How Strong Does My Faith Have to Be?
This Sunday, our assigned Gospel reading involves the narrative of the woman who was very ill and literally made a leap of faith: to touch the garment of Jesus in the hope that the “reaching out” would cure her … and it worked! She was healed instantly! During difficult and trying circumstances, can YOU reach out to Jesus as well? In his Sunday sermon, “How Strong Does My Faith Have to Be?” Pastor Jack encourages us to reach out to Jesus … first and foremost … in a spirit of faith and trust … and then watch what happens! Don’t miss this inspiring message.

FEASIBILITY STUDY: On May 5, our congregation voted YES to move forward with a Feasibility Study with Kirby Smith (vendor) to determine if we are ready to embark on a 3-year capital campaign to help reduce the cost of our mortgage and free up dollars for mission and ministry. If you would like to make a direct donation toward the cost of the study, please indicate “Feasibility Study” on the envelope or check. No donation is small! If you would like to volunteer on the Feasibility Study team, please contact Janine Shugan (shugan@optonline.net). The team will likely meet for three, one-hour sessions over the next several months.

SAVE THE DATES:

CHILDREN’S SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM – The Food Pantry is collecting food to support school aged children and their families during the summer. Please look for a collection box in the narthex to place your donations including: tuna and chicken pouches, pudding cups, juice boxes, mac and cheese cups, meals in a cup, single serve cereals, fruit cups and snack bars. Please see Russell Shields for further information. Thank you.

PET FOOD MINISTRY – During the month of June, we are collecting pet food items for the Sparta Food Pantry. Let’s help their clients keep their pets healthy. Deadline is June 30 so please consider purchasing something the next time you go grocery shopping. The pets will thank you!

GARDENERS NEEDED!– We are blessed to have such a beautiful property including an abundance of weeds. We are in need of volunteers to weed as your schedule permits. Thank you!

FLAT JESUS-This summer take Flat Jesus with you on your adventures, take his photo and send it to office@sothnj.org for our bulletin board. Pick up your Flat Jesus on the narthex table and enjoy your travels!

TOWN MEETING –Come meet Richie Musser of Kirby Smith during coffee hour to learn about the feasibility study and have your questions answered.

WORSHIP SERVER TRAINING – for acolytes, lectors and ushers will be offered after worship on 7/28 and 8/18. Please see Solveig S. or Pat K. for further information or contact the church office.

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 June 30, 2024

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
Russell Shields – Community Relief
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/.