Guest Preacher this Weekend

Pastor Ryan Arnold



This weekend we are thrilled to have Pastor Ryan Arnold, Senior Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church, joining us at Faith to preach for our worship services. Pastor Ryan was born in Syracuse, NY, and has lived in eight states, including stops in Houston, Baltimore, Chicagoland, Cleveland, and West Palm Beach, FL. He has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Valparaiso University, a Master’s in Consumer Research from Cleveland State, and a Master’s in Divinity from Luther Seminary. He was called to serve St. John’s Lutheran Des Moines as the Senior Pastor in June 2022, and served as the Associate Pastor at Bethesda Lutheran in Ames from 2017-2022. Prior to that, Ryan worked in Market Research for a dozen years with The Nielsen Company.

Ryan married his college sweetheart, Kathi, 22 years ago. They have two children; Hannah, age 13, and Graham, who is 9. They are all "owned" by a Beagle puppy, Churro, whose youthful energy keeps them all on their toes.

Pastor Megan Clausen is over at St. John’s preaching this weekend as part of their Alumni Preaching Series and Pastor Eric Carlson will preach at St. John’s on September 23 & 24. We think it’s pretty awesome that both of Faith’s pastors have St. John’s connections! (Find our more about the Alumni Preaching Series here.) 

Mission Spending Plan Meeting

The meeting to formally approve the 2024 Fiscal Year Mission Spending Plan is Sunday, July 30 at 9:30 am in St. Michael's Hall. You can find the Mission Spending Plan for fiscal year 2024 and other supporting materials at www.faithlc.org/meetings.  

Music Ministry Update

All are invited to attend a Music Ministry Listening Session on Wednesday, August 2 at 7:00 pm in St. Michael's Hall. Pastor Eric will facilitate a conversation that centers on listening to participant's hopes and dreams for the future of Music Ministry at Faith. The Church Council hopes to solidify a job description and appoint a Search Committee at the August 10^th meeting.

Pastor Eric is in the process of hiring interim directors for all ensembles. Rehearsals will begin in September. Everyone is invited to consider participating in the Chancel Choir, Jubilate Bell Choir, Childrens’ Choir (K-6^th grade) or Kor Spiritus (7^th-12^th grade choir). Watch for rehearsal times coming soon!

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. 

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. 

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 9:30am in rooms 203-204. Contact Pastor Megan with any questions (641.831.9499 or megan@ faithlc.org).

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! 

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.

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

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. 

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.