July 2022
1 You will say on that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
and you comforted me.
2 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and will not be afraid,
for the Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4 And you will say on that day:
“Give thanks to the Lord;
call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 12
Dear Friends in Christ,
Last week I saw a post on Facebook that began with the phrase “I want a slow summer.” The writer wanted to enjoy the small things in summer; ice cream cones and sprinklers and bike rides around town. There is a place for big trips and wild adventures but to equally value those simple moments together with family and friends.
What are some of those small things that bring you joy in the hot summer months? One of mine is lemonade. Not the kind you get at the store with a brand name sticker but the stuff made in pitchers by grandmas or the cup you make yourself by squeezing way too many lemons and adding too much sugar. There is nothing quite so refreshing as that cup of cold lemonade after hours under the hot sun. Have you experienced this? Have you encountered the perfect glass of lemonade in the summer?
I think that’s what the waters of salvation taste like; the ones mentioned in Isaiah chapter twelve. From the depths of a cold well we draw a cup overflowing with the love and grace and mercy that God provides for us. This salvation allows us to shout for joy, to rest in peace, and to enjoy those simple summer moments. Salvation is the root of all joy. Our sinfulness should exclude us from the joy of the righteous and yet God has provided us such grace that we can embrace the small wonders and big moments of our lives.
This month I invite you to drink a glass of lemonade. While you do, I invite you to pray this prayer.
God of Deep Wells and Overflowing Cups, As we enter into the summer, slow us down. Bless us with your refreshing spirit. Fill our hearts with the cool waters of your peace. When the sun beats down on us and the burdens of the world weigh on us, grant us shade and refreshment. When our cups overflow with joy, help us to turn to you in gratitude. Remind us of the goodness around us, and bring us closer to you, our merciful Lord. Amen.
Peace,
Pastor Laurel
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR JULY
Portals of Prayer for July – September are available in the Narthex
ACOLYTES
July 3rd Andrew ColdironJuly 10th Kolton Hefti
July 17th Kali Wharton
July 24th Brandon Stein
July 31st Jordyn Muhlenbruch
MEETINGS
FIRST COUNCIL will meet July 6th at 7:00pm
FLCW Quilters Meeting : 1:00pm July 5th & July 19th
LIFE: Theological Group Study: July 21st 5:30pm
USHERS: Craig Russell, Jean Swanson
ALTAR GUILD: Judy Gorder, Jeanne Russell
BREADMAKERS: Pat Meek
DEACON: Jeanne Russell
PRAYERS: Roger Stover, Norman Hanson, Jim Klunder, Cheryl Jass, Linda Muhlenbruch, Kris Stein, Linda and John Coldiron, the family of Melvin Beyer, all of our shut-ins and those in care centers.
FIRST LUTHERAN COUNCIL, June 1, 2022
First Council met on June 1st with 9 members present. President Kathy Thelke called the meeting to order. Mary Anderson moved to approve the agenda, Dan Hurt second, motion carried.
Pastor Laurel shared a devotional prayer from Marquette University.
Pastor’s report: included a listing of the items that she had been working on last month and also looking towards the summer months. She will be on vacation June 13th-19th and will be doing a second Healing and Lamentation service on Wednesday, June 22nd from 5:00-7:00 p.m. All are welcome to come and go as you please for this service. Synod Assembly is the weekend of June 11th & 12th.
Secretary’s report: was read with one small correction. Motion to approve made by Arne Anderson, second by Mary Anderson, carried.
Treasurer’s report: was presented. Church received the booking contract for 2022-2023 LP. 3,000 gallons will be booked at $1.89 per gallon. Motion made by Mary Anderson, seconded by Jean Swanson to approve the treasurer’s report. Carried.
Deacon’s report: that shut-ins and care center residents are being visited and communion is being distributed.
Trustee’s report: that the weeds around the church have been sprayed and an exterminator had been hired to spray inside the church one time to help with wasps and boxelder bugs. Murphy’s had been to the church to do the repairs on the boiler. Work has also been done on the west education wing door.
Fundraiser meal set for June 12th was discussed at length. Things are being lined up and volunteers are needed to help with serving and clean up for that day. Initial set up at the Dows Community Building will be Saturday morning 8:30 a.m. Salads/desserts may be brought in from 8:30-9:30 a.m. that Saturday morning or bring in on Sunday.
Board of Ed: did not have a report as things are wrapped up for the summer.
Old Business: Council had not heard any negative comments/concerns about the new timeline for the newsletter and treasurer’s report going out so it will remain the same for now.
New Business: Discussion was held about the letter to the CGD school district concerning Wednesday’s being “church night.” Also a brief discussion about a float idea for Corn Days but each were tabled as we have a full schedule getting ready for the meal on June 12th.
Dan moved to adjourn, second by Mary. Carried. We closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Shelly Howard – Secretary pro-tem
July 2022, LSI Bulletin/Newsletter Article and Story
God’s work. Our hands.
As a social ministry organization of the ELCA, Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is so thankful for your partnership in ministry! Thanks to you, we are able to provide education to parents of young children empower Iowans with disabilities, and offer critical mental health care to community members of all ages. This month, we would like to give special thanks for those of you who have made LSI a focus on your congregation’s “God’s work. Our hands.” project.
On a planned day in September, each congregation is encouraged to reach outside of the church and do good deeds in the community by participating in a project for “God’s work. Our hands.” This is a perfect opportunity to combine community projects with a special project for nonprofits like LSI, whether it’s raising money or contributing in-kind gifts.
We thank you for your service! If you are interested in supporting the Iowa children and families served by LSI or would like to get involved in a “God’s work. Our hands.” project with LSI, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI 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 LSI (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.
Restoring Hope
Over the last year, LSI and its many community partners across Iowa have come together in a time of need. When hundreds of Afghan evacuees needed a place to call home in Iowa, LSI rose to the challenge to provide crucial resettlement services.
Supporters from across the state rallied together to provide financial support; they put together almost 600 welcome boxes so every individual had what they needed when they arrived; and they volunteered their time to provide assistance with transportation and housing during a distressing time.
In our offices in Des Moines and Sioux City, LSI was able to hire additional staff who speak 14 different languages. In December 2021, for the first time in 10 years, LSI began welcoming new arrivals to Iowa, and we have since welcomed more than 165 individuals – including many families – to their new home in Iowa. Thanks to the support of our partners, Iowa continues to be a space of welcome, a place where individuals can find safety, security, and a community where they can rebuild their lives.