Currently browsing author

sothnj

Honoring All Saints: Past, Present, & Future

For all the saints – but just who are the saints and why does it matter?  Excellent questions… When the commemoration of All Saints day began, it was a way to combine the commemoration of a bunch of ‘minor’ saints into one day.  Today, it is a day to witness …

What’s happening at SOTH…

Lunch Bunch: October’s Lunch Bunch will take place on Thursday, October 27 at 1 PM.  This month, the bunch is headed to the Black Forest Inn, 249 Route 26, Stanhope, NJ.  Contact Jane Lewandowski for more information. Confirmation:  Please keep the following young people in your prayers as they prepare …

re: God

If for nothing else in our lives (I mean there’s more but this is the core), is this truth: God who loves us without exception or qualification. As we prepare to remember the bold act of Martin Luther this weekend and the Reformation that followed, this declaration – that God loves …

What’s the News? Read on!

Ministry & Mission News: Fall Food Outreach In the season of abundance, we are working with C4C,Project Self-Sufficiency, and the SEC Food Pantry for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.   Our goal this year is to raise $3000 and 20 frozen turkeys. To date, we have raised $1100 As an added incentive …

The leaves are softly falling…

We are blessed with wonderful trees & land at Shepherd of the Hills. We are also blessed with fallen leaves. Fall outdoor clean up will be the weekend of November 12-13! On Saturday, November 12 we will meet at 9 AM. On Sunday, November 13th we will meet at 11:45 to finish up. We have lots of leaves to …

Life of a Disciple: Upside Down World & Humility

Another parable that starts with prayer and points Jesus’ disciples (us) in a different direction.  This week’s Gospel features two characters that we’ve met before…a Pharisee and a tax collector.  The first is tasked with upholding the law of Judaism and the other is employed by the Empire to take …

Mission & Ministry News for October 7

THANKS: To the planning, cooking, serving, and clean up hands that helped to make Oktoberfest 2016 a success.  Nothing happens by itself. 3rd Year Confirmation Lock-in: In preparation for their Affirmation of Baptism, the four third year students will get together on October 14 – 15 for fun and faith and an …

New Ministry Partner Coming

This past Sunday, the council met with a potential ministry partner for usage of the Education Wing during the week.  We had a great conversation and are moving forward with monetary projections and minor build out costs. The potential partner is Selah Adult Care – a social day center for …

Life of a Disciple: Healed & Grateful

This week, while on the road between Galilee and Jerusalem, Jesus encounters a leper colony – men & women who are dis-membered because of their illness (cut off from family and livelihood).  They ask for mercy and are sent to the priest – who has the authority to re-member them …

Mission & Ministry News

Pastoral Care & You  Many of you know that due to federal privacy laws, pastors& churches are not automatically notified if you are in hospital for any reason. This makes its hard for the pastor and the congregation to surround you with prayer and support. If you find yourself in …