Update: Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting

We are blessed! Semi-annual congregational meeting was held and we were blessed to elect & re-elected council members, we heard of the most recent mission trip to Peru, we received general ministry updates, and exciting updates were presented about our new mission plant in St. John’s county. We are blessed to be a blessing! We …

Four Week Study – Led by Pastor Eric Swensson

Pastor Eric Swensson will be leading “Secularism: Threat or Opportunity?” – a four week study on being an evangelical people in our changing culture. Vibrant faith in the Triune God can survive in a secular culture, but it flourishes only within a Christian community that models discipleship and loving service. The fact is we live …

Youth Life – Adventure Camp

Youth Life Adventure Camp was in full swing! Thank you Lord for the opportunity to learn & grow in faith! The future is bright with these disciples.

Summer Calendar Updates

Summer is in full swing and we have several programs and studies “on break” for a period. So, we thought we would put everything in one place so you can plan ahead and mark your calendars for when these regular programs resume, and you don’t miss out on first sessions.

Shepherd Shelves

THANK YOU for your generous support of this ministry. We are blessed to support many families, and the congregation’s faithfulness has had an impact on our surrounding community. We gladly receive fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be weighed and give cold items …

Senior Choir and Bell Update

Please note that the Tuesday rehearsals for the Senior Choir and the Bell Choir will be paused for a short summer break. Both groups will resume on Tuesday, August 12. The Senior Choir, who offer their gifts of worship through song, generally sing at the 8:30am service and occasionally the Saturday 5:30 service. When rehearsals …

Monthly Game Night

It’s time for Game Night and all are invited! Join us Sat, June 21 at 6:45pm for a time of fun, food and fellowship. Games of all tyes are available and you are welcome to bring a snack to share if you would like to. This gathering is open to all ages but there is …

Women Of The Woods

Women of the Woods Monthly Meeting will be on Wed, June 18 at 6:00. It begins with a potluck dinner so bring whatever you like (finger foods, casserole, salad, side dish, etc.) and we will begin with a time of food and fellowship before the meeting begins at 6:30pm. This is a great time for …

Summer 5 – 5 – 5

Our summer 555 program begins next weekend and runs through July 20th and allows our Youth Life group to participate in a community service project. This time we will be collecting backpacks and school supplies for children in need. We strive to receive 500 lbs of items and 500 dollars in 5 weeks. We’ll have …

Shepherd’s Shelves

THANK YOU for your generous support of this ministry. We are blessed to support many families, and the congregation’s faithfulness has had an impact on our surrounding community. We gladly receive fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be weighed and give cold items …

Men’s Bible Study

Calling All Men – this group meets the second and fourth Saturdays at 8:00am and they begin with a time of food and fellowship followed by time in the Word. Newcomers are always welcome so come, bring a friend, your Bible and a hearty appetite! Need a Bible, just let us know. Please RSVP on …

OneBlood Blood Mobile

We are always pleased to host the Bloodmobile andprovide you with an easy way to donate, if you are able. The Bloodmobile will be here again next Sunday, June 15 from 9:30am to Noon (but will stay as long as there are donors!) You may sign up in advance at oneblood.org or you can just …

Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, June 25th at 6:30pm for our semiannual congregational meeting. A meal and time of fellowship will be offered at 5:30pm. The meeting agenda includes important and exciting updates on the mission plant in St. John’s County, nomination for the church council, and operational updates.

Little Lambs Early Learning Center

Serving our community through the School and Early Learning Center has been a joy and blessing.  It has been a privilege providing quality care, education, and faith foundations to so many wonderful children.  Thank you to the parents for entrusting your children to our care over the years.  Thank you to the staff for your …

Dedication of Columbarium and Prayer Garden

The Columbarium & Butterfly Prayer Garden Dedication – thanks to all who came out Saturday morning to do the last of the planting and spread topsoil and lay mulch. What a labor of love that will bless others for generations! We will dedicate the columbarium and gardens during the regular worship services May 31 and …

Vacation Bible School – True North

Pointing kids to Jesus, a faithful friend we can always trust. From July 14th – 18th, join the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and glistening glaciers. As kids trek the tundra, they’ll explore how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today. …

Shepherd’s Shelves

THANK YOU for your generous support of this ministry. We are blessed to support many families, and the faithfulness of our congregation has had an impact on our surrounding community. We gladly receive fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be checked in and …

Faithful Friday

Dear Disciple of Christ, My plan for these devotions is to provide a brief introduction to the saint and his or her reflection of the day. I hope you’ll search out more from them online. I’ll list some of the questions that I believe are dealt with helpfully in the devotion or that I found worth pondering. It …

Haven Hospice Dementia Caregivers’ Workshop 

Haven Hospice Dementia Caregivers’ Workshop – Wednesday, June 4 at 11am. Please join us if you or someone you love is caring for someone with dementia or related conditions or is facing that in the future. Haven Hospice has a lot of good information to share to support caregivers. We will offer a light luncheon following the presentation. …

Mother’s Day Pancakes and More Breakfast

Join Youth Life on Sunday, May 11th with our Mother’s Day “Pancakes and More” Breakfast! This year, there will be greater variety in the menu and we are excited to host you. Additional details will be published soon. Proceeds of this fundraiser will benefit Youth Life at Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church.

Youth Life News

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Happy Easter season! This weekend marks the end of our two week Peterbrooke Chocolate sale. Yes, it’s that time again which means Mother’s Day is right around the corner. We will have a sales table set up in the gathering area this Sunday. And yes, there will be samples! Please …

Lenten 5 – 5 – 5 Project

Thank you for your support and involvement with our Lenten 5-5-5 congregational outreach project. We had a goal of receiving 500 items and collecting $500, all in 5 weeks’ time for two local agencies supporting the homeless in Northeast Florida. We give thanks to God for the love and care you have extended and rejoice at His …

Vacation Bible School Planning Session

Vacation Bible School Planning Session – if you would like to support VBS in any way, you are invited to attend a planning session on Sat, April 26 at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. We need assistance with planning, decorating, teaching, music, snacks and clean up! VBS will be July 14 – 18.

Monthly Game Night

Monthly Game Night will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 6:45pm. All are welcome. Please sign up on the yellow Connect Card if you think you will join in.

Table of Eight

We will begin our Tables of Eight Program again after Easter. We hold these periodically as a way for participants to meet other worshipers and get to know new folks. We create groups who meet once per month for four months. They usually gather for a shared meal in homes, restaurants or even over a …

Alpha

Alpha is a program for people who are seeking more from life, seeking an understanding of who or what God is, or seeking that which is missing in their life. Each week participants gather and share a simple meal, watch a video about an aspect of faith, and then they have conversation about what they …

Good Friday

Good Friday – this holy day recalls the last hours of Jesus’ life as the suffering servant is nailed to the cross, fulfilling his mission as the sacrifical Lamb of God. The sinless One takes on humanity’s sin as he is betrayed, arrested and sentenced to death, even as Pontius Pilate finds no fault in him. We …

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday – provides us the opportunity to recall Jesus’ last supper with his closest friends, during which he institutes what we call The Last Supper (the sacrament of Holy Communion). As a sign of his servant love, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet and gives them a new commandment, that they should love one another as he has loved …

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

PLEASE JOIN US FOR WORSHIP Maundy Thursday, April 17 Join us for a traditional Maundy Thursday worship service with Holy Communion.  The services will include a symbolic foot washing and concludes with the stripping of the altar. Services at Noon and 6:30pm. The Noon service is live-streamed Good Friday, April 18 Join us as we reflect …

Women’s Bible Study

A new 4 session series on the Prayer of Jabez has begun. Remaining sessions are April 14th, 28th and May 12th. You are welcome to join in! Please let the church office know if you need a book.

MidWeek Lenten Service

Midweek Lenten Worship Services Wednesdays at Noon – Live-streamed Wednesdays at 6:30pm Each Wednesday through April 9th Fellowship Meal – Soup and Salad Wednesdays at 5:30pm – serving continuously through 6:15pm – please reply to this message to RSVP if you have not already signed up. A suggested donation of $5 per person is appreciated. On-Line Worship Service – For …

Life Changer Outreach in Peru

Thank you for showing and sharing Christ’s love. Now, 79 children have been provided uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies to equip them for school. (Pictures of a few of them and our gracious partners in ministry serving on the ground in Tarma!) Glory to God! Thanks be to God!

Easter Candy

Candy Collection – We are collecting bags of individually wrapped candy for the children’s Easter party on Easter Sunday. Bring in your candy donations by Friday, April 18th and place in the bin provided in the gathering area.

Peru Mission Trip

Plans are being put into place and you are invited to prayerfully consider joining us on our next Mission Trip to Tarma, Peru, June 3 – 13 , 2025. We have a great group forming and you can be a part of this work! Not only will you be a blessing to the mission, but you …

The Blood Mobile

The Bloodmobile – from OneBlood will be at Shepherd of the Woods on Sunday, April 6th from 9:00am until at least Noon. Those donating blood will receive a $20 online gift card and a t-shirt and a wellness checkup. You can register online at oneblood.com or just walk up to the bus on the 6th! Donating blood …

Life Changers

Thank you for the “life changers” who made contribution to our Peru School Uniforms Fund. Complete uniforms are required for a child to attend school in Peru and, for families who cannot afford this, they are faced with not being able to provide their child with an education. Because of your generosity, love and care, …

Bake Sale Weekend

It’s Bake Sale Weekend – our volunteers have baked an amazing array of delicious goodies which are on display in the Gathering Area. All proceeds benefit our Little Lambs Early Learning Center. Items are not priced but free will donations are appreciated, as your heart leads you and you are able! And we’re not sure it’s true, but …

Youth Life News

Sunday, March 23rd is Top Golf youth outing. More details to follow, but it will be after worship on Sunday. Cost is estimated at $50-60 per person for food and fun.  Mark your calendars for two summer youth events: 

Lenten MidWeek Service – March 12th

The Lenten season and is a time of personal reflection, repentance, and renewal. We gather each Wednesday at Noon and at 6:30pm for worship. We pray this Lenten season is a time of reflection and growth in faith. Lenten 5-5-5 Service Project – This year we will support our local community by collecting and delivering items that …

Lenten Discipline Ideas 2025

Lent is a season in the church in which we especially focus on examining our hearts, confessing our sin, and reflecting on the significance of Christ’s death on the cross. Lenten disciplines are a tool in turning our hearts and lives to Christ. Below are some ideas for you, or you may think of some …

Palm Sunday

Mark Your Calendars for Palm Sunday – April 13 – It is our practice to greet the community on Palm Sunday by waving palm fronds on the sidewalk before the services. We even do this before the 5:30 service on Saturday, April 12! We hope to line the entire length of the property with volunteers, and we’ll have a few …

Lenten 5-5-5 Service Project

 This year we will support our local community by collecting and delivering items that will be of help to the homeless. We will be helping Beaches Mission House in Jacksonville Beach and St Francis House in St. Augustine. We have a goal to collect 500 items and raise $500 during the 5 weeks of Lent. Please use the link below for the list …

Monthly Game Night

Our next Game Night is Saturday, March 15 at 6:45. This is a fun gathering with cards, board games and more. And, when we meet – we eat!! Bring a snack or other item to share if you want. This is for all ages, but we do not provide childcare or a nursery. Please let us know …

Women’s Conference 2025

Uplifting teaching, great fellowship, crafts, and Spirit led ladies who reflected on “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” -Romans 5:1