Invitation to Vicar Beaver’s Ordination & Installation

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. …

From The First Coast Group of Thrivent Financial

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 …

Alpha Leadership Team

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.

Youth Life News

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 …

Kitchen Renovation Update

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 …

Join Alpha!

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 …

Donations For Ghana

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 …

Quilting Ministry Update

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 …

Spring Tea Thank You

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 …

Faithful Friday – June 21st

“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 …

VBS Needs

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 …

Monthly Game Night

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.

Summer 5 – 5 – 5 Project

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 …

Disaster Response Update

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!

Donation for Ghana

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 …

Youth Life News – Summer Updates

Vacation Bible School is June 17-21. Volunteers are needed to help with games, crafts and fellowship. Please let Kelly Clark or Cynthia Cannon know if you are able to help out this summer. Adventure Camp Retreat is coming this summer, June 30-July 4. This amazing, fun week takes place in Orlando at the Grand Beach Resort on Lake …

Confirmation Camp 2024

Join us from July 21 – 25th at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simon’s Island, GA. This event is open to rising 7th graders- 12th grade. Registration is open now and due by June 23rd. The cost for the camp is $250.

Mother’s Day – Thank You!

Thank you to all those who prepared, served, attended and supported our Mother’s Day Pancakes and More Breakfast. Thank you to those who participated in the Peterbrooke Chocolatier Fundraiser, as well. These donations will greatly benefit the Youth Life ministry at Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church.

Youth Life News

Thank you to everyone who helped out with the Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast this past Sunday. You all raised over $750! Awesome job everyone! And a special thank you to our adult helpers- Heather, Sherrie, Sara, Charlotte, Adam, Jackie, Joe, Anita, and David. See pictures below.  Vacation Bible School is June 17-21. Volunteers are needed to help …

Monthly Game Night

Yes! It’s already that time again!!! Join us Sat, May 18 at 6:45pm for an evening of fun, food, fellowship, and friendly competition. Whether you like board games, card games, charades, you name it – we play it!! Except Twister – we don’t play Twister! Feel free to bring a snack to share if you want to. All ages …

Little Lambs Early Learning Center

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 …

Vacation Bible School Planning Meeting 

If you would like to volunteer with VBS this year and want like to help with the planning of this year’s program, you are invited to attend Sat, May 18 from 10am to Noon. This week-long program requires a lot of planning, set up and hands-on volunteers. All are welcome!!

Youth Life News

Sunday, May 12th is our Mother’s Day “Pancakes and More” Breakfast! Please mark your calendars. This fundraiser is a bit more involved than our last breakfast as we will have more variety in the menu. Help will be needed to serve after both the 8:30 and 10:30 services. So plan on being here from 8:30 until about 12:30pm. You can earn …

Church Council Nomination Form

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.

Youth Life News

Peterbrooke Chocolate fundraiser continues this weekend, May 4-5. We have a table set up in the gathering area. Youth are needed to be at the table taking orders. It is set up to be “self serve” but it’s always nice to be present for a fundraiser. There will be samples available as well as the order …

Mother’s Day: Pancakes and More!

Join Youth Life on Sunday, May 12th 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.

Youth Life News

Good afternoon, friends!  We welcome Vicar Luke Beaver this weekend with his installation as our new vicar. Please be sure to introduce yourself and welcome him to Shepherd of the Woods!  Peterbrooke Chocolate fundraiser begins this Sunday, April 28. We have a table set up in the gathering area. Youth are needed to be at the …

Beaches Mission House

Join us on Tuesday, April 30th at 4:30pm – SOTW supports Mission House by sending a team to cook and serve dinner on months with a Fifth Tuesday. If you would like to participate, please indicate on the Yellow Insert. We gather at 4:30pm to prepare the meal and serve by 6pm. With serving and clean-up we are …

Youth Life News

Happy Easter season! We continue in this season of Easter until Pentecost Sunday, which is May 19, followed by Holy Trinity Sunday, May 26. We then continue in the season of Pentecost through most of October. The colors in the church will change from white to green. Our next youth fundraiser is Sunday, May 12th …

Mission Support

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 …

Joining Jesus As A Family

New Class begins on Sunday, May 19th at 9:30am! This class has been created to help anyone live a fruitful and fulfilling life as a disciple of Jesus. Parents, grandparents, foster parents, guardians and those who serve children will be inspired and blessed by our time together. Classes will meet the 3rd Sunday of every month between …

Monthly Game Night

Join us Saturday, April 20th for an evening of fun, food, fellowship, and friendly competition! There are games of all types available and there is always lots to eat. Feel free to bring something to share if you like. Please indicate your interest on the Yellow Connect Card Insert or contact the church office with questions.

Faithful Friday – April 12th

Dear Disciple of Christ, If you remember when we paused to receive devotions provided by the national church office, I had received an unsolicited call to move from my first to my second congregation. I mentioned that those transitions in congregations are not always easy. It is not easy for the congregation “losing” their pastor, the next …

Spring Tea – An Early Learning Center Fundraiser 

Please make plans to join us for a lovely morning of tea and delicious finger foods and sweets. Our festive spring event will be Saturday, April 27th at 11:00am and the suggested donation for tickets is $25. In addition to the scrumptious fare and fun fellowship, we will have songs from the children and raffles for three exciting …

Youth Life News

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Happy Easter season everyone! It was wonderful seeing everyone in worship.  Thank you to our youth who volunteered to help with worship this weekend and during Holy Week. Any youth interested in helping with worship as acolytes, ushers, assisting ministers, etc, please let me know and we can …

Yard Sale – Thank You!

Our annual Yard Sale last weekend raised more than $6,300 which will be used to further programs in our mission church and outreach ministries in Tarma, Peru and the Kingdom Kids after-school and tutoring programs. Thanks to all who donated and who worked all week getting ready for the sale!

Midweek Bible Study Resumes

Midweek Bible Study resumes this evening at 6:30pm in the Annex South classroom and continues the study of the Book of Matthew. All are welcome! If you are not able to join in person, please use the link below to join by Zoom.

Peru Mission Trip Update

You are invited to prayerfully consider joining us on our next Mission Trip to Tarma, Peru! Our tentative dates are sometime in early August 2024. Estimated cost is approximately $1500 and is mostly dependent on the cost of the airfare. Please check off your interest in learning more on the yellow connect card.

Lenten 5 – 5 – 5 Project Update

Thank you for your support and involvement with our Lenten 5-5-5 congregational outreach project. We had a goal of receiving 500 items for NALC Disaster Relief Kits and Hygiene kits and collecting $500, all in 5 weeks’ time. We give thanks to God for the love and care you have extended and rejoice at His work through …

Easter Worship

Easter Saturday, March 30 5:30pm – Easter Worship with Holy Communion Easter Sunday, March 31 6:30am – “Sunrise” Easter Worship with Holy Communion 8:30am – Easter Worship with Holy Communion 10:30am – Easter Worship with Holy Communion (Live-Streamed) Please join us for a time of fellowship with coffee and snacks after Worship. It is our mission to spread the Gospel by …

Youth Life News

The season of Lent is comes to an end as we observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship services tonight and tomorrow. Sunday is Easter Sunday! Sunday services are at 6:30am, 8:30am and 10:30am. Thank you to those who have volunteered to assist with worship. Blessings on your worship during this Holy Week. See you Sunday!  Our …