Mission & Ministry News from SOTH

HOUSE CHURCH YEAR TWO: Last year, we began a series of neighborhood visits to share our faith story and to begin to vision the future of Shepherd of the Hills. Year Two visits have begun with our focus on discipleship and generosity – which are foundations of our faith lives.  You will be receiving an invitation and a list of questions to ponder before your visit.  Please RSVP to your host.

Ogdensburg > Sussex – February 4 @ 3 PM at the Osbornes
Newton – February 12 @ 3PM at the Whipples
Hopatcong > Budd Lake – February 17 @ 7PM at the Sacchieros

PASSION PLAY: The Nurture team is working on a full length Holy Week production using the “Last Supper” and the “Centurion” that have been performed here in the past with some new material. The working title is “The Passion of Jesus, the Witness of Mary”

The goal is to produce this a community event April 8 & 9 of this year.  We need your help/interest in order to make it work.

1. Would you be willing act?
2. Would you be willing to help with sets and costumes?
3. Would you be willing to do behind the scenes work with communications, tickets, etc?

Please email Pastor Tina by February 1 so that we can make move forward with our plans.

SWEETHEART DINNER: Based on the few responses that were made to the church email, there will NOT be a Sweetheart Dinner on February 11.  Thank you to John Seal for thinking about it and for gauging the interest of the folks.

WINTER WEATHER: Now that we are deep into winter, please remember that is Sparta Schools close, we will also be closed.  If Sunday mornings are extreme, Pastor Tina will make an announcement via email, website and social media by 7 AM.

LUNCH BUNCH: The next meeting of Lunch bunch is Thursday, February 2 at 1 PM at the Stonewood Tavern, 239 Route 206, Andover, NJ.  Contact Jane Lewandowski to RSVP at 973-670-6701.

RECYCLING: Do you have empty ink cartridges lying around? Let us help you be green.  We recycle empty cartridges and receive $3 per cartridge, which we then use for ink and paper.  Bring them with you on Sunday and drop them in the box!  Thanks!

WINTER COATS: Many of the SEC Food Pantry clients do not have proper winter outerwear.  If you have coats you’re not using, please consider donating them to the Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry.  You may drop them off there or here at church.

SOTH PRAYER CHAIN: For many years, the folks at Shepherd of the Hills have shared their prayer concerns through a text chain.  If you have a request, please text Jill Veasy at 973-903-1993.  Send a brief request and your name and she’ll send it out.

WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT: The Gustavus Wind Orchestra of Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota is currently on their Northeast Tour.  On Saturday, January 28 at 7 PM, they will perform with the Mt. Olive High School Wind Ensemble at Mt. Olive Performing Arts Center, 18 Cory Rd, Flanders, NJ.  The concert is open to the public and a free will offering will be taken.

Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the many Lutheran colleges in the United States.  You may find more information at gustavus.edu.

ECUMENICAL PRAYER CYCLE:  The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle enables us to journey in prayer through every region of the world and through every week of the year affirming our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems and sharing diverse gifts.  This week – January 29- February 4, we join in prayer for Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Western Sahara, Tunisia.   You can click on the link to find out more about these countries or visit www.oikoumene.org.