Do people often ask you if you are “ready” for something important to happen? Are you ready for Christmas? Are you ready for that big exam at school? Are you ready to become a parent for the first time? Are you ready for that surgical procedure?
Well, what about this one: “Are you ready for the day when Jesus returns to the earth?” Few of us would answer “yes” to that loaded question, yet this Sunday’s Scripture reading begs that very question! This Sunday, Pastor Jack unpacks all of this in his sermon, “Ready?…or Not”.  You won’t want to miss this thought-provoking look at the predicted return of Christ!

SAVE THE DATES:

SAMARITAN’S PURSE – We are once again participating in Operation Christmas Child. Shoeboxes are available in the church office. Completed boxes, including the $ 10 donation, are due in church on Nov 12. For more information https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

NEW MEMBER CLASSES – Mon., Nov. 13, 20 & 27 at 7 p.m. – Please get in touch with the office if you want to be included.

GRIEF AND THE HOLIDAYS SEMINAR – Tues., Nov. 14 – 6:30 – 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Newton Medical Center.  In person or via Zoom.  Click here for more information. 

CHURCH WORKDAY – Nov. 18 at 8 a.m. Please bring your own tools and contact Pat Wood with any questions. phwood@optonline.net or call 201-602-4210.

PLEDGE CARDS -A pledge card is requested of all giving families even if you adjusted your giving electronically during the 10% growth campaign earlier this year. Cards are on the narthex table. Please complete and return one to the church office as soon as possible.

IT’S TURKEY TIME! – We are again partnering with Project Self Sufficiency to provide turkeys and Thanksgiving meals to 20 families here in Sussex County. Diane F. and her team are in need of food, turkeys, monetary donations, and folks to deliver on Sunday, Nov. 19, after church. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex to donate turkeys and to deliver. Checks made to SOTH with PSS on the memo line would be appreciated. Phyllis is also in need of large paper bags in which to pack the food.

HANGING OF THE GREENS -Sun., Nov. 19, immediately following service. Come help decorate, sing carols, and stay for luncheon. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex.

ANNUAL MEETING – Sun., Dec. 3 – after an abbreviated worship at 9 a.m., the meeting agenda will include the approval of the 2024 spending plan and election of Council members. Please plan on attending, as a quorum is needed.

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 November 12, 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.