The Storm Before the Calm

No doubt you’ve heard the expression, “The calm before the storm”.  Conversely, the Bible predicts a “storm before the calm”.  This time of turmoil is foretold by Jesus and is to take place just prior to the end of the age.  How can we prepare for this?  How will we endure this time of calamity and strife?  Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he uncovers Biblical advice and assurance that we WILL survive. Don’t miss this daunting, yet comforting message.

2026 COMMITMENT CARDS – If you have not already done so, please complete one of the orange cards located on the table in the narthex and return it to the office for Barbara Osborne. Thank you.

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS URGENTLY NEEDED – Please sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

RIDES FOR RONN – Drivers are needed to provide rides to and from church on Sundays for Ronn Sacchiero who lives in Mt. Arlington. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Thanks!

THE NOMINATING COMIMITTEE is seeking faithful and dedicated volunteers to fill several vital leadership roles on the Church Council. Please contact: Rob Shugan shugan@optonline.net (908-247-6909) to volunteer.

SAVE THE DATES:

PROJECT SELF-SUFFICIENCY THANKSGIVING BASKETS – Please see the bulletin insert for donations needed by Nov. 16. Delivery drivers and cash to purchase fresh items are also needed. Please make checks to SOTH with PSS Thanksgiving on the memo line. Sign up sheets are on the narthex bulletin board.

SAMARITAN’S PURSE SHOEBOXES – Once again we are packing
shoe boxes to be set as Christmas gifts worldwide. Please pick up your
shoebox and label from the table in the narthex. No soap will be
accepted this year. All boxes are due in church on Nov. 16. Boxes can
be placed on the altar. Our goal this year is 100 boxes!

CONFIRMATION CLASS MEETING: – Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00pm. All students in 7th grade and above and their parents are invited to participate in a meeting discussing the Action Reflection confirmation program.

CONSIDERING MEMBERSHIP at SOTH or do you just want to learn more about the church? Join Pastor Jack for a one-night Orientation Class, slated for Wednesday, 12/3 at 7:00pm. Please RSVP to the office

HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE by Katie’s House. Please see bulletin insert. All items due in the gift box in the narthex by Dec. 5.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS– Tree decorating –Sun., Nov. 30 after service. Sat., Dec. 6 at 5 PM lighting of over 20 decorated Christmas trees. It is not too late to sponsor a tree! Carolers, bakers and children will be needed for the Live Nativity. Please contact Judi W. to sponsor a tree and see the bulletin insert for further information.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING & ELECTIONS – Sun., Dec. 7 after shortened worship service.

SOCKS IN A BOX – box in the narthex collected by the Sparta Kiwanis until Dec. 13. Socks to be donated to Benny’s Bodega.

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 Bible Study
Time: Apr 7, 2025 05:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87871072581
Meeting ID: 878 7107 2581

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 November 16, 2025
Worship Service Bulletin

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 878 7107 2581

SOTH CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL AND TEAM LEADERS
Janine Shugan – Council President
Don Wolff – Vice President
Brett Maynard – Treasurer
Solveig Schunk – Worship and Music
Barbara Osborne – Financial Secretary
Recording Secretary – vacant
Nancy Wood – Christian Education
Patrick Wood – Property
Rick Erck – Membership
Kathy Schwab – Marketing
Judi Wolff – Community
Relief Activities – vacant
Giving – 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/.