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Quick Notes and Reminders
Please check the calendar for more information.
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Food Pantry Item for September is Cereal
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This Week's Ministry Blog
Get Lost
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It's the best way to get found.
I had never felt so lost.
I had just dropped off my best friend at the Greyhound Station in Albuquerque. I had been just fine during our two day drive from Minnesota to New Mexico. But I was not fine now. Before she disappeared into the building I begged her not to leave me there. Maybe I didn't actually say it out loud, maybe I didn't really make a scene, maybe she didn't really have to pry herself loose from my grip, but my memory is colored by the great panic that overwhelmed the moment. What had I done? Why had I willingly set off into this strange land where I knew no one? Why had I agreed to this year as an AmeriCorps VISTA, doing who knows what? I was barely 21 and had never lived so far from home, what was I thinking?
I had gone and gotten myself lost.
On purpose.
And it felt terrible.
To be honest, it just got a lot worse before it got better. But somewhere in being lost something amazing happened. It's not that I found my way. But the way started to find me.
A new courage found me, and I found a way to be brave.
A community found me, and I was no longer alone.
A calling found me, for that time and for a lifetime to come.
God found me, and it was nothing like I had known before.
Many of us are familiar with the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost (prodigal) son. As we hear them, we tend to focus on the joyful moment of being found-and reflect on God's effort as well as our part in it. But none of that can come about without first getting lost.
The most wonderful encounters with God come out of those experiences of being lost. And throughout scripture God has a way of leading the people out of the familiar and pushing them into wildernesses of all sorts. We could summarize the plot of nearly every story in scripture like this: they were lost, God found them.
Sometimes we get lost without any fault of our own, like that coin. Sometimes we cannot help getting ourselves lost, like that sheep. And sometimes we just need to put common sense aside and go get ourselves lost, so God can show up and show us something great.
Pastor Sarah
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"God's Work, Our Hands" Sunday, September 11, is here! Come to worship early this weekend to pick up your t-Shirt in the Commons ($7 if you haven't paid yet) and check in. E-mails went out this week to all who registered, and information on your assignment will be available in the Commons. Go ahead and wear your work clothes to church! Didn't sign up but still want to help? We'll take you! Didn't order a t-shirt, but still want one? We've got a few left.
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As a part of our "God's Work Our Hands Sunday" we will have a special musical offering during the 10:30 service on Sunday, September 11. I feel it is important to share with the Sunday morning worship community what is happening at our Saturday night services. In an effort to share all of our liturgies with the entire community we will be doing our Saturday Dakota Road liturgy this Sunday only at 10:30 a.m. Dakota Road liturgies are written especially for Lutheran congregations. These liturgies are complete- meaning, you will experience all the essential elements we are used to. Dakota Road liturgies are accompanied by our fine worship instrumental ensemble and vocalists. The Chancel choir will be singing a beautiful anthem and Ruth Meyer will be providing piano selections. It is a blessing for me that we are able to share this liturgy with you on Sunday!
Dr. David Johnson, D.S.M.,
Director of Music Ministries
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The menu for the 14th will be a pasta bar, bread sticks, salad, and dessert.
We will be catering meals from Hy-Vee. F
aith Feast is served on Wednesday evenings from 5:15 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).
The following week's menu will be in the Quick Notes and Reminders section of E-news and on the website calendar.
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Mark Your Calendars for Craft Night
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 Mark your calendars! Faith's Annual Craft Night is set for Thursday, October 20, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. We are looking for craft ideas for all ages for this event. Please contact us if you:
- have a craft idea,
- have a craft idea you would like to teach,
- are willing to teach a craft that we already have in mind.
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Announcing a New Addition to Faith's Art Collection
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Faith has acquired a new work of art for our permanent collection in Messiah Hall. This striking print is called "Peace Be Still" and is a giclee print signed by renowned Christian artist He Qi. In addition to this work, 16 prints depicting the life of Jesus are on display through November 11. Please come and stroll down the hallway to enjoy these works.
In addition, we're asking for your help in establishing a permanent collection for our art gallery. We invite church members to donate religious artwork that can become part of Faith's collection. Contact Peter or Jane Larson if you're interested in exhibiting or donating art. Email: larson1657@gmail or call/text 515-419-1657.
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 Cancer Support Group will meet at the church Sunday, September 11, 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 and join us.
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Out-to-Lunch Bunch is meeting at the Shanghai in Waukee this coming Thursday, September 15, at 11:30 a.m. Please join us for an hour of fellowship. All are welcome. Please let Miranda know if you can come by contacting her at 225-8334 or mirandakurtt@faithlc.org.
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Please come and join us for a time of rest as we sit in silent prayer. Silence, as it grows within us, has a way of finding our center and then in turn centers us. The gifts we receive in contemplative practice enable us to bring an attitude of humility, listening and willingness in all our relationships with ourselves, God and others. We meet every Thursday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the church office. You may contact Jan Stegeman at 556-5587 for more information.
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Adult Education on Wednesday Night
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Adults can still learn, aka Adult Education begins Wednesday, September 14, from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. This group of everyday people gather to discuss, listen, learn and laugh with one another. And if we're lucky, grow a little. Class uses topical discussions, dvd studies, Bible studies, and more to get the conversation flowing. Get more information or questions answered by contacting Jerry Waage at 987-5573 or j.waage@mchsi.com. See you on the 14th.
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When Bad Things Happen:
How Do We Struggle Together as People of Faith?
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This fall Adult Sunday School will feature "Journeys in Faith" a weekly group for spiritual transformation in the lives of adults. The journey will begin Sunday, September 18, and every Sunday following at 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. in Messiah Hall, room 203-204. The group will be facilitated by Dee Paddock. A member of Faith Lutheran Church, Dee holds a Masters in Theological Studies from the Iliff School of Theology. Please join us!
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Attention all youth entering seventh grade through high school. You are invited to share your musical talent with Faith Lutheran Church by joining the Youth Choir. We will begin rehearsals on Sunday, September 18, at 11:30 a.m., in the Kifula Music Center. We will sing on a monthly basis in church, and will be involved in Lessons and Carols. We are so blest to have so many talented singers in this church - so let's take all that talent and form a choir. It's fun. It's challenging. And worth your time! Ask anyone who has been involved over the last few years and they will tell you that. Young men and women are both encouraged to join. Let Dave Johnson know if you would like to join. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me at davejohnson@faithlc.org. Give it a shot, you never know what you are capable of achieving.
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Children and Family Ministry
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Sunday School teachers & shepherds needed! We have a new curriculum this year and we are excited to share it with the children. This programming cannot exist without the support of volunteers like YOU!
Our greatest need is for teachers, to volunteer to teach, please contact
cfm@faithlc.org.
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Youth and Family Ministry
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- Confirmation retreats are scheduled as follows:
- 7th grade retreat is September 9-10
- 8th grade retreat is October 14-15
- 9th grade retreat is December 2-3.
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