Have you ever been in a position to forgive someone, and yet you do not feel ready to forgive? Are there emotional wounds too deep for words, and the very thought of forgiveness seems so unnatural? This Sunday, Pastor Jack unpacks a Scripture passage from Matthew 18, in which Peter asks Jesus, “How many times should I forgive someone?” This is a delicate issue, but Pastor Jack offers insights into a deeper meaning of the “act” of forgiveness. You won’t want to miss this touching message.

HURRICANE & FLOODING VICTIMS – Lutheran Disaster Response is
coordinating with other partners to provide assistance. Checks or money
orders can be sent to:
Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Give by phone at 800-638-3522 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central time or online.

NAME TAGS are in the process of being updated to include everyone. SS staff and students can retrieve theirs from the SS classroom. If you keep yours at home, please remember to bring it and wear it on Rally Day. The Membership team has requested that we wear them each week to get to know each other and identify visitors.

SAVE THE DATES:

PHOTO OPPS – The Membership Team would like everyone to have their photo taken after worship in order to produce a display in the narthex. Please be sure to stop by today.

FALL FESTIVAL & CAR SHOW – Sat., Sept 23, Holy Trinity Lutheran In Rockaway from 12 -5 PM. Join our sister congregation for vendors, cars, music, food, beer, and wine.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – Sat., Oct 7, 10 AM – All animals are invited (leashed or crated) for a blessing from Pastor Jack. Goodie bags and a free entry to win a basket full of goodies for a dog or cat will be available. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex and consider helping to set up or clean up.

FALL FESTIVAL at SOTH – Sat., Oct 14, from 4 – 9 PM – Featuring Kevin & Jayne Collins are leading songs at the campfire! Sun., Oct 15 is “Bring a Friend to Sunday School,” so please consider inviting your
children’s friends to the campfire, host a sleepover at your home, and bring everyone to Sunday School the next day. Stay tuned for further information.

GENEROSITY SUNDAY & Luncheon – Oct. 22. Special guest – Bishop Tracie Bartholomew! More exciting info. To come!

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS – are needed. Please see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Thanks to the DiColas for leading this fellowship activity.

SUNDAY SCHOOL – worship at 9 AM Children ages 4 through grade 6 will be welcomed to their classroom from 9:15 – 10 AM. Please confirm your child’s enrollment by calling or emailing the church office. Registration forms are on the table in the narthex.

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 STEVE LEWANDOWSKI FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING. (973) 670-0773 or sjlewan@sothnj

Many thanks to all of the donors who support our mission!

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/.

WORSHIP INFO For September 17, 2023

Worship Service Bulletin

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 829 4727 4304 Passcode: 002314

CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL:
President: JD Allen
Vice President: Emery Malasits
Treasurer: Brett Maynard
Recording Secretary: Celeste Bethmann
Financial Secretary: Steve Lewandowski
Property: Patrick Wood
Worship & Music: Pat Kovacs
Community Relief: Diane Fitzpatrick
Giving: Arden Krych
Membership: Janine Shugan
Activities: Judi Wolff

CLOTHING DONATION BIN – Place clothing and shoes in plastic bags. Proceeds will benefit SOTH. Please do not leave items outside of the box. Please tell your friends and family so that we can fill those bins!

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.