November 10, 2023
In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Let all who have breath sing praise to God!
NEW LIVE-STREAM FEATURES
We are excited to announce new and improved live-stream features available on the ShepHills website! Make ShepHills.org/Watch your main destination for live-stream viewing, live chat, highlight clips, archives, and links to other online media resources. We’ll continue to stream to other destinations like YouTube and Facebook. If you have any questions, reach out to Dave@ShepHills.org.
Altar Flowers are given by Mary Louise Behrhorst, in honor of Wallace Behrhorst’s birthday.
BREAKFAST
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Activity Center
Don’t go around hungry, come fill your body and soul.
GATHER US IN
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!
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
The Bible is a book that never grows old, revealing new things every time we read it. Come study it with us. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
SUNDAY’sCOOL
9:45 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
Toddlers thru Grade 4
Join us in learning about Jesus by using all our senses through stories, exploration stations, and more. Contact Megan Getman.
NEXTGEN & NEXTGEN PARENTS GROUP
NextGen groups will not meet this week or next, but make sure to join us on November 26! Contact Joel Timmons.
EVENTS
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of all our events!
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREES
Return Gifts by November 26 | Shelves on the Gathering Space Stair
All the ornaments are taken (in one Sunday!!!), so we’ve added some cards to the trees for hygiene products. Please return all gifts to the Gathering Space by Sunday, November 26, and place them underneath the shelf holding the Giving Trees. Contact Linda Roesle with questions.
TONIGHT IS FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Friday, November 10
6:00 p.m. | Activity Center
Bring your own dinner and relax while we watch Chicken Run. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Contact Megan Getman.
QUILTING
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.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, November 15
7:00 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Great reading, great discussion, TWO TIMES. Contact Pr. Lauren
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.
MEET THE NOMINEES
New Council and Endowment Board members will be elected at the upcoming Semi-Annual Meeting on November 19. Please click here to learn more about our nominees.
COUNCIL NOMINEES
Beth Turman and Bob Cannon are new nominees for Council. Megan Hansen, June Spann, and Ted Powell are up for re-election. Special thanks to Nicholas Dertien and Audrey Cullinane, who have finished their terms.
ENDOWMENT BOARD NOMINEES
Nadar Ayoub and Kathleen Macaulay are nominees for the Endowment Board. Special thanks to Larry Anderson and Bobby McQuiston, who have finished their terms.
THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP
THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Come worship in celebration of God’s abundant blessings! As an act of gratitude, we will be supporting those in need with donations of non-perishable food for the Bread for All Food Pantry Thanksgiving Food Drive. Additionally, your financial support is greatly appreciated as a special offering designated for Meals on Wheels Central Texas. Thank you for making a positive impact on the lives of others!
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS FOR THANKSGIVING
9:00 a.m. – Noon | Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Closed | Thursday and Friday, November 23 & 24, 2023
Happy Thanksgiving!
MISSION SUPPORT
GUATEMALA EMERGENCY RELIEF
This summer our Guatemala Team witnessed firsthand the severity of the drought caused by the current El Nino weather system. As a result of this drought, 34 families from our sister church Iglesia Luterana Augustina Virgen del Rosario in Aurora, Guatemala lost all of their crops. Subsequently, the torrential rains accompanying Hurricane Pilar in late October washed away newly planted seed corn, and this potential crop was also lost. If you would like to support a family with corn and corn seed, please donate. The cost is $175 per family, and donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
BREAD FOR ALL
Donation Bins | Gathering Space
Last Monday Bread for All Food Pantry (BFA) served 656 individuals, an all-time high. Our support is needed more than ever as food insecurity rises in Austin due to high rents and inflation. Please make shopping for BFA part of your weekly grocery trip and bring non-perishable food items on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. to the bin outside the Gym (NOTE THE NEW LOCATION!) or on Sundays. Bread for All is a ministry of Austin City Lutherans serving Southeast Austin every Monday.
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.
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 and Tamara Allen.
Be with our youth: Clay Bishop, Isaac Bishop, Sawyer Dertien, Madison Johnson, Clara Macaulay, Alex Nuernberg, Andrew Nuernberg, and Louisa Wykrent; and adult leaders: Erin Johnson, Heather Wykrent, and Joel Timmons at Camp Chrysalis this weekend for the Middle School Retreat. May they grow deeper in faith and closer together in community. Give them time and space to play, laugh, and rest in your creation.
God of Life, we pray for Judy and Bob Moore, the Hjaltman family, and the Pastor Casey family on the death of their cousin, Mildred Tonn. Surround all who mourn with the peace and promise of resurrection.
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.
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.
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.