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 – 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.
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, …
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.
Many thanks to all who have graciously responded to the invitation to serve. We continue to organize ourselves and have scheduled three 30-minute training sessions – we hope you can make one of these informational meetings. If not, we can meet with you one-on-one. We will meet at the entrance to the new space. Training …
Join us for the Shepherd’s Shelves Open House Saturday, September 13 (6:30pm – 7:00pm) Sunday, September 14 (9:30am – Noon) The Shepherd’s Shelves is a ministry of Shepherd of the Woods that extends Christ’s love and care by providing food to those who are hungry. Since 2022 you have generously donated and provided over 21,00 …
There will be an all-day, drop-in quilting workshop on Saturday, August 30th in the Fellowship Hall. It will begin at 9am and continue until 3:30pm. Come for an hour or all day! This is open to all teens (community service hours) and adults and NO sewing skills are needed to pitch in and help with …
We are currently in the process of expanding our food ministry and we are working on moving the shelves and the stored donations to the Shepherd Center where we will have more room. This will most likely mean setting specific days of the week and certain hours of the day and we are still working …
We will be serving a meal at the Beaches Mission House on Tuesday, August 29th. If you would like to be a part of the team, please sign up on the yellow Connect Card or contact the church office.
The Alpha Course is a 10-week program where people from all points of faith come together for open conversation. Many that attend are engaged Christians who want to “check it out” before inviting others or who want to discover a path to deepening their faith. Others are “seeking” something even if they can’t exactly define …
The Alpha Course is a 10 week program where people from all points of faith come together for open conversation. Many that attend are engaged Christians who want to “check it out” before inviting others or who want to discover a path to deepening their faith. Others are “seeking” something even if they can’t exactly …
Ruben’s newborn son, Alfredo, was born with Equinovarus, also known as club foot. He is in need of corrective surgery (approximately $2,000). If you would like to extend your care to Ruben and donate towards his surgery, please indicate “Ruben’s son” on your check or envelope.
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 …
THANK YOU for your generous support of this ministry. We are blessed to support many families, and the congregation’s faithfulness has had an impact on our surrounding community. We gladly receive fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be weighed and give cold items …
Our summer 555 program has begun and runs through July 20th and allows our Youth Life group to participate in a community service project. This time we will be collecting backpacks and school supplies for children in need. We strive to receive 500 items and 500 dollars in 5 weeks. Please ensure all donations are …
To register, volunteer or learn more, please visit: Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School.
Our summer 555 program begins next weekend and runs through July 20th and allows our Youth Life group to participate in a community service project. This time we will be collecting backpacks and school supplies for children in need. We strive to receive 500 lbs of items and 500 dollars in 5 weeks. We’ll have …
THANK YOU for your generous support of this ministry. We are blessed to support many families, and the congregation’s faithfulness has had an impact on our surrounding community. We gladly receive fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be weighed and give cold items …
The mission team in Tarma, Peru is busy beautifying the walkway in front of the church and Kingdom Kids ministry. Can’t wait to see the finished work!
Pointing kids to Jesus, a faithful friend we can always trust. From July 14th – 18th, join the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and glistening glaciers. As kids trek the tundra, they’ll explore how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today. …
There will be an all-day, drop-in workshop on Saturday, May 31 from 9am to 4pm. Come for the day or just a few hours! Bring a dish to share at lunch if you choose. These all day sessions are a great way to make headway with the number of quilts we will have to pass …
THANK YOU for your generous support of this ministry. We are blessed to support many families, and the faithfulness of our congregation has had an impact on our surrounding community. We gladly receive fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be checked in and …
Thank you for your support and involvement with our Lenten 5-5-5 congregational outreach project. We had a goal of receiving 500 items and collecting $500, all in 5 weeks’ time for two local agencies supporting the homeless in Northeast Florida. We give thanks to God for the love and care you have extended and rejoice at His …
Vacation Bible School Planning Session – if you would like to support VBS in any way, you are invited to attend a planning session on Sat, April 26 at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. We need assistance with planning, decorating, teaching, music, snacks and clean up! VBS will be July 14 – 18.
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 …
Thank you for showing and sharing Christ’s love. Now, 79 children have been provided uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies to equip them for school. (Pictures of a few of them and our gracious partners in ministry serving on the ground in Tarma!) Glory to God! Thanks be to God!
Plans are being put into place and you are invited to prayerfully consider joining us on our next Mission Trip to Tarma, Peru, June 3 – 13 , 2025. We have a great group forming and you can be a part of this work! Not only will you be a blessing to the mission, but you …
Thank you for the “life changers” who made contribution to our Peru School Uniforms Fund. Complete uniforms are required for a child to attend school in Peru and, for families who cannot afford this, they are faced with not being able to provide their child with an education. Because of your generosity, love and care, …
Mark Your Calendars for Palm Sunday – April 13 – It is our practice to greet the community on Palm Sunday by waving palm fronds on the sidewalk before the services. We even do this before the 5:30 service on Saturday, April 12! We hope to line the entire length of the property with volunteers, and we’ll have a few …
This year we will support our local community by collecting and delivering items that will be of help to the homeless. We will be helping Beaches Mission House in Jacksonville Beach and St Francis House in St. Augustine. We have a goal to collect 500 items and raise $500 during the 5 weeks of Lent. Please use the link below for the list …
You are dust, and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19) Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the lenten season and is a time fo personal reflection and repentance. As a symbol of repentance and admission of our frailty, the imposition of ashes will be offered for those who desire to receive them. We invite …
Lent is Observed for the Forty Days – begining Ash Wednesday – until Easter – excluding Sundays. As we anticipate the season of Lent, you are invited to make time each week to join us in worship and take time to reflect on the gift of God’s son. We begin on Ash Wednesday, March 5, …
The Yard Sale donation storage bins are in place 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 …
We are blessed to support many families, and the faithfulness of our congregation has had an impact on our surrounding community. We gladly receive fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be checked in and give cold items to a staff member. Our current needs are pastas & …
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 …
Our Youth Life group collected loose change, paper money, checks and even card swipes for a total of nearly $1,000. 100% of these funds will go to support local hunger programs. Your care of those in our community makes a difference!
A very brief, yet fruitful and Spirit inspiring, trip to Lima. We conducted our annual administrative and mission planning trip meeting with Pastor Araujo, our Mission Pastor in Tarma, Peru. God is doing great things! He continues to build the community and the witness of HIS church. Thanks be to God. Also pictured is Pastor Araujo’s …
For over 30 years, the Souper Bowl of Caring movement has been inspiring people across the nation to tackle hunger in their local communities. Mobilizing grassroots resources including churches, schools, civic groups and caring individuals, this movement has created over $193 million worth of support that stays completely local. Over the last three years alone, …
We are blessed to support many families and the faithfulness of our congregation has had an impact on our surrounding community. We gladly receive fresh, frozen and shelf-stable items. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be checked in and give cold items to a staff member. Our current needs are …
Thank you to all who participated in our card-making party. To learn more, please visit: Valentines for Veterans. Most importantly, thank you, veterans for your service.
Dinner includes a soup course, friseé salad, entree, vegetables and dessert. Water, tea and coffee, plus a specialty “mocktail” will also be served. Please also indicate your selection of entrees – beef, chicken or vegetarian and your dessert choices. If you have any dietary restrictions, please share those and we will do our best to comply! …
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.
Women of the Woods will host a valentine card making party on Sun, Feb 2 following the 10:30am service. Grab a fellowship snack and join us in the Annex to make a few cards!
163 Quilts made to the Glory of God! May they provide warmth & security to those who have experienced tragedy, disaster, displacement, or have no other shelter. May all who receive them be wrapped in His love & encouraged with His hope. Amen.
We were blessed to support many families in 2024, and the faithfulness of our congregation has had an impact on our surrounding community. We gladly receive fresh, frozen and shelf- stable items. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be checked in and give cold items to a staff member. Our …
Our Quilt Blessing will be Saturday, January 18th and Sunday, January 19th. Our quilters have been VERY busy this past year making dozens of quilts for disaster relief efforts via Lutheran World Relief and NALC Disaster Response Team. More than 200 beautiful, unique pieces of art grace our sanctuary this weekend and we offer our …
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 in the Gathering Area through …
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 …
Christmas joy and blessings delivered in Peru. Thank you for extending your love and care by sharing and showing Christ 3000 miles away. We are blessed to be a blessing!
We support Mission House on months with a Fifth Tuesday by cooking and serving a home-cooked meal to the homeless community in Jacksonville Beach. If you would like to help, we will meet at 4:30 pm on December 31st to cook and serve about 6pm and are done by 7:00. Please indicate on the yellow …
We have seen a real uptick in recent weeks and your care of our community is a real blessing. Please put dry goods on the marked shelf in the Gathering Area to be checked in and give cold items to a staff member or one of the Pastors. Our current needs are breakfast cereals, pasta …
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 have a busy holiday season ahead of us. Please keep these dates handy and make plans to join us in worship and serving. There are many opportunities to volunteer both with worship services, special events and helping those in need. We encourage you to be prayerful throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons, both in offering …
Each month we set aside 10% of undesignated giving to support a variety of ministries in Christian love and care. Your stewardship and generosity reach people near and far! This past month, our Benevolence ministry supported a global and local mission:
Each month, Pastor Araujo sends us ministry reports highlighting what God has been doing and how the Spirit is moving. This past month Pastor Araujo was able to visit and extend God’s love and care to several sick people. He also continues his ministry of presence and encouragement with those imprisoned and awaiting trial in Tarma. He …
After taking in more than $16K in sales and sending the fundraising company their share (we keep 33%), and after expenses, we were able to put a little more than $5,000 into a variety of ministries – The Peru mission, a food bank in Jacksonville, the Pastors’ discretionary fund, the Youth Life ministry, and the Little Lambs …
During the holiday food drive, we continue to accept donations for our small (but mighty) Shepherd’s Shelves food pantry ministry. We are blessed to be able to serve our community through this process. It wouldn’t be possible without your ongoing support. We have added a small freezer to hold things like meal kits, meats, and bread. To …
As our thoughts turn toward the holidays, we would like to make sure that we are showing care for those in our community in need of feeding their families. We will be putting together baskets of staples and of holiday items. If you are connected to an individual or family in need, please pass that …
Shepherd of the Woods is receiving financial donations for the relief and recovery work being done to help those in need following the devastating effect of hurricane Helene & Milton. You can support NALC Disaster Relief teams two ways: Offering your gifts of time and energy: When it is safe and appropriate for us to …
Current needs are condiments, shelf-stable milk, soups, toilet paper, bags of rice, and canned beans. We now have a small freezer and can take small quantities of frozen meats and vegetables. We see a number of folks each week needing supplemental support, your donations are a real blessing to these individuals and families.
We will gather on Wednesday, October 2nd for a fellowship meal of soup & salad at 5:30pm and a presentation at 6:00pm. Our Missionaros who journeyed to Tarma & Huancal Peru in August will share photos and stories of the work being done in our congregation there. A lot happened in a short visit!! Please help us …
Shepherd Shelves – current needs are canned meats of all kinds, condiments, shelf-stable milk, soups, toilet paper, canned fruit and canned vegetables (except peas, corn and baked beans – we have plenty of these right now!) We see a number of folks each week needing supplemental support, your donations are a real blessing to these individuals and families.
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 …
The First Coast Group of Thrivent, in partnership with The Exchange Club, invites you to support their 2024 Shoe Drive. Donate your gently worn used shoes or new shoes today! The shoes will be reused and given new life through #microenterprise to help those in need. To make sorting easier, please tie together shoes with …
The First Coast Group of Thrivent, in partnership with The Exchange Club, invites you to support their 2024 Shoe Drive. Donate your gently worn used shoes or new shoes today! The shoes will be reused and given new life through #microenterprise to help those in need. To make sorting easier. Please tie shoes with laces …
Our mission trippers returned safely following a wonderful trip. Among their many accomplishments were creating and painting a new mural on the outside walls of the church property, completing a 2nd bathroom for the afterschool ministry, building a fence and stabilizing a stairwell. Additional improvements were made all over the property and our friends in the …
Double the fun, working in both Huancal building safety railing and handrails while at Iglesia Luterana Misión Tarma painting a new mural on the church wall by the street. It was a great day to do mission!
PERU MISSION TRIP SUPPORT As the mission trippers prepare to depart for Tarma Peru on August 6th, we have an opportunity to support the work and outreach they will be doing. To support this mission, indicate “Peru Mission” on your envelope or check. Please keep the mission team in your prayers! May our Lord use …
If you are able to provide items for the Shepherd Shelves, there is a collection bin in the Gathering Area. We are currently low on the following items: Thank you for your care for those in our community who faces issues with providing nutritional meals for their household. This ministry positively impacts people every week.
Sandwich Sunday will be held Sunday, July 21 as our first service project for Confirmation Camp. After the 10:30 service we will put together bag lunches for 200 food challenged youth in St Augustine through Port in the Storm ministry.
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 not knowing if they …
We will begin our next Alpha course in August – this is 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 …
Pastor Eric and Mrs. Joyce Swensson will be going to Ghana in July and while there, they want to distribute a few things to the students at the Lutheran School for the Visually and Hearing Impaired – Legos blocks, soccer balls, shorts, shirts, and used laptops and tablets. They use Legos blocks to teach Braille, so if …
Our quilters now meet EVERY Wednesday at 1:30pm! Volunteers gather to work on all aspects of our disaster relief quilts that are passed on to Lutheran World Relief and to the North American Lutheran Church Disaster Team. No experience is needed and no sewing! On Wednesdays, this group cuts squares, organizes them by color, creates …
During the five weeks leading up to our Youth Life Confirmation Faith Camp, we strive as a community to collect 500 pounds of food and $500 in financial donations to support the Lutheran Social Service food bank and weekend backpack program. Each Friday, hundreds of children across northeast Florida leave school in the afternoon not …
Your love and care of neighbor and generosity abound. We look forward to getting these supples to those in need via the NALC Disaster Response. We are blessed to be a blessing!
Pastor Eric and Mrs. Joyce Swensson will be going to Ghana in July and while there, they want to distribute a few things to the students at the Lutheran School for the Visually and Hearing Impaired – Legos, soccer balls, shorts, shirts, and used laptops and tablets. They use Legos to teach Braille, so if you …
We have a few more openings on one of our routes right now. If you have ever considered volunteering for this ministry, most people drive just one day each month (more if you choose) and the route takes about an hour and a half (from 10:30 or 11am). If you would like more information or would …
Our Little Lambs – Early Learning Center serves the community by offering a faith-based, educational curriculum for children 2-5 years-old. Unlike many preschools, we focus on reading literacy, math and language skills, and the development of social and problem-solving skills. Also uncommon, we offer full-day and year-round programs for households where all adults work during the day. We …