The Best is Yet to Come

Did you ever feel stuck in an unpleasant situation?  A dead end job?  An unfulfilled life? A mediocre existence? Well, this Sunday we discover hope-filled Bible passages and words of encouragement from the prophet Isaiah and from Jesus himself.  Hope is on the way…new doors are opening.  Just be a bit more patient!  Better days are ahead. This Sunday, Pastor Jack will deliver a sermon “The Best is Yet to Come”. Look for those new opportunities in the people and circumstances around you.  With God there is always hope!

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS URGENTLY NEEDED – Please sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

RIDES FOR RONN – Drivers are needed to provide rides to and from church on Sundays for Ronn Sacchiero who lives in Mt. Arlington. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Thanks!

THRIVENT CUSTOMERS – Time is running out to apply for your two $250.00 grants for 2025. If you have any grants still available, please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex and direct any questions to Denise Leiken. This is an important revenue source for our mission, and we don’t want to pass up these important opportunities. Many thanks to all who have submitted their grant applications for 2025.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS– A big thank you to Judi W. and to everyone who helped make the Community Event a success!

LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS VILLAGE TO DISPLAY – The Kaprals have an extra which they would like to give away. Please contact Bob at rkap30@aol.com if you are interested.

SAVE THE DATES:

GIFTS FOR PASTOR AND R. SACCHIERO – As in the past, if you wish to contribute to a monetary gift expressing your gratitude, please place your donation in the offering plate clearly labeled “holiday gift”. The deadline for donation is Sunday, Dec. 28.

SOCKS IN A BOX – box in the narthex collected by the Sparta Kiwanis until Dec. 13. Socks to be donated to Benny’s Bodega.

BLOOD DRIVE – Thurs., Dec. 18, 1-7 pm Call 1-800-933-2566, appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN SINGING– Sun., Dec. 21 during the worship service.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE – Wed., Dec. 24 at 7 pm All are welcome here!

HAT & MITTEN COLLECTION – The tree will be in the narthex for your donations.

CELEBRATION OF CHRIST’S BAPTISM – Sun, Jan 11, 2026. We invite all of the babies baptized in 2025 to return to receive their baptismal banner.

MONDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDY – Beginning Feb. 3, if you cannot attend (in person) our Bible studies on the first and third Mondays at 6:00pm, you can join us live via ZOOM video conferencing.
Please use this link:
Topic: SOTH Bible Study
Time: Apr 7, 2025 05:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87871072581
Meeting ID: 878 7107 2581

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. 

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 Barbara Osborne FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING at bjo1216@gmail.com

Supplemental Opportunities For Giving – In addition to financial offerings mentioned above, there are additional ways to support our congregation that are mentioned on our website: https://www.sothnj.org/giving. 

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

WORSHIP INFO For December 14, 2025
Worship Service Bulletin

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 878 7107 2581

SOTH CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL AND TEAM LEADERS
Janine Shugan – Council President
Don Wolff – Vice President
Brett Maynard – Treasurer
Solveig Schunk – Worship and Music
Barbara Osborne – Financial Secretary
Recording Secretary – vacant
Nancy Wood – Christian Education
Patrick Wood – Property
Rick Erck – Membership
Kathy Schwab – Marketing
Judi Wolff – Community
Relief Activities – vacant
Giving – vacant

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/.