Author: Pastor Aleese Kenitzer

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Worship Services

Worship: Lost and Found

Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 51:1-10 | In the era in which driving with a GPS is the norm, the chance of getting lost is greatly diminished because of a computer system constantly “re-calculating” where you are. But in our lives, we might not always feel as though we have a clear GPS guiding us, and more often than we care to admit, we may feel a bit lost. Whether you feel as though you’re right on track, or have completely lost your way, join us for worship as we hear God’s promise to persistently seek after us and as we are commissioned to dedicate ourselves one to another.

Sunday, September 11, 2022, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Lead Me, Guide Me. Text and Music: Doris Akers, 1922-1995. Music: © 1953 Doris Akers, admin. Unichappell Music, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Christ, Be Our Light. Text and Music: Bernadette Farrell, b. 1957. Music: © 1993 Bernadette Farrell, admin. OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: God Is Here!. Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Music: Cyril V. Taylor, 1907-1991. Text: © 1979 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © 1942, ren. 1970 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling. Text and Music: Will L. Thompson, 1847-1909. Words and Music: © OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: The King of Love My Shepherd Is. Text: Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877. Music: Irish tune. Words and Music: © OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Change My Heart, O God. Text and Music: Eddie Espinosa, b. 1953. Text and Music: © 1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing, admin. Music Services.  Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Go Now. Words and Music: Hans Peterson and Larry Olson. Words © 2006 Dakota Road Music.  Covered under One License subscription. Liturgy: Now the Feast and Celebration. by Marty Haugen.©1990 by GIA Publications, Inc.  Covered under One License subscription. 

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Worship Services

Worship: Follow Me

Luke 9:51-62 |”Follow me,” Jesus says. Often, Christians may refer to themselves as “followers of Jesus.”  But what does that mean about how we live our lives? And who we are? Join us for worship as we hear Christ’s call to walk in discipleship, and as we led toward God’s gift of life. Special thanks to Pastor Bill Runaas for supplying at Shepherd of the Cross this weekend.

Sunday, June 26, 2022, Third Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Text and Music: Joel Raney. Text and Music: © 2011 Hope Publishing Company. River of Glory. Text and Music: Dan Shutte. Text and Music: © 1991 OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Hymn: Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me. Text: Julie von Hausmann, 1825-1901; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship. Music: Fredrich Silcher, 1789-1860. Text and Music: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Will You Come and Follow Me. Text: John L. Bell, b. 1949. Music: Scottish traditional. Test and Music: © 1987 Iona Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Text and Music: North American traditional. Public Domain. In the Breaking of the Bread (The Summons). Text and Music: John Bell, b.1949. Text and Music: © 1987 Iona Community/WGRG (North America). Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Lead Me, Guide Me. Text and Music: Doris Akers, 1922-1995. Text and Music: © 1953 Doris Akers, admin. Unichappell Music, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

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Uncategorized

Blog: A Bigger Pot

Along with many in the Muscatine community, recently I took my annual pilgrimage to the local greenhouse to purchase a selection of vegetables and flowers. Carefully transferring these delicate samplings into my car and then into the ground, I was proud of myself creating an environment for those little guys to grow.  Taking a step back, it baffled me to think that, by the end of the summer, those thin samplings would emerge into full-blown plants needing cages to support them!

Dusting off my gloves, I made my way inside. But as I was grabbing a glass of water in the kitchen, my eye caught a succulent in a small, small pot. The succulent was a gift from a friend, given years ago, and clearly, the plant had outgrown the pot. For quite some time, repotting the plant had been an item on my to-do list. But I’d been stalling. It takes work to re-pot, I told myself. It takes time. It takes energy. And it takes new materials to work with. So, with all those excuses, for months that little succulent had stayed in a miniature pot even though it truly, truly needed something bigger.

But alas, after tending to plants outside, I recognized that maybe it was time to create a better environment for my plants inside. So, with a trip to the basement for a bigger pot, and a trip to Menards to get the right potting soil, that little succulent finally got a better home. And lo and behold, in the short time since that succulent has been in a bigger pot, the growth I’ve witnessed has been nothing short of mind-boggling.

Cleaning up my materials, it made me wonder about the times in our lives in which we keep ourselves in a smaller pot than we really need.  We might recognize that something needs to change, that we’re settling, or that we need something “more” to really grow. But that takes extra work. Extra time. Extra energy. And, sometimes, other supplies or tools than we currently have at our disposal. So, we make excuses. Other things, or other people, need our attention, we tell ourselves.

But here’s the thing: when we finally allow ourselves to be replanted in a bigger pot, there’s often a heck of a lot of growth. So much so that it’s mind-boggling.

So as you look to the summer, I encourage you to consider if there are ways in which you are keeping yourself in a smaller pot than you really need in order to grow. Might there be parts of your life that need to be re-potted? Where are you feeling constricted? Where are you playing it “small”?

Just like those small samplings at our local greenhouses are not meant to stay six inches tall, you also are not meant to remain the same. You were created to grow and to thrive. So seek out those extra supplies and tools if you need ‘em and get your hands a little dirty. Because the result might very well be mind-boggling growth.

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Worship Services

Midweek Worship: Brazen Act of Beauty

John 12:1-8 | Before entering Holy Week, we join with Mary as she anoints Jesus’ feet. Experiencing this story for ourselves, in our midweek worship we will be invited into a different form of meditation reading and prayer. Join us as we humbly come before Jesus in thanksgiving, love, and adoration.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Midweek Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
Holden Evening Prayer: Text and Music: Marty Haugen Procession of Light: Text and Music: © 1990, 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Evening Hymn: © 1990, 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Evening Thanksgiving: © 1990, 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Psalmody: © 1990, 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn: Beneath the Cross of Jesus. Text: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830-1869. Music: Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Prayers written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer

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Worship Services

Worship: An Invitation has Arrived…for You

Luke 2:1-20 | Throughout the season of Advent, we were invited to come home, coming home to each other, and coming home to Christ. Hearing the Christmas story yet again this year, it’s clear that each character also received an invitation to be a part of God’s purposes in the world. That is, except one person: Jesus, the Son of God. God never received an invitation to come to us, and yet, out of love, God didn’t wait. God came to us because he knew we needed his presence, his mercy, his love, and his forgiveness. So now that Christ has come, now we are given an invitation to come home to our Lord. Join us for worship as the characters of our live nativity lead us through various invitations given long ago—and still given today—as we ponder our invitation to be a part of God’s purposes in the world.

Worship Bulletin: Christmas Eve

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem. Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893. Music: ST. LOUIS, Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908. Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Away in a Manger. Text: North American, 19th cent. Music: James R Murray, 1841-1905. Public Domain. Communion Song 1: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly. Text: Polish carol; tr. Edith M. G. Reed, 1885-1933, alt. Music: W ŻŁOBIE LEŻY, Polish carol. Public Domain. Communion Song 2: What Child Is This. Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898. Music: GREENSLEEVES, English ballad, 16th cent. Public Domain. Sending Song: Silent Night. Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885. Music: STILLE NACHT, Franz Gruber, 1787-1863. Public Domain. Prayers were written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer

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Worship Services

Worship: All Things New

John 11:32-44, Revelation 21:1-6a | Once a year the church pauses to remember the saints—not just those who are “perfect”—but all God’s children who have been named claimed, and chosen as saints through the gift of baptism. But just as much as we remember the communion of all the saints that we join, we also remember a truth that is often shoved under the rug: the reality of death. Death lurks all around us and even with us. Yet, even though death may seem inevitable, in Christ, we are promised that something else is inevitable: resurrection. Join us for worship as we are promised that all things are made new, even now, sending us forth to live in the life of Christ.

All Saints Day Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.

 

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Worship Services

Worship: Be Opened

Mark 7: 24-37 | “Be opened,” Jesus says to the deaf and mute man in our Gospel reading. In a moment, the man’s ears and tongue were released, and his world changed. But at that moment, he was also confronted with external stimuli that he likely was receiving for the first time. Healed and whole, he also found himself in an entirely different world. As people brought to the table of our Lord, we too are offered healing in the name of Christ and are given the invitation to be opened to God’s gift of life. But that openness may open us to different things around us, and may even open us to different things within us. So do we allow Jesus to “open” us, knowing that it may open us to new perspectives, new ways of being, and new understandings of ourselves? Join us for worship as we consider Christ’s invitation, and as we once again are fed the bread of life given to all God’s children.

Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Ye Servants of God.  Music: Craig Courtney. Music: © 2003 Beckenhorst Press, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing. Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.  Music: AZMON, Carl G. Glaser, 1784-1829; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872. © 1917 Willow Publishing Pty. Ltd. Public Domain. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Light Dawns on a Weary World. Text and Music: Mary Louise Bringle, William P. Rowan. Words and Music ©2000, 2002 GIA Publications, Inc.  Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: God Extends an Invitation. Words and Music by Gerhard Cartford, Miria T. Kolling. Words and Music: © 1998 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love. Text and Music: Tom Colvin. Music: © 1969 Hope Publishing company.  Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Lord of Justice. Words and Music: Larry Olson. Words © 1989 Dakota Road Music.  Covered under One License subscription. Liturgy: Now the Feast and Celebration. by Marty Haugen.©1990 by GIA Publications, Inc.  Covered under One License subscription. 

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Our Life Together

News & Events

Rally Sunday/God’s Work Our Hands Day

Sunday, September 12

Along with ELCA congregations nationwide, we will be celebrating God’s Work Our Hands Sunday on September 12. Here’s what you need to know:

Worship – 9:00 am
Wear a SOTC t-shirt or one of your older “God’s Work Our Hands” t-shirts! Together, we’ll lift our rallying cry to Jesus and join ourselves with the whole Christian church in worship. 

Fellowship – 10:15 am
Following worship, we’ll have our typical fellowship hour. 

Service Projects around the Church – 10:45 am-ish
We need your hands to help with some service projects! Either come to church in work clothes, or bring a change of clothes. Property Team is compiling a list of projects that need our help. Examples include: washing windows, deep clean of sanctuary, staining outside deck. 

Community Collection
Shepherd is working with Zion and Grace to identify a community drive for the weekend. More information to come next week

Shared Ministry – 30 Days of Prayer

By now, you’ve likely heard about the 30 days of prayer we have committed ourselves to throughout the month of August. Please pray with us as we ask for God’s guidance – discerning how God may be calling us to further collaborative ministry, and discerning who from among us at SOTC may be called to serve on a joint ELCA team. Looking to nominate someone for the joint ELCA team? Offer nominations in writing in the narthex or using this Google form. 

Questions? Talk with your Council members, Visioning team members and/or Pastor Aleese. Thank you, in advance, for helping us invoke the Spirit as we consider our call to the greater Muscatine community!

Shared Ministry – 30 Days of Prayer Summary PDF

Daily Prayer Prompts

Baptism of Elliot Thoma

On August 8, we had the honor of witnessing the baptism of Elliot Thoma during worship! We welcome Elliot into the body of Christ and the mission we share as one in Christ!

Fall Family Faith Formation Opportunities 

We are excited to be planning ahead for children, youth and family faith formation opportunities! Check out some of the plans in the works!

Family Faith Nights – Wednesdays at 6:00pm
Shepherd will be collaborating with Zion and Grace to offer a family faith night open to PreK-adults. Aim to to have a meal to start, and then break into age appropriate groups. Parents of children PreK-grade 12: if you haven’t already completed the family feedback form, today August 17 is your last chance to do so!  

Family Feedback Form

Sunday School – Sundays at 10:30 am
This year, Sunday School will be condensed to about 20 minutes  to accommodate family schedules. Plan to join us starting September 19 for song time, a review of the story we heard in worship and a brief activity. 

Adult Faith Formation
Looking to engage more deeply in Scripture and conversations of faith? Reach out to Pastor Aleese, who’s coordinating people according to thier desires for further engagement. 

Shared Ministry Roundtable Discussion

Sunday, August 22

Following worship, we will host a roundtable discussion as a chance to offer your feedback, questions, concerns, and how the Spirit has been working in you throughout August. Looking forward to continuing the conversation with you all and hearing how God has been stirring you all!

Tone Chimes Choir

Did you hear the tone chimes play in worship this summer and now are looking to join? Consider joining the fun this fall! Rehearsals will be Saturday mornings at 9:00 am. For more information, contact Jon Thoma.

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Worship Services

Worship: You are What You Eat

John 6:51-58 | “You are what you eat,” goes the traditional nutritional advice. Many of us have heard this in reference to our physical bodies, and it is common for fad diets to incorporate this phraseology into their marketing. But what about what we feed our minds, our souls, and our spirits? Join us for worship as we hear the invitation from Jesus to consume that which gives life, sending us forth to be Christ’s bread of life in the world today.

Twelfth Sunday of Pentecost Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Standin’ in the Need of Prayer. Text:. Music- ©. Covered under CCLI subscription. Gathering Song:As We Gather at Your Table. Text: Carl P. Daw Jr., b. 1944. Music: IN BABILONE,Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse Boerenlities en Contradansen, 1710. Text © 1989 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: By Your Hand You Feed Your People. Text: Susan R. Riehl, b. 1952. Music: CAMROSE, Marty Haugen, b. 1950.. Text and music © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Give Thanks. Text and Music: Henry Smith. Text and music © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. Covered Under One License subscription. Communion Songs: Come, Let Us Eat. Text: Billema Kwaillia, b. 1925, sts. 1-3; Gilbert E. Doan Jr., b. 1930, st. 4, alt.; tr. Margaret D. Miller, b. 1927, sts. 1-3, alt. Music: A VA DE, Billema Kwillia, adapt. Text sts. 1-3 and tune © Lutheran World Federation; text st. 4 and music adapt. © 1972 Contemporary Worship 4, admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Covered under One License subscription.  You Satisfy the Hungry Heart. Text: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997. Music: BICENTENNIAL, Robert E. Kreutz, 1922-1996. Text and music © 1977 Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  Covered under One License subscription.  Sending Song: Go Now. Text and Music: Hans Peterson and Larry Olson. © 2006 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription.

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Our Life Together

News & Events

Shared Ministry – 30 Days of Prayer

Last Sunday, we shared with the congregation an invitation to embark on a 30 day prayer journey.  The intent of this prayer journey is two-fold:

  • to ask for God’s guidance as we discern if God is calling us to further collaborative ministry with our fellow ELCA congregations,
  • and to ask for God’s guidance as we nominate people to serve on a joint ELCA team.

To get the full scoop of what opportunities lay before us, review the video that was shared on August 1 or take a look at the summary pdf below. Mark your calendars now for Sunday, August 22 (after worship) as a chance to offer your feedback, questions, concerns, and how the Spirit has been working in you throughout August. 

Looking to nominate someone for the joint ELCA team? Offer nominations in writing in the narthex or using this Google form. 

Questions? Talk with your Council members, Visioning team members and/or Pastor Aleese. Thank you, in advance, for helping us invoke the Spirit as we consider our call to the greater Muscatine community!

SHARED MINISTRY – 30 DAYS OF PRAYER SUMMARY PDF

DAILY PRAYER PROMPTS

Storage Shed Update

Based on the feedback we received from the congregation, the Property Team has elected to proceed with the purchase of a storage shed.  Shed has been ordered and is expected to arrive late September at the earliest.  If you have any questions regarding our coming storage shed, talk to Nick Gilbert. 

Fall Family Faith Formation Opportunities 

Last year, we experimented with a Family Faith Night model – inviting parents, kids and youth of all ages to join us. This year, we are continuing a similar model, but are excited to announce we will be collaborating with both Grace and Zion! 

So as to plan ahead effectively, each congregation’s Education Team is asking families with kids PreK- grade 12 to complete the following family feedback form. Hope is to have a group for elementary kids, middle school youth (aka: FINK, our confirmation ministry program), high schoolers, and adults. Exact time, dates, and locations are TBD based on interest. 

Please fill out this survey to the best of your ability by Sunday, Aug 15 so our teams can make plans for the coming year. If you have any questions, talk to Pastor Aleese, Mackenzie Gilbert, or Jamie Vircks. 

FAMILY FEEDBACK FORM

God’s Work Our Hands Sunday and Rally Day

Plans are in the making for possible God’s Work Our Hands service projects and a jump-start to our fall program year! Stay tuned for further details. Bibles for 3-year-olds, 3rd graders, and incoming confirmation/FINK students will be distributed on Rally Day.