April 19, 2024
This is the 4th Sunday of Easter, known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Join us in creating space to hear our shepherd’s voice call to come and follow.
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
Easter isn’t just one day, it’s a whole season, giving us time to rejoice in the promises of Jesus’ resurrection.
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Gospel Reading…John 10:11-18 On Good Shepherd Sunday our readings and hymns portray Jesus as our shepherd, reminding us that Jesus looks out for us, guides us, and never gives up on us, asking only that we listen for his call to follow. At the 10:45 service, the Kid’s Choir greets us with a big musical hello by singing the Call to Worship.
In need of special prayer? Stephen Ministers are available each Sunday during communion for individuals in need of personal prayer.
BREAKFAST FOR ALL
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Join us for breakfast! Make your morning hassle-free and enjoy this chance to socialize, catch up with friends, and make new connections. Support this hospitality ministry and give online by selecting the Fellowship Events/Breakfast Fund.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
The Bible is a book that never grows old. This week we’ll discuss more of 2 Samuel. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
SUNDAY’sCOOL (Toddlers thru Grade 4)
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
Meet us upstairs and we’ll have Music with Kevin to start things off! Contact Megan Getman.
NEXTGEN (Grades 5-8, 9-12)
6:00 p.m. | Gym
Grow your uniquely Lutheran faith through laughter, Bible discussions, and goofy games. Contact Joel Timmons.
NEXTGEN PARENTS GROUP
6:00 p.m. | Room 205
The group continues to discuss the joys and challenges of parenting teens and pre-teens. Join us for supportive conversation! Contact Pr. Lauren.
CALENDAR
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!
FRIDAY FUN NIGHT
Friday, April 19
6:00 p.m. | Gym
Same Bat time, same Bat place! Contact Megan Getman and make sure you are on her mailing list to receive upcoming details.
WATCH PARTY FOR EARTH DAY
This Sunday, April 21
2:30 p.m. | Room 205
In recognition of Earth Day, the ShepHills’ Caring for God’s Creation team invites you to a screening and discussion of the film The Letter, A Message for Earth. The film tells the true story of frontline leaders who journey to Rome to discuss Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’ with him. Two of our members had a chance to view the film at the World Parliament of Religion and were inspired by the energy and actions of the 8,000 religious people of all faiths from around the world who also viewed the film. For example, as a result of this film, over 1 million people have taken action in their communities, and Muslim leaders have now written a letter to people in their faith community. How will God inspire you and our faith community? Invite your friends, family, co-workers, Ignite groups, or multi-faith friends! If you are unable to join us, visit The Letter website and host a viewing party at your home.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, April 24
7:30 a.m. | on Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Pastor-led studies of the Good Book. Contact Pr. Lauren.
GRIEF GROUP
Sunday, April 28
1:00 p.m. | Room 205
Grief is not limited to the death of a loved one. It can be experienced with any loss…unemployment, retirement, relationship changes, illness, or family conflict. If you are grieving, please join us for lunch and emotional nourishment. Contact Rebecca Guengerich.
PRAYER SHAWL
Every Sunday
5:00 p.m. | Room 204
This fantastic group of people will gladly teach you to crochet the prayer shawls given at Baptisms and to those in need of comfort and prayer. Already know how? That works too! Contact Sharon Collins.
SNAPSHOT
PROFOUND FAITH
Despite their “limited” life experience, or maybe because of it, kids have a unique way of getting to the heart of things. When it comes to faith and spirituality, their simple perspectives provide a moment of clarity in our complicated lives. Here are a few outtakes from Pr. Herb’s conversation with the kids during last Sunday’s Children’s Message:
How is the eclipse like the love of God? “If something covers it, it still shines.”
How are the eclipse and God’s love different? “An eclipse only happens for a few minutes, but God’s love happens all the time.”
Watch the Children’s Message for more!
CAMP and MORE CAMP!
DAY CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN
July 22 – 26
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Shepherd of the Hills
Join us at Day Camp, where the fun never stops and every day is an adventure with Jesus! Staff from Chrysalis Camp will be here to facilitate, so invite your friends and neighbors. The whole week costs $150, but if the cost is a barrier, please talk to Megan Getman, Coordinator of Children’s Ministry. Registration deadline is May 10th. There are only 13 spaces left, so register your kids today!
FAMILY ADVENT RETREAT
Dec 6-8th (Thanksgiving is the weekend before )
Registration for the Advent Retreat is finally up and ready to go! This has become one of our favorite traditions at ShepHills. Contact Megan Getman for all you need to know.
Register and pay at www.crosstrails.org by following these simple steps.
- Search Retreats at Cross Trails/Camp Chrysalis
- Find Family Advent Festival Retreat I (Dec 6-8, 2024)
- Email Darcey at info@crosstrails.org if you need help with registration or payment questions.
FAITH IN ACTION
Lead and EmpowHER: A WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Saturday, April 20
9:00 a.m. | Fetter Activity Center, Abiding Love Lutheran
Abiding Love Lutheran invites you to attend this workshop with speaker Paige Haber-Curran, PhD, a Professor in the College of Education at Texas State University. Her research focuses on women’s leadership, emotionally intelligent leadership, and leadership development. Read here for information on cost and schedule.
PIANO CONCERT: Dr. Andrei Zimbalist + Dr. Anton Igubnov
Sunday, April 28
5:00 p.m. | Chateau Bellevue, 708 San Antonio St. ATX 78701
Dr. Andrei Zimbalist + Dr. Anton Igubnov will play pieces from Vivaldi, Rossini, Mozart, Grieg, Schumann, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff at a concert organized by the Austin Women’s Club in support of the historic Chateau Bellevue. Tickets are $50, and may be purchased online.
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.
LENT/EASTER OFFERING
Jesus lives! Our Lent and Easter Offerings totaled $10,489! This overwhelming support enables us not only to meet but exceed our goals. With $5,000 designated for Lutheran World Hunger and another $5,000 for Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration Refugee Services), we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity and commitment to sharing Easter hope with the world.
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 Bill Dawson for help. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.
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!
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact Pr. Lauren to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for Rodney Varner, Donna Herschleb, Betty Lueders, and Bob and Judy Moore.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Milton Volney, uncle of Debra Wissman; Buddy Kopplin, uncle of Amy Bishop; and Glenda Rumble, cousin of Terrie Thomas.
God, we pray in celebration with Laura & Charlie Hills as their granddaughter, Lili Ana Ray, is dedicated to you at her church in Conroe today. Bless Lili’s parents, Sarah and Jon Ray, and all of Lili’s family as they surround her in love and prayers.
God, we give you thanks for all the saints who have gone before us in faith, and now rest in your eternal life, especially Jack Howison, beloved partner of Joan Byrne. We pray for your comfort and peace to surround all who grieve, as we trust together in the resurrection promise. We commend Jack to your never-ending love.
Merciful God, we pray for all peoples and nations. Free oppressed communities from occupation, exploitation, and abuse. Teach leaders your way of justice. Empower peacemakers and all who work to end violence and strife. We pray especially for the people of the Holy Land–for war and suffering to end.
God, creator of all living things, you fashioned a world in which lands and waterways, plants and animals, together meet the needs of all that you made. We pray that such vitality may flourish around the globe. Bless those who work the soil and who manage animals. Nurture bees and pollinators. Create in us a sense of wonder and delight in your creation. Join our human prayers with the voices of all creation and move us to honor you by preserving the gifts of nature that reveal your glory.
God, you have given us freedom in the resurrected Christ. We pray for people everywhere who long for good news. Roll away the stones that keep people from living with dignity and wholeness. Breathe new life and hope into people struggling to make it through each day.
God, you have empowered us with the risen Christ to serve your people, here and everywhere. We pray for our partner ministries of Austin City Lutherans–Bread for All and Mariposa Family Learning Center. We pray for the ministries of Upbring. We pray for the worldwide ministries of ELCA World Hunger, Global Refuge, and Lutheran World Relief. We pray for our sister congregation in Guatemala in Aurora 8 de Octubre, and for Pr. Karen Castillo and the leaders of ILAG. We pray for the ministry of CHARIS in Haiti and all the people there. We pray for our Butterfly Christian Preschool as young ones are formed in faith, hope, and love.
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 Rebecca Guengerich or Pr. Lauren.
*Prayers for family and friends are listed for 2 weeks unless we are notified otherwise.