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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Knowing Christ: please note – some classes will not meet the next two weeks:
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 …
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.
Thank you those who have made contributions towards our mission plant “Go! Goal”!! To date, we have received $58,233 from the congregation (and friends of the congregation) and $50,000 of that will be matched dollar-for-dollar with funds from the Lakeshore sale proceeds fund!! Your support will allow the newly established Living Hope Community Church to …
Have you been visiting for a while and considering becoming a member of the Congregation? We’d love to have you! There will be one additional new member orientation on Saturday morning, Aug 9 at 10am. If that time doesn’t work for you, please indicate on the yellow Connect Card (or contact the church office) that …
We are blessed! Semi-annual congregational meeting was held and we were blessed to elect & re-elected council members, we heard of the most recent mission trip to Peru, we received general ministry updates, and exciting updates were presented about our new mission plant in St. John’s county. We are blessed to be a blessing! We …
Pastor Eric Swensson will be leading “Secularism: Threat or Opportunity?” – a four week study on being an evangelical people in our changing culture. Vibrant faith in the Triune God can survive in a secular culture, but it flourishes only within a Christian community that models discipleship and loving service. The fact is we live …
Please note that the Tuesday rehearsals for the Senior Choir and the Bell Choir will be paused for a short summer break. Both groups will resume on Tuesday, August 12. The Senior Choir, who offer their gifts of worship through song, generally sing at the 8:30am service and occasionally the Saturday 5:30 service. When rehearsals …
Calling All Men – this group meets the second and fourth Saturdays at 8:00am and they begin with a time of food and fellowship followed by time in the Word. Newcomers are always welcome so come, bring a friend, your Bible and a hearty appetite! Need a Bible, just let us know. Please RSVP on …
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, June 25th at 6:30pm for our semiannual congregational meeting. A meal and time of fellowship will be offered at 5:30pm. The meeting agenda includes important and exciting updates on the mission plant in St. John’s County, nomination for the church council, and operational updates.
Serving our community through the School and Early Learning Center has been a joy and blessing. It has been a privilege providing quality care, education, and faith foundations to so many wonderful children. Thank you to the parents for entrusting your children to our care over the years. Thank you to the staff for your …
We invite you to consider offering your gifts by serving on the church council. We will have one vacancy on the Church Council effective June 2025 and are seeking nominations. Blank forms are available in the church office and can be used to nominate another individual or yourself. Please submit forms by Sunday, May 11th, …
The Bloodmobile – from OneBlood will be at Shepherd of the Woods on Sunday, April 6th from 9:00am until at least Noon. Those donating blood will receive a $20 online gift card and a t-shirt and a wellness checkup. You can register online at oneblood.com or just walk up to the bus on the 6th! Donating blood …
Are you a Thrivent customer? If you have any Thrivent financial products such as insurance, annuities, etc., you have the opportunity each quarter to “vote” your Choice Dollars which provides a donation to the non-profit organizations of your choice. You may direct them to Shepherd of the Woods if you want (and we are very grateful when …
Quilters gather on Sat, Feb 22 from 9am to 4:00pm. You can come for an hour or two or for the whole day. No experience needed; no sewing skills needed – there is a job for everyone. All men, women and teens invited. There are many steps to creating a quilt and therefore many tasks. Even if …
The Yard Sale donation storage bins have arrived and we seek to collect housewares, dishes, cookware, small appliances, books, linens, working electronics with cords, furniture, seasonal items, artwork, lamps, home décor, tools, toys, games, puzzles, baby items, craft items, clothing of all sizes. Kindly include only clothing that is clean and in “gently worn” condition and electronics …
Year-End Giving Statements have been printed and are available for you in the Gathering Area. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties with the software company we use to track donations, we are still in process of attempting to send out electronic statements. If you want a pdf copy of your statement, please email Rhonda Taylor. Otherwise, all …
The Thrivent Long Term Care Workshop was rescheduled for Tues, Feb 11 at 5:30 pm. It includes dinner. Reservations are needed for the meal and are due by Thurs, Feb 6. Contact the church office to make a reservation or for more details.
The retaining wall is installed and we continue to work on filling and leveling the ground. We anticipate the new 96 niche columbarium to arrive at the end of February. We will also spend time beautifying the area with some landscaping, including a butterfly garden!
Do you like to knit or crochet? Come join us any Wednesday at 1:30 pm as we begin to make baby blankets for Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital and NALC Disaster Relief. If you can’t make it during the day, we are exploring an evening/weekend gathering as well.
Oneblood Bloodmobile will be onsite this weekend – Sunday, Jan 26 from 9am to Noon. Just walk up to the bus even if you have not pre-registered. Donors will receive a long-sleeve t-shirt, a wellness check and a $20 electronic gift card! Blood donations save lives!
One of the many ways we support each other within our congregational community is to provide occasional transportation to medical appointments and grocery shopping for those who are temporarily not able to drive due to illness or surgery or for those who are no longer driving. If you would like to offer the gift of …
Did you know….The Core Values of Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church First Fruits – Each month we set aside 10% of undesignated giving to support a variety of ministries in Christian love and care. This past month, our Benevolence ministry supported a global and local mission: Vision First Fruits – Each month we set aside 10% of undesignated …
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 22nd at 6:30pm. A fellowship meal will be held at 5:30pm. Mark your calendars and plan to attend the meeting to hear important updates and share your vote on important matters related to our life together and the development of the mission church plant in St. Johns …
New Adult Study Class on the life of Martin Luther – begins Sunday, Jan 5 at 9:45am in the Shepherd Center Conference Room. This nine-week course will present various events in Luther’s life and reflect on the Biblical themes underlying the Lutheran Reformation. It provides insight into Luther’s influence on shaping the development of the Lutheran Church. By …
This group does not meet this week and will resume at 6:30pm Tues 1/7, and will continue to meet on Mon 1/13. On Tuesday 1/21 & Monday 2/3, we will meet at the new time of 12:30 pm. We pray for the peace of the Holy Spirit for all who are grieving loved ones during …
We are blessed to be a blessing and Shepherd of the Woods continues to be blessed by your faithful giving and stewardship. It has allowed us to reach & serve people with the love and care of Christ. It is the end of the year and we invite you, as you are able, to make …
A six-week session will begin Monday 12/9 at 6:30pm and will be held Mon 12/16, Tues 1/7, Mon 1/13. On Tuesday, 1/21 and Monday 2/3, we will meet at a new time of 12:30 pm. If you have an interest in participating, please indicate this on the yellow Connect Card and you will be contacted by …
Bloodmobile on Sun, Dec 8 – OneBlood will have a mobile donation bus onsite from 9:30am to Noon. Those who donate will receive a wellness check including blood pressure and cholesterol screening and iron count check; a travel mug; and a $20 online gift card. If you are able, please pre-register at oneblod.org/donate-now and use sponsor …
We keep working on the kitchen renovations and look forward to completing the work in the next few weeks. Cabinets should be installed this week and the final electrical work should be done. We are very close to meeting our fundraising goal of $20,000 – with nearly $18,000 donated. Many thanks to all who have helped make …
As part of a Thrivent Member Network, you’re among a group of local Christians who come together to learn, support one another and make a real impact in our communities. We invite you to join us for The 5 Love Languages with Dr. Gary Chapman, hosted by the Southeast Thrivent Member Network. Discover the keys to unlocking …
We pray during this season of stewardship, you have taken time to read the weekly Monday Mission Moment devotions and reflected on the weekly “temple Talks” during the worship services. Our theme, “Take My Life and Let it Be” has helped us reflect on how we might be stewards of His gifts – our resources but also our talents …
Please keep in your prayers the work of the call committee as they begin their work on developing a profile for a Mission Planting Pastor for the mission plant we are doing in St. Johns County. For a pastor to lead the planting of a church involves specific gifts beyond serving an established congregation and …
We offer a time to visit with others after both our 8:30am and our 10:30am and invite you to support this as you are able. We need volunteers every week, for each service, to provide simple snacks and drinks. These can be homemade or store bought. We also need volunteers to set up (make coffee …
The Solid Waste Division hosts household hazardous waste and electronic waste mobile collection events throughout the city. There is one scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Mandarin Park, 14780 Mandarin Road. Visit coj.net for a complete list of what they can and cannot accept and confirm any changes to …
We have been blessed to provide a columbarium ministry at Shepherd of the Woods. We are currently in the process of designing an outdoor columbarium garden expansion to include shaded areas to sit, a butterfly garden and a place to gather and give thanks for the saints who have gone before us. The new outdoor …
We are making great progress with our renovations – the appliances and cabinets have been removed and we are working on the structure for the new closets. The north Annex Classroom is being used for our storage and temporary kitchen. Please have patience with this project as we proceed. If you facilitate meetings or events that include …
Our Little Lambs Early Learning Center has an opening for a Preschool Lead Teacher. Hours are 8-1 pm M-F or 8-3 pm M-F. Candidates are required to have 45 hours through DCF, or working towards them. A High School Diploma is required, an AA of BA in Early Education is preferred. Required licenses and certifications: …
Thank you to the “gettin ‘er done” crew this morning. Your time, energy, organization, muscles, and talents are a blessing to the ministry. We have officially entered into the season of Kitchen Renovations.
We have emptied the Fellowship Hall closet and will begin renovating this week. We are using the north Annex Classroom for our temporary storage and eventual temporary kitchen. Please have patience with this project as we proceed. As we strive to be good stewards, we are seeking the best pricing possible on required expenses and …
Remember our Lent 5 x 5 x 5 program? The congregation supported NALC by collecting cleaning supplies for flood buckets, items for hygiene kits and loads of handmade quilts. Volunteers worked at different times and assembled more than 100 buckets and 80+ hygiene kits. A team from NALC Disaster Relief stopped by and we loaded …
We have emptied the Fellowship Hall closet and will begin renovating this week. We are using the north Annex Classroom for our temporary storage and eventual temporary kitchen. Please have patience with this project as we proceed. We are finalizing the design and budget and look forward to sharing additional updates. As we strive to …
After scheduling and rescheduling a trip to the Holy Land, it has been determined (for now) to take the trip off the calendar. While we are disappointed, we do have every hope and dream to get there in the upcoming years when peace in the war-torn land ends and tourism has resumed. With that said, …
COMING SOON! In the footsteps of Paul – Greece & Turkey (including a 4 night Greek Island Cruise). Join us March 21, 2025 – March 29, 2025. Information will be published soon!
Choir Rehearsals Resume, Tuesday, August 6 – For ANYONE who would like to offer the gift of worship through song, you are welcome to be a part of the choir that sings at the Sunday 8:30am service and very occasionally at the Saturday 5:30pm service. This group gathers to practice on Tuesdays at 6:00pm. ALL are welcome! …
Pastor Luke Beaver, who was ordained last weekend, offers thanks to the congregation for their support: Thank you to all who attended the Ordination Service and reception, all who served at the service, provided the meal, and offered such kind, thoughtful gifts and cards. Your encouragement is greatly appreciated and a meaningful part of the …
Greetings from the Women of the NALC Council – On August 6, 2024, we will gather online at 3:00 PM ET to discuss the business of the WNALC and planning for next year. The focus for this year’s meeting is The Love of Christ Compels Us and our keynote Speaker is The Rev. Melinda Jones. We will be …
It’s that time of the year again for our Summer Thrivent Community Drive and this year, we are partnering with Exchange Club of Jacksonville and the Exchange Club Family Center with a back-to-school supply drive for the children in the Parent Aide Child Abuse Prevention Program. This program truly is helping the families on the prevention …
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While we always give thanks and praise to God for his work among us now and promised work in the future, we also give thanks for all He has done! We are 44 years young! Who remembers? Give a shout out if you were a member and worshipped in the “original sanctuary”! Who remembers the …
Many thanks to those who completed the input form regarding the future kitchen renovation. All the information has been compiled which has helped us create a program document that establishes priorities. Over the next 30-60 days we hope to put together the plan using the program document and the wisdom of chefs, construction workers and those …
We will have two vacancies on the Church Council this summer due to term limits and are seeking nomination forms. Blank forms are available in the church office and can be used to nominate another individual or yourself. Please submit completed forms by Sunday, May 26.
A Kitchen Renovation questionnaire is available in the church office. If you would like to provide input, use th this form to share your ideas and thoughts. Return the form by April 28 . Once the information is compiled, we will create a program document and list of priorities as we create the budget and invite your …
Over the last few years we have been blessed to have many in our congregation volunteer to cook meals for events like Alpha, Congregational Dinners, Youth functions, and Lenten and Advent Dinners. Some meals are prepared by one person, others by a couple and others by a team of two to four people. To reach …
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 …
As of March 10th, we have a conditional closing on the property. We have signed all the closing documents and wired the money but it is being held in escrow until the seller follows through on their commitment to remove the shipping containers. Once that is completed, we will pass on our paperwork and funds …
We will be taking photos in the Gathering Area and the Fellowship Hall Jan 20 & 21 before and after all services. Our church database software allows us to create our own directory (which we already do) and to add photos if we choose. These will not be professional photos. Please stop by either photo …
All are invited to receive information on the proposed budget, the Mission Plant Church property, and all ministries of 2023. All members will be able to vote to approve the budget for 2024. Your attendance and vote are important and we hope you will make plans to attend. A light lunch will be provided following …
It has been a very busy few weeks dealing with the possible purchase of the Pacetti Road Property with the intent to plant a mission church in St. John’s County. Over the past several months we have been actively involved in “due diligence”. This is to ensure the property can be developed with a church and all of its …
Our annual congregation meeting will be held on Sunday, January 21st following the 10:30 worship service. We will present the Annual Report, Budget 2024, updates on the Pacetti Road Property and we’ll be sharing priorities and goals for 2024 and beyond.
Shepherd of the Woods has had a long history of encouraging and equipping individuals for ministry. Over the years we’ve been host to many vicars who were preparing to serve as a pastor in a church. Candidates are generally 3 or 4 years into their master’s degree program at a seminary and require one year in a …
We continue to work through our necessary due diligence to purchase the Pacetti Road property (near World Golf Village) to ensure the property may be developed to support the work and ministry of the church. Due to some recommended additional testing needs our inspection period has been extended into early January. Our new projected closing …
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 …
We are planning to create a new “inhouse” church directly after the new year and will be taking photos on the weekends of January 13 & 14 and January 20 and 21. Stay tuned for more information!