May 2024
I will lead the blind by a road they do not know, by paths they have not known I will guide them. (Isaiah 42:16a)
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing… (43:18-19a)
I know a year (or more) seems like a long wait for a new pastor, but just imagine how discouraged the people of Israel felt after being exiled in Babylon for 50 years. It must have seemed as if God had just written them off. But the prophet assures them that’s not the case. God will get them home again. It just won’t be the way they are expecting. As much as we might long for things at church to go back to the way they used to be, it’s just not realistic. We simply don’t have as many people in our rural communities. The few pastors who are willing and able to serve, must be prepared to work with more than one congregation.
Under these circumstances, it can be tempting to throw our hands in the air and resign ourselves to the inevitability of closing. But if we are willing to look around and see what God is still doing around, among, and within us, there is real hope.
One of the best ways to broaden our view and see beyond the “former things” is to read our synod’s monthly newsletter, the Star. There are stories in every issue about the “new things” God is up to in congregations and communities of NE Iowa. (Add your email address to their list while you’re there!) https://neiasynod.org/blog/newsletter/
The March-April one is especially exciting because it lists more than 20 workshops to be offered at the Creative Collaborative Congregations (C3) Ministry Fair to be held on June 1 at Wartburg College in Waverly. And unlike synod assemblies, there will be no plenary sessions this year and anyone can attend, not just elected delegates! The more of these workshops FLC folks can get to, the better equipped you will be to move ahead together on the “road you do not know.”
Here’s a brief rundown of the topics:
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Calling a Pastor or Deacon
Make Time for Strategic Ministry
Faith Formation & Volunteer Recruitment: Thinking Outside the Box
The Dwelling: The Church That Started as Three Showers and a Trailer
Reflecting on Your Congregation’s Legacy
Talking Out Loud About Addiction
Dinner Church Ministry
Ukraine Trip & Moral Trauma
LSI Immigrant & Refugee Community Services
Art as Spiritual Practice: A Hands-On, All-Ages Faith Practice
Dying Generously: Planned Giving as Part of Your Legacy
What Is a Mutual Ministry Committee and Why Do We Need One?
Rocks and Roots: The Outdoors as Spiritual Playground
Tips and Tricks for Church Communications: Making the Most of Your Emails, Website & Social Media
A Look at Campus Ministry
Register here www.neiasynod.org/ministry-fair or contact the church office for help signing up! The church will pay the registration! It has been a joy and a privilege to serve FLC Dows. I hope to see you again someday down the road!
Yours in Christ, Pastor Anita Nuetzman
MAY VOLUNTEERS and MEETINGS
ACOLYTES
May 5 Nolan Muhlenbruch
May 12 Jaxon Verba
May 19 Hannah Wharton
May 26 Nolan Muhlenbruch
ALTAR GUILD Jeanie Agena, Kim Brinkman
Bread Baker: Mary Anderson
Deacon: Tammy Klatt
Ushers: Loren and Angie Lienemann
FLCW Quilters: May 7th at 1 pm
First Council Meeting: Wednesday, May 1st at 6 pm
D/SAOC DONATIONS We are currently collecting donations of diapers and Kleenex for the D/SAOC. Please leave any and all donations in the shopping cart that is in the narthex. Thanks for your help!
PRAYER REQUESTS for the family of Gerry Hanson, Maynard Agena, Lucille Dawson, Roger Stover, the Srigley family, all of our care center residents and those who are homebound.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING April 3, 2024
President, Jean Swanson, opened the meeting with 5 members present. A motion to accept the agenda as presented was made by Larry Klatt and seconded by Mary Anderson. Motion carried.
DEVOTIONS: Pastor Anita Pastor Anita read the devotion from “Weaving Your Vocation” by Rebeckah Selnick from the April 2018 Café online magazine. She listed March’s Pastoral duties also.
President’s Report: Jean Swanson Jean referred to the item listed under old business
Secretary’s Report: Jeanne Russell Jeanne read the minutes from the March 6 th meeting. Larry Klatt made the motion to accept the minutes as read and Mary Anderson seconded that motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Beth Hurt The Monthly Meal total of funds were listed at $1527.50 which were the proceeds from the Lenten Suppers $977.50) ELCA Ride Against Hunger grant ($500) and a $50 donation. The boiler inspection will be on April 12 th from 10:30-11:00 am. A motion to approve the treasurer’s report as presented was made by Larry Klatt and seconded by David Ziesman. Motion carried.
Deacon Report: Members that are shut-ins and also those in care centers, are being visited monthly and receiving communion.
Trustee’s Report: Mary Anderson Mary Anderson reported that she and Jean Swanson worked on the bushes outside and cleaned windows downstairs. Mary said that we need some new folding chairs in the fellowship hall because some were bent. Mary is ordering 4 new chairs to see if they will work out for us and if they do, she will order 12 more, for a total of 16 new chairs at the cost of $640.00.
Stewardship Report: Larry Klatt Larry said that there were some new people in Dows and he and Tammy would personally invite them to the Monthly Meal on April 17 th .
Summer Worship Time: Our worship time will change to 9:00 am on June 2 nd and change back to 10:00 am on September 15 th .
Dows Neighborly Nutritional Meals – April 17 th will be the first one – 5:30 pm -6:30 pm. Mark your calendars to come!
Fundraiser – June 2, 2024 Don Ziesman has volunteered to do the meat again. The Dows Convention Center is reserved for that date. Salads and bars will again be needed so look for the “sigh-up” sheet that will be in the narthex soon.
Other Old Business: Jean Swanson Due to not having enough council members at the meeting, and therefore not having a quorum, this item on the agenda will be held at a later date.
New Business:
Senior Recognition Sunday – May 5 th -First Lutheran has 2 Seniors this year. Bailee Ball & Kehra Vinsand Craig Russell will purchase the trees to be presented that day.
Sunday School Recognition Sunday- May 19 th -- Jean Swanson will do the certificates and get the ice cream gift certificates from the Crème De La Creme for the 18 students.
The booked LP gallons have been used up.
Pastor Anita presented a letter to the Council that her last day as an Interim Pastor will be on May 31 st .
Meeting was adjourned and we all closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Submitted by, Jeanne Russell Council Secretary
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH Special Council Meeting April 7, 2024
President Jean Swanson called the meeting to order following our church service. There were eight council members present.
Discussion was held on raising the wages of both Shelly Howard and Beth Hurt. Following the discussion, Craig Russell made the motion to raise Shelly’s monthly salary from $300 to $500 and also raise Beth’s monthly salary from $200 to $300, beginning in April. Mary Anderson seconded this motion. Motion carried.
Meeting was adjourned.
Submitted by, Jeanne Russell Council Secretary
Dows Community Meal
Your next chance at a community meal will be Wednesday, May 15 th . We are embarking on a new adventure here at First and in our community. The Dows Neighborly Nourishment meals will continue serving a once a month meal (3 rd Wednesday) here at First for FREE!! This meal is for EVERYONE in our community so please help spread the word. See the enclosed flyer for more info.
MAY WORSHIP INFORMATION
Sunday, May 5 th we will honor our 2 graduating seniors, Bailee Boll and Kehra Vinsand. There will be a basket in the narthex for cards.
Sunday, May 19 th will be the last day of Sunday school for this year. We will hear the kids sing and show our appreciation for the Sunday school staff. We will also celebrate Pentecost so wear your RED.
The 3 rd annual hog roast will be held on Sunday, June 2, at the Dows Community Center. A sign-up sheet will be going up soon for donations of food, money and help. Please take a look when you see it and sign up where you can. We appreciate all of the help!
May 2024 – Give a Gift to LSI: Support Mothers across Iowa
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12. Did you know LSI brings hope and healing to mothers in each of our service lines? Here are just a few examples:
The Child Care Business Development program in our Immigrant and Refugee Community Services prepares women, often mothers, to run an in-home childcare business. This small business opportunity allows them to provide for their family and ensure their children receive culturally appropriate care.
Many mothers benefit from our Foster Care and Adoption services, whether they be mothers who are blessed with a child through adoption or foster mothers who provide love and guidance to children from all paths of life.
Early Childhood Services prepares mothers-to-be for birth and raising a child. Additionally, home visitation programs help ensure a strong support system for young parents across the state.
These are just three examples of how LSI serves mothers in Iowa. This Mother’s Day, we encourage you to give a gift in honor of your mother or motherly figure to ensure mothers around the state receive the care and support they deserve.
Donate online at lsiowa.org/donate or send a check to Lutheran Services in Iowa, PO Box 848, Waverly, IA 50677-0848.
For more information, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI’s Director of Philanthropy and Church Relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or 563-676-2065.