January 19, 2024
Come celebrate the wonder of Christ’s presence in our lives and this community!
SUNDAY
Due to a sprinkler pipe break in the Sanctuary Building, the Butterfly 3’s Classroom has been temporarily relocated to the Library. If you have a class that typically meets in the Library, please check the listings below for new meeting locations. Please read the recent Realm post for more information concerning damage and repair. Thanks for your patience and support!
WORSHIP FOR JANUARY 21
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
During the Season of Epiphany the Lutheran liturgy of Now the Feast and Celebration by Marty Haugen will be sung at both worship services, recalling that Jesus’s birth has begun our celebration of new life in him! Choir sings at 8:15am.
BREAKFAST
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Activity Center
Come each Sunday morning and enjoy a hot breakfast with your faith family.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Room 205 + Zoom
The Bible is a book that never grows old! This week we’ll discuss 2 Samuel Chapters 5 and 6. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
SUNDAY’sCOOL (Toddlers thru Grade 4)
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
Kids learn about Jesus and his unconditional love through stories, activities, and song. Contact Megan Getman.
NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8, 9-12)
6:00 p.m. | Activity Center
Come grow your uniquely Lutheran faith through laughter, Bible discussions, and goofy games. Contact Joel Timmons.
PRAYER SHAWL
Every Sunday
5:00 p.m. | Room 204
This fantastic group of people will gladly teach you to crochet the prayer shawls given at Baptisms and to those in need of comfort and prayer. Already know how? That works too! Contact Sharon Collins.
NEXTGEN PARENTS GROUP
6:00 p.m. | Room 205
Parents are invited to stick around for a time of prayer, study, and community with other NextGen parents. Contact Pr. Lauren.
CHURCH EVENTS
Find more events like yoga, PALS, and pickleball, along with in-depth descriptions, on the website calendar at ShepHills.org/Events.
BREAD FOR ALL
Special Donation Requests
In addition to regular items, Bread for All is requesting donations of peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, sturdy paper bags with handles, and thick plastic bags (like the red or green ones from HEB). Contact Weldon Allison.
SOUPERBOWL OF CARING
Sunday, January 21 – Sunday, February 11
Gathering Space
This Sunday we kick off our Souperbowl of Caring event benefitting Bread for All Food Pantry. Let’s double down and DOUBLE OUR DONATIONS by gathering 2,200 lbs of nonperishable food and diapers by February 11. Invite others to help by taking an extra bag and asking a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to join in supporting our neighbors in Southeast Austin. Click here if you would like to give financially.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, January 24
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Room 205 + Zoom
Great reading, great discussion, TWO TIMES. Contact Pr. Lauren.
INSTALLATION OF PR. LAUREN DOW WEGNER
Sunday, January 28
One Worship (no breakfast) | 10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream | Lunch to follow
EVERYONE is joyously invited to the installation of Pastor Lauren Dow Wegner as Senior Pastor. PL will preach and Bishop Sue Briner of the Southwestern Texas Synod will preside and lead the installation rite during this special worship. A celebratory lunch will follow in the Activity Center. Please note: Breakfast will not be served on this day!
FAITH IN ACTION
JUST SISTERS
Saturday, February 17
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Lakeway Church, Lakeway, TX
Just Sisters invites the women of Shepherd of the Hills for meaningful conversation about the racial injustices experienced by our Black brothers here in Austin: Black Men We See You: A Conversation Among Sisters. Join us as we bring women together in a compassionate dialogue that results in a changed culture of unity, love, and justice. Read more and register for this free event.
CROSS TRAILS GIFT OF FAITH GALA
Saturday, March 2
5:00 p.m. | Courtyard Marriot Hotel, New Braunfels, TX
We believe no one should miss out on a camp experience because of the cost! Funds raised will go towards financial aid camperships. Click here to learn more about the event, buy tickets to attend in person, participate if attending online, and view a list of auction items.
WAYS TO GIVE
In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer
UPDATE YOUR ONLINE RECURRING GIVING
Don’t forget to check and make sure your online recurring giving is current with correct account info and recurring giving amounts add up to reflect your 2024 pledges and gifts. Here are the steps:
- Log in to Realm,
- Select “Connect”
- Select “Giving”
- On the far right, click “Manage Payment Methods”. Make sure the account info is up to date (i.e. cards not expired)
- Click on scheduled giving and make sure the amount matches the period of your recurring gift (weekly, monthly, etc.)and adds up to your pledge/gift.
Need help? Contact Kevin Marlow – 512-327-3370, email kmarlow@shephills.org
PLEDGES, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS
Giving online is a great way to stay current with your pledge or set up a recurring gift. Questions? Contact Finance Controller Kevin Marlow for help. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.
MISSION SUPPORT
Each month ShepHills financially contributes to a different organization, designated by the Developing Missions Team, that is doing the work of Jesus in the world. These contributions are funded by your yearly giving and special offerings.
This month ShepHills is contributing $1000 to Gather : Austin, the Austin chapter of the Gather Network, a ministry of the ELCA. Gather : Austin connects young adults in our city, creating a space for them to join together in fellowship, worship, community, and discussion. Check out what they’re up to on Instagram, or ask Joel Timmons of the Developing Missions Team for more information.
VOLUNTEERING
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, Dale Petersen, Betty Lueders, Anita Knight, and Bob and Judy Moore.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Tim Aynesworth, cousin of Bob Moore.
God of new life, we give thanks for the birth of Huck Alexander Dawson, son of Brian and Jessica, grandson of Bill and Sara, nephew of Doug and Sara. We give thanks for the birth of Remy Martin Ahumada, son of Ian and Holly Ahumada, grandson of Nader and Debra Ayoub. We pray for Huck and Remy to grow in faith, hope, and love throughout their life. Use us to surround Huck and Remy with your love.
We pray for Joan Byrne on the death of her father, Craig Johnson; Earl Bishop on the death of his grandfather, Joel Alderson; and Amy Bishop, on the death of her aunt Marilyn Fehlis. Give peace and comfort to all the family and friends as they grieve their loss, and may the promise of resurrection be our hope.
We pray for those attending the Mother Daughter Retreat at Camp Lutherhill this weekend: Tara Grove and Christina Davies; Katie and Sophie Eckermann and Meg Butler; Pastor Lauren and Caroline Wegner and Marcee Caughlin; Sonya, Ellie, and Adalie Wilson; Gika Rector and Alison Houze. May their relationships be strengthened, and may the love of God be felt in the beauty of nature, community, and time set apart to be together.
God of Unity, we thank you for the many different people and perspectives that fill your world and our lives each day. We pray that our church may continue to live out true inclusion of all people, and that the welcoming love of Jesus may always be our message. As the root of conflict is so often misunderstanding and judgment of others, may we be instruments of your peace as you open our minds and hearts to see every person as your beloved.
Holy God, as war has once again broken out in the Holy Land, we lift to you prayers for peace and resolution to this age-old conflict among your people. Draw near to the victims, and inspire leaders to seek your will and your guidance.
Almighty God, you inspire and equip us to serve your people, both here in our community and around the world. We thank you for our mission partners of Austin City Lutherans and the ministries of Mariposa Family Learning Center, Bread for All, and Upbring Ministries. We thank you for our sister congregation in Aurora 8 de Octubre, Guatemala, and the ministry of ILAG. We thank you for the mission of Charis in Haiti. We thank you for our Butterfly Christian Preschool and the many young minds and hearts that are formed in faith here. May we be your hands and feet!
Would you like someone to pray alongside you during troubling times? Contact Rebecca Guengerich to find (or learn more about) 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.