
Pumpkin Patch Returns


Women’s Bible Study Resumes Monday, Sept 14 – Ladies of all ages are invited to join us as we resume studies on second and fourth Mondays at 10:00am in the South Annex classroom. Please use the Yellow Contact Card to indicate your anticipated participation so we can prepare the correct materials. You are encouraged to …

As a reminder, there is no Youth Life meeting this Sunday, September 6th or next Sunday, September 13th. Mark your calendars for October 3, 8:45am, for Pumpkin unloading. This is a great way to earn community service hours. It is fun and goes quickly. The more hands we have, the quicker it goes. All help is …
We will unload pumpkins on Sat, Oct 3 at 8:45am!! Mark your calendars – it really is right around the corner!! If you are connected to any group needing community service hours or just a group that would like to have some fun working together – please invite them to join us. Many hands make …
Read more “Save The Date – Pumpkin Patch & Blessing of the Pets”
Women of the Woods – The WoW group meets on Monday, Sept 7 at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner and then their meeting at 6:30 pm. This is a great time for ladies to enjoy a time of fun and fellowship and then be involved in the planning and support of all the ministries …
The Bloodmobile will be onsite NEXT WEEKEND on Sunday, Sept 6 from 8am to 1pm Did you know that every blood donation can save up to THREE lives? If you can donate, please consider offering this incredible gift. You can preregister at oneblood.org or you can just show up at the bus that morning! We …
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser – Saturday, September 12 at 6:30 pm – Did you know that NEXT summer, our Youth Life group will be a part of our mission trip to Peru??? They are VERY excited to begin planning this and will host a dinner to begin their fundraising efforts. There will be pastas, sauces, bread, …
We have a great team assembled for the upcoming trip with our Missionaros scheduled to leave on Tuesday, Sept 8. Please keep this group in your prayers for safe travels and a productive time of service. If you have old prescription glasses that are still in good shape, please consider donating them so they can …
Dear Disciple of Christ, I’m still reflecting on my years in college, specifically in junior college, the first two years of which would be part of 10 years of study for ministry. One of the things I learned early in college was how to find the best class (when options allowed us to “elect” certain …
Santa’s Workshop – Save the Date – Saturday, Nov 21 – The Women of the Woods are organizing a wonderful community event that will allow children of all ages to make and shop for Chritmas gifts for their loved ones. We’ll have crafts, food, photos with Santa. We will get to share information about our …
Women’s Bible Study Resumes Monday, Sept 14 – Ladies of all ages are invited to join us as we resume studies on second and fourth Mondays at 10:00 am in the South Annex classroom. Please use the Yellow Contact Card to indicate your anticipated participation so we can prepare the correct materials or contact the …
Vicar and Addie Watts invite all young adults – both single and married – to their home for dinner, study and discussion. This group will meet MOST first and third Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00pm with the next gathering on Wed, Sept 2. Please indicate your interest on the yellow Connect Card and they will …
Beginning this weekend, our Youth Life group will gather on Sunday afternoons at 5:00 pm to share dinner, study, worship and fun! ALL Youth are invited and welcome. Please keep our teens and their families in your prayers.
Dear Disciple of Christ, Do you enjoy worship? I do (and it’s really a good thing since I do and have done a fair amount of it my whole life). I mentioned that growing up, I never needed prodding by my parents to go to church. It was something we did, part of the rhythm …
Call Committee Update – Please reply online to the Congregational Survey sent to all members last week or pick up your paper copy from the Gathering Area – It is important that we hear from each household this weekend by August 16. If you use the paper version, please put your responses in the offering …
Confirmation Classes will Begin Soon – Calling all seventh and eighth graders, as well as older Youth who have not gone through Confirmation. Classes will be a part of our new Sunday evening curriculum. Parents, be sure to speak with Pastor Peacock if you have questions and please make plans to attend the Parents’ Blitz …
The Youth Life Back to School Party has been rescheduled for Saturday, Aug 15, 10am to 2pm. Please be sure to let your Youth leaders know your teen will be attending – this helps greatly with planning and shopping.
A Great Big Summer 555 Program Thank You – Wow!! What a caring and giving community we have! The call went out – we need new and gently used clothing, shoes, backpacks, sock & undies as well as financial contributions. You provided more than double our goal of items and dollars!! We collected more than …
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Dear Disciple of Christ, So, can I ask, “where did your life come from”? I’m not referring to the miraculous gift from God, giving each of us an estimated 30 trillion human cells (each one …

The Pumpkins Are Coming! – Save the Date – We will unload pumpkins on Saturday, October 3rd at 8:45 am!! Mark your calendars!! If you are connected to any group needing community service hours or just a group that would like to have some fun working together – please invite them to join us. Many …
Quilters meet weekly on Wednesdays at 1:30pm – No experience needed, and no sewing skills required – there is a job for everyone!! This group works on both prayer quilts and the quilts for disaster relief efforts. All are welcome and we will show you everything you need to know! Special Quilting Session – join …
Youth Life Families – Save the Date – We will hold a Parents’ Blitz on Sunday, August 16 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm for all Youth grades 7-12 and their families. There will be a time of fellowship over dinner, we’ll introduce Sunday Youth Nights, and review the school-year Calendar which outlines proposed Youth Life events. …
VBS was an Awesome Success! – VBS Party after the 10:30am Service Sunday, July 19th! Last week was just great as we hosted nearly 50 children for a time of learning, crafting, study and fun! We give a HUGE thank you to all the volunteers – both youth and adults – who made the week …
There is still time to make plans to join us on our next trip to Peru which will be Sept 8 through 14. While in Tarma we will assist with maintenance projects, visit the community in Huancal, have events with the children and teens and attend Sunday worship! A US passport is required, valid through …
Youth Life – Save the Date – The end-of-year party will be on Saturday, August 8 from 4:00 – 8:00pm. Please mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on this fun event before heading back to school.
All are invited to Game Night on Saturday, July 18 at 6:45pm. This is a great time to invite friends and family to visit SOTW. Bring a snack or dish to share if you like. This group meets on third Saturdays and it is always a time of fun and fellowship. You can sign up …
Our Back-to School Rally Day and Backpack Blessing will be on Sunday, August 9th at the 10:30 am worship service. We hope all children can attend! This is a special day for the children to gather with their backpacks as we, as a community, pray for our children and teens to have a safe and …
Shepherd Shelves Update – we are making a change to our service hours – Beginning July 30, we will modify our pantry hours to Thursdays only, 9am to 1pm. Since opening in September 2025, we have made several changes based on the needs of the community, the availability of donations and the availability of volunteers. …


Women of the Woods Potluck & Meeting – all ladies are invited to join us Mon, July 6 at 6:00pm. This month, our ladies who are married are encouraged to invite their husbands!! Bring a “family favorite” for the potluck! Sign up on the yellow Connect Card!
July Fourth Game Day & Luncheon – Noon to 5pm on Sat, July 4th – Please join us for a potluck lunch and an afternoon of games. All are welcome! Beat the heat (and the rain!) and enjoy cards and board games, and lots to eat! Bring an appetizer, snack, salad, entree item or dessert if …

An important Message from Tracy Williams, Chair, Board of Directors Lutheran Social Services: Today, I am pleased to share exciting news about the future of our organization. After a thoughtful and thorough search process, the Board of Directors has selected David Clark as the new Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida. …
Dear Disciple of Christ, You know that pastors are called to Word and Sacrament ministry, right? That’s what we do. That’s why we are so blessed. But the blessing of the Word came long before I was ordained. As I mentioned, in my family, we were rhythmic when it came to worship each and every week. I had classmates (and I’ve …
Confirmation/Faith Camp, St. Simons Island, GA for 7th – 12th Grades – Our annual summer camp will be at Epworth by the Sea beginning Sun., July 26 through Thurs., July 30. This allows rising 7th graders – 9th graders to begin or continue their Confirmation studies and provides a time of study for our older …

When the calendar permits, the Quilting group will hold some workdays on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. The first one will be this coming weekend, Sat., June 20 at 10 am! No sewing skills needed – no experience necessary – there are tasks for everyone! Please indicate your interest on the yellow Connect …
Dear Disciple of Christ, This coming weekend, we will be bringing forward a disciple of Christ who has heard a call to serve as a pastor in the church. Vicar Watts has his own stories to tell and I’m hoping he’ll be able to do that over the next months he is with us. Sheperd of the …
Our Summer 5-5-5 Program begins this week and runs through July 20th and allows our Youth Life group to participate in a community service project. Our 5-5-5 program is designed to collect 500 items, $500 in financial donations, all in 5 weeks. This time we will be supporting MissionJax Kids’ Shop, a local non-profit connected …
June’s monthly Game Night will be Saturday the 20th at 6:45pm – Join us for cards, board games and more. Bring a snack or food item to share if you want – when we meet, we eat!! All are welcome – come share a few hours of fun!
All men are invited to gather on Sat, June 13 at 8:00am for breakfast and time in the Word. This is a casual, friendly gathering with lots of coffee, good food and the opportunity to study and discuss the Word of God. Newcomers are very welcome.

It’s that time of year again!! Summer is here and, with school out, that can mean only one thing – CONFIRMATION CAMP!! 2026 Confirmation Camp will be held July 26-30th! This year’s theme is “FOLLOW GOD!” Cap will be held at Epworth by the Sea in St. Simons Island, GA. We will start with worship on Sunday 7/26/26 at …
Since the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. 16 For surely it is not with angels …
Our next Congregational Meeting will be Wednesday, June 24 at 6:30 pm and all members are encouraged to be there to vote. Non-members are encouraged to attend as well to hear all the updates on the ministries of our congregation. The meeting agenda includes important and exciting updates on the mission plant in St. John’s …
The Call Committee met on April 24th and May 19th and is working with Pastor Shelly Schultz, the NALC Call Process Coordinator, to fill the Senior Pastor vacancy at Shepherd of the Woods. We are moving forward and the next step is a Congregational Workshop this summer. We ask for the congregation’s prayers at this …
Happy Summer, everyone! Thank you to those who helped out with the latest youth gathering event this past Sunday. Great planning session for VBS and then a fun off site activity at the Escape Room! See pics below. Great way to celebrate the end of school and beginning of summer! Come Dine with the Vicar! This …
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints …

Vacation Bible School is Just Around the Corner! – Our VBS will be July 13-17, 9:00 am -Noon. If you would like to assist in any way – planning, decorating, teaching, preparing snacks, helping with music or crafts or projects – please indicate your interest on the yellow Connect Card. The theme is Rainforest Falls.
The next WOW Potluck & Meeting will be Monday, June 1st, 6-8 pm. We are having a “Picnic Party”!! You are invited to bring any item for the potluck, if you are able. We will spend some time in fellowship with the meal and a game and then have our business meeting. This focuses on …
Gospel Lesson of the Day: John 7:37-39 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. 38 He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this …
Church Council Nomination Forms – We will have three vacancies on the Church Council beginning in July due to term limits and are seeking nominations. Blank forms are available in the office and can be used to nominate another individual or submit information for yourself. All nominees will be contacted by the Council for next …
Mother’s Day Breakfast was a wonderful fundraiser! Everyone had a great time and the food was fantastic. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a success. Looks like you raised $600! You all worked very well as a team to make this happen. Thank you again! See pics below! Peterbrooke Chocolate Sale for Mother’s Day. This …
Quilters meet weekly on Wednesdays at 1:30 pm – No experience needed and no sewing skills required – there is a job for everyone!! This group works on both prayer quilts and the quilts for disaster relief efforts. There are also Sewing Kits in the Gathering Area for those who would like work on them …

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, …
For Memorial Day Weekend – If you have photos of friends, relatives or other loved ones who have died in the line of duty and you would like remembered on Memorial Day, please bring a picture to the church office by May 20. We will have a slip for you to provide their name, branch …
May is Military Appreciation Month – we are grateful for the service and sacrifices of all who serve this nation’s military and their families. We will honor all our military, active and retired, and their families with breakfast after each service on Sunday May 24. Our men’s Bible Study group will be hosting this so …
We are very excited to officially share with you that we have a new Vicar joining the staff and he will spend the next year as our intern! His name is Jackson Watts and he will be joining us Monday, June 1st, with his first weekend in worship Sunday being June 6th & 7th!! Jackson …
Dear Disciples of Christ, The focus this week’s posting will be less on how we hear the Word and more on how the Word we hear changes us. I made mention last week that one of the great values of participating in weekly worship is that the seed of the Word was planted in me, watered …
Our new Vicar is joining us June 1st – We are delighted to introduce Jackson Watts, who will be completing a year of internship with us as our newest Vicar. Jackson and his fiancée Addie both graduate from seminary on May 16, get married May 17, and arrive in Jacksonville the last weekend of May!! …
Mother’s Day Breakfast: Sunday, May 10: This is a huge fundraiser for the youth group and a great way to honor our Moms. We will be providing breakfast on Mother’s Day between the services and after the 10:30 worship service. Pancakes, casseroles, etc. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate moms and collect funds for future youth …
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Dear Disciple of Christ, If you’ve been reading the Faithful Friday postings for any length of time, you can understand how concerned I am for the next generation of disciples. I suppose this comes …
Make plans to join us after the 8:30am or the 10:30am service on Sunday, May 10th. We will offer a fabulous breakfast/brunch of pancakes, meats, egg dishes and a yogurt & fruit bar. Free-will donations are appreciated as all donations will support our teens attending the National Youth Gathering and to summer Faith/Confirmation Camp.
Volunteers Needed Saturday, May 9th from 2 to 5pm – Our Shepherd’s Shelves Food Pantry is blessed to be a part of the May 9th Postal Workers’ Food Drive where all residents are asked to leave non-perishable donations at their mailbox. We will receive all donations for an entire zip code!! We are seeking several …
Peterbrooke Chocolates on Sale – Just in time for Mothers’ Day! – Please see your insert in today’s Announcements. Our Youth offer a wonderful variety of items from our local Peterbrooke stores, and this serves as a fundraiser to assist those Youth going to the Continental Youth Gathering and to summer Faith/Confirmation Camp. These items …
Dear Disciples of the Word, Last week we considered what it means to be an assimilated member of the body of Christ. In effect, we can use that as a check on our own discipleship. What are we doing and believing and sharing in our days that will ensure disciples being faithful witnesses in the next generation? Have …
The pantry is open Sundays and Thursdays 10am to 1pm and serves between 25 and 35 people each day on average. To sustain support for volume of food needed, we currently receive resources in several ways: We are grateful for your ongoing support. Food donations can be left on the shelves in the Gathering Area. …
Men of all ages are invited to join us on second and fourth Saturdays at 8:00 as we gather for a meal together and then spend time in study of the Word. This is a casual group and newcomers are welcome. Already attending? Invite a friend! We meet this coming Saturday, April 25.
The 2026 National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 7th. This year’s theme is “Glorify God Among the Nations – Seeking Him In All Generations” and we will have the sanctuary open from 6:00am to 8:00pm to allow people to stop in when they choose, with believers praying continuously all day. We will include Matins …
Dear Partners in Mission, Are you familiar with the word, “assimilation”? Sometimes I wonder if what we use in the church is used very often in the “world.” With people moving in and out of jobs so many times in their lives, I assume there is less of a focus on someone getting assimilated to …
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 …
Giving Thru Shredding – April 18 – 8–11 a.m. – Thrivent Financial – 4887 Belfort Rd Bring your documents to our on-site shredding truck to have them shredded. There is no cost to shred items, but Thrivent is asking for donations of full-sized hygiene items they will be given to a local non-profit. Items such …
Our Spring Tea will be held Saturday, May 2 from 11:00am – 2:00pm – This is a fundraising activity with proceeds going to Youth and Family Ministries. Spring Tea tickets will be available in the Gathering Area beginning next weekend!! Suggested donation is $20 per person. This is a VERY fun and tasty event and …


Dear New Members (OK, those who consider themselves “old” are included as well). I needed to add that additional comment or I think some of you (who have been members of your church for years and years) would think this “Faithful Fridays” posting was not for you. I hope you’d know by this time that I …
This annual fundraiser helps generate money in support of our Peru Mission in Tarma, Peru. All funds, beyond our expenses will help with building maintenance, community outreach services, children’s programs, the Kingdom Kids afterschool program and much more! It is also a great way to get our entire congregation involved – through your donations and …
