Shepherd of the Hills

Lutheran Church

FEAST of

the MAGI Sunday, January 7th, 2018

Mardi Gras Youth

Fundraiser

You don’t want to miss this!

This event is the Youth’s main fundraiser to help offset costs for two summer trips: the National Youth Gathering in Houston, and a high adventure trip to Rainbow Trails, CO.

Last year the Mardi Gras Fundraiser was a spectacular success! It raised money for our Youth’s summer trips AND it was a lot of FUN!

-More Gumbo Chefs Needed! Last year Larry Morgan’s gumbo won the cook-off. Will he reign as Gumbo King again this year? Can your gumbo compete?

-Rich Harney Quartet Performing! Need we say more?

-New this year! Sponsor a Youth! Have dinner with and get to know one of our great kids! Receive post cards from their trips and special photo messages. Our Youth are fantastic -here’s your chance to get to know one better!

-Join Us! There will be several ways for you to participate in financially supporting our youth! Join us for the fun!

-Contact Leah Jarvis, leah@shephills.org, to sign up for the Gumbo Cook Off or for more information on sponsoring a youth!

• For Gloria Rickard, Marie Fortune, Kurt Petersen, Carrie McFarland, Esme Mahrer (Butterfly Student) and John Polak on their health challenges

• For Stirling Johnson, granddaughter of Curtis and Sylvia Johnson

For Jeff Andersen, brother of Norma Smith

For Elward Reiss, mother of Dee Jackson

For all traveling to the Holy Land

For our faith community, that we may be a church without walls and live out loud… faithfully!

Last Wednesday, January 24, the City of Westlake Hills approved the construction permit for our Campus Renewal Project!

Follow the

at www.thismattersonline.org

for the latest news!

Wednesday January 17

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Renovations

After council approved tree removal and impervious cover variances Dec. 13 regarding renovations at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3525 Bee Caves Road, West Lake Hills, church representatives were again present Wednesday [January 17] with the second part of their proposal. Council approved cut and fill variances, variances to allow decorative boulders and materials for a retaining wall-like structure along berms within the property’s setback and a variance to approve a 36-square feet sign for the property.

“Shepherd of the Hills has been part of West Lake Hills for 40 years,” Pastor Tom Grevlos said Dec. 13. “We are excited about being here, we love this community, we want to serve and we want to do it in the safest possible way.”

While the city’s zoning and planning commission suggested denial of some of the variance due to a lack of hardship, Council decided the property’s proximity to Bee Caves Road and current Texas Department of Transportation construction should be taken into consideration.

“You can make an argument that this plan buttresses the themes in the city’s master plan,” Mayor Linda Anthony said. “This is a project we would like to see go forward.”

Tuesday, January 30

FEED MY PEOPLE

WHAT: Feeding the homeless WHEN: 4:45am Cooking begins at 4:45am, serving begins at 6:00am, and clean-up is usually complete by 7:15am. WHERE: United Methodist Family Center, 13th Street and Lavaca INFO: Dave Fossmeyer, dnfoss@sbcglobal.net

Saturday, February 3

UPBRING FUNDRAISER THE RED BALL

The Red Ball will benefit UpBring’s New Life Children's Center, Foster in Texas (FIT), and BeReal programs. WHEN: 6:00 pm - midnight WHERE: The Westin at the Domain TICKETS: Go to UpBring.org/RedBall to purchase tickets INFO: Kathy Gerhardt, kathnmark@gmail.com

Sunday, February 4

NATIONAL SCOUT SUNDAY

Are you a Cub Scout, Daisy, Girl Scout or Boy Scout? Wear your uniform and let us know who you are! In addition, join us during the 10:45am service as we recognize Troop 31 of Shepherd of the Hills.

February 4 Deadline! SOUPER BOWL OF CARING LET’S BEAT OUR OWN RECORD AND REACH 2000 LBS THIS YEAR! Donations must be made by Feb. 4! A list of non-perishable items for Bread for All is in the Gathering Space. Cash donations will be split between Bread for All and Feed My People. Leah@shephills.org

Saturday, February 10

IS A BUSY DAY!

GARDEN WORKDAY 9-11:00am, Shepherd’s Garden , jeripster@gmail.com MARDI GRAS FUNDRAISER + GUMBO COOKOFF 5-8:00pm, Fellowship Hall, leah@shephills.org

February 16 & 17

NEXT GEN RETREAT

WHAT: NextGen (5-8 grade) Retreat at Ebert Ranch. This retreat will be a valuable part of your child’s confirmation experience. WHEN: 6:30pm Friday-8:30pm Saturday $50 INFO: Leah Jarvis, leah@shephills.org

Returning February 16

FRIDAY FUN NIGHT RETURNS!

Friday Fun Night returns in the Fellowship Hall in February. Stay tuned for more info! INFO: Melissa Robertson, melissa.k.rob@gmail.com

Saturday, February 17

NOTE THE DATE CHANGE!!! (THIS MONTH ONLY)

MEN’S BREAKFAST 8-9:00am, Fellowship Hall, weldon.allison.46@gmail.com

QUILTING 9-11:00am, Room 106, Education Wing, sandynielsen6973@gmail.com

Saturday, February 25

CROP WALK SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, February 25 at 2 p.m. Plan to spend some quality time together outdoors with family and church friends. This easy walk at Camp Mabry allows us to help those in need in Austin and globally. Sign ups will be available in the narthex starting February 16. INFO: Elaine Herrmann at herrmann.elaine@gmail.com for early signup or a donation envelope.

28 SUNDAY 8:15am Worship 9:00am Food for Fellowship 9:30am Adult Bible Study 9:30am Sunday School 9:35am Dr. Peter Steinke Forum, 4 of 4 10:15am Groundbreaking Ceremony 10:45am Worship 12:00pm Annual Meeting Part 2 5:30pm Prayer Shawl

29 MONDAY 7:00pm BSA Troop 31 Court of Honor

30 TUESDAY 5:00 am Feed My People 4:30pm Firm Believers Exercise 4:45pm Prayer Group 5:00pm SPLAT Youth 5:30pm Firm Believers Yoga

31 WEDNESDAY 6:00pm Troop 31/Ship 31 6:15pm Bell Choir 7:30pm Adult Choir

1 THURSDAY 11:00am Ignite Group Gathering 5:30pm Firm Believers Exercise

2 FRIDAY 10:30am Bulletin Assembly

3 SATURDAY 6:00pm UpBring Red Ball Event (offsite)

4 SUNDAY-Scout Sunday 8:15am Worship 9:00am Food for Fellowship 9:30am Adult Bible Study 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Worship 5:30pm Prayer Shawl

UPDATE ON THE ENDOWMENT BOARD FOR BENEVOLENCE The Endowment Board for Benevolence completed another successful year managing the Church's Endowment Fund. The Fund supports the Church's long term commitment to benevolence. The Fund started the year with $142,626 and ended with a value of $178,384. We thank all the members of the Board, including Jase Auby (President), Larry Morgan (Vice President), Vicki Reed (Secretary), Ron Bacon, Dennis von Waaden, Mark Tate (Council Representative), Pastor Tom and Trixi Spinelli (Financial Officer). We extend a special thank you to Jase who completed his five-year term on the Board at the end of 2017 and we are very thankful for his leadership.

The Fund made disbursements of $2,500 to the Outreach Team to support the Church's benevolence mission Charis in Haiti and the board decided to keep $2,016.00 in our Reserve fund. In addition, the members of the Church contributed $5,000.00 to the fund via a special appeal. Thank you for your contributions!

The Endowment Fund for Benevolence is a perpetual fund that receives gifts of cash or property, invests those gifts, and uses the generated earnings for benevolence. The fund is a stewardship vehicle to manage inherited and accumulated gifts entrusted to us so that we may support ministries beyond our congregation. If you are interested in ways to support the Endowment Fund, please contact Trixi Spinelli. Trixi@shephills.org

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