The Tough Questions
Have you ever faced difficult circumstances or apparent injustice and then questioned the purposes of God? Since Adam and Eve, humanity has pondered the mystery of God’s will and God’s actions. Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he unpacks this quandary in his Sunday message, “The Tough Questions”. Wrestle with this theological challenge right along with Pastor… and find comfort and encouragement in the Biblical promises regarding the providence of God. Don’t miss this intriguing message.

COFFEE HOUR HELP NEEDED – help is urgently needed to set up and clean up each week.

BIBLE STUDY SCHEDULE TO THE END OF THE YEAR: 10/26, 11/23 and 11/30.

FEED THE NORTHEAST – see the bulletin insert for a list of food items to be collected between 10/1 – 10/30 to qualify for a $500.00 donation from Thrivent.

SAMARITAN’S PURSE SHOEBOXES – Once again we are packing shoe boxes to be sent as Christmas gifts worldwide. Please pick up your shoebox and label from the table in the narthex. All boxes are due in church on Nov. 15. Each Box requires a $10 donation for shipping and handling. Boxes can be placed on the altar.

SAVE THE DATES:

FIREPIT FRIDAY MEN’S GROUP – Fri. Oct 16 at 6:30 PM see Pat W for details

LUMOS “Hollywood Halloween”: Sat., Oct 17 – 6:30 and 8:30 PM. Book your tickets at www.lumos-experiences.com

FALL VENDOR & CRAFT FAIR WITH KIDS’ CORNER –Sat., Oct. 24 – 10 AM-3 PM. Please sign up in narthex to volunteer and spread the word to friends and family!

“STOP THE BLEEDING” free trauma response training – Sun. October 25, 2026, 11 AM – 12:30 PM Provided by NJ Office of Homeland Security, sign up with Judi W.

REFORMATION SUNDAY PLAY – Sun., Oct. 25 during worship

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY – NOV. 1 – Two services, 9 & 11 AM. Members of Holy Trinity, Rockaway will be worshipping with us. Please send the church office the names of anyone who has passed away since Nov. 2025 by Oct. 27, so that their names can be read during worship on All Saints Sunday.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS – Sun., Nov. 1

GENEROSITY SUNDAY – Sun., Nov. 8

COPING WITH GRIEF DURING THE HOLIDAYS – Tues., Nov. 10- 5:30-7 PM– free turkey dinner and program – Presented at Newton Hospital by the Quinlan Center. RSVP 908-522-2844 or online at KarenQuinlanHospice.org/HolidayGrief

BLOOD DRIVE – Thurs., Nov. 12 cancelled by Blood Center

AGAPE MUSICAL GUESTS – Sun, Nov. 15 during worship

HANGING OF THE GREENS – Sun, Nov. 22 after worship

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS- Fri., Dec. 4 at 6-8 PM. See Judi W to sign up to sponsor a tree, and as always, volunteers are still needed.

PLANET NETWORKS -is now our Internet and telephone provider. If you decide to choose them for your Internet service, visit https://planet.net or telephone them at 833-3Planet and use the referral code P8RC9 to earn a free month of service for SOTH

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)

PLEASE CONTACT Barbara Osborne FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING

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 October 18, 2026

Worship Service Bulletin

Celebrate
As Each has Received
Trial of Martin Luther

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
Diane Fitzpatrick – Recording Secretary
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/.