Not Seeing the Forest

 No doubt you have heard of the classic illustration challenging perceptions: Is the water glass half empty, or half filled?  The irony is that either answer can be the appropriate response. How do YOU look at life?  Through a negative lens, or through an optimistic lens?  Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he unpacks a miracle story which is perceived by someone a negative light… you won’t want to miss the intriguing look at perceptions, and faith.

FOOD COLLECTION FOR LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES- Please bring the following items and place in the shopping cart

Aug. 24 – pasta sauce
Aug. 31 – Granola bars
Sept. 7 – Jarred baby food
Sept. 14 – Sugar
Sept. 21 – Mac n Cheese
Sept. 28 – salt
Oct. – dog and cat food – dry & canned

FLAT LUTHERS – Please color and cut out the bulletin insert of Martin Luther and his wife and take a photo of them with you as you travel this summer. As we have done in the past with “Flat Jesus”, please send the photos to office@sothnj.org to be included on a bulletin board in the parish hall.

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

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF PROJECTS – Please take a backpack or two from the narthex and fill with the supplies on the list included. There are some partially completed backpacks that you can add to in a box in the narthex. If you would like to help with shipping costs, please mark your check LWR School Kits. Backpacks are due as soon as you fill them.

SAVE THE DATES:

GIVING TEAM MEETING – Aug. 25 – 7p.m. All are invited to help plan Generosity Sunday.

BLOOD DRIVE –Please consider donating on Thurs., Aug. 28 from 1- 7pm as there is still a critical blood emergency. Each donor will be entered in a trip for two sweepstakes and receive a pint for pint voucher!.

WORK DAY – Sat., Sept. 6 at 8 a.m. Contact Pat Wood (201) 602- 4219 for further information. Weeders and pruners of church grounds are needed at any time that is convenient for you.

RALLY DAY – Sun, Sept 7 at 9:00 AM, marking the start of the new Sunday School year for Children ages 4 through grade 6.

BIBLE STUDY – Monday evening Bible study will resume on Sept. 15 in church and via Zoom. Wed. noon Bible study at Holy Trinity – Rockaway resumes on Wed., Sept. 3 in church and via Zoom.

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 833-832-0226 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 August 24, 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
Don Wolff – Vice President
Brett Maynard – Treasurer
Solveig Schunk – Worship and Music
Barbara Osborne – Financial Secretary
Deb Flatley – 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/.