Jesus is Love!
Today’s Gospel from John is a familiar one – about love and joy and remaining in love together. It’s not enough that Jesus loves us – but that we also love one another – unto death. There are not social or economic divisions – and we, like the disciples, are commanded to love one another.
Jesus is love
This kind of love calls us into community, to be in communion with one another, to be transformed by the liberating and exhilarating joy that this kind of love brings.
Jesus is love…
No matter where you are in your journey of faith…know that you are most welcome here.
Join us as well on our website, Facebook page, and Twitter (@spartapastor).
Living in the resurrection promise,
Pastor Tina +
In the news this week:
We Welcome.
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.
Please look for the sign up sheets to help with this amazing fundraising effort on June 5 or June 6. We’ll need folks to help guests, move things, and serve food.
If there are folks who are interested in helping to organize, run, and clean up, please see PT.
We Equip.
Faith Formation:
On May 10, 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.
The students also will be sharing a song they are learning on May 10 at the 10:15 worship service. We will rehearse with Mr. Ronn promptly at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary, then head to our lessons.
First Communion: Five young people will celebrate their welcome to the Lord’s Table on Sunday May 17 at the 10:15 AM worship. Please keep Hannah, Lily, Tina, Ryan, and Henry in your prayers. Parents – please plan to arrive by 9:45 AM so we can review the rite as well as take group pictures.
Confirmation Students: The learning year is ending – three more sessions. That means that you should also have 20 completed sermon notes. 2nd year students should also begin to think about a service project to be completed over the summer.
Wednesday Noon Bible Study: we will not meet May 13 as PTina will be attending a continuing education event in Denver , CO. We will reconvene on May 20 to finish our study of Romans Chapter 1 and begin Romans Chapter 2. All are welcome.
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.