April 12, 2024
The season of Easter continues!
SUNDAY, APRIL 14
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! This Sunday we welcome new members, the Helgeson family, at 10:45 a.m.
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 this Sunday and make sure to stick around for the Congresation (see below)! Support this hospitality ministry and give online anytime by selecting the Fellowship Events/Breakfast Fund.
CONGRESATION MEETING
9:30 a.m. | Meet in the Gym (during breakfast)
As we look for our Associate Pastor, we invite you to share your ideas and dreams for this role at Shepherd of the Hills. Have you filled out the brief survey? Please take a moment to do so before our meeting. Your information will help guide our discussion. Contact: Call Committee Co-Chairs Janice Benzel or Kathy Gerhardt.
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.
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.
NEW MEMBERS
WELCOME THE HELGESON DALTON FAMILY!
Warmest of welcomes to the Helgeson family who joins our faith community this Sunday! Jim and Ingrid were born and raised in Chicagoland and moved to Austin with their family from Kentucky. Jim graduated from the University of Illinois, and Ingrid from Carthage College. In 2001 they founded DataHEALTH, which primarily manages healthcare services.
They have three children, Britta, Brendan, and Lena. Britta graduated from UT (she was actively involved in LuMin) and works for Microsoft in Seattle. Brendan will graduate in May from UT Dallas with a degree in Information Technology and will begin his career in cyber security with Fujitsu North America in June. Fun fact? Britta and Brendan spent the whole summer together last year backpacking through Europe. Lena is finishing her freshman year at Lake Travis High School. She is on the track team and also enjoys playing tennis. She’s looking forward to joining the other ShepHills’ Youth at the National Youth Gathering this summer!
The whole family enjoys the outdoors..hiking, skiing, kayaking, bicycling, and walking their dogs. Ingrid also plays the piano and Jim likes to do remodeling projects.
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!
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, April 17
7:30 a.m. | on Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Pastor-led studies of the Good Book. Contact Pr. Lauren.
QUILTING
Saturday, April 13
9:00 a.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
Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. | Meet via Zoom
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 attending our online meeting and filling out this brief survey prepared by the Call Committee beforehand. This will help guide our Congresation with you! Contact: Call Committee Co-Chairs Janice Benzel or Kathy Gerhardt
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.
WATCH PARTY FOR EARTH DAY
Sunday, April 21
2:30 p.m. | Room 205
Earth Day is April 22. The SOTH Caring for God’s Creation team invites you to attend a screening and discussion of the film The Letter, A Message for Earth. The film tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders to discuss the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ with Pope Francis. The exclusive dialogue with the Pope, included in the film, offers a revealing insight into the personal history of Pope Francis and stories never seen since he became the Bishop of Rome. Invite your friends, family, co-workers, Ignite groups, or multi-faith friends to come watch with you! As a group, think about and create specific actions you can initiate to care for God’s creation. Share your thoughts and actions with Dabney@shephills.org and we will collate and post some of your thoughts and actions. If you are unable to join us, visit The Letter website and host a viewing party at your home. Think about your experiences with global warming, ponder your laments, or create a personal or group action plan. The team offers these suggestions about how you and/or Shepherd of the Hills can be a part of the “unified global action”.
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
Lead and EmpowHER: A WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Saturday, April 20
9:00 a.m. | Fetter Activity Center, Abiding Love Lutheran
Abiding Love Lutheran invites you to attend this workshop with speaker Paige Haber-Curran, PhD, a Professor in the College of Education at Texas State University. Her research focuses on women’s leadership, emotionally intelligent leadership, and leadership development. Read here for information on cost and schedule.
PIANO CONCERT: Dr. Andrei Zimbalist + Dr. Anton Igubnov
Sunday, April 28
5:00 p.m. | Chateau Bellevue, 708 San Antonio St. ATX 78701
Dr. Andrei Zimbalist + Dr. Anton Igubnov will play pieces from Vivaldi, Rossini, Mozart, Grieg, Schumann, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff at a concert organized by the Austin Women’s Club in support of the historic Chateau Bellevue. Tickets are $50, and may be purchased online.
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.
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.
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, Donna Herschleb, Bob and Judy Moore.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Jack, friend of Sharon Collins; Milton Volney, uncle of Debra Wissman; 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, and Jack Howison, beloved partner of Joan Byrne. We pray for your comfort and peace to surround all who grieve, as we trust together in the resurrection promise. We commend Jim and Jack 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.