Worship lies at the heart of the life of any community of faith. In worship, we come together to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear the stories of our tradition, to offer prayer, and to celebrate God’s continuing presence among us. All are welcome to participate in our worship because it is in worship that we live out our life as people seeking God. For more information, please contact the Rev. Brin Bon, Senior Associate for Liturgy and Formation or Caroline Osmon, Worship Ministry Group Leader.
On any given Sunday, we have nearly 50 liturgical ministers who serve as acolytes, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, intercessors, ushers, vergers and Altar Guild. These ministries allow our church to offer beautiful and meaningful worship and are a wonderful way for these ministers to draw closer to God in worship and grow in their faith. Is God calling you to explore one of these ministries? If you are curious to learn more about this, please contact the Rev. Brin Bon.
Acolytes are part of an ancient tradition – dating back as far as the third century – of those who assist priests at the altar. In our services, acolytes are those in 6th grade and older who are trained to serve in our services as crucifers, torchbearers and servers at the altar. These important roles help us to provide worship services that glorify God and offer a meaningful way to participate in the liturgy. We welcome and provide training for new acolytes several times during the year. For more information, contact the Rev. Jonathan McManus-Dail.
A Eucharistic visitor is a lay person who is trained and certified to take communion from one of our Sunday services to members of the congregations who, due to illness or infirmity, are unable to be present to receive communion in person. This is an extremely rewarding ministry and you are invited to prayerfully consider if this might be something you are interested in doing. Please contact Stephanie Jastrow.
At Good Shepherd, we appreciate and celebrate human artistic expression in its many forms, whether in service to our worship, as engaging elements of our formation programs, or in providing prayerful and reflective spaces. Beauty is an important theological concept – all beauty, whether natural or created, always points beyond itself to the source of all beauty: God. From the beginning of human existence, people have used artistic expression, whether as music, images, sculpture, or movement, as provocative means of revealing the greatest mysteries of the nature of God, the nature of humanity and creation, and the interrelationships between them. Please contact Chris Oelkers, Director of Music, for more information.
The Good Shepherd Adult Choir leads worship at our 10:30a Sunday services in the church building and at special liturgies throughout the year. We draw on the very best of ancient, modern and world music, including works by local Austin composers. If you can sing well, are willing to work hard, and can commit to a rehearsal schedule, we welcome your participation. No audition is needed, and you are invited to sit in on a rehearsal at any time if you’d like to try us out. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings, in the Windsor choir room. For more information, please contact Chris Oelkers.
The Evensong Choir is a smaller ensemble drawn from the Adult Choir membership, offering Evensong on special feast days and solemnities during the church year. Evening prayer is the time when the church gathers to give thanks for the day that is ending, and Evensong is an expression of this. It is unique to the Anglican tradition and a treasure of our church’s heritage. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings, in the Windsor choir room. For more information, please contact Chris Oelkers.
Summer Choir is a great opportunity for members of the congregation with limited time to contribute to the musical life of the church. The summer choir sings and leads worship through the summer months (June to August). It is open to singers in middle school age and older, and no experience is necessary. Singers are encouraged to participate as often as their schedules allow. Rehearsals take place on Sunday mornings, in the Windsor choir room. For more information, please contact Chris Oelkers.
The Children’s Choir aims to foster a love of singing, musical skills to enjoy for a lifetime, and will feature performances in our worship services throughout the year. Children’s Choir is open to children in Kindergarten – 5th grades with no prior choir experience necessary. New members are welcome at any time. The Children’s Choir practices on Sunday mornings in the Windsor, children’s choir room. For more information, please contact the Rev. Jonathan McManus-Dail.
Special concerts occur throughout the program year and feature a variety of performers, both vocal and instrumental. Past performers have included a folk choir from Eastern Europe, members of the Austin Symphony, classical guitarists, and others. Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
Advent organ recitals are offered at 12:15p in the church building on Thursdays in Advent. Talented local organists offer seasonal music for Advent and Christmas in the beautiful Windsor campus church building. Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
Lenten organ recitals are offered at 12:15p on Thursdays in Lent. Talented local organists offer seasonal music for Lent and Holy Week in the beautiful Windsor campus church building. Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
Communion Café is supported by the musical leadership of a live, acoustic band.
The Hill’s Sunday worship is supported by the musical leadership of a live, acoustic band. If you play an instrument and would like to join The Hill’s Music Ministry, please contact the Rev. Leah Wise, Priest for the Hill.