How are you doing God’s work with your hands?
Each year, the ELCA uplifts a Sunday in September (this year, September 7) as “God’s Work Our Hands Sunday.” It’s a Sunday to encourage congregations to acts of service, and to uplift how congregations are already doing God’s Work with their hands on a daily basis.
Here at Shepherd, this year, we’re uplifting the second focus. We’re mindful that there are so many ways that you all live faithfully, and do God’s Work with your hands outside our church walls and even outside structured church events.
- Perhaps you do God’s Work with your hands by carefully recycling as much as you can, or maintaining your own compost pile
- Perhaps you do God’s Work with your hands by investing in a volunteer organization that uplifts children, those in need, or animals
- Perhaps you do God’s Work with your hands by taking on the responsibility to deliver food brought to SOTC to our local food pantries
- Or perhaps you do God’s Work with your hands by advocating for those with disabilities, those under-represented in our society, or those without a voice
There are a myriad of ways to live faithfully, and there are a myraid of ways we do God’s Work with our hands. So, to celebrate, we’re asking you to share your stories with us.
- Send a brief message to the church office of what you do, or what you’re involved in. Send a picture if you have something! We’ll add it to our bulletin board, and also compile a list to share with the congregation.
- And, if you’re willing to speak to how you do God’s Work with your hands during worship on September 7, contact Pastor Aleese. We’re hoping for 3-4 individuals to speak for about 90 seconds on what they do and how it connects to following the love of Jesus.
Let’s Pack the Green Tote for the MCSA Food Pantry!
We always have a tote for the MCSA Food Pantry, but as we celebrate how we join with Christ in doing God’s Work with our hands, we especailly invite you to bring food on Sunday, September 7! Needed items are:
- Canned soups, fruits, and proteins (fish, chicken, beef, beans)
- Pasta
- Hygiene products: Soaps, toothpaste and brushes, paper products
Family Faith Nights Resume Soon!
Wednesday, September 3 Opening Night
6:30 – 7:30 pm @ Grace Lutheran
We’re looking forward to another great year of opportunities for lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school, and adults!
New this year:
- We are not serving a full meal. Instead, we will have quick bites for families to grab on the way into their group, and on their way out! Cheese and crackers, meats, veggies, fruits, and cookies.
- We will not host high schoolers on Wednesdays, but stay tuned! More information about a high school group coming soon!
- Our adult group on Wednesdays will be our ReStoried group. Re:Storied meets for the first time on September 10. See below for more details.
- The first night we will host a parent meeting. Intent is to talk about what faith formation is, parent’s role, and our joint children protection policy.
All are welcome to join us! Check in with Pastor Aleese if you’d like to help teach, help with set up, or simply to attend!
Volunteer Orientation Nights
Wednesday, August 20 @ 6:30 pm
We had our first volunteer orienation night this past weekend, but if you missed out you’re not out of luck!
We’re asking all volunteers who will be working with children and youth (either in your home congregaiton or in collaborative groups) to attend an orientation night at Grace Lutheran to review our revised Children Protection Policy. The policy outlines guidelines to prevent physical, emotional, spiritual, and sexual abuse against children and youth. It is expected that all volunteers are familiar with these expectations to provide a safe and secure environment for everyone.
If you are unable to attend, but will be working with children and youth, contact Pastor Aleese
Companions in Christ Spiritual Formation Groups
Are you looking for a group of people to grow in relationship with one another and with God? Are you looking to engage with Scripture on a regular basis? Are you looking to be transformed and opened to new ways of engaging with your faith?
If so, consider being a part of a spiritual formation group this coming year: Companions in Christ. This series is intended to help small groups open themselves to God’s presence and guidance through both individual and communal practices, exploring themes like Scripture, prayer, discerning God’s will, and the nature of Christian community.
So tell me the details…
- Companions groups are about 6-8 people in size, so we are anticipating forming several groups this year across our ELCA congregations.
- Meetings are 2 hours in length. Due to timing, those interested in Companions will determine the best day/time to meet.
- The entire sequence is 28 weeks. However, to offer alternatives to those who have seasonal obligations, individuals can complete one part (about 4-5 weeks) and then take a break as needed. Then, when people are ready to jump start again, we’ll reform groups based on interest.
Interested?
If you’d like to learn more about Companions, we encourage you to talk to anyone who has participated, or is participating, in these groups: Gladys Reif, Marlys Grete, Leslie Eichelberger, Connie Hoekstra, Mackenzie and Nick Gilbert, Andy Christy, Pastor Aleese. Willing to learn more and interested in being a part of a group? Contact Pastor Aleese. Please indicate your interest in being a part of a group by August 31!
Additional Adult Faith Formation Group Options
In addition to Companions in Christ, we are excited to offer other options. Read below for more information!
Re:Storied
Re:Storied will be our adult Family Faith Night group for 2025-2026, meeting on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm at Grace Lutheran. This group will introduce participants to the whole of the Biblical narrative while providing opportunities to tangibly practice dwelling in God’s Word. Note: those who participated in Re:Storied in 2024-2025 are encouraged to participate in an alternative group as Re:Storied will focus on much of the same material.
For more information and/or to express interest, contact Pastor Aleese or Andy. To help assess our group size, respond with your interest by August 31.
Christians Underground
Christians Underground is a group that explores the upcoming lectionary Scriptures. This group meets on Wednesdays at Zion from 12:00 – 1:00pm. Participants are welcome to join us when they are able! We do meet during the summer as well. For more information and/or to express interest, contact Pastor Aleese.
Sunday morning Adult Education
Sunday Adult Education is offered at both Grace and Zion Lutheran on Sunday mornings following worship. More information about topic of study will be shared later this fall.
We may offer periodic adult education opportunities on Sunday mornings at Shepherd as well. Stay tuned!
Welcome to Maddy Carroll, New Era and Faith Together Muscatine Intern
Sunday, August 24
In just three short weeks, Intern Maddy will be joining us in Muscatine! You can be a part of welcoming her by joining us for worship at New Era on Sunday, August 24. Worship will be at 11:00 am. Stick around afterwards for a potluck meal! Pulled pork and buns will be provided. Read below to get to know a bit about Maddy before she arrives!
Maddy Bio
“I was born and raised in Bettendorf, Iowa. My parents are Jeff and Jamie Carroll and I have an older sister, Bailey, and younger brother, Luke. Family is very important to me. I am very close and spend a lot of time with both my immediate family and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I also have the most adorable nephew, Brady who is 10 months old.
I credit my strong faith and understanding of my call to the women in my family. My Great Grandma, Ann, who I had the privilege of knowing for the first twelve years of my life, raised her children in a Lutheran household, which led my grandma and mother to do the same. I was raised attending St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa where I was very active as a child and youth in the different programming. I found my love of learning about religion here.
I graduated from Bettendorf High School in 2017 and continued my studies at Wartburg College where I majored in Religion and minored in Leadership. I was also very active in the women’s choir and was on the cheerleading team during my time at Wartburg. I graduated with my Bachelors in December of 2020. In the fall of 2021, after a short break from school, I began my time at Wartburg Theological Seminary, where I have been studying to become a Deacon. I have completed my course work and clinical pastoral education and will now be completing my internship alongside all of you.
I am so excited and appreciative of the opportunity to join your congregation and grow in my faith and understanding with you. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you in our time together.”
Muscatine Youth, Children’s, & Littlest Angels’ Choirs
The Muscatine Youth, Children’s, and Littlest Angels’ Choirs offer young people in the Muscatine area an opportunity to grow their vocal talents and teamwork skills within a choir setting. These are free community choirs based at Wesley United Methodist Church. Click here to learn more and register!
Bible Distribution Sunday
Sunday, September 7
At each baptism, the congregation makes the promise to help support parents in raising their child in the Christian faith. One way SOTC does that is to provide Bibles to kids at 3-years-old, 3rd grade, and 7th grade. Be sure to join us for worship as we entrust God’s Word into the hands of 5 of our youth!
Blessing of Backpacks (And Bags!) Sunday
Sunday, September 14
We all carry around bags…not just students! After uplifting God’s Work Our Hands Sunday on Sept 7, we’ll have a special blessing Sunday to bless 1) the food contributed to MCSA, and 2) our bags that help us live out our daily vocations. Bring your bag to worship and get a tag to take with you!