Weekly Connections

September 23, 2022

Let’s keep growing in faith! This Sunday is Sunday’Scool for children kicks off with Rally Day and Ignite! Small Groups host sign-ups for adults. Keep reading for more information on both!

Worship

8:15 a.m.  Worship |  Sanctuary
10:45 a.m.  Worship |  Sanctuary + Livestream
This Sunday’s Message from Ephesians 6:10-20 is Keep Alert! In our Baptism, God calls us to an undivided life. To keep alert is to pay attention to our calling.

Rally Day!

9:45 a.m.  |  Gathering Space + Family Ministry Center (upstairs)
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! Please register your children for Sunday’Scool before October 2.

Ignite! Small Group Sign-Ups for Fall

9:00 a.m. – Noon |  Gathering Space + Activity Center
Next week our Small Groups begin a six-week study based on the book “Gracism -The Art of Inclusion,” by David A. Anderson. Pastor Anderson is the founder of Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, Maryland, one of the nation’s leading multi-cultural churches. Sign up for your group today or visit one of the tables in the Activity Center or Gathering Space this Sunday for:

• Sign-ups for groups meeting on Zoom or in-person.
• More information on the study plan.
• Copies of the book “Gracism -The Art of Inclusion.” One book per family unit, with a suggested $5 donation to help cover costs.

Sunday Adult Bible Study 

9:15 a.m. |  Library + Zoom
This Sunday, we will complete our study of the Minor Prophets with a discussion of Malachi.  Contact Ruby Cadenhead for more information.

NextGen for Grades 5-12

7:00pm | Activity Center
Come Raise the Roof! with fun and a study of Mark 2.

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

Pickleball

SATURDAYS
9:00 a.m. | Activity Center
TUESDAYS
5:30 p.m. | Activity Center
THURSDAYS FOR BEGINNERS!
5:30 p.m. | Activity Center
No sign-up, just show up! Contact Julie Hudnall if you have questions.

Cancer Support Group

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
6:00 p.m. | Zoom
Anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis – whether an individual with cancer, a family member, or a supportive other – is invited to join Sandy Smith for a time of practical guidance, personal support, and prayer. Sandy has walked this path through her work as an oncology nurse and through personal experience.

Sandy is also available between groups or at any time to serve as a resource to individuals and their families. Please feel free to email or call her at 512-569-6453.

Wednesday Bible Studies

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
7:30 a.m. | Early Riser’s Study on Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Late Riser’s Study in the Library and on Zoom
Start hump-day with your best foot forward. Early Risers can jump online every Wednesday morning for a 30-minute look into the Gospel of Mark, or 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 28
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.

Sunday’Scool

NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
9:45 a.m. | Family Ministry Center (Upstairs)
Sunday’Scool classes begin for Toddlers and Kids thru Grade 4. Don’t be late, we’ll meet in the common area for stories, songs, and prayer before choosing an exploration station to learn about the week’s bible story in a whole new way! Make sure and register your child(ren) today.

Acolyte Training – Grades 5-8

NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
9:45 a.m. | Sanctuary
Why do we light the candles? What does the flame signify? Grades 5 – 8 will meet in the Sanctuary to learn about the meaning and history of this ritual, and receive training for becoming an acolyte. Contact Joel Timmons.

Gather Us In

NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
Noon | Rm 205
Come learn about our community of faith! Join us for lunch and conversation as we get to know each other and answer questions you may have about life at Shepherd. Please contact Ministry Coordinator Amanda Forsberg if you plan to join us.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

God’s Work, Our Hands – Baby Care Kit Assembly

Thanks to all (and there were many!) who came out Sunday, September 9 to participate in God’s Work, Our Hands, a national ELCA day of service. Shepherd of the Hills provided for and assembled 110 Baby Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief! Special thanks to Kathy Gerhardt of the Developing Missions Team for facilitating fundraising and assembly for this event, to all of you who came to help, and a big shout out to our special “inspectors” who made sure each kit was complete: Mary Allison, Weldon Allison, Sara Dawson, Alicia Calvo, Karen Flint, Amanda Forsberg, Sandy Gaskin, Mark Gerhardt, Dabney Gomes, Anne McDonald, Carole Morgan, Kathy Palmer, Dawn Paulson, Linda Roesele, Norma Smith, Tiffany Stein, Tim Stein, Karen Stern, Larry Wikelius, and Cheryn Zook.

Bread for All Food Pantry – Urgent Call for Donations

The need is greater than ever. Last Monday Bread for All Food Pantry (BFA) provided assistance to 99 families. In addition, Capital Area Food Bank, which helps to supply perishable items to BFA, is running out of inventory. Please help by bringing these items on Saturdays from 9-11 a.m., Sundays from 8:00 a.m. – Noon, or any weekday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.:

• Macaroni & Cheese boxes, Other kinds of pasta (no spaghetti), Rice – 1 lb bags, Dry beans – 1 lb bags, Canned beans (preferably pinto, black, or garbanzo), Canned tomatoes – diced or sauce, Canned green beans or other veggies, Soup – any kind.

Staffing Update

Joel Timmons – Student Ministry Coordinator Joel Timmons is returning to a full-time ministry role as our Student Ministry Coordinator for this academic year!  He will be continuing to develop and nurture the faith of our NextGen students, as well as be involved in various additional ministry tasks that will help prepare him for ministry as an ordained pastor in the future.  We’re all excited that we don’t have to say “goodbye” to Joel yet!  Ask him to share his discernment story–it’s a wonderful example of following where God tugs our hearts.  Welcome (back), Joel!

Garden Plots

Take a wander through the garden plots in the Shepherd’s Garden. If you want to adopt a plot for fall planting, email Anita Knight.  

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 has never been easier because you can do it all online!

Beyond Capital Fund Appeal

145 Households are participating, with $2,290,060 dollars to date given towards our goal of raising $3 million to pay for the recent renovation of the Butterfly Center and eliminate all debt! Learn more here.

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!

HELP BREAD FOR ALL DISTRIBUTE FOOD
Find everything you need to know about volunteering here.

Sunday’s Altar Flowers are given by Carole Morgan, “To Celebrate all God’s Children!”

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 and Stacia DeBill

We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Shirley Lunecki, Mother of Dan Lunecki; the Diebitsch family, friends of Terrie Thomas; the Kruse family, friends of Jackie Rieger; the Franke and Burks family.

We pray in celebration of the marriage of Erin Wikelius and Kevin Vendeland this weekend.  May God’s love surround them in their life together, so that they may continually grow in the gifts of joy, partnership, and loving commitment through all the years to come.

We pray for all who mourn the death of John Schotborgh, father of Jennifer Hampton.

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.