Open the Eyes of Our Faith

This Sunday at worship we will share the familiar story about two men walking on the road to Emmaus… and then they are joined by the risen Christ!  The ironic twist:  they did not recognize or identify the newcomer as the risen Jesus.  Are there ways Jesus comes to us, and we don’t recognize him either?  Let’s explore this when Pastor Jack offers his Sunday message “Open the Eyes of Our Faith.”  Maybe… just maybe… Jesus will come to you in unrecognizable ways!

Many thanks to our guest musician, Bill McGowan

WE LOVE VISITORS! Please be sure to sign the guest book on the table in the lobby. Thank you for worshipping with us today!

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS URGENTLY NEEDED – in order to continue the “Best Coffee Hour in Sussex County”. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

EASTER FLOWERS Many thanks to all who donated toward the Easter lilies. If you have not yet done so, please remit $15.00 per plant and indicate “Easter Flowers” on your check. Donations can be added to the offering plate or returned to the church office. Please take your plants home with you today.

IF YOU NEED A STRETCH during worship, the first room on the right in the ed. wing has a children’s corner and live feed of the service. Please see an usher for assistance. Thank you!

HAM DONATIONS – Phyllis F. is once again looking for free hams for faith kitchen meals. Please see her with any questions. Thanks!

SAVE THE DATES:

FISH & CHIPS DINNER – Sun., Apr. 19, 5-7 p.m. Tickets go on sale on Feb. 15. We are collecting new items to be used for our baskets and door prizes that evening. Please see Barbara R., Diane F., or MaryAnn D. to donate.

BLOOD DRIVE -Thurs., June 25, 1-7 PM – To make an appointment, visit https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/sponsor_code and use code #71131 or call 800-933-2566. Volunteers are needed for setup and cleanup, please contact Janine S. or sign up on the sheet in the narthex.

VBS – July 20-14. Please save brown paper received in packages (can be wrinkled). Thanks to your generosity we have enough paper tubes. We are looking for artificial flowers and greenery to add to our rainforest decorations. Please add to the VBS box in the narthex. Please see Nancy W. to help with this exciting event!

PLANET NETWORKS -is now our Internet and telephone provider. If you decide to choose them for your Internet service, visit https://planet.net or telephone them at 833-3Planet and use the referral code P8RC9 to earn a free month of service for SOTH.

MONDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDY – If you cannot attend (in person) our Bible studies on the first and fourth Mondays at 6:00pm, you can join us live via ZOOM video conferencing.
Please use this link:
Topic: SOTH Bible Study
Time: 5:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87871072581
Meeting ID: 878 7107 2581

BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY 
Continues in person at Holy Trinity Church or via Zoom, the first and third Wednesdays from noon-12:45. Join Pastor Jack for a lively discussion of the Bible. No prior experience necessary! Click here to join us via Zoom. 

JOIN US WITH GENEROUS GIVING TO OUR MISSION: with these gifts, we continue to welcome folks to our community, to equip them with faith tools – learning the word, prayers for one another, and communal support – and then to send us into the world to welcome others. Your donations to SOTH can be accomplished in the following ways:

• On Sunday, place your donation in the offering plate.
• Mail your offering to: SOTH 246 Woodport Rd., Sparta, NJ 07871
• Go online to setup your e-giving from your checking, savings, credit card or debit card http://secure.myvanco.com/L-YXCY
• Download Vanco Mobile (Faith) on your smartphone, search for Shepherd of the Hills (Sparta)
• Text Giving to 973-832-0226 You can make a one-time gift or setup recurring offerings.

PLEASE CONTACT Barbara Osborne FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING

Supplemental Opportunities For Giving – In addition to financial offerings mentioned above, there are additional ways to support our congregation that are mentioned on our website: https://www.sothnj.org/giving. 

Many thanks to all of the donors who support our mission!

WORSHIP INFO for April 19, 2026
Worship Service Bulletin

Celebrate
Fish and Chips
Gifts of Love
NJ Synod-Germany Trip
Property Volunteer List
Trial of Martin Luther
Weekend Bag Program

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 878 7107 2581

SOTH CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL AND TEAM LEADERS
Janine Shugan – Council President
Don Wolff – Vice President
Brett Maynard – Treasurer
Solveig Schunk – Worship and Music
Barbara Osborne – Financial Secretary
Diane Fitzpatrick – Recording Secretary
Nancy Wood – Christian Education
Patrick Wood – Property
Rick Erck – Membership
Kathy Schwab – Marketing
Judi Wolff – Community Relief
Activities – vacant
Giving – vacant

STREAMING IS HERE!: We are excited to announce that you can now view our service live at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday. Click on this link to see the service and subscribe to our SOTH channel:  
https://www.youtube.com/@shepherdofthehillslutheran8820/streams  Don’t worry if you missed the live broadcast.  All services are archived on our channel.  You can also search for us on Facebook and like our page. https://www.facebook.com/SOTHNJ/.