April 7, 2023
Sing Alleluia! Come, celebrate Easter at Shepherd of the Hills.
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 9
During Holy Week we reflected on the incredible sacrifice that was made for us (don’t miss the Good Friday Service tonight at 7:30pm), and this Sunday we celebrate the triumph of hope and new beginnings. Sing Alleluia, the tomb is empty, Christ is Risen!
SONRISE WORSHIP
7:00am | Outdoor Worship Center
Experience the Easter story in the rustic setting of our Outdoor Worship Center In the quiet of early morning. This intimate service is about 45 minutes long, includes Holy Communion, and is a meaningful way to celebrate Easter.
EASTER WORSHIP
9:00am + 11:00am | Sanctuary
11:00am Livestream
Gather in our beautifully adorned sanctuary and feel the power of the Resurrection as we unveil the cross, sing hymns accompanied by reverberating brass, listen to an inspiring message, and partake in Holy Communion. Same service, two times.
EASTER BRUNCH
8:00am – 10:30am | Activity Center
Every great celebration includes good food and friends. Join us for a festive brunch of homemade delights by the Food for Fellowship Team.
EASTER OFFERING
Our Easter Sunday offering has been designated to support ELCA World Hunger and Mariposa Family Learning Center. ELCA World Hunger responds to global hunger needs, and Mariposa, a ministry of Austin City Lutherans, provides affordable child care and support for parents and families in Southeast Austin. Give online or use an Easter Offering Envelope.
EASTER LILIES
Given in loving memory of LaVerne and Arthur Kalbow, by Linda Roesle
Given in loving memory Patricia Reed and Janet and Lee Dawson, by Bill and Sara Dawson
Given in loving memory of my parents, by Sharon Collins
Given in loving memory of Larry Lommel and Ralph Femrite, by Diane Peterson
Given in loving memory of Irvin and Bernette Wikelius, by Larry and Sandy Wikelius
Given in loving memory of those who died in Nashville, by Larry and Carole Morgan
Given in loving memory of Don Gaskin, by Sandy Gaskin
Given in loving memory of Carl Grevlos and Barbara Sue Grevlos, by Dorothy Grevlos
Given in loving memory of Dolores Smith, by Sandy and Larry Smith
Given in loving memory of our parents, by Yolanda and Bill Heine
Given in loving memory of Mike Cramer, by the Wegner family
Given in loving memory of our parents, by Alana and Charlie Oehler
Given in loving memory of W.R. Staub, Jr. and Thomas T. Moore, Jr., by Dabney Gomes
Given in loving honor of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, by Dorothy Grevlos
Given in loving honor of our grandchildren, by Glenn and Kitt Richter
Given in loving honor of SOTH’s wonderful Staff, by the Burnight family
Given in loving honor of Shepherd of the Hills people, by Jeanne and Pastor Tom Grevlos
Given by Mark and Kathy Gerhardt
Given by Bob and Judy Haugen
CALENDAR
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events including Yoga, Pickleball, Choir and Bells, PALS, and Bread for All!
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
Monday, April 10
The Staff will be taking a day to rest! If you have an emergency, please email sheep@shephills.org and someone will be in touch. Thank you, and Easter Blessings from each of us.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
This Wednesday, April 12
7:30 a.m. | on Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Pastor-led studies of the Good Book. Contact Pr. Lauren or Pr. Tom
QUILTING
Wednesday, April 12
1:00 p.m. | Rm 205
Creative and crafty? Come introduce yourself and help us tie quilt tops for Lutheran World Relief. No experience is needed! Contact Ruth Felger or Linda Fiandaca
JUST SISTERS SPEAK ABOUT RACE
Saturday, April 22
10:00am | Activity Center
The women of Shepherd of the Hills and Greater Zion Baptist Church come together to listen and hear the stories and challenges of two Black men who call Austin home. Join us for this courageous conversation to learn how you can help bring people together in compassionate dialogue on the divisive issue of race that results in a changed culture of unity, love, and justice. A light breakfast and lunch will be served. Please RSVP and learn more about the speakers and this important event here.
BUTTERFLY SUNDAY IS ABOVE AND BEYOND
Sunday, April 23
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Breakfast in the Courtyard
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Butterfly Open House
Come experience a day in the life of a Butterfly…kid! Meet our dedicated teachers, see the classrooms set up for fun and learning, and the playgrounds will be monitored and open for play!
8:15 + 10:45 a.m. | Worship in the Sanctuary
Come bless our Butterfly teachers, students, and leadership in this family-friendly worship.
Noon | Festival in the Courtyard
Wait, there’s more. Come for BBQ, music, and the Above and Beyond Challenge. Let’s finish the Campus Renewal!
FAITH IN ACTION
One of the best ways to live out our faith is by actively engaging with the world around us through inter-faith events. Choose what fits and speaks to YOU, and go make a positive impact in our communities and the world.
CARE OF CREATION FAIR
Saturday, April 15
1:00pm – 3:00pm | Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, 9508 Great HIlls Trail, ATX 7879
Come get some dirt under your nails at this Earth Day Celebration hosted by the TLLC Care of Creation Team. There will be education, inspiration, and activities for all ages.
BREAD FOR ALL CHALLENGE (BFA)
Add $5 to $10 dollars of food to your grocery cart each week to donate to Bread for All.
Buy from this list and bring it to the bins:
Dried beans, peanut butter, canned tomatoes/sauce, canned whole beans, canned fruit, canned soup, mac & cheese, and diapers sizes 3-5.
AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS RENT ASSISTANCE
Want to help prevent homelessness in Austin? Support ACL’s upcoming rent assistance program with a donation before the end of April. We plan to raise $50k (we have almost $40k) to help neighbors stay in homes and apartments. Read more about this program, and give here. Please designate “rent assistance.” You can also send checks to ACL Rent Assistance in c/o Abiding Love, 7210 Brush Country Dr. Austin, Texas 78749.
*Bins are available Saturday 9-11am, Sunday during worship hours, or during the week when you are here.
GIVING
Giving is an expression of joy and gratitude for the bounty of God’s goodness! There are so many ways to give-both financially and through serving.
PLEDGES, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS
Keeping current with your pledged or regular giving has never been easier because you can do it all online!
SERVING
Serving is a great way to give back and get to know others in our community. Whether you are interested in serving locally, being part of a global mission, or volunteering to help in a variety of ways on Sundays, we have a place for you!
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact a pastor to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for Rodney Varner, Wanda Lowke, Tom Lueders, Sheila Hilts, and Denise Seidel.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Richard South, nephew of Sylvia and Curtis Johnson; Krista Bowers, niece of Herb and Kathy Palmer; Henry Land, father of Amanda Land Palmer.
We pray for Katie Jones and family on the death of her father, Matt Simon. Surround all who mourn with the peace and promise of resurrection.
We pray in celebration of the wedding of Chloe Zagrodzky and Alex Meade. Chloe is the daughter of Vicki Matava. May their marriage be filled with love, joy, and peace.
We pray in celebration for our students who have completed the Holy Communion Milestone: Christina Davies, Sophie Eckermann, and Caroline Wegner. We pray for God to bless these students as they learn and grow in awareness of the gifts of forgiveness, love, and grace we receive in Holy Communion.
Merciful and Loving God, as war and violence rages in Ukraine and other parts of the world, we pray that leaders of the world will practice peace-making, bringing together people of every tribe and race under the umbrella of your amazing grace.
We pray for our global ministry partners: Rev. Karen Castillo in Guatemala; Iglesia Luterana Augustina Virgen del Rosario, Aurora 8 de Octubre, Guatemala. We pray for Malcolm and Joy Henderson and the ministry of CHARIS in Haiti.
We pray for our local ministries: Mariposa Family Learning Center, Bread For All and Upbring Ministries.
Please pray for our faith community, that we may be a church without walls and live out loud…faithfully!
Would you like someone to pray alongside you during troubling times? Contact a Stephen Minister who can travel with you on life’s sometimes bumpy road.
*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks unless we are notified otherwise.