Is This What We Signed Up For?” 2nd Sunday in Lent 2/28/21

Is This What We Signed Up For?
One day, Jesus sat down with his friends and predicted his eventual suffering on the cross.  He explained that his followers would have their times of suffering, too.  Peter basically responded,”Is this what we signed up for?”.  Join Pastor Jack as he offers Biblical insights for maintaining spiritual strength during adverse times.
HELP WANTED– Please prayerfully consider how you can help your church. Click here to see the link to the “Join our Team ad” which appeared in today’s bulletin.  Stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities!
LENTEN FAMILY RESOURCES

Unfortunately, we can not meet for soup and bread supper and mid-week worship during this time of pandemic. We will miss this special time together, but included here are 40 family conversation cards that you could use daily throughout the Lenten season.

Youth Lenten Devotional App

A space has been created for youth to reflect and pray this Lenten season. Each day will include scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a pop art image. Six different people contributed to the devotional, so the reflections will vary a bit in style, and the word “I” will refer to a different person in one day’s devotion than it will in the next day’s entry. All the Bible quotes in this devotional come from the Gospel of Mark.
Click here for instructions:

In addition, there are many printed Lenten devotionals available in the church narthex. If you are unable to get to church but would like “curbside pickup”, please call the church office and we can describe what is available and make arrangements for a pick up time that is convenient.
LET’S STAY CONNECTED!Think of someone from SOTH you have not seen or heard from in a while and give that person a call this week! Please remind them about our youtube worship service.  As the Scriptures remind us:  “We are all members of the body of Christ”. (1 Cor. 12)

HELP FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN TEXAS Please make checks payable: to Lutheran Disaster Response (Designate U.S.Severe Storms in the memo line).
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Please visit the agency’s website to donate online:
U.S. Severe Storms – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org)

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS -Eligible Thrivent customers can direct their Choice Dollars to SOTH by visiting thrivent.com/thriventchoice. In the past donations received in this way have totaled over $1,000. per year. Click https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/files/26087.pdf or contact W. Whipple in the office for assistance. March 30 is the deadline!

EASTER HAMS – your free ham can be donated for our soup kitchen ministry.  See Phyllis Fawcett.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES – Please remember that in case our service is not available, you can see Pastor Jack’s sermon and their streamed services at https://www.rockawaylutheran.org/

INCLEMENT WEATHER – In the event that inclement weather causes a cancellation of our service, you will receive an email from our Mailchimp service as soon as practical.  If you are not currently receiving our weekly email or if you have a change in preferred email, please contact the church office. As always, please use your best judgement regarding traveling in poor weather.

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. Many thanks to all who worked so diligently to make this possible. You can also search for us on Facebook and like our page. https://www.facebook.com/SOTHNJ/.
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL UPDATES:
The congregational council has reorganized. Many thanks to all who have agreed to serve!
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
Diane Terhune
Jeff Behling

TECHNOLOGY GRANT – We are pleased to announce that SOTH has received a $2,000.00 grant from the NJ Synod to purchase equipment needed to enhance our live streaming services!

HELP IS NEEDED IN OUR CONTROL ROOM – Sunday morning assistance is needed for audio, visual, and internet streaming…let’s proclaim the Gospel near and far.  Training joyfully provided! Contact Patrick Wood:  phwood@optonline.net

FOUND MONEY? – Some of us have recently received government stimulus checks. Please pray about sharing a portion of this gift with your local faith community, with other social services organizations, or local businesses to assist those in need. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

BULLETIN PRAYER LIST – Please check the current list and send any corrections and/or additions to the church office.

SPARTA ECUMENICAL 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 SOTH WHILE SHOPPING ON AMAZON SMILE


Click here to find out how you can donate to SOTH when you shop on Amazon.  We have raised in $203.89 to date!
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.
God’s work. Our hands Sunday has passed, but the needs of these various organizations continue. 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)  The Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry.  Donations can be mailed to 32 Main St. Sparta, NJ  07871 or if you prefer to donate food items, place them in the shopping cart at SOTH. 4).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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