Relief… At Last – 11-3-24

Relief… At Last

Have you ever noticed how life can be difficult at times?  Philosopher Karl Popper once said, “Life is a problem solving endeavor”.  Our Lord Jesus once warned us that life is filed with trials and hardships (John16:33). So… what can we do?  We can work hard and keep the faith!  When it’s all said and done, and we are ushered into the heavenly kingdom, we will find that all of life will be restored and renewed!  This Sunday is All Saints’ Sunday… a time to remember our ancestors who worked hard, negotiated struggles, and now have been awarded the promise of eternal paradise in heaven.  This Sunday, don’t miss Pastor Jack’s tribute to them… and to God… as we give thanks for the gift of eternal life.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE! Have you completed your feasibility study survey questions? Paper forms have been mailed or you can complete the online survey www.bit.ly/sothsurvey2024. Please complete it as soon as possible. For more info: contact Deb Nadel at nadeldeb@yahoo.com or Barbara Osborne at bjo1216@gmail.com Thank you.

PLEASE SAVE for our Sunday School: shoeboxes, toilet paper and paper towel rolls for our Advent craft. There will be a collection box in the narthex. Thank you!

IT’S TURKEY TIME! – We are once again partnering with Project Self Sufficiency to provide turkeys and Thanksgiving meals to 20 families here in Sussex County. The Community Relief Team is in need of food, turkeys, monetary donations and folks to deliver on Sunday, Nov. 24th after church. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex to donate turkeys and to deliver. Checks made to SOTH with PSS on memo line would be appreciated.

SAVE THE DATES:

FALL CLEAN UP DAY – Sat., Nov. 9 at 8 a.m. Weather permitting. Contact Pat Wood for further information (201) 602-4219. Many hands make light work!.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – Set up on Dec. 1, festival on Sat., Dec. 7at 4 p.m. Judi Wolff would like to borrow outdoor extension cords for the 30 trees we have coming! We will be decorating the trees on Sunday, December 1st after church. If you would like our Elves to decorate your tree, please bring in your decorations no later than November 24th. If they would like to bring them in sooner that is a plus. See Judi Wolff for drop off. Judi is also looking for people to sing carols and bake treats. Children are also needed to participate in the Live Nativity. No spoken parts are required. Please contact her at wolffjudi@gmail.com or call or text her at 973-224-0986.

THRIVENT CUSTOMERS – Time is running out to apply for your two $250.00 grants for 2024. If you have any grants still available, please contact Denise Leifken and she will connect you with a needy program or service. This is an important revenue source for our mission, and we don’t want to pass up these important opportunities. Many thanks to all who have submitted their grant applications for 2024.

EVENING BIBLE STUDY – In person at SOTH, the first and third Mondays at 6 PMAll are welcome.

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 GEOFF JOHNSEY FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING at gjohnsey@icloud.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 November 3, 2024

Worship Service Bulletin

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 829 4727 4304 Passcode: 002314

CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL:
Janine Shugan – Council President
Don Wolff – Vice President
Brett Maynard – Treasurer
Solveig Schunk – Recording Secretary
Geoff Johnsey – Financial Secretary
Pat Kovacs – Worship and Music
Nancy Wood – Christian Education
Arden Krych – Giving
Rick Erck – Membership
Russell Shields – Community Relief
Judi Wolff – Activities
Patrick Wood – Property

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/.