Weekly Connections

January 27, 2023

Come sing with joy, it’s Contemporary Music Sunday!

THIS SUNDAY

WORSHIP
8:15 | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Come feel the Spirit this Sunday as we open our hearts thru contemporary song! Musicians Josh Norem and Laura, Rachel, and Charlie Hills join us at both services. Take some time today and enjoy this new song you’ll hear on Sunday.

BREAKFAST
9:15 a.m. | Activity Center
Food for Fellowship offers up breakfast on Sundays until 10:15 a.m. Support this ministry and give online anytime by selecting the Fellowship Events/Breakfast Fund.

Q+A MEETINGS FOR PASTORAL TRANSITION
9:30 a.m. | Sanctuary + Zoom Webinar
Do you have questions about Pr. Tom’s planned transition into retirement at the end of 2023 and Church Council Leadership’s proposal to move forward with a plan of succession voting to call Pr. Lauren as Senior Pastor? Then please join us at a Q+A session to discuss goals, processes, and timelines. Bring your questions, your participation is important!

ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:45 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Great discussions of the Good Book. Contact Ruby Cadenhead for more information.

SUNDAY’sCOOL
9:45 a.m. | Family Ministry Area
Calling all toddlers thru 4 grade, come for a sensory workout as we learn about Jesus. Contact Megan Getman with questions.

NEXTGEN
*6:30 p.m. | Activity Center
Bible study and games for grades 5-12. Contact Joel Timmons, Student Ministry Coordinator.

Wondering what you missed last Sunday? Watch this short video from Pr. Tom’s message. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration every day!

GET EXCITED FOR NEXT SUNDAY!

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Next Sunday, February 5
Noon | Sanctuary + Zoom Webinar
Please attend this Special Congregational Meeting following the late service. Your participation and vote in affirming the Pastoral Transition Plan are important as we move through the Pastoral Transition Process as a community. Childcare is provided, and those unable to attend in person may join the webinar (use the link above, or check your email that Sunday) to participate and vote. If you have questions, please contact Nicholas Dertien, Council Chair, or Megan Hansen, Council Vice Chair.

WHAT’S AHEAD

Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events including Pickleball, Prayer Shawl, PALS, Yoga, and more!

BREAD FOR ALL
Every Monday
Noon-3:00 p.m. | Preparation Shift
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. | Preparation Shift
4:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. | Distribution Shift
Choose a time and come help Austin City Lutherans’ Bread for All Food Pantry, serving Southeast Austin. No need to sign up ahead of time! This is a perfect activity for families, retirees, or anyone with spare time and a big heart. The pantry operates out of Faith Presbyterian Church, 1314 E. Oltorf. Please contact Weldon Allison with any questions!

FEED MY PEOPLE
Tuesday, January 31
5:15 a.m. | FUMC Family Life Center, 1300 Lavaca St.
Calling all early risers! Shepherd of the Hills continues to volunteer at Feed My People on the fifth Tuesday of the month, join us! Here’s a link to the sign-up with all the information. Feel free to contact Weldon Allison if you have any questions.

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDIES
Wednesday, February 1
7:30 a.m. | Early Riser’s Study on Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Late Riser’s Study in the Library + Zoom
Gather with others to dive into Scripture! Both are Pastor-led. Contact Pr. Lauren or Pr. Tom

HOLY LAND TRIP
Registration Deadline
Wednesday, February 1
Make sure and register for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk where Jesus walked and experience the great adventure of faith. Contact Pr. Tom.

GUATEMALA TRIP AND ILAG UPDATE
Tuesday, February 7
7:00 p.m. | Zoom Meeting
One more chance to hear about plans for the upcoming Guatemala Trip (June 22-June 30) and ask us all the questions you have! This is a multi-generational trip (meaning your age doesn’t matter if you’re over 11) to build relationships with our ILAG ministry partners. Contact Joel Timmons.

GATHER US IN
Sunday, February 12
9:45 a.m. | Activity Center
Interested in learning about our community of faith? Join us for breakfast and conversation as we get to know each other and answer questions you may have about life at Shepherd. Please contact Ministry Coordinator Amanda Forsberg if you plan to join us.

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING

Don’t sit on the sidelines, come support your team! This year we’re pitting HEB vs Randalls – two local favorites – which one will win? Start shopping, stock up on non-perishable goods and diapers, and bring them by Sunday, February 12. All proceeds go to Austin City Lutheran’s Bread for All Food Pantry. Grab a bag to fill on Sunday, or use your own. Monetary donations may be made 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!

DEAR GOD, THANK YOU! 2023 STEWARDSHIP
It’s not too late! Begin your new year by responding in gratefulness. Please prayerfully consider giving in support of our Mission and Ministry Fund and/or Facilities and Campus Care Fund for 2023 if you have not yet done so. It’s easy to make a pledge online or ask the front office for a pledge card. Thank you for helping us do God’s work in the world!

BEYOND CAPITAL FUND APPEAL
Please consider a gift to the Beyond Capital Fund Appeal. We currently have 148 households participating.  The more we collect early, the less we pay later!  Learn more about Beyond 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!

BREAD FOR ALL
Come volunteer or donate food for Austin City Lutherans’ Bread for All Food Pantry, serving the community of Montopolis.  Learn more about volunteering here, and donate non-perishable food by bringing items to the collection bins located in the Gathering Space on Sundays and in the courtyard on Saturdays from 9-11:00 a.m.

PRAYERS

In need of prayer? Please contact a pastor to be put on the prayer list.

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.

We pray for Rodney Varner, Callie Ray Bell, Jane Tackett, and Sandy Wikelius.

We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Marie Lindstrom, sister of Linda Fiandaca; Linda and Tom Ferris, sister and brother-in-law of Jennifer Arndt; Carmen Nuernberg, mother of Peter Nuernberg; Glenda Rumble, cousin of Terrie Thomas.

We pray for Renee Larson and family on the death of husband, Steve. We give thanks for Steve’s life and witness and pray for comfort and peace to surround all Steve’s family and friends.

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 the communities recently traumatized by mass shootings. We pray for the end of senseless violence, including the violence of abuse, the violence of words that spread lies and destroy reputations, and the violence of attitudes toward other people who are different than ourselves.

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.

We pray for our faith community, that we may be a church without walls and live out loud…faithfully!

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

DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK?

Catch up on what you might have missed by reading last week’s Weekly Connections by clicking here.