Shepherds Kids Day – Day of Stewardship!
This past Friday, our Education Team claimed our kids while they had a day off of school to learn about stewardship! Together, they learned what stewardship means and how they are called to live as stewards of God’s grace, of themselves, of what has been given to them, and of God’s creation. We made seed packs to care for creation, learned about ways to serve in the congregation, and did several projects around the church to steward our community. After doing some of those work projects, the kids were “paid” and had the chance to go through a simulated store. Afterwards, they had the opportunity to keep what they had earned/bought or to offer what they had to others. Talk to our kids to hear more about their experience!
Help Us with Soup Fest
Sunday, November 3 | 4:00 – 7:00 pm
We’re closing in on Soup Fest and have a few specific things that we need help with. If you’re able to assist with any of these, contact Kathy in the main office. Thank you for your help as we support local and regional ministries!
Food Needed:
- Chicken Noodle and Taco soup
- Loaves of homemade bread
- Cornbread muffins
Volunteers Needed: (youth and kids can assist too!)
- Set up help after worship on Sun, November 3
- Greeter from 5:30-715
- Cashier from 3:45-7:15
- Pie servers from 5:30-7:15
- Bread cutter from 5:30-7:15
- Take out order help from 5:30-7:15
- Dishwasher help from 6:00 – 7:15
- Bread and veggie server from 5:30-7:15
- Table busers through the evening
- Clean up help at 7:15
Trunk or Treat
Wednesday, October 30, 6:00 – 7:15pm
Hosted at Grace Lutheran
Mark your calendars to join us for a great night! 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 to those who pledged! To date, we have $84,849.00 in pledges from 25 households toward our 2025 budget. 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.
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.
Worship Reminder
Each year we commemorate Reformation Day. Reformation Day is a day to remember our history as Lutherans. But even more so, Reformation Day is a day to become aware of how the Spirit is ever-reforming and reshaping us – as individuals and as the church. Make sure to dig out your red to wear to church as we wear the color the Spirit this Sunday!
Pastor Aleese Begins Rotation at New Era
As was announced earlier this fall, Shepherd – along with Zion and Grace – will be providing worship leadership at New Era periodically through the end of 2025. To accomodate existing worship schedules at Shepherd, Grace and Zion (all at 9:00 am), New Era has graciously moved thier worship time to 11:00am.
Pastor Aleese will be going to New Era on Sunday, October 27. She will still be at SOTC as normal for worship and a portion of fellowship! If you have questions about this rotation, or how it impacts all our congregations, talk to Pastor Aleese or a Council member.
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.