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 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!

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. 

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.  

Guy's Night Out

July 31 at 7:00

The gentlemen of Faith will gather for food, drink, and fellowship on Monday, July 31 at 7:00 pm at Smash Park—6625 Coachlight, West Des Moines. Email flcgno@gmail.com to RSVP. 

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. 

7th Stage Social Gathering

August 10 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm

The next gathering of the 7th Stage group will be Thursday, August 10 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.

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. 

"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.  

Family Promise - Save the Date

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. The sign-up list will be available soon. Please prayerfully consider volunteering to serve these families in August! 

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

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.