September 8, 2023
All aboard for Rally Day and God’s Work, Our Hands this Sunday!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Come rally around our kiddos as they receive bibles and help us bless Sunday’s Cool and NextGen Ministry Teams.
BREAKFAST
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Activity Center
Don’t go around hungry, come fill your body and soul with food and conversation.
ALL ABOARD FOR RALLY DAY
9:45 a.m. | Sanctuary
Toddlers through Grade 12, their parents, and everyone in between are invited to Rally Day for music and a game of Family Feud Bible Edition. Afterward, kids can explore their rooms while the parents have a meeting. Sunday’sCool classes start the following week. Contact: Megan Getman.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Join us as we continue our study of the Good Book. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
CONVERSATION CAFE “UNSCRIPTED”
Postponed until next Sunday, September 17
Pr. Tom is away this weekend following the death of his mother, but join him next week as he reflects on some of the impactful stories that have shaped his ministry and life based on scripture verses from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew and 40+ years of laughter, tears, and adventure in ministry.
GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS
Noon | Activity Center
Stay for pizza and projects! God’s Work, Our Hands is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) day of service nationwide. The Developing Missions Team will be hosting a light lunch and service activities as an opportunity to celebrate who we are – an ELCA church – freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Click here for a list of service projects. Contact Norma Smith.
NEXTGEN ORIENTATION
6:00 p.m. | Activity Center
Let’s all gather (parents too!) to look at what the year ahead holds. We’ll discuss planned trips, retreats, fundraisers, and more for both age groups! NextGen is a youth ministry for grades 5-8, and 9-12. Contact Joel Timmons.
EVENTS
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of all our events!
REMEMBRANCE OF LIFE FOR KIMBERLY JACKSON
Saturday, September 9
11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary
A service will be held to remember and give thanks for the life of Kim Jackson, child of Dee and Robert Jackson. We grieve with the family and all who loved Kim, as we place our trust in the power and the promise of the resurrection life in Jesus Christ. A reception following the service will be held in the Activity Center. For those who wish to watch via live stream, please use this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKIVh88uOdI
HEARD. A Conversation with Queer Voices.
Wednesdays, September 13 + 20
6:30 p.m. Light apps and sweets | Gathering Space
7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary + Zoom
For our first HEARD gathering, Pr. Katy Miles-Wallace shared their faith story and answered our questions with honesty and grace. We encourage everyone to take time to watch, and then make sure to join us this Wednesday as we look forward to an equally inspiring conversation with Pr. Jacob Naron. Contact: Joel Timmons.
Jacob is the lead pastor at Journey Imperfect Faith Community. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he graduated in May of 2021. Jacob is married to his loving partner Skylar. They are very proud parents of a dog and a cat. When not at his church, you can catch him on his porch, paddle boarding at Lady Bird Lake, or playing guitar.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, September 13
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Great reading, great discussion. Contact: Pr. Tom or Pr. Lauren
QUILTING
Wednesday, September 13
1:00 p.m. | Room 205
Sewing quilts for Lutheran World Relief, no experience necessary! Contact Ruth Felger.
VINTAGE FRIENDS’ ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Thursday, September 14
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Barb Hampton’s House
It’s time for ice cream! The Vintage Friends (age 50ish and older — but any age is welcome) will gather at the home of Barb Hampton (422 Brady Lane) for the annual Ice Cream Social. Drop in anytime between 2 and 5pm for Culver’s Ice Cream (thanks Elaine Fick!) and feel free to bring other sweet treats like brownies or cookies. Please RSVP by Sept 12 to Rebecca Guengerich at rguengerich@gmail.com.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Saturday, September 16
8:00 a.m. | Butterfly Center
Good food, great conversation! Contact Weldon Allison.
SUNDAY’sCOOL BEGINS
Sunday, September 17
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
Toddlers thru Grade 4 are invited to join us upstairs for the first day of Sunday’sCool. Contact Megan Getman.
ACOLYTE TRAINING
Sunday, September 17
9:45 a.m. | Sanctuary
Acolytes bring the flame to the altar, take it out at the end of Worship, and help serve Holy Communion. This training is great for those who would like to learn how to be an acolyte, and equally good for those who need a refresher! Contact Joel Timmons.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
Sunday, September 17
Noon | Rm 205
Gather for physical and emotional nourishment at the grief luncheon. RSVP Rebecca Guengerich.
IGNITE GROUP SIGN-UPS
IGNITE! SMALL GROUPS
Sign-ups begin next Sunday, September 17
There is no better way to understand the power of small groups than to join one. When you join a small group you become part of a family within our larger church family. Small groups study God’s Word together, eat together, pray for one another, help one another, and build loving bonds. Find your people by letting us help find the group for you. Questions? Contact Pr. Tom.
GIVING AND SERVING
“Gratitude flows from the recognition that who we are and what we have are gifts to be received and shared.”—Henri Nouwen
PLEDGES, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS
Giving online is a great way to stay current with your pledge or set up a recurring gift. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.
SERVING
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!
MEALS ON WHEELS
We still need once-a-month volunteers on a Wednesday and/or Thursday. Volunteer duties consist of picking up meals from Holy Cross and delivering them on a dedicated route. A route typically takes about 30 minutes. Contact Weldon Allison.
BREAD FOR ALL
Donation Bins | Gathering Space
From Sept. 2022 to Sept. 2023, ShepHills gave 21,000 lbs of food (worth $37,000) to Bread for All. Wahoo! Thank you for keeping donations of non-perishable food and diapers flowing throughout the month by bringing it to the bins each week. Contact Weldon Allison.
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact a pastor to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for Rodney Varner.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Cara Cothham and Ginger Bingham, friends of Debra Jacobsen; Chris Byrne, son of Joan Byrne; Austin Hart, grandson of Pam Stone, Jazzercise Leader.
God of Life, we give you thanks for the life and witness of Dorothy Grevlos. Surround Pr. Tom and Jeanne and all the family with an extra measure of comfort and grace.
We give thanks for the life and witness of Iris Riddle, mother of Pam Petterson. May the certain hope that is ours in Christ Jesus give peace to all who grieve.
God of Peace, in our countries and cities, our streets and homes, there is conflict. May we come together to end the abuse and misuse of power. May we live out the Biblical vision of “Beating our swords into plowshares, our spears into pruning hooks.” Create within us love and grace that leads to peace and good-will.
God of New Beginnings, we give thanks and praise for the birth of Madelyn Reese O’Brien, newborn daughter of Jenna and Rob O’Brien, and grandparents Mark and Kathy Gerhardt. Bless Madelyn on her journey of faith and life.
And, as communities re-build from natural disaster, may you give strength and perseverance to “fight the good fight of faith”.
God of Hope, strengthen and empower our global ministry partners through the ELCA; Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. Continue to walk with Pr. Karen Castillo and Diego Gil and our ministry in Guatemala, as well as Malcolm and Joy Henderson in Haiti. And, guide and direct our local ministries through Austin City Lutherans; Bread for All Food Pantry, and Mariposa Family Learning Center.
God of our Community of Faith, inspire us and encourage us on this Rally Sunday to come together, get into the boat, and be a church that lives out loud faithfully! A Church where we boldly proclaim that we are one in Christ empowering us to be a church without walls.
Would you like someone to pray alongside you during troubling times? Contact Rebecca Guengerich to find (or learn more about) a Stephen Minister who can travel with you on life’s sometimes bumpy road.
*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks unless we are notified otherwise.