When God Calls YOUR name
There’s a fairly new term circulating throughout volunteer organizations: “You are voluntold!”… That’s when volunteers really don’t come forward and then the leader selects the “chosen” one. In a sense, the men and women whose stories are captured in the Bible were “voluntold”… by God…to serve God’s purposes. In this Sunday’s gospel reading, we learned that Mary was “voluntold” to become the mother of Jesus… she didn’t sign up for this responsibility, yet she accepted it when it was presented. Can YOU do the same, when God calls your name? Can you serve God in unexpected and unanticipated ways? Join Pastor Jack as he explores this concept in his weekly message “Chosen by God”. Gain valuable insights into the “call” of God.

FREE BOOK – If you would like a free copy of Pastor Jack’s bestselling book, Faith and Farewell, sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex.

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.

SAVE THE DATES:

NEW MEMBERS RECEPTION– Today SOTH welcomes its newest members:
The Cocuzza Family: Sal, Staci, Sonny and Josie
Tina Pryce
Susan Steinkopf
May God bless them abundantly as they unite with our congregation!
BLOOD DRIVE – Thurs., December 19 from 1-7 PM. Appointments preferred, call 1-800-933-2566, or visit www.nybc.org.There will be a raffle for five $10 Dunkin Donuts gift cards. To volunteer to help, please contact Janine S. (908)875-7357.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE – Tuesday, December 24th at 7 PM

GIFTS FOR PASTOR AND R. SACCHIERO – As in the past, if you wish to contribute to a monetary gift expressing your gratitude, please place your donation in the offering plate clearly labeled “holiday gift.” The deadline for a donation is Sunday, Dec. 29.

CELEBRATION OF CHRIST’S BAPTISM – Sun. Jan 12. We will baptize Benjamim Brown and invite all of the babies baptized in 2024 to return to receive their baptismal towels.

MOVIE NIGHT – Saturday, February 8th 5:00pm -Heaven is for Real .Hot dogs, popcorn and more. Sign up in Narthex.

Meats, Eats & Greets – January 4, 2025 DiCola’s house 39 Coventry Rd, Hamburg, NJ 07419. Sign up in the Parish Hall. Italian Theme DiCola’s supplying Baked Ravioli and Ham. You supply Appetizers a green salad and desserts. If you would like to bring a side dish that’s okay too.

RE-GIFTING -It’s that time of year again. If there is something that you get for the holidays that you won’t use and would like to re-gift it we are accepting items now. Please bring them in and give them to Barbara Robinson, Diane Hassa or Mary Ann DiCola,

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

COFFEE HOUR – DiCola’s will be away for a little over a month and help is needed to set up and clean up along with help during. Please sign up in the parish hall on the Coffee Hour bulletin board. You will need to arrive by 8:00am and be prepared to leave by 11:30. The dates are January 19th, January 26th, February 2nd, February 9 and February 16th. Please consider signing up for one Sunday or we won’t be having coffee hour.

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 December 22, 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/.