Lavish Toward God 4-06-25
Lavish Toward God
A long time ago Mary took really expensive perfume (probably worth thousands and thousands of dollars in today’s currency) and poured it all over Jesus’ feet! Why the extravagance? Perhaps we need to ask: Are we giving OUR BEST to Jesus, too? This week, in his message “Lavish Toward God” Pastor Jack will explore ways we can follow Mary’s lead… and give our very best to the Lord… our best time… our best resources… our best efforts! Don’t miss this sermon based on generosity and thanksgiving!
CONGRATULATIONS to those celebrating their first holy communion today:
Amelya Appelbaum
Claire Benfante
Josie Cocuzza
Thomas Henriques
Aubree Sloane
Daniella Klackowski
PHOTO SUNDAYS – The Membership Team is working on the last review of the Membership Directory– If your photo is missing from the Our Flock bulletin board, please have your picture taken after service on 4/6 or 4/13. We want to include everyone!
POSSIBLE SUMMER VBS – July7-11– seeking volunteers who can help for a full week from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. See details and sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex.
HAMS – are needed for Faith Kitchen. See Phyllis to donate.
SAVE THE DATES:
EASTER FLOWERS – will be purchased to decorate our church. If you would like to donate in memory or in honor of loved ones, the fee is $15.00 per plant and the sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex. Deadline is April 13 so that the dedications can be included in the Easter bulletin.
FISH N CHIPS DINNER – Sun., April 6, 2025, 4-7 pm. Tickets are $22.00 pre-sale and $25.00 at the door. See Judi Wolff for tickets and sign up in the narthex to volunteer or contribute items.
CHURCH WORKDAY – Sat., April 12, 8 a.m. Please come help us spruce up our grounds before the Easter egg hunt. Bring your gardening tools and energy! Many hands make light work. Contact Pat W. for information. (201) 602-4219
EASTER EGG HUNT– Sun., April 13 –Two hunts -2 pm & 3 pm. Volunteers are needed from 1-4 p.m. Sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex to help. Thanks to JD Allen for organizing this event.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES –Maundy Thursday – 4/17 and Good Friday – 4/18. Both services at 8 p.m.
EASTER BRUNCH – Sun., April 20 immediately following worship. Please sign up on the coffee hour bulletin board in the parish hall.
PLANET NETWORKS – is now our Internet and telephone provider. If you decide to choose them for your Internet service, visit

https://planet.net/ or telephone them at 833-3Planet and use the referral code P8RC9 to earn a free month of service for SOTH!
MONDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDY – Beginning Feb. 3, if you cannot attend (in person) our Bible studies on the first and third Mondays at 6:00pm, you can join us live via ZOOM video conferencing.
Please use this link:
Topic: SOTH Adult Bible Study
Time: Feb 3, 2025 05:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84201500057
Meeting ID: 842 0150 0057
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 Barbara Osborne FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING at bjo1216@gmail.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 April 6, 2025
Worship Service Bulletin
Trinity Faith Kitchen Information
New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon
Meeting ID: 829 4727 4304
Passcode: 002314
SOTH CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL AND TEAM LEADERS
Janine Shugan – Council President (shugan@optonline.net)
Don Wolff – Vice President (wolffd33@gmail.com)
Brett Maynard – Treasurer (bwmay2021@gmail.com)
Solveig Schunk – Recording Secretary (solveig2012@gmail.com)
Barbara Osborne – Financial Secretary (bjo1216@gmail.com)
Deb Nadel – Worship and Music (nadeldeb@yahoo.com)
Nancy Wood – Christian Education (nawood64@gmail.com)
Arden Krych – Giving (ardenkrych@gmail.com)
Judi Wolff – Activities (wolffjudi@gmail.com)
Patrick Wood – Property (phwood67@gmail.com)
Rick Erck – Membership (heighwood@outlook.com)
Kathy Schwab – Marketing (kmschwab84@gmail.com)
Giving Team – Vacant
Community Relief – Vacant
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/.