Blind Faith – 3/19/23

Did you know it is possible to have perfect 20-20 vision yet not “see” certain things? In other words, there is a difference between “seeing” and “perceiving”.  This Sunday, our Gospel reading will involve a man born blind…yet, through the touch of Jesus, he sees and perceives Jesus as the Lord of his life.  Others witnessing the miracle can “see” the joy yet refuse to “perceive” Jesus as the Son of God. Can each of us go through life seeing and yet not perceiving?  Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he explores this theme in a sermon, “Blind Faith”.  This will be part one of a two-part sermon series, “Seeing is Believing?”

CHANGES IN WORSHIP beginning 3/12:
In order to introduce the hymns, the cantor will sing the first verse of each song as a solo, and then the congregation will sing that same verse and any others as designated in the bulletin.
Wine is now included in the communion trays, along with grape juice and gluten-free wafers. It will be white wine.

LENTEN LUNCHEONS AND WORSHIP– will be hosted by the Rockaway Ecumenical Group Churches on Fridays at 12 noon beginning on Feb. 24 at the First Presbyterian Church at 35 Church St. in Rockaway. Our very own Pastor Jack will be leading the service on March 10. All are welcome!

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS – the deadline for directing your Choice dollars is March 31. Please contact Denise L. at dleifken@aol.com or call 973-715-6611 for assistance. Thanks!

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS – are needed. Please see the sign-up sheet on the narthex table. Thanks to the DiColas for leading this fellowship activity.

SAVE THE DATES:

FISH ‘n CHIPS DINNER is scheduled for Sun., March 26, from 4 -7 PM. Please contact Judi W.(973-224-0986) to volunteer or sign up on the events bulletin board in the narthex.

EASTER EGG HUNT –on Sat., April 1, from 2-4 PM. rain or shine! Ages walking to 10 years old are welcome. For more information and to sign up, please see the events bulletin board in the narthex.

WORSHIP SERVANTS NEEDED for Maundy Thursday (4/6) and Good Friday (4/7). Please sign up in the narthex or call the church office.

EASTER BRUNCH – from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Please sign up on the events bulletin board with the food item you will bring. Bagels and croissants will be provided. A volunteer is needed to make coffee & set up. Please contact the office to help.

MEAT, EAT AND GREET at the Hassa’s on Sat., April 22, at 4 p.m. Please sign up on the events bulletin board or call Diane at (973-903- 9301) or Judi at (973) 224-0986

GOT BOOKS? – Please keep an eye out for a book donation/recycling bin coming soon to our parking lot from New Legacy Books. This is a “green” fundraising activity. New Legacy will accept books in good, readable condition with 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 events bulletin board or ask Wendy in the office.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED – CONTROL ROOM HELP, OFFICE
VOLUNTEERS, COFFEE HOUR HOSTS, FINANCIAL COUNTERS,
PHOTOGRAPHER, 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.

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.
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 March 19, 2023

Worship Service Bulletin

 

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): Pat Kovacs
Social Ministry: Diane Fitzpatrick
Janine Shugan

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!

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. ++++++

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Our mailing address is:

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

246 Woodport Road

Sparta Township, NJ 07871