SOTC Bonfire Night
Saturday, August 27 @ 6pm
Join your church family for a hot dog roast, games, and s’mores! We’ll gather outside at about 6pm. Because of changing family schedules, we will not be camping out overnight as previously planned. However, we will still have outdoor worship the following morning. If you’re willing to provide food to share, contact Mackenzie Gilbert.
Outdoor Worship
Sunday, August 28
You bring a lawn chair and we’ll provide the rest! Tent will be set up to provide shade. Families of Sunday School kids, VBS kids, and Camp EWALU kids – we’ll need your help as we’ll be singing some of our VBS/camp songs during worship! Make sure to join us outside as we worship in God’s good creation!
Family Faith Nights Announcements
Wednesday, August 31 @ 6:00 pm @ Grace
The Family Faith Night year is about to kick off! Here are some things to note:
1. Kick Off Night | Wed, August 31 @ 6pm: All elementary kids, middle school youth, and those who will be participating in Adult Confirmation or Sojourners are invited to join us at Grace for our first night together. Meal provided.
2. Elementary Group Leaders Needed: Our middle school and adult group leaders will remain static, but we are looking for volunteers to sign up to help lead our elementary group. Leaders can sign up for whatever date works best in their schedule. Then, we’ll provide materials for you to use with the kids. If you’re willing to help out, sign up via a master spreadsheet shared between churches. Having trouble accessing the spreadsheet? Contact Kathy in the main office for assistance.
3. Like “Faith Together Muscatine” on Facebook: To create a landing page for announcements related to Family Faith Nights – in addition to other shared ministry between SOTC, Grace, and Zion – we’ve created a Faith Together Muscatine Facebook page. Like it and subscribe for updates to stay in the loop!
Rally Sunday and God’s Work Our Hands Day
Sunday, September 11
Each year, the ELCA participates in a day of service to benefit the local community. This year, following worship, we will be finishing up some yard work and projects inside our church building, and also cleaning up trash in nearby ditches. So as to help our Shepherds engage in acts of service throughout the year, our Service Team will also be sharing a list of volunteer opportunities in the community on Sept 11. Join us as we bring our hands together to do God’s work within our congregation and in the community!
Note re Sunday Adult Education
This fall, we have the opportunity to engage in a few new groups like Adult Confirmation, Sojourners, and Companions. Those groups will compliment groups like Christians Underground and Women’s Group, that are already meeting. Because of these varied opportunities, our Education Team made the decision that we will not host Sunday morning Adult Ed this coming year. Instead, we encourage adults to invest themselves in other groups that are meeting.
However, if you are looking for a Sunday Adult Education opportunity, both Grace and Zion have offered for us to come and join them. Both Grace and Zion host Adult Ed at about 10:15. More information to come about what they will be focusing on in their study.
Finally, if you are looking for a group to connect with, but are unsure what might be a good fit for you, contact Pastor Aleese. Together, our aim is to provide a space for all our Shepherds to grow and develop as disciples of Jesus!
Bible Blessing Sunday
Sunday, September 18
Each year, SOTC distributes Bibles to 3-year-olds, 3rd graders, and incoming middle school/confirmation youth. We will be doing so on Sept. 18, but we also invite everyone in the congregation to bring your Bibles! We will be doing a special blessing of Bibles and will have some time for interaction during worship.
Family Nights this Fall!
This past spring we hosted monthly “family nights” to gather young adults and families with children and youth high-school aged and younger. Those monthly nights will be continuing this fall (schedule will be shared soon!) In conversation with our Education Team, these nights will also function as a “Sunday School” time for kids. Each month they’ll dive into a specific topic/story. Older youth are invited to help with younger kids and/or hang out with adults as they take some time to catch up with one another and engage in conversations of faith and life. Be on the look out for more details to be shared soon!