March 2023
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MARCH
Portals of Prayer for January - March are available in the Narthex
ACOLYTES
Wednesday March 1st Hannah Wharton
March 5th Nolan Muhlenbruch
Wednesday March 8th Porsche’ Lilly
March 12th Jaxon Verba
Wednesday March 15th Jordyn Muhlenbruch
March 19th Hannah Wharton
Wednesday March 22nd Nolan Muhlenbruch
March 26th Porsche’ Lilly
Wednesday March 29th Jaxon Verba
MEETINGS
FIRST LUTHERAN COUNCIL WILL MEET MARCH 1st, 2022 6:00pm
FLCW Quilters Meeting: 1:00pm March 7th and March 21st
ALTAR GUILD Tammy Klatt & Jean Swanson
BREADMAKERS – Wanda Glade
USHERS Gene Thelke and Arne Anderson
DEACON Jeanette Wenzel
PRAYERS: Roger Stover, Norman Hanson, Kris Stein, Linda and John Coldiron, Baby Walker, Grace Haugen, Shane Hefti, Merle Reingardt, Craig Russell, Judy Moss, Marah Burkholder, Rev. Dave Anderson & family, the family of Irene Halverson, the family of Norma Russell, all of our shut-ins and those in care centers.
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.
MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES The Lenten theme for this year will be “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”. We ask that everyone bring a cross from home that we will display around the church during Lent. At the end of Lent, we will have a blessing of the crosses and then you can take your crosses back home with you. There will be a roll of painters' tape in the narthex and a sharpie that you will be able to mark your cross with. We look forward to seeing all of the wonderful crosses!
WELL WISHES Judy Moss is currently at the Rehabilitation Center in Belmond where she is having physical and occupational therapy. Please keep her in your prayers and reach out and let her know we are thinking about her in this difficult time (She is in Room 50).
THANK YOU Let me express my thanks for the outpouring of prayers, cards, food, visits, & calls following my hip surgery and broken leg recovery. It has been very humbling and I am so grateful for all of you! Very shortly now I will be able to start physical therapy. Then I will be out and about and getting back to normal activities. Thanks again, Craig Russell
THANK YOU Thank you to all for the birthday wishes for Merle. He had a good birthday with all the cards, visitors, and even a haircut after 3 months. Hansen Family Hospital has helped his rehab in this journey. He may be moving on but will keep you posted. Ruth Reingardt and family
OUR CONDOLENCES Irene Halverson, mother of Judy Moss, passed away in Spencer, IA, on January 22, 2023. Irene had celebrated her 100th birthday in August. The family will be having a private burial, with a Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date.
OUR CONDOLENCES Norma Russell passed away on Tuesday January 31st in her home. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cards can be sent to the family at: Craig & Jeanne Russell 501 S Burrows, Dows, IA 50071
A REMINDER ON TRANSITIONS Now that Pastor Laurel Meester has left our congregation, she will not be available to conduct or even participate in such events such as funerals, weddings, hospital calls, emergency calls, or any other functions normally carried out by a pastor in a congregation.
First Lutheran Church 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes
The annual meeting of First Lutheran Church was held on January 22, 2023, right after morning services. President Kathy Thelke called the meeting to order. A motion by Mary and second by Tammy to approve the agenda, passed. Kathy led the opening prayer.
The Secretary’s Report was given. A motion by Jeanne Russell to approve the secretary’s report was seconded by Pam and the motion passed.
The Treasurer’s Report was given next. Beth reported as of the end of 2022, the checkbook balance was $1566.45. She also reported that giving has increased and that the maintenance fund received $4000. A motion by Janet and second by Kim to accept the report, passed.
Auditor’s reported the books are accurate.
Old Business: It was decided in 2022, that 2% of the weekly offering and the Harvest Festival offering would be put in a maintenance fund. After some discussion, a motion by Linda to leave the donation as is. The motion was second by Tammy and the motion passed.
Next item on the agenda was the 2023 budget. A motion by Jean Swanson was second by Mark to accept the budget. The motion passed.
The next item on the agenda was the ballot. Two spots were to be filled for deacon. The three year opening was taken by Angela Wharton and the two year opening was taken by Jean Swanson. Motion by Beth and second by Janet, passed.
Mission investment interest of $564 was addressed next. Larry made a motion to put it in the local food pantry through the grocery store. The motion was second by Jeanne and the motion passed.
The noisy offering was discussed. After some discussion, a motion by Tammy to put 50% of the offering into the Sunday School and the other 50% into the VBS fund. Mary second the motion and it passed.
The next item on the agenda was organizing a call committee. The committee consists of 6 adults including 1 teen, The volunteers for the committee are: Tammy Klatt, Jeanne Russell, Angela Wharton, Pam Odland, David Ziesmann and Jackson. A motion was made by Maynard to accept the committee and the motion was second by Linda . The motion passed.
Linda announced any ideas to get the young people back to church are welcome. There being no further business, we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Secretary, Cheryl Jass
FIRST LUTHERAN COUNCIL
The First Lutheran Church Council met at 6:00 pm on February 1st with 8 members present. President Shelley Howard called the meeting to order. A motion by Loren Lienemann to approve of the agenda was seconded by Maynard Agena and was carried. Devotions were done by Shelly.
The Secretary’s Report: The secretary’s report from January was read by Jeanne Russell. A motion by Loren to approve the minutes as read were seconded by Jean Swanson and was passed.
Treasurer’s Report: The report was read by all members and a motion by Maynard was made to approve of the report. Mary Anderson seconded the motion and it carried.
President’s Report: Supply pastors have been done by Craig Russell through February. The Call Committee meeting with Pastor Brackett will be on 2/15/23 with the Council. There will be a supply pastor on 2/12/23, Anita Nuitzman, from Mason City. A motion by Jean Swanson to have Anita instead of Casey Simmons on the 12th, was seconded by Arne Anderson. Motion carried. Craig will call Casey and confirm the change on February 12th with Anita.
Deacon’s Report: Arne reported that the shut-ins were all getting visited and receiving communion.
Trustee’s Report: Pastor Laurel’s office has been cleaned out. Maynard fixed two lights in the downstairs hallway.
Stewardship Report: Loren reported that there was nothing new.
Board of Education: No report.
Old Business: Lenten Services have been set up and the meals are taken care of each week by a Committee.
New Business:
Interim interview/possible contract negotiation was discussed. The Council will meet after church on February 12th with a possible interim.
A donation of $50.00 was proposed for the Dows Fire Department. Loren Lienemann made a motion to approve of the donation and Jean Swanson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Lenten Offerings – a motion was made by Maynard to give the offerings during Lent to DSOAC And Loren seconded that motion. Motion carried.
Lenten Meals – a motion by Jean Swanson to put the proceeds from the Lenten meals to the general fund this year. Mary Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Good Friday Service – A discussion was held and we will be having a service that evening at 6:30 pm.
Easter Service/Brunch: A motion by Loren Lienemann to do a brunch beginning at 7:30 am followed by the Easter Service at 9:00 a.m., was seconded by Arne Anderson. The motion was Carried.
Benevolence percentages: Discussion was held and percentages will remain the same. ELCA – 4%; World Hunger -2%; Riverside -2%; LSI – 2%.
CGD Summer School: It was discussed and Tricia Rosendahl will be contacted that it will be approved to use the Church again for summer school. A motion by Maynard Agena and seconded by Kim Brinkman to approve this, was carried.
Other: There was no further business
A motion to adjourn was made by Mary Anderson and seconded by Jean Swanson. Meeting was then adjourned and we closed by saying the “Lord’s Prayer”.
Submitted by, Jeanne Russell, Secretary
February 2023, LSI Bulletin/Newsletter Article and Story
Happy Valentine’s Day from LSI
At LSI, loving our neighbor is an essential value that we continuously work and grow towards. This Valentine’s Day, take time to share with your friends, family and neighbors how important they are to you. February is a time of giving, a time of love and a time of gratitude. Share with those around you how much they mean to you and the impact they have had on you.
It’s also a time when we want to thank you, the congregations that so generously support the work of LSI throughout the year. We are blessed by your love and support. Your generosity has continued to offer hope and healing to Iowans of all ages.
For more information, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI’s Director of Philanthropy and Church Relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or 563-676-2065.
Love Your Neighbor
At LSI, loving our neighbor is an integral value. Our staff continuously work towards loving their neighbors and investing their time, energy and resources into helping their neighbors. “I love getting to know my LSI colleagues and teammates, and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by such talented, passionate and inspiring individuals,” said Nick Wuertz, Director of Immigrant and Refugee Community Services (IRCS). “The team around me makes me better, and by getting to know my team and understanding their unique skills and perspectives, I feel I can love and support them in sharing those gifts with others on our team, our clients and the broader community.”
Barbra Jotzke-Torrier, Director of Philanthropy, shared that loving her neighbor means treating others with respect. “It means remembering my way is not always the best way, and certainly not the only way to live, love, make a home or be a part of a family.” Barbra shared that her job at LSI has given her the opportunity to share people’s stories and to connect people with programs they are passionate about.
“Loving my neighbor means caring for them and being there for them in good times and hard times,” shared Patrick Karemera, a Resettlement Caseworker. “Loving my neighbor through my job is about welcoming our new neighbors from all over the world who flee their homes in hopes of a better life.”
As Nick shared, loving your neighbors is complex and requires you to take the time to get to know them on a personal level. This Valentine’s Day, we invite you to take that step and get to know your neighbors.