Initiatives Wrapping Up this Sunday
Sunday, October 19
Throughout the month, we’ve been sharing information regarding several intiatives, projects, and opportunities. Many wrap up this Sunday!
Return Pledge Cards
This month we’ve given Shepherds the opportunity to reflect on how we are called share our resources to suport the mission of Jesus through Shepherd of the Cross. Please return pledge cards by this coming Sunday, October 19! This is important as your Council puts together an appropriate budget for 2026.
If you have questions, talk to a Stewardship Team member (Mackenzie Gilbert, Heather Allen, Melanie Wachtel) or Pastor Aleese.
Laundry Soap and Sock Drive
This Sunday is it! Bring in donations of socks and materials to make laundry soap. Laundry soap will be made as a part of Family Faith Night.
Socks must be new. Items needed for laundry soap are:
- Fels Naptha soap bars
- Washing soda
- Borax
- Oxi-clean powder
Adult Ed Sessions
Join us for one last Sunday of our Adult Ed sessions! After exploring what it means to be Lutheran, what it means to be ELCA, and what happened at the Churchwide Assembly, we turn our attention to what it menas to be a part of SOTC and Faith Together Muscatine.
Though we will pause our Adult Ed gatherings after this Sunday, we will likely begin another burst of Adult Ed weeks in Advent. For more information, talk to Pastor Aleese.
Wear red for Reformation Day!
Sundays, October 26
Each year we celebrate Reformation Day on the last Sunday of October. This day is not only a day to remember our heritage as a church, but more importantly, a day to be a part of God’s continued, reforming work in us and in the world.
To emulate the power of God’s reformation by the power of the Spirit, wear red to church on Sunday, October 26!
Trunk or Treat in 2 weeks!
Wednesday, October 29 @ Grace
6:00 – 7:30pm
Trunk or Treat has become a staple community outreach event for Faith Together Muscatine. Here’s how you can help make it a success:
- Host a trunk – Sign up here 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!
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 can be found in the narthex.
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.
If you have someone you would like remembered in our litany during worship, write their name down (and yours!) on a sign up sheet in the narthex, or contact Pastor Aleese. Those desiring to remember a saint will be invited to light a candle in that person’s 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).