SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Joy is a spiritual practice. It is something we abide in; something that comes from God’s eternal presence in our life. This Sunday at 4:00p we will have 10 tons of snow on the common at Windsor for kids and adults to play in and experience joy. We hope you can come, invite friends, and kick off Advent with us. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday online or in person.

PLEASE PLEDGE 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. Learn more and make your pledge here.

FALL GOOD SHEPHERD FARMERS MARKET (Only 3 Left!) Saturday, December 2 | 9:00a–1:00p Windsor, the common and outdoor parking lot A perfect place for Christmas shopping! Each week, we bring you a variety of new and all your favorite vendors. 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.

BISHOP RYAN VISITS Sunday, December 3 | 9:15a and 10:30a Communion Café Windsor, PLC Bishop Kai Ryan will visit this Sunday. We hope you will be there to welcome the Bishop to Good Shepherd! Bishop Ryan is a Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Texas, serving the western region of the diocese.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & ADVENT SNOW DAY Sunday, December 3 | 4:00p–6:00p, Windsor, the common Please join us for some good old fashioned Christmas fun at Good Shepherd’s 2nd annual Advent snow day and Christmas tree lighting! We will start off at 4:00p with snow – yes, real snow, right on Good Shepherd’s lawn! Holiday treats, hot chocolate and caroling, followed by a Christmas tree lighting at 5:30p. We need volunteers to buy or bake some holiday treats. You can drop off cookies at church on Sunday, December 3 in the Windsor, PLC kitchen from 9:00a-noon. We also need friendly faces to pass out the cookies and hot chocolate as well as assist with craft making during the event. Volunteer HERE or contact Jessica Riels with any questions. Bring your family and friends. All are welcome!

CHRISTMAS BENEVOLENCE Sunday, December 3 | 9:00a–noon both campuses We will provide you with a gift and we ask that you give this gift directly to a person in need, extending Good Shepherd’s reach in the Austin community and giving you an opportunity to experience the joy of giving in a personal way this season.

ADVENT LABYRINTH WALK Tuesday–Thursday, December 5–7 | 9:00a–3:00p Windsor, Allen Hall The labyrinth is an ancient devotional tool, one used for more than 4,000 years, that is being appreciated anew. It is a place to walk and pray while focusing your mind on God. Consider adding this contemplative practice as part of your journey through Advent. Come anytime from 9:00a–3:00p from December 5–7.

EVENING WITH SAINT NICHOLAS Wednesday, December 6 | 5:00p–7:00p Windsor, PLC + nave Please join us for our annual Evening with St. Nicholas. All children of the parish are invited to an enchanting night of music and inspirational readings to prepare our hearts for the Christmas season and learn about the life of St. Nicholas.  Register for dinner, served in the Parish Life Center from 5:00p–7:00p. At 6:30p we will gather for our program in the church, followed by pictures with St. Nicholas. This will be our last Wednesday on Windsor of 2023. Kids: Don’t forget to wear your favorite Christmas jammies! 12.06 Menu: Chicken Tenders Mac & Cheese Green Beans Apple Turnovers

ADVENT ORGAN RECITAL SERIES Thursday, December 7 | 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. For our first concert in the series we welcome Dr. Jill Nennmann, St. Louis King of France 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. December 14 Brian Tanaka, Westlake Hills Presbyterian organist December 21 Chris Oelkers, Good Shepherd organist

ADVENT QUIET DAY Saturday, December 9 | 9:30a–1:00p Windsor, Reflection Room In our Advent Quiet Day, we will explore ways of praying – from walking meditations to breath prayers and writing – to help us find our own ways of connecting with the Divine. Coffee and check-in beginning at 9:00a in the Education Center, Reflection Room. Lunch will be provided. To attend, please register HERE by Thursday, December 7.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND FLOWERS Donation Deadline: Sunday, December 10 both campuses We are fortunate to receive donations that allow us to provide the beautiful poinsettias and outstanding Christmas music for our Christmas Eve worship services at both Windsor and the Hill. For recognition in the Christmas Eve leaflets, donations must be received by Good Shepherd no later than Sunday, December 10 – either ONLINE or in the Good Shepherd office.

ANNUAL WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS TEA Tuesday, December 12 | 4:00p–7:00p, offsite Women of all ages are invited to this beautiful Good Shepherd tradition. Join us for fellowship and merriment in celebration of the Advent season and one another. Drop by or stay the whole time from 4:00p–7:00p at the home of Becca Davis. Click HERE to sign up to bring a festive side dish or snacks. For questions, please contact Kathy Jolink.

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.

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.

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 some food and drinks, and express gratitude to Channing and his family as they prepare to take this step forward in life.

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.

✨JUST FOR GS KIDS!✨ CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY So much is happening in the children and youth ministry! If you want to stay in the know, please contact the Rev. Brin Bon to be added to the children, youth and family ministry e-mail list. To see this month's newsletter, click HERE.

TRINITY STREETS Sunday, December 3 | 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.

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.

Click here to make your pledge for 2024. Thank you for your support of Good Shepherd.

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.

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