When You Least Expect It

Has God ever surprised you with an unexpected blessing?  An unexpected answer to a prayer?  Well… Easter is about the unexpected!  The women arrived at the tomb expecting to anoint the dead body of JC… they found a lot more than they initially expected!  God works that way in our lives, too.  This Sunday, Pastor Jack will praise God in his Easter message “When You Least Expect it”. Discover ways in which God continually exceeds all expectations in our daily lives… he is risen!  He is risen indeed!

WELCOME AND THANKS – to our guest organist, Evelyn Oberndorf. Thanks to Bill Lockwood, Trumpeter, and Jim Jicha and Meredyth Appelbaum for their special anthem.

EASTER EGG HUNT– many thanks to J.D. Allen and his volunteers for another successful community event

PHOTO SUNDAYS – The Membership Team is working on the last review of the Membership Directory– If your photo is missing from the Our Flock bulletin board, please have your picture taken after service on 4/6 or 4/13. We want to include everyone!

POSSIBLE SUMMER VBS – July7-11– seeking volunteers who can help for a full week from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. See details and sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex.

HAMS – are needed for Faith Kitchen. See Phyllis to donate.

SAVE THE DATES:

HOLY WEEK SERVICES –Maundy Thursday – 4/17 and Good Friday – 4/18. Both services at 8 p.m.

EASTER BRUNCH – Sun., April 20 immediately following worship.

SPRING CONCERT -Sun. Apr. 27 – 4 p.m. NJ Conservatory presents the spring concert featuring choral orchestral works by Mozart, Vivaldi and Schubert. NJ Conservatory Symphonic Chorus accompanied by its Symphonic Orchestra performs at Church of the Saviour, 155 Morris Avenue, Denville NJ 07834 Edwin R. Foster, Director. Call 973-402-2004 for tickets. Prices: $45 & $40 Student discount 30%. No children under 8 years old.

TRICKY TRAY FUNDRAISER -Friday, May 2- Doors open at 5 p.m. Calling at 6:30 p.m. Benefiting the Sparta Community Food Pantry held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church ADMISSION $10 Get your tickets bundle NOW and save money! See details on the bulletin insert or contact FoodPantry07871@gmail.com

NEW MEMBER CLASS – Wed., May 14 – 7-8:30 pm. All prospective and existing members are welcome to attend. The reception will be on June 8.

WINE TASTING – Sat., May 31 from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are on sale. Contact Solveig S. 201-919-2015

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 973-832-0226 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 April 20, 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 (shugan@optonline.net)
Don Wolff – Vice President (wolffd33@gmail.com)
Brett Maynard – Treasurer (bwmay2021@gmail.com)
Solveig Schunk – Recording Secretary (solveig2012@gmail.com)
Barbara Osborne – Financial Secretary (bjo1216@gmail.com)
Deb Nadel – Worship and Music (nadeldeb@yahoo.com)
Nancy Wood – Christian Education (nawood64@gmail.com)
Arden Krych – Giving (ardenkrych@gmail.com)
Judi Wolff – Activities (wolffjudi@gmail.com)
Patrick Wood – Property (phwood67@gmail.com)
Rick Erck – Membership (heighwood@outlook.com)
Kathy Schwab – Marketing (kmschwab84@gmail.com)
Giving Team – Vacant
Community Relief – 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/.