ADVENT WREATH MAKING Sunday, November 26 | both campuses Prepare for Advent with wreath making before and after the 9:15a service at Windsor and before and after the 10:30a services on both campuses. We will provide everything you need to make a beautiful Advent wreath for your home. For questions, please contact Jessica Riels.

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE Sunday, November 26 | 9:00a–noon, both campuses Share happiness this holiday season by adopting a family from the Good Shepherd giving tree! The tree will be on display after the 9:15a service and before and after the 10:30a services on both campuses. Gifts are due by Monday, December 11. Feel free to adopt a family with friends or let us know and we can help pair you with others to adopt a family together. For more information, please contact Trey Shepherd.

CHRISTMAS BENEVOLENCE Sunday, November 26 | 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.

ACOLYTE & YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY Wednesday, November 29 | 6:00p–8:00p Windsor, Youth Corner Deck the halls at our acolyte and youth group Christmas party from 6:00p-8:00p at Windsor, youth corner. Youth in middle and high school are invited to bring a friend and a white elephant gift ($20 value) for our gift exchange.  Please RSVP no later than Monday, November 27.  For more information please contact the Rev. Brin Bon.

WEDNESDAYS ON WINDSOR: WHAT DOES PAUL SAY ABOUT 'REACHING BEYOND OURSELVES?' Wednesday, November 29 | 5:00p–7:30p, Windsor, PLC Join the Very Rev. Cynthia Kittredge for the third in a 3-part series on “What Does Paul have to say about ‘Reaching Beyond Ourselves’?” The title of the presentation is: “Baptism into Christ: Conversations and Disputes in early Christian Communities”. We will explore 1 Corinthians and how it is relevant to the work we are called to in the present day. Register for dinner served from 5:00p–7:00p in the Parish Life Center. For more information please contact Jessica Riels. 11.29 Menu Rosemary chicken Roasted Cauliflower with parsley & lemon Bistro Style Potatoes Spinach Salad Red Velvet Cake

RITE I WORSHIP SERVICE DURING ADVENT Sundays, December 3,10, 17 | 8:00a, Windsor, nave During the Advent season, we invite you to revisit the traditions of the Rite I liturgy. Rite I is similar to the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, keeping the older English language (thee, thou, etc.). We will worship using Rite I at our 8:00a service during Advent.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & ADVENT SNOW DAY Sunday, December 3 | 4:00p–6:00p, Windsor, 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 and assist with craft making during the event. With any questions, contact Jessica Riels.

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. Kids: Don’t forget to wear your favorite Christmas jammies! This will be our last Wednesday on Windsor of 2023! 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 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 9a to 3p from December 5 to 7.

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. Please register HERE by Thursday, December 7.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND FLOWERS Donation Deadline: Sunday, December 10 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.

ADVENT FESTIVAL OF LESSONS & 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, with a reception following in the Parish Life Center. For more information please contact Chris Oelkers.

GOODBYE RECEPTION FOR THE REV. CHANNING SMITH Sunday, December 17 | 7:00p, Windsor, Parish Life Center We invite you to join us for a celebration of the Rev. Channing Smith's time with us as rector. Following the Advent Festival of Lessons & Carols at 6:00p, we will have a goodbye reception for Channing. We hope you'll join us, enjoy some food and drinks, and express gratitude to Channing and his family.

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 immediately 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.

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.

COMMUNITY FIRST! VILLAGE OF LIGHTS & HOLIDAY MARKET Friday-Saturday, December 1–2 | 5:30p–9:00p, offsite Village of Lights boasts more than 250,000 lights choreographed to holiday music and is one of the biggest Christmas light displays in Central Texas! The Holiday Market offers unique, handcrafted gifts made by artists and makers who live in Community First! Village. Food will be available for purchase, classic Christmas movies will be featured in the Community Cinema and Santa will make an early visit to the Village! The event’s hours are from 5:30p–9:00p. Please click HERE for a complete schedule and more information.

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. For questions or for more information, please contact Mary Hilliard.

ADVENT IV Sunday, December 24 10:30a - Holy Eucharist - Windsor, nave CHRISTMAS EVE Sunday, December 24 2:00p - Holy Eucharist with Children’s Choir & Christmas Pageant - Windsor, nave 4:30p/5:00p - Carols for Christmas  +  Holy Eucharist with Good Shepherd Choir & Orchestra - Windsor, nave + live-streamed at gsaustin.org 4:30p/5:00p - Carols for Christmas + Holy Eucharist with Acoustic Band - Windsor, Parish Life Center  7:00p - Holy Eucharist with Acoustic Band and Christmas Pageant - The Hill, ASL Interpreter 7:30p/8:00p - Carols for Christmas + Holy Eucharist with Good Shepherd Choir & Orchestra - Windsor, nave + live-streamed at gsaustin.org  10:30p/11:00p - Carols for Christmas + Holy Eucharist with Good Shepherd Choir & Orchestra - Windsor, nave CHRISTMAS DAY Monday, December 25 10:30a - Holy Eucharist - Windsor, nave CHRISTMAS I Sunday, December 31  8:00a - Holy Eucharist - Windsor, nave   10:30a - Holy Eucharist - Windsor, nave + live-streamed at gsaustin.org 10:30a - Holy Eucharist with acoustic band - The Hill

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.