January 2023
It will be said on that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah 25:9
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Wait!”
How many of us have heard that shout as we headed out the door? Perhaps we left something behind or forgot to give a loved one a hug. We have all heard it in conversation when someone calls to slow down and reconsider something. Or you’ve said it yourself to a child or grandchild who is particularly eager to eat a cookie or cross a street. We know of waiting.
Sometimes waiting is easy. It’s a welcome pause in the midst of chaos or a natural habit born from experience. Sometimes it’s not; like when we’re waiting on news that will shape our future or hoping for some soon to arrive event. Do you ever feel like you are waiting on God? Waiting for something to happen or an instruction to be given. Waiting on a miracle or a sign that God still cares.
It is said that Advent is a season of preparation. That’s true. That theme resonates outside of the church this time of year too. Everyone around us, regardless of creed or faith, seems to be preparing for something: family gatherings, school pageants, concerts, end of the year deadlines. The church is doing much the same thing; decorating, planning, practicing. But in another way we are doing something entirely separate. We are waiting.
We wait in a variety of ways. We devote ourselves to doing acts of kindness and serving others. We pray for open hearts and minds to receive the Christchild who is coming. We do devotions and light candles and sing Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel. And, sometimes, we wait by just sitting still. We wait by stopping and
taking a deep breath to remember why we are waiting and for whom we are preparing. Here is your reminder to do just that. To stop and wait. To breathe and think. To remember and to know that in the midst of all the preparation Jesus is preparing to come to US, to fill our world with hope and our hearts with love.
Peace, Pastor Laurel Meester
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR JANUARY
Portals of Prayer for January - March are available
ACOLYTES
January 1st Hannah Wharton
January 8th Nolan Muhlenbruch
January 15th Porsche’ Lilly
January 22nd Jaxon Verba
January 29th Jordyn Muhlenbruch
MEETINGS
FIRST LUTHERAN COUNCIL WILL MEET January 4th, 2022 6:00pm
FIRST LUTHERAN ANNUAL MEETING January 22nd following Worship
FLCW Quilters Meeting: 1:00pm January 3rd and January 17th
USHERS Maynard Agena and Shannon Muhlenbruch
DEACON Jean Swanson
ALTAR GUILD Kathy Thelke & Monica Johnson
BREADMAKERS – Kathy Thelke
PRAYERS: Roger Stover, Norman Hanson, Kris Stein, Linda and John Coldiron, Baby Walker, Grace Haugen, Shane Hefti, Merle Reingardt, Rev. Dave Anderson & family, the family of Bob Jass, the family of Gerald Rockow all of our shut-ins and those in
THANK YOU To our family at First – It is so comforting to know there is strong support when we need it. Thank you so much for all you’ve done for my family and me. Cheryl & Family
ELCA YOUTH GATHERING 2024 INTEREST We are looking to see if there is interest in attending the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. This will be open to all those who will be attending or entering high school in fall of 2024 (Current 6th -10th Graders). We will have to organize and participate in fundraisers and activities to make this possible. Please let Beth know if you would be interested in this opportunity for your child.
CARDS/LETTERS FOR SCOTT STOVER Roger & Gloria Stover’s grandson (Troy Stover’s son) is stationed in Poland and will be there for a year. He is with the National Guard. Cards or letters would be welcomed. Scott Stover 209th MCAS APO AE’ 09017
WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENTS In case of bad weather and we need to cancel the church service, we will try to get it on Facebook, out to you by email, and on the website. We will also contact KCCI TV, channel 8 and KLMJ radio as soon as we know. If we do not cancel church and you feel the weather is too crappy for you to venture out, please stay home and be safe. We are still Facebook live streaming at 10 am. If you would like a phone call, please let the church office know and we will put your number on a list to notify. Any questions, let us know. Thanks.
CARD DONATIONS Blank Christmas card donations are being accepted for next year’s Christmas mailing. There is a small box in the narthex where you can place your left over Christmas cards or any spares you may have. Thank you for your support and making this possible!
FIRST LUTHERAN COUNCIL December 7th, 2022
First Lutheran council met on December 7, 2022, with 6 members present. The meeting was called to order by president Thelke. A motion by Dan and second by Mary to approve the agenda, passed. Kathy led devotions.
Pastor’s report: Pastor reported she had a combination of 14 calls to members along with 2 funerals. Also the Culture of Generosity program has concluded. She is also working on Christmas/Advent, prep for the New Year. She has also made plans to be here on January 1.
Secretary’s report: The report was given and a motion by Mary and second by Travis to accept the report, passed.
Treasurer’s report: The report was given. A motion by Mary and second by Travis to accept the report passed.
President’s Report: President Thelke reported the Christmas decorations are done and the Bethlehem garage sale items are out. She also reported the gift bags are about ready.
Trustee’s report: Mary reported that the water heater keeps kicking out so no hot water. It was decided Beth will look up where it was bought and have maintenance come repair it.
Board of Ed: It was reported that it’s difficult getting kids to come to youth groups.
Old Business: The nominating committee hasn’t met so it was decided December 14 to meet. Time is yet to be decided.
New Business: A donation was given to the Christmas expenses. Any items needed to be put on the annual meeting agenda need to be decided on soon.
With no further business, a motion by Travis was second by Mary to adjourn the meeting. We closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Secretary Cheryl Jass
January 2023, LSI Bulletin/Newsletter Article and Story
Amplifying the Voices of Iowa Children and Families
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) works to provide services to Iowa children and families and to share their stories with the community. As a way of amplifying our communities’ voices, we invite you to be a part of the annual Lutheran Day on the Hill event.
Join Lutheran Services in Iowa and the three Iowa synods of the ELCA for Lutheran Day on the Hill in Des Moines on March 14, 2023! This day is essential for amplifying the voices of those who are not heard, for seeking social justice and for empowering people to exercise their right and responsibility to be part of the legislative process.
If you are interested in joining LSI for Lutheran Day on the Hill, visit our website at https://lsiowa.org/ldh/. For more information, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI’s Director of Philanthropy and Church Relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or 563-676-2065.
Our Mission: Lutheran Services in Iowa responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. LSI is an affiliated social ministry partner of the Iowa congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and a member of LSA (Lutheran Services in America). We proudly serve people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. Learn more at LSIowa.org and facebook.com/LSI.iowa.
A Journey of Overwhelming Joy
After going through fertility treatments and being told they weren’t able to have any more kids, Dani and her husband pursued their foster care license in 2015 and have cared for 13 kids since.
“Throughout our journey of being foster parents, we’ve had many great placements,” said Dani. “Our shortest placement lasted five days when we cared for a girl, whose mother was incapable of watching her while she recovered in the hospital, and our longest lasted 18 months.”
Dani shared that one of their biggest blessings was having the opportunity to adopt some of the children they fostered. The family adopted their first child at age one, and they had plans to adopt another when the child turned 18 years old.
“Every time our family adopts another child, I get the same feeling of overwhelming joy,” said Dani. “I feel like any expectant mom ¬–not being able to contain my joy when their adoption comes up, and telling everyone I know about it.”
Dani shared that it is hard to explain the full impact fostering – and the lows and highs it brings – has had on her family. “We’ve cried, stressed and lost a lot of sleep. We loved, laughed and had so many firsts,” said Dani. “But I still tell everyone who is considering being a foster parent to do it. It’s a roller coaster, but so worth it.”