From Pastor Aleese
May 2017
Inside
From Pastor Aleese
1
Birthdays,
Board Meetings
Upcoming Events
2
Upcoming Events
A Word from Luther
3
Parish Planning Minutes
Fundraising Plan for the
Roof
4
Musician Update
Weekly Giving,
Prayers of the People
5
Fellowship Teams
SOTC hours
6
Worship Assistants
Calendar
7
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! On Easter Sunday, we proclaimed this
good news that the one who was crucified has risen. Gathering in worship,
fellowship and service, we remembered Christ’s passion from death to life as we
concluded our 40 day Lenten journey. But now that we’ve celebrated Easter
Sunday, what’s next? We’ve made it through Lent and have celebrated the life that
Christ gives us. So now what?
Recently, when talking with a colleague, she was concerned that, as a church,
we don’t know how to truly live as “Easter people.” She explained, saying, “We [the
church] don’t know how to celebrate anymore. We do Lent really well. We know
that we’re sinners and need to confess of our sins. We sense the feelings of grief and
pain, but find it hard to let go of the things that we’ve done wrong. We get lost in
Lent and don’t know how to celebrate life. Do we really know how to live as Easter
people?”
For some congregations, this reality might be true. It might be hard to celebrate,
and to truly live in the promise that because of Christ’s death and resurrection
everything has changed. But having been a part of this community at Shepherd of
the Cross for the past eight months, I’ve seen something different. I’ve seen a
community that knows how to celebrate and isn’t ashamed to do so. I’ve seen a
community that lives into what it means to be “Easter people” and to embody that
hope, joy and life in our fellowship together.
So now what? Now we keep celebrating! Because the season of Easter is just
beginning! Though we celebrate “Easter Sunday” once a year, as Christians we
have the joy of living into what this good news means for us and for the world for the
entirety of the Easter season. We have 50 days to dwell in the wonder of God’s life,
to embrace those things that give us hope, and to wrap our heads around this
radical message that we’ve been liberated from sin, death and the devil.
As we celebrate this season, we’ll hear from the book of Acts, hearing stories of
the early church trying to wrap their heads around all that they’d just experienced.
But just as the early church began asking themselves, “brothers, what should we do
with this message? With this experience that we’ve just had?” it’s important for us to
ask ourselves: “Brothers and sisters in Christ, what should we do with all that we’ve
just experienced? With all that we’ve just heard?” Having heard this good news of
Jesus Christ, what are we – as SOTC – to do? How are we being called to celebrate
this message? And having celebrated, what are we called to share?
Certainly, in the next month, we’ll continue to celebrate. To gather together and
to pray. To listen to each and to God. To serve and to play. We’ll continue to live in
the promise of Christ’s life given for the world. But beyond these “things” that we do
in our community of faith, I encourage us to ask ourselves: what might the Spirit be
stirring SOTC to do with this great message of Christ’s death and resurrection? Think
about it as we celebrate these 50 days of life and hope. ‘Cause ready or not, the
Spirit will come on Pentecost. And on that day, we too will be sent out to do
something with this good news, sharing it with all the world.
Peace, Pastor Aleese Baldwin
1
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
2nd
Emily Faust
4th
Reggie Drake
Kelsey Drake
13th
Kurt Guhn
14th
Samantha Fusco
20th
Delene McConnaha
25th
Joe Bartling
26th
Doug Bunn
28th
Kim & Judy Bartling
Tom Atkinson &
Becky DeBlaey
Upcoming Events
Movie: "Martin Luther: The Idea that
Changed the World"
We've been invited by Our Savior's Lutheran to join them for a
special viewing of this movie on Wed., May 3 at 7:30 p.m. at The
Palms. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased at the movie
theater. Spread the word and join us as we continue our
celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation!
Euchre
Do you play Euchre? Would you like to learn? Saturday, May 6, at
6:30 pm, SOTC members are welcome to bring a snack to share,
their own beverage and join the fun. The hope is that with enough
interest a Euchre group will continue to meet the first Saturday
evening of every month. In June we will join the Family Fun Night.
Pub Theology “Genetics: Playing God?”
Gathering with people from various backgrounds, Pub Theology
exists to foster authentic conversation about how faith impacts
daily life. . This month’s topic revolves around genetics, one (of
many!) intersections between faith and science. Though seemingly
something that many people aren’t directly impacted by, many
foods and other materials that we use on a regular basis are somehow genetically modified. But what does this have to say about
creation? About God? And where – if at all – is the limit? Join the
conversation – upstairs at Boonie’s, Tues., May 16 at 6:30p.m.
Adult Mission Trip Fundraiser at
Pizza Ranch
Board Meetings
Take a night off from cooking right before Memorial Day in support
of our crew! Join us at Pizza Ranch on Wed., May 24 from 5 - 8 p.m.
Because of your generous support of the mission trip, we likely will
not be having an ice cream social fundraiser this spring.

Lay Ministers
May 2 @ 5:30
Family Fun Night at SOTC

Education
May 2 @ 6:30

Property
May 9th @ 5:30
Join us on Fri., June 2 in the evening for a night of food, games, a
campfire and some intergenerational faith formation! We may also
include a blessing of all things summer! (i.e.: bikes, baseball bags,
etc.) Mark your calendars now, and stay tuned for more details.

Evangelism
May 11th @ 6:00

Stewardship
May 11th @ 6:30

PPC
June 18 @ 10:30
Spring Cleaning
As stewards of all that God has given us, we have a special
responsibility to care for the building and property of SOTC. Part of
that responsibility includes annual “deep cleaning” and yard work.
On Sat., June 3, beginning at 8a.m., we’ll start outside and work our
way inside. Busy in the morning? No problem, come and go as it
works into your schedule. A light lunch will be provided. With many
hands we should have things cleaned up quickly.
2
A Word from Luther
Upcoming Events
SOTC Ministries Schedule
The Way - Tuesday’s, 5:00 p.m.
Sunday School and Adult Education - Sunday, 10:20-11:30 a.m.
MY (Muscatine Youth) Group - Sunday, 5-7 p.m.
Christians Underground: 2nd Wed. of the month,
12-1p.m. at Port City Underground
Bible at the Brew (BATB): 1st Thurs. of the month, 5:30 p.m. at
Missippi Brewing Company
Women’s Group: 2nd Sat. of the month, 8:30 a.m. at SOTC
Road to the Reformation
This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. As
Lutherans, we have much to celebrate and learn. And as Christians,
we have much to do as we consider how the Holy Spirit is reforming
and reshaping the church today. Beginning this May, one Sunday
per month will focus on the Reformation. During worship, we’ll sing at
least one hymn written by Luther or other fellow reformers and have
a special “Luther Moment” – hearing firsthand from Luther about
what his life was really like. Be sure to also look for “A Word from
Luther” in each month’s newsletter to hear either a word directly
from Luther’s writings or a reflection on who Luther was and/or what
he taught about the Gospel message. As we move into the summer
and fall, watch for specific activities related to the Reformation –
perhaps even taking a “flat Luther” or a “flat Jesus” with you as you
hop on the road for family vacations!
Adult Education in May:
“From Death to Life”
Adult Education will continue for the first two weeks of May, and will
conclude on May 14. We’ll continue our conversations about how
we talk about what comes after death and how that impacts how
we understand Christian hope.
Sunday School Kids Baking Saturday
On Sat., May 13, parents of Sunday School kids are invited to drop
their kids off for a baking morning as the kids prepare the treats for
Sunday fellowship. This will also be in preparation for the kids’ last
day of Sunday School, in which they’ll share many of the songs
they’ve been learning over the year in worship. Older youth will
assist with parts of the service. Be sure to make it to worship on
Mother’s Day to support our youth and hear their witness to the
Gospel!
Food Pantry Donations
Every time you do your grocery shopping, please consider
purchasing an item or two that can be donated. Bring it to church
and add it to the collection box in the narthex. We will be sure that
donated items are taken to the Food Pantry on a consistent basis.
For the month of May you are invited to bring baby items (diapers,
food, formula).
3
As we embark on the road to the
reformation, we'll hear each month
a bit more about who Martin
Luther was and what he taught
and wrote. This month we focus on
Martin Luther's "tower experience"
in the tower of the Black Cloister in
Wittenberg. Living there as an
Augustinian monk, Luther had a
moment of discovery sometime
between 1508-1518. When
studying the book of Romans, he
began to hear not only of God's
justice and righteousness, but also
of God's abundant grace. Much
later in Luther's life, after the
reformation movement had
begun, Luther engaged in regular
"table talks" with distinguished
scholars and leaders who would
join the Luther's at their dinner
table. What follows here is a
portion of Luther's description of
this "tower experience" in the midst
of one of his table talks in the
summer of 1532:
"The words 'righteousness' and
'righteousness of God' struck my
conscience like lightning. When I
heard them I was exceedingly
terrified. If God is righteous, I
thought, he must punish. But when
by God's grace I pondered, in the
tower and heated room of this
building, over the words, 'He who
through faith is righteous shall
live' (Rom. 1:17) and 'the righteousness of God' (Rom. 3:21), I soon
came to the conclusion that if we,
as righteous men, ought to live
from faith and if the righteousness
of God should contribute to the
salvation of all who believe, then
salvation won't be our merit but
God's mercy. My spirit was thereby
cheered. For it's by the righteousness of God that we're justified and
saved through Christ. These words,
which had before terrified me, now
became more pleasing to me. The
Holy Spirit unveiled the Scriptures to
me in this tower."
Parish Planning Council
PPC Summary
April 28, 2017
Present: Heather Allen, Pastor Aleese Baldwin, Marlys Grete, Betty Burch, Kathy Dunham, Al Oestmann, and
Kim Bartling.
Devotion: Devotion was led by Pastor Aleese with a reading from Acts 2.
Treasurer’s Report: Via Heather Allen, revenue has increased although with the summer months ahead we
need to be mindful of our giving. Kim Bartling explained how the Roof fundraising works and gave totals
from Josh on how much has been raised (see below). A motion was made by Al Oestmann, seconded by
Betty Burch to approve the report. All in favor, the motion passed.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor Aleese provided the board with a report on how her time has been spent over the
past month at SOTC with a focus on: Worship, and Pastoral Care.
Board Reports:
Education – Held discussion on confirmation, VBS with Grace, Family night and a camp out.
Stewardship – Pastor Erica Uthe joined the meeting to encourage thought on SOTC’s mission.
Evangelism – Thirty people attended the Mallards game. Next Euchre night will be May 6th. Fifteen Care
Kits were put together. In June, plans are to attend a River Bandits game on the 23rd.
Property – The old wooden tables are for sale. Signs have been posted in the building. A heater will be
installed in the women’s restroom. Spring cleaning will be June 3rd starting a 8:00 a.m.
Lay Ministers – Discussion was held on the marriage policy. Communion bread will be served every
Sunday with the individual cups of wine.
Old Business: Accompanist and a Choir and Tone Chimes Director positions have been posted with no
response. The wireless microphone that Roger Luft purchased is working well. September 17th we will be
celebrating our 30th anniversary with a potluck.
New Business: Sunday, June 25th after worship we will hold our semi-annual meeting and install new board
members.
The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 18th @ 10:30. A motion was made by Marlys Grete and
seconded by Al Oestmann to adjourn. All in favor, the motion passed.
Fundraising Plan Summary For New Roof and Additional Future Needs
Goal
1) Raise $30,000 for a new roof
on the church building.
Congregation
Portion
$20,000
Anonymous
Donors’
$10,000
Total
$30,000
Deadline
December 31, 2017
If the full $30,000 for a new roof has been given by December 31, 2017, then the following additional
goal will be established:
2) Raise $20,000 for future
building repairs, equipment or
other capital needs.
$10,000
$10,000
$20,000
Totals
$30,000
$20,000
$50,000
December 31, 2018
Currently contributions to the Roof Fund total $8,651.40. SOTC needs to raise an additional $11,348.60 to receive
the matching funds promised by anonymous donors. When contributing, designate the amount that is specifically
given for the Roof Fund on your check or offering envelope. Please keep in mind that the previous Capital Campaign
was conducted to raise funds for multiple purposes; including, but not exclusively, for the roof. These funds will be
used to maintain other parts of the building such as replacing furnaces/air conditioners and other repairs to avoid
emergency fundraising.
4
Update from the Musician
Sub-Committee
Weekly Giving
Last month, we reported that we had one applicant for the
accompanist position. Unfortunately, after several attempts to
contact this applicant, we were unable to contact this person
to schedule an interview. In light of this, Patti Oestmann has
graciously agreed to extend her commitment to playing through
the month of May. The sub-committee will be meeting in the first
week of May to pursue other musicians who can fill in on the 2nd
and 4th weeks (when The Way does not play). There have been
several names suggested, and some have been contacted by
Pastor Aleese or members of the sub-committee. Though unlikely
to find one primary musician, we remain hopeful that we will be
able to find an alternative solution within the next month. We
thank you for your patience, and give thanks for Patti’s
understanding. If there are any questions, please contact
Heather Allen or Pastor Aleese.
March
March 5
March 12
March 19
March 26
Total
April
April 2
April 9
April 16
April 23
April 30
Total
$2914.60
$1504.00
$1743.00
$1562.11
$7723.71
$2906.00
$1967.00
$1965.00
$1403.15
not available
not available
Prayers of the People
Please remember the following people in your prayers this week:
Concerns
Sara Guhn, following a stroke
Bernice Stalkfleet, dealing with health issues
Ruth Reist, dealing with health issues
Rose Howard, dealing with health issues
Thelma Pendleton, dealing with health issues
Judy Braun, dealing with health issues
Steve Anderson, nephew of Joanne & Terry Drinkall, diagnosed with prostate cancer
Ryan LaRue, grandson of Margaret Hildebrandt, adjusting to new routines following illness
Margaret Hildebrandt, dealing with health issues
Bea Stratton, mother of Joe Corman, and family, who has been hospitalized
Gary Grete, recovering from a fall
Doug Bunn, anticipating back surgery
Parke McConnaha, dealing with health issues
Joys
For the work an gifts of all those who contributed to our Holy Week experience
For Joe Bartling and Carly Dunham who will be graduating from high school and Zach Bartling who will
be graduating from college this May. We will recognize them in worship on Sun., May 28 and will have
time for fellowship after worship.
5
Sunday Fellowship Teams
May 7 ~ Team 4
Shelly Corman, Melanie Drake, Kathy Dunham, & Roger Luft
May 14 ~ Team 5
Joanne Drinkall, Marlys Grete, Elizabeth Hill, & Sandy Hill
May 21 ~ Team 6
Amy & Dave Bakke, Margaret Hildebrandt, Glendola Reinier, and Ruth
Reist
May 28 ~ Team 1
Betty Burch, Becky DeBlaey, Kaia Petesen, Melanie Wachtel
Thank you!
SOTC Hours
Dear fellow congregational members,
We want to thank you for your cards, concerns and prayers
for Gary during his open-heart surgery and his recent serious
fall. We really appreciate anything you did to help us. The
prayers really worked and we are so thankful that God
answered them and that Gary is doing better. His arm is not
completely healed but it's getting better every week. A
special thanks to Pastor Aleese for her visits and prayers.
God bless you all!
Gary & Marlys Grete
Pastor Aleese: Tues.: 8-10 a.m.
Wed.: 2-5 p.m.
Fri.: 12-2 p.m.
Office Hours: Mon.: 1-5 p.m.
Wed.: 1-5 p.m.
Fri. 1-3 p.m.
For clarification, we will be
working throughout the week,
these are the times that you can
expect to find us in the office.
Monday is Pastor Aleese’s day off.
Worship Assistants
Greeters
Sunday
May 7
@ 9:00 a.m.
Sunday
May 14
@ 9:00 a.m.
Sunday
May 21
@ 9:00 a.m.
Sunday
May 28
@ 9:00 a.m.
Ushers
Readers
Children’s
Sermon
Communion
Assistants
Communion
Set-Up
Fellowship
Shelly Corman
Team 4
2 needed
Peg Behrens
Roger Luft
2 needed
Roger Luft
Al Oestmann
Al & ______
Amy Bakke
Team 5
2 needed
Marlys Grete
Marlys & ______
Shelly Corman
Team 6
Amy Bakke
Team 1
2 needed
Roger Luft
Roger & ______
6
Acolyte
Brynn
Eichelberger
May 2017
SUNDAY
MONDAY
1
TUESDAY
2
3
5:30 Lay Ministers
6:30 Education
8
9
THURSDAY
4
FRIDAY
5
10
SATURDAY
6
7:30 Weight Watchers
8:30 Women’s Group
5:00 The Way
7:30 Movie “Martin
Luther: The Idea that
Changed the World”
Pastor Aleese attending
continuing ed. classes
7
WEDNESDAY
5:00 Weight Watchers
5:30 Bible @ the Brew
6:30 Stitching Group
5:30 Musician
Sub-Committee Meeting
11
12
6:30 Euchre Group
13
7:30 Weight Watchers
9:00 Worship Service
10:20 Sunday School
14
Noon Christians
Underground
5:00 Weight Watchers
15
5:30 Property
5:00 The Way
16
17
5:00
6:00
6:30
6:30
Weight Watchers
Evangelism
Stitching Group
Stewardship
18
Sunday School kids will
be baking for Fellowship
19
7:30 Weight Watchers
Mothers Day
9:00 Worship Service
10:20 Sunday School
5:00 Weight Watchers
6:30
21
20
22
Pub Theology
23
5:00 The Way
24
5:00 Weight Watchers
6:30 Stitching Group
7:00 Mutual Ministry
Team
25
4:00 Wedding Rehearsal
3:30 Kraft/Tinkler
Wedding
26
27
7:30 Weight Watchers
9:00 Worship Service
5:00 The Way
5:00 Weight Watchers
5:00 Weight Watchers
6:30 Stitching Group
Newsletter deadline
28
9:00 Worship Service
29
30
31
4:00 Weight Watchers
Weight in only
5:00 The Way
Office Closed
6:30 Building Reserved
E=2
Upcoming Events
June 2
Family Fun Night
June 3
Spring Cleaning
June 10
Loaves and Fishes
June 11-17
Adult Mission Trip
8
7