During the five weeks leading up to our Youth Life Confirmation Faith Camp, we strive as a community to collect 500 pounds of food and $500 in financial donations to support the Lutheran Social Service food bank and weekend backpack program. Each Friday, hundreds of children across northeast Florida leave school in the afternoon not …
Your love and care of neighbor and generosity abound. We look forward to getting these supples to those in need via the NALC Disaster Response. We are blessed to be a blessing!
Pastor Eric and Mrs. Joyce Swensson will be going to Ghana in July and while there, they want to distribute a few things to the students at the Lutheran School for the Visually and Hearing Impaired – Legos, soccer balls, shorts, shirts, and used laptops and tablets. They use Legos to teach Braille, so if you …
We have a few more openings on one of our routes right now. If you have ever considered volunteering for this ministry, most people drive just one day each month (more if you choose) and the route takes about an hour and a half (from 10:30 or 11am). If you would like more information or would …
Our Little Lambs – Early Learning Center serves the community by offering a faith-based, educational curriculum for children 2-5 years-old. Unlike many preschools, we focus on reading literacy, math and language skills, and the development of social and problem-solving skills. Also uncommon, we offer full-day and year-round programs for households where all adults work during the day. We …
We continue offering food support to those in our community, both homeless individuals but also families trying to make it to the next paycheck. We have people come in most weekdays. There are many items we are fully stocked on but others we really need at this time. If you are shopping for this ministry …
Saturday May 11 at 8:00am – We normally hold this study on first Saturdays but will be meeting on the second Saturday in May. This group enjoys a great breakfast at 8:00am and begins their study at 8:30am. They continue the study of the books of Peter. A Zoom option is offered for those who are not …
Join us on Tuesday, April 30th at 4:30pm – SOTW supports Mission House by sending a team to cook and serve dinner on months with a Fifth Tuesday. If you would like to participate, please indicate on the Yellow Insert. We gather at 4:30pm to prepare the meal and serve by 6pm. With serving and clean-up we are …
Alpha is a program for people who are seeking more from life, seeking an understanding of who or what God is, or trying to uncover what is missing in their life. Each week participants gather and share a simple meal, watch a video about an aspect of faith, and then have conversations about what they …
This weekend we are blessed to hear the testimony of Veronica Weeks and excited to learn of what God is doing in her life and how He has called her into the mission field by traveling to the Philippines to help establish campus ministry programing on 2 college campuses through Navigators. If you would like …
New Class begins on Sunday, May 19th at 9:30am! This class has been created to help anyone live a fruitful and fulfilling life as a disciple of Jesus. Parents, grandparents, foster parents, guardians and those who serve children will be inspired and blessed by our time together. Classes will meet the 3rd Sunday of every month between …
Please make plans to join us for a lovely morning of tea and delicious finger foods and sweets. Our festive spring event will be Saturday, April 27th at 11:00am and the suggested donation for tickets is $25. In addition to the scrumptious fare and fun fellowship, we will have songs from the children and raffles for three exciting …
Read more “Spring Tea – An Early Learning Center Fundraiser “
Our annual Yard Sale last weekend raised more than $6,300 which will be used to further programs in our mission church and outreach ministries in Tarma, Peru and the Kingdom Kids after-school and tutoring programs. Thanks to all who donated and who worked all week getting ready for the sale!
Midweek Bible Study resumes this evening at 6:30pm in the Annex South classroom and continues the study of the Book of Matthew. All are welcome! If you are not able to join in person, please use the link below to join by Zoom.
You are invited to prayerfully consider joining us on our next Mission Trip to Tarma, Peru! Our tentative dates are sometime in early August 2024. Estimated cost is approximately $1500 and is mostly dependent on the cost of the airfare. Please check off your interest in learning more on the yellow connect card.
Thank you for your support and involvement with our Lenten 5-5-5 congregational outreach project. We had a goal of receiving 500 items for NALC Disaster Relief Kits and Hygiene kits and collecting $500, all in 5 weeks’ time. We give thanks to God for the love and care you have extended and rejoice at His work through …
Our Life Changer campaign this year has been so successful thanks to your generous donations. To date, we have raised funds to sponsor 37 children with a school uniform, shoes and a backpack – all required before a child can be registered for school in Peru! We will never be able to fully see the outcome of these children receiving …
Our annual Yard Sale will be Saturday, March 23rd and our storage pods have arrived! Please consider donating gently used items you no longer want – clothing, luggage, housewares, toys, seasonal decorations, electronics, bedding, lamps, decorative items, artwork, and even furniture and appliances. We kindly ask that you separate clothing, shoes and accessories as one pod will be …
Our Little Lambs – Early Learning Center serves the community by offering a faith-based, educational curriculum for children 2-5 years-old. Unlike many preschools, we focus on reading literacy, math and language skills, and the development of social and problem-solving skills. Also uncommon, we offer full-day and year- round programs for households where all adults work during the day. …
Read more “Summer Camps with Little Lambs Early Learning Center”
Take kids deep into an amazing undersea adventure where they’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God. At Scuba VBS, kids will be immersed in the Word and discover what living water is really all about! Join us June 17 – 21st from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm! Registration opens March 30th. For additional details, …
For those who have been to Peru you may remember Ariana. She is the daughter of Fathy and Elizabeth Jimenez and has graciously served with us in various ways since she was a child. Ariana is now in college in Lima (Wow! Heh?) and reached out to us humbly asking for assistance. The study program …
Yard Sale Pods Are Coming! We should have the storage containers in place on Wednesday, Feb 28. We are very appreciative of our new partner Mi-Box and their generous discount for our storage pods. We ask that you kindly pack your donations separately so that clothing, shoes, purses & accessories can go into a dedicated pod …
Thank you for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Huancal for beautifying the church property with a grassy area. The children will love it!
Praise the Lord! Even as we celebrated the Baptism of Aurelia, our broths and sisters in Christ welcomed three new brothers and sisters in Christ into the family! Bless them… lead them Lord!
Another Praise Report! Look at what God is doing in Peru! Kingdom Kids is an outreach ministry that serves children by connecting faith and life. They are on “summer break” right now and 60 children gather 6 days a week for academic support, faith classes, fun and games. Thank you to the teachers using their …
Praying for God’s blessings over the quilts. May they reach those who need to be wrapped in His love and care! Thank you, Lord, for another great year of cutting, sewing, creating, and offering our gifts to your glory!
We will be cooking and serving dinner at Mission House on Tues, Jan 30. We will be taking needed items for their ministry including socks, underwear, coats, jackets, sweatshirts, jeans, and blankets. Also appreciated are laundry supplies, gently used kitchen towels, first aid & medical supplies. There will be a collection bin in the Gathering …
Dear Disciple, You may have been heard about ALPHA recently and wondered what it’s all about! ALPHA is a series of structured sessions which explore the basics of faith in an open, informal environment with no judgement and no pressure. This is a great opportunity for those who are “seeking” or wrestling in the faith …
Whether you are a life-long Lutheran or new to the faith practices and traditions of the Lutheran church, this study will provide a Biblical and historical background for why we utilize liturgy in worship. This class is offered on Saturdays at 4:15pm and on Sunday mornings at 9:30. It has just begun and continues through …
We have people stop in almost daily in need of supplemental food assistance and we need canned fruit, rice, shelf-stable milk, pasta, pasta sauce, canned meats (all kinds), cereals, oatmeal, grits, lunchbox items like granola bars and fruit cups, canned and microwavable soups, toilet paper and hygiene items. Thank you for your generous care of our …
Christmas blessings to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Peru! Thank you for extending your love and care of Christ through our Christmas outreach ministry. Christmas greetings and blessings were shared with the Benefencia just outside of Tarma. Your support provided gifts and coats to the orphanage for children and seniors. Thank you!
We offer everyone a HUGE Christmas thank you……. – to all who have donated food throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons – Angel Aid has put together so many boxes for their families this year thanks to your generous donations. All of their families are caring for children who are either terminally ill or chronically ill. Many of …
Just after New Year’s we will begin our next Alpha course – a ten-week series of weekly sessions for anyone who wants to find answers to questions like “Is there really a God?”, “What does it mean to be Christian?” or “Is there more to life than what I am living?” It is designed for those seeking a connection to God but …
We will be sponsoring the children at the Orphanage and the elderly residents at the Beneficencia as well as the Huancal community and select individuals in a community outreach program through the Tarma congregation. Sponsoring a child or senior to provide hot chocolate, panettone (a delicious bread with fruit) and a small gift is just …
The Christmas gift tags for children from the Angel Aid Foundation have arrived and there might be a few left – if so, they are available in the hallway. If you take a tag, please make sure you leave your name and contact information! Financial donations are also appreciated – we can do the shopping for you! Just mark your …
We are collecting non-perishables for our friends in ministry at Angel Aid for their family Christmas Baskets. There is a specially marked bin in the Gathering Area for this food drive. You are welcome to continue providing items to our food pantry during the drive. Most Needed: canned fruit and vegetables, canned soups and broth, boxed …
Join us Sunday, December 10th at Noon – All are welcome as we visit shut-ins and to minister to members and others in our communty. We gather in the Shepherd Center at 11:40 for a quick meal. Please indicate your participation on the Yellow Insert so we can plan the groups & routes.
Dear Disciple, You may have been heard about ALPHA recently and wondered what it’s all about! ALPHA is a series of structured sessions which explore the basics of faith in an open, informal environment with no judgement and no pressure. This is a great opportunity for those who are “seeking” or wrestling in the faith and what …
We are beginning to plan our 2024 trips to Tarma, Peru, targeting late January for our first trip and mid-summer for the second one. Our early trip is usually more administrative in nature, planning projects and estimating needs but does include work on the property as needed. Our summer trip usually is more project-oriented with …
We had a great time Saturday at Party in the Patch with more than 300 visitors. Your youth volunteered all day, along with lots of adults, doing everything from set up to manning games to ringing up sales to helping with the clean-up. Thank you! Thank you to all who have offered- and continue to …
Alpha Prayer Team – Our first run of Alpha in the spring was successful and we will begin the series again in January. Alpha is a 10 to 12-week series that primarily targets people who are seeking a connection to God and want to explore information on who Jesus is and what becoming a Christian can mean …
Ronald McDonald House does a wonderful job supporting parents by providing housing and meals in a nearby facility while their child is hospitalized in a city somewhere other than where they live. Like most non-profit organizations, they are continuously striving to keep supplies and food on hand to keep this support available to those who …
SOTW visits Beaches Mission House on fifth Tuesdays to prepare and serve a meal. Our next scheduled date is Tuesday, Oct 31 and we meet at 5:00 pm at the facility. If you would like to participate, please indicate your attendance on the Yellow Connection Insert. If you are not able to arrive at 5:00 …
Grief Support Group – We will begin a new series for those seeking support following loss of a loved one. This group begins Tues, Oct 24, 6:30-7:30pm. Please use the Yellow Connection Insert to indicate your participation. If you have any questions, please speak with Pastor DiBias.
Please ensure your spot at this year’s retreat by submitting your registration and payment by October 29. We will gather from Fri, Nov 10 – Sun, Nov 12 and the $250 cost covers your lodging, meals, and all materials. Come and be blessed! Please download the flyer and registration form provided if you are planning …
Bloodmobile –Sunday, October 15 from 9 a.m. until Noon (or later if they are still getting donors). If you would like to donate blood that day, you can pre-register at oneblood.org, selecting the Donate icon in the upper right-hand corner. You may also just visit the bus that morning and register then. If you donate, it is …
Many thanks to those who donated to our many needs in Peru!! We were able to assist with all the needs requested: computers, medical assistance for a young girl battling leukemia, and the young man with rheumatoid arthritis, and repairs for Pr Araujo’s “Punch Buggy” which gets him from Lima to Tarma each week. Thank you …
We hope you have enjoyed the Peru Post emails, the Facebook updates and the photos shared in recent Announcements and online. The Mission Team certainly had some challenges getting to Tarma but all made it safely and managed to get a lot done in a short period of time!! The team will be sharing their …
Beaches Mission House – On Tuesday, Aug 29 we will cook and serve dinner at Mission House. If you would like to provide any of the following as donations, we will take them with us that evening: New or gently worn tennis shoes and sandals, sun screen, bug spray, men’s & women’s socks and underwear, new …
Thank you so much for your continued generosity in supplying our community food shelves – we see visitors almost every day in need of supplemental items. We are currently low on canned meats, boxed milk, oatmeal, grits, canned vegetables, canned fruits, jams, and pasta and pasta sauces. Also appreciated, paper products, hygiene and toiletries. If you can …
Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study – Men, please make plans to join us Saturday, August 5 at 8:00 am. We start by sharing a meal together and then begin studies at 8:30 am. The current focus is on the 1st & 2nd Epistles of Peter. If you are not able to join in person, please join by Zoom – the link …
Beaches Mission House Needs Men’s Shoes – we received an email this week that the inventory of men’s shoes is extremely low in the Clothes Closet. If you have new or gently worn men’s tennis shoes, sandals, work shoes, or other casual shoes to donate, please bring them in next weekend. There will be a collection box …
Prior to our departure, we had the opportunity to meet with the ministry team in Tarma. In our discussions, we were made aware of some needs that we have been invited to support. Please prayerfully consider making a difference in the life of others. The requests made are as follows: One of the local schools, …
Greetings from the Peru Mission Team. By the grace of God we have safely traveled down the mountain from Tarma to Lima and are happy to report we are now safely home in the States. Despite the delays in getting to and from Peru, God has been gracious and merciful watching over us in His …
Shepherd of the Woods has been in mission in Peru since 2005. We’ve been blessed to make numerous trips over the years to share God’s love and hope and the Good News of Jesus Christ through word and deed. God has been at work through us and countless lives have been touched. We often say …
JOY is the word of the weekend! This includes the joy of being with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Shepherd of the Woods Mission Tarma. We’ve waited 3 years to return and God finally opened the doors for us and said, now is the time. We consider ourselves richly blessed. Our Sunday began …
Greetings from the Peru Mission Team and your brothers and sisters in Christ. After some flight cancellations and delays, we made it safely to Tarma on Friday evening instead of Tuesday evening. By the grace of God, all the travel delays kept us from being stuck on the central highway following a horrible accident. So, …
Our first Alpha run lasted 11 weeks and just concluded with almost 30 people participating! th We have tentatively set our next sessions to begin Tues, Jan 9 , 2024. There will be a training webinar on Thursday, August 17th at 8:30pm EST for anyone who is interested in volunteering to help with future Alpha sessions. If …
We need Wavers to greet the community before EVERY service, EVERY weekend!!! But it only works if we have volunteers. A Pastor is almost always out waving but it sends a special message when our people are out greeting as well. please consider offering the gift of your time once per quarter or once per …
Do you have any prescription eyeglasses at home you can part with? If so, please bring them in by July 9th and we will take them to Peru where we have partnered with a ministry that distributes them to those in need. Our Missionary Team leaves on July 17th! For those going on the trip, a …
Our Youth returned just over a week ago. But even in just the first few days of camp, the Youth had already placed mulch between the two buildings, made almost 200 sandwiches & bagged lunches for St Francis House, shopped for additional 555 food, and helped load the truck going to LSS. Plus time in …
We are currently very low on canned meats, boxed milk, cereal, oatmeal, grits, canned vegetables, (other than green beans and corn!), canned fruits, boxed juice & milk, jams, and pasta and pasta sauces. Also appreciated, paper & hygiene products and toiletries.
Donation Drivers Needed – We often receive donations for various organizations like Mission House, PACE, Lutheran Social Service, Angel Aid, etc. and seek volunteers to pick items up from church and transport them to where they need to go. While you are encouraged to take your donations directly to these agencies we know that isn’t always possible. …
The Summer 5-5-5 Service Project has begun! During the five weeks leading up to our Youth Life Confirmation Faith Camp, we strive as a community to collect 500 pounds of food and $500 in financial donations to support the Lutheran Social Service food bank and weekend backpack program. Each Friday, hundreds of children across northeast Florida leave school in the afternoon …
Join us as we celebrate the grand launching of our new Little Lambs Early Learning Center ministry. This will specialize in serving children 2 1⁄2 years old through VPK. We offer full-year programming accompanied by half and full-day schedules. Little Lambs Early Learning Center is grounded with academic excellence and rooted in the faith. An Open House is …
SOTW is a drop-site for Meals on Wheels, serving about 30 clients each weekday. There are six openings currently, so we are seeking new volunteers to take one or more days each month. The clients are all within a five-mile radius of the church and the route can be driven in about an hour. Some …
Do you have shorts and T-shirts your young ones have outgrown? Want to donate a soccer ball to children who don’t have one? Have you replaced your laptop? Rev. Eric Swensson is headed to Madagascar for an annual trip to visit the eight ministries he volunteers with through The Friends of Madagascar Mission, and he …
Spring Tea – An Early Learning Center Fundraiser – Please make plans to join us for a lovely morning of tea and delicious finger foods and sweets. It’s this Monday, April 24 at 11:30 am and the suggested donation for tickets is $20. In addition to the scrumptious fare and fun fellowship, we will have songs from the children and …
Alpha is a program introduced in the 70’s in England as a way to reach 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 by the Alpha …
Shepherd Shelves – Currently, we are most in need of shelf-stable milks & juices, hot & cold cereals, pasta, and pasta sauces, rice, canned beans (lentils, kidney beans, black beans, etc.), peanut butter, jellies & jams, paper and hygiene products and toiletries. We can also accept loaves of bread. Many thanks for your care of those …
Alpha is a program introduced in the 70’s in England as a way to reach 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 by the Alpha …
Our Egg Hunt and Easter Party will be held on Saturday, April 8th, from 10 am to Noon for children ages 2 to 10. We will first gather for fun and games and the Egg Hunt will begin at 11 am. Please invite friends, neighbors, and extended family with young children. This is a great way to share our …
Saturday, April 1st and Sunday, April 2nd: Palm Waving on the Sidewalk this Weekend – We invite you to join in the fun, waving palms before each of the services on Palm Sunday weekend. We will line the sidewalk in the front of the church property to wave palms and greet passers-by! This is something for all ages and …
Shepherd Shelves – We are currently in need of shelf stable milks & juices, hot & cold cereals, canned beans (lentils, kidney beans, black beans, etc.), peanut butter, jellies & jams, paper products and toiletries. We can also accept loaves of bread. Many thanks for your care of those in our community who need this resource.
Thank you to all who have donated to provide complete uniforms that will allow children in Tarma to be able to attend school when their new year begins. Unlike the US, not all children get to attend school and the full uniform is required to begin each year at a cost of approximately $120. Thanks …
Our sale was a HUGE success despite the attempted thunderstorms. We sold more than $5,000 of your generous donations and still had lots left over to pass on to the Angel Aid Ministry for their Thrift Store and their Estate Sale. Double the blessings. We will use our proceeds for various ministries in our Tarma, Peru mission …
Thanks to all who came out last weekend to hear more about how the ALPHA program helps people to find answers to life’s big questions. It is designed to help people find an understanding of who Jesus was, why He was sent and who He can be in each of our lives today. If you would like more …
Yard Sale Donations Our annual yard sale will be Saturday, March 18 and the storage bins are in the back parking lot. You are welcome to bring donations in any time the office is open or pick up a slip with the combination code from the office counter if you will be dropping off items when …
Monthly Game Night is Saturday, March 18 at 6:45 pm – come enjoy some good food, some great fellowship, and yummy snacks! This group plays all sorts – card games, board games, group games – every week is different and fun. Bring a snack if you choose.
We set a goal to cut 500 squares and raise $500 during the 5 weeks of Lent. Cutting Kits will be available in the Gathering Area until Easter if you would like to support the project. The squares will be used to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief humanitarian efforts. This is a great way to involve a friend, neighbor, kids, …
Join us Sunday, February 12th Now known as “Tacklet Hunger.” Youth will hold giant soup pots in the gathering area and will collect funds after worship. All proceeds benefit the Mandarin Food Bank. This event is a nationwide event and raises millions of dollars for local food banks.
Join us for Come Dine with Us – Aloha! Hawaiian Dinner – Saturday, February 11th This evening of fun and great food is a Youth Life fundraiser, and all proceeds will be used for youth programs to include camp participation and the summer mission trip to Peru. This year’s theme is Aloha! and you will be treated …