Weekly Connections

WORSHIP
8:15 a.m.  | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
John 2:1-11 Join us this Sunday as we hear the story of Jesus turning water into wine, a powerful reminder of God’s abundant grace. Beautiful voices and music join us in worship this week with Bob Cannon at both services and Choir and Bells at late.

BREAKFAST HOUR
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym

Come nourish both body and soul this Sunday! Give here to support our breakfast ministry.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m.
 | Library + Zoom
Join us every Sunday for a study of the Good Book. This week we continue our study of Hebrews. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.

PR. TIM ANDERSON – A BALM IN WICHITA FALLS
9:45 a.m. | Room 205
Pr. Tim concludes his discussion on restorative justice. Milt Nielsen will join the discussion and share about his journey towards resolution with the young man who unintentionally took his wife Sandy’s life in a hit-and-run accident. How he felt, where he is now, and how his granddaughters helped them all find a way toward healing. Copies of the book will be on sale.

SUNDAY’sCOOL
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center

PreK through Grade 4 are invited to join the group upstairs in the Family Ministry rooms. We begin the morning with Music with Kevin in Room 203 and then gather for stories, crafts, and games to learn about God’s everlasting love. Contact Megan Getman.

NEXTGEN (Grades 9-12)
4:45 p.m.
 | Austin’s Pizza
High school youth meet for Bible Study down the street at Austin’s Pizza and are welcome to join grades 5-8 for games at the church at 6pm. Contact Joel Timmons.

NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8)
6:00 p.m.
 | Gym
Games, friends, and a quick Bible Study make for a great start to the week. Contact Joel Timmons.

A Note to Our Livestream Viewers
We’re excited to share that we’re making some important upgrades to our audio/visual infrastructure and control processes to better serve our church community. While we don’t anticipate any major issues, these changes may temporarily impact the quality of our livestream over the coming weeks.
We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work to improve your viewing experience. Thank you for being part of our church family, and for your understanding during this transition!
Blessings,
Dave Wegner, Digital Media & IT

SATURDAY MORNINGS WITH YOUNG’UNS
Saturday, January 18
9:00 a.m. | Butterfly Center

Here’s a chance to meet up and connect with other families with young children. We’ll provide plenty of age-appropriate toys to keep their busy bodies happy and coffee for the adults. Come bond and grow together! Contact Megan Getman with questions.

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
Monday, January 20
The office will be closed in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Celebrations abound, join one! If you have an emergency and need a pastor, please call (512) 222-3831‬.  One of our pastors will always be on-call and available to you.

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDIES
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Join us in lively and thought-provoking discussions on the weekly scriptures. Choose the time and place that works for you. Contact Pr. Ryan.

YOGA
Tuesdays
3:30 p.m. | Room 203 + Zoom
It’s the new year and time to make a great start. It does not matter if you do every pose, it does not matter if you do any poses. What matters is that you join us! We gather either in person or via ZOOM. The Zoom meeting will start by at least 3:20 p.m. to ensure that we can get greetings and technical issues addressed so that the class can start promptly at 3:30 p.m. Contact Richard Arndt.

INSTALLATION OF ASSOCIATE PASTOR RYAN DOCKERY
Sunday, January 26
3:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Mark your calendars to return to church in the afternoon to celebrate the installation of Pr. Ryan! Then, per ShepHills tradition, we’ll gather in the gym for a party featuring a BBQ dinner with all the fixin’s. Evites have been sent (please take a moment to RSVP!) and if you haven’t received it, let us know! Click here to sign up and be a part of a big Texas welcome by volunteering to bring a side, dessert, or beverages, or by lending a hand with setup, serving, and cleanup.

HOW TO SHARE YOUR FAITH STORY – A WRITERS WORKSHOP
Sunday, February 2
9:45 a.m. | Room 205
Everyone has a faith story, whether they’re living it, searching for it, or discovering new facets to it. Join Michaela Conners for a special writer’s workshop designed to help explore your story of faith and put it into words.

You’ll also have the chance to contribute to Michaela’s upcoming book, In His Hands: Testimonies of Faith and God’s Love, a collection of stories from people of all ages that celebrate the power of God’s presence in our lives. The book will be published by summer 2025, with all proceeds benefiting charity. Click here for more information about writing and contributing to her book.

Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!

ANNUAL APPLIANCE DRIVE
BeReal, Upbring
Thanks to BeReal’s Supervised Independent Living program, local young adults who have aged out of the foster system can move into their first apartments. Let’s help make it feel like home! View the registry to see what appliances are needed. You can purchase the items through the registry or at the store of your choosing (they do not need to be brand-specific). If you prefer to have us do the shopping, simply give here and 100% of your gift will go toward purchasing appliances. Gifts made by check should be made to Shepherd of the Hills, with Appliance Drive noted in the memo line. Thank you!

ELCA ONLINE EVENT
National Day of Racial Healing
Tuesday, January 21 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The National Day of Racial Healing is an annual observance that follows Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, the ELCA will join the movement of racial healing for our church and the nation. On Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time, join a free online educational event that centers the voices of ELCA leaders of color. This event is open to all ELCA rostered ministers, lay leaders, and members, as well as the church’s affiliate organizations and ecumenical and interreligious partners. Learn more, browse speaker bios and register.

Giving is an expression of joy and gratitude for the bounty of God’s goodness!

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS GIVING
On Advent Wednesdays and Christmas Eve, $19,281 was graciously given to support our ministry partner, Upbring, in their mission to create a world where all children are cherished. Every dollar of your generosity will directly benefit Upbring’s New Life Center in Canyon Lake and their BeReal Program in Austin/San Marcos, providing vital care and support for children. Thank you for being a community that embodies God’s love for all children!

INTENTIONS (PLEDGES), GIFTS, AND DONATIONS
January is here and you can start giving toward your 2025 Intention (and more!).  The easiest and safest way is to set up recurring giving in Realm. Click here for helpful instructions or contact Finance Officer Hilary Russell. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.

ELCA WORLD HUNGER
Our Generosity Impact this week highlights ELCA World Hunger, which works with congregations in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Lutheran churches overseas to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond to the root causes of hunger and poverty.

LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE (LDR)
Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Southwest California Synod and Pacifica Synod to assess the needs of people impacted by the LA wildfires. Give now to to help address immediate needs and long-term recovery.

DONATIONS FOR BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
In 2024, ShepHills donated 16,517 lbs of food! Thanks to everyone for their support and participation in this vital ministry.

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

In need of prayer? Please email the church at Sheep@ShepHills.org to be put on the prayer list.

If you have an emergency and need a pastor, please call (512) 222-3831‬.  One of our pastors will always be on-call and available to you.

We pray for: Marie Fortune, Roen Zamenski Russell, and Yolanda Heine.

We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Drew Officer and Kate Sheeran, friends of Kathleen Macaulay; Emma Katherine Phillips, sister of Hilary Russell; Winnie and Brad Nelson, sister and nephew of Mary Macaulay; Taylor Schobey, daughter of Deanna Schobey; Steph and Gina Geller and family, friends of Dee Jackson; Kyle Lowke, son of Richard Lowke; Baby boy Powell, unborn son of Jason and Celeste Powell, grandson of Ted and Corky Powell; and Melody Davis, daughter of Arlene Morris.

O God, we thank you for our ministry partnerships, both local and global.  We lift up ELCA World Hunger and their ministry in feeding the world.  We also pray for our mission partners in Guatemala and in Haiti, our Butterfly Preschool, and all the ministries we joyfully support beyond our walls.  Bless our mission together in sharing your love with all people.

Gracious God, we pray for all those affected by the devastating wildfires in California. Sustain all who have lost property and life, and comfort them with your presence.

God, we give you thanks for all the saints, especially Mary Campbell, aunt of Laura Hills; Sam Kasberg, uncle of Megan Hansen; and Gladys Hervig, who have gone before us in faith and now rest in eternal life. We commend Mary, Sam, and Gladys to your everlasting love as we trust in the promise of resurrection in Christ.

Gracious God, we lift up all elected officials, asking that You grant them wisdom to seek justice, compassion to serve the vulnerable, and courage to pursue what is right. Guide their decisions to reflect Your will for peace, equity, and the common good. Surround them with wise counsel, protect them from harm, and renew their strength for the work ahead. May Your Spirit lead them to serve with integrity and humility.

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.