Christmas Week Email for Christmas Eve and 12/26/2021

Here you will find the bulletins and announcements for both services).

“Fear Not…God is in Control”  (Sermon Theme for 12/26)

Were there ever times in life when you felt out of control?  Believe it or not, the holy family felt out of control several times in their family history. This Sunday’s Gospel reading tells of a time when a12-year-old Jesus went missing for three days. Yet God was in complete control of the situation.  Join Pastor Jack as he delivers his message this Sunday:  “Fear Not…God is in Control”…then apply these faith principles to your own “uncertain” times.

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. Thank you to all who are serving as worship servants at both services.
.
MANY THANKS to Tom Deeney for accompanying our Sunday School performers last week on his guitar. It was wonderful to hear the children sing, and to see the many family members who came out to support them! Kudos to Nancy Wood, SS Superintendent, and her staff for organizing this special program and for all of the instruction our children have received this fall.

GIFTS FOR PASTOR AND R. SACCHIERO – As in past years, if you wish to contribute to a monetary gift expressing your gratitude, please see JD Allen, Council President, or Emery Malasits, Vice President, or send your contributions to the church office clearly labeled “holiday gift”. Thank you!!

HELP SOTH WHILE SHOPPING ON AMAZON SMILE

Your 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 him at his home address.  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.

DISPOSABLE HOT CUPS are getting very difficult to find. Please bring your own mug to use and take home for coffee hour, or use one of our mugs and clean and replace each week.

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. 24 & 26

Christmas Eve Bulletin

This Week’s Bulletin

 Kid’s Celebrate Bulletin  

Spark Worship Bulletin (Pre-Reader)

Announcements for Dec. 24 & 26

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 especially in the event of bad weather.

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)

  2. 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