Collaborative Lent Opportunities
This Lent we are excited to announce that we are collaborating with Faith Together Muscatine (with Zion, Grace, and New Era) for Lenten Midweek worship, meal and Family Faith Nights and a special Easter Vigil worship service and meal.
Midweek Lenten Worship – Meal – Family Faith Nights
5:30 | Worship
6:00 | Meal
6:30 | Family Faith Nights
Join us for part, or all, of the night! If you’re eating with us, sign up in the narthex starting Sunday. Adults – if you’re not a part of a Family Faith Night group and would like to be a part of a Lent faith formation group, indicate your interest on a sign up in the narthex. (Kids and youth can always hop in on the groups already going!)
Easter Vigil Worship Service and Meal
4:00 | Worship
5:30 | Meal
Easter Vigil moves us from the darkness of Good Friday into the joy and celebration of Easter. After celebrating the news of Christ’s resurrection, we’ll feast in joy with one another across our congregations. Sign up in the narthex if you plan to eat with us.
For clarity – Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday worship services will be hosted at SOTC.
Come and take part in what you can! We’re looking forward to a formative Lenten journey together.
Game Night
Saturday, February 15, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
In the midst of Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day weekends, make sure to join your Shepherds for a game night! Bring an appetizer to share and your favorite games.
Welcome to New Members
Sunday, February 16
You may have seen some new faces in our flock recently, and we want to extend a warm welcome to them in worship! During the service, our new members will have the opportunity to re-commit themselves to following Jesus as a part of this congregation, and we will have the opportunity to express our commitment to support them on their journey. Following worship we’ll have a special fellowship hour. Make sure to join us as we welcome Deb Hughes, Wanda McCullough, Wade and Liz Reddy, Bruce and Lynn Selking, and Nancy Coulter!
Farewell and Godspeed to Delene
Sunday, February 23
As a congregation, we welcome, we grow, and we send. Sometimes, that sending sends our Shepherds on new adventures away from this community.
Later this spring Delene will be moving to Nebraska. Before heading out, we’ll offer her a special blessing during our worship service along with fellowship to follow. Be sure to join us as we wish Delene farewell (see you soon!) and Godspeed!
Community Diaper Bank Drive
We’ve collected 3,157 diapers for the Community Diaper Bank! Wow! Here’s the challenge: can we double that by the end of February? That would be a total of 6,274 diapers, and 250 packs of diapers for families in our community.
Sizes 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 diapers are most needed, but any size will be utilized! Bring in diapers through Sunday, February 23.
Join us at New Era for Worship!
During the Annual Meeting, we shared that Pastor Aleese will continue on rotation with Pastor Willie and Pastor Susan to provide worship leadership for New Era. As one in the body of Christ, we also invite you to join Pastor Aleese when she heads out to New Era! This is not only a time to worship with another congregation, but also an opportunity to deepen our relationships with one another in our partnerships through Faith Together Muscatine.
Though you’re always welcome to join New Era for worship (11:00 am; fellowship before) Pastor Aleese will be at New Era next on March 2. Dates will also be added to our online SOTC calendar.
Chocolate Fest
Sunday, March 2
In traditional Shepherd custom, we will host Chocolate Fest following worship on Sunday, March 2. This Sunday marks the last Sunday before Lent (Transfiguration Sunday) and is meant to be a “feast” day before entering into the reflective season of Lent. For those who are new to this tradition, the instruction is simple! Everyone (yes, everyone!) bring a chocolate dish to share during fellowship. Then, we’ll all feast!
The Stations of the Cross Concert
Friday, March 21 @ 7:00pm
Dr. Stephen Hamilton, international concert organist, will present the organ meditations on “The Stations of the Cross” by Marcel Dupré on Friday, March 21, at 7pm at Wesley United Methodist Church. This is a free event. The meditations combine 14 poetic readings of the Passion and Death of Jesus with powerful organ music. Michael Barone, the creator and host of “Pipedreams,” will be the narrator. Slides of artwork depicting the Stations will accompany the performance.