Be the Light Congregational Cookout

July 21 | 5:00 - 9:00 pm



On Friday, July 21 from 5:00—9:00 pm a congregational cookout will be held at Walnut Woods State Park Lodge (3155 Walunt Woods Dr., WDM). Hot dogs, hamburgers, lemonade, s’mores, and table service will be provided. A free-will offering will be received. Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share, as well as beverages (alcohol is allowed), and a lawn chair. There will be games and activities for all ages. Everyone will gather in the Lodge at 6:30 for a summertime hymn sing led by Erik & Allison Ullestad and a farewell to Dave & Cindy Johnson. This event will occur rain-or-shine, as the lodge and outdoor patio are covered. There are opportunities to help with grilling, s’mores supervision, set-up, clean-up, etc. Visit faithlc.org/bethelight to learn more!

Iowa Cubs Faith Day

July 23 at 1:08 pm

Mark your calendars for Faith Day with the I-Cubs on Sunday, July 23 at 1:00 pm at Principal Park. Reserved grandstand tickets are $8 each and will be available for purchase before/after weekend worship services until July 16 and also in the church office during the week.

Discover Faith Event

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. 

Mission Spending Plan Meetings

The Faith Lutheran Church Mission Spending Plan informational meeting is Sunday, July 23. The meeting to formally approve the 2024 Fiscal Year Mission Spending Plan is Sunday, July 30. Both meetings are at 9:30 am in St. Michael's Hall. 

In the coming days you can find the Mission Spending Plan for fiscal year 2024 and other supporting materials at www.faithlc.org/meetings.  

Show You Care With Underwear

For the month of July the God’s Work. Our Hands. team is collecting new children’s underwear and socks to donate to Des Moines Refugee Support, an organization serving refugees families in the Des Moines area. DMRS has a store where families can shop and children can get ready for the upcoming school year. Underwear and socks are the most needed items. You may bring your donations of new, unopened underwear and socks to the Faith Commons by July 31. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Megan (megan@faithlc.org) or a member of the GWOH team. 

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

Iowa Bishops Ride Against Hunger

The three ELCA bishops in Iowa have decided to ride the 50th annual RAGBRAI on July 22-29. They will ride 50+ miles together each day, highlighting the 50+ anti-hunger ministries in Iowa, and raising $50K for ELCA World Hunger. Visit seiasynod.org/ragbrai to learn more and donate!

Columbarium & Memory Garden Renovation Project

The Faith Lutheran Church Council has approved the addition of a columbarium to be located in what will be a newly renovated Memory Garden on the east side of the church facility. A columbarium is a collection of niches designed to house urns containing cremated human remains (cremains). It will serve as a sacred resting place for loved ones who have died and for the care, placement, and inurnment of their cremated remains. The Memory Garden will allow for peaceful meditation and prayer and will serve as a multi-purpose space for congregational use.  

We are currently raising funds for the Memory Garden renovation. Additionally, you can make an appointment with a member of the Columbarium Committee to purchase 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.

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. 

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.