Broken Promises
Israelites grumbling – mostly because they are afraid and are still learning how to be a free community and people of an Almighty God. They have lost faith even though God has not – and in that they learn a lesson. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he reminds this young Christian community that before Jesus, they were dead to the sins that swirled around them. Even though they have strayed and sinned and fallen into the ways of the world, God reminds them, and us, of the why they were created…which was that they were created for good works.
We are midway through Lent, on our journey to Easter Sunday and celebrating the Resurrection, but we know that we can go astray. We can see only sometimes what is in front of us, the struggles we are facing right now, and it can be hard to perceive God’s faithfulness in the messiness of everyday life. But God remains faithful, even when we are not. And God’s love is steadfast, even when we are waiting a long, long time.
No matter where you are…know that you are most welcome here.
Join us as well on our website, Facebook page, and Twitter (@spartapastor).
Living in the promises,
Pastor Tina +
We Welcome.
Lent Community Fish Fry (&Pie):
We need your help to run this event as well as invite all your friends to come and see what Shepherd of the Hills is doing! We’ll need table folks, servers, pie bakers, and set-up/breakdown folks. We pray that this event will welcome the community,share our outreach ministries with them, and raise some money to help keep our facility in working order and open for the various ministries that meet here.
Ministry Partner Sundays:
This Sunday, we will continue hear and interact with our ministry partners. This is one way of living out our faith after those mountain top experiences. You hear us sharing stories about what these folks do and how we share things?
This week, The Sparta Ecumenical Council Food Pantry (SECFP) will share their vision as they serve folks in Sussex County who are food insecure. The SECFP exists because of the volunteers and donations that come from the local churches. Valerie Macchio, the director of the SECFP, will give a Temple Talk at each service, lead adult forum and also host fellowship hour! Please plan on attending worship and the adult education hour to learn more about this program that we continue to donate time and products to.
This annual event is a great community event for our congregation. We need your help with two things:
1. Nut-free Wrapped Candy. We stuff the plastic eggs with candy and other items. Snack sized treat are great. There will be a box for donations in the church office…
2. Baked Goods – we can’t have an event without food! Cupcakes, cookies, and brownie-like snacks are GREAT! There will be a signup sheet in the narthex this Sunday.
Thanks for your hands, your donations, and your prayers.
We Equip.
Wednesdays in Lent:
6:30 PM – Soup & Bread Supper – All are welcome. If you feel inclined, bring a pot of your favorite soup to share.
7:00 PM – Evening Worship. This week (3/11), we will hear our second interview with a ‘silent witness’ – The Spear of the crucifixion. A small ‘witness’ will be given to accompany the crosses handed out on Ash Wednesday. Next week (3/18) The Shroud will have its turn to share its story.
Faith Formation:
The outreach project this month will also benefit young people. On March 22, at 9:15 AM, we invite you to help the youth make fleece baby blankets for Birth Haven in Newton. Birth Haven provided hope and shelter for young women who are in need of shelter and support while pregnant and living with newborn children. There are also folks who have been working in knitting and crocheting blankets to be donated as well.
And – if you find coupons for Jo-Ann Fabrics, please drop them off to Pastor Tina – as we will have use of them to purchase the fleece for this project! Thanks!
Easter Breakfast – April 5, 9 AM
Hop to it – we’re looking for volunteers to provide breakfast casseroles or quiches, baked goods, and fruit for our community meal together as we celebrate the Victory of Jesus. There are sign-ups at church. Nancy Wood is coordinating this yummy event and can be reached at home or via (email)
We send.
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 March, we are asking for donations of feminine hygiene supplies along with soap and shampoo for the Food Pantry.
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.