Hope: A New Year of Hope
Thanksgiving in the United States occurs this year three days before Advent. One is full of thanks and food. The other is stark and full of expectation. We are not ready. Left to our own devices we move easily and quickly from light into darkness. Thanksgiving gives way quickly to Christmas. But wait.
Isaiah’s call reminds us of the yearning of the people for God’s intervention in their darkness. Their plea is for God to rip open the heavens and come to save them. They feel incapable of escaping the darkness by themselves. We begin a year studying the Gospel of Mark and Mark’s cryptic words raise images of darkness and the coming light. In Mark’s gospel, Jesus reminds us to be vigilant, for the true light is coming.
So come. Let us wait together in hope and light. Let us together cry “Stir up your power and come, O Emmanuel.”
God is good all the time.
We worship at 8 AM and 10:15 AM. Adult forum and Faith Formation are a 9:15 AM. Join us as well on our website, Facebook page, and Twitter (@spartapastor).
Peace, faith, and hope,
Pastor Tina +
We Welcome.
In celebration: In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection, Monica Cavano entered the Church Triumphant on Wednesday November 26, 2014. You are invited to visit the family on Monday December 1 between 7-9pm at Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main Street, Sparta, NJ. A celebration of Word and Sacrament will be celebrated on Tuesday December 2 at 11am at Shepherd of the Hills with a time for fellowship directly afterward. We give thanks for her life and her home-going to the One who from whom all blessings flow.
Live! at the Nativity…This is the third call for all youth from age 3-18 to be a part of a long standing Christmas tradition at SOTH. We need you to help be in the show, to run the show, and to welcome the public. First rehearsal is Wednesday December 3 @ 7 PM. We will share the Christmas Story on Saturday December 13 at 6 PM. Email PTina or sign up at the youth table.
We Equip.
Worship, Meet & Eat – Sunday December 7: The congregational council invites all confirmed members of Shepherd of the Hills to a unity worship service at 9:30 AM followed by a congregational meeting to discuss the business of the church. Once we are finished meeting and discussing the spending plan for FY 2015, we will adjourn to the parish hall where we will break bread together. You are invited to bring baked goods or fruit to complete our brunch.
A separate email will be sent with the proposed spending plan and a report of how your giving impacts how we minister to the folks in and around Sparta.
Advent is coming…
On Sunday November 30, all families of all sizes are invited to make an advent wreath to use for their advent devotions. We will be making them using paint, canvas, and your handprints – and a few other things. Join us in the Parish Hall at 9:15.
Hanging of the Greens: We will decorate the sanctuary, parish hall, and classrooms for the Advent and Christmas season on Sunday November 30 after the 10:15 worship service. We will have a lunch featuring meatballs and sauce along with your donated salads and desserts. We will then add the chrismons to the trees and other decorations.
We send.
PSS Thanksgiving Project : thank you for all your donations, hands and prayers! We were able to provide a meal and other supplies for 120 folks this year. Your willingness to share, bag, and deliver is truly Christ-filled and appreciated by the folks who plan this endeavor and those who receive our abundance. Folks have been sharing their stories with me and I will hope to to be able to share them with you soon!
Christmas Ornament Exchange: on Friday December 7, the annual evening of exchanging ornaments and sharing fellowship will happen at 7 PM. Here’s the scoop: bring an ornament or decoration that is valued around $15 and a dessert or appetizer to share. Then the fun begins. Bring a friend or three. Contact Sylvia Perara if you have questions.