March 8, 2024
As we make our way through Lent, take heart that this solemn journey ends with Easter and the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection!
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT, MARCH 10
Altar Flowers are given by the Hartmann family, In honor of Tobias’ 1st birthday!
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Join us as we remember God’s promises in the Old Testament and dive into the fresh hope brought by Jesus Christ.
EASTER LILIES
Help us decorate for Easter Sunday! Purchase an Easter Lily online or get an envelope as you enter the Sanctuary. Thank you!
BREAKFAST FOR ALL
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Come enjoy a hot breakfast every Sunday morning. Support this hospitality ministry and give online anytime by selecting the Fellowship Events/Breakfast Fund.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
The Bible is a book that never grows old. This week we’ll discuss more of 2 Samuel. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
SUNDAY’sCOOL (Toddlers thru Grade 4), NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8, 9-12), and NEXTGEN PARENTS GROUP will not meet this Sunday. Have a great Spring Break and we’ll reconvene next week at our usual times.
In need of special prayer? Stephen Ministers are available each Sunday during communion for individuals in need of personal prayer.
EASTER INVITE CARDS
Get yours in the Gathering Space
Pick up your Easter Invite Cards to share with friends and neighbors!
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER, MARCH 24-31
There is no more important week for us to observe than Holy Week. From Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) to Jesus sharing his last supper on Passover (Maundy Thursday) and his betrayal and crucifixion on the cross (Good Friday), it is all in preparation for joy at finding the empty tomb on Easter Sunday. Join us as we journey to the Cross and find detailed descriptions of each service at ShepHills.org/HOLYWEEK and ShepHills.org/EASTER.
EASTER EVANGELISM!
Jesus was constantly meeting people where they were (both figuratively and literally), not waiting for them in the church. Where are the masses today? On social media…
FACEBOOK EASTER EVENT
Give Us a Click!
This event is public, so anyone on or off Facebook can use the link and help others see our event! Please visit our Easter Event and click on “Interested.” Each response moves our event up on the list, making it more visible for people to see when searching for Easter Services. Even though we know you are coming (and even if you aren’t), think of your response as an invitation to someone!
LIKE, COMMENT, AND SHARE OUR EASTER POSTS!
Are You on Social?
As you are scrolling, pause and do one or all three to help boost our posts on social media! Make sure and ONE: Hit the like button! TWO: Share a written comment (that gives a big boost to our posts.) One word or a whole paragraph gets the same result, so do what feels right! THREE: Share the post to your timeline or story for the biggest boost of all! Find and follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
JOIN US!
Find more events like yoga, PALS, and pickleball, along with in-depth descriptions, on the website calendar at ShepHills.org/Events.
QUILTING
Saturday, March 9
9:00 a.m. | Room 205
Wednesday, March 13
1:00 p.m. | Room 205
Sewing quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Let us teach you what we know, no experience necessary! Contact Linda Fiandaca.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, March 13
10:00 a.m. | Room 205 + Zoom
SPECIAL NOTE! The 7:30 a.m. | Zoom Bible Study will not meet this week, but will resume on March 20. Contact Pr. Lauren.
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT
Wednesday, March 13 (through March 20)
Noon + 6:00 p.m. | Gym
Come feed your soul with intentional time with God! Enjoy a light meal of soup and salad after which we’ll sing, share scripture, and reflect on the seemingly ordinary items that were part of Jesus’ journey to the cross. Our time together lasts about 45 minutes and each week is independent of the next, so come to one or all! (based on the book Lent in Plain Sight by Jill J. Duffield).
GRIEF GROUP
Sunday, March 17
Noon | Room 205
Grief is not limited to the death of a loved one. It can be experienced with any loss…unemployment; retirement; relationship changes, illness, or family conflict. Shepherd of the Hills Care Team and Stephen Ministers invite you to lunch to meet and share with others who are experiencing grief or loss. Contact Rebeca Guengerich.
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, March 21
1:00 p.m. | Library + Zoom
Shepherd of the Hills is offering a group providing support for all caregivers for people with short and long-term illnesses. If you care for someone in person or from a distance (child, spouse, parent, friend), we welcome you to join us. For information email Sandy Smith, RN or call 512-569-6453.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Friday, March 22
6:00 p.m. | Gym
Join us as we gather for fun activities and a kid-friendly meal at church. Contact Megan Getman.
CAMPUS WORKDAY
Saturday, March 23
9:00 a.m. | Courtyard
Come help beautify our campus for Palm Sunday and Easter visitors by lending a hand spreading mulch and pulling weeds. Contact Bill Dawson.
SEW-CIAL FOR LWR BABY CARE KITS
Saturday, March 23
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Room 205
Come sew baby-receiving blankets for our LWR baby care kits! We’ll sew-cialize and have refreshments AND Mary McCauley will also demonstrate how to make a baby hooded cape, which is used instead of the hooded sweatshirts. Fabric and thread are provided, please bring your sewing machine! Contact Kathy Gerhardt.
FAITH IN ACTION
One of the best ways to live out our faith is by actively engaging with the world around us. We’ve developed this new section of inter-faith events to provide opportunities to put your faith into action – from volunteering at a local shelter to participating in a social justice rally. You choose what fits and speaks to YOU, and go make a positive impact in our communities and the world!
Rev. Jimi Calhoun Weekend
Presented by G.I.F.T. Fest and BioIntegrity
Friday, March 15/Saturday, March 16 /Sunday, March 17
Celebrate and explore the life, work, and newest book of Rev. Jimi Calhoun — a true influencer on modern life, with a vision. As a musician, he’s played with Jimi Hendrix, as a pastor he’s started nine churches in two countries, as an author he’s written 5 books. In a time where “inclusiveness” is a leading concern, Jimi and his wife, Rev. Julaine Calhoun, are two religious leaders focused specifically on differently-abled people, via their project BridgingAustin.org. Rev. Jimi will be joined by special guests Simone Talma Flowers
Executive Director, Interfaith Action of Central Texas; Rev. Dr. Stephen Kinney, Founder/Director of The Front Porch Project and Past President, Interfaith Action of Central Texas. This event takes place over three days at three different venues. Click here for all the details of this weekend-long event.
UPCOMING CAMPS AND RETREATS
WOMEN’S RETREAT
Saturday, April 13
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | The Plant at Kyle, TX
If you have been unable to get away for a retreat for the entire weekend in the past, THIS IS
YOUR YEAR! We will gather for a one-day dive into “Roots of Grace: Our Connections to God’s Earth.” Learn more and register now to save $$$ with our Early Bird discount. Only 60 tickets are available, friends are welcome! Contact Rebecca Guengerich.
DAYCAMP AT SHEPHILLS
Monday, July 22 – Friday, July 26
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Register Today!
Camp Chrysalis staff will be bringing an action-packed week of games, crafts, special daily activities, sing-a-longs, Bible studies, and a dedicated giant water slide day. Invite your friends! The cost is $150 for the week, but if this is a barrier, please contact Megan Getman.
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
PLEDGES, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS
Giving online is a great way to stay current with your pledge or set up a recurring gift. Questions? Contact Bill Dawson for help. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.
YOUTH FUNDRAISER
2024 Summer Trip
Thanks to all who came out and made the Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras Pancake Youth Fundraiser Supper a great success! So far $4000 has been raised to help send 19 of our youth to the ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. If you didn’t get a chance to come please consider participating by grabbing and filling one of the envelopes off the wall in the Gathering Space, or give online to the Youth Fund.
Contact Joel Timmons.
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!
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.
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact a pastor to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for Rodney Varner, Stephanie Hilts, Ron Bacon, Richard Arndt, and Bob and Judy Moore.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Milton Volney, uncle of Debra Wissman.
God of hope, we pray in thanksgiving for medical tests that give us good and hopeful news, especially for Claire Zagrodzky, daughter of Vicki Matava. We are grateful for the relief and comfort of good news and for your presence through it all.
We pray for Charlie Enochs and family on the death of his father, Jim Enochs. May the hope and promise of resurrection bring comfort and peace to all who mourn.
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 and share the welcoming love of Jesus for all people. 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 continues in the Holy Land, we lift to you prayers for peace and resolution. 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 and Bread for All. We thank for our partnership with Upbring Ministries. We are grateful to serve your people alongside Lutheran World Relief, Global Refuge, ELCA World Hunger, and other ministries across the world. We pray for our sister congregation in Aurora 8 de Octubre, Guatemala, and the ministry of ILAG. We pray 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.