I'M NEW
SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS
We want to personally welcome you to the hope and joy of life at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.
Here is a community filled with people who delight in being together, worshiping together, and growing together, all in the name of the one who brings us together - Jesus Christ. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church makes connections with people from all over the Austin-area region, as well as a growing online community from across the country. People come to ask deep questions, discover new depths of meaning, and experience God’s presence. We call this living in faith.
Are you looking for a place to center your spiritual life? A place to belong? People to grow alongside and make a difference in the world? Friendships that could change your life? We invite you to explore Shepherd of the Hills – where we rely on the greatest gifts ever handed out: faith, hope, and love. It is such a blessing to work alongside a remarkably talented staff. And you will be hard-pressed to find a more generous church community, impacting ministry partnerships locally and globally. Our Butterfly Christian Preschool is one of the most outstanding Early Learning Childhood Centers in the Austin area.
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran believes that all are God’s children, loved and saved by God’s grace. We boldly seek to live out this core value of welcoming all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, race, culture, ethnicity, refugee status, age, physical and mental abilities, socioeconomic position, family status, background, or where you are in your faith journey. We are committed to embracing the work of anti-racism, social and economic justice, and environmental care.
We’re glad you landed here! Check out our website and dive into all that God offers through this unique and vibrant place. Come connect with our community of imperfect people who are saved by the grace and love of Jesus Christ!
We believe your life will be changed because of it. And ours will be, too.
We can’t wait to meet you!
- Pastor Lauren
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Sundays @ 8:15am
Sanctuary Worship
Find community and worship in the quiet beauty of our Sanctuary.
Sundays @ 10:45am
Sanctuary Worship + Livestream
Join us in person or online for hope-filled worship.
Sundays @ 9:30am
Adult Bible Study in the Library
Be a part of a great study of the Good book.
Sundays @ 9:40am
Sunday'sCool for PreK-4th
Join us upstairs to learn about God's everlasting love.
WHAT TO EXPECT
WELCOME
When you walk onto our picturesque campus, you’ll immediately feel the serene and peaceful Spirit of God welcoming you here. The canopy of trees and the gentle sound of windchimes remind us that God is present in creation, and we are blessed to be part of it. You'll be welcomed into a friendly and casual environment by people who are genuinely excited to see you! Here, you are free to BE who you are, and you’re invited to participate as you feel comfortable or simply sit back and soak in the worship, prayer, and songs that tell of God’s love for you.
Have a question?
Which Worship Is For Me?
Our Sunday worship services are more traditional in nature, with a liturgy (i.e. how worship flows) similar to most protestant churches. Visit us, and get a feel for how we praise God!
How Long is Worship?
Sunday Worship is about 60 minutes, depending on what the Holy Spirit has in store.
What About Kids?
We love kids in worship with us, no matter how wiggly or giggly they are! We have rockers for parents of babies and napping toddlers, a Pray-Ground where children gather to color and play with soft toys, and Worship Bags that help children engage with age-appropriate activities. And for children who want to leave for a bit, we have a Family Room with toys and books, and the service is live-streamed.
What Is The Music Like?
We celebrate variety in our music! Our church services are vibrant and joyful, but not noisy. We enjoy live music and singing as part of our worship & praise to God. We love hearing traditional hymns played on the organ and contemporary music with guitars and drums.
What About Parking?
There is ample parking available. Accessible parking and building entrances are located on the west side of the Courtyard and in the rear parking lot.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Shepherd of the Hills is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a group of Lutheran congregations across the country that seeks to live out the Gospel of Jesus through the particularly Lutheran lens. You can learn more about the ELCA here. Through the ELCA, we work with our local Southwestern Texas Synod churches to share the love of Jesus with those around us, and we partner with the Lutheran World Federation to change lives throughout the world.
God created and continues to re-create us and the whole world.
Jesus Christ is God’s Word made flesh, God-with-us, who died for the sins of the world and who was raised victorious over sin, death, and the grave.
Because of Jesus, we are raised from death and gifted with eternal life.
This amazing Good News of Jesus changes our lives and the world, and we are called to share it!
God's Holy Spirit is ever-moving and ever-shaping us, inspiring us, and surprising us.
God is always calling us to look beyond ourselves and reach out to our community and the world.
God comes to us in the tangible gifts of water, bread, and wine, and the spiritual gifts offered through Baptism and Holy Communion.
All are welcome here, and fully embraced as children of the God who loves us!
We are wrapped up in that Love, even when we don't expect it or don't even believe it can be true.
God is Love.
WORSHIP & LEARNING
Sundays @ 8:15am
Sanctuary Worship
Find community and worship in the quiet beauty of our Sanctuary.
Sundays @ 10:45am
Sanctuary Worship + Livestream
Join us in person or online for hope-filled worship.
Sundays @ 9:30am
Adult Bible Study in the Library
Be a part of a great study of the Good book.
Sundays @ 9:40am
Sunday'sCool Upstairs in the Family Ministry Center
Toddlers thru Grade 4 learn about Jesus' unconditional love.
MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
Pr. Lauren Dow Wegner
Senior Pastor
Pastor Lauren loves Jesus and loves people, so for her, there's nothing better than being a pastor! She loves to hear people's stories and experiences of God in their lives. A native Texan, Pastor Lauren has also served wonderful congregations in North Carolina and Chicago. She's thrilled to be settled in Austin with her family – husband Dave, and children, Owen and Caroline. In her free time, PL writes about faith, life, and motherhood, and you might find her with her guitar writing a new song to share with the community.
Favorite part of the job? Equipping God's people to practice and share faith in our daily lives!
PR. RYAN DOCKERY
Associate Pastor
Pastor Ryan is passionate about authentic connections and meeting people where they are in their faith. With a BBA from Sam Houston State and an MDiv from Luther Seminary, he’s served in roles across Texas and Washington. Married to Breann since 2017, he’s a proud dad to Emmett and Nolan. He enjoys reading, sports, live music, and breweries.
Favorite part of the job? Helping individuals recognize and cultivate the unique gifts they may not see in themselves.