Faith E-news    February 19, 2016  

Quick Notes and Reminders    

Please check the calendar for more information.


Food Pantry Item for February is canned soup

Faith Feast  The menu for Wednesday, February 17, will feature baked chicken. Faith Feast is served on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Come enjoy fellowship and a filling, healthy meal, all for only $5.00 per person ($4.00 for kids nine and under).
 

This Week's Ministry Blog
Gathered & Sent
 
 
Even under the threat of Herod, Jesus stayed the course; he kept doing what he had been doing all along. There was work to be done and courage would lead the way. We may be taken by Jesus' persistent commitment to the goal of the kingdom even while there was so much resistance.  And we may pause during Lent to think about the image he likened himself to: the hen gathering her brood under her wings. At a first glance it doesn't seem to be a picture of courage or strength but one of great vulnerability.
 
At this point in the journey couldn't Jesus have found another kind of reference, something a little more inspiring than a hen? The season of Lent offers a time to look closer at what we might otherwise pass by with a disinterested glance or a certain sophistication. It is a season for our proclamation of what is life giving and full of hope! We seek such renewal.
Maybe Jesus was trying to help us make an unlikely connection between courage and vulnerability. Maybe the image was meant to direct our thinking toward compassion and the way of the cross - the great lengths God goes to reach us in love. In Jesus' "day in and day out" work a path was forming toward Jerusalem. Living out of his calling meant a willingness to be genuinely present for the suffering of the world.
 
The image of the hen brings a reassuring word to us when we feel most vulnerable, needing to find the courage to love, to do something for others even though there are no guarantees of getting anything in return.
 
In the flow of the gospel story the hen reminds us of the promise of gratitude and even joy. It gives us the very glimpse of resurrection life. Love is at the center of all of this and it brings about the kind of connections that carry the deepest meaning and the greatest purpose! What a powerful message for us in the church as we seek to celebrate the gift of belonging and to find our way forward by humble service.
 
Pastor Randy
 
God of the covenant, in the mystery of the cross you promise everlasting life to the world. Gather all peoples into your arms, and shelter us with your mercy, that we may rejoice in the life we share in your Son, Jesus Christ.   -ELW
 

Sunday School
  
On Sunday, February 21, Marti Jensen will lead Animate Faith Study. Each session of the Animate series offers a video with a well-known Christian thinker and a lively discussion. Join us!

On Sunday, February 28, Bishop Burk will be speaking during Adult Sunday School.
 

Construction Update 
 
The music center is getting a paint job! The ceilings are painted black and will be left exposed for acoustic supposes.  It is going to be amazing!

Work continues on the bathrooms and lower level room. The drywall is being worked on in the restrooms and the ceiling has been painted in the storage section in the lower level room.

Progress is a beautiful thing!


Iowa Energy Big Assist Night for
Blue Lips Foundation

Iowa Energy is teaming up with the Blue Lips Foundation for "Big Assist Night" on Thursday, February 25, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and children under 2 are free. All proceeds of ticket sales purchased through Seeds of Faith/Faith Lutheran Church will go directly to Blue Lips Foundation. Tickets can be purchased in the church office. Blue Lips Foundation was founded in 2015 by Randy and Meredith Wilharber after Meredith was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, a high blood pressure in the lungs causing right-sided heart failure. Meredith's son, Kyler, attends Seeds of Faith Preschool. For more information, visit bluelipsfoundation.org.
 

Come to Seeds of Faith Chapel

Seeds of Faith Logo Seeds of Faith Preschool invites members of the congregation to attend chapel this coming week. Chapel times are 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24, and 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25. Chapel is 15 to 20 minutes long and features elements of worship, songs, and a lesson based on the lectionary text for the week. It is an absolute joy to see the young children excited about learning about their faith. Please stop by and join us during our special worship time. All are welcome to attend!
 

Matthew 25 Continues Support for
Children Family Urban Movement (CFUM)
 
Matthew 25 from Faith supports many causes having to do with hunger in the Des Moines area. One of their biggest projects is supporting CFUM Supper Club at Trinity Methodist Church in Des Moines. On Saturday, March 5, and Saturday, May 7, they will be serving meals to approximately 40 people at Trinity. They need volunteers to help with set up on March 5, and serving on May 7, from 3:45-6:00 p.m. This would be a rewarding experience for adults and older children (middle school and high school).

If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Linda Johnson at 244-3078, 418-8203, or linjohns46@hotmail.com.
 

Youth and Family Ministry Silent Auction Donations Welcome! 
 
The mission trip youth and their families are busy preparing for the Silent Auction & Spaghetti Lunch on March 6. The youth are each donating a "service gift" that will be up for bid at the auction, as well as asking family, friends, and local businesses for donations too. Our Faith congregation also generously donates items to the auction, such as artwork, crafts, knit hats and scarves, jewelry, luggage pieces, appliances, kitchen items and cookbooks, spa services, home improvement services, health related services, music lessons, gift cards to restaurants or stores, tickets to theater or sporting events, outdoor items for fishing or golf, specialty food items, baked goods, Iowa/Iowa State/UNI fan gear, doll clothes, kids craft activities, kids movies, kids games and more! 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!
 

Faith Feast Coordinator Opening
 
We are seeking to fill the position of Faith Feast Coordinator this spring. This person will menu plan, shop and prepare healthy evening meals for 75-100 people on Wednesday Faith Nights. The meal provides an important way to connect for fellowship as we gather for our weekly learning and music ministries. If you are interested please contact Pastor Randy.
 

Guys' Night Out
 
Come join the Guys Night Out group this month for another great evening of good food and beverages. They are meeting at Rookies on Monday, February 29, at 7:00 p.m. in Clive. Please let Dave Eppert (710-8558) or Tim Tessier (707-0880) know if you will be attending by sending a text. Hope to see you there!
 

Faith Women's Retreat 
 
Honoring Sabbath: Let It Go-Let God Grow. Get Friday, April 8, from 5:30-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 9, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on your calendar. Registration starts Saturday, February 27, and Sunday, February 28. Cost is $30.
 

Children and Family Ministry     

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Mother & Son Dance   

Don't forget about the Mother and Son Dance taking place on Friday, February 19, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Each mother (or special friend) will receive a silk rose from her date, dance to a super DJ, play party games, and enjoy yummy refreshments. Tickets are available at the door. 
  

Holy Communion Retreat
and Holy Communion for All Ages

We will hold a learning retreat on Saturday, February 27, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., for anyone wishing to celebrate their first communion. Though many of our backgrounds suggest that first communion occurs in the 1st grade year, we encourage anyone who is ready to receive their first communion to do so. Many children start taking communion at a younger age, and there are older kids and adults who would like to celebrate this milestone in their faith as well. If you or your children would like to learn about communion, regardless of whether or not you or your child have received communion in worship, we invite you to this morning retreat. Breakfast will be served on Saturday. Please let Kala in the office know if you plan to attend.

We will be celebrating communion on Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6, with the homemade bread that the children made.
 

Youth and Family Ministry     

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Dates to Remember   

Sunday, February 21 - Mission Trip meeting at Faith at 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, February 24 - Donations for Silent Auction due (youth service plus 3!)
Saturday, March 5 - Set-up for Auction & Lunch from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 6 - Silent Auction & Spaghetti Lunch 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday, March 11 - Mission Trip deposits due
Sunday, March 27 - Easter Breakfast fundraiser
Sunday, April 17 - Baccalaureate for Seniors 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 24 - Confirmation Banquet at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27 - Last day of Confirmation Classes
Saturday, April 30 - Affirmation of Baptism at 5:00 p.m.
 

Archived Faith E-news

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Do you have questions or comments regarding this publication?  Please contact Miranda at mirandakurtt@faithlc.org or 225-8334.  We welcome your feedback.