Fear Not – God Can Do Anything! – Fourth Sunday of Advent 12/19

Fear Not…God Can Do Anything – Dec. 19
Have you ever doubted your abilities in life? Ever questioned your strength, or your intelligence, or your patience?  This week, Pastor Jack’s message focuses on how God helps us to overcome our weaknesses…and how God operates in the supernatural world, without human limitations. Pastor will recall how God blessed Elizabeth and Mary beyond their wildest dreams. Just imagine what God can do for you? Don’t miss this inspirational message.

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.

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!

MANY THANKS – to the Sussex County Youth Orchestra members who played for us on 12/12.  They were 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!

HELP SOTH WHILE SHOPPING ON AMAZON SMILE

Your holiday shopping can benefit SOTH. Click here to find out how you can donate when you shop on Amazon.  We have raised $371.00 to date!

WE ARE THINKING OF– Bill Lockwood as he recuperates from surgery. Cards can be sent to Bill in care of: Homestead Rehab. Center, 129 Morris Turnpike, Newton, NJ 07860. We are looking forward to his return to church!

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!

CONFIRMATION CLASSES will now be on Thurs. evenings, once a month from 7-7:45  on  Zoom.  Classes are scheduled for:  Jan. 6, Feb. 3, Mar. 3 and April 7.
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.

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.  You can also search for us on Facebook and like our page. https://www.facebook.com/SOTHNJ/.

WORSHIP INFO FOR Dec. 19

This Week’s Bulletin

Kid’s Celebrate Bulletin  

Spark Worship Bulletin (Pre-Reader)

Announcements for Dec. 19

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
Nurture (Worship & Music): Wendy Whipple
Social Ministry: Diane Fitzpatrick

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

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.

God’s work. Our hands.
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
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!

++++++
Copyright © 2021 Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, All rights reserved.
You are a treasured member of the church and here is another way to get information in a timely manner

Our mailing address is:

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

246 Woodport Road

Sparta Township, NJ 07871

Written by