Jesus Christ is Coming to Town

We have all heard the song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”…well, what if we substituted the name Jesus Christ for Santa Claus ?  It would still make sense!  According to the Scriptures, Jesus is coming to town… and soon! Are we really prepared for this?  What can we do in the meantime?  Pastor Jack will address these questions and more this Sunday as we all anticipate the Biblically predicted return of Christ.  Don’t miss this enlightening insight into God’s plan for the “end times”. 

2026 COMMITMENT CARDS – If you have not already done so, please complete one of the orange cards located on the table in the narthex and return it to the office for Barbara Osborne. Thank you.

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

RIDES FOR RONN – Drivers are needed to provide rides to and from church on Sundays for Ronn Sacchiero who lives in Mt. Arlington. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Thanks!

THE NOMINATING COMIMITTEE is seeking faithful and dedicated volunteers to fill several vital leadership roles on the Church Council. Please contact: Rob Shugan shugan@optonline.net (908-247-6909) to volunteer.

MINISTRY APPRECIATION “WALK” – Pastor Jack and the Church Council would like to thank everyone for praying for SOTH and doing so much to fulfill the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the many members, to date, who have returned their pledge cards. We thank you, in advance, for your support and involvement in the Second Annual Festival of Lights.

PROJECT SELF-SUFFICIENCY THANKSGIVING BASKETS –Thanks to all who donated turkeys, food or money and to those who delivered. We provided dinner and many staples to a total of 91 people!

SAVE THE DATES:

CONSIDERING MEMBERSHIP at SOTH or do you just want to learn more about the church? Join Pastor Jack for a one-night Orientation Class, slated for Wednesday, 12/3 at 7:00pm. Please RSVP to the office

HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE by Katie’s House. Please see bulletin insert. All items due in the gift box in the narthex by Dec. 5.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS– Tree decorating –Sun., Nov. 30 after service. Sat., Dec. 6 at 5 PM lighting of over 20 decorated Christmas trees. It is not too late to sponsor a tree! Carolers, bakers and children will be needed for the Live Nativity. Please contact Judi W. to sponsor a tree and see the bulletin insert for further information.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING & ELECTIONS – Sun., Dec. 7 after shortened worship service.

SOCKS IN A BOX – box in the narthex collected by the Sparta Kiwanis until Dec. 13. Socks to be donated to Benny’s Bodega.

BLOOD DRIVE – Thurs., Dec. 18, 1-7 pm Call 1-800-933-2566, appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome.

HAT & MITTEN COLLECTION – The tree will be in the narthex for your donations.

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 November 30, 2025
Worship Service Bulletin

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
Recording Secretary – vacant
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/.