Upcoming and Special Events at Shepherd of the Woods Church
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 …
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!! …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Join us Sat., March 28 at 10:00am – If you are interested in being connected to VBS this year – the dates are July 13-17 – please join us for this preliminary planning session. Please indicate your interest on the yellow Connect Card or contact the church office with any questions.
Kids and Koinonia Family Ministry Dinner –– Saturday, March 14 – Koinonia is the ancient Biblical Greek word for fellowship. All families with children Pre-K through Grade Six are invited to join us for food, fellowship and a conversation about faith. From 5:30 – 7:30pm. The adults will enjoy a lovely dinner in the Fellowship …
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday – February 18 – and lasts the forty days (not counting Sundays) until Easter. It has traditionally been a solemn time of fasting, meditation and sacrifice. To use up supplies, that would otherwise go bad during these 40 days, a Feast was created and celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday – Some …
Save the Date – It’s almost time for Come Dine with Us!! – Each year our Youth Life group hosts a fantabulous dinner as a fundraiser for camps and mission trips. This year, it will be held on Sat., March 7, with seatings at 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Our theme is “Southern Comforts – Home Cookin’ …
Lent is Drawing Near – Join us for Ash Wednesday Worship – We offer traditional Ash Wednesday worship with the imposition of ashes for those who desire. This solemn service begins our season of Lent – forty days of reflection, prayer, repentance, service and meditation of God’s gifts. On February 18th we will hold two …
The Rev. Jeff Morlock, Director of Vocational Discernment at the North American Lutheran Seminary, will be here on Saturday, Feb 7th, and Sunday, Feb 8th, at each service. He is visiting to promote the mission and work of the NALS and to speak about church vocations in general, and to answer any of our questions …
Join us on February 8th for the SouperBowl of Caring! This is a weekend set aside for the nation’s Youth to collect loose change after worship services. 100% of funds stay local to support hunger initiatives right in our community. You are encouraged to bring in your loose change and place in the soup pots …
Shepherd’s Shelves Celebration Weekend – February 7th & 8th – It seems like just a few weeks ago that we launched our community food pantry, but it has been almost five months!! We are now seeing 30+ visitors each time we open which means we are assisting 300+ individuals each week when you consider other …
January has been Disaster Relief Awareness Month– All month, we worked towards our goal of providing the NALC Disaster Relief team with items for their warehouses. Today we will be praying over and blessing the beautiful handmade quilts, baby blankets, baby care items, Bibles, and full-size blankets that will be going to a regional Disaster …
On Sat, Jan 31st there will be an All-Day, Drop-In Workshop from 9am to 3:30pm where all these activities happen as well as sewing tops and creating new sewing kits and new cutting kits. Jobs for every skill level!! You can come for a few hours or the entire day. We have a potluck for …
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 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 …
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.
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 – …
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 to Remember – Yes, we are thinking about pumpkins, and our delivery date is getting closer!! Please mark your calendar for these important dates!
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 …
Important Pumpkin Dates to Remember – Yes, we are already thinking about pumpkins! And we invite you to save a few dates to help if you are able. Sign-up opportunities are coming soon but please mark your calendar for these important dates!
Save The Date – Taste of the Woods is returning!! Join us Saturday, Sept 13 in the Fellowship Hall as Women of the Woods host a delicious treats fundraiser. Guests will enjoy visiting stations of exquisite appetizers, delicious small bites, scrumptious tiny desserts and a variety of beverages! Tickets are $25 per person and will …
The bus will be back on Sunday, August 24 from 9:30am until Noon (or until the last donor is complete). Please visit oneblood.org to pre-register if you know you will be able to donate that day. Or, you can just show up that morning and walk in. Donors always receive nice thank-you gift but the …
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 …
Join us at the Pacetti Property (2585 Pacetti Rd, 30292) for our second work day on Saturday 7/19 at 8am for approximately two hours. We will continue to clean up trash and debris on the property in preparation for mowing work. Please bring gloves and wheelbarrows if you have them! Water and tent shade will …
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 …
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 …
Summer is in full swing and we have several programs and studies “on break” for a period. So, we thought we would put everything in one place so you can plan ahead and mark your calendars for when these regular programs resume, and you don’t miss out on first sessions.
Fourth of July Potluck and Game Day – Friday 7/4, 12:00 Noon until….. Everyone is invited, all ages are welcome although there is no childcare provided. We will gather beginning at noon, but you can “drop in” or “drop out” as you like! Invite a friend or neighbor to join you. It’s a potluck, so …
To register, volunteer or learn more, please visit: Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School.
We are always pleased to host the Bloodmobile andprovide you with an easy way to donate, if you are able. The Bloodmobile will be here again next Sunday, June 15 from 9:30am to Noon (but will stay as long as there are donors!) You may sign up in advance at oneblood.org or you can just …
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 …
Haven Hospice Dementia Caregivers’ Workshop – Wednesday, June 4 at 11am. Please join us if you or someone you love is caring for someone with dementia or related conditions or is facing that in the future. Haven Hospice has a lot of good information to share to support caregivers. We will offer a light luncheon following the presentation. …
Join Youth Life on Sunday, May 11th with our Mother’s Day “Pancakes and More” Breakfast! This year, there will be greater variety in the menu and we are excited to host you. Additional details will be published soon. Proceeds of this fundraiser will benefit Youth Life at Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church.
Mark your calendars for two summer youth events:
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 …
Good Friday – this holy day recalls the last hours of Jesus’ life as the suffering servant is nailed to the cross, fulfilling his mission as the sacrifical Lamb of God. The sinless One takes on humanity’s sin as he is betrayed, arrested and sentenced to death, even as Pontius Pilate finds no fault in him. We …
Maundy Thursday – provides us the opportunity to recall Jesus’ last supper with his closest friends, during which he institutes what we call The Last Supper (the sacrament of Holy Communion). As a sign of his servant love, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet and gives them a new commandment, that they should love one another as he has loved …
PLEASE JOIN US FOR WORSHIP Maundy Thursday, April 17 Join us for a traditional Maundy Thursday worship service with Holy Communion. The services will include a symbolic foot washing and concludes with the stripping of the altar. Services at Noon and 6:30pm. The Noon service is live-streamed Good Friday, April 18 Join us as we reflect …
Please make plans to join us for a lovely morning of tea and delicious finger foods and sweets. Our festive spring event will be Monday, April 28th at 11:30am and the suggested donation for tickets is $25. This event is for ladies AND gentlemen of all ages and serves as a fundraiser for the various ministries of Shepherd …
It’s Bake Sale Weekend – our volunteers have baked an amazing array of delicious goodies which are on display in the Gathering Area. All proceeds benefit our Little Lambs Early Learning Center. Items are not priced but free will donations are appreciated, as your heart leads you and you are able! And we’re not sure it’s true, but …
The Yard Sale is next weekend, and we continue 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. If you have not yet dropped your items off, you can do so through Tuesday …
All Hands Spring Cleaning Workday – Saturday, March 8 from 9am to Noon – We invite you to come out and help us with a variety of spring-cleaning projects both outside and inside our buildings. There will be jobs for everyone as we are seeking to reorganize our sacristy, our cry room, and a utility closet; continue final …
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 …
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, …
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! …
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 …
Join us Saturday, February, 8th – Our annual Youth Life fundraiser is a great opportunity to have a wonderful evening out. Invite some friends, another couple or make it a date night! We offer two seatings – at 5:00pm and 7:00pm and we always have a fabulous menu! The suggestion donation is $35 per person. Reservation sheets will be …
Thrivent will host a Long-term Care Workshop on Tuesday, January 21 at 6:30pm which will include a buffet dinner. Please see the insert in the church bulletin for more information or contact the church office to register by Jan 16.
We will be holding our sale a little earlier this year – On Saturday, March 15, from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. All proceeds from the sale support our Tarma, Peru Mission Church. The storage bins will arrive the week of February 17th so now is the time to begin cleaning out closets, drawers and the garage!!! If …
This year we will gather at the St. Stephen’s Retreat and Conference Center in Titusville, FL from Friday, Feb 28 through Sunday, March 2nd. St. Stephen’s is a lovely waterfront retreat center with beautiful study and worship spaces. There will be time for study, worship, individual time and fellowship. Our retreat speaker is the Rev. Julie Smith (co-founder …
Save the Date – All Day – Drop-In Quilting Workshop on Sat, Jan 18 – men, women and teens are invited to come for an hour or come all day! No experience needed and no sewing skills required. There is a job for everyone and teens earn community service hours for school. Stay tuned for sign-up opportunities.