November 2024
Here is the poem that was recited by Dr. Steve Schwendemann when he shared his message at First on Sunday, October 6th.
.I was shocked, confused, bewildered
as I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
by the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
who made me sputter and gasp
the thieves, the liars, the sinners,
the alcoholics, the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
was rotting away in hell,
was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
And why's everyone so quiet,
so somber? Give me a clue."
"Hush, child," said He. "They're all in shock.
No one thought they'd see you."
NOVEMBER VOLUNTEERS
ACOLYTES SUPPLY
Nov 3 Madi Muhlenbruch Nov 03 – Casey Simmons
Nov 10 Jaxon Verba Nov 10 – Pastor Gloria Friedrich
Nov 17 Hannah Wharton Nov 17 – Pastor Steve Smith
Nov 24 Nolan Muhlenbruch Nov 24 – Casey Simmons
USHERS ALTAR GUILD
Maynard Agena Tammy Klatt
Shannon Muhlenbruch Jean Swanson
DEACON BREAD BAKER
Tammy Klatt Cheryl Jass
COMMUNION SUNDAYS
November 10th & 17th
FLCW QUILTERS November 5th at 1:00 p.m.
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING November 6th at 6:00 p.m.
PRAYER REQUESTS for Marv Moss, Shari Bral, Roger Iverson, Merlin Loux, Cydney Clayton, all the home-bound members and those who are residing in the local care centers.
FLCW Quilters: Throughout the year, there are ladies who gather at First on the 1st Tuesday of the month to make quilts for those in need, in our community, state and world. On September 21st, Maynard and Jeanie took 128 quilts to be loaded onto a truck headed for Lutheran World Relief, where they will be sent on to where the need is the most. They also sent 5 quilts donated to the Holmes Christmas Club auction, 1 quilt to the Spina bifida fund and a $100 donation to the Riverside Quilt Auction. Great job to everyone who made this possible! If you would like to help with this wonderful project, just show up at 1 on the 1st Tuesday and they will put you to work.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 2, 2024
President, Jean Swanson, opened the meeting with 7 members present. A Motion by Mary Anderson to approve of the agenda as presented was seconded by Maynard Agena. Motion carried.
Devotion: Jean read a devotion and led us in prayer.
President’s Report: She will give that in the new business section of the meeting.
Secretary’s Report: Jeanne Russell Jeanne read the minutes from the September 11, 2024 meeting. Being that there were no additions or correction to the minutes, a motion to accept the minutes was made by Mary Anderson and seconded by Maynard Agena. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: In lieu of Beth’s absence, Dan presented the report. He said that the 2 fans purchased were paid out of the Project Fund. The Youth Group met on September 8th and 2 youth came to the first meeting. More information to youth in the area was distributed and they are looking forward to more coming in October. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Craig Russell and seconded by Mary Anderson. Motion carried.
Deacon’s Report: Everyone is being visited and given Communion that are on the list.
Trustee’s Report: Mary & Jean will trim the bushes next week. The downspout that needed attention, was taken care of by Maynard. Two new fans will be put up in the kitchen soon. A new VBS banner that is also in Spanish, was purchased.
Stewardship: Larry & Tammy Klatt Larry said that he and Tammy would like to do a “Holy Hootenanny” again so look for more information on that to come. They will need volunteers so be ready to help them out! It was always a fun afternoon!
Old Business:
Constitution: Craig will look it over and see what rules the ELCA shows for different recommendations.
Monthly Meals: Monthly meals are going great with all the volunteers who so generously help out. We did have a very substantial donation from the Church Women United in Iowa Falls again in September which was very much appreciated. They are always looking for help to sort, organize and help out on Fridays & Saturdays, so if anyone would like to do that, just show up around 8:30-9:00 am on Mondays and Tuesdays and they will put you to work.
New Business:
All Saints Sunday: November 3rd. We have three members that we will be remembering. Lucille Dawson, Norman Hanson and Roger Stover.
Harvest Festival: November 17th with a potluck. All Council members are being asked to help out that day. Our distribution chosen this year will be LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF to help with the many needs from Hurricane Helene. A motion to approve of this was made by Larry Klatt and seconded by Mary Anderson. Motion carried.
Sunday School Christmas Program: December 15th /Bethlehem Garage Sale (Snow Date-December 22nd)
Christmas Eve Service: December 24th at 6:30 pm
December Communion Sundays: December 8th –Pastor Engelbrecht; December 29th – Pastor Steve Smith
Final Distribution from Gerald Rockow’s Estate: It will be deposited with the other funds at UB&T in the CD already set up.
Other New Business: The TV in the Pre-School Sunday School room needs to be replaced.Jean Swanson will purchase a 32” tv and Dan Hurt will get it set up. This TV’s cost will come out of the Sunday School fund.
A few chairs need to be fixed in the fellowship hall.
New South Door Fund: Donations are still being taken to replace that door.
Discussion was held on the Dows Food Pantry. It is still through the Dows Grocery store. Donations can be given to that fund by anyone, at any time.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Craig Russell and seconded by Maynard Agena. Meeting adjourned with everyone saying the Lord’s Prayer. Next meeting for the Church Council is November 6th.
Submitted by, Jeanne Russell, Council secretary
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HARVEST FESTIVAL
On Sunday, November 17th we will celebrate our annual Harvest Festival. Special offering envelopes will be available in the narthex for use on this day.The offering will be designated to Lutheran World Relief to help with the hurricane efforts in the U.S. If you need an envelope, please let the office know. After worship we will gather in the basement for a potluck meal. Tableware and drinks will be provided. Please plan to join us on this day of thanks and celebration!
ALL ARE INVITED to the Dows United Methodist turkey dinner, which will be held on Sunday, November 10th from 11-1. They will be serving at the Dows Legion Hall and you can dine in or drive thru the alley behind the legion.
LSI NEWS November 2024: National Adoption Month
November is National Adoption Month! Lutheran Services in Iowa has served adoptive and foster families for decades, helping to ensure every child has a safe and loving home. For over a year, we joined with Four Oaks Foster and Adoption Services to better serve the families of Iowa. As a subcontractor, we continue to train and support foster, adoptive, and kin families in the western side of the state. Our team has served over 700 families through assistance during the licensing process and by providing on-going support and development in the past fiscal year.
To learn more about our Foster Care and Adoption services, please visit www.lsiowa.org/foster-care-adoption.
For more information, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI’s Director of Philanthropy and Church Relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or 563-676-2065.
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