August 2, 2024
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord!
The Gospel readings each week of August remind us that Jesus is our Bread of Life, and we will offer a different kind of bread each Sunday for Holy Communion to help us reflect on Jesus as our Bread. Using different breads reminds us that Jesus is present among all of us; no matter what type of bread we receive at Communion, the same Jesus is received in each, and it further reminds us that we as individuals are drawn together into one body. Just as we sing in Now the Feast and Celebration: “As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill were gathered into one to become our bread. . .So may all your people, from all the ends of the earth, be gathered into one in you.” We will taste this unity as we taste different bread! There will be different gluten-free options, as well. Join us in worship for this unique opportunity to experience God’s love through our sense of taste!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Gospel of St. John 6:24-35
Come and worship as we nourish our hearts and souls with the Bread of Life! We will also offer a special blessing for our college students as they prepare for the upcoming school year and enjoy music by Glenn Richter. We look forward to seeing you!
Altar Flowers: Given by Donna and Dick Auby in honor of Wally Auby, Cal Auby, and all college students heading to school this fall.
BREAKFAST FOR ALL
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Simplify your morning! Join us every Sunday for breakfast in the gym.
POLOS AND T-SHIRTS FOR SALE
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
It’s August and we are ramping up for another great year! Make sure to show your spirit with a new ShepHills polo or t-shirt. Polos are $30, t-shirts are $20, and youth t-shirts are $15. Cash, check, or charge. Contact Dabney Gomes.
GATHER US IN
9:30 a.m. | Gym
New to ShepHills? Join us to learn more about our community over breakfast! Look for our sign and have a seat at the table. Contact Amanda Forsberg.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Please join us as we continue our discussions from the book, Bad Girls of the Bible. This week we discuss Michal, using scripture references 1 Samuel 18:20-30 and 2 Samuel 6:17-23. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8, 9-12)
6:00 p.m. | Gym
This is the perfect place to grow your faith through laughter, Bible discussions, and goofy games. Contact Joel Timmons.
CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Call Committee is receiving candidates!
For each candidate, we review their Rostered Minister Profile (the pastoral equivalent of a resume) and references and watch an online recording of their preaching. We hold a Zoom interview with each candidate, with open minds and hearts, to learn more about them and introduce them to Shepherd of the Hills. After some individual reflection, the committee discusses each candidate and listens to all voices as we seek God’s guidance for next steps.
From the day of our commissioning, we have been grateful to receive your trust, prayers, suggestions, and words of encouragement. If it seems like the flow of information has not been bidirectional, that has been by design. The Call Committee is bound to strict confidentiality to protect the candidates in this call process. We thank you for your patience and respect of this need for confidentiality, but please know that we look forward to sharing more information with you as we are drawn closer to our new associate pastor! ~ Janice Benzel, Call Committee Co-Chair
A LOOK AT THE WEEK
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!
SHEPHERD’S GARDEN WORKDAY
Saturday, August 3
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 have tools, but bring your own (if you wish). Don’t forget gloves, appropriate shoes, bug repellant, and sunscreen. Contact Jeri Porter.
EARLY RISERS’ BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, August 7
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
August is here and it’s time to reconvene! Herb Palmer will lead us in lively and thought-provoking discussions on the weekly scriptures. Contact Sheep@ShepHills.org.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, August 7
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Pastor-led study of the Good Book. Contact Pr. Lauren.
QUILTING
Sat, August 10 at 9:00 a.m. | Rm 205
Wed, August 14 at 1:00 p.m. | Rm 205
Sewing quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Let us teach you what we know, no experience necessary! Contact Linda Fiandaca or Ruth Felger.
BLESSING OF NEW DRIVERS
Sunday, August 11
8:15 + 10:45 a.m. | Worship
In August we are celebrating those embarking on new journeys! If you have a new driver hitting the road for the first time, contact Joel Timmons.
BYLAW REVISIONS + SPENDING PLAN FORUMS
Sunday, August 18 | 9:30 a.m. | Gym
Wednesday, August 21 | 7:00 p.m. | Zoom
Next week, we will mail a congregation meeting packet with proposed bylaw changes and spending plan documents in preparation for the upcoming Congregational Meeting on August 25. We are holding a forum to review two important agenda items. The 1st item concerns updating our church bylaws to be consistent with changes in nonprofit law, to reflect the current organization of ShepHills, and to be consistent with our church operations. The 2nd item is to review the council-approved spending plan for fiscal year 2024-2025 (starting on 9/1/24). Please review the documents and bring your questions to one of these two forums. Contact Bill Dawson.
IN SEPTEMBER
JUST SISTERS – A CONVERSATION ON THE 2024 ELECTION
Saturday, September 7
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | First Baptist Church of Austin
Does your faith influence your vote? Should it? Ever given it any thought? JustSisters invites Christian women into a safe space to hear panelists and participate in table conversations. Click here for an in-depth agenda, and to register.
GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS.
Sunday, September 8
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
This is the day ELCA congregations join together for an annual day of service to celebrate who we are – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. ShepHills will honor the day by assembling over 200 Baby Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Come join us! Contact Kathy Gerhardt.
BFA MINISTRY UPDATE
BREAD FOR ALL
Thanks for your continued support and volunteer participation at Bread For All. Our numbers were off the charts for July. Read Pr. Tim Anderson’s report to find out why.
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.
DONATIONS FOR BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
All sizes of diapers are needed and we continue to covet (in a good way) donations of peanut butter, dried beans, and canned goods. 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.
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact Pr. Lauren to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for Marie Fortune and Hunter Clark.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Drew Officer and Kate Sheeran, friends of Kathleen Macaulay; Justin Cain, son-in-law of Rex and Sheila Fortune; Mary Campbell, aunt of Laura Hills; Amy Pike, friend of Pastor Lauren; Ben Funk, stepfather of Lynn Spillar; Audrey Lentz, sister of Donna Auby; Chuck Wiemann, cousin of Jan Burnight; Joyce Carter, cousin of Karen Flint
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: Sarah Freehauf, cousin of Josh Norem; and LaWayne Guengerich, father of Steve Guengerich. We pray for your comfort and peace to surround all who grieve, as we trust together in the resurrection promise. We commend Sarah to your never-ending love.
God of grace, be with our college students as they venture off to school. Be with them in their studies and learning, in their friendships and social engagements, be with them in their decisions and choices. May they feel your love with them in all things and in all places. Amen.
O God, you have built your church on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and as we continue in the call process for an Associate Pastor, we pray for your wisdom to guide us. Bless our call committee as they continue in this diligent and faithful work. Bless all the candidates who come our way, and give us clarity when it is time to extend a call. Send your Holy Spirit upon us.
O God, you send us to serve. Bless our ministry partners, Charis, who serve your people in Haiti and who seek to bring your light and hope to those suffering. Even though hands-on ministry in Haiti is halted right now, we pray for your Spirit and your presence to be with and among the people there. Help Charis continue to be your hands and feet, serving your people, even from afar.
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.