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Quick Notes and Reminders
Please check the calendar for more information.
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Food Pantry Item for January is juice in cans or plastic bottles Faith Feast Menu - Wednesday , January 20, will feature baked chicken. Out-to-Lunch Bunch - We're going to the 100th Street Café in Urbandale for lunch on Thursday, January 21, at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join this group for an hour of fellowship. Please contact Kala at 225-8334 or kalazanoni@faithlc.org if you plan to come. |
This Week's Ministry Blog
Seeing the Signs
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The Wedding Feast at Cana by Paolo Veronese hangs in the Louvre. The massive painting depicts a multitude of guests at the wedding celebration of John 2:1-11. Jesus sits quietly in the center of the scene, while a servant pours out some of the miraculous wine in the bottom right corner.
Hardly anyone is paying attention. Some are distractedly watching the people around them. Others are lost in their own thoughts, seemingly a million miles away from the action in their midst. The chief steward is the one person appreciating the wine-and yet, he stands with his back to Jesus. The only people who look at Jesus are the disciples.
Very few see the sign. Even fewer understand what it means.
Just like the Louvre visitors caught in the photo, we also take in the scene from a privileged distance. From our perspective as outsiders, we are able to notice everything that is taking place. We overhear the conversation between Jesus and his mother. We listen as he instructs the servants to act. We see the water going in to the vessels, and then the wine drawn out. We shake our heads as the chief steward misses the point-it's more than just good wine! The bridegroom had nothing to do with it!
From this vantage point, we can see, we understand, we get it.
But, what about all those other times?
What signs might we be missing as we are caught up in middle of things?
What distractions keep us from noticing Jesus present and at work right here in our midst?
What can help us to be disciples who see-and as a result, come to a deeper trust?
Pastor Sarah
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Sunday, January 17, Dylan DeClerck will lead the Animate Faith Study on the topic of Salvation: Abundant Life Now, featuring Shane Hipps. Each session of the Animate series offers a video with a well-known Christian thinker and a lively discussion. Join us!
On Sunday 24, Jake Bouma Director of Youth and Family Ministry, will share a Hypotherable--part hypothetical situation, part parable, all for the sake of engaging faith conversation.
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Nominating Committee Looking for Candidates
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The Faith Lutheran Church Nominating Committee will be meeting soon to consider candidates for the following leadership positions. Terms for these positions will begin in May of this year.
- Vice-president (two-year term)
- Treasurer (two-year term)
- At-large Council member (three-year term)
- 2015 Synod Assembly voting members (four members, historically two from Council)
- Nominating Committee members (four members, one-year term)
- Audit Committee (one member, one-year term)
- Endowment Committee (one member, three-year term)
If you are aware of individuals who may have an interest and willingness to serve our Church in these roles, please reach out to anyone on the committee: John Sorensen, Chair; Terry Johnson; DeLane Duval; Jerry Grabau; Ryan Larson; Maddie Quick; and Ann Taylor.
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Items Needed for Care Packages
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 This month our children will make care packages and write prayers of protection for soldiers who are serving in the military overseas. We will create our care packages on Wednesday, January 20. We are collecting the following items for the care packages and would appreciate donations of the following items: - Febreeze or similar product (One bottle, any size)
- Protein Bars (four or five bars)
- Scented Dryer Sheets (two or three boxes)
- Beef Jerky (one or two medium-sized bags)
- Dried Fruit (three to five small or medium bags)
- Trail Mix (three to five small or medium bags)
- Shoe inserts for sore feet; buy the largest kind that can be cut down to size (two to three Pairs)
- Odor-eliminating shoe powder (two to three containers)
Please place your items in the box in the Commons.
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Please join us for LLL on Wednesday, January 27, at 11:00 a.m. Carson Ode is a native Iowan and a graduate of Luther College in Decorah. For the past 44 years he has worked as a freelance graphic designer, illustrator and writer. His wife Connie, a graduate of Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, has been his partner in all endeavors. Their two books, IOWA-Spaces, Places, Faces and Celebrate IOWA, are heavily illustrated, comprehensive reads on Iowa. They will share insights about their travels and experiences in collecting information for their books. The Odes will have copies of their books available for purchase. On the menu for lunch is chili with cornbread and salad. Reservations are required by Monday, January 25. Please make yours by calling Kala at 225-8334 or emailing kalazanoni@faithlc.org. All are welcome!
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Hunger Awareness at the Iowa Caucuses
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As Iowans we have an incredible opportunity to lift up issues that will define the 2016 election. As Christians, we have a responsibility to speak out on behalf of our brothers and sisters in need. Join Matthew 25 on Tuesday January 26, at 7:00 p.m. for a brief house meeting to learn how you can lift up hunger issues at the upcoming Iowa Caucuses. Please contact Pastor Sarah to receive more information.
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 Parents who are expecting a new baby or who have new babies are invited to attend a baptism orientation. The next quarterly session will be held on Thursday, February 4, at 6:30 p.m. here at church. Please sign up for the class by emailing Kala at kalazanoni@faithlc.org or calling her at 225-8334.
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Luther College Symphony Orchestra
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 We are pleased to welcome back to our Soli Deo Musica concert series the acclaimed Luther College Symphony Orchestra on Friday, January 29, at 7:00 p.m. Under the direction of Dr. Daniel Baldwin, this 80-member orchestra plays masterworks of symphonic literature. The orchestra takes great pride in introducing new music. Since 2001, the orchestra has presented six world premieres. The Luther College Symphony has completed 11 major tours since 1997.
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Wednesday Night Lenten Series:
"I've always wondered, but was afraid to ask..."
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Lent is a great time to explore our faith. So what are your questions? This year the pastors will spend Wednesday nights in Lent responding to your questions. Whether it is about the Bible, theology, where pastors come from, why bad things happen to good people-ask us anything! Please submit your questions via email to Pastor Sarah, or take a slip of paper from the pew rack and place your question in the offering plate.
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Save the Date!
The 14th Annual Silent Auction & Spaghetti Lunch Youth Fundraiser is March 6
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Mark your calendars and join us for our annual mission trip fundraising event for the 50+ youth and adults traveling to the Leech Lake Indian Reservation this July. We are excited to offer another Silent Auction & Spaghetti Lunch on Sunday, March 6, but we need your help! Part of what makes our auction so successful is the willingness of the congregation to donate items to be auctioned. We've had people donate woodwork, art, skilled labor, gift certificates, and so on. Prayerfully consider how your passions and gifts can bless our youth ministry by donating new or like-new items and/or services to the auction.
Forms are available on the youth bulletin board in the entryway and can be dropped off in the church office. All donations are due by Wednesday, February 24. Thank you for your continued support!
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Children and Family Ministry
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If your child is not in school on Monday, January 18, consider dropping them of at our annual Day Camp from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This camp is open to PK-6th Graders, with older children invited to attend as helpers. This year's theme is Star Wars and Beauty Shop. Cost is a free will donation. Proceeds from this camp will go toward scholarships for children wishing to attend Riverside or Lakeside Church Camp this summer. Please respond to Kala if your children will attend so that we can plan for staffing, activities, and food by Friday, January 15.
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Save the Date - Mother/Son Dance
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Are you ready to boogie? Have you heard of a Daddy/Daughter dance? Now it's time for mothers and sons to have a chance to celebrate in a winter wonderland. Moms, grandmas, and aunts: grab your sons, grandsons, and nephews - young and old - and have some fun at this year's Mother/Son Dance: "Snow-Ball"! On Friday, February 19, enjoy dancing, contests, snacks, punch, and a photo booth from 6:00-8:00p.m. here at Faith. Tickets are $25 per couple and $5 more for each additional child. Tickets for Faith's Mother/Son Dance can be purchased on our website under Quick Links/Payment for Events, in the church office and at all performances of the Children's Musical on February 6 and 7.
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Youth and Family Ministry
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