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This Week's Ministry Blog
The Way of Lent
I look for something important to come from these 40 days of Lent. I'm not sure exactly what it will be. I will likely be surprised. Lent is not only about the individual but also about the congregation. It's not about self- improvement or better programs. It goes deeper than that. It's about faith and following and being met by a grace that lifts us up again and again. It is a season meant to reach into our real struggles so we can regain balance. Where the love of Christ resets us, renews us and steadies us. Here we discover our true vitality, the source of mercy and the character of community where forgiveness is known.
Lent has always been that time when the church goes deeper into soils rich with promise. Lent gives us permission to be honest about real human need. And there we see the mystery of God's self- giving ways still at work. Faith centers our lives. We gain our footing through the practices of that faith where worship takes hold. There we remember what we might easily forget. There we are strengthened and filled up. There we are named again and again - "children of God."
While it may seem that the 40 days in wilderness would be a time to easily get lost, it became the place where Jesus gained his bearings for all the work yet to be done. The same Spirit, present in his baptism where he was named God's "beloved," led him into the wilderness. The wilderness and it's testing, became the place of accompaniment, vision, resolve, and resiliency. By this we know Jesus went before us so that faith can keep finding us wherever our wilderness may be.
Pastor Randy
Eternal Lord of love, behold your church
walking once more the pilgrim way of Lent,
led by your cloud by day, by night your fire,
moved by your love and toward your presence bent;
far off yet here - the goal of all desire.
- ELW 321
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Adult Sunday School
This week's discussion topic for Faith Journeys, our Adult Sunday School class will be: "What Our Neighbors Believe: A summary conversation about our course on Comparative Religion." Faith Journeys meets from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. in Messiah Hall, rooms 203 and 204, and is facilitated by Dee Paddock. Please join us!
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Family Promise Blankets and Pillows
Thank you for your generous contributions to purchase blankets and pillows for Family Promise as part of our 8th Grade Confirmation out-service project. We raised over $400, which was enough to purchase 20 pillows and 11 blankets.
Click here to view a quick video to share our experience.
Ellie Johnson, Katie Kilkenny, Alexa Newgard and Eleanor Gaul
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Attention Spring Breakers
Matthew 25 Wants Your Free Toiletries!
Did you know that the cost of the toiletries is built in to your room rate - you're not stealing, you're taking what you paid for (please, leave the toilet paper and tissues boxes there). When you're finished sunning yourself or skiing through some powdery snow, remember to pack up your left over toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotions - they do not have to be full), any new bars of soaps and any other dental products they leave for you and bring them to church with you and donate them in the Spring Break Toiletries Donation Box. For those of you staying put, feel free to donate left over items from your hall closet too. All items will be donated to the Clive Community Services. Thanks for helping support this no-cost donation.
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Family Promise: We Need Your Help!
Faith will be hosting homeless families in the Gathering House the week of March 12th through March 18th. We still have many slots open in which we need hosts for an evening dinner or overnight stay. If you've never served in this way before, you'll be given full instructions on this easy-to-do service. Your help would be very much appreciated!
Signup sheet for volunteers is on a table in the Commons. Please note: if you have not previously done so, adult volunteers for evening or overnight hosting will be asked to sign a consent for a background check which will be done by Julie Crane. This is a new requirement by the Des Moines Area Family Promise Board. If you have any questions about the volunteer roles, please feel free to contact Bob at [email protected], or Lynnette at [email protected]. Thank you!
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Learn, Laugh and Lunch Programming Returns in March
Learn Laugh Lunch (LLL) has a new schedule for 2017. LLL will meet the
third Wednesday, instead of the fourth Wednesday during 2017. This avoids two to three date changes because of holidays as in previous years. The group decided to skip January and February, because of potential weather conflicts and lack of leaders (snowbirds), to skip July and August because of heat and vacations, and to look at alternative lunch options, locations, and programming. Look for the schedule on the bulletin boards and the website calendar.
The March program on Wednesday the 15
th
at 11:00 a.m. is "Farming Past, Present and Into the Future". Join us as we learn more about Ogden Iowa's Heineman Family and their five generation Century Farm operation. From Claus Heineman, who settled near Ogden in the late 1800's, the operation has grown to more than 9,000 acres in Boone and Hamilton counties. We will explore the family's history, how farming has changed over the decades, and learn how this farm family is planning for the future. The menu will feature corn beef and cabbage, salad, chips and brownies. Please make your reservation with Miranda at [email protected] or 225-8334.
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Spring Break Day Camp
 Counselors from Lutheran Lakeside will be here to host a day camp for us on Monday, March 13. The day camp is open to all kids, age PreK through 6th grade. The cost is $35 per camper. All children, Prekindergarten through sixth grade, are encouraged to signup for camp at
http://bit.ly/SpringBreakDayCamp
. If you would like more information, please Erika Weber or Andrea Stone.
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Faith Book Club
Faith Book Club will meet Tuesday, March 21, at the home of Ann Taylor. Our book is
The Trouble with Goats and Sheep
by Joanna Cannon. Copies are plentiful a the Clive library! We will also have a book exchange in March. For April, we will read
Hidden Figures
by Margo Lee Shetterly. Faith Book Club meets the third Tuesday of the month. All are welcome! Please contact Sara Broadrick at [email protected] or 515-528-6881 for more information or to be added to the email distribution list.
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Faith Women's Gathering Reminder
Registration for the upcoming Faith Women's Gathering (formerly Women's Retreat) will begin the weekend of March 18-19, again March 25-26 and April 1-2. Dates of the Gathering are Friday, April 7, and Saturday, March 8. Cost will be $30. More details regarding the content of the retreat will be available starting next week. Put the dates on your calendar and plan to join us!
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Did you miss last week's Faith E-news? You can find archived E-news on Faith's website under Archived E-news button on the homepage.
Do you have questions or comments regarding this publication? Please contact Miranda at [email protected] or 225-8334. We welcome your feedback.
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