Fear Not . . . Our Lord Brings Joy! – 1/16/22

Fear Not…Our Lord Brings Joy
Ever wonder about the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine?  What does it mean for us today?  Join Pastor Jack for his Sunday message, “Fear Not…Our Lord Brings Joy”.  Discover the significance of the miracle story as it serves to remind us of the spiritual joy and abundant blessings we receive from Jesus.

UNDECORATING THE CHURCH – will take place this Friday, Jan. 14 at 5:30 pm. Please join the Osbornes to make this task more manageable.

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS CANCELLED – on Jan.16, and 23. Any changes in future sessions will be announced as soon as practical.

COFFEE HOUR IS CANCELLED until further notice.

MASKS REQUIRED AGAIN – and other changes effective immediately due to the spread of COVID. Regardless of your vaccination status, masks are required in our church. In addition, communion kits will be used and physical distancing is required at least until the end of Jan. 2022. Click HERE  to read Pastor’s letter which was sent out via email on 12/29/21.

GIFTS FOR PASTOR AND R. SACCHIERO – As in past years, if you wish to contribute to a monetary gift expressing your gratitude, please see JD Allen, Council President, or Emery Malasits, Vice President, or send your contributions to the church office clearly labeled “holiday gift”. Thank you!!

OFFERING COLLECTION ENVELOPES – are ready for pick up in the narthex by the sanctuary doors.

FEAR NOT – click HERE to see the topics for the 12-part sermon series beginning 11/28.  Don’t miss a week of this re-assuring series!

HELP SOTH WHILE SHOPPING ON AMAZON SMILE


Your shopping can benefit SOTH. Click here to find out how you can donate when you shop on Amazon.  We have raised $371.00 to date!

BLOOD DRIVE is scheduled for Thursday, Jan., 27 from 1-7 PM.  Volunteers are needed.  Please email Jeff Behling at behlingjl@gmail.com to help.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES will now be on Thurs. evenings, once a month from 7-7:45  on  Zoom.  Classes are scheduled for Feb. 3, Mar. 3 and April 7.

GAME NIGHT/POTLUCK DINNER is scheduled for  Saturday, Feb., 5, 5:00 pm.  Show up with a game to play and your favorite food and drink to share.  After dinner, we will let the games begin!

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED – CONTROL ROOM HELP, OFFICE VOLUNTEERS, COFFEE HOUR HOSTS, FINANCIAL COUNTERS, DEACONS AND USHERS are all needed. Training joyfully provided. If someone calls to recruit you, please prayerfully consider how YOU can serve.  You can always volunteer by contacting the office.

SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS EXPANDED– We are now welcoming children ages 4 (must be toilet trained) – grade 5 during the 9 AM worship service. Please contact the church office if you would like to help or register your child.  Teachers and assistants are needed! Masks required of all participants.  No prior experience necessary!

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 at the back of the church.
  • Mail your offering to: SOTH 246 Woodport Rd., Sparta, NJ07871
  • 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.

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

DID YOU KNOW – that you can donate your used car to benefit SOTH? Please visit this site to get started: 
https://careasy.org/nonprofit/shepherd-of-the-hills-lutheran-church 

WWW.SOTHNJ.ORG – The church’s website is the place to look for upcoming events. Please consult the calendar there. The weekly email can be found under News at the bottom of the home page.
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/channel/UCH8w_r1Rb9HH7i6SD15Tu6w  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 Jan. 16

This Week’s Bulletin

Kid’s Celebrate Bulletin

Spark Worship Bulletin (Pre-Reader)

Announcements for Jan. 16

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
Nurture (Worship & Music): Wendy Whipple
Social Ministry: Diane Fitzpatrick

A 2nd CLOTHING DONATION BIN – has arrived. 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!

PLEASE CALL AHEAD- before venturing a trip to the church office. Office hours are subject to change especially during the winter months.

SPARTA COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY – Please remember that a shopping cart is located in the narthex for donations to our local food pantry.  The pantry has been serving an unprecedented number of our area residents during this challenging time. Help is needed to deliver the food to the pantry. Please contact the office for the pantry’s hours of operation.
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. 

AT-HOME COMMUNION KITS – If you are worshiping with us from home and would like a communion kit, please contact the church office and arrangements can be made for you to receive the number you would like.

God’s work. Our hands.
September 12 was God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday. This year we collected 192 pair of men’s socks for the residents at Andover Subacute & Rehab Center.
If you would like to donate online:  please consider one or more of the following. 1) For Lutheran World Relief
Personal Care Kits consisting of 1 lightweight bath towel (20” x 40” to 52” x 27”) dark color, 2-3 bath-size bars of soap in original wrapping, 1 adult size toothbrush in original packaging, 1 sturdy comb no packaging, 1 metal nail clipper, no packaging. LWR.org/kitvideos for reference if needed.  2) Donation to the Lutheran Disaster Response,  can be designated to a specific disaster on the check memo line. 3)Connect for Community is a very worthy organization. Donations can be placed in the collection plates, made out to the organization.
Volunteer Opportunities:  More hands are needed to make light work.  No prior skills necessary to help your church in these ways:
1. Bring in items for” God’s Work our Hands” organizations.

2. Serve on the church audit team.

3. Serve on Church Council.

4.. Become a Sunday worship servant.

5. Sing in the choir (post-COVID)

6. Help to run a parish activity (post-COVID)

7.  Join the volunteer church office staff.

8. Organize Faith Formation opportunities by serving as the FF Superintendent.

9. Prep a meal for the Trinity Faith Kitchen.

Please email the church office at office@sothnj.org or call 973-729-7010 for more information!

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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

246 Woodport Road

Sparta Township, NJ 07871

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