March 2025
LSI serves Iowans of all ages; families with newborns navigating parenthood, refugee and immigrant elders, and children of all ages. One of the most crucial populations LSI serves is children in middle and high school. April Howe of LSI shares the impact of LSI programming that she sees in schools across Iowa.
“I love it when a whole classroom of middle schoolers run down the auditorium hallway for an LSI class shouting ‘April!’ with excitement, ready to learn about healthy relationship skills and self-esteem,” said April Howe, a Program Supervisor for LSI’s Clinical Services team.
Our LSI Clinical Services team provides various local community programs in schools across Iowa. Whether it’s mental health therapy or programs providing teen pregnancy education, they all share the goal of wrapping care around adolescents at a local level.
Specifically, April and her team conduct two community programs in nine northwest Iowa counties: Community Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP) and Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP).
CAPP supports and educates Iowa youth by providing sexual health and pregnancy prevention classes for healthy and successful relationships. PREP helps youth build social, emotional, and life skills to develop a positive sense of self and to connect with peers in their community. PREP utilizes the Teen Outreach Program and Wise Guys evidence-based curriculum.
“Thank you for teaching our class and taking time out of your day to come to our school. I learned a lot about healthy relationships and how to handle my anger and other emotions. You opened my eyes to my family’s habits and what I want to take with me when I have a family of my own.” – High school student to LSI staff member
“The letters that high school students write to our staff about what they learned in class and how they will use the knowledge in their everyday life shows the programs’ tremendous impact,” said April. “We meet the youth where they are at, but also encourage healthy decision-making along the way, which plays a huge role in making prevention education successful.”
Furthermore, April’s team encourages conversation and participation by providing incentives in the classroom, such as packaged snacks and other LSI materials. “When it comes to engagement in the classroom, I always say, ‘When their stomachs are full, their brains are full,’” shared April with a smile. “Some students would skip school all day, but they show up to the last class of the day, taught by LSI. That, right there, is a win for my team.”
April’s team has seen significant success in response to their CAPP and PREP community programs. Based on a post-program evaluation, 96% of students in the CAPP program reported that they learned “some” or “a lot” that they didn’t already know about sexual health topics, and 53% agreed that they are now more likely to start conversations about these topics with others.
“Pregnancy rates have dropped over the last four years in many of our counties served, proving our services are making a difference in our communities,” said April. “Reaching the youth on their level and prioritizing prevention makes our program successful.”
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.
FOR SALE
The church is replacing the 2 electric stoves in the kitchen. If you, or anyone you know is interested, please contact the office ASAP. $50 per stove/OBO.
MARCH VOLUNTEERS
SUPPLY ACOLYTES
Mar 2 – Casey Simmons Mar 2 – Jaxon Verba
Mar 5 – Pastor Kent Mechler Mar 5 – Hannah Wharton
Mar 9 – Shawn Hill Mar 9 –Nolan Muhlenbruch
Mar 16 – Pastor Steve Smith Mar 16– Madi Muhlenbruch
Mar 23 – Casey Simmons Mar 23– Jaxon Verba
Mar 30 – Steve Schwendemann Mar 30 – Hannah Wharton
USHERS ALTAR GUILD
Gene Thelke Tammy Klatt
Kent Thelke Jean Swanson
DEACON BREAD BAKER
Jean Swanson Wanda Glade
COMMUNION
March 5 – Ash Wednesday
March 16 th
FLCW QUILTERS March 4 th at 1:00 p.m.
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING March 5 th at 5:30 p.m.
THANK YOU
Whether you kept us in your thought and prayers, sent flowers, gave a memorial or helped out in any way, your kindness brought us comfort and will not be forgotten. The family of Daisy Bentrott
Thank you for the cards, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of my mom’s passing. Thank you again. Mary & Jim Haugen and family.
First Lutheran Church Council Meeting
February 12, 2025
President Larry Klatt called the meeting to order. There were 7 members present. A motion was made by Mary Anderson, seconded by Bev Weidemann to approve the agenda. Larry led us in devotion.
President’s report – The Dows Firemen are asking for a donation. Tabled until the March meeting.
Secretary’s report – Shelly Howard read the minutes from the January meeting. They were approved as read.
Treasurer’s report – Motion by Jean Swanson, seconded by Kathy Thelke to approve the report.
Trustee’s report – need to check the motion light above the education wing door once it warms up.
Old Business – We have a rough estimate of $5000 to do the prep work to get ready for the installation of the new elevator. The 70% downpayment was made and the contract was signed with Access Elevator and Lifts, Inc.
New Business – we need to make sure we have a quorum for our council meetings.
There was discussion about a daycare facility looking for a place to use in Dows.
Next council meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 5 th , due to the Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 p.m.
Lenten offering benevolence tabled until March.
The office has received some crisis calls and was looking for direction as far as funding and help is concerned. Larry stated that calls could be directed to him.
We had an inquiry about the amount of standing that we do during a Sunday worship service. After much discussion it was decided to leave as is and hope that if anyone has trouble standing that they feel free to remain seated.
Motion by Mary Anderson, seconded by Kathy Thelke to adjourn. We closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Shelly Howard, secretary pro-tem
LENT INFORMATION
Ash Wednesday service will be held on March 5 th at 6:30 p.m. Holy communion and an imposition of ashes will be offered during this service.
We will once again be serving a meal on each of the five Wednesday’s of Lent. The first meal will take place on Wednesday, March 12 th . Serving will begin at 5:30 p.m. and worship will be held at 6:30 p.m. A sign-up sheet is posted in the narthex for any who would like to help with a meal.
The Lenten series this year is “Perfect Love Casts Out Fear”. This service provides a pair of scripture readings each week exploring dimensions of God’s love for us and the love of Christ we share. First Lutheran will be part of the Riverside Conference round robin group so each week we will host a different speaker from somewhere in our conference.
LENTEN MEALS AND SCHEDULE
March 12 th meal – hamburgers, baked beans, chips, ice cream
Worship: If you love me you will keep my commandments
Pastor John Shehan/Bergen Roland
March 19 meal – spaghetti (beef/chicken), green beans, rolls, desserts
Worship: Perfect love casts out fear
Pastor Jena Finch-Manchester/Grace UMC Story City
March 26 th meal – ham loaf, cheesy taters, green beans, desserts
Worship: Speaking the truth in love
Lay Minister Caitlin Tauro – St. Paul’s Hampton
Serving of the weekly meals begins at 5:30 p.m. worship at 6:30
EASTER BREAKFAST
A sign-up sheet for ingredients for Easter breakfast is in the narthex. Menu includes Egg Bake, Pancakes, Sausage Patties, Fresh Fruit, and Cinnamon Rolls. Please have ingredients to the church by 10 am on Saturday, April 19 th . Any questions, ask, call, or text Kathy at 515-571-4012. Thanks!