Weekly Connections

September 9, 2022

This Sunday hands of all ages can do God’s work by helping us assemble Baby Care Kits in the Activity Center beginning at 9:30am.

Sunday Worship

8:15 a.m.  Worship |  Sanctuary
10:45 a.m.  Worship |  Sanctuary + Livestream

Come this Sunday as we continue the September Message Series “Be Strong, Put On, Stand Firm, Keep Alert!” and set aside time for reflection as we remember the events of 9/11.

Baby Care Kit Assembly

9:30 a.m. | Activity Center
ELCA’s “God’s Work-Our Hands” is a national day for coming together in service to our neighbors in need, and this Sunday our hands will assemble Baby Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. It’s a simple and rewarding activity, fun for every age, and all are encouraged to participate!

Breakfast for All

9:30 a.m.  – 10:15 a.m. |  Activity Center
Breakfast is available for those who need fuel for Baby Care Kit assembly! Don’t forget you can give a freewill offering for breakfast. Give online (select Fellowship Events/Breakfast Fund) or in person!

Sunday Adult Bible Study 

9:15 a.m. |  Library + Zoom
Continuing our study of the Minor Prophets. Contact Ruby Cadenhead for more information.

Grief Support Luncheon

Noon | Room 205
The Shepherd of the Hills Care Team and Stephen Ministers invite you to join this group that gathers for lunch to meet and share their grief with each other – allowing the feelings of sorrow, anger, depression, guilt, or pain to surface, and healing and hope to emerge.  Please invite others who may be interested in attending.

NextGen for Grades 5-12

7:00pm | Activity Center
Sara Enochs, writer AND mother of two teens, leads the group in a journaling exercise as a way to tap into the power of forgiveness.

Don’t forget to check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events

Men’s Breakfast

THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
8:00 a.m. | Activity Center
Smells from the griddle will whet your appetite for both food and conversation! Contact Weldon Allison for more information.

Quilting

THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
9:00 a.m. | Room 205
THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
1:00 p.m. | Room 205
Can you tie a knot and hold a conversation at the same time? Then you have all the skills needed for the simple task of finishing quilt tops. Join us!

New! Pickleball for Beginners

EVERY THURSDAY
5:30 p.m. | Activity Center
Ready to learn the game? The only skills you need are the desire to have fun and the guts to try something new. No sign up, just show up! Contact Julie Hudnall if you have questions. For those already playing, Pickleball is still on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. and Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Studies

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
7:30 a.m. | Early Riser’s Study on Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Late Riser’s Study in the Library and on Zoom
In need of a mid-week lift? Early Risers can hop online with every Wednesday morning for a 30-minute look into the Gospel of Mark, or join us later in the morning for an hour-long study in the library or online. Both studies are Pastor-led. Contact Pr. Lauren or Pr. Tom with questions!

Bells and Choir Practice

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
5:30 p.m. | Bells Practice in the Sanctuary
6:45 p.m. | Choir Practice in the Sanctuary
Our music programs are warming up for a spectacular fall. If you would like to join Bells or Choir, contact Kevin McClure, Director of Worship and Arts.

Guatemala Open House

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
6:00 p.m. | Gathering Space + Sanctuary
Come give a warm welcome to Pr. Karen Castillo and Diego Gil of ILAG, our ministry partner organization in Guatemala. Come at 6:00 p.m. for informal conversation (plus drinks and appetizers) in the Gathering Space. We’ll move to the Sanctuary for updates on ILAG’s powerful ministry, learning how God is at work today and moving forward!

Butterfly Center Building Dedication

NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
9:00 a.m. | Courtyard + Butterfly Center
Here’s the itinerary for a historic day in the life of Shepherd of the Hills and Butterfly Christian Preschool. Everyone (that means you too!) is invited to join the festivities.

9:00-11:00 a.m. Brunch in the Courtyard and Butterfly Open House
10: 15 a.m. Ribbon Cutting and Blessing

Guatemala Mission Trip Interest Meeting

NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Noon | Library
Want to travel to Guatemala to fertilize the seeds of the Gospel we’ve planted through our support of ILAG? Pr. Karen and Diego are here from Guatemala to join us in discussing and shaping what a future trip can look like. There is a calling for everyone-those traveling solo and those traveling as a family-let’s discover it together!

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PALS)

NO MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER
PALS will NOT meet on Sept. 5, 12, 19 & 26.   We will begin meeting again on October 3. Contact Rebecca Guengerich with questions. For more information about this group and others in the surrounding Austin area and other cities, visit the website, www.palgroup.org

Bread for All (BFA)

FOOD DONATION REQUESTS
We have received a special request from BFA for size 5 + 6 diapers, mac and cheese, and pasta (no spaghetti please). In addition, all non-perishable food is welcome. Thank you for loving and serving our neighbors!

FOOD IS DISTRIBUTED EVERY MONDAY
Find everything you need to know about volunteering here.

Rally Day

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
9:45 a.m. | Gathering Space
Hey families, WE ARE BACK! Toddlers and kids thru Grade 4 should bring their parents and join us in the Gathering Space for a celebration with popsicles, friendship bracelets, and time to decorate the space and meet your teachers!

Butterfly Christian Preschool is Back!

Last Friday, Butterfly students greeted their teachers in the Activity Center and began classes this week in the newly renovated Butterfly Center. Special thanks to the Butterfly staff who worked late into the night setting up classrooms, to Zapalac Construction and their subcontractors, the City of Westlake Inspectors, the Fire Marshall, Bill Dawson, Dave Wegner, Milt Nielsen, Julie Hudnall, and everyone who worked long days to make sure the building was ready to be occupied!

Giving is an expression of joy and gratitude for the bounty of God’s goodness! There are so many ways to give-both financially and through serving.

Pledges, Gifts, and Donations

Keeping current with your pledged or regular giving over the summer has never been easier because you can do it all online!

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!

Bread for All (BFA) Food Pantry
BFA is now serving upwards of 100 families every Monday due to the current crisis of inflation and rising rents. The pantry is in need of dried pinto beans 1lb, canned pinto beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, spaghetti, and baby wipes. Please check for expiration dates before giving items. Contact Weldon Allison. Donation Bins are out every Saturday + Sunday, and on weekdays by ringing the office bell.

In need of prayer? Please contact a pastor to be put on the prayer list.

Would you like someone to pray alongside you during troubling times? Contact a Stephen Minister who can travel with you on life’s sometimes bumpy road.

We pray for Rodney Varner, Linda Roesle, Stacia DeBill.

We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Shirley Lunecki, mother of Dan Lunecki; Kenna Joy Kramer, grandniece of Weldon and Mary Allison; the Diebitsch family, friends of Terrie Thomas; David and Jennifer Hampton, children of Barb Hampton, on the death of Jennifer’s sister Monique.

We pray for all who mourn the death of Tom Moore, stepfather of Dabney Gomes.

God the compassionate one, whose loving care extends to all the world, we remember this day your children of many nations and many faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce flames of anger and hatred. Console those who continue to suffer and grieve, and give them comfort and hope as they look to the future. May your Spirit inspire world leader to serve the good of all for the healing of the nations. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord who, in reconciling love, was lifted up from the earth that he might draw all things to himself. Amen.

We pray for the people of Great Britain and other places in the world as they mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth. Surround her family with your comfort and peace.

We pray for our country and our world, that as violence continues to eat at the soul of our lives we may learn how to be peacemakers. Calm our hearts and transform our mind and body with your love and peace.

We pray for our global ministry partners: Rev. Karen Castillo in Guatemala; Iglesia Luterana Augustina Virgen del Rosario, Aurora 8 de Octubre, Guatemala. We pray for Malcolm and Joy Henderson and the ministry of CHARIS in Haiti. 

We pray for our local ministries: Mariposa Family Learning Center, Bread For All and Upbring Ministries.

We pray for our faith community, that we may be a church without walls and live out loud…faithfully!

*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks, unless we are notified otherwise.