Fear Not – We Have Prayer Support – Third Sunday of Advent 12/12/21
What happens when you worry? And what if someone simply advised you not to worry? Would you worry anyway? Of course! However, according to St. Paul, we can share our worries with God in the spiritual connections of prayer…and our anxieties will actually diminish a bit! Join Pastor Jack this Sunday for his sermon about the psychological and spiritual benefits of prayer, whenever worries or anxieties begin to creep into life.
MANY THANKS – to the Sussex County Youth Orchestra members who are playing for us on 12/12. They are on violin: Payton Iadorola, Rebecca Johnson, Sebastian Bilbraut; viola: Catherine DeMario, and cello: Victoria Tynes and Rowan Mendel. Additional thanks to Gerald and Dawn Tedesco, Conductors of the Orchestra and Katy Johnson who is our SOTH liaison with the group. We have been hosting their rehearsals for many years!
BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY – is cancelled for 12/15. The next session is scheduled for 1/5/22 at noon in person at Holy Trinity Lutheran in Rockaway or via the Zoom link.
CHRISTMAS EVE – candlelight services will be held at 7 and 8:30 p.m. No reservations are required and all CDC recommendations will be observed. Fully vaccinated worshippers are not required to wear a mask but may do so if they wish. There is a sign up sheet in the narthex or call the church office to volunteer as a worship servant. We are looking for readers, deacons, ushers, greeters (very important for Christmas eve), media folks, and altar guild helpers.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING and 2022 Spending Plan approval is scheduled for 12/12 at the conclusion of an abbreviated worship service in person and via YouTube. Details and documents were emailed on Dec. 2 including this Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN will be singing during the service on 12/19. Be sure to come and show your appreciation for their hard work. Another performance you won’t want to miss!
HELP SOTH WHILE SHOPPING ON AMAZON SMILE
for your generosity! On Consecration Sunday, 33 households completed an Estimate of Giving Card. Of those, 75% indicated an intention to increase giving in 2022. Please contact the church office if you were unable to attend but would like to complete a commitment card. Thank you for supporting the mission of SOTH.$500. THRIVENT GRANT – was received and sent directly to the Sparta Community Food Pantry along with the 500 food items we collected. Thanks to Diane F. for leading this effort and to all who contributed.
192 PAIR of men’s socks were donated to the Woodland Behavioral and Nursing Center at Andover. Wow! They will be added to the resident’s holiday gifts. A very heartfelt note of appreciation was received from their Director of Recreation. Many thanks to all who participated and to Diane F, Ashli R., and Pat K. for leading this effort!
FEAR NOT – click HERE to see the topics for the 12-part sermon series beginning 11/28. Don’t miss a week of this re-assuring series!
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED – CONTROL ROOM HELP, OFFICE VOLUNTEERS, COFFEE HOUR HOSTS, FINANCIAL COUNTERS, DEACONS AND USHERS are all needed. Training joyfully provided. If someone calls to recruit you, please prayerfully consider how YOU can serve. You can always volunteer by contacting the office.
SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS EXPANDED– We are now welcoming children ages 4 (must be toilet trained) – grade 5 during the 9 AM worship service. Please contact the church office if you would like to help or register your child. Teachers and assistants are needed! Masks required of all participants. No prior experience necessary!
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 reusable coffee cups 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.
WORSHIP INFO FOR Dec. 12
This Week’s Bulletin
Kid’s Celebrate Bulletin
Spark Worship Bulletin (Pre-Reader)
New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon
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 FitzpatrickA 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
SPARTA COMMUNITY 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.
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.
September 12 was God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday. This year we collected 192 pair of men’s socks for the residents at Andover Subacute & Rehab Center.
If you would like to donate online: please consider one or more of the following. 1) For Lutheran World Relief
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)
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
Sparta Township, NJ 07871