Sunday, JANUARY 5
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Matthew 2:1-12 Come celebrate Epiphany Sunday with us and follow the light of Christ into 2025!
CHALKING THE CHURCH DOORS FOR EPIPHANY
Conclusion of 8:15 a.m. + 10:45 a.m. Worship | Courtyard
Join Pr. Ryan at the end of worship as he shares the history of this rich tradition. Together, we’ll chalk the church doors for 2025 and provide chalk kits for you to take home to bless the door of your home.
POINSETTIAS
This will be the last Sunday to pick up your purchased poinsettias. Thank you for your gift that decorated our sanctuary!
BREAKFAST HOUR
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Don’t go around hungry, come fill your body and soul! Give here to support this ministry.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Join us every Sunday for a study of the Good Book. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
PR. TIM ANDERSON – A BALM IN WICHITA FALLS
9:45 a.m. | Room 205
Pastor Tim Anderson will be here for the next three Sundays to discuss and explore themes from his new book A Balm in Wichita Falls. This Sunday’s session will look at vengeance and retribution. Refer to the Upcoming Events section below for more information.
SUNDAY’sCOOL (PreK-Grade 4) and NEXTGEN (Grades 9-12)
Both resume next Sunday, January 12. Same times, same places!
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Please join family and friends as we gather in gratitude and joy to give thanks for the life and witness of Tom Felger on Saturday, January 11 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary, with a reception immediately following in the gym. Please keep his wife Ruth, daughters Michelle and Lisa, the Dogales, and all of Tom’s family in your prayers.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PR. TIM ANDERSON – A BALM IN WICHITA FALLS
Sunday, January 5, 12, + 19
9:45 a.m. | Room 205
Join Pastor Tim Anderson to explore restorative justice, featuring biblical insights, personal narratives, and themes of revenge, forgiveness, and restoration from his new book There is a Balm in Wichita Falls. Copies of the books will be available for purchase.
Jan. 5, Session 1: Vengeance and Retribution – Purpose and Limits
Jan. 12, Session 2: Forgiveness – Two Kinds, and Don’t Forget It
Jan. 19, Session 3: Restoration – What Is and Isn’t Possible?
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. Ryan.
QUILTING
Wednesday, January 8 | 1:00 p.m. in Room 205
Saturday, January 11 | Canceled
Help sew quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Let us teach you what we know, no experience necessary! Contact Linda Fiandaca.
GRIEF GROUP
Next Sunday, January 12
Noon | Room 205
Whether your loss is recent or some time has passed, you are welcome in this group. During our sessions, we share stories, offer mutual support, and explore ways to cope with our grief. Each meeting is guided by empathy, respect, and confidentiality. Contact Amanda@shephills.org.
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, January 16
1:00 p.m. | Library + Zoom
If you care for someone in person or from a distance (child, spouse, parent, friend), please join us and connect with other caregivers. We will acknowledge our challenges and joys, and share practical tips from experiences. Contact Sandy Smith or call 512-569-6453.
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of events!
SNAPSHOT
REBECCA GUENGERICH, SOUTHWEST TEXAS SYNOD
Invitation to Grow Your Faith Online
You know Rebecca Guengerich as an active leader in our congregation, but did you know she is the Chair of the Southwest Texas Synod Leadership Team? On behalf of the Synod, she’s inviting you to join a special online course to deepen your faith and leadership.
Rebecca will co-lead Taste and See: Connecting with God Through Spiritual Practices with Becky Rische (a former ShepHills member) and guest instructor Tessa Pinkstaff from Luther Seminary. Together, they’ll guide participants through meaningful practices like visual meditation and labyrinth prayer, to help you connect with God in fresh, tangible ways.
Course Details:
- Date: Begins Monday, January 20
- Length: Six weeks
- Time: 7:00 PM CST
- Online course
It’s a great opportunity to refresh your faith journey. Click here to register and join Rebecca for this six-week experience!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
INSTALLATION AND RECEPTION FOR ASSOCIATE PASTOR RYAN DOCKERY
Sunday, January 26
3:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Mark your calendars to celebrate the installation of Pr. Ryan! Then, per ShepHills tradition, we’ll gather in the gym for a reception featuring delicious BBQ with all the fixins.
MARIPOSA SPREAD THE LOVE GALA
Thursday, February 20
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Vuka Event Space, 5540 N. Lamar Blvd.
Mariposa Family Learning Center invites you to an evening of impact and inspiration! Come for appetizers, drinks, an auction, prizes, and more. Registration information will follow. Contact Sheila Pharis.
UPBRING MAKE A DIFFERENCE GALA
Saturday, March 1
6:00 p.m. | Junior League of Austin Community Impact Center
Wear your boots and bling and turn out for this fundraising event for your chance to join Upbring in changing the course of children’s lives. Click here for sponsor information and to register 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.
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 Finance Officer Hilary Russell for help. Thank you for your continued support of our missions and ministries.
DONATIONS FOR BREAD FOR ALL (BFA)
In 2024, ShepHills donated 16,517 lbs of food! Thanks to everyone for their support and participation in this vital ministry.
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 email the church at Sheep@ShepHills.org to be put on the prayer list.
If you have an emergency and need a pastor, please call (512) 222-3831. One of our pastors will always be on-call and available to you.
We pray for: Marie Fortune; Yolanda Heine; and Tobias Hartmann.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Drew Officer and Kate Sheeran, friends of Kathleen Macaulay; Emma Katherine Phillips, sister of Hilary Russell; Winnie and Brad Nelson, sister and nephew of Mary Macaulay; Taylor Schobey, daughter of Deanna Schobey; Steph and Gina Geller and family, friends of Dee Jackson; Kyle Lowke, son of Richard Lowke; and unborn son of Jason and Celeste Powell, grandson of Ted and Corky Powell.
God of love, we give you thanks for the marriage of Bril Flint and Kelli Trussell. Bless their life together, as they witness to your love and faithfulness.
O God, we thank you for our ministry partnerships, both local and global. We lift up Gather: Austin and their ministry with young adults. Bless our mission together in sharing your love with all people.
Good and gracious God, comfort and strengthen all who are affected by the tragedy in New Orleans. Comfort those who are grieving. Bring healing to those who are injured.
God, we give you thanks for the saints who have gone before us in faith and now rest in eternal life, especially Kae Self, Tom Felger, and Tommy Reiger, Sr. We commend them to your never-ending love as we trust in the promise of resurrection life in Christ.
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.