Author: Kathy Dunham

Graduate Recognition
Kelsey Drake

Sundays, May 29

As the school year draws to a close, we will be honoring Kelsey Drake as she graduated from Wilton High School. Be sure to join us for worship as we offer a blessing to her, offer her a gift on behalf of the congregation, and join in a special time of fellowship following worship!

Summer Book Group

Interested in gaining a new perspective as you grow as a follower of Jesus? Consider joining us this summer for fellowship and conversation as a part of a book group. We will be reading Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis and/or Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity by Ronald Rolheiser.  For a description of each book, click the link. Frequency of book group meetings, along with scheduling, will be dependent on the participants of each group. We will do our best to accommodate schedules so as to include as many people as possible.

If you are interested in participating, please complete this short Google form by Thursday, June 2. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Aleese.

Participate in the Spirit this Pentecost Sunday!

Sunday, June 5

The Day of Pentecost marks the end of the season of Easter. Referencing Acts 2, together we will remember the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples in Jerusalem, and will open ourselves in worship to receive that same Spirit. So as to mark the occasion, here are three ways to participate:

1. Wear Red to Church | Red is traditionally the color representing the Spirit, so help us deck our sanctuary in the color of the Spirit!

2. Color a flame to add to our windows | We all have been gifted the power of the Holy Spirit, so help us out by coloring your own flame and adding it to our collage on the windows between the narthex and sanctuary. Print out your own coloring sheet (here) or pick up one in the narthex. Bring your colored flame on Sunday, June 5. 

3. Welcome New Member, Connie Hoesktra | Stick around for a special time of fellowship as we welcome Connie as a part of our flock!

Sending of Thoma Family

Sunday, June 12

Once a Shepherd…always a Shepherd! This summer, the Thoma family will be departing our community this summer to move to Ames. To send them off, we will offer them a blessing as a part of worship during thier last Sunday with us. Be sure to join us as we bless the Thoma’s, and as we wish them well with a special fellowship hour to follow!

Ice Cream Social and Fundraiser

Sunday, July 17 following worship

Join us for an ice cream sundae fellowship hour! This time will not only be a time of fellowship, but also a chance for us to offer our financial resources to one of the local organizations that our Stewardship Team has been highlighting this summer. Stay tuned for more details.

Camp Out Date Solidified!

Sat-Sun, August 27-28

Thanks for your responses! We have nailed down a date for later in the summer and are looking forward to an evening of hot dogs and s’mores around the fire along with other games throughout the night! All are welcome to join us on Saturday evening, even if you don’t want to spend the night at the church! Mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Graduate Recognition
Kelsey Drake and Grant Jorgensen 

Sundays, May 22 and 29

As the school year draws to a close, we have the privilege of honoring two graduates within our congregation! Due to scheduling, we will be honoring Kelsey and Grant on two separate Sundays. Be sure to join us for worship as we offer a blessing to our grads, offer them a gift on behalf of the congregation, and join in a special time of fellowship following worship! Congrats Kelsey and Grant on your achievements!

Interested in a Camp Out @ SOTC this Summer?

In previous years, we’ve hosted a camp out on SOTC grounds. Remembering how much fun it was, it’s been suggested to have a campout again this summer! 

If you’re interested in participating (or even joining us for a bonfire and games night), please fill out this form by Tuesday, May 17 so we can set up a date. Thanks!

Final Family Faith Night this Week!

Wednesday, May 18, 6:30pm @ Grace

It’s this week! Join us as we celebrate the confirmation of youth completing thier confirmation sequence! Though Shepherd is not confirming youth this year, Grace is excited to confirm 4 of thier youth. So as to include leaders and families who have been a part of the joint Family Faith Nights throughout this year, Grace has elected to host confirmation on a Wednesday evening rather than during Sunday morning worship. ALL are welcome for worship at 6:30 followed by a dessert reception.

Did You Spot Jesus this Sunday?

Jesus ascended to new heights this past weekend as he was “hidden” on top of our projector! Remind your kids to look for where Jesus is hidden each week through June 5. Then, tell Pastor Aleese where you found Jesus. Make plans to join us this weekend for worship!

Sending of Thoma Family

Sunday, June 12

Once a Shepherd…always a Shepherd! This summer, the Thoma family will be departing our community this summer to move to Ames. To send them off, we will offer them a blessing as a part of worship during thier last Sunday with us. Be sure to join us as we bless the Thoma’s, and as we wish them well with a special fellowship hour to follow!

Pentecost and Welcome of New Member!

The Day of Pentecost marks the end of the season of Easter. Referencing Acts 2, together we will remember the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples in Jerusalem, and will open ourselves in worship to receive that same Spirit. As this Sunday focuses on the work of the Spirit, we invite the congregation to wear red!

To make the Sunday even more festive, we will also be welcoming Connie Hoekstra as a new member during worship. Join us as we gather with one another, by the power of the Spirit, and join us as we welcome Connie into our flock! 

Panda Express Youth Fundraiser

Sunday, May 15

Get your Panda Express fix this weekend! Order online or go there and help support our youth group. 

Here’s what you need to do:

• order food (eat in/order online) at Panda Express on May 15
• present our coupon code: 334977
• enjoy your food and watch SOTC Youth get fundraising dollars!

Please make sure to use this month’s coupon code. Each month the code changes. For more information, and for a page that reminds you of our fundraising code, bookmark this page. Questions? Talk to Leslie Eichelberger. 

Interested in a Camp Out @ SOTC this Summer?

In previous years, we’ve hosted a camp out on SOTC grounds. Remembering how much fun it was, it’s been suggested to have a campout again this summer! 

If you’re interested in participating (or even joining us for a bonfire and games night), please fill out this form by Tuesday, May 17 so we can set up a date. Thanks!

Mairet Farms Fundraiser

Looking for some fresh produce this summer? Consider being a part of the Mairet Farms CSA bag program and receive fresh, local produce for six weeks! Starting July 11, you’ll receive a bag of produce each week. 

Better yet? By participating, SOTC will receive a portion of these proceeds! 

Interested? Complete the order form. Paper copies are also in the SOTC narthex. Thanks for your support!

Can You Help Find Where Jesus is Hidden?

Each Sunday through June 5

For the past two Sundays, we’ve been playing a little game on Sunday morning with our kids! Each week during the season of Easter, our Jesus figure will be hidden somewhere in the sanctuary. Kids are invited to look for Jesus, but to keep it a secret! Then, tell Pastor Aleese where you found it.  She’ll be keeping a tally of who’s found Jesus each week. Make plans to join us this weekend for worship!

Special Invitation to Final Family Faith Night

Wednesday, May 18, 6:30pm @ Grace

To close out the Family Faith Night year, we will be celebrating the confirmation of youth completing thier confirmation sequence. We do not have any confirmands from Shepherd this year, but Grace is excited to confirm 4 of their youth. So as to include leaders and families who have been a part of the joint Family Faith Nights throughout this year, Grace has elected to host confirmation on a Wednesday evening rather than during Sunday morning worship.

Whether you’ve been a part of Family Faith Night or not this year, consider yourself invited to join us as we witness the faith of our young people and as we are collectively sent to be Christ’s disciples into the world. We’ll have a short worship service at 6:30pm followed by a dessert reception. 

Hymn Festival with Organ and Choir

Thursday, June 16, at 7:30pm

Wesley United Methodist Church will be hosting a Hymn Festival with Organ and Choir. Tom Trenney will be leading this free event. The choir will be singers from the Muscatine area. If you are interested in singing contact Wesley music director Dan Laaveg. Whether interested in singing, or simply enjoying the music, all in the community are invited! For more information, visit Wesley’s music page of thier website. 

Vacation Bible School

July 10-14, 5:30-8:00

Mark your calendars now! This summer, SOTC is excited to join with 6 other congregations to provide an opportunity for kids to experience God’s love and have some fun all at the same time! We will be collaborating with Zion Lutheran, Grace Lutheran, First Presbyterian, Trinity Episcopal, First Christian and Faith United Church of Christ.

VBS is open to all kids PreK-grade 6. VBS will be hosted at Zion Lutheran July 10-13 and the final night will be hosted at Grace Lutheran so as to provide time outside. ALL families are invited to join us for the final evening! A meal will be provided each night.

Questions? Contact Melissa Booth. 

Southeastern Iowa Synod Assembly

May 20-21

Each year, the synod gathers for an assembly for the purposes of attending to the business of the synod, creating networking opportunities for rostered and lay leaders, and providing a space for worship and spiritual renewal. This year, Mackenzie and Nick Gilbert will be attending as voting members along with Pastor Aleese. 

Portions of the assembly will be livestreamed on the Southeastern Iowa Synod’s Facebook page. Looking for more information of what is coming before the synod this year? Check out the landing page for the synod assembly. 

Later in May/June, the congregation will receive a report of key actions of the assembly. Please hold the synod in your prayers in the coming weeks!

Forming Faith in Families

This past week, our families had two unique opportunities to dive deeper into thier faith. On Wednesday, as a part of our Family Faith Nights hosted at Grace Lutheran, our middle school confirmation kids were learning about the impact of media and materialism on our lives. Noting that advertisements often target areas of our lives in which we feel as though we are lacking something, we talked about “voids” in our lives and discovered the promise that it is only Christ that can fill us to the brim with fullness of life and meaning. To illustrate, we did a science experiment in which the egg on top of the bottle in the picture below actually fell into the void of the glass bottle!

Later in the week, several families gathered for our monthly Family Nights. Together we enjoyed a meal, had some friendly competition in a game of “marshmallow bowling” with kids and adults, and our parents had a chance for some intentional conversation while the kiddos played outside. 

Looking for more opportunities to connect with others at Shepherd? Stay tuned as we coordinate opportunities for the coming summer!

Mairet Farms Fundraiser

Looking for some fresh produce this summer? Consider being a part of the Mairet Farms CSA bag program and receive fresh, local produce for six weeks! Starting July 11, you’ll receive a bag of produce each week. 

Better yet? By participating, SOTC will receive a portion of these proceeds! 

Interested? Complete the order form. Paper copies are also in the SOTC narthex. Thanks for your support!

Camp EWALU Work Day 

Saturday, May 7, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Camp EWALU (Strawberry Point) is looking toward a full summer of campers! To help get ready, volunteers will be gathering to attend to some projects. There are projects for all skill levels: splitting wood, trial upkeep, building benches, replanting the butterfly garden, construction of a screened-in shelter, and many other jobs. Lunch is provided. 

For more information, check out the EWALU event page. If you’d like to volunteer your time, contact Paul Frantsen, property manager of EWALU.

Special Invitation to Final Family Faith Night

Wednesday, May 18, 6:30pm @ Grace

To close out the Family Faith Night year, we will be celebrating the confirmation of youth completing thier confirmation sequence. We do not have any confirmands from Shepherd this year, but Grace is excited to confirm 6 of thier youth. So as to include leaders and families who have been a part of the joint Family Faith Nights throughout this year, Grace has elected to host confirmation on a Wednesday evening rather than during Sunday morning worship. Though on a different day, this will be just as much of a celebration, and we want to invite others to join us as well!

Whether you’ve been a part of Family Faith Night or not this year, consider yourself invited to join us as we witness the faith of our young people and as we are collectively sent to be Christ’s disciples into the world. We’ll have a short worship service at 6:30pm followed by a dessert reception. 

Hymn Festival with Organ and Choir

Thursday, June 16, at 7:30pm

Wesley United Methodist Church will be hosting a Hymn Festival with Organ and Choir. Tom Trenney will be leading this free event. The choir will be singers from the Muscatine area. If you are interested in singing contact Wesley music director Dan Laaveg. Whether interested in singing, or simply enjoying the music, all in the community are invited! For more information, visit Wesley’s music page of thier website. 

Vacation Bible School

July 10-14, 5:30-8:00

Mark your calendars now! This summer, SOTC is excited to join with 6 other congregations to provide an opportunity for kids to experience God’s love and have some fun all at the same time! We will be collaborating with Zion Lutheran, Grace Lutheran, First Presbyterian, Trinity Episcopal, First Christian and Faith United Church of Christ.

VBS is open to all kids PreK-grade 6. VBS will be hosted at Zion Lutheran July 10-13 and the final night will be hosted at Grace Lutheran so as to provide time outside. ALL families are invited to join us for the final evening! A meal will be provided each night.

Questions? Contact Melissa Booth. 

Southeastern Iowa Synod Assembly

May 20-21

Each year, the synod gathers for an assembly for the purposes of attending to the business of the synod, creating networking opportunities for rostered and lay leaders, and providing a space for worship and spiritual renewal. This year, Mackenzie and Nick Gilbert will be attending as voting members along with Pastor Aleese. 

Portions of the assembly will be livestreamed on the Southeastern Iowa Synod’s Facebook page. Looking for more information of what is coming before the synod this year? Check out the landing page for the synod assembly. 

Later in May/June, the congregation will receive a report of key actions of the assembly. Please hold the synod in your prayers in the coming weeks!

Thanks for supporting our youth heading to camp!

Thank you for helping us raise $157 in support of our youth through our Easter breakfast! At this point, we have 5 youth attending camp this summer, with a potential for a total of 8 youth. A week of camp costs about $500, and Shepherd provides a scholarship of $250 per youth attending a full week. With your help, we can provide an opportunity for youth to experience a sacred moment with Christ in a new and adventurous way. Thank you for your partnership with us as we support ways for our youth to experience the transformative love of Jesus!

Laundry Soap Making = A Success! 

Throughout the season of Lent, we gathered supplies to make laundry soap. Between Grace and Shepherd, we were able to make 20 batches of laundry soap! As one batch lasts for months for one family, this work has the potential to impact 20 families in our community. Thank you for your contributions, and thank you to those who joined us for our Family Faith Night to mix our ingredients!

Easter Sunday Adult Education

Begins Sunday, May 1
Study Focus: Acts

Following Easter, our Adult Education group will begin a new study on the book of Acts. Often titled “the Acts of the Apostles”, together we’ll discover that the book of Act more clearly points to “the Acts of the Holy Spirit”!

Throughout the season of Easter, we’ll be hearing readings from the book of Acts. So join us as we dive a little deeper, gain a better context of our Scripture readings and open ourselves to the work of the Spirit in the church today.

Camp EWALU Work Day 

Saturday, May 7, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Camp EWALU (Strawberry Point) is looking toward a full summer of campers! To help get ready, volunteers will be gathering to attend to some projects. There are projects for all skill levels: splitting wood, trial upkeep, building benches, replanting the butterfly garden, construction of a screened-in shelter, and many other jobs. Lunch is provided. 

For more information, check out the EWALU event page. If you’d like to volunteer your time, contact Paul Frantsen, property manager of EWALU.

Looking to hear more from our synod?

After Bishop Current’s visit with us on Palm Sunday, if you’re looking to stay up to date on various synod events, subscribe to the weekly Southeastern Iowa eNews. Pastor Aleese often shares information from these messages, but if you’d like to dive deeper into our connection with the churches we walk together with in our synod and the entire ELCA, subscribe now!

Inclusive Dialogue: Journey through Uncertainty

Monday, May 23 @ 6:30pm

What is it like to grow up in a refugee camp? The Stanley Center invites you to join a special event as author Omar Mohamed tells his story of living in a refugee camp in Kenya through his book When Stars are Scattered. Omar will be joined by Victoria Jamieson, artist and writer. 

This event will be held both in person at the Merrill Hotel and virtually. Registration is required to attend, and either option is free and open to the public. This event is recommended for students 5th grade and up. This is a great opportunity to read an illuminating graphic novel with a child in your life and attend the event together!

Family Night @ SOTC

Sunday, May 1 @ 6:00 pm

Attention all young adults and families with youth grade 12 and below!

You are invited to join us for a night of fellowship, food, fun, and a brief devotional activity.  For a few months, our families have been gathering to mutually support one another and to grow in faith together, and we’d love to have you!

Meal is provided as a part of our evening together. We wrap up by 7:30 pm. 

Questions? Contact Pastor Aleese. Note that Mackenzie Gilbert will be reaching out to families about one week prior to our event to confirm your attendance and to plan a joint potluck-ed meal.