Why The Big Secret? – Sept. 5, 2021

“Why the Big Secret?”

Did you ever notice when reading the Gospels that Jesus often preferred his ministry to be shrouded in mystery and hidden in secret?  Why did Jesus often command others to “tell no one” about the powerful miracles?  Why was Jesus often ducking in and out of large crowds to seek anonymity?  Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he explores a theory known as “The Messianic Secret” and the significance of that secret for our lives today.  Don’t miss this message!

RALLY DAY PICNIC – on Sun., Sept. 12 at the conclusion of service. Nancy Wood is leading the event and has placed sign up sheets on the table in the narthex. She is in need of: salad/sides, desserts, folks to set up on Sat. 9/11 at 5 p.m., folks to clean up and grill masters. Please bring items for the Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry. If you are coming, please sign up on the sheet in the narthex or email the church office with the number attending by Sept. 5. Don’t miss the fun!

COMMUNION CHANGE – on 9/12 we will return to receiving communion up front via intinction with wine. Communion kits will be available for those who would like to continue communing at their seats using grape juice.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RETURNS – Nancy Wood has graciously volunteered to serve as the Sunday School Superintendent! Plans are taking shape for classes grades K – 5  to be held during worship starting on Rally Day, Sept. 12.  Please contact the church office if you would like to help or register your child.  Masks will be required for all participants. Teachers and assistants are needed! No prior experience necessary! Click here for a registration form to complete and return to the office.

DEACONS AND USHERS NEEDED – Please contact the church office. Training will be provided.

MASKS NO LONGER REQUIRED  FOR VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS–Unvaccinated are asked to wear masks. Click HERE to see all of the decisions made at the June 28 council meeting.

OUR BUILDING IS NOW OPEN – to outside groups following the CDC guidelines.

ARE YOU A THRIVENT MEMBER?  If so, you can request two, $250.00 grants per year for programs here at SOTH.  These grants come in the form of gift cards, and have been used in the past to supplement funds supporting the Trinity Faith Kitchen, Rally Day picnic, Thanksgiving baskets, etc.  If you would like to learn more about how you can help, please contact Wendy in the church office.

MASKS AND GLOVES REQUIRED –of everyone using the Church kitchen regardless of your vaccination status as per a congregational council resolution passed on 8/23/21.

 COFFEE HOUR  has returned! We are looking for volunteers to host this fellowship time. Duties include: putting on coffee, serving beverages and providing an optional snack of your choice. In order to be better stewards of God’s creation, we are asking folks to bring their own re-usable coffee cup to use and take home. Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex.

WWW.SOTHNJ.ORG – The church’s website is the place to look for upcoming events. Please consult the calendar there. The weekly email can be found under News at the bottom of the home page.

HELP IS NEEDED IN OUR CONTROL ROOM – Sunday morning assistance is needed for audio, visual, and internet streaming…let’s proclaim the Gospel near and far.  Training joyfully provided! Contact Patrick Wood:  phwood@optonline.net

#HATNOTHATE update: 87 hats were taken to Lion Brand Yarn Outlet last month. Thank you to all who contributed. The deadline has now been extended to September 13. So, we can still make blue hats, and they will be taken to Lion Brand on September 13. Questions? Call Diane Fitzpatrick.

GOD’S WORK OUR HANDS – September 12 is God’s Work. Our Hands Sunday and the Rally Day Picnic. This year we are collecting men’s socks for the residents of Andover Subacute & Rehab Center.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – is scheduled for Sat. Oct. 2 at 10 a.m.  when Pastor Jack will be blessing the animals. We hope to have door prizes and goodie bags available. Please bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier.  More info. to come!

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/channel/UCH8w_r1Rb9HH7i6SD15Tu6w  Don’t worry if you missed the live broadcast.  All services are archived on our channel.  We are no longer Zooming our weekly service. You can also search for us on Facebook and like our page. https://www.facebook.com/SOTHNJ/.
OFFICE HELP NEEDED – Please contact the church office if you would like to help with maintaining the church website, sending the weekly email or with general office duties.  Many tasks can be performed from your home. Training gratefully provided!

HELP WANTED– Please prayerfully consider how you can help your church. Click here to see the link to the “Join our Team ad” which appeared in today’s bulletin.  Stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities!

WORSHIP INFO FOR SEPT. 5

This Week’s Bulletin

Kid’s Celebrate Bulletin  

Spark Worship Bulletin (Pre-Reader) 

Announcements for Sept. 5

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 829 4727 4304
Passcode: 002314
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL UPDATES:
The congregational council has reorganized. Many thanks to all who have agreed to serve!
President: JD Allen
Vice President: Emery Malasits
Treasurer: Brett Maynard
Recording Secretary: Celeste Bethmann
Financial Secretary: Steve Lewandowski
Property: Patrick Wood
Nurture (Worship & Music): Wendy Whipple
Social Ministry: Diane Fitzpatrick
Jeff Behling
A 2nd CLOTHING DONATION BIN – has arrived. 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!PLEASE CALL AHEAD- before venturing a trip to the church office. Office hours are subject to change

FOUND MONEY? – Some of us have recently received government stimulus checks. Please pray about sharing a portion of this gift with your local faith community, with other social services organizations, or local businesses to assist those in need. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

SPARTA ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY – Please remember that a shopping cart is located in the narthex for donations to our local food pantry.  The pantry has been serving an unprecedented number of our area residents during this challenging time. Help is needed to deliver the food to the pantry. Please contact the office for the pantry’s hours of operation.

HELP SOTH WHILE SHOPPING ON AMAZON SMILE


Click here to find out how you can donate to SOTH when you shop on Amazon.  We have raised in $296.92 to date!

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. 

AT-HOME COMMUNION KITS – If you are worshiping with us from home and would like a communion kit, please contact the church office and arrangements can be made for you to receive the number you would like.

God’s work. Our hands.
September 12 is God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday. This year we are collecting men’s socks for the residents at Andover Subacute & Rehab Center. There never seem to be enough, and the laundry is rough on them. They are for indoor wear. Also, hats are still being collected for Hat Not Hate. At our Rally Day picnic, we are are going to be collecting items for the Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry.If you would like to donate online:  please consider one or more of the following. 1) For Lutheran World Relief

Personal Care Kits consisting of 1 lightweight bath towel (20” x 40” to 52” x 27”) dark color, 2-3 bath-size bars of soap in original wrapping, 1 adult size toothbrush in original packaging, 1 sturdy comb no packaging, 1 metal nail clipper, no packaging. LWR.org/kitvideos for reference if needed.  2) Donation to the Lutheran Disaster Response,  can be designated to a specific disaster on the check memo line. 3)Connect for Community is a very worthy organization. Donations can be placed in the collection plates, made out to the organization.
Volunteer Opportunities:  More hands are needed to make light work.  No prior skills necessary to help your church in these ways:

1. Bring in items for” God’s Work our Hands” organizations.

2. Serve on the church audit team.

3. Serve on Church Council.

4. Become a Sunday worship servant.

5. Sing in the choir (post-COVID)

6. Help to run a parish activity (post-COVID)

7.  Join the volunteer church office staff.8. Organize Faith Formation opportunities by serving as the FF Superintendent.

9. Prep a meal for the Trinity Faith Kitchen.

Please email the church office at office@sothnj.org or call 973-729-7010 for more information!

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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

246 Woodport Road

Sparta Township, NJ 07871