May 31, 2024
2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
SUNDAY, JUNE 2
WORSHIP ON ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
This Sunday marks the beginning of our faith community 47 years ago. Additionally, we’ll honor 20 years of ministry with ILAG alongside our sister church in Aurora, Guatemala. There is much to celebrate on this special day, including the dedication of a baptismal font being gifted to our siblings in Aurora as a symbol of our enduring partnership and shared faith. The Bishop Family Trio (Kristina, Lila, and Isaac Bishop) will grace us with their talent at the 8:15 service, and the Bells will ring at 10:45.
Special Anniversary Offering: Your gifts will further the work of our partnership with the Iglesia Luterana Agustina De Guatemala (ILAG) in providing the necessary tools to help the spiritual and material development of vulnerable communities in Guatemala.
Altar Flowers: Given in celebration of John and Melissa Robertson’s 15th wedding anniversary.
DISCOVER BEGINS
9:30 a.m. | The Story of ShepHills | Gym
The Discover series begins! Join us over breakfast to hear some of our original members sharing stories from the early days. Check the calendar to see what’s offered each week.
BREAKFAST FOR ALL
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Enjoy a traditional Guatemalan breakfast of scrambled eggs, fried plantains, black beans, fruit, and churros dished up by the DeVaney family and the Guatemala Team!
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.
ANNIVERSARY PICNIC
Noon | Gym
Come enjoy an indoor picnic of burgers and dogs and get out on the dance floor as local musician Sophia Johnson returns to help us celebrate.
SHEPHILLS T-SHIRTS
For sale in the Gym during breakfast and lunch
Wear your faith! Polos are available for $30, adult graphic tees for $20, and kid’s graphic tees for $15. We’ll be accepting checks and credit cards only.
CALENDAR
Find out about special summer gatherings at ShepHills.org/Summer 2024, and check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!
SHEPHERD’S GARDEN WORKDAY
This Saturday, June 1 (first Saturdays)
9:00 a.m. | Shepherd’s Garden
Get your hands dirty 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 keep things tidy and thriving. We have tools, but bring your own (if you wish), plus gloves, appropriate shoes, bug repellant, and sunscreen. Contact Jeri Porter.
PARABLE PICNICS
Beginning this Tuesday, June 4 (Tuesday Evenings in June )
6:00 p.m. | Meet in the Courtyard
Yahoo for summer! Leave the cooking to us on Tuesdays and come mix and mingle with members of all generations. We’ll handle the hot stuff (grilling) while you enjoy the cool stuff (friends, breezes, and ice cream). Plus, we’ll have fun activities for all ages and finish the evening with songs and parables. Fun!
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
This Wednesday, June 5
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Pastor-led study of the Good Book. Contact Pr. Lauren.
The Early Risers class (7:30 a.m. on Zoom) will not meet this summer but will reconvene in August.
NEXTGEN MORNING BREW
This Thursday, June 6
10:00 a.m. | Trianon Coffee
Join us at Trianon Coffee as we dive into real talk about life, faith, and everything in between. Contact Joel Timmons.
FAMILIES WITH YOUNG KIDS GATHERING
Next Saturday, June 8
9:00 a.m. | Butterfly Center
Join us for a fun meet-up/playdate, perfect for families with young children! We’ll have a variety of age-appropriate toys to keep the little ones entertained, and coffee to keep the adults energized. Contact Megan Getman with questions.
DISCOVER
Next Sunday, June 9 (Sunday Mornings in June and July)
9:30 a.m. | Music and Worship Lab | Gathering Space
Find the path to feeding your soul by exploring a different topic each week. On Anniversary Sunday, join us in the Gym to hear some of our original members sharing stories from the early days. Check the calendar to see what’s offered each week.
GATHER US IN
Next Sunday, June 9
9:30 a.m. | Gym
New to ShepHills? Come learn more about our community during a casual gathering over breakfast. Look for the table with our sign on it! Contact Sheep@ShepHills.org.
TEA FOR TOTS
Saturday, June 29
2:00 p.m. | Gym
Let us know you’re coming and we’ll put the kettle on. Read more about the event and purchase your ticket today for a chance to bid on silent auction items, win prizes, and raise awareness and support for Lutheran World Relief Baby Care Kits.
SNAPSHOTS
IRELAND TRIP
The Ireland trip participants return home this Saturday, just in time to celebrate Anniversary Sunday. The group has been sightseeing throughout Ireland and learning about Christian Celtic spirituality along the way. We can’t wait to hear all about it!
EPIPHANY STAR WORDS
During Epiphany, many of us chose a star word from the tree in the Gathering Space. These star words were inspirational words of intention to help us look for God in our midst. It’s often easy to miss God in our daily lives, but having a word to guide us can reveal God’s presence in ways we may not have seen before. This is truly the greatest gift.
Now, six months later, we’re asking for reflections on how you’ve seen God’s presence through your star words. We’ve received one from Glena Pfennig, which you can read here, and we would love to hear more. Please send them to Dabney@ShepHills.org.
SUPPORT FOR ACL MINISTRIES
Read below and visit these websites for more information on how you can support the ministries of Austin City Lutherans! Bread for All and the Move-In Ministry, Mariposa FLC, and Austin City Lutherans. You can also follow them on Facebook @austincitylutherans.
AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS (ACL) RENT ASSISTANCE
Online Fundraiser
Let’s help prevent homelessness! Austin City Lutherans’ Rent Assistance fundraiser hopes to raise $60,000 in June for distribution to Austin families, thus ensuring they can meet rent and stay in their homes. 100% of your donation goes directly to families. Donate by June 28 at www.breadforall-atx.org.
DONATIONS FOR BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
BFA is asking for special assistance. Food deliveries from the Capital Area Food Bank, their primary supplier, are currently sporadic. Please contribute canned beans, tomatoes and veggies, dry beans, and peanut butter. Bring your donations to the bins on weekdays from 9am-4pm, Saturdays from 9-11am, and Sunday mornings.
VOLUNTEER AT BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
Volunteers are welcome to help with setup and food distribution at the Bread for All Food Pantry. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals and groups of all ages. For more information on descriptions, times, and locations, please visit the calendar or contact Weldon Allison.
A NOTE FROM COUNCIL
In previous years, it was common for the Church Council to set Congregational Goals for the year. These would then be measured and reported on at Staff and Council meetings but probably didn’t get much visibility at the Congregational level other than at Congregational Meetings. That got me to thinking: are there defined ways that the Congregation can get involved and help achieve the targets established by the Council?
The answer is yes, of course, but it comes with a twist. Rather than set goals for the church or the Council, Pastor Lauren and the Council have decided to establish “Areas of Focus” for the entire Congregation. How are Areas of Focus different from Congregation Goals? A goal defines a result, an outcome you want to achieve, like getting an A in World History or losing 10 pounds. On the other hand, an area of focus establishes activities you want to spend your time doing, like studying throughout the semester (not just for tests) or getting regular exercise (walking 3-4 miles 3 times per week). By extension, these activities give you a better chance of achieving your goal.
So for 2024, our Church Council has adopted the following Congregational Areas of Focus:
- Engagement and Inclusion: Help generate a more welcoming and accessible environment, seek to include everyone God loves, and increase involvement at ShepHills.
- Generosity: Grow a culture of gratitude and generosity across the three pillars of Generosity: time, talent, and monetary giving.
- Support New Senior Pastor and Call Process for Associate Pastor: Support and encourage Pr. Lauren in her new duties as senior pastor and support the calling of a new Associate Pastor.
There are numerous activities that the congregation can engage in to support these areas of focus. For example, under Engagement and Inclusion, you could volunteer to help those with mobility challenges get to and from church or navigate inside the campus more easily. Or, make it a point to seek out 10 people at church who you don’t know well and widen your circle of relationships. Activities under Generosity fall across all aspects of giving of our time, talents, and treasures – we all have something to give. Supporting Pastor Lauren in her new role and in the Call Process for an Associate Pastor can be as simple as attending church regularly or participating in surveys asking for your opinion.
I invite you to continue the conversation by offering up other examples of the ways you can use your unique gifts as we all share in the work of the church. And, please reach out to any of the council members should you have any questions or feedback.
On behalf of Pastor Lauren and the Shep Hills 2024 Council (Megan Hansen, Denise Seidel, Tamara Allen, Ted Powell, June Spann, John Robertson, Beth Turman, and Bob Cannon), your brother in Christ,
Michael Watt
Council Chair
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:
• Donna Herschleb
• Betty Lueders
• Marie Fortune
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members:
• LaWayne Guengerich, father-in-law of Rebecca Guengerich
• Buddy Kopplin, uncle of Amy Bishop
• Glenda Rumble, cousin of Terrie Thomas
• Drew Officer and Kate Sheeran, friends of Kathleen Macaulay
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:
• Roger Noer, brother-in-law of Pastor Tom Grevlos
• Milton Volney, uncle of Debra Wissman
We pray for your comfort and peace to surround all who grieve, as we trust together in the resurrection promise. We commend Roger and Milton to your never-ending love.
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.
O God, give your blessing and peace to the nations. Shelter all who risk life and livelihood to protect others from violence, conflict, and injustice. We pray especially for war-torn regions of the world, for the Holy Land, for all places where peace seems far away.
God who sends us out to serve, we pray for Megan DeVaney serving in Guatemala, and Arlene Morris serving in Angola this summer. You have sent Megan and Arlene from this congregation to serve your people. Sustain them and bless them in their ministry.
O God, we give you thanks for the addition of Caroline Cullinane to our staff this summer as Youth Ministry Intern. Bless Caroline’s work among our young people – build relationships, grow faith, and develop even deeper community among our youth. Thank you for the many gifts that Caroline brings and uses to share your love.
O God, we give thanks for our ministry partnerships and the ways you call us to do your work in the world. Today we especially celebrate our 20 years of connection, friendship, and Gospel-work with Iglesia Luterana Augustin de Guatemala. We pray for your continued blessings upon this ministry – for the people of Guatemala, for the people of our sister congregation in Ocho de Octubre, for Pastor Karen Castillo, Diego Gil, Valeria Gil, and all the leaders of ILAG’s ministries, for the Milagro Center, for all who are served by these ministries. Send your Holy Spirit upon the work of ILAG and upon our work together!
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 Alana Oehler with inquiries about this confidential ministry.
*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks unless we are notified otherwise.