Hope for a New Year

Well… here we are… starting a brand new year… and, as in previous Januarys we have our annual choice to make. We can choose to look back with possible regrets, remorse, and reminders of things which may not have worked in 2024… or… we can look forward to a brand new start and a new beginning in Christ as we embark into 2025. Join Pastor Jack this Sunday for his sermon “Hope for a New Year”. PJ will highlight from the Scriptures how “future-oriented” the Word of God becomes for the people of God. There is hope, optimism, and encouragement as we begin anew… or as PJ says, “We Come Alive in 2025.”. You won’t want to miss this encouraging message.

THRIVENT CUSTOMERS – Time is running out to apply for your two $250.00 grants for 2024. If you have any grants still available, please contact Denise Leifken and she will connect you with a needy program or service. This is an important revenue source for our mission, and we don’t want to pass up these important opportunities. Many thanks to all who have submitted their grant applications for 2024.

SAVE THE DATES:

UNDECORATE THE CHURCH– Please stay after service to undecorate the church.

Meats, Eats & Greets – January 4, 2025 DiCola’s house 39 Coventry Rd, Hamburg, NJ 07419. Sign up in the Parish Hall. Italian Theme DiCola’s supplying Baked Ravioli and Ham. You supply Appetizers a green salad and desserts. If you would like to bring a side dish that’s okay too.

CELEBRATION OF CHRIST’S BAPTISM – Sun. Jan 12. We will baptize Benjamim Brown and invite all of the babies baptized in 2024 to return to receive their baptismal towels

MOVIE NIGHT – Saturday, February 8th 5:00pm -Heaven is for Real .Hot dogs, popcorn and more. Sign up in Narthex.

RE-GIFTING -It’s that time of year again. If there is something that you get for the holidays that you won’t use and would like to re-gift it we are accepting items now. Please bring them in and give them to Barbara Robinson, Diane Hassa or Mary Ann DiCola,

COFFEE HOUR – DiCola’s will be away for a little over a month and help is needed to set up and clean up along with help during. Please sign up in the parish hall on the Coffee Hour bulletin board. You will need to arrive by 8:00am and be prepared to leave by 11:30. The dates are January 19th, January 26th, February 2nd, February 9 and February 16th. Please consider signing up for one Sunday or we won’t be having coffee hour.

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

FISH N CHIPS DINNER – Sun., April 6, 2025. Please mark your calendars. Tickets will go on sale on February 1

EVENING BIBLE STUDY – In person at SOTH, the first and third Mondays at 6 PM. All are welcome.

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.

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 GEOFF JOHNSEY FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING at gjohnsey@icloud.com.

Supplemental Opportunities For Giving – In addition to financial offerings mentioned above, there are additional ways to support our congregation that are mentioned on our website: https://www.sothnj.org/giving.

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

WORSHIP INFO For January 05, 2025

Worship Service Bulletin

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 829 4727 4304

Passcode: 002314

CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL:
Janine Shugan – Council President
Don Wolff – Vice President
Brett Maynard – Treasurer
Solveig Schunk – Recording Secretary
Geoff Johnsey – Financial Secretary
Pat Kovacs – Worship and Music
Nancy Wood – Christian Education
Arden Krych – Giving
Rick Erck – Membership
Judi Wolff – Activities
Patrick Wood – Property

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/.