Muscatine CROP Hunger Walk
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.
Not able to walk or have other commitments? You can still donate!
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
Pledge Cards
Distributed Sunday, October 5; Return Sunday, October 12 and 19
This month Shepherds have the opportunity to reflect on how each of us are being called to share our resources to suport the mission of Jesus through Shepherd of the Cross. On Sunday, October 5, we’ll share pledge cards with each household as an opportunity to offer a commitment to giving for the 2026 budget year. Those who currently offer financial gifts will also be given a quarter 3 giving statement with your current pledge amount.
Offering pledge cards to the congregation is helpful for Council as they prepare to put together a 2026 budget. We want to be good stewards, and want to appropriately budget based on the response of our congregation. At the same time, these pledge cards are not only a pragmatic tool. Instead, these pledge cards offer an opportunity for all of us to consider how giving is a part of our daily lived discipleship.
If you have questions, talk to a Stewardship Team member (Mackenzie Gilbert, Heather Allen, Melanie Wachtel) or Pastor Aleese. Return pledge cards on either Sunday, October 12 or 19.
Trunk or Treat is Coming Up!
Wednesday, October 29 @ Grace
6:00 – 7:30pm
We’re into fall, and now we’re looking to Halloween! Here’s how you can help make Trunk or Treat a success:
Host a trunk – Sign up below or in the narthex.
Donate candy – Bring your donations to the box in the narthex
Promote the event – Share the event on social media and in your circles!
Join us for the night! – This is always a fun community event not only for our local churches, but the whole community! You don’t want to miss it! 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 the Muscatine community by offering gifts through an emergency discretionary fund .
How can you help? Easy!
Sign up to bake, cook, serve, clean up
Sign up sheets of food and volunteers needed will be available starting Sunday, October 5.
Spread the word!
Share our event on Facebook, share posts on social media, or pick up printed flyers (available in the narthex) to post in the community, at your work, or to physically give to others!
If you have questions, contact 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.
SOTC 2026 Budget Meeting
Sunday, November 30 after worship
Each fall, the Shepherd Council prepares a budget for the coming year. Our Shepherding Teams submit budgets to Council, and Council presents a budget to the congregation. A 2026 budget, along with supplemental materials, will be available beginning Sun, Nov 16. Meeting to discuss and vote on the budget will follow worship on Sun, Nov 30. Questions can be directed to your Council members (Daryl Eichelberger, Gladys Reif, Linda Adams, Kathy Dunham, Melissa Booth, Joanne Drinkall, Melanie Wachtel, Connie Hoekstra).