Trunk or Treat
Wednesday, October 30, 6:00 – 7:15pm
Hosted at Grace Lutheran
Dig out those spooky costumes and come to a safe and magical Trunk or Treat event hosted by Faith Together Muscatine. The event will be held in Grace’s parking lot in conjunction with Family Faith Nights. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to share with our local food pantry – but it is not required.
We’re looking for people to host trunks! Trunks need to be set up by 5:30. Bring your own candy and decorations. Games are encouraged but not required. Sign up to host a trunk by signing up via this link or the paper sign up in the narthex.
Invite your friends and family and we’ll see you there…if you dare!
Listen,God is Calling Stewardship Opportunities
We’re looking forward to the coming weeks! See below and mark your calendars!
Sunday, October 6 & 13 | Return Pledge Cards and Posters
On Sunday, September 29, we will distribute a pledge card and a pledge poster. The pledge poster is meant as an exercise for an entire family/household. Consider, and pray over, how God is calling you in your lives, in our congregation, and in our community. Reflect on your responses, write them on the poster, and then bring it back to SOTC to tape to our window wall in the narthex.
Financial pledge cards will also be distributed this year as an encourage to consider our commitment to fostering the mission of Jesus through Shepherd of the Cross. Though stewardship is more than money, money is also a part of the resources that God has entrusted to us.
Sunday, October 6 | Sock-tober Drive begins
Live out your response to God’s generosity by serving others! We’ll collect socks for Laundry Love, an initiative that offers low-cost laundry services to Muscatine families and basic essentials.
Sunday, October 13 | Celebration Breakfast Potluck
Celebrate the invitations God has given us and our collective response of praise! To have a good spread, sign up to bring something! We’re looking for breakfast casseroles, muffins, fruit, and drinks. Sign up in the narthex or contact the church office.
Soup Fest
Sunday, November 3
As we look to fall, we’re also looking forward to SOTC’s (nearly) annual Soup Fest event. Once again, SOTC will host Soup Fest on the first Sunday of November. Sign up sheets are available in the narthex for bakers, cooks, servers, dish washers, and the like. Mark your calendars, and print and share the flyer to let others know about this event!
Muscatine CROP Hunger Walk
Sunday, October 6, @ 2:00pm, at the Riverfront
Muscatine is excited to host another CROP Hunger Walk, funding hunger initiatiatives close to home and domestically (25% of the money collected is returned to the Muscatine Community Food Pantry and Bag of Blessings at the Muscatine Community Schools). If you’re interested in joining the cause against hunger, here are some ways to participate:
- Donate to Shepherd’s Team | Give online any amount! Click the orange “Make a Donation” button on the side of the page. Enter your information and make sure to include that your donation is in support of Shepherd of the Cross.
- Walk on October 6 | Contact Kathy if you’d like to represent Shepherd and walk with us.
Literacy Program @ Grace Lutheran
The afterschool literacy program at Grace Lutheran Church needs help expanding theirr pool of volunteers. If you like to listen to youngsters read aloud, this opportunity is for you!
Volunteers are needed Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Most volunteers need only be at the church from 4:00 – 5:00 pm once or twice each month.
If you are interested in volunteering or need to know more about this program, please contact Deb Holliday, at 563-299-2145. You can also contact our Director of Literacy, Karen Woods via email.
Seeking Food Donations!
The SOTC council is excited to reboot our weekly food drive to help support our local MCSA food pantry! As the needs in our community grow, this is a great opportunity to come together and help those in need. Some needed items are (pop top cans preferred):
- bottled water
- soup
- peas
- mixed veggies
- meats
- pineapple
- oranges
- peaches
- toilet paper
Christian Day Camp Thank You
We’ve recently received a thank you from Cindy Axtell, one of the leaders of Christian Day Camp. Take a look below to hear more and learn how you can help!
Hello Shepherd of the Cross,
Thank you for supporting Christian Day Camp! There were 24 churches involved and 150 kids and 50 adults (approximately). This coming summer, we are offering two weeks of elementary camp since last year we had to turn away 50 kids. Your participation is vital to continuing this mission work in our local area.
There are many ways to help:
Actively – Be a leader or a helper.
Financially – We have bills to pay and wish to keep this as a free community activity (except for the t-shirt)
Gifts and Talents – What can you share?
Meals – Those campers loved the meal porvided by churches.
Come be a part of this amazing mission and watch the benefits of coming together as all God’s people telling kids of God’s love.
Questions? Answers? call Cindy 563-2260-5673.
Shepherd Kid Days
October 18, 9:00-11:00 am
Along with our Stewardship focus during worship on Sundays, we’re also hosting a special event for our Shepherd kids to learn how they also live as stewards!
Pastor Aleese has been in touch with families with chidlren K-6. If you were missed, our apologies! Reach out to Pastor Aleese. Have some friends who’d like to join? They’re more than welcome! Contact Pastor Aleese so we can plan for the appropriate number of kids.
2025 SOTC Budget
Distributed November 10
Each fall, our teams, along with Council, put together a budget to plan for ministry in the upcoming year. Proposed 2025 budgets will be shared with the congregation on Sunday, November 10. Congregational meeting to vote on the budget, as well as recieve an update on the cell tower lease. will be Sunday, November 24 after worship. Questions can be directed to Delene McConnaha.