SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT
Gratitude can help us access the greater presence of God around us. On Sunday after our 10:30a services, we have an opportunity to act from our place of gratitude and faith by packing 35,000 meals for those who need our help. Come and help us make a difference as an expression of our faith and gratitude. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday online or in person.
HAVE YOU PLEDGED YOUR SUPPORT FOR 2024?
All of our ministries depend on your financial support. We ask you to pledge now for 2024. By telling us now what you expect to give in the new year, you let us plan our ministries for the coming year. Please prayerfully consider your pledge to Good Shepherd to support the parish and the ministries we share.
FALL GOOD SHEPHERD FARMERS MARKET
(Last one of the season!)
Saturday, December 16 | 9:00a–1:00p
Windsor, the common and outdoor parking lot
This weekend is the last Farmers Market of the year - it’s the perfect place for Christmas shopping! Start your Saturday at the market with fresh coffee and breakfast tacos. Shop for produce, eggs, gluten-free alternatives, ready-made foods and artisanal goods. Enjoy live music and lunch from our food trucks and chefs in the courtyard at our tables under the oak trees. Kids and dogs are always welcome. If you know of any vendors you'd like to see at the market, please have them contact the market coordinator. Visit the market's Instagram page for a list of each week's upcoming vendors, events and music. Look forward to the market returning in March 2024!
RISE AGAINST HUNGER SUNDAY: WORSHIP + PACK
Sunday, December 17, 11:30a–1:30p, both campuses
We are glad to partner with Rise Against Hunger to pack over 35,000 meals for people facing hunger across the globe.
Windsor campus will have a 10:30a combined worship service in the nave, and the pack will begin in the Parish Life Center (PLC) just after the service ends. The Hill will also worship at 10:30a, with a pack following worship at the Hill.
Please dress comfortably and join us—there are roles for people of all ages.
All volunteers planning to attend the Windsor pack please register HERE.
All volunteers planning to attend the Hill pack please register HERE.
If you'd like to be a super volunteer, please sign up HERE. Super Volunteers help with set-up on Saturday and training on Sunday. Each super volunteer should sign up for a slot on both 12/16 and 12/17.
ADVENT FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday, December 17 | 6:00p, Windsor, nave
The Good Shepherd Music Ministry presents a Festival of Lessons & Carols for Advent. Favorite carols, choral masterworks and great organ music will be offered for everyone to attend and enjoy, with a reception following in the Parish Life Center. For questions, please contact Chris Oelkers.
GOODBYE RECEPTION FOR THE REV. CHANNING SMITH
Sunday, December 17 | 7:00p, Windsor, common
We invite you to join us for a celebration of the Rev. Channing Smith's time with us as rector here at Good Shepherd. Following the Advent Festival of Lessons & Carols at 6:00p, we will have having a goodbye reception for Channing. We hope you'll join us, enjoy food and drinks, and express gratitude to Channing and his family for their time at Good Shepherd.
ADVENT ORGAN RECITAL SERIES
Thursday, December 21 | 12:15p, Windsor, nave + online
Join us for 30-minute organ recitals offered on Thursdays in Advent, featuring fine organists from the Austin area performing seasonal music for Advent and Christmas. Our final concert in the series welcomes Chris Oelkers, Good Shepherd organist. The concerts are free and open to the public, with donations gratefully accepted. The recitals will also be live-streamed on the GS website and Facebook page.
THE LONGEST NIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE
Thursday, December 21 | 6:30p, Windsor, nave
Advent and Christmas are often marked by expressions of joy, excitement and happiness, pointing to the hope that is found in the coming of the Christ child. This time of joy and expectation can sometimes overshadow grief and hurt that many also experience during this season, when the world’s merriment puts the sorrow we may be experiencing in stark relief. Please join us for a Service of the Longest Night where we will recognize our suffering and loss and acknowledge that our savior remains.
TURKEY PILGRIMAGE
April 18–24, 2024
There’s still time to sign up!
Interested in visiting the sites of some of the earliest Christian communities including Ephesus, Cappadocia and Smyrna? Join the Rev. Stanford Adams on a pilgrimage to Turkey from April 18–28, 2024. We’ll explore the sites of Istanbul as well as tour historical Christian landmarks. We will visit some of the earliest churches on record, and witness where Paul gathered his first Christian congregations. We’ll reflect on how these events and places inform our faith today. There's a great group already signed up, and we have some spaces remaining. For questions or for more information, please contact Mary Hilliard.
SEND US YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS!
We love getting your Christmas cards and decorating the administration office with them. If you're sending out cards this year, make sure to include Good Shepherd!
Send them to P.O. Box 5176, Austin, TX 78763.
Thank you!
COMMUNITY FIRST! VILLAGE: MOVE-INS
Saturday, December 16 | 9:00a, offsite
Community First! Village (CF!V) is a 51-acre community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for people coming out of chronic homelessness. Come be a part of the Spirit at work in our community. We will meet at Community First! Village and we will be guided to one of the new homes to clean and furnish for unhoused neighbors. This is a wonderful opportunity for families with teens to serve together. All volunteers are welcome. Click HERE to sign up.
MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES:
FOOD TRUCK PREP + RUNS
Thursday, December 21, offsite
Join Good Shepherd’s Team 102 for the Mobile Loaves & Fishes Food Truck prep and run. Sign up to prepare sandwiches and load the truck from 4:00p–5:00p at the Mobile Loaves and Fishes Commissary (at St. John Neumann’s Catholic Church). You may also sign up for the truck run from 5:00p–7:00p, where you’ll take food to several locations around Austin. All volunteers are welcome!
To register please click HERE.
TRINITY STREETS
Sunday, January 7 | 2:00p–4:30p, offsite
At Trinity Streets, we serve meals for 40-65 people coming in off the streets of downtown Austin on Sunday afternoons. Volunteers serve by preparing and serving meals, hosting a worship service for those coming to Trinity Center, and cleaning the kitchen afterwards. To register please click HERE.
MORE WAYS TO CONNECT
For information on all of the ways you can worship with us, take part in formation and serve others, please click here. For a list of upcoming events, click here.