If you could describe your faith the way you would describe a fire, what does your faith look like?  A dimly burning wick?  A towering inferno? Is your spiritual flame burning as brightly as you would like it to burn?  Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he reflects on sound advice from the New Testament letter of 2 Timothy.  Learn how to fan the flames of the spirit within you!

VISITORS – please sign the guest book on the table in the lobby.

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

LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE –Your gifts will support those affected by US flooding.  Gifts to “US Flooding” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected. Checks or money orders can be sent to:
Lutheran Disaster Response P.O. Box 1809 Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Write “U.S. Flooding” on your check memo line.
Give by phone at 800-638-3522 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT) or online.

THRIVENT ACCOUNT HOLDERS – We are in need of Thrivent customers to write Action Team grants. All customers are entitled to submit two per year. Please contact Denise Leifken at dleifken@aol.com or call 973-715-6611 for assistance.

THANKSGIVING FOOD COLLECTION – at least 20 of each item is needed: flour, peanut butter, gravy/gravy mix, jelly, instant mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese, cake mix, tuna, frosting, canned sweet potatoes, pancake mix, cereal, syrup, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, soup, canned fruit, baked beans, rice, toilet paper

SAVE THE DATES:

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – Sat. Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. Please bring your animals on a leash or in a carrier for a special blessing and a treat from Pastor Jack. Snacks and door prize too!

ALL ARE INVITED to attend the Oct. 4 event planning meeting at 7 p.m. to set the calendar for 2023. Come with your ideas and the understanding that all events are group efforts.

BLOOD DRIVE is scheduled for Thurs., Oct 27 from 1-7 PM.
Volunteers are needed. Please contact the church office if you can
volunteer to help or serve as the coordinator.

PLEASE CALL AHEAD – before venturing a trip to the church office. Office hours are subject to change.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED – CONTROL ROOM HELP, OFFICE VOLUNTEERS, COFFEE HOUR HOSTS, FINANCIAL COUNTERS, PHOTOGRAPHER, DEACONS AND USHERS are all needed.  Training joyfully provided. If someone calls to recruit you, please prayerfully consider how YOU can serve.  You can always volunteer by contacting the office.

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:

Sparta Township, NJ 07871