First Fruits
Each month we set aside 10% of undesignated giving to support a variety of ministries in Christian love and care. In December, our Benevolence ministry supported global and local causes:
Worship – January 18th
Shepherd’s Shelves Update
The pantry is open Tuesdays & Fridays from 11am to 1pm and Sundays, Noon to 2pm. Volunteers staff Shepherd Shelves and we invite you to be a part of this ministry. If you would like to volunteer one or more times per month, please indicate this on the yellow Connect Card or contact the church …
Annual Congregational Meeting
Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 25 at Noon. A light lunch will be provided. Mark your calendars and plan to attend the meeting to hear updates and share your vote on important matters related to our congregational life together – ministries, budgets and the development of the mission church plant in …
Valentine’s For Veterans
Valentine’s Cards for Veterans & Military – our local First Coast Group – Thrivent is helping spread the love this Valentine’s Day with a card collection drive for veterans and our military. They have partnered with Naval Station of Mayport for their local and deployed service men and women. We will have a collection bin …
Worship – January 11th
Women’s Bible Study Resumes
Women’s Bible Study resumes on Monday, January 12th at 10:00am and all women are invited and welcome! Never been before?? This is a wonderful time in the Word – currently focusing on the Book of Proverbs. Bring your Bible, or, if you don’t have one, we will provide one for you. You will be blessed!
January is Disaster Response Awareness Month
All month, we will be working towards our goal of providing the NALC Disaster Relief team with items for their warehouses. We will be providing quilts, baby care items, Bibles, and new and gently used blankets to help stock the regional Disaster Response warehouse. Please see the insert in today’s Announcements for more information on …
Quilting Workshop
Our quilters meet on Wednesdays at 1:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. There is no sewing, and no experience is necessary to participate. Stations are set up for you to cut squares, sort squares and to assist with matching completed quilt tops with filler and backing. All are welcome! On Sat, Jan 31st there will be …
Monthly Game Night
Monthly Game Night is this Saturday – January 17 – these evening are full of fun, food and fellowship and all are welcome (however no nursery and no childcare). Come out for cards, board games and more. Bring a dish or snack to share if you want to! And if you come, bring a friend. …
Grief Support Series
Grief Support group meetings will be held in January – Mon 1/5, Mon 1/12, and Tues 1/20 from 6:30 to 7:30pm. If you are interested in participating, indicate this on your yellow Connect Card or contact the church office.
OneBlood Bloodmobile
The Oneblood Bloodmobile will be onsite Sunday, Jan 11 from 9am to Noon. If you can donate and would like to schedule yourself for a time that morning, please visit oneblood.org to pre-register, indicate your interest on the yellow Connect Cart, or you can just show up that morning. Donating blood saves lives!
Women Of The Woods – January 2026
For All Women – Members & Visitors – If you only attend one meeting next year, we encourage ALL ladies to attend the first Women of the Woods meeting of 2026! On Monday, Jan 5 we gather at 6:00pm for a potluck dinner and begin our meeting at 6:30pm. The holidays will be over, and …
Cookbooks Are Here
The ladies have worked very hard for months and are so pleased to bring you WoW, That’s Delicious! – a commemorative SOTW cookbook. If you would like to purchase one, please stop by the table in the Gathering Area. They are $15 apiece or $16 if you select one that is already gift wrapped!! These …
Sunday School & Bible Study
Knowing Christ: please note – some classes will not meet the next two weeks:
A Note From Pastor Johnson
All I can say is that was one amazing way to close off 50 years serving as a pastor. So many of you sent gifts and cards and stayed for multiple fellowships. Special thanks to all those who did so much to prepare for the multiple fellowship gatherings. As has always been the case in …
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Sermons
Christ Is About Christmas
This is the fifth in a series of reflections on 50 years of Ministry from Pastor Johnson. We hope you are blessed by them. Dear Disciple of Christ, Is your church having Christmas Eve services this year? OK, maybe that’s a pretty dumb question but if you answered, “Yes,” as I expect you did, then I …
Worship – December 21st
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Worship
Join us as we celebrate the birth of the new-born king!
50th Anniversary of Ministry Celebration
Celebrating 50 years in Ministry!! – This weekend we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pastor Johnson’ ordination. Since 1975, he and Chris have faithfully served congregations in New York and then at Shepherd of the Woods. We have been richly blessed as a congregation under the development and growth experienced during the years Pastor Johnson …
Faithful Friday – December 19th
This is the fourth in a series of reflections on 50 years of Ministry from Pastor Johnson. We hope you are blessed by these thoughts. My sincere thanks to all who shared in yesterday’s celebration of thanksgiving with my wife, Chris, and my daughters, Jennifer and Joy, and our grandchildren, Ellie, Cameron, Paisley, Paige. I received …
Beaches Mission House
We will prepare and serve a meal on Tuesday, December 30th at 4:30pm. If you would like to volunteer to help prep, cook, serve or clean-up, please indicate your interest on the yellow Connect Card. We are usually there about 2 ½ hours. Newcomers are welcome – it is always a blessing! We will also …
Rock The Universe – Youth Life
Worship – December 14th
Monthly Game Night
Join us on Sat, Dec 20 at 6:45 for our monthly evening of food & fun! All ages are welcome but there is no childcare or nursery. We play board games, card games and more! Bring a dish or snack to share if you like – but never required. Please sign up onthe yellow Connect …
Worship – December 7th
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Worship
Big Orange Chorus
Youth Life Christmas Celebration
Christmas Basket Donations
This year we will be helping those in need with special “Houshold Needs and More ” baskets and will be adding some nice treats as well. If you wouldlike to contribute, we need full-sized items of the following: laundry detergent, fabric softener, scent beads, dishwashing soap, dishwasher pods, air fresheners, furniture polish, household cleaners, bug …
Advent Service of Light
Christmas Quilt Raffle
Women of the Woods present the Christmas Quilt and Gift Basket Raffle – Please stop by the table in the Gathering Area to see the lovely array of gift baskets and the beautiful handmade quilts on display! The WOW group will be raffling all of these items to raise additional funds to support the Women’s …
Christmas Caroling
Join us Sunday, December 14th at 1:00pm – Carolers gather at 11:45am for a quick lunch together before setting off to spread holiday cheer. All ages are welcome – children need to be accompanied by a parent or designated adult. We will try to depart by 12:30 so, if you are not joining us for …
Youth Life Christmas Party
Mark your calendar for your Youth Life Christmas Party, December 12! It’s a Christmas Pajama Party on Friday night, December 12 from 6:30-9:30pm. Bring a gift to exchange ($25 max). More info to follow!
Ladies’ Christmas Luncheon
Join us December 13th from 11 am to 1 pm – Women of all ages are invited to our annual Salad & Sweets Luncheon. You are welcome to bring a salad of any kind or a dessert of any kind. It is always a time of great fun and great fellowship. We hope you will …
First Communion Class
First Communion Classes are open to any child who has the desire to receive Holy Communion and who has parental permission. Classes will be held in time for them to receive their first Holy Communion by Christmas Eve. Please indicate your interest on the yellow Connect Card. Sessions will be held on Saturday afternoons from …
Worship – November 30th
Thanksgiving Eve Worship
Women of the Woods
All ladies are invited to join us Monday, Dec 1 at 6:00pm for a potluck dinner followed by our meeting at 6:30pm. This is a great chance to fellowship with those that worship at different service and to find out more about the current ministries within our congregation.
Worship – November 23rd
Christmas Blessings in Peru
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas in the states, we have the opportunity to extend our care, and “show Christ” to our friends in Tarma. Our Christmas outreach program includes providing small gifts, hot chocolate & panettone to approximately 90 children ($10 each) in the community plus the 40 children and 8 seniors housed at …
Advent Service of Light
Join us on Wednesday, December 3rd at 5:30 pm for a fellowship dinner followed by the worship service and tree lighting at 6:30pm. This is a special time to gather for worship, ushering in the advent season and centering our hearts as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Holiday Decorating
We will prepare the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall for the holidays by gathering on Monday, Dec 1 at 10:00am to put up the Christmas trees, hang crismon ornaments, rotate the banners, hang wreaths, etc. We need lots of helping hands for this and allability levels are welcome and appreciated. Please sign up on the yellow …
Women’s Retreat
Our retreat dates Friday, February 27th – Sunday, March 1st and we encourage all women to attend. Our theme is “Women of the Bible” and our guest speaker is Pastor Patti Morlock, Associate Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grove City, Ohio. This is for women of all ages, members and visitors. You are …
Youth Life Update
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser this past Saturday. You all worked very hard and did a great job with this event. Everyone has spoken of how wonderful the meal was. Thank you also to the adults who pitched in and helped as well. You raised over $900! Great job! …
Youth Life – Ceramic Painting
Worship – November 16th
The Season of Advent
Thanksgiving Worship
Join us as we offer thanks to God for our abundant blessings and for the grace we receive through Jesus Christ. We gather for worship on Wednesday, Nov 26 at Noon and at 6:30pm. This is great time to invite someone to join you – a friend or neighbor who might not have Thanksgiving worship …
Ladies’ Luncheon
Join us Saturday, December 13th 11am to 1pm – Women of all ages are invited to our annual Salad & Sweets Luncheon. You are welcome to bring a salad of any kind or a dessert of any kind. It is always a time of great fun and great fellowship. We hope you will come and …
Food Drive For The Holidays
Please be on the lookout for opportunities to be a part of a food drive. Perhaps your place of employment, your homeowners’ association or apartment complex, your book club or an athletic team you are connected to would consider hosting a food drive for our Shepherd’s Shelves food pantry. We would be happy to provide …
Thanksgiving Worship and Luncheon
Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon – we encourage you to invite someone who might not be sharing a meal with loved ones this holiday – perhaps a friend, a neighbor or a coworker. We serve up a feast with all the fixin’s on Wednesday, November 26th at 1:00pm (following the Noon worship service). Consider inviting someone who …
Worship – November 9th
Monthly Game Night
Monthly Game Night is Saturday, Nov 15 at 6:45pm. Come out for a fun evening of cards, board games and more. And, when we meet -we eat. You are welcome to bring a snack or dish to share if you like – but never required! There is always plenty. This is for all ages but …
Food Drive For The Holidays
Food Drives for the Holidays – please be on the lookout for opportunities to be a part of a food drive. Perhaps your place of employment, your homeowners’ association or apartment complex, your book club or an athletic team you are connected to would consider hosting a food drive for our Shepherd’s Shelves food pantry. …
Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon
Save the Date for our Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon – we encourage you to invite someone who might not be sharing a meal with loved ones this holiday – perhaps an acquaintance, a neighbor or a coworker. We serve up a feast with all the fixin’s on Wed, Nov 26 at 1:00pm (following the Noon worship …
Transportation Ministry
Our Transportation Ministry is in Need – Would you like to volunteer? If one of our members needs a ride to a medical appointment and is not able to arrange for transportation, we do our best to find a volunteer. So, there are no “regular” days but really on an as-needed basis. If you are …
Pumpkin Patch – Thank You
The Pumpkin Patch was Lovely – thanks to our countless volunteers who helped with set-up, decorating, unloading, assisting with pre-school field trips, worked shifts throughout the weeks, and those who broke everything down and put it all away for next year. So, save the date: Oct 3, 2026! We were able to host hundreds of …
Women of The Woods
Women of the Woods Monthly Meeting – all women – all ages – are invited to the monthly dinner and meeting on Monday, Nov 3 at 6:00pm. Each month we enjoy a potluck dinner (bring anything you like if you are able) and then we meet at 6:30pm. This is a great opportunity to fellowship …
Youth Life News
Congratulations to Mya Smith who was confirmed this past Reformation Sunday during the 8:30 worship service! Thank you to everyone who participated in Party in the Patch. Looks like everyone had a great time- especially those who were visiting our church for the first time. We had several folks return this past Sunday for worship! Thank you …
Spaghetti Dinner
The Shepherd Shelves Ministry
The pantry is open Tuesdays & Fridays from 11am to 1pm and Sundays, Noon to 2pm. Volunteers staff Shepherd Shelves and we welcome donations of food items as well as financial support. When writing checks please note “food pantry” or “Shepherd Shelves” on the memo line. The Care Square has a specific Shepherd Shelves icon …
Save The Date – Youth Life Fundraiser
Save the Date AND Sign Up! – Our Youth Life group is hosting a spaghetti dinner on Sat, Nov 8. This is a fundraising event for Youth events like Rock the Universe and Confirmation Camp. Please see the insert in today’s Announcements or contact the church office to sign up. A free-will donation is suggested …
Women’s Retreat
Worship – October 26th
All Saints Celebration
All Saints Celebration – will be observed on Sunday, Nov 2nd and we will recognize your loved ones who have contributed to your spiritual growth and the mission of the Church. Please look for the insert in the bulletin on October 26th and list any individuals you would like to be recognized on All Saint’s …
2026 Stewardship
This is the time of year we ask that you prayerfully consider your gifts, abilities and schedules to see where you might be led in serving God with your gifts of time and energy. Likewise, your financial gifts allow us to maintain the church operations and provide for our many ministries. May our prayers be …
Reformation and Confirmation Sunday
We celebrate Confirmation and observe the rite of Confirmation as Mya Iyalorde Smith makes public the affirmation of her baptism. We ask God’s blessing on her life as she seeks to show Christ’s love in the world. This is not the end of study, but the beginning of her journey of faith and service as …
Party In The Patch
Pumpkin Patch
Living Hope Community Church – Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, October 23, 2025 @ 4pm 2585 Pacetti Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32092. Come out and support the mission plant church in St. John’s County. This is an official welcome by the St. John’s County Chamber of Commerce as they add us to the roster of churches supporting this community. We hope you can join …
Divine Drama Bible Study – Part 2
Saturday 4:00pm Bible Study – Divine Drama Bible Study continues with Part Two. Jesus says, we live “by every word that comes from the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4) which includes every word in our Bibles. Pr. Harry Wendt, a Lutheran pastor, developed a series of Bible studies that have helped many Christians around the …
Bake Sale – Party At The Patch
Our Bake Sales are always a big hit – if you would like to make something for the sale or assist at the table, please let us know that as well. Homemade goodies of all kinds are needed – cookies, breads, cupcakes, etc.! Marti Baggs will be intouch with specific information or contact the church …
Party In The Patch
Save the Date – Party in the Patch – Saturday, October 25, 11:00am – 1:00pm – kids’ games & food trucks!This is a fun day for the kids to dress up, come to patch and play games, do crafts, take family photos and enjoy ayummy lunch at one of the food trucks! As with all …
The Pumpkins Are Coming
Our delivery has been scheduled! Monday arrive on Monday, October 13th at 4:00pm! We will hold a Patch work day on Monday, October 13 from 9am to 1pm. If you are able to come for a few hours we could use helping hands to put up fencing, move hay bales, move pallets, hang lights, decorate the tent, …
Sonshine Mission District
Sonshine Mission District Convocation set for October 18th. Did you know that SOTW is a congregation of the North American Lutheran Church? The NALC is divided into more than sixty mission districts across North America. SOTW is part of the Sonshine Mission District which encompasses eleven congregations across the state of Florida. Pastor Peacock is …
The Pumpkins Are Delayed
Our delivery will not be on time – NO unloading on Saturday 10/11. We will not unload on Saturday. We have not received information yet to know if we will unload Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evening. Please continue to check your emails from us and/or the SOTW Facebook page for updates! The harvest in New Mexico experienced delays which …
Save The Date – Thanksgiving Luncheon
We encourage you to invite someone who might not be sharing a meal with loved ones this holiday – perhaps an aquaintance, a neighbor or a coworker. We serve up a feast with all the fixin’s on Wed, Nov 26 at 1:00pm (following the Noon worship service). Please be thinking about who you see during …
Weekly Quilting/Knitting & Crocheting
Weekly Quilting/Knitting & Crocheting – Wednesdays at 1:30pm. Quilters work on quilts for disaster relief and prayer quilts. The knitters & crocheters are working on baby blankets for NALC Disaster Relief. All are welcome.
Shepherd’s Shelves Update
We have seen many new faces since expanding this ministry and creating set days & hours. If you know of someone in need of support, please invite them to stop in. We keep shelf-stable items as well as frozen meats, veggies, prepared meals, etc. We occasionally receive produce and cold items from another food pantry. …
Living Hope Community Church
Living Hope Community Church is a mission plant church of Shepherd of the Woods in St. Johns County. They gather each week for Bible Study and prayer & praise worship. While they have been meeting for many weeks, October is the official launch as they become a worshipping congregation. The address is 2675 PacettiRoad – …
Farewell Dinner for Pastor Phillips
Please join us Friday, October 10 at 6:30pm – If you did not reply to the email sent this past week, please make sure you RSVP by calling the church office or on the yellow Connect Card if you are joining us for dinner to celebrate Pastor’s 30+ years of service and ministry at SOTW. …
Important Pumpkin Dates
Important Pumpkin Dates to Remember – Yes, we are thinking about pumpkins, and our delivery date is getting closer!! Please mark your calendar for these important dates!
Youth Life Update
Our next youth event is Sunday, October 5th. TMeet at church for 10:30 worship, lunch following and then the chaperones will drive you all. There has been a venue change for the Escape Room. It will now be at Prototype Escape Rooms, address is 3546 St Johns Bluff Rd S UNIT 113, Jacksonville, FL 32224 in the Shoppes at East …
Women Of The Woods Update
Women of the Woods will be moving their meetings from Wednesday evenings to the first Monday of each month, beginning Monday, Oct 6. All ladies are invited to join for a monthly potluck dinner at 6:00pm followed by the meeting at 6:30pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with the other women in the …
Pumpkin Truck – Unloading
Worship – September 28th
Church Council Update
The Church Council will meet next week to discern next steps for the congregation following the announcement that Pastor Phillips has been called by God to serve His church in another congregation. The Council will update the congregation with updates.
Youth Life Update
Confirmation Classes have resumed and meet at 9:45 Sunday mornings. The pumpkins are coming! Yes, it’s that time again. Well not yet, but soon! Pumpkins arrive Saturday, October 11. Mark your calendars for this fun family activity where we unload the truck full of pumpkins. Once the patch opens, we need a lot of volunteers to staff the pumpkin patch. …
Pumpkins With A Purpose
Important Pumpkin Updates
Important Pumpkin Dates to Remember – Yes, we are thinking about pumpkins, and our delivery date is getting closer!! Please mark your calendar for these important dates! Many hands make light work! Most are 2 or 3-hour shifts, you work with others and we provide all the instruction you need. It’s fun, it’s easy and …
Bible Study Update – Week of September 22nd
Please note: there will not be a midweek Wednesday Night Bible Study nor a Thursday Bible Study this week. Both classes resume next week. Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast – All men are invited to join us on Saturday, September 27 at 8:00am for a time of fellowship and breakfast followed by time in the …
Worship – September 21st
Beaches Mission House
Beaches Mission House – we cook and serve dinner on fifth Tuesdays and you are invited to be a part of the team on Tuesday, Sept 30th. Mission House is on Shetter Ave in Jacksonville Beach and serves the area’s homeless and hungry by providing hot meals, a medical clinic, a shower and laundry ministry, …
Women’s Bible Study Has Resumed
All women are invited to join us Monday, September 22 in the South Annex classroom at 10:00am. If you think you will be attending, please indicate this on the yellow Connect Card so that we can provide the correct number of materials for everyone. This group will meet on second and fourth Mondays and is …
Game Night
Monthly Game Night is on September 20th at 6:45pm. Join us for an evening of card games, board games and more. And, when we meet……we eat! You are welcome to bring a snack or appetizer to share with the group but never required. All ages are welcome but there is no nursery or childcare. Newcomers …
Worship – September 14th
Weekly Quilting, Knitting, and Crocheting
Weekly Quilting/Knitting & Crocheting – Wednesdays at 1:30pm. Quilters work on quilts for disaster relief and prayer quilts. The knitters & crocheters are working on baby blankets for NALC Disaster Relief. All are welcome.
Women Of The Woods
Women of the Woods Monthly Dinner & Meeting will be Wednesday, September 17th. Dinner is always potluck, and it begins at 6:00pm with the meeting beginning at 6:30pm. Bring any dish, salad or dessert. At the monthly meetings the ladies of our congregation to discuss and plan ways to support the ministries of the church. …