Faith E-news        September 11, 2015 

Quick Notes and Reminders    

Please check the calendar for more information.


Faith Feast Menu September 16  
                               Tomato soup and grilled cheese

Food Pantry Item for September is canned fruits and vegetables.
                               July Donated Totals were 179 items and $560.00

Out-to-Lunch Bunch - Thursday, September 17, at 11:30 a.m. at the Machine Shed. Please join us for an hour of fellowship. All are welcome. Please let Kala know if you can come by contacting her at 225-8334 or [email protected].
  

This Week's Ministry Blog
Getting to Know You 

In faith, in relationships, there is always a little farther to go.

Mark 8:27-38

I've been walking my son to school every morning. For the sake of all the "have to's" in my day, it would make more sense to choose the fastest way. Sometimes he complains, "but it takes soooo long, why can't we ride in the car?"
 
But I am committed to walking. And to his complaints (and to the pressures of my day) I respond, "This way we get to spend time together...and talk...and notice things, like those spiders that build their webs in the grass..."
 
And we get to know each other.
 
I'm glad to choose 15 minutes of holding hands and pointing out dew on the grass and his little boy foot-dragging-dancing-stumbling steps. A minute of complaint gives way to chatting about his friend on the playground and wondering out loud about the things we see.
 
In the rain and the snow and the cold that is sure to come, I hope to continue to choose the slow, inconvenient way-because knowing him will continue to take time. Every day there will be something new to learn about him.
 
And in the walking, we have our opportunity.
 
In our Gospel lesson this week, it is painfully obvious that Peter has a lot more to learn about Jesus. Who he is. What he means. What he must do.
 
What he knows so far is from the slow plodding steps they've taken together around Galilee. But Peter's journey with Jesus is far from over. He can't stop now.
 
In the harsh words, "Get behind me, Satan!" Jesus is also extending an invitation.
 
Keep following. Keep walking.
There is so much more for you to know.

Pastor Sarah 


Wanted: Ideas and Instructors for
Faith's Craft Night
 
Are you willing to share your talents for fun craft ideas? In preparation for Faith's Craft Night on Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., please consider making a craft to teach. Both adult and children's crafts are wanted. Call Jerry Grabau with questions at 224-0138.
 
 

Seeds of Faith Cookbook Fundraiser 

We need your help gathering recipes for the preschool's 2015 cookbook! Please take a moment to share a few of your family's favorite recipes with us! You can submit them online at bit.ly/SOFrecipes or pick up recipe forms in the church office. Please turn in all recipes by Friday, September 25. You do not need to be a preschool family to participate. If you would like to purchase a cookbook (or several), they are being sold between now and September 25 for $10 each. This is one of the preschool's biggest fundraisers so we would appreciate any support from our congregation. Order forms can also be picked up and returned to the church office. Please make checks payable to Seeds of Faith. Cookbooks will be delivered in early December and make wonderful Christmas gifts!
 

Dinner Groups
 
forks-knives.jpg It's time again to sign up for our Faith Fall Dinner Groups. Enjoy new experiences with new and old Faith friends around the dinner table whether in your home or in a restaurant.

For the in-home groups, the host prepares the entree and the other members of the group provide the side dishes. Several groups have experimented with Sunday brunch or after work appetizers. For the out-to-dinner group, the host determines the restaurant and the group meets at the agreed upon time at the restaurant. Some of these groups have planned appetizers at home before going to a restaurant or perhaps desserts at home afterwards.
 
F
inal date to sign up will be Sunday, September 20. Dinner groups will be assigned by September 30 so that groups can meet in October, November, December and January. In January, we will have a renewal/sign up for the spring groups. Please contact Jan Burch & Bob Mitchell at [email protected] or 457-7691


Soup Sunday, An Evening with the Bishop

All are welcome as congregations of the Southeastern Iowa Synod gather for an evening meal and to share stories of life and ministry on Sunday, September 20, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in West Des Moines. Bishop Burk will share his own thoughts and hopes for our life together as church, and facilitate conversation about how our connections to one another in Christ can bring to expression a bold and hopeful witness to our communities and to the whole world...all in the name of Jesus. This is a free event, please bring a can of soup to donate to the local food pantry or a financial donation for ELCA World Hunger. 
 

Cancer Support Group 
 
Cancer Support Group will meet at the church Sunday, September 13, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Jan Stegeman, R.N. and Barbara Cavallin, Ph.D. are the facilitators. Anyone who is dealing with cancer, has a friend or relative who is, or is dealing with the loss of a loved one from cancer, is encouraged to come for this inspirational, compassionate, uplifting time of devotion, information, sharing, caring and prayer. If you have any materials that you would like to share with the group, please bring them.


 Ladies' Night Out     
 
It can be hard to find time for yourself to build and nurture your friendships, but it is so valuable. Join us once a month for dinner at a local restaurant. It is a great time to build friendships as we share the ups and downs of life. All are welcome. Our next gathering will be on Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. at Cool Basil in Clive. Please email Holly Meagher at [email protected] if you can attend.


Sundays in September
 
In September we'll be RenewingFaith in worship and during the Sunday School hour (9:15-10:15 a.m.). The following Sundays will feature continental breakfast and opportunities for all members to engage their faith in an active, fun way.

September 13:
RenewingFaith Through Education - Children, youth and adults are invited to gather in St. Michael's Hall for a Sunday School lesson for all ages. Join us for a tour of the lower level Sunday School classrooms. Find out more about this year's educational opportunities.

September 20:
RenewingFaith Through Stewardship - Adults will gather in St. Michael's Hall for an update of the Renewing Faith Capital Campaign. Take a tour of the unfinished spaces, and learn about the upcoming changes.

September 27:
RenewingFaith Through Service - Adults will gather in St. Michael's Hall as the participants of the ELCA Youth Gathering share about their experiences. Learn about how you can serve others in the coming year. Join in and help out with a hands-on service activity.
 


Save the Dates  

Save the third Monday evening of each month for a new look at marriage education. Each hour and a half to two-hour session is stand-alone, so join us whenever you are available. The sessions planned for this school year include: movie nights, Mindful Marriage Moment events, a discussion starter series called Your Time-Starved Marriage, and a Date Your Mate event or two. Check out the table in St. Michael's Hall on Sunday, September 13, and add your name to the contact list for more details, or contact Kent and Jeannette Babcock at [email protected] or 278-8458.
 
 

Children and Family Ministry     

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Sunday School and Wednesday Faith Night Registration 
 
We are seeking first and second grade teacher and shepherd for Wednesday Faith Night class from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Please contact Rachel at [email protected] or 515-943-6877. 

If you are interested in teaching Sunday School, please go to SignUp Genius to do so. If you have questions, feel free to contact Rachel at [email protected] or 515-943-6877. 

Youth and Family Ministry     

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  • 7th, 8th, and 9th Grades: Save the date! Our yearly confirmation retreats will take place the following dates: 7th Grade: September 18-19; 8th Grade: October 16-17; 9th      Grade: December 4-5. Retreats run Friday evening until Saturday late afternoon. Be on the lookout for more information via email and snail mail.
  • 9th Grade: Don't forget to be on the lookout for an adult to serve as your confirmation mentor for the coming year! Once your mentor is on board, please instruct him or her to fill out the information form here → http://bit.ly/FLCmentor15
  • Senior High: Save the date! Faith is hosting a Lutheran College Fair on Sunday, October 11, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. During the event, you'll talk with representatives from the 41 Lutheran colleges and universities and learn why the Lutheran college experience is unlike any other! The event is free to attend, and there is no need to pre-register.
  • Confirmation Parents: Join our confirmation parent text message list! Joining is easy: Just text message FLCCP to the number 68398!