In God We Trust

This weekend we will observe the 250th anniversary of the public reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Did you know that five of the fifty-six signatories came from New Jersey?  And did you know that the only clergy signatory lived in Princeton?  Find out these NJ facts and more this Sunday when PJ offers his sermon “In God We Trust”.  Learn how the NJ pastor became an instrumental spokesman for the separation of church and state… and learn how all this relates to our assigned Gospel reading.  Don’t miss this patriotic and theological message!

MATCHING MORTGAGE GRANT from Synod Congregational Debt Reduction Fund. The Synod will provide up to $2 in matching funds for every $1 our congregation raises and pays toward our mortgage principal. An email was sent on May 12 explaining this exciting opportunity. Every dollar we move from interest to ministry allows us to do so much more here at SOTH. How to give by June 30: Please mark your gift “Mortgage Principal” and give (1) by check, (2) through our online giving in Vanco or Clover/Credit Card or (3) by donation of appreciated securities which can reduce capital gains tax. Reach out to Barbara Osborne, Financial Secretary (bjo1216@gmail.com) with any questions. We can do this!

Update for Mortgage Reduction:
Goal: $150,000 to apply for Grant
Received to date (thru June 28): $196,989.31

WEEKEND BAG PROGRAM – boxes of pasta and spaghetti or pasta sauce urgently needed.(not tomato sauce or tomatoes). No glass please.
BLOOD DRIVE – 29 pints of blood were donated saving 87 lives! Many thanks to all who participated.
EARTHQUAKE AID – Pleasevisitgive.elca.org to donate through Lutheran Disaster Relief.

COFFEE HOUR HELP NEEDED – help is urgently needed to set up and clean up each week. Also, please sign up to bring ethnic food to share on our special heritage Sundays this summer.

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – If you are interested in volunteering in the church office on an as needed basis, please see Wendy.

SAVE THE DATES:

PASTOR’S VACATION – July 7-10 – for pastoral emergencies, please contact Pastor Ryon Herin (First Presbyterian, Rockaway) at 973-627- 1059.

VBS – July 20-24 Registration forms are available on the display in the narthex. Donations needed are on a display board in the narthex. Help will be needed after service on July 19 for set up. Please see Nancy W. with any questions and to help with this exciting event!
MEATS, GREETS & EATS – Sat., July 25 4–7 PM Hosted by the Schunk’s @ 64 Vail Rd., Landing, NJ

LUMOS “A Classical ABBA Tribute”: Saturday, August 1, 7 – 10 PM Book your tickets at www.lumos-experiences.com

OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERT FEATURING CHRISTIAN MUSICIAN, BILL MCGOWAN Friday, August 21, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM

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 – If you cannot attend (in person) our Bible studies on the first and fourth Mondays at 6:00pm, you can join us live via ZOOM video conferencing.
Please use this link:
Topic: SOTH Bible Study
Time: 5:45 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

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 July 05, 2026
Worship Service Bulletin

Celebrate
As Each has Received
Gifts of Love
NJ Synod-Germany Trip
Trial of Martin Luther
Tomorrow’s Dreams Capital
Weekend Bag Program

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/.