In this Sunday’s assigned Gospel reading, Jesus sounds much like a cardiologist! He speaks about the heart…but be careful; he’s really speaking about the spiritual heart! Join Pastor Jack this week for his sermon, “Open Heart Surgery,”…an exploratory look at Biblical metaphors for the heart and soul. Don’t be surprised if you come away with new perspectives on your own spirituality… a “must hear” sermon!

HELP FOR MAUI – Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Pacifica Synod and other partners to provide assistance. Checks or money orders can be sent to: Lutheran Disaster Response P.O. Box 1809 Merrifield, VA 22116-8009. Give by phone at 800-638-3522 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central time or online.

SAVE THE DATES:

CHURCH WORKDAY -Sat. Aug. 19, 2023 – 8 AM We will be weeding, trimming, and pruning shrubs. If you have any questions, please contact Patrick at 201 602-4219. Please remember that “many hands make light work!”

SPARTA COMMUNITY KINDNESS PROGRAM – Wednesdays. Drop in from 9 a.m. – 7 pm to make a simple project and bring a donation to benefit a local organization. Click for more information or see the flyer on the narthex table.

WORSHIP SERVANTS FOR THE SUMMER– please add your name to the schedule that is on the narthex table. Questions should be directed to Solveig Schunk (201) 919-2015 or Pat Kovacs (973)713-0568.

BLOOD DRIVE is planned for Thurs., Aug. 31, 2023, from 1-7 PM. PINT FOR A PINT! Krogh’s in Sparta is one of the participating locations! To make an appointment call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybc.org. Any further questions contact KReutter@nybc.org

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS – are needed. Please see the sign-up sheet on the narthex table. Thanks to the DiColas for leading this fellowship activity.

FIRST WEEK OF SUNDAY SCHOOL & RALLY DAY– Sept. 10. Celebrate the start of Sunday School. Worship at 9 a.m. Children ages 4 through grade 6 will be welcomed to their classroom from 9:15 – 10 a.m. Brunch following service. Please confirm your child’s enrollment by calling or emailing the church office. Registration forms are on the table in the narthex and available on the church’s website. Come join the fun!

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 STEVE LEWANDOWSKI FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING. (973) 670-0773 or sjlewan@gmail.com

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

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/.

WORSHIP INFO For August 20, 2023

Worship Service Bulletin

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
Worship & Music: Pat Kovacs
Community Relief: Diane Fitzpatrick
Giving: Arden Krych
Membership: Janine Shugan
Activities: Judi Wolff

CLOTHING DONATION BIN – 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!

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.