Chocolate Fest!
Sunday, February 11 during fellowship
Following SOTC tradition, we will feast on chocolate the Sunday before Lent begins! ALL are invited to bring a chocolate delicacy to share during fellowship.
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 14, 7:00 pm
After celebrating the glory of Jesus transfigured on the mountain on Sunday, February 11, we turn ourselves to the wilderness of Lent. Ash Wednesday begins this sacred season with worship at 7:00 pm. Plan to join us as we return to the Lord our God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Giving during the Season of Lent
Support Organizations on Wednesdays and Sundays
Each week for our Lenten Midweek Gatherings we will welcome a leader of a community organization to share about thier organization’s work and how we can be partners with them. To support these organizations, each Wednesday we will encourage participants to bring a donation as a part of thier Lenten discipline to share thier treasures with others. See the list below to get a glimpse who who we’re supporting and the donations needed.
Not able to join us on Wednesday evenings? Bring your donation the Sunday before to church and place it in the appropriate box in the narthex. We’ll make sure your donation makes it to the Wesley Family Life Center.
February 28 – Senior Resources
Donations – Hygiene items (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, Kleenex, laundry detergent)
March 6 – Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Donations – twin bed sheets and pillows
March 13 – MCSA
Donations – socks and underwear (adults and kids)
March 20- Community Diaper Bank
Donations – size 4-7 diapers (all sizes welcome, sizes 4-7 most needed)
Lent Midweek Gatherings
Wednesday, February 21 – March 20,
5:30 – 7:00 pm Hosted at Wesley Family Life Center (114 W 7th Street)
This year we have the privilege of joining with Wesley United Methodist, Faith United Church of Christ, Island United Methodist, and First Presbyterian as we journey through the season of Lent!
Starting on Wed, Feb 21 we’ll gather from 5:30-7 (meal included!). Together we’ll eat, hear Scripture, discuss questions in groups, have an intergenerational activity, and pray. Throughout the season, we’ll focus on the spiritual discipline of evaluating what the heart treasures.
To help us accurately plan, RSVP using this link or in the narthex if you’re planning on joining us!
Lent Opportunities at Grace and Zion
We’re mindful that each of us are on our own distinct spiritual journeys and therefore may need different opportunities to nurture our lives of faith. If participating in the Lenten Midweek Gatherings isn’t what you’re looking for, consider joining in what Grace or Zion are doing this Lent.
Grace – Worship on Wednesdays @ 6:00pm (starting February 21)
Midweek worship will be a series on Christian community. No meal served.
Zion – Worship on Wednesdays @ 5:30pm (starting February 21) with meal to follow
Midweek worship will be a series on Holy Lament using Holden Evening Prayer. Meal will follow worship.
Crosses for Sale
Recently, Barb Swanson has offered to sell crosses that her husband, Mel, made. These crosses are made of nails with colored wiring added. Crosses will be available after worship on Sunday, February 18 and into the coming weeks of Lent. Proceeds will benefit SOTC. Consider purchasing one as a cross to wear or keep with you during the season of Lent!
Shepherding Team Sign Up – 2024
Sign Up through Sunday, February 11
Each year in January and February we ask Shepherds to consider how they may be called to serve on a Shepherding Team in the coming year. If you’re feeling called to serve on one of our Shepherding Teams this year, click here to be taken to an online sign up, or sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex.
Even if you are currently on a team, please re-sign up. If you are currently on a team but would no longer like to be on that team, simply do not sign up. As a courtesy, reach out to either Pastor Aleese or your team lead to indicate your desire not to continue so we do not follow up with you.
Thanks for your contributions as a part of our faith community!
Worship Volunteers
Our life together takes many hands…especially in worship! If you’re willing to serve as a worship volunteer (reader, usher, song leader, etc.) or as a counter, sign up online or in the narthex. Even if you are currently serving in one of these volunteer roles, please re-sign up to indicate your continued willingness to serve. Thank you in advance!
Camp EWALU this summer!
We have a crew of kids and youth excited to go to Camp EWALU this summer!
To organize with youth from Grace and Zion as well, if your child is interested in camp this summer, contact Pastor Aleese by Wednesday, February 14. With several programs being offered on the same week, we can take kids of all ages at once!
For more information, check out the camp website. Note: please refrain from registering at this time if you are interested so we sign up together as a whole group from Muscatine.
Christian Day Camp Registration 2024
Christian Day Camp was such a hit last summer that it’s coming back again this summer that it’s coming back again this summer with camps for elementary kids (K-5th), middle school (6th-8th) and preschool mini days!
Registration will begin in mid-February. In the meantime, take a look at our website for more information about dates and times.
Interested in volunteering? We’ll need you? An online sign up will be available by mid-February.
