Learning. Healing. Serving. SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH 3525 BEE CAVE ROAD AUSTIN TX 78746 www.shephills.org 512-327-3370 @shephillsaustin NEW
Learning. Healing. September 18, 2016 8:15 am TRADITIONAL WORSHIP will be held in the Sanctuary. If you attend this service, join us afterword from 9:15 am - 10:30 am FELLOWSHIP on the lawn. There will be FOOD provided by Texas Honey Ham (thanks to our new Breakfast Ministry), a PETTING ZOO (for animal lovers of all ages) and a PASTOR DUNK TANK (because that just seems like a good idea). 10:45am TAKIN IT TO THE STREET Worship on the front lawn of our church. If you go to early service, don t be afraid to double dip and come to this service with our own Shep Hills Band opening with Mike McDonald s Takin it to the Street. Sure to be a powerful and energetic service you won t want to miss! On Sunday morning, September 18 th Shepherd of the Hills will be Takin it to the Street What does this mean? We will be living outside our walls and inviting the community in, LITERALLY. Join us as we launch our fall program with fellowship and worship on our front lawn...for old and young and all those in between. Let s kick off the fall by renewing our faith OUT LOUD, IN COMMUNITY. Contact the front office for more information. 2
What s Brewing? Learning. Healing. Serving. Jesus earthly ministry of nearly three years can be summarized in these three words Learning, Healing, and Serving. He surrounded himself with 12 disciples and other followers, teaching and mentoring and coaching them so in learning his message they would change the world! Jesus healing ministry was not only physical restoration but emotional and relational healing. His words and actions were all about moving us into the perfect shalom of Loving God and Loving Others. When Jesus knelt down and washed the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper, he made it crystal clear that the greatest expression of faith active in love is serving. Should not Learning (through worship, faith formation for children/youth/adults, small groups, Bible Studies, etc.) be a priority for our lives? Should not Healing (forgiveness, reconciliation, prayer, caring, etc.) be a priority in our adventure of faith together? Should not Serving (generosity of financial support, time given on behalf of others, hands-on building of lives, etc.) be a priority in our witness? We are excited about all that the new ministry year will bring and we hope that you will join us on the journey. While the demands on our time and energy are always with us, I believe that God s Spirit is moving in this place, reminding us that it is a great day to be the church through our Learning, Healing, and Serving. 3
What s Brewing continued Sunday Mornings 8:15am 10:45am Sept 25 th - Oct 30 th The agenda of our upcoming Message Series Building Bridges will be established by the Word of God. Important social issues can and should be addressed, but with Scripture as the lamp unto my feet. Combined with this series, we are creating the space for meaningful conversation on First Thursdays - away from the hustle and bustle of a Sunday morning. First Thursdays will provide an opportunity to reflect and engage on these tough issues while connecting conversations to the community at-large. These First Thursdays will be lead by people with expertise in group discussion and facilitation. Sunday Morning Message Series First Thursdays 7:00pm - 8:30pm Oct 6 th - May 4 th Offered on the first Thursday of the month, Healing the Divide - is the name for our Fall Faith and Community Conversations. Societal Issues that God cares about will be discussed on the first Thursday of the month, beginning in October. Oct 6 Poverty Feb 2 Race Nov 3 Immigration Mar 2 Incarceration Dec 1 Violence Apr 6 Drugs Jan 5 Sexuality May 4 Hope vs Cynicism Sept 25 Oct 2 Oct 9 Oct 16 Oct 2 Oct 30 The Politics of Jesus Luke 14:1,7-14 Ephesians 4:25-32 Jesus as the Outsider Luke 15:1-10 Radical Faith vs Religious Extremism Romans 12:1-3, 9-21 Extravagant Love vs Violence Ephesians 6:10-20 Healing the Divide Luke 10:25-37 Standing for...protestare Galatians 5:1, 13-16 John 8:31-36 4
What s New! Learning. Healing. Serving. On Sunday afternoon, September 4 th On Sunday mornings, starting September 25 th Join the Young Adult Brunch The new Breakfast Ministry Food for Fellowship which kick-offs this fall with barbeque and conversations about faith and life. Hosted by Pastor Felix and Jessica at Casa Malpica following the late service. Felix and Jessica Malpica 151 Diamondback Cove Buda, TX 78610 Stay tuned for future dates and rotating venues! Contact felix@shephills.org will launch their ministry after serving us their first breakfast during Takin it to the Street. Then, starting September 25, they will serve breakfast each Sunday with the intent to build relationships between people of different ages. Stay tuned for more details! Interested in joining this new ministry? Contact Sara Dawson, sarad@aussys.com Saturday, September 24 th Habitat for Humanity Shepherd is sponsoring a project through Faith Builds. This is a fantastic opportunity to build relationships outside our walls, working directly alongside others in our community and with the family who will own the house. We have 20 spots open for skilled and unskilled workers over 16 years of age. Contact Weldon Allison, weldon.allison.46@gmail.com, or sign up through shephills.org 5
What s New there s more! Healing. Thursdays, 9:30am beginning October 13 th Do you have a new neighbor? Just Moved Ministry Or are you new to Austin? Coming this fall, we will be offering a video-based class, led by Karen Flint, that guides women through the process of letting go, starting over, and moving forward with their lives after a move. These sessions, based on the book, After the Boxes Are Unpacked by Susan Miller, will include insightful stories that offer hope to women while encouraging them to move closer to God. This is a powerful study for women who are adjusting to a move. Open to anyone. For more information contact karen@shephills.org 6
Learning. Serving. Wednesday mornings 9:20am - 10:30am An invitation from Butterfly for Family Chapel & Adult Bible Study where children sparkle with awe and wonder - especially as we share stories of faith! This year Butterfly is inviting anybody who might like to share in the delight of children encountering God to join us during chapel time, and then stay a bit longer to look at the same faith story in the form of an adult bible study. Specific dates To be determined! Contact Jeanne Grevlos, director@shephills.org Parent Support Returns! Once again, Parent Education Classes taught by experts will be held at Butterfly. All are welcome. Specific topics include: Healthy Snacks and Healthy Meals for Busy Families; Who are WE as a Family? Developing your own Family Culture; The Hows and Whys of Controlling Screen Time; and Helping Children Deal with Loss and Grief. Watch for specific dates and times in the weeks and months ahead! Contact Jeanne Grevlos, director@shephills.org 7
Saturday Seminar December 3 rd friar, priest, author Learning. Friar Albert Haase Is an acclaimed speaker, retreat leader and author. Fr. Albert will be coming to share a Saturday seminar with us, so make sure to save the date! You will not want to miss this incredible experience of listening and learning from one of the great spiritual leaders in our world. Watch for more details. In the meantime, read one of his many books: COMING HOME TO YOUR TRUE SELF: Leaving the Emptiness of False Attractions, is just one in a wide selection of titles. Family Retreat December 9 th -11 th Shepherd of the Hills Family Advent Retreat Is held yearly at Camp Chrysalis. Come as a family of your own definition, and as part of the Shepherd family. Join us as we explore the season of Advent with interactive worship and Bible study, gingerbread houses or nativity sets, crafts, camp activities, and bonding with one another. Each family will be housed in their own cabin. Contact jessica@shephills.org for more information. Fall 2016 8