September 29, 2023
One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things. ~Henry Miller
SYNERGY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
Synergy starts this Sunday with an invitation into God’s Mystery. Come be a part of a combined effort to learn, serve, and give so that our sum is greater than its parts. Click here for a full list of events, and join us in creating faith-filled mission and ministry.
WORSHIP
8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
Malcolm and Joy Henderson of CHARIS (Haiti) join us in person for worship, and musical guests include Bob Cannon on trumpet, Kevin Garrett on timpani, Austin Eckermann on cello, and the Kids Choir at 8:15.
BREAKFAST
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Activity Center
Jesus fed the masses, and so do we. Join us for breakfast, and give thanks to our Food for Fellowship Team who provides it each week. Support this hospitality ministry by giving online anytime by selecting the Fellowship Events/Breakfast Fund.
BIBLE STUDY LED BY MALCOLM HENDERSON
9:30 a.m. | Room 205 + Zoom
Malcolm Henderson shares the gospel of Jesus every day in Haiti through the ministry of CHARIS, and this week we are excited to have him lead Sunday’s Bible Study discussion on Ephesians 1. Everyone is invited to grab breakfast downstairs and head upstairs to Room 205 for this special study. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.
SUNDAY’sCOOL
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
Toddlers thru Grade 4
Kids join in our church-wide study of Ephesians as Megan leads a “faith-fitness” rowing lesson, teaching us what it means to work together as God’s Church. Register your child for SUNDAY’sCOOL. Contact Megan Getman.
LUNCH + LEARN WITH MALCOLM AND JOY HENDERSON OF CHARIS
Noon | Room 205
Get ready for an inspiring hour with Malcolm and Joy Henderson of CHARIS and hear firsthand their stories of faith and compassion, and the current challenges facing their ministry in Haiti. A box lunch is provided. Contact Pr. Tom.
NEXTGEN
6:00 p.m. | Activity Center
NextGen is tailored for two groups, grades 5-8 and 9-12. In October our Bible discussions will center on the Bible Project on Ephesians, and yes, 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.
IGNITE! SMALL GROUPS
Sign-up in the Gathering Space and Online
October’s study of Ephesians is short and focused, exploring practical guidance for living out our faith in today’s world. Dip your toes in the water and try out a group this month. Learn more and sign up here. Questions? Contact Pr. Tom.
BREAD FOR ALL
Donation Needs
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)
Click here for a full list of Synergy events in October, and join us for faith-filled mission and ministry.
SYNERGY SPOTLIGHT
MINISTRY FAIR + FELLOWSHIP
Next Sunday, October 8
9:15 a.m. | Activity Center
Grab breakfast and explore the diverse ministries at ShepHills that are making a difference. From volunteering opportunities to building connections, this event is your chance to eat, meet new people, and find your fit in our community.
EVENTS
Check the calendars on Realm or the website for a complete list of all our events!
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, October 4
7:30 a.m. | Zoom
10:00 a.m. | Library + Zoom
Great reading, great discussion. Contact Pr. Tom or Pr. Lauren
QUILTING
Wednesday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. | Rm 205
Saturday, October 14 at 9:00 a.m. | Rm 205
A great ministry providing quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Contact Linda Fiandacca.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Saturday, October 14
8:00 a.m. | Butterfly Center
Enjoy camaraderie and spiritual connection with a serving of eggs on the side. Contact Weldon Allison.
PRAYER VIGIL
Saturday, October 14
15 min prayer slot | at church or at home
You can pray from anywhere! Join us for a Prayer Vigil from 8am to 8pm. Sign up for a 15-minute prayer slot and pray from the heart for the world, our community, and world. Contact Alana Oehler.
GIVING AND SERVING
“Gratitude flows from the recognition that who we are and what we have are gifts to be received and shared.”—Henri Nouwen
PLEDGES, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS
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.
COMMITMENT SUNDAY
With Commitment Sunday on October 29, it’s never too early to start thinking about your giving. Find interesting information on what “tithing” means, and use their free calculator to plan a recurring gift by clicking here.
MINISTRY UPDATES
Take a moment to read September’s ministry update from Upbring BeREAL. Your gifts are helping two young adults achieve self-sufficiency.
UPBRING BeREAL
Donation Needs
BeREAL, a ministry of Upbring providing services for those aging out of foster care, is asking for donations of hygiene items, silverware, and dishes (plates, bowls, cups). Please bring your donations to the small bin labeled “BeREAL”. Contact Kathy Gerhardt with questions.
BREAD FOR ALL
Donation Bins | Gathering Space
From Sept. 2022 to Sept. 2023, ShepHills gave 21,000 lbs of food (worth $37,000) to Bread for All. Wahoo! Thank you for keeping donations of non-perishable food and diapers flowing throughout the month by bringing it to the bins each week. Contact Weldon Allison.
SERVING
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!
MEALS ON WHEELS
We still need once-a-month volunteers on a Wednesday and/or Thursday. Volunteer duties consist of picking up meals from Holy Cross and delivering them on a dedicated route. A route typically takes about 30 minutes. Contact Weldon Allison.
PRAYERS
In need of prayer? Please contact a pastor to be put on the prayer list.
We pray for Rodney Varner and Lydia Perkunas.
We pray for family and friends of Shepherd members: Mike Schrader, son of Inez Schrader.
God of Life, We pray for Sandy Wikelius and family on the death of her mother, Carol Carlos and for David Zimmerman and family on the death of his father, Elroy Zimmerman. Surround all who mourn with the peace and promise of resurrection.
God of Peace, in our countries and cities, our streets and homes, there is conflict. May we come together to end the abuse and misuse of power. May we live out the Biblical vision of “Beating our swords into plowshares, our spears into pruning hooks.” Create within us love and grace that leads to peace and good-will.
God of Hope, strengthen and empower our global ministry partners through the ELCA; Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. Continue to walk with Pr. Karen Castillo and Diego Gil and our ministry in Guatemala, as well as Malcolm and Joy Henderson in Haiti. And, guide and direct our local ministries through Austin City Lutherans; Bread for All Food Pantry, Upbring Ministries and Mariposa Family Learning Center.
God of our Community of Faith, inspire us and encourage us to come together in Synergy and be a church that lives out loud faithfully! A Church where we boldly proclaim that we are one in Christ empowering us to be a church without walls.
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.