Work Together

Did you ever notice how Olympic rowers work in tandem, with remarkable precision?  Is that Jesus’ model for the church, too?  A long time ago, Jesus prayed that his followers would be “one”.  What does that look like when viewing the landscape of the Christian church? This Sunday PJ looks at Jesus’ call for unity within the church; and PJ will explore what that unity might look like for contemporary Christians.  Don’t miss this Sunday’s sermon: a fascinating insight into how congregations can work toward ecumenical missions!

SUMMER VBS – It’s happening! July 7-11– 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.

FOOD COLLECTION FOR LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES – Please bring the following items and place in the shopping cart:
June 1 – oatmeal and pet food
June 8 – cereal and pet food
June 15 – powdered milk and pet food
June 22 – rice and pet food

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

SAVE THE DATES:

RETRO WORSHIP SERVICE – Sun., June 1 – 9 a.m. Similar to 60th Anniv. Service. We are pleased to announce that Kathy Sacchiero will be the guest organist!

PET FOOD MINISTRY – During The month of June, we are collecting pet food items for the Sparta Food Pantry. Let’s help their clients keep their pets healthy. Deadline is June 29 so please consider purchasing

CHURCH CLEAN UP DAY – Sat., June 7 – 8 a.m. Please bring your garden tools and energy! Contact Pat Wood for further information (201) 602-4219.

New Members – Welcomed on Sunday June 8th, with reception during coffee hour.

BLOOD DRIVE – Thurs., June 26 1-7 p.m. All donors will get a custom t shirt and two tickets to a Mets game. Offer will be emailed to all donors within seven days of donating with easy directions and a lot of games to choose from. To make an appointment, visit nybc.org/sponsor and use code #71131 or call 800-933-2566 Volunteers are needed. Please contact Janine S. at shugan@optonline.net

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 June 01, 2025
Worship Service Bulletin

Worship Service Bulletin Insert

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)
Giving – Vacant
Activities – Vacant
Patrick Wood – Property (phwood67@gmail.com)
Rick Erck – Membership (heighwood@outlook.com)
Kathy Schwab – Marketing (kmschwab84@gmail.com)
Giving Team – Vacant
Judi Wolff – Community Relief (wolffjudi@gmail.com)

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/.