Birth of Bennet William Carter
September 6, 2025
We rejoice with Chris and Kirsten Carter (along with their girls, Ainsley and Adley) at the birth of their son, Bennett! Mom, baby, and family are all doing well and adjusting at home! Please continue to keep this family in your prayers!
Backpack/Bag and Food Blessings Abound!
This weekend in worship we blessed our backpacks and bags as a blessing on our lives as servants of God…wherever we are, and whatever our vocation is. We also blessed the food recently donated to MCSA, along with the financial donations that will benefit MCSA and the Domestic Violence Shelter. Thank you, everyone, for contributing, and for doing God’s work with your hands! Blessings to each of you as you live as an active co-creator with God as God brings healing and restoration to the world.
Sanctuary Youth Group
Sunday, September 21 – Kick Off
6:00 – 7:30 pm
It’s this coming weekend! We’ve been pointing to it for quite some time, and it’s time to kick it off! Sanctuary is an ecumenical Youth Group for middle schoolers and high schoolers (grades 6-12)!
Our first night will be Sun, Sept 21 and then we’ll meet every first and third Sunday of the month. Join us on night 1 for bonfire, smores and tons of games! No RSVP needed for the first night. After our first few nights, we’ll ask for basic participant forms. Questions? Talk to Pastor Aleese.
Muscatine CROP Hunger Walk & Applebee’s Fundraiser
SOTC will be participating in the Muscatine CROP Walk to raise funds for those with food insecurities. Everyone is invited to take part-whether by walking, sponsoring a walker, eating at Applebee’s, or helping spread the word. Donations may be given here.
Tuesday, September 23 – All Day
Join us at Applebee’s from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm and 25% of your meal price will be dontated to the Muscatine CROP Walk. A flyer found here or picked up at SOTC must be presented for meal to qualify.
Sunday, October 5 @ 2:00 pm @ Muscatine Riverfront
Walk with us! Check in begins at 1:30 pm at the shelter near the Pearl City Station, with the Muscatine Youth Choir signing prior to the start of the walk at 2:00 pm. Walk however far you are comfortable with and grab a treat when finished.
Laundry Love Sock and Soap Drive
Start bringing donations Sunday, October 5
In October, we’re partnering with Laundry Love (a ministry that offers free and reduced laundry services) to collect socks and materials to make laundry soap. Laundry soap will be made as a part of an upcoming Family Faith Night on October 22nd.
Socks must be new. Items needed for laundry soap are:
- Fels Naptha soap bars
- Washing soda
- Borax
- Oxi-clean powder
Trunk or Treat Volunteers Needed!
Wednesday, October 29 @ Grace
6:00 – 7:30pm
Once again Faith Together Muscatine is hosting Trunk or Treat this year! We need volunteers to host a trunk – decorate your car, bring candy and help create a fun and safe night for families! Sign up here, or in the narthex, to host a trunk.
Soup Fest is Coming!
Sunday, November 2, 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Shepherd’s annual tradition continues! Mark your calendars to be a part of this event. Funds will support the Southeastern Iowa Synod (as a part of our mission suport) and MCSA.
Sign up sheets of food and volunteers needed will be available starting Sun, Oct 5. If you have immediate questions or want to get in on the planning now, talk to Kathy or Colleen.
Remembering the Saints
Sunday, November 2
Each year, the church celebrates All Saints Day – a day to remember that we are all saints through Christ. Especially on this day, we remember and rejoice with saints who have been baptized in the past year, and saints who have died in the past year. Beginning Oct 5, we will collect names of saints you’d like remembered in our litany in worship.Those desiring to remember a saint will be invited to light a candle in their honor as a part of our worship service.