What About Divorce? – 10-06-24

What About Divorce?
 Did you know that 43% of all new marriages result in divorce? And, 60% of second marriages end in divorce?  What does the Bible say about this disturbing trend?  Join Pastor Jack this Sunday for his weekly message “What About Divorce?”.  You’ll learn what divorces were like in the first century compared to the current landscape.  Above all, you’ll learn about some theological insights on the matter and about the compassionate response of the ELCA.  Don’t miss this sermon!


SAVE THE DATES:

LINE DANCING –May thanks to all who made this event a success.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – Sat., Oct. 5 – 10 a.m. Rain or shine. All animals ae invited but must be leashed or crated. Snacks for furry friends and humans will be provided. Enter to win a basket full of pet goodies!

CLERGY APPRECIATION DAY – Sun., Oct. 13

FESTIVAL OF TREES- Tues., Oct. 15 – $200 to reserve your tree is due. See Judi W (973)224-0986 for further information and refer to the email sent on 9/24.

GENEROSITY SUNDAY -Sun., Oct. 20 –Please pick up your letter concerning this important date in the parish hall after the service today. All others will be mailed on Oct. 1.

FALL VENDOR & CRAFT FAIR -Sat., Oct. 26- 10-3 p.m. Please contact Barbara O. (973) 462-7006 to volunteer and spread the word to friends and family!

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – Sun., Oct. 27 – after a shortened worship service. Please plan to participate so that we can have a quorum to vote on constitution changes and conduct church business.

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.comThank 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!

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED – Please sign up in the parish hall and see MaryAnn DiCola with any questions.

EVENING BIBLE STUDY – In person at SOTH, the first and third Mondays at 6 PM. All 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!

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/.  

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