Now that our congregation has representation at the national level with the Women of the NALC group – Marti Baggs is on the Board – we are seeking to increase our efforts and participation locally with a Women’s Group. They would come together for service projects, fellowship and study. If you would be interested in attending events and helping with …
We are having a water day this Saturday at Adventure Landing- Shipwreck Island water park. Saturday, September 7, from 11am-2:30pm. Bring a towel, sunscreen, dry clothes, water shoes and about $15-20 cash/debit card for lunch! Meet at the park at 1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach at 11am to gather with your Youth Life(7-12th grade) friends for a day of …
“There is great gain in godliness with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful …
We will begin with “demo day” on Sat, Sept 7 at 9am and will create a temporary kitchen set up in the North Annex classroom. If you are able to offer the gift of time and can help for a few hours, please join us on September 7th at 9:00am. We will be emptying all of the cabinets, shelves and …
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 …
As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. -2 Timothy 4:5 Dear Disciple of Christ, In Paul’s second letter to his co-worker, Timothy, he spent some time clarifying how the church would continue. It was an amazing idea. God would watch over His church and provide for disciples, …
We have been working on the Pumpkin Patch plan since March, placing our order with Pumpkins USA and slightly increasing our count this year! We are asked to list 4 delivery dates and we were slotted in our first pick! Lots of things will have to happen before delivery day and we are looking for …
Read more “The Pumpkins Are Coming – October 5th at 9:00 am”
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 …
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 …
We are having a water day at Adventure Landing- Shipwreck Island water park. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 7, from 10am-2:30pm. Bring a towel, sunscreen, dry clothes, water shoes and about $15-20 cash/debit card for lunch! Meet at the park at 1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach at 10am to gather with your Youth Life(7-12th grade) friends for a …
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” …
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 …
Awesome pool party! 15 youth plus adults gathered at Dennis and Sherrie Faye’s home last Sunday. Everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you to our hosts and to the chaperones who also provided lunch. Great way to end the summer and begin the school year! Confirmation classes will begin September 8th. More details to follow! …
“But if any one has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” – 1 John 3:17 Dear Disciple of Christ, I completed my presentation of the decision to care for the homeless last week. But the need for care continues relentlessly …
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!
We have been working on the Pumpkin Patch plan since March, placing our order with Pumpkins USA and slightly increasing our count this year! We are asked to list 4 delivery dates and we were slotted in our first pick! Lots of things will have to happen before delivery day and we are looking for …
The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that …
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, …
Little Lambs Bake Sale Weekend – Sat Aug 24 & Sun, Aug 25 – We will have a wonderful assortment of cookies, cakes, tarts and breads, many sugar-free or gluten-free for those of you who prefer these items! Be sure to stop by the Gathering Area that weekend and select a few goodies to support our Early Learning Center. …
Ladies, mark your calendar for Fri, Feb 28 , 2025 – Sun, Mar 2 , 2025 for the annual women’s retreat. The retreat will be held at St Stephen Christian Retreat & Conference Center in Titusville, FL.
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! …
One of the blessings of our ministries at Shepherd of the Woods is offering the love of Christ in times of need and crisis. We maintain a Pastors’ Discretionary Fund so that our pastoral staff has resources to help when situations arise where a pastor is led to assist. If you would like to contribute to this …
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Those fruits then and now are signs of the presence of Christ and the power of the Spirit that empowers a community in Christ. Dear disciple of Christ, Last week I was describing the decision of our congregation …
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 …
On Sun, Aug 11, our Youth will gather for worship at 10:30am and then depart for a fun afternoon of swimming and a yummy lunch. Please watch for the Youth Life email with details or call Rhonda Taylor in the church office with any questions.
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 …
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 …
Quilting Ministry Update – Our quilters now meet EVERY Wednesday at 1:30pm! No experience is needed and no sewing! This group cuts squares, organizes them by color, creates quilt top patterns and matches already- sewn quilt tops with filler and backing. Even if you have never volunteered before, you can be trained in minutes!! If good …
“Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – …
“Sandwich Sunday” to benefit the Port in the Storm ministry in St. Augustine. The confirmation camp youth made over 200 sandwich lunches before heading to camp. Thanks to Thrivent for the Action Team funds to feed the hungry!
A blessed day at faith camp learning, serving and playing!
Hey Ladies! You are invited to join in on the Women of the North American Lutheran Church on-line Gathering on August 6th. The keynote speaker is Pastor Jones! Registration is now open. To learn more, please visit: WNALC 2024.
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 …
For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. –Matthew 25:14-15 Dear Disciple of Christ, I expect you know the story about the talents …
Confirmation Camp is here! This Sunday marks the start of Confirmation Camp 2024 beginning with worship together at the 10:30 service. Following worship and lunch, we have our first service project: Sandwich Sunday! The plan is to bag 200 lunches for those who are food challenged. Following the service project, you all will caravan up to St Simon’s …
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.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Ordination blessings to Pastor Luke Beaver!
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.
Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury; and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. And he said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all …
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 …
Congratulations to Vicar Luke Beaver who was called to serve Shepherd of the Woods as an Associate Pastor at our congregational meeting on Wednesday, June 26th. Vicar Beaver is in the Army Reserves and is seeking military endorsement as a Army Chaplain. His ordination will be one more step in supporting him on his journey. …
Read more “Invitation to Vicar Beaver’s Ordination & Installation”
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 …
Read more “From The First Coast Group of Thrivent Financial”
On July 14, we will be holding a 90-minute session for those who would like to volunteer with the leadership team for the upcoming Alpha Session. We will gather at 11:45am in the Annex South classroom and share a light lunch. Please reply to this email if you plan on attending and have not yet signed up.
The Bloodmobile – will be at SOTW on Sunday, July 7 from 10:30am to Noon. The time slot was previously advertised as 9am to Noon but OneBlood is not able to have anyone here until 10:30am now. We hope this does not present any issues to those wishing to donate blood. Please donate if you are able …
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 …
“As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10 Dear Disciple of Christ, We pastors don’t live in a vacuum (at least, not most of us or most of the time). We are aware of and connected to brother and sister pastors who are …
Happy Independence Day! Welcome back all of our Adventure Campers! A very fun week was had by all. Thank you to our youth leaders who helped with this event. We had 7 youth and 4 adult leaders spend the week, along with a few helpers who prepared some of the meals. Thank you! Stay tuned for pictures …
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 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 …
The Spring Tea held on Saturday morning was just lovely and the Staff of the Early Learning Center would like to thank everyone who purchased Tea tickets, raffle tickets and those who baked treats and made sandwiches and served in the kitchen. This is an impactful fundraiser for our Early Learning Center ministry, and we …
Please plan to attend our summer Semi-annual Congregational Meeting on Wednesday, June 26th. This is an opportunity to get updates on our ministries, and to vote on our new Church Council nominees. We will also be voting on extending a call to Vicar Beaver to temporarily serve as an Associate Pastor until he is called …
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” – Hebrews 13:1-2 Dear Disciples of Christ, Do you notice the distinction between those two verses? The first verse (of Hebrews 13) describes the care we should have for members of the body of Christ. This should be distinctive …
Vacation Bible School (VBS) begins this coming Monday, June 17th! A HUGE thank you to everyone who donated supplies. We truly appreciate you! We still have a few items that we need to make this week a SCUBA-tastic success! Please read the list below and bring the items to church between now and this Sunday morning-June …
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” – Matthew 16:15 Dear Disciples of Christ, This is the last part of the orientation I do for new members. We cover lots of areas of church life but …
Monthly Game Night will be held Saturday, June 15th at 6:45pm. Come and enjoy some fellowship, food and a friendly game or two! Invite a friend.
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!
“So when Jesus and His disciples had come together, the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has …
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our summer Semi-annual Congregational Meeting. This is a good opportunity to get updates on our ministries, and to vote on our new Church Council nominees. We will also be voting on extending a call to Vicar Beaver to serve as an Associate Pastor until he is called …
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 …
And Jesus said, ”For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. -Matthew 18:20 Dear Disciple of Christ, Do you have any idea what a “critical mass” is? What might first come to mind for you is that it is “the amount of fissile material needed to sustain nuclear …