AMBASSADOR. Faith Lutheran Church. August Saturday evening 5:00 pm Sunday morning 9:00 am. Summer Worship Times

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1 Summer Worship Times Saturday evening 5:00 pm Sunday morning 9:00 am Faith Lutheran Church 500 W. LeClaire Road Eldridge, IA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Organization PERMIT NO. 1 Eldridge, IA Faith Lutheran Church AMBASSADOR August 2018 Rev. Dr. Carrie Lewis La Plante Rev. Heather Geest 500 W. LeClaire Road Eldridge, IA (563) faitheldridge@netins.net From Pastor Carrie...Page 2-3 Youth News Pages 4 High School Youth... Page 5 Youth Group & Confirmation... Page 6 Worship Volunteers.... Page 7 Calendar of Events... Pages 8 & 9 Worship Volunteers... Pages 10 Women of Faith... Page 11 VBS - Rolling River Rampage... Pages 12 Lutheran Lakeside... Page 13 Confirmation Mentor Needed....Page 14 Birthdays & Anniversaries... Page Grace-Gifted Faith-Lifted Called to share, seek, and serve Christ

2 Dear Friends in Christ, Have you ever done something with one particular goal only to find that the impact of what you were doing was greater than you expected it to be? Have you ever focused on a project, hoping that one objective would be met only to find that something totally unexpected happened as well? Have you ever planned to experience God s presence in one way, only to find God s fingerprints spread throughout an event and the lives of the people involved in the event in ways you had not anticipated? I have to admit that this is what happened with Vacation Bible School for me this year. We had an awesome time at Rolling River Rampage as we experienced adventure with God. Everything about the VBS program was so meticulously planned and organized with the goal of bringing the good news of Jesus to the youngsters in our congregation and our community. We planned how to perform the skits with our favorite river otter, Romper, and tell all of the Bible stories and talk about them in our class groups, and make crafts, and learn about God s creation through science experiments, and sing some awesome songs about God s love for us, and have adventure playing games all done to help us to find adventure, acceptance, joy, rest and peace on the river. We even planned all of the food and had wonderful help in the kitchen so that we would be nourished and our bellies would be full to learn and to have fun together. And finally, we planned a fun program and family fun potluck and picnic for the last day so that we could share with our families all that we had learned. And all of this we did so that we could share the good news of Jesus with our families and friends and neighbors, and that goal was accomplished in spades as all of our children who joined us for the week had a wonderful time participating in all of the activities that we had planned. That was what I had expected from the week, and it was awesome! What I had not expected from the week was what the theme would do for those of us who were helping with VBS, especially our junior high and high school youth. You see, just two weeks before, they had lost their friend, Jake Fenn, in an ATV accident, and one week before, they had said their final good-byes as we laid his body to rest in God s eternal care. This reality had been hard for so many of us to make sense of as we worked through our own grief even as we sought ways to show our love and our support to Jake s family in the midst of their grief. And then, we came to VBS, where the theme verse for the week was Isaiah 43:2, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Throughout the week, we talked about how God is with us through every journey of our lives through the calm waters, through the rough and rocky seas, when we do not know where to turn. And on Tuesday night, as I was taking pictures of the kids singing and dancing to the music to support the lessons, I hear the kids singing the song based on our theme verse entitled I Will Be With Y ou. 2 August Birthdays Birthday wishes are extended to the following members who are celebrating birthday number 70 or above. David Griffin August 5 Vi Westphal August 26 Melvia Ewoldt August 8 George Braden August 30 Jaclynn Snyder August 8 Jeanne Willems August 30 Deloris Schatz August 9 Harold Nelson August 12 Connie Braet August 21 Doug Garner August 22 August Anniversaries Rob & Pam White celebrating 50 years on August 3 Milton & Deloris Schatz celebrating 61 years on Aug. 24 On Saturday, August 25th, after the 5:00 pm service, we will be serving dinner to couples that have been married 50 + years or anyone who would have been married over 50 years! Watch the mail for your invite! MISSIONARY SPONSORSHIP Thank you to Sue Sissel for sponsoring our Compassion Child, John Chima; and sponsorship of our missionary Jenna Bergeson, Hong Kong, during August. The cost for sponsorship is $40/month for John and $45/month for Jenna. During July we welcomed to our Faith family through the waters of baptism Brady Michael Messerich on July 14th.Brady is the son of Michael and Abby Messerich. His sponsors were Amanda Moenk and Kevin Messerich. THANK YOU TO the BULLETIN AND AMBASSADOR CREW for their help getting these publications assembled each month!!! 15

3 LOOKING FOR A CONFIRMATION MENTOR Dear Congregation: I have been a confirmation mentor at Faith Lutheran Church for around 20 years now, since we began the program in the late 1990's. We have changed the program from year to year and from youth directors to pastors. Numbers have also changed from year to year. But the basic program has not changed. Usually the youth, junior high, are separated into 4-7 students per class for small discussion groups. The small discussion groups are seated at individual tables for the entire confirmation time, usually 75 minutes. The time is divided between individual small groups and the entire group. The leader (pastor) has the time divided between entire group discussion and the small individual mentor discussion groups. Usually games and videos are part of the discussion. The small mentor discussions are usually are more individual and sometimes become more focused on what the student is interested in that week (sometimes the mentor also). Since Pastor Carrie has come aboard, the teens have been allowed 1 week a month for special projects. This has been a highlight for the confirmands. Projects such as the annual fall neighborhood food drive and Grand Haven Christmas Carol fest come into mind as well as pie baking and bowling activities and annual Quad Cities youth night at St.Matthew Lutheran in Davenport. Each and every class and student surprises me as I realize how much every mind comprehends what is taught and as I think about all the thoughtful questions that have been asked. As some of you are aware, I had a small stroke a few weeks ago. Physically, I'm fine, but I still have a few problems with my speech and putting my thoughts into phrases. Every year, I rethink about being a mentor again. Every year, I do it again. I enjoy being around the youth. They keep me invigorated. But my health keeps me away this year. My time as a mentor has been a short time really, and wish I could continue, but reality says no. But maybe I will be able to do it again some time. This past two years I had the privilege to have Jake Fenn in my small group. I also had his older brother, Nate, a few years ago. I enjoyed talking to Jake every week at confirmation. I am still thinking about him often. I will not forget about Jake. We will all be better to have known Jake. Please say 'yes' to 75 minutes a week to be a mentor. You'll get a lot more out of receiving than you'll be giving. Sincerely, Kim Wilkins Monday, August 13 Faith Lutheran Church will be hosting a Blood Drive with the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center from 3 pm to 6:30 pm at the church. Appointments preferred. Tom Carlson at carlson.thomas@mchsi.com Please keep in your prayers the family and friends of Jacob Fenn. Special thanks to those who helped with the visitation, donated food and worked at the funeral luncheon. 14 When they had finished singing it, Kelly Penning pulled me aside to tell me that the high school kids were requesting that song every night because it was helping them to remember that God is always with them and that God was and is always with Jake. Tears came to both of our eyes as we realized that this amazing VBS program was not only reaching the goal we had originally intended in reaching the younger kids, but it was also a means of bringing healing to our older youth, and, I would venture to guess, some of our adults, as they were reminded that they are never alone. This was a goal we had never set, and yet the Holy Spirit was working to impact more lives than we can imagine, and that, too, is awesome! And so I want to thank all of you who had any hand in VBS this year, whether as a volunteer during the week, one who donated food or money, someone who prayed for all of us at VBS, or a parent or grandparent or friend who brought a child or children to VBS for the ways in which you helped to make an impact on everyone during that week. It makes a difference! If we go back half a verse from our theme verse for the week to Isaiah 43:1b, we hear God say, I have called you by name, and you are mine. It is because God has called us by name and made us God s own beloved children that we can trust the promise that when we walk through the waters, not matter what kind of waters those are, God will be with us. That was true for Jake, that is true for each of us, that is true for all those with whom we share the good news of Jesus, whether it is to the people with whom we had planned to share that good news or to people we had not yet imagined. Which takes me to the blessing that we have been using in worship this season, a reminder that God does more with us than we could ever do on our own. And so I close with this blessing: May God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, grant you the gifts of faith and hope. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen. In Christ s love, Pastor Carrie 3

4 Backpack Blessing and Blessing of Teachers and School Workers On the weekend of August 18 and 19, we invite all children and youth who are starting back to school to bring their backpacks to worship at 5:00 pm on Saturday or 9:00 am on Sunday. During the s message, we will do a blessing of backpacks to pray God s blessing on the backpacks and on the children who will wear them this year. We will then offer a blessing over the teachers, administrators, bus drivers, janitors, kitchen staff and others as they prepare to head back to school. We hope that you will join us for this celebration of the new year! Grade Faith Milestone- Blessing of the Keys As our children begin high school, there are many milestones that they will begin to come across. One of those milestones is learning to drive, from getting the permit to driver's ed to getting a license. We would like to help these youth and parents to mark that milestone in worship with a "Blessing of the Keys". On Sunday, August 19, during the 9:00 am worship service, we will invite all 9th graders to come forward with their parents as we pray over them and provide them with a small token to mark this time in their lives. We will also be providing each family with a sample "contract" which can help families to have conversation around proper use of the car. We hope that all of our 9th Grade youth and families will be present for this milestone as we begin this new school year. 4 13

5 Youth Gathering in Houston In Memory of Jacob Fenn 12 5

6 High School Youth Group Kick-Off It is hard to believe that we are heading back into the school year, but as we do, we also head into a new year of Youth Group. In order to get the year kicked off, we invite all high school youth and their parents to join us for a conversation about plans for the year, including how often we would like to meet, the kinds of activities we would like to do, and what kind of mission trip we would like to take this coming summer. We will meet on Sunday, August 26, immediately following worship (approximately 10:15 am). Following our conversation, the youth will go for lunch and a mystery event. Please bring $10 to help cover costs. In order to ensure that we have enough drivers for the event, please RSVP to Pastor Carrie (pastorcarrie@csteldridge.com or ) by Wednesday, August 22. We encourage you to invite friends. More information will be coming in a letter soon. See you there! A New Year for Confirmation It is time to begin our Confirmation Conversations again, so it is time to have a mandatory student/parent meeting and pizza party. Therefore, all 7 th and 8 th Graders and their parents and siblings are invited to a pizza party and Confirmation kick-off meeting on Wednesday, August 29, at 6:00 pm. At this meeting we will go over expectations and opportunities for the year as well as the calendar of events. There will be a formal letter coming in the mail with more information, so for now, please just save the date and time for the meeting, and please let Pastor Carrie know how many from your family will be coming so that we can be sure to have enough food for everyone at pastorcarrie@csteldridge.com or by Sunday, August 26. We look forward to seeing you there. P.S. Our first week of the regular class schedule will be the following Wednesday, September 5, beginning with a meal at 5:00 pm and our Confirmation Conversations from 5:30-6:45 pm. 6 Women of Faith News All Women of Faith Are invited to join a group for Bible Study, friendship and fun. There are several times; just drop in or call a group leader for more information. Check the Calendar for Dates Hannah Group - 7:00 pm Contact Marilee Schafer Lydia Group - 7:00 pm Contact Linda Szemkus Quilts of Many Colors. at 9:00 a.m. Lunch Bunch Thursday, August 9th at Noon Enjoy a relaxing lunch out with the group at New Hong Kong Restaurant in Eldridge. Come and join us for fellowship and a fortune cookie. AUGUST ALTAR COMMITTEE Chairperson Janet Merrick Carolyn Lewis Magda Brodersen Kim Brodersen Ruth Staudt Donna Benskin Women of Faith Summer Bible Study Join the Women of Faith for a Summer Bible Study on Saturday, September 1, from 9 am to 2 pm. The three session Bible Study from the Gather magazine is Let Us Pray. We will look at the paradoxes of prayer, the practices of prayer and the expressions of prayer. Morning refreshments will be served at 9 am. Lunch will be a salad buffet, dessert, iced tea and coffee. For planning purposes, a sign-up is on the bulletin board. THE NORTH SCOTT FOOD PANTRY The North Scott Food Pantry s needs for August: Canned meats, hot and cold cereal and fruit. 11

7 Saturday, August 5:00 pm Greeters: Brad & Janet Merrick Ushers: Jared & Kelly Penning Reader: Theresa White Communion: Theresa White Counters: Melody Sawvell & Sue Sissel Sunday, August 9:00 am Greeters: Dave & Linda Golinghorst Ushers: Duane & Lynda Miller Reader: Duane Miller Communion: Linda Golinghorst Counters: Dave & Linda Golinghorst Saturday, August 5:00 pm Greeters: Bill Wittkowski Ushers: Bob & Theresa White Reader: Theresa White Communion: Carrie Tracy Counters: Gary & Joni King Sunday, August 9:00 am Greeters: Glen & Jean Keppy Ushers: Carol Roe & Yanke Family Reader: Bryan Yanke Communion: Lexi Yanke Counters: Carol Roe & Ruth Staudt AUGUST FAITH FAMILY: Group 3 Family Head: Kelly Penning Greeters: Ushers: Reader: Saturday, August 5:00 pm Greeters: Ushers: Reader: Sue Braack Nina Looney & Tim Broberg Carolyn Hulsen Communion: Carolyn Hulsen Counters: Janet Bowman Jared & Kelly Penning Kelly Penning Communion: Kelly Penning Counters: Greeters: Ushers: Reader: Saturday, August pm Mike & Rita Smith Connie Braet Carol Roe, Dan & Mary Ann Anderson Mary Ann Anderson Communion: Tom Carlson Counters: Greeters: Ushers: Reader: Sunday, August 5@ 9:00 am Allen & Carolyn Lewis Curt & Carolyn Hulsen Doug & Shari Garner Dan & Mary Ann Anderson Mary Ann Anderson Communion: Tom Carlson Counters: Sunday, August 9:00 am Dan & Mary Ann Anderson 10 7

8 AUGUST 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00 am Worship at Grand Haven Faith Lutheran Church 2 6:30 pm Team Night 3 4 5:00 pm Worship-s 5 9:00 am Worship :00 pm Lunch Bunch 6:30 pm Women of Faith Board :00 pm Worship 12 9:00 am Worship 6:30 pm Serving Sticks :30 pm Blood Drive :00 pm Church Council :00 pm Worship & Blessing of Backpacks & School Personnel 19 9:00 am Worship Blessing of Backpacks & School Personnel Blessing of the Keys :00 am Quilting :00 am Ambassador Deadline 25 5:00 pm Worship 6:00 pm 50th Wedding Anniversary Dinner 26 9:00 am Worship & Baptism 10:15 am High School Youth Kick Off th Graders & Parents Confirmationn Meeting :00 Ambassador Folding 31 Sept. 1 5:00 pm Worship (J) Jubilation (FH) Fellowship Hall (YR) Youth Room (MP) Multi Purpose 9