Connect 4 Community and SOTH will be holding a joint garage sale on June 5 & 6, 2015. If you have items to donate, please set them aside. We will share more information as we get closer.
Members of Shepherd of the Hills are welcome to bring their donations on Sunday May 31. We will let you know where to take them as PTina gets the information.
The fundraiser will benefit both groups. The council has designated our share to the Audio/Visual fund as we look to enhance and upgrade the system in the sanctuary.
If there are folks who are interested in helping to organize, run, and clean up, please see PT.
We Equip.
Faith Formation:
On May 3, we will learn about the mustard seed and how heaven is open to all. We’ll also check progress on our seedlings – which are growing nicely. We will meet during the congregational meeting at 10:30 AM
The students also will be sharing a song they are learning on May 10 at the 10:15 worship service. We will practice during class time. Please inform your student’s teacher if they will be in church on that Sunday.
Extra Ham or Turkey?
We have a solution for you! The Faith Kitchen Prep team will gladly take your donation to be used for future meal preparation. Please bring them to church and leave them in the freezer. Mark them TFK. Thanks.
Fellowship Hour Hosts: We need your help! There are no hosts for our time together for April, May…please consider helping out with making coffee, setting up and breaking down the parish hall. Sign up is on the white shutters in the narthex.
We send.
New Book: Pastor Jack DiMatteo, a former associate pastor at SOTH, has published a book on the spiritual dimensions of saying good-bye to loved ones. It is titled “Faith and Farewell…When Your Parents Approach Their Final Days” and is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Rev. DiMatteo is sharing his experience with churches throughout the state. On May 14, at 7:30 PM, he will give a talk and answer questions at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour in Pompton Plains (the closest one to us). If you are interested but cannot attend that night, please call the office to learn of other dates/times.
SEC Food Pantry Gift of the Month:This year, we are switching up our offerings a bit. There are many things that folks need but are unable to buy with SNAP dollars. They are also things that we normally don’t think about when we donate our food. For the month of May, we are asking for donations of bath soap, shampoo, & conditioner for the Food Pantry. For the month of May, June & July, we are asking for donations to support the Summer Children’s Lunch Program. Look in the right column for a list of food to donate.
Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle enables us to journey in prayer through every region of the world and through every week of the year affirming our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems and sharing diverse gifts.