Meet the Interim Music Ensemble Directors



As the search process begins for a Director of Music, Faith Lutheran welcomes the following interim directors who will begin leading musical ensembles in September. Ensemble and rehearsal information can be found at faithlc.org/music-ministry.

Matthew Harper - Chancel Choir

Matthew Harper is excited to step into the role of Interim Chancel Choir Director at Faith! He and his wife, Anna, started attending Faith in September 2022 and have been official members at Faith since January 2023. Matthew currently serves as the Vocal Music Director at Urbandale Middle School, teaching three choirs and two general music classes daily, along with directing the 8th Grade show choir. Last year, he also was a Co-Director of the Heartland Youth Choir’s Chamber Choir for high school students from around the Des Moines metro. Prior to his time in Urbandale, he also taught 5th-12th Grade choir at South Hamilton in Jewell, IA after graduating from Luther College in 2020. In his free time, Matthew loves playing board games, baking cookies, and playing pickleball! He is looking forward to making music with everyone as we kick off this 2023-24 church year!

Stephen O'Baker - Jubilate Handbell Choir



Stephen began serving as the Organist at Faith in September 2022. He plays for worship on Sundays and accompanies the Chancel Choir. Since 2000, Stephen has served as an organist and occasional church music director and as an accompanist for university and public school choirs. He and his wife, Emily, moved to Des Moines in 2019. Stephen is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science at Iowa State University. Outside of music, he enjoys cooking, podcasts, economics, and sci-fi.

Trish Jordahl - Children's Choir

Trish earned a BA in Choral Music Education from Luther College and an MA from Western New Mexico University. Trish taught music at all age levels from pre-school to higher education for over 40 years. Trish was Chair of Fine Arts at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, AZ, when she retired in 2016. She taught music and theatre classes at EAC and was the Musical Theatre Director there for 23 years. Trish and her husband, Owen, moved back to Iowa in 2021 and joined Faith Lutheran in 2022. Trish served as the Children’s Musical Director at Faith in 2023.

Program Year Registration

It's almost time to sign up for Wednesday Faith Night and Sunday School ministries! The online registration page goes live on Friday, August 18 at 12:00 pm. Look for a link in the eNews and at faithlc.org/fall.

Faith Night begins Wednesday, September 13 with Faith Feast at 5:30 and activities at 6:15. Sunday School classes begin on Sunday, September 17.

Memory Garden Renovation Project & Columbarium

Faith Lutheran Church is adding a columbarium to be located in what will be a newly renovated Memory Garden on the east side of the church facility. We are currently raising funds for the Memory Garden renovation which needs to be in place before we order the columbarium. We are well over halfway to our goal of $140,000. We will sign a contract with our landscaper and break ground once we have reached our goal. The Memory Garden will allow for peaceful meditation and prayer and will serve as a multi-purpose space for congregational use. 

Please consider contributing to the Memory Garden Renovation by giving online or by check made out to Faith Lutheran Church with “Memory Garden” in the memo line.

Additionally, you can make an appointment with a member of the Columbarium Committee to reserve a niche in the columbarium. Contact the church office at 515-225-8334 or office@faithlc.org. To learn more about this project, visit faithlc.org/columbarium and stop by the display in the church commons.

Family Promise Week

August 20 - 27

Faith Lutheran will be hosting families experiencing homelessness from Family Promise at the Gathering House the week of August 20. Volunteers are needed to help set-up and clean up, drive the van, provide meals, host meals, and stay overnight. Visit the Family Promise table in the church commons or click here to sign up. Please prayerfully consider volunteering to serve these families in August! 

Ladies' Day Out

August 5

Enjoy a beautiful summer morning at Jester Hill Flower Farm, 12430 Northwest 128th Street, Madrid, where we will gather to cut our own bouquets on Saturday, Aug. 5. The owner will give our group extra attention if we arrive before 8:45 a.m. Prices are $15 for 10 stems, $25 for 20 stems or $35 for a bucket. We can each take our own bucket or purchase one for $5. The farm will supply flower food, water and clippers. Click here to sign up. We may arrange carpools to help with limited parking at the farm near Jester Park — details will be added to the Sign-Up Genius. For more information, contact Ann Taylor at ataylor2914@icloud.com or 515-971-1512. 

CFUM Donations & Serving

August 6 and 8

Did you know that Faith Lutheran feeds 150 people every month through the Children & Family Urban Movement Supper Club? Please consider serving our neighbors by donating food, money, or time (delivering & serving food) to CFUM on August 6 and 8. Visit faithlc.org/gwoh to learn more and sign up! 



Exciting news- As of this August, CFUM is returning to in-person meals. The meals we prepare will no longer be given in to-go containers--guests may stay and eat together. That means that we will need to send at least 5 volunteers to serve the meal each time we provide the meal. If you are available from 4:00-5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 8^th please consider signing up to serve at CFUM (1548 Eighth St., Des Moines). 

Discover Faith Event

August 13 at 11:30

Discover Faith is a one-time event where attendees learn about what it means to be part of Faith Lutheran Church. The next event is Sunday, August 13 at 11:30 am in St. Michael’s Hall. Please register at www.faithlc.org/discoverfaith. New members will be received the weekend of August 19-20. 

7th Stage Social Gathering

August 17 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm

The next gathering of the 7th Stage group will be Thursday, August 17 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the home of Jill and Jerry Waage (15326 Horton Avenue, Urbandale, IA 50323). Please join us in a wonderful time of food and conversation. Everything is provided. All you need to do is attend. Call or text 515-975-3005 with any questions or if you need directions.

"Mac" to School Fundraiser Dinner

August 20 at 11:30

Children & Family Ministries will host a mac and cheese meal on Sunday, August 20 at 11:30 am in St. Michael’s Hall. The mac and cheese bar will allow you to create a custom meal from a variety of delicious toppings. Attendees are asked to bring donations of school supplies for Crestview School of Inquiry. Visit faithlc.org/cfm for a list of suggested items. Funds raised from the free-will offering will support Lutheran Lakeside Camp scholarships.  

Evolving Faith

Are you interested in questioning, learning, growing, exploring, and delighting in your faith alongside other amazing women? Evolving Faith is a community that exists to cultivate love and hope in the wilderness, pointing fellow wanderers and misfits to God as we embody resurrection for the sake of the world. They are having a conference in Minneapolis, MN on October 13 & 14, 2023. It is possible to attend online or in person. Find out all about the speakers and what the days might include by clicking here. If this sounds like something you might be interested in learning more about, please come to an informational meeting Sunday, August 20 at 9:45am in rooms 203-204. Contact Pastor Megan with any questions (641.831.9499 or megan@ faithlc.org).

Be the Light Outdoor Worship & Lunch

August 27 at 10:30 am

Faith Lutheran continues to celebrate “Be the Light” with a special worship service at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater on Sunday, August 27 at 10:30 am. Lunch, sno-cones, and games will happen after worship. Bring lawns chairs or a blanket to sit on. Students of all ages can bring their backpacks to receive a blessing during worship. Park near WDM City Hall, Library, or Learning Resource Center. Golf carts are available for people who need assistance. Faith Lutheran Church will be the rain location for this event. More information is at faithlc.org/bethelight.

Meals From the Heartland Event

August 30 -- September 2

Register today for the 16^th annual Hunger Fight with Meals from the Heartland. This four-day event takes place at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines on August 30—September 2 with a goal of packaging 4 million meals. There are many volunteer opportunities in addition to packaging meals. Click here to learn more and register.  

7th - 9th Grade Retreat

Save the date! All 7th - 9th grade students are strongly encouraged to attend the retreat on September 16 & 17 at the YMCA Camp in Boone. More details coming soon!

God's Work. Our Hands. with DMARC

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is an interfaith organization with a mission of working together to meet basic human needs in the greater Des Moines community. There are many ways to support DMARC, including collecting food at the Downtown Farmers Market and working in the food warehouse (links below).

The God’s Work. Our Hands. team has set a goal of having 30 Faith members volunteer at DMARC this summer. You’re encouraged to snap a picture of your serving and email it to megan@faithlc.org so it can be added to the GWOH summer service bulletin board. BE THE LIGHT!

Assist with produce collection at the Downtown Farmers Market

Click here

Sort and pack donated items in the warehouse and assist with other projects as needed (Monday - Thursday)

Click here

Summer Small Group Study

Sharing our Faith Stories

"Sharing Our Faith Stories" small groups have begun meeting. The curriculum is available faithlc.org/bethelight and paper copies can be found at the Welcome Center in the Commons. If you would still like to join a small group, contact Pastor Eric at eric@faithlc.org or call the church office. 

Holy Land Trip w/ Grand View University

Rev. Dr. Mark Mattes and Dr. Trisha Wheelock of Grand View University are leading a trip to the Holy Land on May 11 - 20, 2024. . Click here for more information.

Pastoral Visit and At-Home Communion

If you or someone you know wishes to have a visit by one of the pastors and/or receive Holy Communion, call the church office at 515-225-8334 or email Pastor Eric Carlson at eric@faithlc.org.