Do You Love Me? 5-04-25

Do You Love Me?

One day, after the resurrection, Jesus took Peter aside and asked him a poignant question:  “Do you love me?”  And… for some reason, Jesus asked that question three times in a row!  What if Jesus asked you the same question?  Could you respond with an unequivocally solid “Yes Lord… you are always in first place in my life” … or would you hesitate to consider the level of commitment required?  Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he explores what true discipleship looks like in today’s hectic world. 

SUMMER VBS – It’s happening! July 7-11– seeking volunteers who can help for a full week from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. See details and sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex.

HAMS – are needed for Faith Kitchen. See Phyllis to donate.

FOOD COLLECTION FOR LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES – Please bring the following items and place in the shopping cart:
May 4 – peanut butter,
May 11 – jelly
May 18 – canned tuna or chicken
May 25 – canned soup

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

MANY THANKS from Barbara VT and Wendy for the beautiful flowers, cards and generous gifts presented to us last Sunday. As mentioned during Sunday’s service, there are many volunteers who make our worship and mission here possible.Please thank these folks when you see them:

  •  Members of our church council (see bulletin insert) and worship servants (see bulletin calendars)
  •  Bulletin and worship preparation: Alice Williamson, Wendy Whipple. Kathy Schwab, Barbara VonThun, Matt Ellingworth, Pat Kovacs
  •  Music volunteers: Jim Jicha, Bill Lockwood
  • Greeting card ministries: Jane Lewandowski, Christine Weiss
  • Coffee hour coordinators: MaryAnn and Gerry DiCola
  • Building maintenance – Phyllis and Bob Fawcett, Eileen Poggi, Pat Kovacs, Bruce Whipple
  • Faith Kitchen food preparers: The Fawcetts, The Osbornes, Jim Jicha
  •  When you need a helping hand: Rudi Bethmann
  • Sunday School teachers will be recognized in church at a later If you are not listed here, many heartfelt thanks to all who make our church the vibrant faith community we are!

SAVE THE DATES:

NEW MEMBER CLASS – Wed., May 14 – 7-8:30 pm. All prospective and existing members are welcome to attend. The reception will be on June 8.

WINE TASTING – Sat., May 31 from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are on sale. Contact Solveig S. 201-919-2015

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! 

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 May 04, 2025
Worship Service Bulletin

Trinity Faith Kitchen Information

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 878 7107 2581

SOTH CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL AND TEAM LEADERS
Janine Shugan – Council President (shugan@optonline.net)
Don Wolff – Vice President (wolffd33@gmail.com)
Brett Maynard – Treasurer (bwmay2021@gmail.com)
Solveig Schunk – Recording Secretary (solveig2012@gmail.com)
Barbara Osborne – Financial Secretary (bjo1216@gmail.com)
Deb Nadel – Worship and Music (nadeldeb@yahoo.com)
Nancy Wood – Christian Education (nawood64@gmail.com)
Arden Krych – Giving (ardenkrych@gmail.com)
Judi Wolff – Activities (wolffjudi@gmail.com)
Patrick Wood – Property (phwood67@gmail.com)
Rick Erck – Membership (heighwood@outlook.com)
Kathy Schwab – Marketing (kmschwab84@gmail.com)
Giving Team – Vacant
Community Relief – 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/.  

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