Author: Kathy Dunham

Soup Fest – We Need Your Help!

Sunday, November 6

For the past few weeks, we’ve been hinting at Soup Fest returning! We’re excited to offer this opportunity to the community as a way to provide a place for fellowship, and at the same time raise funds to help support Lutheran Chaplaincy Outreach.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Advertise | Like and share our Facebook event, and/or post flyers or hand out small reminder cards. Flyers and cards available in the narthex. 

2. Sign Up to help cook/volunteer | We’ll need soup makers, pie bakers, and many hands on Nov 6! Sign up sheets will be available this coming Sunday. 

Questions? Talk to Colleen Bentz or Kathy Dunham. 

Support for Ukrainian Refugees in Muscatine

Recently, Muscatine welcomed a family of four from Ukraine. As of now, there is a flurry of activity getting them settled, signed up for healthcare, school enrollment, bus passes, applying for work permits, etc. As they get settled, their largest need right now is clothing. Purchased items, as well as gift cards, are being collected. Sizes for the family are:

Father: medium shirts, pants 32″ waist, 30-31″ inseam
Mother: large shirts, pants large petite (she is petite in height!)
Twin 13-year-old daughters: average size for 13-year old girls; estimated youth large or Junior 4/6

Please keep in mind that winter is coming, so warmer clothes are also needed.

If you have donations of clothing and/or gift cards you’d like to contribute, bring them to SOTC and Pastor Aleese will transport any donations. If you would like to contribute monetary donations, write “Ukrainian refugee family” on an envelope or memo of a check. Any funds will then be directed from SOTC to the family. 

Looking forward, the family will need other home essentials. However, right now the focus is to ensure that the family has adequate clothing. Questions? Talk to Pastor Aleese. 

Applebee’s Together We Care fundraiser for the Muscatine CROP Hunger Walk

Tuesday, October 11, 11 am – 11 pm

Order from the special “Together We Care” menu and the CROP Walk will receive 50% of the food bill!  There will also be a  container for extra monetary donations. Menu includes: Fiesta Lime Chicken, Bacon Cheeseburger, Three Cheese Penne Pasta, and more! Come help us combat hunger in Muscatine and around the world!

In addition to dinning at Applebee’s, Judy Brotherton is asking for assistance greeting people between the times of 11 am – 2 pm and 5 pm – 8 pm. If you are willing to help or have any questions contact Judy via email or at (563) 264-5372.

Women’s Group

Saturday, October 15 @ 8:30am

Due to schedule conflicts, note that Women’s Group has been moved from the second Sat of the month to the third Sat of the month just for October. Women’s Group will meet again on Sat, October 15. Join us as we continue our study of the connection of Jesus, nature, and faith!

Become a Dementia Friend

Wednesday, October 12 @ 6:00 pm @ First Presbyterian

Increasingly, many people either are in contact with people who cope with dementia, or care for someone with memory loss. If you, or others, are interested in learning how to support someone living with dementia, consider becoming a “dementia friend” by attending a 1-hour informational session at First Presbyterian. Led by Dr. Elaine Eshbaugh of UNI, this session will teach participants the basics of what dementia is, how it can affect a person, tips for communicating, and other ways to support people with dementia. For more information, contact First Presbyterian at 563-263-2696.

Trunk or Treat

Joint event with Grace, Zion and SOTC 

We’re excited to join forces again this year for a Trunk or Treat night! Leaders from SOTC, Grace, and Zion will be meeting in the coming week to determine details (date, time, location, needs, etc.) Stay tuned for more details to be shared soon!

October GOLF

Sunday, October 16

Did you miss our first “Generations of Living Faith” (GOLF) Night? Join us this coming month as we focus on the themes of gratitude and generosity. EVERYONE in the congregation – families, individuals, young and old – are welcome to join us. We’ll gather at 4:00 pm, merge into an intergenerational faith formation activity and then be on our way by 5:00pm. Mark your calendars to join us for faith, fellowship and fun!

Bible, Bible, Bible

From morning to evening, Sunday was a day full of scripture! In the morning we distributed Bibles to children and youth (those not present in worship will receive thier Bibles from Pastor Aleese soon), blessed each others’ Bibles, made a bookmark, and were reminded of the power of God’s Word to transform our lives. Then, later in the evening, families gathered for our first “GOLF” (Generations of Living Faith) to learn how to better navigate their Bibles. Take a look at the pictures below to get a sense of what we were up to, and mark your calendars for our next GOLF night on Sunday, Oct 16 @ 4pm!

Support for Ukrainian Refugees in Muscatine

Recently, Muscatine welcomed a family of four from Ukraine. As of now, there is a flurry of activity getting them settled, signed up for healthcare, school enrollment, bus passes, applying for work permits, etc. As they get settled, their largest need right now is clothing. Purchased items, as well as gift cards, are being collected. Sizes for the family are:

Father: medium shirts, pants 32″ waist, 30-31″ inseam
Mother: large shirts, pants large petite (she is petite in height!)
Twin 13-year-old daughters: average size for 13-year old girls; estimated youth large or Junior 4/6

Please keep in mind that winter is coming, so warmer clothes are also needed.

If you have donations of clothing and/or gift cards you’d like to contribute, bring them to SOTC and Pastor Aleese will transport any donations. If you would like to contribute monetary donations, write “Ukrainian refugee family” on an envelope or memo of a check. Any funds will then be directed from SOTC to the family. 

Looking forward, the family will need other home essentials. However, right now the focus is to ensure that the family has adequate clothing. Questions? Talk to Pastor Aleese. 

Free Diapers!

Sat, Sept 24, 8:00-11:00 am

Help us spread the word! The Community Diaper Bank of Muscatine is sponsoring a giveaway event to get diapers into the hands of families! If you, or someone you know, could use help with diapers, come to Robison Trucking (1425 S Houser St), current home of the Diaper Bank, for a drive-thru pick up. Limit of 5 packages of diapers (25 diapers in each package) per car. Sizes newborn through size 7 available. 

Thank you from The Vineyard Church

Recently, some of our Shepherds were called upon to help with the Shoppa funeral luncheon. In response, we received the following thank you from Pastor Jamie at The Vineyard Church. Thank you, Shepherds, for supporting each other and for your commitment to the whole body of Christ. 

Thank you doesn’t seem like enough to say for people who gave so willingly and generously to help prepare and serve the luncheon for the family of Alex and Rachel Shoppa. 

I cannot adequately express how much your help meant to our church family.  Alex and Rachel were stalwart members, and their loss will be felt for a long time to come. Thank you for representing so well what it means to be the Church.

-Pastor Jamie Oehme

Women’s Group

Sat, October 15 @ 8:30am

Due to schedule conflicts, note that Women’s Group has been moved from the second Sat of the month to the third Sat of the month just for October. Women’s Group will meet again on Sat, October 15. 

Join us as we continue our study of the connection of Jesus, nature, and faith!

Harvest Fest Returns!

Sunday, Nov 6

Mark your calendars and start spreading the word! A beloved SOTC tradition of Harvest Fest will return this year on Sun, Nov. 6. Details of what we need (soups, pies, breads, volunteer hands to help set up and clean up), along with flyers to spread the word will be shared soon. For now, mark your calendars to help us make this event a success, and to join us for a night of food and fellowship! 

Thanks for your service!

Though overnight rain hindered some of our projects (including ditch cleaning) we were still able to make some progress! Thanks to those who stuck around!

Bible Blessing Sunday

Sunday, September 18

It’s this Sunday! Bring your Bible to worship!  We will be doing a special blessing of Bibles and will have the opportunity to make our own unique Bible bookmark as a reminder of our connection to Christ and to each other. 

Generations of Living Faith (GOLF)

Third Sundays of the month, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
First Night: Sunday, September 18

Last week we shared with you an opportunity for everyone to join in a night of interactive and cross-generational fellowship and faith formation. The goal of these nights is simple: to grow in faith and to grow in relationship.

Each night, we’ll break our time into three portions:

• Gathering Time (4:00 – 4:15pm) | A time to catch up with one another
• Learning Time (4:15 – 4:45 pm) | Cross-generational activities to learn about the monthly topic
• Closing Time (4:45 – 5:00 pm) | Time to wrap up our night and socialize with each other

We’ll gather each month on the third Sunday (September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18). This coming Sunday we’ll be learning more about the Bible and will have a fun activity using golf balls hidden around the church (we’re not joking!). Join us as we learn and grow together in faith!

Free Diapers!

Sat, Sept 24, 8:00-11:00 am

We aren’t kidding! The Community Diaper Bank of Muscatine is sponsoring a giveaway event to get diapers into the hands of families! If you, or someone you know, could use help with diapers, come to Robison Trucking (1425 S Houser St), current home of the Diaper Bank, for a drive-thru pick up. Limit of 5 packages of diapers (25 diapers in each package) per car. Sizes newborn through size 7 available. Spread the word!

Women’s Group

Sat, October 15 @ 8:30am

Due to schedule conflicts, note that Women’s Group has been moved from the second Sat of the month to the third Sat of the month just for October. Women’s Group will meet again on Sat, October 15. 

Join us as we continue our study of the connection of Jesus, nature, and faith!

Harvest Fest Returns!

Sunday, Nov 6

Mark your calendars and start spreading the word! A beloved SOTC tradition of Harvest Fest will return this year on Sun, Nov. 6. Details of what we need (soups, pies, breads, volunteer hands to help set up and clean up), along with flyers to spread the word will be shared soon. For now, mark your calendars to help us make this event a success, and to join us for a night of food and fellowship! 

Rally Sunday and God’s Work Our Hands Day

Sunday, September 11

 It’s this Sunday! Can you help clean ditches and/or finish some work projects in and around the church building? We need you! Sign up in the narthex or contact the church office.

Thanks for your Support of LDR!

Thanks to your generous support, we were able to send $292 to Lutheran Disaster Response to support the world of flood relief in the US. This is in addition to individual contributions that others may have made via online giving, and is in addition to the way our mission support dollars help support organizations like LDR. Thank you for doing God’s Work with your hands in the world!

Generations of Living Faith (GOLF)

Third Sundays of the month, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
First Night: Sunday, September 18

We have exciting news to share! This fall, our Family Nights (previously held for families with high school aged youth and younger) are being opened up to everyone in the congregation! That means…you!

Moving forward, our Family Nights will be a blend of interactive and cross-generational learning and fellowship. The goal of these nights is simple: to grow in faith and to grow in relationship. For this reason, our name has changed to “Generations of Living Faith” (GOLF). 

Each night, we’ll break our time into three portions:

• Gathering Time (4:00 – 4:15pm) | A time to catch up with one another
• Learning Time (4:15 – 4:45 pm) | Cross-generational activities to learn about the monthly topic
• Closing Time (4:45 – 5:00 pm) | Time to wrap up our night and socialize with each other

We’ll gather each month on the third Sunday (September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18). Mark your calendars now to join us on Sept 18!

Bible Blessing Sunday

Sunday, September 18

Each year, SOTC distributes Bibles to 3-year-olds, 3rd graders, and incoming middle school/confirmation youth. We will be doing so on Sept 18, but we also invite everyone in the congregation to bring your Bibles! We will be doing a special blessing of Bibles and will have some time for interaction during worship. 

Shared Adult Education Opportunities 

This fall, some are participating in new groups like Adult Confirmation, Sojourners, and Companions. Not able to participate in these groups? Or, looking for something more? Check out these shared opportunities between SOTC, Grace, and Zion. 

1. Christians Underground, Wed’s @ 12pm @ Geo Johnz | A weekly Bible study around the upcoming Sunday’s readings. Led by Pastor Aleese. 

2. Women’s Group, second Sat/month @ 8:30am @ SOTC | A gathering of women who use the Women of the ELCA study as published in the Gather magazine. Lay led. This group is comprised of only SOTC members. 

3. Book of Faith Sunday Adult Ed @ 10:15 @ Grace | Pastor Susan will be leading a group through a Book of Faith series, focusing on specific books of the Bible. All are welcome to join at Grace!

4. The Greatest Story Ever Told Adult Ed @ 10:15 @ Zion | Pastor Willie will be leading a group through a series that gives a “birds-eye view” of the Bible as a whole. All are welcome to join at Zion!

If you are looking for a group to connect with, but are unsure what might be a good fit for you, contact Pastor Aleese. Together, our aim is to provide a space for all our Shepherds to grow and develop as disciples of Jesus!

Update on Ukrainian Potluck

Friday, September 9, 6:00pm @ Trinity Episcopal 

Muscatine is getting ready to welcome our first Ukrainian refugee family! To welcome them to our community, the planning committee that has been instrumental in bringing this family (along with others later in the fall/winter) is inviting the community to a welcome potluck. All are welcome! Because of the large response by the community, the location has been changed from a private home to Trinity Episcopal. Note that RSVPs are no longer required. Come and join us as we extend a hand to our new neighbors in town!

Church Basement Ladies

October 7 & 8 @ 6:00 pm and October 9 @ 4:00 pm

New Era Dinner Theater Presents, Church Basement Ladies at the New Era Community Building (3455 New Era Road, Muscatine). Dinner Menu: Hamburger hotdish, New Era green beans, jello salad, roll, beverage, and dessert. Reservations are required: Call 563-299-4710 (Joan) or 563-263-0881 (Nancy). Proceeds benefit: Lutheran World Relief, Muscatine Center for Social Action, and New Era Lutheran Church.
Adults $30 – Children $20.

Free Diapers!

Sat, Sept 24, 8:00-11:00 am

We aren’t kidding! The Community Diaper Bank of Muscatine is sponsoring a giveaway event to get diapers into the hands of families! If you, or someone you know, could use help with diapers, come to Robison Trucking (1425 S Houser St), current home of the Diaper Bank, for a drive-thru pick up. Limit of 5 packages of diapers (25 diapers in each package) per car. Sizes newborn through size 7 available. Spread the word!

Family Faith Nights Begin this Week!

Wednesday, August 31 @ 6:00 pm @ Grace

 The Family Faith Night year is about to kick off! Families participating should have received a reminder email from faithtogethermuscatine@gmail.com.  Check your spam or promotional folders if it didn’t hit your inbox. Not on the email distribution list but would like to be? Contact the church office. 

We are still looking for elementary group leaders. If you’re willing to help out, sign up via a master spreadsheet shared between churches.

Looking forward to a great year!

Rally Sunday and God’s Work Our Hands Day

Sunday, September 11

Each year, the ELCA participates in a day of service to benefit the local community. This year, following worship, we will be finishing up some yard work and projects inside our church building, and also cleaning up trash in nearby ditches. Willing to help? Sign up in the narthex or contact the church office.

So as to help our Shepherds engage in acts of service throughout the year, our Service Team will also be sharing a list of volunteer opportunities in the community. 

Shared Adult Education Opportunities 

This fall, some are participating in new groups like Adult Confirmation, Sojourners, and Companions. Not able to participate in these groups? Or, looking for something more? Check out these shared opportunities between SOTC, Grace, and Zion. 

1. Christians Underground, Wed’s @ 12pm @ Geo Johnz | A weekly Bible study around the upcoming Sunday’s readings. Led by Pastor Aleese. 

2. Women’s Group, second Sat/month @ 8:30am @ SOTC | A gathering of women who use the Women of the ELCA study as published in the Gather magazine. Lay led. This group is comprised of only SOTC members. 

3. Book of Faith Sunday Adult Ed @ 10:15 @ Grace | Pastor Susan will be leading a group through a Book of Faith series, focusing on specific books of the Bible. All are welcome to join at Grace!

4. The Greatest Story Ever Told Adult Ed @ 10:15 @ Zion | Pastor Willie will be leading a group through a series that gives a “birds-eye view” of the Bible as a whole. All are welcome to join at Zion!

If you are looking for a group to connect with, but are unsure what might be a good fit for you, contact Pastor Aleese. Together, our aim is to provide a space for all our Shepherds to grow and develop as disciples of Jesus!

Bible Blessing Sunday

Sunday, September 18

Each year, SOTC distributes Bibles to 3-year-olds, 3rd graders, and incoming middle school/confirmation youth. We will be doing so on Sept. 18, but we also invite everyone in the congregation to bring your Bibles! We will be doing a special blessing of Bibles and will have some time for interaction during worship. 

Family Nights this Fall

Third Sunday of the month @ 4:00 pm

This past spring we hosted monthly “family nights” to gather young adults and families with children and youth high-school aged and younger. Those monthly nights will be continuing this fall. In conversation with our Education Team, these nights will also function as a “Sunday School” time for kids. Each month they’ll dive into a specific topic/story. Older youth are invited to help with younger kids and/or hang out with adults as they take some time to catch up with one another and engage in conversations of faith and life. 

Church Basement Ladies

October 7 & 8 @ 6:00 pm and October 9 @ 4:00 pm

New Era Dinner Theater Presents, Church Basement Ladies at the New Era Community Building (3455 New Era Road, Muscatine). Dinner Menu: Hamburger hotdish, New Era green beans, jello salad, roll, beverage, and dessert. Reservations are required: Call 563-299-4710 (Joan) or 563-263-0881 (Nancy). Proceeds benefit: Lutheran World Relief, Muscatine Center for Social Action, and New Era Lutheran Church.
Adults $30 – Children $20.

SOTC Bonfire Night

Saturday, August 27 @ 6pm

Join your church family for a hot dog roast, games, and s’mores! We’ll gather outside at about 6pm.  Because of changing family schedules, we will not be camping out overnight as previously planned. However, we will still have outdoor worship the following morning. If you’re willing to provide food to share, contact Mackenzie Gilbert.

Outdoor Worship

Sunday, August 28

You bring a lawn chair and we’ll provide the rest! Tent will be set up to provide shade. Families of Sunday School kids, VBS kids, and Camp EWALU kids – we’ll need your help as we’ll be singing some of our VBS/camp songs during worship! Make sure to join us outside as we worship in God’s good creation! 

Family Faith Nights Announcements

Wednesday, August 31 @ 6:00 pm @ Grace

The Family Faith Night year is about to kick off! Here are some things to note:

1. Kick Off Night | Wed, August 31 @ 6pm: All elementary kids, middle school youth, and those who will be participating in Adult Confirmation or Sojourners are invited to join us at Grace for our first night together. Meal provided. 

2. Elementary Group Leaders Needed: Our middle school and adult group leaders will remain static, but we are looking for volunteers to sign up to help lead our elementary group. Leaders can sign up for whatever date works best in their schedule. Then, we’ll provide materials for you to use with the kids.  If you’re willing to help out, sign up via a master spreadsheet shared between churches. Having trouble accessing the spreadsheet? Contact Kathy in the main office for assistance. 

3. Like “Faith Together Muscatine” on Facebook: To create a landing page for announcements related to Family Faith Nights – in addition to other shared ministry between SOTC, Grace, and Zion – we’ve created a Faith Together Muscatine Facebook page. Like it and subscribe for updates to stay in the loop!

Rally Sunday and God’s Work Our Hands Day

Sunday, September 11

Each year, the ELCA participates in a day of service to benefit the local community. This year, following worship, we will be finishing up some yard work and projects inside our church building, and also cleaning up trash in nearby ditches. So as to help our Shepherds engage in acts of service throughout the year, our Service Team will also be sharing a list of volunteer opportunities in the community on Sept 11. Join us as we bring our hands together to do God’s work within our congregation and in the community!

Note re Sunday Adult Education

This fall, we have the opportunity to engage in a few new groups like Adult Confirmation, Sojourners, and Companions. Those groups will compliment groups like Christians Underground and Women’s Group, that are already meeting. Because of these varied opportunities, our Education Team made the decision that we will not host Sunday morning Adult Ed this coming year. Instead, we encourage adults to invest themselves in other groups that are meeting. 

However, if you are looking for a Sunday Adult Education opportunity, both Grace and Zion have offered for us to come and join them. Both Grace and Zion host Adult Ed at about 10:15. More information to come about what they will be focusing on in their study. 

Finally, if you are looking for a group to connect with, but are unsure what might be a good fit for you, contact Pastor Aleese. Together, our aim is to provide a space for all our Shepherds to grow and develop as disciples of Jesus!

Bible Blessing Sunday

Sunday, September 18

Each year, SOTC distributes Bibles to 3-year-olds, 3rd graders, and incoming middle school/confirmation youth. We will be doing so on Sept. 18, but we also invite everyone in the congregation to bring your Bibles! We will be doing a special blessing of Bibles and will have some time for interaction during worship. 

Family Nights this Fall!

This past spring we hosted monthly “family nights” to gather young adults and families with children and youth high-school aged and younger. Those monthly nights will be continuing this fall (schedule will be shared soon!) In conversation with our Education Team, these nights will also function as a “Sunday School” time for kids. Each month they’ll dive into a specific topic/story. Older youth are invited to help with younger kids and/or hang out with adults as they take some time to catch up with one another and engage in conversations of faith and life. Be on the look out for more details to be shared soon!