Weeky Connections

September 20, 2024
Join us as we gather in the Sanctuary for a Special Congregational Meeting immediately following the late service to vote on extending a call to the Primary Candidate for Associate Pastor and approving their compensation package. Your participation in this important decision is crucial!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

WORSHIP
8:15 a.m.  | Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary + Livestream
This Sunday we find inspiration in the Gospel of Mark 9:30-37 to follow Jesus’s call to live a life of love and care for ALL. We’ll also welcome Rev. Tim Anderson, who will update us during the Generosity Moment (and during breakfast) on how Austin City Lutherans is living out this calling by serving our neighbors in Southeast Austin. Special musical guests Aaron Lack and the Vibetet join us at both services.

Altar Flowers are given by Fred and Alison Gromen in celebration of their 62nd wedding anniversary

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 immediately following the late service. Your participation in this important decision is crucial!

HEARING ASSISTANCE IN WORSHIP
Updated Assisted Listening Devices Available
We are excited to offer personal assisted listening devices to all worshippers in our sanctuary. These small, discreet devices provide a direct feed from the microphones used throughout the service, ensuring a clear and enhanced listening experience. They come with optional ear pieces or can be connected to existing hearing aids via telecoil loop (“hearing loop”). Fresh batteries are installed, and the devices are ready for use. You can pick one up and learn how to use it at the audio/visual booth before the service begins.

BREAKFAST FOR ALL
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Gym
Simplify your morning and join us for breakfast.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY
9:30 a.m. | Library + Zoom
This Sunday we continue our study of the Book of James. Contact Ruby Cadenhead.

REV. TIM ANDERSON
Sunday, September 22
9:45 a.m. | Gym
Rev. Tim Anderson, Director of Community Development for Austin City Lutherans, will give an update on ACL’s ministry efforts, leading a conversation about Bread For All Food Pantry, Mariposa Family Learning Center, Move-In Ministry, and other ACL efforts. Join the conversation!

SUNDAY’sCOOL
9:40 a.m. | Family Ministry Center
PreK through Grade 4 are invited to join the group upstairs in the Family Ministry rooms. We begin the morning with Music with Kevin in Room 203 and then gather for stories, crafts, and games to learn about God’s everlasting love. Contact 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. While you wait for Sunday evening to roll around, sign up for the Middle School Retreat at Camp Chrysalis on November 15th-17th.

EVENTS

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

Childcare will be available from 2:45 – 5:15 p.m. Contact Megan Getman.

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.

ASSISTING MINISTER TRAINING
Sunday, September 29
9:45 p.m. | Sanctuary
Both new and experienced individuals are invited for tips and training. Want to know more? Contact Amanda Forsberg.

FINANCE OFFICER

WELCOME HILARY RUSSELL
New Finance Officer at ShepHills
After several months of interviews and discernment by our Finance Search Team, we are grateful and excited to welcome Hilary Russell to our staff beginning Monday, September 16. She brings many years of experience in finance, including nonprofit accounting. Born and raised in Austin, Hilary started college at CU Boulder, then transferred and graduated from St. Edward’s University. She loves hiking, swimming, yoga, and the outdoors. Fun fact: Hilary lived in Mérida, Mexico, for almost three years to learn Spanish. The eldest of five, with a twin brother as her best friend, Hilary grew up surrounded by family and loved the chaos of it! She has one child, Roen Zamenski, who is in 2nd grade.

SNAPSHOT

LUMIN TAILGATE TUESDAY
Hot off the grill – we’ve rated LuMin as the best burger joint in town. Thanks to all our volunteers who came out Tuesday night to prep and serve close to 400 free burgers with all the fixings to hungry UT students. ShepHills is grateful to support the amazing ministry of Pr. Brad Fuerst and LuMin Austin!

FAITH IN ACTION

TEXAS IMPACT
Voter Registration Deadline
Monday, October 7
Texas Impact encourages people to live out their faith, and wants to remind everyone to register to vote by October 7! This is especially important for those who have recently moved to Texas or turned 18. Everyone should take time to check their voting registration status to make sure it is current, and update it if you have a new address, changed your name, or need to update other information. More information can be found online with the Texas Secretary of State.

ELCA WORLD FOOD DAY
Tuesday, October 15
7:00 p.m. | Webinar
Register today to tune in and hear firsthand stories from ELCA World Hunger partners — including Educación Popular en Salud (EPES), a community health organization in Chile founded over 40 years ago, and more recent starts such as Tapestry Farms, a Midwestern urban farm system in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois. You’ll hear about their work with ELCA World Hunger and their impact on these communities. Come celebrate 50 years of ministry and get excited for our shared work toward a just world where all are fed.

MARIPOSA DAY OF GIVING AND GRATITUDE
Sunday, October 27
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Vuka Event Space
RSVP today for an afternoon of giving and gratitude for Mariposa Family Learning Center. Mariposa is a ministry of Austin City Lutherans ensuring all families receive an exceptional level of childcare for their children regardless of their ability to pay. Contact Director Sheila Pharis.

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; Ann Watt; and John Fenton.

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; Audrey Lentz, sister of Donna Auby; Joyce Carter, cousin of Karen Flint; Joe Carlos, father of Sandy Wikelius; Glenda Rumble, cousin of Terrie Thomas; Emma Katherine Phillips, sister of Hilary Russell; Linda Maidment Meyers, daughter of Helen and David Maidment.

God, we give you thanks for all the saints who have gone before us in faith and now rest in eternal life, especially Millie Combs, mother of Becky Combs, and Anne Loesch, friend of Madeline Hartmann. We commend Millie and Anne to your everlasting love as we trust in the promise of resurrection in Christ.

God of new life, we give you thanks for the birth of Lewis Ryan Martinson, son of Ally Miller Martinson and Ryan Martinson, grandson of Peter and Linda Miller. Bless Lewis with your love and grace as he grows, and give Ally and Ryan your wisdom and strength as they rejoice in this gift you have given them.

O God, we thank you for guiding our discernment process as we seek an Associate Pastor to join us in ministry. We pray for our candidate and family, and for our congregation, as we seek your will for our future together.

O God, we give you thanks for our mission partners, Austin City Lutherans.  We pray for continued solidarity in seeking to care for and improve the lives of your people–be it through providing food, shelter and comfort, or education.  Strengthen ACL in its mission, and inspire us in our partnership together.

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.