Bishop Current is coming to SOTC!
Sunday, April 10
We have an awesome opportunity in a few weeks to welcome Bishop Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, to SOTC! In an effort to better connect with congregations in the synod, members of the synod staff have been visiting congregations in-person.
At the same time, Bishop Current has been meeting (via Zoom) with over 100 congregations in the synod in an effort to learn the hopes, fears, and sense of mission within various congregations. Though completely separate from Bishop Current’s visit on April 10, Shepherd recently had the opportunity to participate in this virtual conversation as well. For this conversation, Pastor Aleese was asked to bring together our Council president (Delene McConnaha) and two other lay leaders. To round out the conversation, Pastor Aleese asked Heather Allen (previous Council president) and Mackenzie Gilbert (current Council liaison) to join the conversation. Ask any one of these people how the conversation went and they can assure you that the conversation was incredibly positive and affirming of Shepherd!
If you’d like to hear more about this conversation, stop Delene, Heather, Mackenzie or Pastor Aleese when you see ’em. And, if you’d like to help us welcome Bishop Current in true Shepherd form, join us on April 10 as we celebrate Palm Sunday!
Lenten Midweek Meals and Worship
Wednesday, March 23
Reminder that we continue to gather for a meal from 5:30-6:15 pm and worship from 6:30-7:15 pm. This Wednesday we will take another look at our Gospel reading and consider God’s role and our role in repentance and bearing fruit.
March 23 Menu: Hot Chicken Sandwiches, Chips, Veggies or Fruit, and Dessert
We still have a few openings for our last Lenten meal on April 6. If you can help, please sign up here!
Easter Flowers
Sign up between March 6 – March 27
Would you like to purchase flowers to help SOTC decorate for Easter? There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex or you may contact the office. Please indicate who you would like the flowers to be in honor or memory of. The cost is $10 per flower.
Can you help make laundry soap?
Did you know that families can go months with only one batch of the laundry soap we’re making? And better yet…one batch only costs about $25 to make! Challenge yourself to bring one of these items each week between now and the end of Lent! Thanks for your support of our community!
- baking soda (4 lb. boxes)
- borax (4 lb. boxes)
- Fels Naptha bar soap
- Oxi Clean (4 lb. containers)
- Washing soda
Eastern Europe Crisis Response
Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying our companions in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, as well as such ecumenical partners as Lutheran World Federation and Church World Service, in their humanitarian responses to the crisis. These partners provide refugees with immediate support and supplies such as food, blankets, water, and hygiene kits. If you would like to help support these efforts, give here.
Holy Week at SOTC
As we cross the halfway mark in the season of Lent, be sure to mark your calendars to join us as we remember the final week of Christ’s life. All are welcome!
Palm Sunday Worship
Sunday, April 10 @ 9:00 am
Maundy Thursday Worship
Thursday, April 14 @ 7:00 pm
Good Friday Worship
Friday, April 15 @ 7:00 pm
Easter Breakfast/Egg Hunt
Details forthcoming
Easter Sunday Worship
Sunday, April 17 @ 9:00 am
Family Night @ SOTC
Sun, April 10 @ 6:00 pm
This February, a small group of families gathered together for a meal and fellowship to help welcome some of our new member families. Since then, it’s clear that there is a hunger for more fellowship among young adults and families with youth PreK-High School.
This group is not meant to be exclusive; rather, the goal is to bring together people of similar life experiences to grow together in relationship and in faith.
If you haven’t been able to join us yet, mark your calendars for our April gathering. Know that Pastor Aleese will be in touch via email with further details.