Currently browsing author

sothnj

Easter 7: Living New Lives

We’ve come to the end of a season of Easter.  Tomorrow (Thursday May 5) we remember Jesus’ ascension to heaven.  And that means it’s up to the disciples then and us now to carry on sharing and being the Good News. How do we do that?  Acts 16 is a …

Mission & Ministry News for April 27

Thanks:to Rudi and the Sparta VFW for the donation of new chairs.  They are awesome. NJ Synod of the ELCA Synod Assembly will occur on May 6-7 in Long Branch, NJ. Please keep the leaders and delegates in your prayers as they discuss the business of the Regional Church. Mark …

A message from Pastor & the Church Council

A Note From Pastor & Church Council April 19, 2016 Dear friends and family of SOTH, As we’ve announced in worship, Sunday May 1, 2016 is a special day in the life of Shepherd of the Hills.  This Sunday is a Unity Sunday, with one worship service followed by the …

Easter 2: Alive & New

The resurrection of Jesus ushers in a new way of living for everyone.  This Sunday, the disciples are still trying to figure that out – in a locked room.  What does it mean to believe, to live in faith?  Are we like Thomas?  the disciple Jesus loved? Mary Magdelene? The …

From Passion to Resurrection

This week we gather to remember a meal, a trial, an execution, and a burial.  For most, the story would end there.  But we meet as community again to remember and celebrate a resurrection and a promise kept. It’s a lot.  And its magnificent and painful and glorious.  It’s a week to …

Sunday of Palms & Passion

Passover is about to begin and you can feel excitement in the air.  Folks are streaming into Jerusalem for this feast.  And so does Jesus, with folks shouting, “Hosanna!” But excitement gives way to something more urgent, more perplexing.  The one who was praised is now despised and rejected.  How …

Lent Two: The Cost of being Gathered

This year, our Lenten focus is “Gifted and Giving”.  We will look at how we’ve received so many gifts from God and how we give those back. This week we will focus on the gift of being gathered as one in Christ – and how much that costs – both …

A-ha! Real and Not Yet Glory

This is the final week of the liturgical season of Epiphany.  As is custom, we read the story of Jesus and the disciples, who witness the transfiguration of Jesus into his real and not yet glory. But there is more to this lesson than just the mountain top experience. At …