Trunk or Treat
Wednesday, October 30, 6:00 – 7:15pm
Hosted at Grace Lutheran
Dig out those spooky costumes and come to a safe and magical Trunk or Treat event hosted by Faith Together Muscatine. The event will be held in Grace’s parking lot in conjunction with Family Faith Nights. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to share with our local food pantry – but it is not required.
We’re looking for people to host trunks! Trunks need to be set up by 5:30. Bring your own candy and decorations. Games are encouraged but not required. Sign up to host a trunk by signing up via this link or the paper sign up in the narthex.
Invite your friends and family and we’ll see you there…if you dare!
Last Call to Return your Pledge Card and Pledge Poster!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who submitted a pledge card! To date, we have $84,729.00 in pledges from 24 households toward our 2025 budget. Thank you for supporting the mission of Jesus Christ through Shepherd of the Cross!
If you would still like to offer your pledge, you can return your pledge to the office or complete this online form. Your responses will help us craft our budget for the coming year.
Pledge posters can also be returned to church throughout the month of October. The pledge poster is meant as an exercise for an entire family/household. Consider, and pray over, how God is calling you in your lives, in our congregation, and in our community. Reflect on your responses, write them on the poster, and then tape to our window wall in the narthex.
Sock-tober Drive
Through October 27
Live out your response to God’s generosity by serving others! Bring donations of socks (adults and kids) for Laundry Love, an initiative that offers low-cost laundry services to Muscatine families and basic essentials.
Soup Fest
Sunday, November 3 | 4:00 – 7:00 pm
It’s coming up soon! Here’s how you can help:
- Share our event on Facebook, share this flyer, and/or distribute cards inviting your friends/family
- Sign up to cook, bake, or bring supplies – see the sign up in the narthex for more details and/or contact Kathy for what is still needed
- Volunteer to set up the fellowship hall, do dishes, or clean up after the event
Thank you for your part in making this event a success! Proceeds will be given 50/50 to 1) an emergency discretionary fund to support community needs and 2) mission support to the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
All Saints Litany
Each year, the church celebrates All Saints Day – a day to remember that we are all saints through Christ. This year, we celebrate All Saints Day on Sunday, November 3. Especially on this day, we remember and rejoice with saints who have been baptized in the past year, and saints who have died in the past year. If you have someone you would like remembered as a part of our litany during worship, sign up in the narthex, or contact Kathy or Pastor Aleese. Those desiring to remember a saint will be invited to light a candle in their honor as a part of our worship service.
Collaborative ELCA Discernment Team
This summer and fall, a team of representatives from our 4 ELCA congregations have been meeting to address short term needs within our congregations. Now, as we move forward, it is our hope that a discernment team will help carry this work forward.
This team will:
- Pray – pray individually and corporately for discerning hearts and to hear God’s guidance through the Spirit
- Pay attention – pay attention to what God is doing, and wants to do in and through the collaborative ministry of the 4 ELCA congregations
- Dream – consider what’s possible, opening themselves to God’s leading to an idea that may be outside the normal “church box”
- Make recommendations to a larger team for execution
- And will consider how the larger Muscatine community can be impacted by this ministry
The group will consist of no more than 8 people, ideally 2 from each congregation. Ideal candidates are:
- people who want to be a part of a team like this
- people who are FAT – faithful, available, and teachable
- people who are not currently in church leadership
- people who are dreamers/wonderers (not “do-ers”)
Commitment will be to meetings at least once/month, with the option for every other week meetings to begin.
If you are interested or want to learn more, talk to Andy Christy or Pastor Aleese. Please respond by October 27. Thank you!
Support Hurricane Relief through Lutheran Disaster Response
Looking for a way to give in response to the storms that have hit the southern US this season? Consider giving through Lutheran Diaster Response. Your gifts in support of Lutheran Disaster Response help our church provide immediate relief, such as water, clothing, gift cards, tarps and other needs. Since many hurricanes also require a long-term response, Lutheran Disaster Response provides support on the long road to recovery with disaster case management, construction management, unmet needs, and emotional and spiritual care.
Interested in giving? Click here to be taken to an ELCA site to offer your online gift.
October Trunk or Treat and Harvest Events in Muscatine
There is a plethora of events going on in our community this month, especially for our kids and families! Take a look at this compiled calendar that includes all the Trunk or Treats, Harvest Fests, and things you can be a part of!
Cell Tower Update
Good news! At the beginning of September we recieved a signed cell tower contract from Crown Castle! This means that we are now officially in the “option period” time. We have received our first payment as a part of the option period. Rent payments will not begin until the cell tower is officially built.
In the meantime, as we await more information from Crown Castle, your Council has been discerning use of funds from the cell tower. Our hope is to have more information to share later this month and/or at our Budget Meeting in November. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to a Council member (Delene, Gladys, Erin, Linda, Kathy, Melissa, Joanne, Connie H).
2025 SOTC Budget
Distributed November 10
Each fall, our teams, along with Council, put together a budget to plan for ministry in the upcoming year. Proposed 2025 budgets will be shared with the congregation on Sunday, November 10. Congregational meeting to vote on the budget, as well as recieve an update on the cell tower lease. will be Sunday, November 24 after worship. Questions can be directed to Delene McConnaha.