Women’s Retreat 2025
Little Lambs Early Learning Center
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 …
Joining Jesus As A Family
Shepherd Shelves Food Pantry
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 …
Peru Mission Trip
Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study
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 …
Beaches Mission House
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 – Upcoming Course
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 …
Mission Support
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 …
Joining Jesus As A Family
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 …
Peru Mission Update
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. 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 …
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Joining Jesus As A Family
Now beginning Sunday, May 19th
Yard Sale – Thank You!
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
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.
Peru Mission Trip Update
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.
Lenten 5 – 5 – 5 Project Update
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 …
Life Changer Campaign
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 …
Yard Sale Update
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 …
Summer Camps with Little Lambs Early Learning Center
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”
Vacation Bible School 2024
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, …
Support For Ariana
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
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 …
Peru Mission Update
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!
Peru Mission Update
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!
Peru Mission Update
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 …
Vacation Bible School – Save the Date
Quilt Ministry Update
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!
Preparing For The Lenten Season
Beaches Mission House
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 …
Welcome To Alpha
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 …
Liturgical Worship – A Lutheran Introduction
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 …
Learn More About Alpha
Shepherd Shelves Ministry
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 – Peru
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!
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 …
Explore Alpha…
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 …
Christmas in Peru Donations
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 …
Angel Tree
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 …
Join Alpha Beginning January 9th
Holiday Meal Baskets
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 …
Explore Alpha
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 …
Peru Mission Update
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 …
Advent Update
Thanksgiving Eve and Luncheon
We will have Thanksgiving Eve worship on Wed, November 22 at Noon and at 6:30pm. This is a time of worship through gratitude and a wonderful opportunity to worship Our Community Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held at 1:00pm and all are welcome. Please indicate your attendance on the Yellow Insert and let us know how …
Thanksgiving Luncheon Volunteers
Looking ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday, please prayerfully consider how you might offer the gifts of time and talents. Please mark your calendar for worship and the meal. All are welcome and we encourage you to use these services to invite others to Shepherd of the Woods. Would you like to donate and/or roast a …
Holiday Meal Baskets
Looking ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday, please prayerfully consider how you might offer the gifts of time and talents. Please mark your calendar for worship and the meal. All are welcome and we encourage you to use these services to invite others to Shepherd of the Woods. We are collecting non-perishables for our friends in …
Thanksgiving Opportunities
Serving at JAX Beach Mission House
Looking Ahead…
Alpha Prayer Team
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 Support
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 …
Beaches Mission House
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
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.
Women’s Retreat
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 …
Party In The Patch
Random Needs At Shepherd of The Woods
Mission Update – Thank You!
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 …
Count It All Joy – Women’s Retreat
Donations For Maui
if you would like to contribute to the relief efforts for the Maui fire recovery, please note Maui on your check or envelope or use the Care Square “relief” icon. Your contributions will be matched up to $1000 by our benevolence ministry.
Save The Date – Peru Mission Trip Update
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
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 …
Youth Life News
Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 20th, 10:30-3pm. We are getting together for 10:30 worship followed by lunch, Sandwich Sunday service project, and a ping-pong tournament! You all had so much fun playing ping pong at camp, that we have purchased more paddles, nets and lots of ping pong balls This is a great day to get together and …
Food Pantry Needs
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 Bible Study
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 …
Need of Men’s Shoes
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 …
Peru Mission Continues
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, …
Mission In Peru
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 …
Our Time in Tarma
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 Peru
Updates From Peru
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, …
Alpha Training
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 …
Eye Glasses
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 …
Youth Faith Camp
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 …
Food Pantry Needs
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.
Drivers Needed
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. …
Summer 5 x 5 x 5 Project
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 …
Little Lambs Early Learning Center
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 …
Little Lambs Early Learning Center
Meals On Wheels Needs Driver
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 …
Vacation Bible School
Donations Needed
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 …
Mother’s Day Breakfast
Spring Tea
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 …
An Invitation To Alpha
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
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
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 …
Easter Egg Hunt
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 …
Holy Week at Shepherd of the Woods
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
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.
Life Changer Ministry
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 …
Yard Sale Results
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 …
Alpha
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 Updates
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
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.
Lenten 5-5-5 Quilting Service Project
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, …
Souper Bowl of Caring
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.
ALOHA Dinner – Fundraiser
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 …
Mission Driven – A Weekend to Serve
Quilting Workshop – All-Day, Drop-In session on Sat, Feb 4, 10 am to 5 pm. This is the final push to complete quilts that will be sent to the Lutheran World Relief warehouses the following week. There will be stations for cutting squares, designing quilt tops, sewing tops, matching tops to the backing, and finishing the sides and …