July/August 2024

GENEATION ZERO-HUNGER Together We can be the generation that ends hunger

We don’t have anyone from our congregation going this year, but we can still make a difference!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

In preparation for the Youth Gathering this summer, youth from ELCA congregations across the country are raising money to become the generation that ends hunger.

Will you join them?

Right now, gifts made to ELCA World Hunger as part of Generation Zero-Hunger are being matched until we reach $250,000!

$50 for 50 Years of ELCA World Hunger!

This year, ELCA World Hunger is celebrating 50 years of working toward a just world where all are fed. ELCA World Hunger supports more than 200 projects in more than 60 countries every year, including the United States. Pick a project or two, set a goal with your church community, and see how you can help change the story of hunger in our world!

If you give $50, you can:

🌳 Provide a community with five fruit-tree seedlings ($50)

🌱 Help a farmer grow their farm with new tools, seeds and agricultural training ($50)

If you and a friend each give $50, you can:

🍞 Feed 50 people through a variety of feeding ministries ($100)

If you gather 10 people in your network to give $50, you can:

🐄 Provide a family with a cow, which produces nutritious, calcium-packed milk ($500)

💵 Empower four women to build a new business that will create a steady source of

income and help their families escape poverty ($500)

If you gather 50 people in your church or community to give $50, together you can:

💧 Provide clean, safe water for as many as 500 families ($2,500)

Share on social media! We want to see how you and your congregation participate in Generation Zero-Hunger! Share photos and updates about fundraising activities and actions on social media with the hashtag #GenZeroHunger and inspire members in churches across the country to join the movement to end hunger.

Why Generation Zero-Hunger? Learn more about this youth-led challenge and fundraising ideas here.

JULY/AUGUST VOLUNTEERS & MEETINGS

ACOLYTES SUPPLY FOR JUNE

July 7 Nolan Muhlenbruch July 7 – Dale Morisset

July 14 Jaxon Verba July 14 – Casey Simmons

July 21 Hannah Wharton July 21 – Pr Gloria Friedrich

July 28 Nolan Muhlenbruch July 28 – Pr Steve Smith

Aug 4 Jaxon Verba – Corn Days Aug 4 – Ecumenical Corn Days

Aug 11 Hannah Wharton Aug 11 – VBS/Beth Hurt

Aug 18 Nolan Muhlenbruch Aug 18 –Pr Caroline Engelbrecht

Aug 25 Jaxon Verba Aug 25 – Casey Simmons

JULY USHERS AUGUST USHERS

Craig Russell Craig Russell

Jean Swanson Jean Swanson

JULY ALTAR GUILD AUGUST ALTAR GUILD

Judy Gorder Jeanette Wenzel

Jeanne Russell & family

JULY DEACON AUGUST DEACON

Angela Wharton Bev Weidemann

JULY BREAD BAKER AUGUST BREAD BAKER

Pat Meek Jeanette Wenzel

COMMUNION SUNDAYS

July 21st & 28th

August 18th

FLCW QUILTERS

July 2nd at 1:00 p.m.

August 13th at 1:00 p.m.

2 nd Tuesday in August due to VBS

FIRST COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, July 3rd – 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 14th – 6:00 p.m.

2 nd Wednesday in August due to VBS

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL JUNE 5, 2024

President, Jean Swanson, opened the meeting with 8 members present. A motion to accept the agendas as presented was made by Mary Anderson and seconded by Maynard Agena. Motion Carried.

Devotion: Jean Swanson Jean Read a devotion and prayer to start off the meeting.

President’s Report: Jean Swanson Information will be in Business section of report.

Secretary’s Report: Jeanne Russell

Jeanne read the report from May 1st– a motion to accept the minutes as read was made by Mary Anderson and seconded by Bev Weidemann. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Beth Hurt

The CD that was due on May 26, 2024 in the amount of $69,540.01 was decided to be place at 4.9% interest for 2 years. The Norman Hanson memorial will be put in the checking. The monthly memorial in memory of Carlene Peyton was received also. A donation was made to the “Youth Ministry” account bringing that total to $350.00 at this time.

Deacon’s Report:

Pastor Anita visited every one of the shut-ins and those in care centers in May and gave them each of them communion. Deacons will continue to call on our members needing to be visited and give communion.

Trustee Report:

The church needs to be sprayed for wasps and ants. A motion to call someone to do this was made by Craig Russell and seconded by Larry Klatt. Motion carried. Mary Anderson and Jean Swanson weeded and cleaned around the bushes.

Stewardship: Larry Klatt

Larry & Tammy are still reaching out to invite members of the Dows community to the monthly meals. The next one is Wednesday, June 19th and it will be held in the Gazebo Park with live music. Hamburgers/hotdogs with ALL of the fixings will be served. Dessert will be ice cream with toppings and cookies. Everyone welcome. Dinner is served from 5:30-6:30 pm. Don’t miss out on a fun evening!

Old Business:

Fundraiser Meal on June 2nd Wrap up: Made $2105 – grocery bill of $344 and rental of the Community building will come out of that total. There was a $250 Thrivent debit card that was used for supplies, etc. Larry Klatt will check on the cost of renting the Convention Center. Insurance mandate for water leak sensor—Larry Klatt checked it out and one can be purchased at Menards and he will have someone put it in . A motion by Maynard and second by Craig Russell to do that was approved. Craig and Larry’s phone #’s would be on the call alert if it was triggered by water.Two “Exit” signs were purchased by David Ziesman but need to be put up. He will be reimbursed out of the “project” fund.

New Business:

Education Wing door replacement: We have gotten two estimates. Iowa Falls Glass - $8,000 plus tax Z& Z Glass - $7,900 plus tax. It was decided by the Council to go with Z&Z Glass.

Corn Days: A motion by Mary Anderson and seconded by Beth Hurt was to donate $50.00 to the Dows Corn Days Committee. Motion passed.

LP: There was a discussion on which rate to do going forward. A motion by Larry Klatt to do the summer fill at $1.35 was seconded by Maynard Agena. Motion carried. Pre-pay rate is $1.42.

Trustee vacancy: It was decided to wait until the election at the Annual Meeting for replacement.

Other new business: The ladies who went to the C3 Ministry Fair in Waverly on June 2nd, brought back 20 “birthday kits” and they will be set out at the next Community Monthly Meal on June 19th. And, also given to members who have a birthday in June.

Craig reported that the pulpit supply is taken care of until the end of August.

A motion to adjourn was made by Mary Anderson and seconded by Maynard Agena. Meeting adjourned.

We closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.

Submitted by, Jeanne Russell, Council Secretary

CORN DAYS

We are still in need of some volunteers to work in the food stand for Dows Corn Days the first weekend in August. If you would like to help, please give the church a call and we will add your name to the list. The food stands is also in need of pies that should be dropped off at the Presbyterian church by 1 pm on Friday. If you come at 1, you can also help cut pies!

PRAYER REQUESTS for the family of Kris Stein, Marv Moss, Roger Stover, Pastor David Anderson, the summer staff of Riverside, the ELCA Youth Gathering, all of our care center residents and those who are homebound.

ECUMENICAL VBS

First Lutheran will once again host VBS the week after Corn Days. Below is a link to get your child/children/grands pre-registered. Also, take a look at the attached flyer for more details about this fun-filled week.

VBS is in need of cookies and bars for the week! We know that we have so many great bakers out there so please bring any donated items to the church on Monday, August 5. th. Also, if your garden is producing more than you need, and you feel like sharing, we will serve the kiddos any fresh produce that you would like to bring in!

Pre- Registration is now open: https://vbspro.events/p/ac61a8

Take kids deep into an amazing undersea adventure where they’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God. At Scuba VBS, kids will be immersed in the Word and discover what living water is really all about! vbspro.events

LSI NEWS July 2024 – God’s Work, Our Hands

It’s nearly that time of year again – God's Work, Our Hands! Though the official day is in September, it's not too late to plan how your congregation can engage with GWOH Day.

One of the best ways to practice GWOH is through volunteering. At LSI, we have volunteer opportunities for individuals of nearly every age, ability, and schedule.Additionally, we offer group volunteer projects – the perfect opportunity for this upcoming day of service.

If you are interested in volunteering with LSI for God’s Work, Our Hands, talk to your pastor and have them contact philanthropy@LSIowa.org.

For more information, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI’s Director of Philanthropy and Church Relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or 563-676-2065

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!

DowsFLC