April 5, 2024
Let’s celebrate the triumph of Christ’s resurrection as the season of Easter continues!
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
Easter isn’t just one day, it’s a whole season, giving us time to rejoice in the promises of Jesus’ resurrection.
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Join us as we dive into the hope brought by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection!
In need of special prayer? Stephen Ministers are available each Sunday during communion for individuals in need of personal prayer.
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 us upstairs and we’ll have Music with Kevin to start things off! Contact Megan Getman.
NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8, 9-12)
6:00 p.m. | Gym
Grow your uniquely Lutheran faith through laughter, Bible discussions, and goofy games. Contact Joel Timmons.
NEXTGEN PLANNING TEAM MEETING
12:00 p.m. | Rm 205
Lunch provided! Contact Joel Timmons.
NEXTGEN PARENTS GROUP
6:00 p.m. | Room 205
Join us for fellowship and discussion after you drop the kids off. Contact Pr. Lauren
EASTER OUTREACH
UT LUMIN TUESDAY TAILGATE
We are the body of the risen Lord! Thanks to everyone who came out this week to support LuMin (Lutheran Campus Ministries) at UT Austin, which feeds over 400 hungry students each week and also runs a food pantry on Wednesdays. Want to know more about this important ministry? Contact Joel Timmons or Rebecca Guengerich.
LENT/EASTER OFFERING
Jesus lives! Our Lent and Easter Offerings totaled $10,489! This overwhelming support enables us not only to meet but exceed our goals. With $5,000 designated for Lutheran World Hunger and another $5,000 for Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration Refugee Services), we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity and commitment to sharing Easter hope with the world.
CALENDAR
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events including Pickleball, Choir and Bells, PALS, and Bread for All!
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
Monday, April 8
Due to the expected influx of people to our area during the eclipse, Travis County has requested businesses to close if they can afford to. If you have an emergency, please email sheep@shephills.org and we will be in touch.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, April 10
7:30 a.m. | on Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Pastor-led studies of the Good Book. Contact Pr. Lauren.
QUILTING
Wednesday, April 10
1:00 p.m. | Rm 205
Feeling creative and crafty? Come introduce yourself and help tie quilt tops for Lutheran World Relief. No experience is needed! Contact Ruth Felger or Linda Fiandaca.
WOMEN’S RETREAT
Saturday, April 13
The Plant in Kyle, TX
Only a few spots remain for the one-day Roots of Grace: Our Connections to God’s Earth Women’s Retreat! Register here by April 12. Contact Rebecca Guengerich.
CONGRESATION SURVEY and MEETINGS
Sunday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m. | Meet in the Gym (during breakfast)
Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. | Meet via Zoom
The Call Committee needs YOUR input before we meet! As we look for our Associate Pastor, we invite you to share your ideas and dreams for this role at Shepherd of the Hills by filling out this brief survey prepared by the Call Committtee. This will help guide our Congresation with you at either of the times above! Contact: Call Committee Co-Chairs Janice Benzel or Kathy Gerhardt
AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS (ACL) SUMMIT MEETING
Sunday, April 14
2:00 p.m. | St. Martin’s Lutheran Church
Experience firsthand the impactful efforts of ACL in fostering equity, compassion, and hope in Austin through the voices of our neighbors. Listen to testimonials from Bread For All Food Pantry beneficiaries and volunteers, Mariposa FLC Executive Director Sheila Pharis, parents from Mariposa, Foundation for the Homeless Case Manager Mindy Ebarb, Move-In Ministry volunteer Dr. Cal Streeter, and recipients of rent assistance. For Zoom access, reach out to Reverend Tim Anderson at tca.balm@gmail.com.
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, April 18
1:00 p.m. | Library and Zoom
Join a supportive community where you can connect with others who truly understand the highs and lows of caregiving. Through sharing our diverse experiences, we’ve found that discussing joys, challenges, and practical tips can be incredibly beneficial. Contact Sandy Smith, RN.
FRIDAY FUN NIGHT
Friday, April 19
6:00 p.m. | Gym
Same Bat time, same Bat place! Contact Megan Getman and make sure you are on her mailing list to receive upcoming details.
SHEPHERD’S GARDEN WORKDAYS
First Saturdays, Beginning May 4
9:00 a.m. | Shepherd’s Garden
The Shepherd’s Garden is a beautiful respite of native and biblical plants tucked away at the back of our campus. Come put your hands in the soil as we teach you what we know (or vice versa) about tending and planting in the Central Texas area.
CAMP and MORE CAMP!
DAY CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN
July 22 – 26
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Shepherd of the Hills
Day Camp is for kids who have completed kindergarten through 5th grade. Staff from Chrysalis Camp will be here to facilitate awesome games, songs, Bible studies, arts and crafts, and so much more! The whole week costs $150. If the cost is a barrier, please talk to Megan Getman, Coordinator of Children’s Ministry. Kids are welcome to register a friend if they have one who wants to join the fun! Registration deadline is May 10th. There are a limited number of spaces, to register your kids today!
FAMILY ADVENT RETREAT
Dec 6-8th (Thanksgiving is the weekend before )
Registration for the Advent Retreat is finally up and ready to go! This has become one of our favorite traditions at ShepHills. Contact Megan Getman for all you need to know.
Register and pay at www.crosstrails.org by following these simple steps.
- Search Retreats at Cross Trails/Camp Chrysalis
- Find Family Advent Festival Retreat I (Dec 6-8, 2024)
- Email Darcey at info@crosstrails.org if you need help with registration or payment questions.
FAITH IN ACTION
The Southwestern Texas Synod is offering two opportunities for FREE pilot courses that begin April 8th & 10th and run through May. (You can sign up even after April 1st, join us!) Click here to register.
- Crash Course: Bible will be offered with Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt as the group facilitator.
- Embodying Thoughts and Prayers: Providing Spiritual Care and Comfort will be offered with Amy Buechler Steubing and Rebecca Guengerich as group facilitators.
- Exploring Your Gifts and Talents: Individual online learning experience to complete at your own pace.
For more information visit www.swtsynod.org/learning or contact Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt or Rebecca Guengerich.
GIVING
Giving is an expression of joy and gratitude for the bounty of God’s goodness! There are so many ways to give 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! Questions? Contact Bill Dawson for help. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.
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!
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact Pr. Lauren to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for Rodney Varner, Kathie Smith, Betty Lueders, Donna Herschleb, and Bob and Judy Moore.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Jack, friend of Sharon Collins; Milton Volney, uncle of Debra Wissman; and Buddy Kopplin, uncle of Amy Bishop.
O God, we give you thanks for all the saints who have gone before us in faith, and now rest in your eternal life, especially Jim Fink, brother-in-law of Tom & Jeanne Grevlos. We pray for your comfort and peace to surround all who grieve, as we trust together in the resurrection promise. We commend Jim to your never-ending love.
Life-giving God, we pray for the earth, your good creation. Join our prayers with branches lifted in praise and roaring waters of new life, that together we may proclaim Easter hope.
Merciful God, we pray for all peoples and nations. Free oppressed communities from occupation, exploitation, and abuse. Teach leaders your way of justice. Empower peacemakers and all who work to end violence and strife. We pray especially for the people of the Holy Land–for war and suffering to end.
God, you have given us freedom in the resurrected Christ. We pray for people everywhere who long for good news. Roll away the stones that keep people from living with dignity and wholeness. Breathe new life and hope into people struggling to make it through each day.
O God, you have empowered us with the risen Christ to serve your people, here and everywhere. We pray for our partner ministries of Austin City Lutherans–Bread for All and Mariposa Family Learning Center. We pray for the ministries of Upbring. We pray for the worldwide ministries of ELCA World Hunger, Global Refuge, and Lutheran World Relief. We pray for our sister congregation in Guatemala in Aurora 8 de Octubre, and for Pr. Karen Castillo and the leaders of ILAG. We pray for the ministry of CHARIS in Haiti and all the people there. We pray for our Butterfly Christian Preschool as young ones are formed in faith, hope, and love.
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 Rebecca Guengerich or Pr. Lauren.
*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks unless we are notified otherwise.