Is there room for doubt in a believer’s spirit? Can doubt actually strengthen faith … in the long run? This Sunday’s Gospel reading focuses on Thomas, otherwise known as “Doubting Thomas” and concludes with the now-famous words of Jesus, “Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have come to believe”. Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he delivers a message claiming “a healthy dose of doubt can actually draw us closer to our majestic God.” You won’t want to miss this thought-provoking message.

SAVE THE DATES:

FOUND ITEMS – Several items were left behind last week, including a pair of clear frame reading glasses, a white and a red insulated coffee mug, and a gray casserole carrier. All are in the office except the food carrier which is in the kitchen.

IN-CHURCH BIBLE STUDY – in held on the first and third Mondays at 6 p.m. All are welcome.

BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY Continues in person at Holy Trinity Church or via Zoom on the first and third Wednesdays from noon-12:45. Join Pastor Jack for a lively discussion of the Bible.

FISH N CHIPS DINNER – Sun., Apr. 14 from 4 -8 p.m. Ticket sales begin 2/1. See Judi Wolff (973) 224-0986.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY – A new directory will be emailed to members on Thursday, April 18. If you do not wish your address to appear or if your contact information has changed, please email the office by Tuesday, April 16.

PHOTO SUNDAYS – If your photo is missing from the Our Flock bulletin board, please have your picture taken after service on 4/21 or 5/12. We want to include everyone!

BOXES OF BLESSINGS

FOR Sgt. Ryan Wood, NJ National Guard, and his fellow soldiers. Please place these items in the collection boxes at church:

Cheez its Peanut butter crackers
Breakfast bars Oreos
Chips a hoy cookies Beef jerky or Slim Jims
Cliff bars Crystal lite individual packets
Lip balm w/sunscreen DUDE wipes
Goldfish Charms lollipops

Small hand cream (unscented) Throat lozenges
Fruit snacks (also used as packing material)
Notes of support
Cash donations are also needed to cover the postage costs.

FIRM DEADLINE: Sunday, April 14. Boxes will be packedafter church and mailed on Mon., April 15 before noon.

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO RE-GIFT? – The Activities Team is looking for new items that people want to re-gift. They need to be in the original package and not used. Items can be brought in and given to Judi Wolff, Diane Hassa, Maryann DiCola or Barbara Robinson. Thank you.

THE BEST COFFEE HOUR IN SUSSEX COUNTY – is coordinated by the DiColas with the assistance of Barbara Robinson. The Activities Team would like to have two families volunteer for each Sunday. Please use the signup sheet in the parish hall and see MaryAnn DiCola with any questions. Help is also needed each week to assist the coordinators with cleanup. If you don’t wish to sign up as a host, you can always volunteer to help with the clean-up. Thanks!

PLEASE JOIN THE “GREEN” TEAM – and help us reduce waste by bringing your own mug for coffee hour or using the church’s mugs. Please be sure to wash, dry and replace the mugs. Mother Earth thanks you!

Many thanks to our outgoing council members and to the new leadership team! Your service to our church is greatly valued!

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 GEOFF JOHNSEY FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING at gjohnsey@icloud.com.

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

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/.

WORSHIP INFO For April 07, 2024

Worship Service Bulletin

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 829 4727 4304 Passcode: 002314

CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL:
Janine Shugan – Council President
Don Wolff – Vice President
Brett Maynard – Treasurer
Solveig Schunk – Recording Secretary
Geoff Johnsey – Financial Secretary
Pat Kovacs – Worship and Music
Nancy Wood – Christian Education
Arden Krych – Giving
Rick Erck – Membership
Russell Shields – Community Relief
Judi Wolff – Activities
Patrick Wood – Property

CLOTHING DONATION BIN – 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!

GOT BOOKS? – the New Legacy Books book donation/recycling bin is now in our parking lot adjacent to the clothing bins. This is a “green” fundraising activity. New Legacy will accept books in good, readable condition that have an ISBN barcode label on the book cover. Hardcover, paperback and textbooks are all welcome For further information, please check their website http://www.newlegacybooks.com see their brochure on the bulletin board or ask Wendy in the office.

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.