November 3, 2023
Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday when clocks are set back 1 hour (i.e., we gain one hour!) to “fall back.” Bonus? It might be light when you wake up for church.
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5
The Church Office will be closed this Monday, November 6.
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
All Saints Sunday is Pr. Tom’s last Sunday with us. Bells, Choir, and Bob Cannon perform at both services, and Pr. Tom and Mr. Crazy Hair share time with the children. Pastor Tom’s long-time friend, Rev. Richard Hartmann, will be preaching. Pr. Rick and Pr. Tom met during their first calls in Houston and have been great friends since. Rick has served churches in Alabama, Texas, and Arizona. He has also worked for RSI, a Church Fund-Raising organization, and currently is the Regional Director for Food for the Poor. Rick and his wife and dogs live in Katy, Texas. Welcome Pr. Richard Hartmann!
Altar Flowers are given by Tom and Betty Lueders, in celebration of Pr. Tom’s loving ministry at Shepherd of the Hills.
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 move with intent through the book of Ephesians. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
SUNDAY’sCOOL
9:45 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
Toddlers thru Grade 4
We’ll have a one-room schoolhouse this coming Sunday. Music with Kevin will happen as usual and then roll into all the awesome things that the awesome teachers have planned. Contact Megan Getman.
PR. TOM’S RETIREMENT PAR-TEE
Sunday, November 5
Noon | Activity Center
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! We have some fun things planned…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.
NEXTGEN
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
Stick around for a time of prayer, study, and community with other NextGen parents. Contact Pr. Lauren.
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREES
Beginning This Sunday | Shelves on the Gathering Space Stair
It’s time! Come pick an ornament from the Christmas Giving Trees and make someone’s Christmas special. Each ornament has details for purchasing a gift for a child from Upbring New Life Center, Upbring Foster Children, or Upbring BeREAL. Read here for information on these life-changing ministries, or visit UpBring’s website. Please return purchased gifts to the gathering Space by Sunday, November 26, and place them underneath the shelf holding the Giving Trees. Contact Linda Roesle with questions.
STEWARDING OUR VISION
STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTS
Every day we lift up and live into our vision of strengthening connections, making disciples, and developing missions – all in the name of Jesus. Be a part of this vision to spread God’s Word by offering your financial support. Click here and scroll to the bottom of our stewardship website page for prayers to guide you, as well as information and tools for giving. Pledge cards will be available on Sunday, or find them online. Thank you for joining us in faith-filled mission and ministry.
DIGITAL MINISTRY UPDATE
We are excited to announce new livestream features available on the ShepHills website! Make ShepHills.org/Watch your main destination for livestream viewing, live chat, highlight clips, archives, and links to other media resources online. We’ll continue to stream to our other destinations like YouTube and Facebook, but warmly welcome you to the new and improved features at our home on the web! If you have any questions, reach out to Dave@ShepHills.org.
EVENTS
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of all our events!
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, November 8
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Great reading, great discussion, TWO TIMES. Contact Pr. Lauren
QUILTING
Wednesday, November 8
1:00 p.m. | Rm 205
Saturday, November 11
9:00 a.m. | Rm 205
Come sew quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Let us teach you what we know, no experience necessary. Contact Linda Fiandaca.
ILAG GUATEMALA SOCIAL
Thursday, November 9
6:30 p.m. | Home of Tim and Tiffany Stein (RSVP for address and gate code)
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer, a newbie with a curious heart, or somewhere in between, come sample Guatemalan cuisine and learn about ILAG’S impactful ministries, from education to healthcare to community outreach. There will be information on how to support ILAG from here at home (can you design a baptismal font?), or think about joining us on our next trip. RSVP to Joel Timmons for gate code and address.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Friday, November 10
6:00 p.m. | Activity Center
Bring your own dinner and relax with a movie! Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Contact Megan Getman.
MENS BREAKFAST
Saturday, November 11
8:00 a.m. | Butterfly Center
Rise and shine, it’s time to indulge in a hearty breakfast and feed your soul. Contact Weldon Allison.
GATHER US IN
Sunday, November 12
9:30 a.m. | Activity Center
Interested in learning about our community of faith? Grab breakfast, look for our table (hint: we’ll have a sign!), and join us for conversation as we get to know each other and answer questions you may have about life at Shepherd. Please contact Community Life Coordinator Amanda Forsberg, or just come have a seat at the table!
CAMP CHRYSALIS MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT
Friday, November 10-Sunday, November 12
Grades 5-8
Register here for camp fun and interactive, faith-filled learning with your NextGen friends. It’s like summer camp without the sweat!
SAVE THE DATE
SEMI-ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, November 19, 2023
9:30 a.m. | Activity Center
Breakfast will be served as we elect new Council and Endowment Board members (more info on them next week) and review year-end financials.
WOMEN’S RETREAT
April 13, 2024
You may feel called by God to your profession, your family, or serving others, but a religion that doesn’t call us to rest leaves no room for the sacred to emerge within us. Shepherd of the Hills Women and friends will gather to breathe and be together for a one-day retreat at the Plant at Kyle, about 30 minutes from Austin. More details will come, but if you’re so excited you can’t wait, contact Rebecca Guengerich.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST BENEFITTING MARIPOSA
9-10:30 a.m. | December 9, 2023 | Triumphant Love Lutheran
Head over and eat your fill of yummy pancakes to benefit Mariposa Family Learning Center. For more information, to volunteer, and/or donate, contact Jan Richards at 512-791-4235.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who helped assemble 200 Baby Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief.
They are now on their way to moms and babies in need.
A special shout out to our assembly team: Richard Arndt, Rick Burnight, Alison Cannon, Sara Dawson, Linda Fiandaca, Bril Flint, Karen Flint, Pete Forsberg, Jackie Gerhardt, Mark Gerhardt, Dabney Gomes, Anne McDonald, Jerry McDonald, Dawn Paulson, Linda Rosele, Norma Smith, Karen Stern, Terrie Thomas, Larry Wikelius, and Sandy Wikelius. Your time and assistance is greatly appreciated.
We have started collecting baby items for our next assembly in the fall of 2024. Watch for upcoming events to benefit our baby care kits and see you at the assembly next year!
xo,
Kathy Gerhardt & all the babies
GIVING AND SERVING
PLEDGES AND GIFTS
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.
HALLOWEEN CANDY
Donation Bins | Gathering Space
Bring your leftover Halloween candy to the Bread for All bins as a special treat for the families served by BFA and Mobile, Loaves and Fishes. Contact Norma Smith if you have questions.
BREAD FOR ALL
Donation Bins | Gathering Space
Thank you for keeping donations of non-perishable food and diapers flowing throughout the month. 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)
VOLUNTEERING
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!
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact a pastor to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for Rodney Varner.
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.
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.
Almighty God, you inspire and equip us to serve your people, both here in our community and around the world. Continue to keep us connected in mission and ministry with Austin City Lutherans and the ministries of Mariposa and Bread for All; with our fellow congregation in Guatemala alongside the ministry of ILAG; with the ministry of Charis in Haiti; and with all the places and people you call us to serve. May we be your hands and feet!
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.