Lutheran Churches in Austin

Bread for All July Report

by Leave a Comment

Hi friends: Thanks for your continued support and volunteer participation at Bread For All. Our numbers were off the charts for July, due in part to having 5 distributions. We also created a bit of buzz on July 22nd by handing out $25 gift cards from HEB and Walmart.

Here are the numbers:

July 2024: (5 distributions)

Total households served: 720 (avg. 144)
Total individuals served: 3,218 (avg. 643.6)
New neighbors served: 247 (avg. 49.4)
34.3% of all households served
Food donated: 1,685 lbs.
Diapers distributed: 5,069

We served 690 unique households in July, which is a “most ever” designation. Our goal is to reach 600 unique households each month (150 per distribution).

All sizes of diapers are needed and we continue to covet (in a good way) donations of peanut butter, dried beans, and canned goods.

Thanks and may God continue to bless and guide our efforts to make Austin a touch more equitable in terms of food access.

T. Carlos “Tim” Anderson
Pastor & Community Development Director
for Austin City Lutherans – www.breadforall-atx.org
My books and writing – www.tcarlosanderson.com

Weekly Connections

by Leave a Comment

June 21, 2024

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

WORSHIP
8:15 a.m.  | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
No matter how turbulent our lives may seem, we can find calm and strength through faith in Jesus. Join us as we explore the Gospel of Mark 4:35-41.

BREAKFAST FOR ALL
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Make your morning hassle-free and enjoy this chance to socialize and catch up with friends.

DISCOVER
9:30 a.m. | Sewing Workshop for LWR | Gym
This is a hands-on, kid-friendly opportunity to learn to crochet, quilt, or sew baby blankets! No supplies are needed, just bring yourself. Check the calendar for the full list of Discover topics. Check the calendar for the full list of Discover topics.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Join us anytime this summer as we discuss the book, “Bad Girls of the Bible: And What We Can Learn From Them” by Liz Curtis Higgs. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.

NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8, 9-12)
6:00 p.m. | Gym
Grow your uniquely Lutheran faith through laughter, Bible discussions, and goofy games. Contact Joel Timmons.

CALENDAR

Find out about special summer gatherings at ShepHills.org/Summer 2024, and check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!

PARABLE PICNICS
Tuesday, June 25 (Tuesday Evenings in June)
6:00 p.m. | Meet in the Courtyard
Last chance to join the fun!

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, June 26
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Pastor-led study of the Good Book. Contact Pr. Lauren.
The Early Risers class (7:30 a.m. on Zoom) will not meet this summer but will reconvene in August.

NEXTGEN MORNING BREW
Thursday, June 27
10:00 a.m. | Trianon Coffee
Join us at Trianon Coffee for coffee as we dive into some real talk about life, faith, and everything in between. Contact Joel Timmons.

TEA FOR TOTS + SILENT AUCTION
Next Saturday, June 29
2:00 p.m. | Gym
The big day is almost here! The silent auction is now open for everyone (whether you are attending or not) to begin bidding on items such as UT football and basketball tickets, a Hill Country vacation, wine-tasting events, and more! Proceeds from the event and silent auction support Lutheran World Relief Baby Care Kits. Contact Kathy Gerhardt.

DISCOVER
Next Sunday, June 30 (Sunday Mornings in June and July)
9:30 a.m. | Behind the Booth: AV Production
Come for a hands-on look at how our dedicated AV team enhances worship with sound, lighting, and visual elements. Check the calendar for the full list of Discover topics.

FAITH IN ACTION

Join us in celebrating the upcoming 2024-25 school year by helping Upbring with their School Supplies Drive! They’re on a mission to collect hundreds of school supplies for over 200 children in foster care and need your help to make it happen! Here are three ways you can help:

  1. Purchase supplies from their wish list.
  2. Sponsor a backpack with a donation.
  3. Volunteer to stuff backpacks on July 25.

SUPPORT FOR ACL MINISTRIES

Read below and visit these websites for more information on how you can support the ministries of Austin City Lutherans! Bread for All and the Move-In Ministry, Mariposa FLC, and Austin City Lutherans. You can also follow them on Facebook @austincitylutherans.

AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS (ACL) RENT ASSISTANCE
Online Fundraiser
Let’s help prevent homelessness! Austin City Lutherans’ Rent Assistance fundraiser hopes to raise $75,000 in June for distribution to Austin families, thus ensuring they can meet rent and stay in their homes. Here’s how it works: 100% of your donation goes directly to families who apply, present a photo ID, rental or mortgage contract, and an explanation of need. For those approved, checks are hand-delivered by ACL to office managers and property owners. Donate by June 28 at www.breadforall-atx.org.

DONATIONS FOR BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
BFA is asking for special assistance. Food deliveries from the Capital Area Food Bank, their primary supplier, are currently sporadic. Please contribute canned beans, tomatoes and veggies, dry beans, and peanut butter. Bring your donations to the bins on weekdays from 9am-4pm, Saturdays from 9-11am, and Sunday mornings.

VOLUNTEER AT BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
Volunteers are welcome to help with setup and food distribution at the Bread for All Food Pantry. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals and groups of all ages. For more information on descriptions, times, and locations, please visit the calendar or contact Weldon Allison.

GIVING

Giving is an expression of joy and gratitude for the bounty of God’s goodness! There are so many ways to give 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! Questions? Contact Bill Dawson for help. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.

LUTHERAN DISASTER RELIEF
Due to the horrific, ongoing violence in and around Gaza, a severe humanitarian crisis continues to escalate in the Holy Land. Right now, Lutheran Disaster Response is helping meet many basic needs such as food, water, basic and emergency health care, shelter, and medical supplies. If you would like to donate to LDR, click here.

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 Pr. Lauren to be put on the prayer list.

We pray for: Hunter Clark, Dana Dertien, Bob Vorkoper

God of love, we celebrate the marriage of Jessica Borne and Kevin Garrett this weekend. Bless Jessica and Kevin with your love and grace as they begin their new life together, and use us to support them in their marriage.

We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members:
Buddy Kopplin, uncle of Amy Bishop
Drew Officer and Kate Sheeran, friends of Kathleen Macaulay


O God, you speak and the face of the earth is renewed. Revive your creation, that habitats and every kind of living thing might flourish. Protect endangered species and help us to care for all your creatures.

O God, give your blessing and peace to the nations. Shelter all who risk life and livelihood to protect others from violence, conflict, and injustice. We pray especially for war-torn regions of the world, for the Holy Land, for all places where peace seems far away.

God who sends us out to serve, we pray for Megan DeVaney serving in Guatemala, this summer. You have sent Megan from this congregation to serve your people. Sustain them and bless them in their ministry.

God, you send us to serve. Bless the ministries of Austin City Lutherans, especially Bread for All and the Rent Assistance ministry. Draw near to those who find themselves in difficult times, and use us to help provide resources for our neighbors to stay in their homes. Empower ACL to continue to serve those in need, as we are your hands and feet.

God of adventure, you bless our summertime with travel and experiences. Bless all those who go to camp, travel to new places, experience other cultures, and learn about your world this summer. We ask a special blessing upon our ShepHills youth who will enjoy Camp Chrysalis and other camps this summer.

Would you like someone to pray alongside you during troubling times? A Stephen Minister can travel with you on life’s sometimes bumpy road. Contact Alana Oehler with inquiries about this confidential ministry.

*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks unless we are notified otherwise.