Jesus: The Co-Creator of the Universe – Oct. 3, 2021

When you think about Jesus, do you think about Jesus as existing at the beginning of human history?  Co-creating the universe along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit?  This Sunday, Pastor Jack will explore a reading from the New Testament Book of Hebrews…a reading which deals with a theological concept known as the “Pre-existence of Christ”.  But more importantly…what does this all mean for us?  You won’t want to miss this message.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES  will now be on Thurs. evenings, once a month from 7-7:45  on  Zoom.  Classes are scheduled for:  Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, Mar. 3 and April 7.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – is scheduled for Sat. Oct. 2 at 10 a.m.  when Pastor Jack will be blessing the animals in our parking lot rain or shine. We will have door prizes and goodie bags! Please bring your pet in a carrier or on a leash.

SAVE THE DATES: SOTH will have a table at Sparta Day this year Sat., Oct. 16 from 9 AM -5 PM.  Volunteers are needed.
The FALL VENDOR/CRAFT FAIR is scheduled for Sat., Oct. 23 from 10 AM – 3 PM.  Volunteers are needed to set up after church on Sunday, Oct. 17.  Please email Barb O at SOTHvendorday@gmail.com to help.
     BLOOD DRIVE is scheduled for Thursday, Oct, 28 from 1-7 PM.  Volunteers are needed.  Please email Jeff Behling at behlingjl@gmail.com to help. To give blood click HERE.

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

SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS EXPANDED– We are now welcoming children ages 4 (must be toilet trained) – grade 5 during the 9 AM worship service. Please contact the church office if you would like to help or register your child.  Teachers and assistants are needed!  Masks required of all participants.  No prior experience necessary!

MASKS NO LONGER REQUIRED  FOR VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS–Unvaccinated are asked to wear masks. Click HERE to see all of the decisions made at the June 28 council meeting.

ARE YOU A THRIVENT MEMBER?  If so, you can request two, $250.00 grants per year for programs here at SOTH.  These grants come in the form of gift cards, and have been used in the past to supplement funds supporting the Trinity Faith Kitchen, Rally Day picnic, Thanksgiving baskets, etc.  If you would like to learn more about how you can help, please contact Wendy in the church office.

MASKS AND GLOVES REQUIRED –of everyone using the Church kitchen regardless of your vaccination status as per a congregational council resolution passed on 8/23/21.

COFFEE HOUR  has returned! We are looking for volunteers to host this fellowship time. Duties include: putting on coffee, serving beverages and providing an optional snack of your choice. In order to be better stewards of God’s creation, we are asking folks to bring their own re-usable coffee cup to use and take home. Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex.

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.

HELP IS NEEDED IN OUR CONTROL ROOM – Sunday morning assistance is needed for audio, visual, and internet streaming…let’s proclaim the Gospel near and far.  Training joyfully provided! Contact Patrick Wood:  phwood@optonline.net

GOD’S WORK OUR HANDS – September 12 was God’s Work. Our Hands Sunday. This year we are collecting men’s socks for the residents of Andover Subacute & Rehab Center.  The giant white sock collection bin is in the narthex.

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/.

OFFICE HELP NEEDED – Please contact the church office if you would like to help with maintaining the church website, sending the weekly email or with general office duties.  Many tasks can be performed from your home. Training gratefully provided!

 WREATH FUNDRAISER -It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas Wreath ordering is here. Orders can be placed from now until October 24, 2021.  Wreaths will be delivered the week of November 22nd and will be available for pickup Sunday November 28th.  This is to help raise money for the Thanksgiving food baskets.  You can order in person at church, the order form will be in the narthex, or you can order online using the google form.
https://forms.gle/BURNouHDQ5u2rFmj7

 

WORSHIP INFO FOR OCT. 3

This Week’s Bulletin

Kid’s Celebrate Bulletin

Spark Worship Bulletin (Pre-Reader) 

Announcements for Oct. 3

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

UPDATED CHURCH DIRECTORY will be sent out electronically to all members within the next few weeks!

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!

PLEASE CALL AHEAD- before venturing a trip to the church office. Office hours are subject to change

SPARTA COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY – Please remember that a shopping cart is located in the narthex for donations to our local food pantry.  The pantry has been serving an unprecedented number of our area residents during this challenging time. Help is needed to deliver the food to the pantry. Please contact the office for the pantry’s hours of operation.

HELP SOTH WHILE SHOPPING ON AMAZON SMILE

Click here to find out how you can donate to SOTH when you shop on Amazon.  We have raised in $341.51 to date!

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.

God’s work. Our hands.
If you would like to donate online:  please consider one or more of the following. 1) For Lutheran World Relief

Personal Care Kits consisting of 1 lightweight bath towel (20” x 40” to 52” x 27”) dark color, 2-3 bath-size bars of soap in original wrapping, 1 adult size toothbrush in original packaging, 1 sturdy comb no packaging, 1 metal nail clipper, no packaging. LWR.org/kitvideos for reference if needed.  2) Donation to the Lutheran Disaster Response,  can be designated to a specific disaster on the check memo line. 3)Connect for Community is a very worthy organization. Donations can be placed in the collection plates, made out to the organization.

 

Volunteer Opportunities:  More hands are needed to make light work.  No prior skills necessary to help your church in these ways:

  1. Bring in items for” God’s Work our Hands” organizations.

    2. Serve on the church audit team.

    3. Serve on Church Council.

    4.. Become a Sunday worship servant.

    5. Sing in the choir (post-COVID)

    6. Help to run a parish activity (post-COVID)

  2. Join the volunteer church office staff.

    8. Organize Faith Formation opportunities by serving as the FF Superintendent.

    9. Prep a meal for the Trinity Faith Kitchen.

    Please email the church office at office@sothnj.org or call 973-729-7010 for more information!

 

++++++
Copyright © 2021 Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, All rights reserved.
You are a treasured member of the church and here is another way to get information in a timely manner

Our mailing address is:

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

246 Woodport Road

Sparta Township, NJ 07871