Our journey through Advent takes us to Christmas Eve worship. Join us for a candlelight communion service, closing with singing Silent Night. If you have kids joining you for worship, all kids will be invited forward during the hymn of the day to help lead the congregation in song and actions.
Women’s Epiphany Party
Sunday, January 9 @ 6:00 pm
Each January, SOTC Women gather for a women’s Epiphany party. Join us for food, fellowship, a blessing of our doors, and a candle exchange. Bring a (wrapped) candle for the exchange and some appetizers/treats to share. Women of all ages welcome!
2021 Annual Report and Meeting
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Annual Reports will be available to the congregation Sunday, January 9. Annual Meeting will be immediately after worship on Sunday, January 23. During this meeting, we will be electing new leaders
Year End Contributions
Please note that the last Sunday for 2021 contributions is December 26, 2021. Contributions given after that date will be deposited in 2022. Year end giving statements will be distributed in early January.
Office Hours- Christmas Eve through New Years
The church office will be closed Christmas Day (Dec 25) and New Years Eve (De 31). Normal office hours will resume January 3rd.
Family Faith Nights and High School Youth Group
Both Family Faith Nights and High School Youth Group will resume in the new year. Family Faith Nights begin again on Wednesday, January 5 and High School Youth Group begins again on Sunday, January 9.
Luke 1: 39-56 | When you have important news to share, who do you go and tell? Many of us have people we trust, but with some news, it may be difficult to know exactly how another person will respond. In our last Gospel of this Advent season, we hear the story of Mary going to share the news of her pregnancy with her relative, Elizabeth. Together, with one another, Mary and Elizabeth found the space of sanctuary that they were seeking. Still today, God gifts us with people, and places, of sanctuary where we are welcomed, loved, and accepted without judgment. But in love, God has also created a sanctuary within us. As we conclude our Advent journey, join us as we seek the sanctuary within ourselves where Christ is already dwelling and growing.
Those who joined us on Sunday evening for our SOTC Christmas party had a blast! From cookies, to bingo, to Christmas Pictionary, it was great to gather together with our Shepherds as we prepared for Christ’s birth!
Caroling at Sunnybrook
Sunday, December 19 @ 10:45 am
Singing Christmas carols together is always a ton of fun, but it’s even more fun to help others smile! Following worship and fellowship on Sunday, December 19, we’ll carpool over to Sunnybrook to carol for residents. We’ll provide songbooks. All you need to bring is your voice, a facemask, and maybe a Santa hat or Christmas apparel! All ages welcome!
We Need Helpers for Christmas Eve Worship!
Friday, December 24 @ 4:00 pm
Our journey through Advent takes us to Christmas Eve worship. But in order to make this holy night special, we need your help! Can you help in any of the following ways?
Live Nativity: We will have people dressed in costume during the reading of the Christmas Gospel. If you’re willing to be a part of the live nativity, contact Pastor Aleese.
Kids Singing Away in a Manger: Kids are invited to help, too! Beginning this past Sunday, we have been reviewing “Away in Manager” during Sunday School. During Christmas Eve worship, kids will be invited forward to help lead the congregation in song and actions.
We hope to see you in worship with us as we gather around Christ’s manger!
Thank you for your support of LSI Families
Thanks to your help, we supported 16 children in our community this Christmas! Thank you for making the Christmas season a bit brighter for families in the Muscatine area!
Year End Contributions
Please note that the last Sunday for 2021 contributions is December 26, 2021. Contributions given after that date will be deposited in 2022. Year end giving statements will be distributed in early January.
2021 Annual Report and Meeting
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Annual Reports will be available to the congregation Sunday, January 9. Annual Meeting will be immediately after worship on Sunday, January 23. During this meeting, we will be electing new leaders. We are still seeking a nomination for the Treasurer position. If you are interested in this position, contact one of the Nominating Team members: Daryl Eichelberger, Roger Luft, Betty Burch, Heather Allen.
Luke 3:1-18 | As we anticipate the birth of our Lord, Emmanuel, we trust God’s promise that God will make a way to come to us—no matter the cost. But though our God is determined to draw close to home with us, all too often, we create our own roadblocks inhibiting ourselves from fully participating in God’s good gifts, and we create roadblocks inhibiting others from fully participating in God’s promised kingdom. As we prepare for Christmas, take time to “prepare the way” along with us by making a way for Christ to come to you, and making a way for all God’s children to be welcomed home.
Our Advent bulletin board is growing! Thanks to those who have brought in a picture of what “home” signifies to you. We’re still missing many of our Shepherds, however. Bring in your picture between now and Christmas Eve!
Looking for other news of what’s going on this Advent and/or for devotional resources? Check our Advent-Christmas page on our website for more information, and take a look at our Facebook and Instagram pages for brief moments of reflection.
SOTC Christmas Party
Sunday, December 12, 6:00-7:30 pm
Join us for a night of games, fellowship and fun! Those who attend are invited to bring a plate of Christmas cookies to share. Games will include some Christmas-inspired activities, along with other generic games suited for children and adults of all ages.
LSI Angel Tree
Return by Sunday, December 12
Did you take a tag off our angel tree? Make sure gifts (unwrapped) are returned by this Sunday, December 12. Questions? Contact Cathy Bermel. Thank you for supporting families in Muscatine!
We Need Helpers for Christmas Eve Worship!
Friday, December 24 @ 4:00 pm
Our journey through Advent takes us to Christmas Eve worship. But in order to make this holy night special, we need your help! Can you help in any of the following ways?
Live Nativity: We will have people dressed in costume during the reading of the Christmas Gospel. If you’re willing to be a part of the live nativity, contact Pastor Aleese.
Kids Singing Away in a Manger: Kids are invited to help, too! Beginning this past Sunday, we have been reviewing “Away in Manager” during Sunday School. During Christmas Eve worship, kids will be invited forward to help lead the congregation in song and actions.
We hope to see you in worship with us as we gather around Christ’s manger!
Upcoming Holiday Concerts in the Community
Looking to support our Shepherds in holiday concerts this year? Or, looking for an opportunity to get in the holiday spirit? Here’s a list of concerts we are aware of. Feel free to share other concerts/dates/times with the church office and we will share with the congregation!
MHS Holiday Glow Concert | Featuring MHS choirs and MHS Symphony Friday, December 10 @ 7:00 pm
MHS Holiday Band Concert | Featuring MHS bands Saturday, December 11 @ 3:00 pm
Wesley Service of Lessons and Carols | Featuring Muscatine youth choirs, adult choirs, and string quartet Sunday, December 12 @ 2:00 pm
Caroling at Sunnybrook
Sunday, December 19 10:45 am
Singing Christmas carols together is always a ton of fun, but it’s even more fun to help others smile! Following worship and fellowship on Sunday, December 19, we’ll carpool over to Sunnybrook to carol for residents. We’ll provide songbooks. All you need to bring is your voice, a facemask, and maybe a Santa hat or Christmas apparel! All ages welcome!
Year End Contributions
Please note that the last Sunday for 2021 contributions is December 26, 2021. Contributions given after that date will be deposited in 2022. Year end giving statements will be distributed in early January.
2021 Annual Report and Meeting
Sunday, January 23, 2022
As we inch closer to Christmas, we also inch closer to the end of our year. Annual Reports will be available to the congregation Sunday, January 9. Annual Meeting will be immediately after worship on Sunday, January 23. During this meeting, we will be electing new leaders. We are still seeking a nomination for the Treasurer position. If you are interested in this position, contact one of the Nominating Team members: Daryl Eichelberger, Roger Luft, Betty Burch, Heather Allen.
Luke 1:57-80, Philippians 1:3-11 | Every parent has hopes and dreams for their child. At the birth of John the Baptist, his father Zechariah also had dreams. But John’s birth, and his life, would not be ordinary in the least. In time, John would become the one who would lay a foundation for the coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. When dreaming of bearing a child, was that the purpose Zechariah had in mind? Likely not. But convinced that God’s promises given to him were not just words, but something that could actually happen, Zechariah gave way to the greater narrative, and greater purpose, that God was calling him to participate in. Join us for worship as we consider how we are called to claim God’s promises as something that is being lived out among us, and as we are summoned to allow God’s purposes to flow through us as we work to build a world of peace.
Have you picked up your Advent devotional or calendar? Printed copies are in the narthex under the bulletin board. Here you will find an Advent calendar for your family’s use, and check out the individual devotional booklets available to Shepherd. Due to copyright, we are unable to publish those devotionals digitally, but will be sharing portions of them on our social media channels. Stay up to date with all things Advent-Christmas by checking the Advent-Christmas page on our website!
Christmas Poinsettias
By Sunday, December 5
Last chance to order a poinsettia in honor/memory of a loved one! Cost for poinsettias is $12. Not at the church, but want to get your name on the list? Contact Kathy.
Close to Home Bulletin Board
Don’t forget to bring your “home” pictures to church to add to our bulletin board! Bring a picture of you and your “home” or a picture that signifies what is “home” to you. Once at church, use the white notecards to add your name and a brief description. Help us learn from each other what “home” means!
LSI Angel Tree
Return by Sunday, December 12
This year, we are helping provide gifts for families through Lutheran Services of Iowa (LSI). Our Service Team has assembled an angel tree on the glass windows in the narthex with tags indicating gifts needed for children (boys and girls). Each child will receive either diapers/underwear and an educational toy. If you’d like to support a child, take a tag when at church, or contact Kathy Dunham who can sign you up. Gifts (unwrapped) are to be returned to Shepherd by December 12. Thank you for supporting families in Muscatine!
Upcoming Holiday Concerts in the Community
Looking to support our Shepherds in holiday concerts this year? Or, looking for an opportunity to get in the holiday spirit? Here’s a list of concerts we are aware of. Feel free to share other concerts/dates/times with the church office and we will share with the congregation!
Muscatine Symphony Holiday Concert | Free! Bring a canned food item to share as a part of a community drive Saturday, December 4 @ 7:00 pm
MHS Holiday Glow Concert | Featuring MHS choirs and MHS Symphony Friday, December 10 @ 7:00 pm
MHS Holiday Band Concert | Featuring MHS bands Saturday, December 11 @ 3:00 pm
Wesley Service of Lessons and Carols | Featuring Muscatine youth choirs, adult choirs, and string quartet Sunday, December 12 @ 2:00 pm
SOTC Christmas Party
Sunday, December 12 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Mark your calendars for a night of games, fellowship and fun! Those who attend are invited to bring a plate of Christmas cookies to share. Games will include some Christmas-inspired activities, along with other generic games suited for children and adults of all ages.
Caroling at Sunnybrook
Sunday, December 19 10:45 am
Singing Christmas carols together is always a ton of fun, but it’s even more fun to help others smile! Following worship and fellowship on Sunday, December 19, we’ll carpool over to Sunnybrook to carol for residents. We’ll provide songbooks. All you need to bring is your voice, a facemask, and maybe a Santa hat or Christmas apparel! All ages welcome!
This past Sunday we shared numerous resources for individuals and families to use during their Advent journey. An Advent calendar is available for your family’s use, and check out the individual devotional booklets available to Shepherd. Due to copyright, we are unable to publish those devotionals digitally, but will be sharing portions of them on our social media channels. Stay up to date with all things Advent-Christmas by checking the Advent-Christmas page on our website!
Christmas Poinsettias
By Sunday, December 5
Can you help us decorate the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas? We will be purchasing white poinsettias using funds collected last year for Christmas décor. These poinsettias will be used through Advent and Christmas. However, we’d also like to supplement with some red poinsettias for our celebration of Christmas. If you’re willing to help us out, sign up in the narthex. There is also room to indicate if you would like your poinsettia purchased in honor/memory of someone. Cost for poinsettias is $12. Not at the church, but want to get your name on the list? Contact Kathy.
Family Faith Night Wraps Diapers for Community Diaper Bank
About once a month, families involved in our Family Faith Nights engage in a service project. This month, we helped the Community Diaper Bank. Did you know that families who benefit from SNAP benefits cannot use thier benefits toward diapers? This often puts families in a bind when needing to provide for thier children. So as to help this effort, families from Shepherd and Grace repackaged diapers in smaller bunches to distribute. In the course of an hour, we packaged 1000s of diapers! As we were wrapping up our evening, leaders of the Diaper Bank said with great confidence that our group was by far the most efficient at completing the job put before them.
Ringers Needed for Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
Each year, Salvation Army recruits ringers to encourage giving at HyVee, Fareway, Wal-Mart, and Blaine’s Farm and Fleet. Ringing begins Friday, November 19. If you would like to sign up to assist, go to Register to Ring and complete your individual registration. Looking to ring with other Shepherds? Check with others and sign up together! Though we are not officially facilitating a specific time we are ringing together, members are more than welcome to coordinate together. Thanks for supporting local initiatives in our community!
LSI Angel Tree
This year, we are helping provide gifts for families through Lutheran Services of Iowa (LSI). Our Service Team has assembled an angel tree on the glass windows in the narthex with tags indicated gifts needed for children (boys and girls). Each child will receive either diapers/underwear and an educational toy. If you’d like to support a child, take a tag when at church, or contact Kathy Dunham who can sign you up. Gifts (unwrapped) are to be returned to Shepherd by December 12. Thank you for supporting families in Muscatine!
Close to Home Bulletin Board
Don’t forget to bring your “home” pictures to church to add to our bulletin board! Bring a picture of you and your “home” or a picture that signifies what is “home” to you. Once at church, use the white notecards to add your name and a brief description. Help us learn from each other what “home” means!
SOTC Christmas Party
Sunday, December 12 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Mark your calendars for a night of games, fellowship and fun! Those who attend are invited to bring a plate of Christmas cookies to share. Games will include some Christmas-inspired activities, along with other generic games suited for children and adults of all ages. More information to come soon. We hope to see you as we celebrate together!
Caroling at Sunnybrook
Sunday, December 19 10:45 am
Singing Christmas carols together is always a ton of fun, but it’s even more fun to help others smile! Following worship and fellowship on Sunday, December 19, we’ll carpool over to Sunnybrook to carol for residents. We’ll provide songbooks. All you need to bring is your voice, a facemask, and maybe a Santa hat or Christmas apparel! All ages welcome!
Psalm 122, Ephesians 2:11-22, John 14: 1-11 | “Home” carries many connotations for each of us. For some, home is a physical place. For others, home is less about a building and more about the people surrounding us. But for all of us, as followers of Jesus, we believe that it is through Christ our King—who came to live among us, died for us, and rose again for our sake—that we find our true home. As we wrap up the church year, join us as we celebrate the truth of Jesus as our King, and as we keep our eyes open for spaces in which God is making a home among us today.
A proposed 2022 budget, along with a narrative addendum was shared with the congregation last Sunday, and was also emailed the following Monday. Meeting for discussion and approval of budget will be held on November 21 following worship.
Baptism of Ethan Lamb
This Sunday we had the honor or glimpsing a part of God’s Kingdom at work in the baptism of Ethan Lamb! We welcome you, Ethan, into the body of Christ and the mission we share in bearing God’s creative and redeeming Word to all the world! Please continue to uphold Ethan and his parents in prayer as he grows in faith and love!
Advent is right around the corner!
Advent begins Sunday, November 28
There’s something special about “coming home.” For some, coming home is returning to family, or childhood homes. For others, coming home is less about a place, and more about the people you’re with.
This Advent, we’re focusing on the theme “Close to Home.” Ultimately, God is our home and resting place. As we prepare for Jesus’ birth, we’ll remember God’s promise that He draws near and makes a home on earth with us. In order to dwell in this theme, you’ll note some shifts in our worship space and in our order of worship. Our goal is to create an environment that is intimate, close, relaxed, and casual.
For more information about all things Advent, check out shepherdofthecross.org/advent. Stay tuned for ways you can participate with us as we prepare to welcome our Lord Emmanuel among us.
Ringers Needed for Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
Each year, Salvation Army recruits ringers to encourage giving at HyVee, Fareway, Wal-Mart, and Blaine’s Farm and Fleet. Ringing begins Friday, November 19. If you would like to sign up to assist, go to Register to Ring and complete your individual registration. Looking to ring with other Shepherds? Check with others and sign up together! Though we are not officially facilitating a specific time we are ringing together, members are more than welcome to coordinate together. Thanks for supporting local initiatives in our community!
Christmas Poinsettias
By Sunday, Dec. 5
Can you help us decorate the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas? We will be purchasing white poinsettias using funds collected last year for Christmas décor. These poinsettias will be used through Advent and Christmas. However, we’d also like to supplement with some red poinsettias for our celebration of Christmas. Can you help us?
If so, a sign up sheet is in the narthex. There is also room to indicate if you would like your poinsettia purchased in honor/memory of someone. Cost for poinsettias is $12. Not at the church, but want to get your name on the list? Contact Kathy.
Community Thanksgiving Service
Wednesday, November 24 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Join area churches in a Thanksgiving Eve worship service. Hosted by Church of the Living Water (3120 Park Ave W). Other participating churches include: Vineyard Church, Jesus Mission, Calvary Church, Wesley UMC, Musserville San Pablo. Pie social will follow worship.
SOTC Christmas Party
Sunday, December 12 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Mark your calendars for a night of games, fellowship and fun! Those who attend are invited to bring a plate of Christmas cookies to share. Games will include some Christmas-inspired activities, along with other generic games suited for children and adults of all ages. More information to come soon. We hope to see you as we celebrate together!
