October 20, 2023
Lord, we choose to listen to Your voice, to remember Your YES, to respond to Your love, to follow Your highest path for us.
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. Affirmation of Baptism | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. Confirmation | Sanctuary + Livestream
Join us at 8:15 as we come together to celebrate and affirm our baptism, and at 10:45 as Michaela Connors, Lena Dalton, Jake DeVaney, Ben Oehler, and Katherine Oehler confirm their faith and say YES to God.
Sunday’s Altar Flowers are given by the Connors family in honor of the Confirmands.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | library + Zoom
Join us as we move with intent through the book of Ephesians. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
SUNDAY’sCOOL
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
Toddlers thru Grade 4
We have amazing plans for the kiddos. Kids Choir sings at 10:45! Contact Megan Getman.
NEXTGEN
6:00 p.m. | Activity Center | Grades 5-8, 9-12
Synergy: Throughout the month of October we’re diving into the theme of Synergy. This theme will be prevalent in learning, serving, and giving this month. Check out shephills.org/synergy for all the ways you and your youth can participate. Contact Joel Timmons.
NEXTGEN PARENTS GROUP
6:00 p.m. | Solomon’s Porch
Stick around for a time of prayer, study, and community with other NextGen parents. Contact Pr. Lauren.
EVENTS
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of all our events!
Click here for a full list of Synergy events in October, and join us for faith-filled mission and ministry.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MOGGA DOGALE
Saturday, October 21
11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary
A memorial service will be held to remember the life of Mogga Dogale, who is entrusted to the power and the promise of the resurrection life in Jesus Christ. Mogga Dogale is the son of Flora Lano and brother of Wuseng, Lado, Kafuki, Petia, and Gore Dogale. A reception will follow in the Activity Center.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, October 25
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Great reading, great discussion, TWO TIMES. Contact Pr. Tom or Pr. Lauren
CAMPUS WORKDAY
Saturday, October 28
9:00 a.m. | Memorial Garden
Cooler temps mean it’s time to get outside and do some fall clean-up in the Memorial Garden in preparation for the All Saints Service of Remembrance. Contact Bill Dawson.
REFORMATION + COMMITMENT STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
Sunday, October 29
9:15am Celebration Breakfast
8:15 + 10:45am Celebration Worship + Stewardship Commitment Sunday
WEAR RED. It’s a giant family reunion with your faith family all dressed in red and celebrating our shared heritage. Enjoy a breakfast that would make Luther proud, listen to the UT Trombone Choir blare out your favorite hymns, and fill out a pledge card (a promise of your intended gifts) to support our missions and ministries in the year ahead!
ALL SAINTS SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE
Wednesday, November 1
4:00 p.m. | Memorial Garden
As we gather in the sacred space of the Memorial Garden, we will acknowledge the holy gift of our loved ones, and give thanks for God’s promise of eternal life. This service is especially for those who have experienced the death of a loved one in recent years. A light meal will follow.
PR. TOM’S RETIREMENT PAR-TEE
Sunday, November 5
Noon | Activity Center
Please join us for some Texas BBQ and tasty treats as we Par-Tee with Pastor Tom and celebrate his service and dedication at Shepherd of the Hills! RSVPs help us plan — but in true Texas fashion — we’ll have PLENTY of food so join us even if you forget to respond. The Church Council has a congregational gift for Pastor Tom which will be presented during our celebration. If you would like to make an additional gift, click here or contact Bill Dawson.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEK
PRAYER VIGIL
Saturday, October 14
Thank you to everyone who participated by praying for 15 minutes over a 12-hour period. With all 48 slots filled, we blanketed the world in prayer for 12 continuous hours. People prayed in the church or outside in the prayer garden area, at home, on the road, and from various locations around the United States. Here are a few responses:
“My 15-minute prayer time was spent driving in the wide open spaces of West Texas right before the solar eclipse. I began alone in the car and ended in community with others, the bikers, the young and old folks, and people of all different races, joined together to watch the eclipse and share our glasses. I gave thanks for the time alone, the awe of creation, and the community of people who appreciated and enjoyed one another, even in our differences. It is the way God intended life to be!”
“We found joy in a tiny wonder of God’s cosmos.”
“I liked being part of a greater community of pray-ers.”
“It was a special moment to be in the Sanctuary alone – I felt a peace I’ve never felt with others around.”
BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
Monday, October 16
139 families came for their once-a-month trip to Bread for All, a food pantry run by Austin City Lutherans. With four Mondays in a month, this means approximately 560 families are served each month. You can help by bringing non-perishable food and diapers to the bins in the Gathering Space each week, or learn more about volunteering. Contact Weldon Allison
TACO TUESDAY AT UT LUMIN
Tuesday, October 17
A dynamite volunteer group of about 15 of us helped LUMIN serve up tacos to 420 Longhorn students. As Pr. Brad put it “There was a lot of Light and Love shared in Christ’s name.” Plus it helps that Pr. Brad makes some amazing carnitas!
STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTS
“Gratitude flows from the recognition that who we are and what we have are gifts to be received and shared.”—Henri Nouwen
STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT SUNDAY IS NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29
With Commitment Sunday on October 29, it’s never too early to start thinking about your giving. Stewardship information along with pledge cards were mailed out Wednesday. Ready to get started right now? Find interesting information on what “tithing” means, and use their free calculator to plan a recurring gift by clicking here. Wondering WHAT pledging is and WHY it’s important? Read this fact sheet and learn a lot in a small amount of time. Ready to make your pledge? Fill out the online pledge card!
GIVING AND SERVING
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.
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.
BREAD FOR ALL
Donation Bins | Gathering Space
Thank you for keeping donations of non-perishable food and diapers flowing throughout the month by bringing it to the bins each week. Bread for All has urgently requested the following items. Contact Weldon Allison if you have questions.
- Pasta/spaghetti (the foodbank has not had any pasta for a few months)
- Canned soups
- Dry beans (pinto or black)
- Rice
- Bags (paper, plastic & 13 ga. plastic)
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 and George Carlson.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Mike Schrader, son of Inez Schrader.
God of Life, We pray for Sara Dawson and family on the death of her aunt, Sally Sunkel and for Ruth Felger and family on the death of her brother, Donald Schrader, and for Donna Auby and family on the death of her sister, Maxine Johnson. Surround all who mourn with the peace and promise of resurrection.
God of New Life, we give thanks for the birth of Matias Richard Nutter, son of Olivia, grandson of Mark and Kim, nephew of Sophie and Ethan Nutter, and for the birth of Chloe Dawson, daughter of Doug and Sara, granddaughter of Bill and Sara, niece of Brian and Jessica. We pray for Matias and Chloe to grow in faith, hope, and love throughout their lives. Use us to surround all with your love.
God of Unity and Love, Through Jesus you say to us that whoever wishes to be first must become the least and the servant of all. May this time of worship and praise be a reminder that your victory is won through the cross. We pray that your church may be one. Teach us to accept humbly that this unity is a gift of your Spirit; Through this gift, change and transform us, unite us with the mind of Christ. Lord, in your mercy…
God of Peace, as wars continue on the battlefield, in the halls of our government, in the online bullying and lying, equip us with the power of your Spirit to stand for those without power or position, and give us the courage to stand for what You stand for. Lord, in your mercy…
Holy God, as war has once again broken out in the Holy Land, we lift to you prayers for peace and resolution to this age-old conflict among your people. Draw near to the victims, and inspire leaders to seek your will and your guidance. It’s so complicated, Lord, and we will never fully understand the depth of this conflict. But we do know you are with your people, on all sides, in all moments, and we pray for your Spirit to be heard.
Lord of Life, as we focus our attention this month on renewal and unity as your church, inspire in each and every person a feeling of belonging and participating in a faith community that welcomes all, participates in the mission and ministry you call us to do, and generously supports the sharing of your love in Guatemala, Haiti, the ELCA, and the ministries of Austin City Lutherans—Mariposa and Bread for All. Be with all who lead those ministries and all whose lives are impacted. Lord, in your mercy…
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.