Due to the fact that we were unable to observe the festival of the Baptism of Our Lord on Jan. 7, we will do so on Jan. 14 with the readings and bulletin originally intended for Jan. 7 Every baptism is cute, adorable, and wonderful to behold. However, there is another adjective to describe baptism: powerful! Did you ever realize that baptism involves the invoking of the Holy Spirit? The power of the Spirit comes upon and within each baptized individual. This Sunday we observe a Christian festival known as the Baptism of Jesus. So, join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he outlines the significance of our own baptismal gifts in Part One of a five-part sermon series, “Called in Baptism”. Discover the power you have “within” … a power you received the day you were baptized … a spiritual power that remains inside you to comfort, sustain, and strengthen you! Don’t miss this energized message.

SAVE THE DATES:

HAMS NEEDED– for soup kitchen meal preparation. Please see Phyllis F. for further information

NEW BIBLE STUDY TO BE OFFERED – Beginning in January, join us on the first and third Monday evenings at 7:00 PM for an in-person Bible study (with a ZOOM option). Please note: For January only, we will meet on the third Monday, Jan 15th. To avoid New Year’s Day and the important meeting on Jan. 8. See Pastor for details.

WEATHER CANCELLATIONS – will be sent via email through the Icon system as soon as a decision is made. If you are unsure if the church will be open, please check your email before braving the elements.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED – Sun., Jan. 14, after worship to undecorate the church. Many hands make light work.

GAME NIGHT & POTLUCK – Sat. Feb. 3 – Come at 5 PM with food to share and games to play!

GIFTS FOR PASTOR AND R. SACCHIERO -As in the past, if you wish to contribute to a monetary gift expressing your gratitude, please see JD Allen, Council President, or send your contributions to the church office clearly labeled “holiday gift”. The deadline for a donation is Dec. 31, 2023.

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO RE-GIFT? – The Activities Team is looking for new items that people want to re-gift. They need to be in the original package and not used. Items can be brought in and given to Judi Wolff, Diane Hassa, Maryann DiCola or Barbara Robinson. Thank you.

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED – The Activities Team would like to have two families volunteer for each Sunday. Please use the signup sheet in the parish hall and see MaryAnn DiCola with any questions. Thanks!

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 STEVE LEWANDOWSKI FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING. (973) 670-0773 or sjlewan@gmail.com

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

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/.

WORSHIP INFO For January 14, 2024

Worship Service Bulletin

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 829 4727 4304 Passcode: 002314

CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL:
President: JD Allen
Vice President: Emery Malasits
Treasurer: Brett Maynard
Recording Secretary: Celeste Bethmann
Financial Secretary: Steve Lewandowski
Property: Patrick Wood
Worship & Music: Pat Kovacs
Community Relief: Diane Fitzpatrick
Giving: Arden Krych
Membership: Janine Shugan
Activities: Judi Wolff

CLOTHING DONATION BIN – Place clothing and shoes in plastic bags. Proceeds will benefit SOTH. Please do not leave items outside of the box. Please tell your friends and family so that we can fill those bins!

GOT BOOKS? – the New Legacy Books book donation/recycling bin is now in our parking lot adjacent to the clothing bins. This is a “green” fundraising activity. New Legacy will accept books in good, readable condition that have an ISBN barcode label on the book cover. Hardcover, paperback and textbooks are all welcome For further information, please check their website http://www.newlegacybooks.com see their brochure on the bulletin board or ask Wendy in the office.

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.