September 15, 2023
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. ~ Proverbs 4:25
SYNERGY!
Join us this October on our journey called Synergy. Our roadmap is clear: to unify and energize (synergy) our congregation in learning, serving, and giving. Just imagine our church as a boat, and each one of us as a rower… when we all row together in the same direction, guided by the principles of Ephesians, we will navigate the waters of life with purpose and passion.
Look for your weekly postcard with ways to learn, serve, and give TOGETHER. Come be part of something great! Contact Pr. Tom.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Let all who have breath sing praise to God!
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.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Join us as we continue our study of the Good Book. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
SUNDAY’sCOOL BEGINS
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
SUNDAY’sCOOL is a time for toddlers and kids thru Grade 4 to learn about Jesus through stories, exploration stations, and more. Register your child here. Contact Megan Getman.
ACOLYTE TRAINING
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.
CONVERSATION CAFE “UNSCRIPTED”
9:45 a.m. | Room 205
Pr. Tom 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.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
12 p.m. Noon | Rm 205
Gather for physical and emotional nourishment at the grief luncheon. RSVP Rebecca Guengerich.
NEXTGEN BEGINS
6:00 p.m. | Activity Center
Come grow your faith in extraordinary ways! NextGen is our youth ministry tailored for two groups, grades 5-8 and 9-12, who fill the gym on Sunday evenings with laughter, Bible discussions, and goofy games. Contact Joel Timmons.
NEXTGEN PARENTS GROUP
6:00 p.m. | Solomon’s Porch
Our kids have outgrown playground playdates and other activities that allowed for those impromptu gatherings we used to have with other parents. We often feel isolated at a time when changes are happening at lightning speed and it’s even more important to have a group of fellow parents with whom to connect. So drop your student off, stick around, and come join us on the porch for a time of prayer, study, and community with other ShepHills parents. Contact Pr. Lauren.
IGNITE! SMALL GROUPS
Sign-up in the Gathering Space and Online
There is no better way to understand the power of small groups than to join one and become part of a group studying, praying, helping, and building bonds with each other. Find your people by letting us find the group that fits you. More info here. Questions? Contact Pr. Tom.
Altar Flowers are given by Pam and Jeff Petterson in memory of Pam’s mother, Iris Riddle.
EVENTS
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of all our events!
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Saturday, September 16
8:00 a.m. | Butterfly Center
Good food, great conversation! Contact Weldon Allison.
ELCA YOUTH GATHERING INFO MEETING
Tuesday, September 19
7:00 a.m. | Rm 205
Next summer’s ELCA Youth Gathering is in NOLA! Youth in grades 8-12 and their parents are invited to come learn the how, what, when, and why of making this trip a part of your summer plans. Contact Joel Timmons.
HEARD. A Conversation with Queer Voices.
Wednesday, September 20
6:30 p.m. Light apps and sweets | Gathering Space
7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary + Zoom
Sharing life stories helps us discover common threads that connect us. Join us for the final conversation of this year’s HEARD series, as Joey Gutierrez shares his story as a queer person of faith. Contact: Joel Timmons.
Joey Gutierrez, he/him/él, is a 40-something seminarian at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, recently entering candidacy. He’s a proud bisexual child of God and currently serves as an administrator at Grace Lutheran in San Antonio. An active advocate and organizer, Joey is also a dedicated member of Orgullo, the LGBTQ+ pride council of LULAC. Joey also enjoys engaging in street ministry, playing the piano/organ, spending time with his son, Matthew, and exploring the world alongside his loyal pup, Sofia.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, September 20
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Great reading, great discussion. Contact: Pr. Tom or Pr. Lauren
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, September 21
1:00 p.m. | Library + Zoom
Caring for another individual is difficult and everyone needs support. Learn more about our group and think about joining us. Feel free to forward this invitation to others who may need support. For information email Sandy Smith or call 512-569-6453.
FRIDAY FUN NIGHT
Friday, September 22
6:00 p.m. | Activity Center
Fill your bellies at the taco bar and then have fun with a session of some good old-fashioned free play. Contact Megan Getman.
COURTYARD YOGA FOR LWR BABY CARE KITS
Saturday, September 23
9:00 a.m. | Courtyard
Start your day off in nature with a yoga class under the shade of mature oak trees in our beautiful courtyard. This event benefits Baby Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief (LWR), so please bring a new or gently used baby blanket to donate or make a monetary donation of your choosing at the event. Contact Kathy Gerhardt.
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.
MINISTRY UPDATES
Take a moment to read September’s ministry update from Upbring BeREAL. Your gifts are helping two young adults achieve self-sufficiency.
Upbring BeREAL
Donation Needs
BeREAL, a ministry of Upbring providing services for those aging out of foster care, is asking for donations of hygiene items, silverware, and dishes (plates, bowls, cups). Please bring your donations to the bin outside the church office. Please contact Kathy Gerhardt with questions.
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.
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.
DEEP GRATITUDE
Blessed, blessed, blessed is how the Jackson family feels for the outpouring of love from our family of faith, Shepherd of the Hills, for our Kim and ourselves.
Grateful for our wonderful pastors and all of our staff, our Caring for God’s Creation team, our Hospitality team and our Care and Stephen Ministry group for being available to us, for caring for us, for making Kim’s memorial service truly light and love-filled.
We appreciate every visit, card, email, phone call, and especially every person able to be a part of Kim’s service whether in person or via live-stream. Thanks be to God!
Dee and Robert Jackson
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; 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.