Well … Are You Ready for Christmas?
Do you get annoyed when people ask you (in early December) “Are you ready for Christmas?”… Most look at you and sarcastically answer, “Are you kidding?”… It’s THAT time again – frantic holiday preparations have begun! Yet … being “ready” for the holiday has nothing to do with decorating, shopping, or baking … it’s all about spiritual preparations. Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he will give us pointers for how to prepare spiritually for the holiday season. On your mark … get set … and get in your Prayer Chair!

FREE BOOK – If you would like a free copy of Pastor Jack’s bestselling book, Faith and Farewell, sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex.

MANY THANKS – to all who helped with the Festival of Trees, especially Judi Wolff and the activities team and all of the elves that put up the trees!

THRIVENT FOOD DRIVE – We reached our goal and a $500 donation was made by Thrivent to the Weekend Bag program. Thanks to Diane Fitzpatrick for leading this project and for all who contributed!

THRIVENT CUSTOMERS – Time is running out to apply for your two $250.00 grants for 2024. If you have any grants still available, please contact Denise Leifken and she will connect you with a needy program or service. This is an important revenue source for our mission, and we don’t want to pass up these important opportunities. Many thanks to all who have submitted their grant applications for 2024.

PAPER TUBES– are no longer needed by the Sunday School. Thanks for your overwhelming response!

SAVE THE DATES:

ANNUAL MEETING – Sun. Dec. 8 after abbreviated worship service in church and on Zoom. Please plan on attending this important meeting and bring any emailed documents with you.

NEW MEMBERS CLASS – Wed., Dec. 11 – 7-8:30 pm. All are invited. New members will be received during the Dec. 22 service.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN SINGING – Sun., Dec. 15 during worship

BLOOD DRIVE – Thurs., December 19 from 1-7 PM. Appointments preferred, call 1-800-933-2566, or visit www.nybc.org.There will be a raffle for five $10 Dunkin Donuts gift cards. To volunteer to help, please contact Janine S. (908)875-7357.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE – Tuesday, December 24th at 7 PM

GIFTS FOR PASTOR AND R. SACCHIERO – As in the past, if you wish to contribute to a monetary gift expressing your gratitude, please place your donation in the offering plate clearly labeled “holiday gift.” The deadline for a donation is Sunday, Dec. 29.

CELEBRATION OF CHRIST’S BAPTISM – Sun. Jan 12. We will baptize Benjamim Brown and invite all of the babies baptized in 2024 to return to receive their baptismal towels

EVENING BIBLE STUDY – In person at SOTH, the first and third Mondays at 6 PM. All are welcome.

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 GEOFF JOHNSEY FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRONIC GIVING at gjohnsey@icloud.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 December 08, 2024

Worship Service Bulletin

New Link for Zoom Bible Study, Wed. at noon

Meeting ID: 829 4727 4304 Passcode: 002314

CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL:
Janine Shugan – Council President
Don Wolff – Vice President
Brett Maynard – Treasurer
Solveig Schunk – Recording Secretary
Geoff Johnsey – Financial Secretary
Pat Kovacs – Worship and Music
Nancy Wood – Christian Education
Arden Krych – Giving
Rick Erck – Membership
Russell Shields – Community Relief
Judi Wolff – Activities
Patrick Wood – Property

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/.