March 15, 2024
Join us for worship on this last Sunday in Lent, marking the transition to Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 17
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.
ORDER EASTER LILIES BY SUNDAY, MARCH 24
Help us decorate for Easter Sunday! Purchase an Easter Lily in honor of a loved one BY NEXT SUNDAY. You can pay online or get an envelope for cash or check as you enter the Sanctuary.
EASTER INVITE CARDS
Get yours in the Gathering Space
Pick up your Easter Invite Cards to share with friends and neighbors!
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)
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
Meet upstairs! We’ll have Music with Kevin to start things off! Contact Megan Getman.
NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8, 9-12)
6:00 p.m. | Gym
Come grow your uniquely Lutheran faith through laughter, Bible discussions, and goofy games. Contact Joel Timmons.
NEXTGEN PARENTS GROUP
6:00 p.m. | Room 205
For the season of Lent, we’ll continue to dive into How to Talk so Teens will Listen and Listen so Teens will Talk. Join us even if you haven’t read the weekly reading! Contact Pr. Lauren
In need of special prayer? Stephen Ministers are available each Sunday during communion for individuals in need of personal prayer.
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 with the disciples (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.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, March 20
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Room 205 + Zoom
Great reading, great discussion, TWO TIMES. Contact Pr. Lauren.
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT
Wednesday, March 20
Noon + 6:00 p.m. | Gym
Come for the final gathering and 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. (based on the book Lent in Plain Sight by Jill J. Duffield).
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.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
The Call Committee needs YOUR input! As we look for our Associate Pastor, we invite you to share your ideas and dreams for this role at Shepherd of the Hills. Be on the lookout for a form where you can offer your thoughts. Two opportunities to meet for conversation with the Call Committee are:
- In-Person — Sunday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the Gym (during breakfast)
- Online — Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Contact: Call Committee Co-Chairs Janice Benzel or Kathy Gerhardt
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.
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, and Bob and Judy Moore.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Milton Volney, uncle of Debra Wissman.
We pray for Rick Burnight and family on the death of his mother, Jeannette Burnight. 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.