Burdens Lifted – Third Sunday of Lent – 03-20-22

Burdens Lifted
Sometimes we go through life carrying the burdens of guilt, regret, anger, etc.  It is kind of like carrying metaphorical barbells around with us wherever we go.  Wouldn’t it be easier if you let Jesus carry the weight of your burdens?  Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he presents his message:  “Burdens LIfted”.  Learn how YOU can say, “Jesus, take the wheel…Please”.
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE –Your gifts will support Ukrainians and others. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Checks or money orders can be sent to: Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Write “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” on your check memo line.
Give by phone at 800-638-3522 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT) or online.

OFFICE HOURS  have been changed. Effective Monday, March 21, office staff will be working remotely from home. Voice and email messages will be retrieved that day. and the office will be open Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

EASTER LILY FUND – Please complete the form on the narthex table to donate. A $12.00 donation is asked for lilies. Please label your check, “Easter Flowers”. Deadline is April 13, 2022.

EASTER HAMS – your free ham can be donated for our soup kitchen ministry.  Contact Phyllis Fawcett: bfawcett@optonline.net.

MASKS ARE OPTIONAL Traditional communion has returned, but communion cups will still be available.

SAVE THE DATES:

SUNDAY SCHOOL – is back in session, and its never too late to join in the fun!  Many thanks to Nancy Wood and her staff as well as the parents who support them.

CHOIR PRACTICE – continues each Sunday after a short coffee hour snack at 10:15 a.m.

WORK DAY is scheduled for Sat., April 2 at 8:00. Please come help prepare our church for upcoming events and Easter. Many hands make light work!

FISH N CHIPS DINNER is coming back on Sun., Apr. 3 from 4-7 p.m.  Be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible as a limited number of extra meals will be available that day.  Contact Judi Wolff to volunteer your help.

EASTER EGG HUNT –  returns to SOTH on Sat., April 9 from 2-4 p.m. rain or shine!  Ages walking to 10 years old are welcomed to this CDC compliant event.  Nut free candy is needed to fill plastic eggs. Please take a bag from the narthex, fill, label and return by 4/3. Please spread the word and see JD Allen if you would like to help.

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM changes will be outlined at an Open Forum on Thur., April 7 at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Zoom class is cancelled for that evening. All are invited! Please contact Pastor Jack for more information.

THRIVENT COORDINATOR – Denise Leifken has graciously volunteered to coordinate our programs  and has arranged for a Thrivent representative to provide assistance and donuts during coffee hour on 3/27. Please come and learn how to direct your Thrivent Choice Dollars before the 3/31 deadline, and how you can help SOTH even if you do not own Thrivent products Please contact Denise at dleifken@aol.com with questions.  Thank you Denise!

DIRECT THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS by 3/31 deadline. Visit thrivent.com/thriventchoice or call 800-847-4836 say “Thrivent Choice” when prompted. Contact dleifken@aol.com or call the church office for assistance.

EASTER BRUNCH is coming back on April 17! – Please check the sign up sheet on the narthex table to register and indicate what you would like to contribute to the meal and if you will help set up or clean up. Thank you to the DiCola’s for leading this event.

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

FOOD DONATIONS for Connect for Community can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex. Click here for a list of items they would like.

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 $426.41 to date!

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 at the back of the church.
  • Mail your offering to: SOTH 246 Woodport Rd., Sparta, NJ07871
  • 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.

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

PLEASE CALL AHEAD – before venturing a trip to the church office as the office hours have changed.

DID YOU KNOW – that you can donate your used car to benefit SOTH? Please visit this site to get started: 
https://careasy.org/nonprofit/shepherd-of-the-hills-lutheran-church 

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 Mar. 20

This Week’s Bulletin

Kids Celebrate Bulletin

Spark Worship Bulletin (Pre-Reader)

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!

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 KITSIf 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.

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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

246 Woodport Road

Sparta Township, NJ 07871

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