ELCA Good Gifts Animals are Running Wild!
Thanks to your help, between the congregation and our Children’s Sermon/Sunday School fund, we donated $700 toward ELCA World Hunger this holiday season! With those funds we purchased:
- 10 sets of chicks
- 7 goats
- 3 sets of honeybees
- 2 piglets
- 2 rooters
- 2 shares of a cow
Thanks for your participation, and thanks to our kids and families for helping us choose what animals were sent to assist people around the world!
Support Muscatine Youth Performing this Season
We have a number of our youth (and some adults!) performing this upcoming holiday season! Mark your calendars to support them and be sure to congratulate them after their concert!
Susan Clark Junior High Orchestra Concert –
Tuesday, December 12 @ Susan Clark @ 6:30 pm
Featuring Elyse Eichelberger
Saints Mary and Mathias School Band Concert –
Wednesday, December 13 @ St. Mathias School @ 6:30 pm
Featuring Holden Brockert
Louisa-Muscatine Elementary School Winter Concert –
Thursday, December 14 @ Louisa-Muscatine Elementary @ 1:30 pm
Featuring Amelia Vircks
Muscatine High School Winter Glow Concert –
Friday, December 15 @ Wesley United Methodist Church @ 7:00 pm
Featuring Owen Christy
Susan Clark Junior High Choir Concert –
Tuesday, December 19 @ Susan Clark @ 6:30 pm
Featuring Elyse Eichelberger
Opportunities to Serve at Lutheran Living
Recently Pastor Aleese has learned of several opportunities to serve residents at Lutheran Living. If you are interested in serving in any of these capacities, contact Pastor Aleese.
Volunteer Visitor: seeking volunteers to offer 1 hour per week (or every 2 weeks) to visit with residents. Training would be provided for volunteers.
Volunteers to transport residents to chapel worship services: seeking volunteers to assist on Sundays from 1:45-2:45pm to transport residents desiring to attend worship from their rooms to the chapel.
Christmas Eve greeters: SOTC is leading a brief, 30-minute worship service on December 24 at 2:00pm. To extend our hospitality to those outside our flock, we’re looking for some additional people to help lead portions of worship, help residents, and visit. Time commitment: 1:45 – 2:45pm.
Shepherd Christmas Party
Sunday, Dec 17, 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Join us for a night of games, fellowship, and fun! Bring a plate of Christmas cookies to share.
Upcoming Advent and Christmas Worship Services
As you’re making holiday plans with friends and family, take note of our worship schedule at SOTC!
Sunday, December 17, 9:00 am | Advent 3 worship
Focus on the birth of John the Baptist and immersing ourselves in wonder and awe
Sunday, December 24, 9:00 am | Advent 4 worship
A service of prayer as we watch and wait for the birth of Christ. Worship will highlight Mary’s and Zechariah’s song as we sing stories of hope in anticipation. No communion.
Sunday, December 24, 4:00 pm | Christmas Eve worship
Candlelight communion service focusing on the nativity of our Lord.
Sunday, December 31, 9:00 am | First Sunday after Christmas
Celebration of the presentation of Jesus in the temple as we bask in the glow of Christmas. No communion. Sermon will be provided by the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
Sunday, January 7, 9:00 am | Baptism of Our Lord
After Christ’s presentation, we journey to the Jordan River to hear God’s pronouncement upon Jesus, launching us into the season of Epiphany.
Women’s Epiphany Party
Sunday, January 7, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Join us for a night of celebrating Christ’s light to the nations! This year, in lieu of a candle exchange, bring a white elephant gift.
Also, to give back to our community, bring winter outerwear that will be donated to those in need in our community. New or gently used accepted. Gloves, hats, scarves, boots, coats…whatever you so please! We’ll invite the whole congregation to join this initiative through January.
Year End Giving
Last day for 2023 Contributions: December 27
As you look to the end of the calendar year, note that if you are planning to make a year end donation, please do so by Wednesday, December 27. All gifts received after December 27 will be deposited in 2024.