Author: Kathy Dunham

Updated Contact Directory and Narrative Directory

Complete by Sunday, September 26

Our new contact directory is set to go! Download it by going to the Members section and entering the password. Forgot our password? Contact the office.

Now that we have our contact information updated, we are looking for your help to better get to know our fellow Shepherds! We’re putting together a narrative directory – including a picture of each family, ages of any children, and your answers to three short questions. The intent of the narrative directory is simply to have a better idea of who is in our family of faith! Complete the form (1 per household, please) by Sunday, September 26, or use the paper copies in the narthex. Once you complete your form, send a candid shot of your family (something that represents who you are) to office@shepherdofthecross.org.  Questions? Contact Melissa Booth. 

Rally Sunday/God’s Work Our Hands Day

Sunday, September 12

Special thanks to all who stuck around after worship to offer your hands to do God’s work around the church building!  We had kids and adults alike working on indoor and outdoor projects. Thanks for helping us cross some things off our do do lists and getting the building ready for fall ministries!

Family Faith Nights have begun!

Join us Wednesday, September 15, 6:30 pm @ Grace

Did you miss our opening Kick Off for Family Faith Nights last week! Have no fear! Elementary kids (and toddlers and PreK kids, too!), middle school youth (aka: FINK youth), and adults are all invited to join us this week as we officially begin our various programs! Elementary kids will be focusing on the story of the Good Samaritan, FINK youth will focus on the topic of grace, and adults will begin taking a dive into thinking about what God’s love really means for us today. Families – check your email for reminder emails from “faithtogethermuscatine@gmail.com”. If you don’t see a reminder email, check your spam or promotions tabs. For more information, contact Pastor Aleese. 

Give Now for Hurricane Ida Relief

The headlines are filled with the devastation from Hurricane Ida, which made landfall near New Orleans on Aug. 30 – exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina. The impact of Ida is yet to be fully assessed, but with a hurricane of this scale, rebuilding will be costly and take years. Lutheran Disaster Response is working with local ELCA synods and Lutheran social service organizations to coordinate a response. Immediate needs will include food, basic necessities and temporary housing.

Your gifts will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by hurricanes until the response is complete. You may either give now through the link below or write a check to SOTC with Hurricane Ida in the memo

First Day of Sunday School

Sunday, September 19, 10:30 – 10:50 am

This year, Sunday School will be condensed to about 20 minutes to accommodate family schedules. We’ll have a song time with Pastor Aleese, followed by a review of the story we heard in worship and a brief activity led by lay leaders. Open to all kids toddler through elementary. 

High School Youth Group Kick-Off

Sunday, September 19, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

We’re excited to gather youth from Zion, Grace and SOTC this year! In order to get off to a great start, and look ahead to the ELCA Youth Gathering, we will begin with a parent-youth night. Schedule and information about the Gathering will be shared. Future weeks with only youth will run from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. Not able to make it? Check in with Pastor Aleese for more information!

Family Faith Night Kick-Off Event!

Wednesday, September 8, 6:30- 7:30 pm @ Grace

Looking for an opportunity for your whole family to practice what it means to live as a follower of Jesus ? Look no further! SOTC and Grace are excited to look ahead to a year of Family Faith Nights starting Wednesday, September 15. Family Faith Nights will have opportunities for elementary youth, middle school youth (confirmation/FINK) and adults.

We’ll gather weekly starting September 15. But, to make sure you all know what’s going on, to settle some logistics for the year, and to ease our way back into a regular Wednesday evening set-up, we’re inviting you to a kick-off event at Grace. Note: face masks are required.

Take a look at the flyer here for more information about what is to come. Questions? Talk to Mackenzie Gilbert or Pastor Aleese.

Rally Sunday/God’s Work Our Hands Day

Sunday, September 12

We hope you’ll join us! Make sure to wear a SOTC/God’s Work Our Hands shirt if you’ve got one, and plan on sticking around after fellowship (with ice cream!) to help complete some projects around the church. Kids are more than welcome to stick around, too! We have a “punch card” of “tasks” that we need help with!

Reminder: collaborative drive (between the Muscatine ELCA congregations) benefitting MCSA and Flickinger Learning Center will take place through Sunday, September 12. Take a look at the flyer here, to see what’s needed! Monetary donations also accepted.

Give Now for Hurricane Ida Relief

The headlines are filled with the devastation from Hurricane Ida, which made landfall near New Orleans on Aug. 30 – exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina. The impact of Ida is yet to be fully assessed, but with a hurricane of this scale, rebuilding will be costly and take years. Lutheran Disaster Response is working with local ELCA synods and Lutheran social service organizations to coordinate a response. Immediate needs will include food, basic necessities and temporary housing.

Your gifts will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by hurricanes until the response is complete. You may either give now through the link below or write a check to SOTC with Hurricane Ida in the memo

First Day of Sunday School

Sunday, September 19, 10:30 – 10:50 am

This year, Sunday School will be condensed to about 20 minutes to accommodate family schedules. We’ll have a song time with Pastor Aleese, followed by a review of the story we heard in worship and a brief activity led by lay leaders. Open to all kids toddler through elementary. 

High School Youth Group Kick-Off

Sunday, September 19, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

We’re excited to gather youth from Zion, Grace and SOTC this year! In order to get off to a great start, and look ahead to the ELCA Youth Gathering, we will begin with a parent-youth night. Schedule and information about the Gathering will be shared. Future weeks with only youth will run from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. Not able to make it? Check in with Pastor Aleese for more information!

Family Faith Night Kick-Off Event!

Wednesday, September 8, 6:30- 7:30 pm @ Grace

Looking for an opportunity for your whole family to practice what it means to live as a follower of Jesus ? Look no further! SOTC and Grace are excited to look ahead to a year of Family Faith Nights starting Wednesday, September 15. Family Faith Nights will have opportunities for elementary youth, middle school youth (confirmation/FINK) and adults.

However, to make sure you all know what’s going on, to settle some logistics for the year, and to ease our way back into a regular Wednesday evening set-up, we’re inviting you to a kick-off event! (Don’t worry…it won’t be boring! We’ve got some opening icebreaker games in mind, and when adults need to chat on thier own, we’ll have activities for young kids!)

Take a look at the flyer here for more information about what is to come, and mark your calendars to join us at the kick-off!

Rally Sunday/God’s Work Our Hands Day

Sunday, September 12

In two weeks, we’ll be celebrating God’s Work Our Hands Sunday with ELCA congregations nationwide. 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! 

Fellowship – 10:15 am
Following worship, we’ll have a special fellowship hour with ice cream sundaes!

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 has a list of projects that need our help. Sign up in the narthex. 

Community Collection
Shepherd is joining Grace and Zion in a collaborative drive to benefit MCSA and Flickinger Learning Center. For specific donations requested, see the flyer here. Bring your donations (physical or monetary) to the church between September 1-12. 

Shared Ministry Team Members Selected

Thank you to those who joined us for a roundtable discussion last Sunday regarding the possibility of shared ministry with our fellow ELCA congregations in Muscatine! If you haven’t had a chance to offer your insight, know that your Council members and Visioning Team members are always willing to listen. 

Moving forward, based on the feedback received from the congregation, our Council determined at their monthly meeting that we will continue conversations moving forward. Council also selected three people to serve on the Shared Ministry Team: Andy Christy, Dave Bakke, and Mackenzie Gilbert. Thank you to all who were willing to be on the slate of nominees, and thank you to all who nominated individuals! 

Please continue to hold Shepherd, along with Grace and Zion, in your prayers as we look to the fall and the possibilities before us!

Muscatine Youth and Children’s Choirs

Dr. Dan Laaveg and Ruthellen Brooks, directors of the Muscatine Youth and Children’s Choirs, are offering young people (Kindergarten-12th grade) in the Muscatine area an opportunity to grow their vocal talents. Their two main concerts are taking part in Wesley’s annual Lessons and Carols event and the Spring Concert, along with other events in the community. If your children are interested, see the this article for more information.

First Day of Sunday School

Sunday, September 19, 10:30 – 10:50 am

This year, Sunday School will be condensed to about 20 minutes to accommodate family schedules. We’ll have a song time with Pastor Aleese, followed by a review of the story we heard in worship and a brief activity led by lay leaders. Open to all kids toddler through elementary. 

High School Youth Group

Sunday, September 19, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

Along with youth from Zion and Grace, Shepherd youth 8th grade and up are invited to gather in fellowship, dig deeper into our faith and prepare for the upcoming ELCA Youth Gathering (summer 2022).  Odd weeks will be focused on a specific topic of conversation; even weeks will be focused on fellowship.  Check in with Pastor Aleese for more information!