When God Chooses to Forgive

Pictured here is a mosaic depicting Rev. John Chrysostom, the Archbishop of Constantinople in the 4th century.  To paraphrase something Chrysostom once said, “God is more willing to forgive than we are to repent”. What does that mean for us?  This Sunday Pastor Jack will unpack that statement with its significance for contemporary living.  God’s love is so great there is always room for repentance… and forgiveness!  Don’t miss PJ’s grace-filled message this Sunday. 

WEEKEND BAG PROGRAM – Items needed: gallon Ziplock bags, body wash, bar soap, shampoo & conditioner, toothpaste, individually wrapped toilet paper rolls, small bottles of liquid laundry soap, travel size tissues, sanitary napkins, and tampons

PET ITEM DONATIONS FOR BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – dog or cat food, to be donated to Father John’s Animal House, can be placed in the box in front of the entrance to church. See Judi W. for more information.

COFFEE HOUR HELP NEEDED – help is urgently needed to set up and clean up each week.

PASTOR’S VACATION – Sept 14 – 19 – for pastoral emergencies, please contact Pastor Ryon Herin (First Presbyterian, Rockaway) at 973- 627-1059. BIBLE STUD

SAVE THE DATES:

FIREPIT FRIDAY MEN’S GROUP – Fri., Sept. 18 at 6:30 PM, see Pat W for details.

Shepherd’s Quilters Saturday, September 26th 8:30 – 12:00

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – Sat., Oct 10 – 10 AM – Bring your pet (leashed or caged) – additional details to follow.

LUMOS “Hollywood Halloween”: Sat., Oct 17 – 6:30 and 8:30 PM. Book your tickets at www.lumos-experiences.com

FALL VENDOR & CRAFT FAIR –Sat., Oct. 24 – 10 AM-3 PM. Please sign up in narthex to volunteer and spread the word to friends and family!

“STOP THE BLEEDING” free trauma response training – Sat. October 25, 2026, 11 AM – 12:30 PM Provided by NJ Office of Homeland Security, sign up with Judi W.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – Fri., Dec. 4 – 6-8 PM. See Judi W to sign up to sponsor a tree, and as always, volunteers are still needed.

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

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

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 September 20, 2026
Worship Service Bulletin

Celebrate
As Each has Received
Gifts of Love
Multi-Cultural Flyer
NJ Synod-Germany Trip
Trial of Martin Luther

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
Diane Fitzpatrick – 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/.