May 3, 2024
John 15:12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
SUNDAY, MAY 5
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Come worship this Sunday as we delight in God’s will and walk in His ways. Choir sings at late.
In need of special prayer? Prayer 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
Make your morning hassle-free and enjoy this chance to socialize, catch up with friends, and channel your inner child! This week there will be coloring sheets on the tables that will later be combined into one large mosaic for Pentecost.
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! 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 PARENTS GROUP
NextGen Parents Group is taking a hiatus during this busy end-of-school season. Be on the lookout for our next book discussion on parenting teens! Contact Pr. Lauren.
UPCOMING SUNDAYS
YOUTH SUNDAY
Sunday, May 12 | 8:15 + 10:45 a.m. Worship
In preparation for leading us in worship next Sunday, the NextGen youth have been busy crafting a message and liturgy reflecting their faith experiences. What a joy it will be to grow our faith through their unique perspective!
PENTECOST + GRADUATION SUNDAY
Sunday, May 19 | 8:15 + 10:45 a.m. Worship
Come be lit by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Wear your yellow, red, and/or orange (fire colors!) as we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the Apostles and recognize our graduating seniors in worship. Make time and stop in for a special breakfast before or after worship.
ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY
Sunday, June 2 | 8:15 + 10:45 a.m. Worship
Celebration Lunch | Noon in the Gym
Anniversary Sunday marks the beginning of our faith community 47 years ago, 20 years of ministry alongside our sister church in Guatemala, and the start of summer programs! After worship, we’ll throw some burgers and dogs on the grill and get out on the dance floor as local musician Sophia Johnson returns to help us celebrate.
SUNDAYS AND MORE!
Join us this summer for discovery, connection, and blessings!
DISCOVER
Sunday Mornings in June and July
9:30 a.m. | Meet in the Gathering Space
Find the path to feeding your soul! Discover what nourishes your faith life within our community.
June 2 The Story of ShepHills
June 9 Music & Worship Lab
June 16 Campus & Creation Tour
June 23 Sewing Workshop for LWR
June 30 Behind the Booth: A/V Production
July 7 Enneagram Exploration
July 14 Prayer Writing Workshop
July 21 Sharing our Faith with Others
July 28 Youth Gathering Highlights
PARABLE PICNICS
Tuesday Evenings in June
6:00 p.m. | Meet in the Courtyard
Leave the cooking to us! We’ll have fans and misters keeping things cool while we connect as a congregation over food, games for the young (and young at heart), and our favorite parables.
AUGUST BLESSINGS
Sundays in August | 8:15 + 10:45 Worship
Come bless and be blessed as we begin a new year together.
August 4 College Students
August 11 New Drivers
August 18 Backpacks
August 25 Congregational Blessing
SUMMER T-SHIRTS!
If you are interested in a new ShepHills shirt for this summer, help us calculate how many to order by indicating which shirt style (polo or graphic tee) and what size you would need by filling out this short form. You can include multiple people in your household in this form! This is not a commitment to purchase. Thanks for your input!
CALENDAR
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!
FAMILIES WITH YOUNG KIDS GATHERING
Postponed
Everyone is busy in May, so we’re gonna reschedule our fellowship gathering. Look for a new date soon! Contact Megan Getman with questions.
SHEPHERD’S GARDEN WORKDAY
This Saturday, May 4
9:00 a.m. | Shepherd’s Garden
Get your hands in the soil and join the Caring for God’s Creation Team for our monthly workday. We will do regular maintenance, weed pulling, and whatever else needs to be done to tidy things. We have tools (or bring your own), but please bring gloves, appropriate shoes, bug repellant, and sunscreen. Contact Jeri Porter.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, May 8
7:30 a.m. | on Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Pastor-led studies of the Good Book. Contact Pr. Lauren.
MARIPOSA GARDEN PARTY
Next Saturday, May 11
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Mariposa FLC, 403 Vargas Rd, Austin, TX 78741
Come for a delightful morning celebrating children, nature, families, and teachers at Mariposa Family Learning Center’s annual Garden Party! Mingle and enjoy a day full of activities for all ages including a petting zoo, bouncy house, and garden tours. Please RSVP.
MARIPOSA MAY FLOWERS FUNDRAISER
Online Fundraiser
This May, Mariposa invites you to support their annual May Flowers Fundraiser. The goal is ambitious: to raise $100,000 to fund scholarships and support dedicated educators. With our help, they can continue to grow and provide the resources children need to thrive.
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, May 16
1:00 p.m. | Library + Zoom
Shepherd of the Hills offers group support for all caregivers of people with short and long-term illnesses. This ShepHills’ group is free and also open to the Austin/Westlake community and beyond. For information email Sandy Smith, RN or call 512-569-6453.
DAY CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN
July 22 – 26
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Shepherd of the Hills
Join us at Day Camp, where the fun never stops and every day is an adventure with Jesus! Staff from Chrysalis Camp will be here to facilitate, so invite your friends and neighbors. The whole week costs $150, but if the cost is a barrier, please talk to Megan Getman, Coordinator of Children’s Ministry. Registration deadline is May 10th. There are only 13 spaces left, so register your kids today!
LWR BABY CARE KITS
THREE WAYS TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Baby Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief (LWR) spread love and support to mothers in need. Each of the 200 kits we assemble each year provides the basics a family needs to care for their babies. Here’s how you can help.
- Celebrate your mom on Mother’s Day by caring for a mother in need! Here’s how! Click the link today and sponsor a Baby Care Kit for $50, or scan the QR code provided on Sunday in the gathering space or gym. Once you’ve sponsored a kit, grab a Mother’s Day card from the table. Each card contains an insert stating that a donation has been made in honor of the recipient.
- Sew, crochet, or knit a baby blanket. We need 100 more blankets for Baby Care Kit Assembly Day on September 8. Contact Kathy Gerhardt if you need some fabric.
- Come to sip tea and more at the Annual Tea for Tots Fundraiser benefiting Baby Care Kits! Purchase your ticket
FAITH IN ACTION
ELCA – RESILIENCE & REVOLUTION
Tuesday, May 31
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Online
The ELCA Wittenberg Center is excited to announce their upcoming webinar: Resilience & Revolution: The Role of Protest and Rebellion in Creating Social Change! For more information and to register, please click here. You are invited to share this webinar information with your friends; it is free and open to all!
Here’s where we stand for third quarter (Q3) giving. Thanks for your continued support!
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.
YEAR TO DATE GIVING UPDATE FOR APRIL
Be on the lookout for your emailed quarterly giving statement next week. Please contact Bill Dawson with questions or if something is missing.
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, Betty Lueders, and Bob and Judy Moore.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Milton Volney, uncle of Debra Wissman; Buddy Kopplin, uncle of Amy Bishop; Glenda Rumble, cousin of Terrie Thomas; John Fiandaca, father of Linda Fiandaca.
O God, you speak and the face of the earth is renewed. Revive your creation, that habitats and every kind of living thing might flourish. Protect endangered species and help us to care for all your creatures.
God of peace, your world is divided and the nations rage. Grant wisdom and vision to world leaders, that they may seek justice, peace, and the good of all. Strengthen international partnerships and cooperation.
God of all people, your work is done with our hands. Bless the ministries of this congregation and those we support: Butterfly Christian Preschool; Bread for All Food Pantry, Mariposa Family Learning Center, Move-In Ministry of ACL; Upbring Ministries; ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response, Global Refuge; Pr. Karen Castillo and the Lutheran Church in Guatemala; Malcolm & Joy Henderson and CHARIS in Haiti. Empower us to embody your love for the world.
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.