THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Mark 10:2-16 Join us this Sunday as Jesus challenges us to let go of what holds us back, reminding us that true treasure is found in following Him and living generously. Isaac Bishop joins us on trombone at late service.
GENEROUS LIVES – Living with Intention
This Sunday marks the beginning of stewardship season, which is a time of reflection and setting intentions for our gifts of time, talent, and treasure–all gifts from God that we are entrusted to care for. While the words we use may look and sound a bit different from past years, the focus is the same: to prayerfully set our intention for generous living. What we have called a pledge card in the past is now an Intention Card, and we encourage you to complete an Intention Card (also mailed to households this week!) on or before Sunday, October 27, indicating how you will share your gifts financially and/or through participation. Thank you for prayerfully reflecting and investing in God’s work, strengthening our church, and deepening your faith!
BREAKFAST FOR ALL
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Feed your body and soul by joining us for breakfast.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
This Sunday we continue our study of the Book of James. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
SUNDAY’sCOOL
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
PreK through Grade 4 are invited to join the group upstairs in the Family Ministry rooms. We begin the morning with Music with Kevin in Room 203 and then gather for stories, crafts, and games to learn about God’s everlasting love. Contact Megan Getman.
ASSISTING MINISTER TRAINING
9:45 a.m. | Sanctuary
You have an important role in leading the congregation in worship–you provide, alongside the presiding minister, a consistent presence guiding the assembly’s worship, from gathering to sending. At Shepherd of the Hills, we have incorporated your leadership into multiple parts of the service, but there’s even more you can do! Contact Amanda Forsberg.
NEXTGEN (Grades 9-12)
4:45 p.m. | Austin’s Pizza
New this fall, high school youth meet for Bible Study down the street at Austin’s Pizza and are welcome to join grades 5-8 for games at the church at 6pm. Contact Joel Timmons.
PET BLESSING
5:15 p.m. | Back Patio of Gym
Our pets bring joy to our daily lives! Whether they bark, purr, chirp, or slither, all pets on a leash or in a carrier are welcome for a simple blessing and prayer for their well-being and happiness.
NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8)
6:00 p.m. | Gym
Games, friends, and a quick Bible Study make for a great start to the week. Contact Joel Timmons. While you wait for Sunday evening to roll around, sign up for the Middle School Retreat at Camp Chrysalis on November 15th-17th.
URGENT NEED
TOWEL DONATIONS
For Lutheran World Relief
We need 200 towels to make Personal Care Kits for LWR to restock their warehouses and supply for hurricane victims! Take a minute and clean out your linen closets and bring us your gently used, preferably not white, bath-sized towels by Sunday, October 20. No old towels at home? Use this link to purchase towels to donate and use the code SAVING25. Labeled boxes will be scattered around the church to put your BATH-SIZED towels in. Thank you!
Mark your calendars to join during the Breakfast Hour on October 27 to assemble towels and other items into 200 Personal Care Kits that are desperately needed by Lutheran World Relief.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
FALL INTO FAITH
Fall Events in 2024
Click here to discover the bounty of great worship services and more happening this fall!
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDIES
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Join us in lively and thought-provoking discussions on the weekly scriptures. Choose the time and place that works for you. Contact Pr. Lauren.
QUILTING
Saturday, October 12
9:00 a.m. | Room 205
Sewing quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Let us teach you what we know, no experience necessary! Contact Ruth Felger or Linda Fiandaca.
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, October 17
1:00 p.m. | Library + Zoom
Shepherd of the Hills offers a group for all caregivers of people with short- and long-term illnesses. If you care for someone in person or from a distance (child, spouse, parent, friend), we welcome you to join us! While caregiving is a gesture of love, it also brings many challenging moments. The fellowship of other caregivers acknowledging those challenges and joys and sharing practical tips from experiences can be helpful and supportive. Meet in person or via Zoom (as we know it is difficult for caregivers to leave home). For information email Sandy Smith or call 512-569-6453.
SATURDAY MORNINGS WITH YOUNG’UNS
Saturday, October 19
9:00 a.m. | Butterfly Center
If you’ve got kindergarteners or younger this is planned for you-come gather for some playtime with your little ones! We’ll have some breakfast tacos and coffee (for the adults!). It’s a great time to get to know each other. Contact Megan Getman.
SEWCIAL FOR LWR
Saturday, October 19
10:00 a.m. | Room 106 (Breezeway Building)
Come join us for a “sewcial” morning of sewing and service! People of all ages and skill levels are invited to help make flannel receiving blankets for Lutheran World Relief’s Baby Care Kits. Bring a sewing machine and we’ll supply the materials and refreshments. Contact Kathy Gerhardt.
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!
SAVE THE DATE
SHEPHILLS WOMEN’S DAY RETREAT
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Camp David Retreat Center in Dripping Springs
Plan to spend the day with us in the beautiful hill country, away from your normal routines, to engage with women of all ages in faith conversations, creative activities, fellowship, and fun! More details coming soon!
SNAPSHOT
LIVING LUTHERAN
ShepHills was featured in Living Lutheran magazine for our work assembling Baby Care Kits on the ELCA’s day of serving called God’s Work, Our Hands. Read the article and learn more about this year’s projects by other churches nationwide.
FAITH IN ACTION
ELCA WORLD FOOD DAY
Tuesday, October 15
7:00 p.m. | Webinar
Register today to tune in and hear firsthand stories from ELCA World Hunger partners — including Educación Popular en Salud (EPES), a community health organization in Chile founded over 40 years ago, and more recent starts such as Tapestry Farms, a Midwestern urban farm system in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois. You’ll hear about their work with ELCA World Hunger and their impact on these communities. Come celebrate 50 years of ministry and get excited for our shared work toward a just world where all are fed.
MARIPOSA DAY OF GIVING AND GRATITUDE
Sunday, October 27
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Vuka Event Space
You’re invited for an afternoon of giving and gratitude for Mariposa Family Learning Center. Mariposa is a ministry of Austin City Lutherans ensuring all families receive an exceptional level of childcare for their children regardless of their ability to pay. Contact Director Sheila Pharis.
GENEROSITY MOMENT
AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS
Stay up to date with the works of Austin City Lutherans in our community by reading their fall newsletter!
GIVING
Giving is an expression of joy and gratitude for the bounty of God’s goodness! There are so many ways to give 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! Questions? Contact Finance Officer Hilary Russell for help. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.
HURRICANE RELIEF
Two ways to give to relief efforts:
Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is matching all gifts up to $125,000 – lwr.org/hurricane-match
Lutheran Disaster Relief (LDR) – elca.org
DONATIONS FOR BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
Read the BFA September Report from Pr. Tim Anderson. All sizes of diapers are needed and we continue to covet (in a good way) donations of peanut butter, dried beans, and canned goods. Bring your donations to the bins on weekdays from 9am-4pm, Saturdays from 9-11am, and Sunday mornings.
VOLUNTEER AT BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
Volunteers are welcome to help with setup and food distribution at the Bread for All Food Pantry. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals and groups of all ages. For more information on descriptions, times, and locations, please visit the calendar or contact Weldon Allison.
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please email the church at Sheep@ShepHills.org to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for: Marie Fortune; Hunter Clark; Ann Watt; and John Fenton.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Drew Officer and Kate Sheeran, friends of Kathleen Macaulay; Justin Cain, son-in-law of Rex and Sheila Fortune; Mary Campbell, aunt of Laura Hills; Joyce Carter, cousin of Karen Flint; Glenda Rumble, cousin of Terrie Thomas; Emma Katherine Phillips, sister of Hilary Russell; Linda Maidment Meyers, daughter of Helen and David Maidment; Paula Diaz, friend of Bob Cannon; and Steph and Gina Geller and family, friends of Dee Jackson.
God, we give you thanks for all the saints who have gone before us in faith and now rest in eternal life, especially Debra Schoenfelt, sister of Keith Schoenfelt; and Larry Vasbinder. We commend Debra and Larry to your everlasting love as we trust in the promise of resurrection in Christ.
God, we give you thanks for Pr. Ryan Dockery who will be joining us as our Associate Pastor. As this is the last Sunday at their current church for Pr. Ryan, Bre, Emmett, and Nolan, we pray for them and for Celebration Lutheran Church as they say farewell and give thanks for their years together. Be near to the Dockerys as they move to Austin. Bless our future together!
Generous God, your intention for us is salvation and joy, found in your greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. As we ponder your good gifts to us, providing for our every need and more, guide our own intentions in giving of our selves, our time, and our treasures. May we hold more tightly to you than to our money. May our whole lives reflect your goodness.
Would you like someone to pray alongside you during troubling times? A Stephen Minister can travel with you on life’s sometimes bumpy road. Contact Alana Oehler with inquiries about this confidential ministry.
*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks unless we are notified otherwise.