Weekly Connections

August 30, 2024

CALL PROCESS UPDATES

Exciting News: We are moving forward in our call process for an Associate Pastor!  A
 Special Congregational Meeting to Call an Associate Pastor will be held on Sunday, September 22, in the Sanctuary after the late service. Please plan to attend. Details and other important information, including opportunities to meet the candidate were emailed by Pr. Lauren this morning, and a hard copy will be mailed to voting members on Wednesday, September 4. If you’re not receiving church emails and would like to, please contact Amanda Forsberg.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

WORSHIP
8:15 a.m.  | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Gospel of St. Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Join us this Sunday and be awakened by the Spirit! We welcome the Scheffel family as new members, Thom McNeil brings his guitar to the late service, and the choir (back from summer break) sings.

Altar Flowers are given by Ronny and Janice Pinckard in celebration of their 64th wedding anniversary.

BREAKFAST FOR ALL
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Simplify your morning! Join us every Sunday for breakfast in the gym.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
This Sunday we begin our study of the Book of James to discover what it means to live out our faith in everyday life. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.

SUNDAY’SCOOL BEGINS!
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
PreK through Grade 4 are invited to join the group upstairs in the Family Ministry rooms to explore Bible stories, make fun crafts, play games, and experience God’s everlasting love. Megan Getman

NEXTGEN (Grades 9-12)
4:45 p.m. | Austin’s Pizza
New this fall, high school youth will 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.

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.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

AT SHEPHILLS

Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
Monday, September 2
Happy Labor Day. If you need pastoral care, please email sheep@shephils.org.

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.

SHEPHERD’S GARDEN WORKDAY
Saturday, September 7
9:00 a.m. | Shepherd’s Garden
Get your hands dirty and join the Caring for God’s Creation Team for our monthly workday in the garden.  Contact Jeri Porter.

BABY CARE KIT ASSEMBLY
Sunday, September 8
9:15 a.m. | Gym
Let’s do this! We will assemble 250 Baby Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief as part ELCA’s day of service called God’s Work, Our Hands. The “assembly line” will be open during the Breakfast Hour for all ages to lend a hand in this annual tradition. We also need volunteers to distribute items and help with wrapping. If you’d like to assist, please reach out to Kathy Gerhardt.

QUILTING
Wednesday, September 11 @ 1:00 p.m. | Rm 205
Saturday, September 14 @ 9:00 a.m. | Rm 205
You only need to know how to tie a knot, we will teach you the rest of what it takes to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief. If you’d like to know more, please reach out to Linda Fiandacca or Ruth Felger.

MEET & GREET WITH PRIMARY CANDIDATE
Saturday, September 14
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Gym
3:30 p.m. | Q + A begins
Join us for a special Meet & Greet with our Primary Candidate for Associate Pastor. The Congregational Q&A will begin at 3:30 p.m., offering an opportunity to hear directly from the candidate, ask questions, and gain insight into their approach to ministry. This is a vital part of our discernment process—your questions and feedback are invaluable, so come and get to know the candidate!

HEAR THE CANDIDATE PREACH
Sunday, September 15
8:15 a.m. + 10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary
The Primary Candidate will preach at services. For confidentiality, there will be no livestream, so we encourage you to attend in person and say hello to the candidate and their family at breakfast.

2025 TRIPS AND SUMMER CAMPS
Sunday, September 15
9:40 a.m. | Gym
THIS IS FOR EVERYONE! You’ll hear firsthand stories from past participants about our upcoming trips and camps. Whether you’re looking for a reflective retreat at Holden Village, an international mission in Guatemala, high-adventure thrills at Rainbow Trail, or fun-filled days at camp, there’s something for you. Plus, you’ll get all the take-home info you need to start planning for 2025!

SERVE BURGERS AT UT LUMIN TAILGATE TUESDAY
Tuesday, September 17
Serve a two-hour shift
Begins at 3:00pm, ends at 7:30pm
It’s ShepHills’ Tuesday to serve! LuMin (Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Texas in Austin) serves grilled hamburgers to 350 to 400 students (for free) every Tuesday. Talk about some hungry college students! We have added more slots, click here to sign up and find directions. Contact Joel Timmons.

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TO CALL ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Sunday, September 22
12:15 p.m. | Sanctuary
we will gather for a Special Congregational Meeting to vote on extending a call to the Primary Candidate and approving their compensation package. Your participation in this important decision is crucial!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

JUST SISTERS – A CONVERSATION ON THE 2024 ELECTION
Saturday, September 7
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | First Baptist Church of Austin
JustSisters invites Christian women into a safe space to hear panelists and participate in table conversations exploring the duality of citizenship in the kingdom of God and the democratic republic of the United States of America if we consciously differentiate between the two, and how each might inform our choices. Click here for an in-depth agenda, and to register.

LIFETIME LEARNING INSTITUTE
Registration is Open
Lifetime Learning Institute, a low-cost extended learning provider for folks 50 and over, is returning for the fall semester to Shephills. Brochures are on the ledge by the stairs or use this online link to see the class list and register. Click here for classes offered at ShepHills.

CROSS TRAILS MINISTRY
Camp fun goes on all year long! Read the Cross Trails newsletter for upcoming retreats and fundraisers.

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 Bill Dawson for help. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.

DONATIONS FOR BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
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 contact Pr. Lauren to be put on the prayer list.

We pray for: Marie Fortune; Hunter Clark; Dana Dertien; and Ann Watt.

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; Amy Pike, friend of Pastor Lauren; Ben Funk, stepfather of Lynn Spillar; Audrey Lentz, sister of Donna Auby; and Joyce Carter, cousin of Karen Flint.

God, you have given us Scriptures and teachings of our faith community, and you have blessed us with teachers and mentors who help guide us as we grow in faith. Bless our Sunday’sCool teachers, NextGen mentors, and all who work with our young people this program year. Give them patience, wisdom for the hard questions, and a love for our students that encourages them to be who you have made them to be.

O God, you have continued to guide our discernment process as we seek an Associate Pastor to join us in ministry.  We pray for your Spirit to guide and give wisdom to all those involved.  We pray for clarity when it is time to extend a call. 

O God, we give you thanks for our ministry partnership with Mariposa Family Learning Center and our own Butterfly Preschool.  We thank you for the gift of learning and growing, and we pray that you bless the students, teachers, and families of Mariposa and Butterfly.

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.