September 22, 2023
Thanks to all who volunteer in so many ways!
SYNERGY
Your letter from Pr. Tom is in the mail, inviting you to join us this October on a journey called Synergy – an opportunity to unify and energize our community through learning, serving, and giving. Check out the EVENTS section below and choose how you’ll participate next Sunday! Contact Pr. Tom.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Sunday’s Altar Flowers are given by Jane Tackett in celebration of Leila’s Birthday.
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Praise be to God who continues to dance through our lives…
BREAKFAST-Bring a Meal or Drive a Meal (Supporting BFA + Meals on Wheels)
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Activity Center
This Sunday we are supporting our Food Ministries! When you come to breakfast, “Bring a Meal” for Bread for All (any non-perishable food) or “Drive a Meal” for Meals on Wheels by signing up to learn more about how easy it is to volunteer for this organization.
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
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
Toddlers thru Grade 4
Start warming up your singing voices, we’ll be practicing our song for this week’s late service. Register your child for SUNDAY’sCOOL. Contact Megan Getman.
CONVERSATION CAFE “UNSCRIPTED”
9:45 a.m. | Room 205
Pr. Tom reflects on the impactful stories that have shaped his ministry and life based on scripture verses from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew.
NEXTGEN
6:00 p.m. | Activity Center
NextGen is tailored for two groups, grades 5-8 and 9-12, who fill the gym with laughter, Bible discussions, and goofy games. Contact Joel Timmons.
NEXTGEN PARENTS GROUP
6:00 p.m. | Solomon’s Porch
Our kids are at the age when it’s even more important to have a group of fellow parents with whom to connect. Stick around for a time of prayer, study, and community with other NextGen 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. Find your people by letting us find the group that fits you. More info here. Questions? Contact Pr. Tom.
EVENTS
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of all our events!
FRIDAY FUN NIGHT
Tonight! 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.
GARDEN WORKDAY
Saturday, September 23
9:00 a.m. | Shepherd’s Garden
The Caring for God’s Creation Team will be out in the Shepherd’s Garden weeding beds and prepping a few plots for fall gardening. If you want to get your hands in the dirt, you are welcome to join us, and you’re always welcome to join the team! Contact Jeri Porter.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, September 27
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Great reading, great discussion. Contact Pr. Tom or Pr. Lauren
SYNERGY IS MYSTERY: The Week of October 1
Sunday, October 1 Malcolm and Joy Henderson of CHARIS (Haiti) join us in person for worship and learning. If you’d like to give in support of this ministry, click here.
8:15 + 10:45 a.m. Worship | Sanctuary Joy gives the Children’s Message
9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study | Library Malcolm leads bible study – all invited!
12:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn | Activity Center Come for a light lunch and updates about the success of CHARIS’ ministry despite overwhelming obstacles. Contact: Pr. Tom
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 small bin labeled “BeREAL”. Contact Kathy Gerhardt with questions.
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.
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.
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: Carol Carlos, mother of Sandy Wikelius; and Mike Schrader, son of Inez Schrader.
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 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.