Lenten activities at Community of Faith

Ascension Lutheran Church 406 S. 5th Avenue Coon Rapids, IA 50058 712-999-5413 March 2017 Christ Lutheran Church 1201 S. Elm Street P.O. Box 167 Jefferson, IA 50129 515-386-3100 Lenten activities at Community of Faith Tuesday, February 28 Fat Tuesday Mini Mardi Gras at Christ Lutheran in Jefferson. Have you ever wondered what significance Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, or the Carnival Season have for the Christian church? Come to find out on Tuesday, February 28. Supper begins at 6 pm in the CLC fellowship hall, followed by a Lenten activity kick-off around 6:30. All are welcome. Ash Wednesday, March 1 Imposition of ashes and Holy Communion services at 7 pm at both CLC and Ascension. Jon Mogensen will lead worship at Ascension while Pr. Terry leads at Christ Lutheran. Midweek Lenten services An exciting new series of midweek Lenten programs are planned in each church s fellowship hall from 6-7 pm March 8-April 5. Each evening will include scripture, a brief program on a ministry of the church, light meal, table trivia & table talk, and family-oriented activity. The midweek format is the same in both congregations, but program topics are as follows: At CHRIST LUTHERAN At ASCENSION Wednesday, March 8 Habitat for Humanity Local missions Wednesday, March 15 Local missions Water for the World Wednesday, March 22 Water for the World Prom Closet ministry Wednesday, March 29 World Hunger Healing & caregiving Wednesday, April 5 Healing & caregiving Heifer International/VBS In addition to the midweek program, Christ Lutheran is encouraging a wellness activity called Here We Walk. Details on the CLC page inside. Holy Week A joint ALC/CLC Seder meal will be hosted at Christ Lutheran at 6 pm on Maundy Thursday, April 13. Tenebrae Prayer services will begin at 6 pm at both churches on Good Friday, April 14. Easter Sunday, April 16 9 am Resurrection celebration worship at CLC followed by Easter brunch in the fellowship hall 9:45 am Easter brunch in Ascension fellowship hall 10:30 am Resurrection celebration worship at Ascension

Page 2 Community of Faith We hold up in prayer For healing: Jerald Deal, Troyce Post (Mary Bower s mother), Doris Royer, Twyla Brede, Jo Wittrock, Brandi Stormer, Marlin (Virgil Dickman s brother-in-law), Deloris Brede (Del Brede s mother), Paula Murphy, Jeanene Baker, Fereleen Robert Acton (friend of Jeanene), Glenna Heiderscheit (Kelly s mother) In long-term care: Bernice Pevestorf, Curtis & Rebecca Franzeen, Joyce Hansen (Twyla s mother) The family of Don Sievers, who passed away on February 20 Men in Mission Men in Mission is an organization of men in the ELCA who gather to do mission with one another and to minister to each other. CLC s men are involved with the Church of Damascus Road in the correctional facilities at Ft. Dodge and Rockwell City. If anyone is interested in learning more or attending worship with the Church of Damascus Road this spring, contact Dave Bohnet for information. A Reformation Moment Martin Luther, renewer of our faith and father of the Protestant Reformation, died on February 18, 1546, at the age of 63. He was visiting to preach in the town of Eisleben, Germany (his birthplace) when he died. From our Lutheran Camps INGHAM / OKOBOJI LUTHERAN BIBLE CAMP March 3-5 Crafting Retreat. Bring a project you are working on and join other crafters in fellowship, devotion and activities. March 31-April 2 Sr. High Spring Recharge No Excuses based on John 15:16. Other Recharges are scheduled in April for weekends except Easter. To register for any event call 1-800-OKOBOJI or go on-line www.okoboji.org. RIVERSIDE LUTHERAN BIBLE CAMP March 3-5 Marriage retreat with speakers Jason & Julie Van Hove Spring Blasts for youth will be held the first two Saturdays in April. Check out the website www.riversidelbc.org for registration & other information. Sunday, March 12 MARCH Birthdays/Anniversaries BIRTHDAYS 3 - Donna Pevestorf 9 - Ellen Tuel 10 - Jameson Daubendiek 13 - Lorraine Tuel 15 - Larry Miesner 17 - Bruce Tapper 18 - Betty Raygor 23 - Kassidy Brede 25 - Jon Mogensen ANNIVERSARIES 1 - Tommy & Cindy Moore 23 - Randy & Ruth Freeman Pr. Terry Ann Mogensen Email: annieangel@gmail.com Phone or text 712-830-3297 Mondays - Off Tuesdays - AM in Ft. Dodge, PM in Jefferson Wednesdays - Jefferson AM, Coon Rapids PM Thursdays - Jefferson AM, Coon Rapids PM Fridays - Coon Rapids all day Saturdays - Off

Community of Faith Page 3 Especially for Ascension Lutheran members Ecumenical World Day of Prayer, an annual service of prayer and unity, will be hosted this year by Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. The program begins at 1:30 pm on Friday, March 3, at the Catholic church, with refreshments to follow. Organizers are seeking 1-2 volunteer readers from our congregation. If you can help out, please contact Paulette McDonough at 712-210-2051. Use of Prom Closet continues strong The Prom Closet, a new ministry accepted by Ascension this winter, continues to draw strong interest from young ladies in the area. To date, 37 free dresses plus prom accessories have been selected, with appointments still being scheduled. The Prom Closet is currently open for free shopping by appointment only. Call Dona Tuel at 712-830-7825 to schedule. Dresses and accessories will continue to be available through prom season. Dress donations are also still being accepted, with sizes 16+ being especially sought after. Donations are accepted at the Iowa Savings Bank locations in Carroll, Glidden and Coon Rapids, as well as People's Bank in Guthrie Center. 2017 Ascension Council Officers President - Dona Tuel VB - Brandi Stormer Treasurer - Harry Shackelford Secretary - Donna Pevestorf Worship & Music - Laura DePenning Christian Education - Twyla Brede Property & Management - Larry Miesner A new spring and summer format for Church4Kids is being considered that will enable children to receive a mini-lesson during the sermon time. Following the children s message, all children would be invited to accompany an adult volunteer to the student classroom for a short Bible activity and/or song time. They would return to the worship service prior to communion. A starting date for the new format will be announced once volunteers are lined up and a brief training is provided. If you are interested in serving in this ministry about once a month, please contact Donna Pevestorf or Pr. Terry. Lent at Ascension The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1. Traditional imposition of ashes and communion at Ascension will be led by Jon Mogensen beginning at 7 pm. A series of midweek Lenten programs is planned during the five Wednesdays in Lent. Details can be found on Page 1. A signup sheet is posted in the narthex for volunteers to provide a light meal (soup, sandwiches & dessert) for each midweek program. Holy Week and Easter schedules are also found on the front page. Please note the Easter brunch at 9:45 am to precede our Easter worship. At ASCENSION MARCH Volunteers Greeters... Jack & Lorraine Tuel Reader... Mary Bower Communion... Laura DePenning/Mary Bower Ushers...Jack Tuel/Larry Jensen

Page 4 Community of Faith Of special interest to Christ Lutheran members Mardi Gras kicks off Lent at CLC Have you ever wondered what significance Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday or the Carnival Season have for the Christian church? Come find out on Tuesday, February 28, at Christ Lutheran. A supper will begin at 6 pm, followed by a Lenten activity at around 6:30. All are welcome This spring, CLC is taking part in Lutheran World Relief s Baskets of Promise appeal. LWR Personal Care Kits provide items to those in need to help them stay healthy in life s most challenging situations. Wellness during Lent Christ Lutheran will participate in a wellness activity called Here We Walk during the six weeks of Lent. Instead of giving up something for Lent, participants will agree to get some extra movement while tracking their exercise on a map of Martin Luther s travels. As each destination is reached, we will learn something about the sites where the Reformation happened 500 years ago. If you aren t able to get your materials at the Mardi Gras supper, extras are available at church. Participants will be treated to a special meal and may win a prize. Join in the fun! ARC Food Pantry in March: Jello & marshmallows Cash donations also welcome. See Pr. Terry if you can help fill food boxes at the Food Pantry. Lenten kick-off March 8 for Wednesday youth program A Lenten kick-off is planned for TLC/MS4JC youth on Wednesday, March 8, 2-3:30 pm at CLC. (The date was changed due to spring break during the usual time.) Youth entering grades 1-5/6-8 are invited to attend activities at CLC on the third Wednesday each month. Each session includes snack, Bible stories, crafts and games. Contact Jan at 515-386-3254 for more information or to arrange transportation. Goal: 40 personal care kits in 40 days of Lent Our goal is 40 kits for the 40 days of Lent, but we will assemble as many kits as we have supplies for. Suggested donations include: March 5-2 bars of bath soap March 12 - dark-colored bath towel March 19- toothbrush March 26 - heavy-duty comb April 2 - metal nail clippers April 9 - extra bars of bath soap Watch for the next book to be read by Envisioning Christ Book Club. CLC teams up against hunger Souper Bowl of Caring 2017 collected 28 items for the ARC Food Pantry and $168 was sent to Lutheran World Relief. Thanks to all who contributed to feed the hungry. Our winter/spring 2017 study is a Reformation Bible study using Paul s letter to the Galatians. Christian Ed Opportunities at Christ Lutheran Next study will be Wednesday, March 15, following Lenten activities at the church. All women from CLC and ALC are welcome. Study materials will be available. Upcoming: The Hannah Cluster will hold their spring event at St. Paul in Atlantic on April 29. This year s theme is 500 years of Reformation and Transformation Luther s Greatest Hits. Contact Jan at 515-386-3254 for details. Brief Sunday School time in the fellowship hall for children following worship each week. Ecumenical Bible Study every Wednesday 8-9 am at Greene Bean Coffee in Jefferson Bible study every Sunday 8-8:45 am before worship, informal & lay led Table Grace meal & fellowship at Uptown Café in Jefferson, noon the 1st Tuesday each month

Community of Faith Page 5 Minutes from February council meetings Christ Lutheran Council ~ February 8 Present: Jacob Bohnet, Dave Bohnet, John Schoening, Cindi Daubendiek, Pr. Terry Mogensen and Jan Rosdail Pres. John Schoening presided. Pr. Terry shared opening devotions. Secretary s report: January council minutes were approved as presented. Treasurer s report: Inflows for the month of January were $4,601.72 and outflows were $6,383.12. Note- Two months payments to shared ministry were written in January. Pastor s report: Report included planning and attending regular worship services, monthly council meetings and usual monthly activities. Mileage expenses for COF were $267.80. This was higher than usual due to some additional travel for persons in need in each community. Committee Reports: Property: Snow removal is charged at half rate when removal is limited to sidewalks and drop-off area. The property use form will be revised to include some additional information. A checklist will be provided and a CLC member will be responsible to check in and out all guests using the property. The sanctuary thermostat will be checked as it is registering higher than set. Worship: Plans for Lent were discussed. A traditional Ash Wednesday service will be held March 1. Proposed for both congregations to have something on the following five Wednesdays, but try a less structured format beginning with a meal at 6 pm and a family-friendly activity following. Holy Week schedule will be more traditional. Plans are not yet finalized, but are being developed. Education: A focus on the 500th year of the Reformation will be a theme throughout 2017. A Mardi Gras activity including Reformation information is being planned for Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6 pm in the fellowship hall. Confirmation classes are held weekly and worship expectations were reviewed. Our student will attend the Synod s ConFEST with youth from ALC on Feb. 22. Evangelism: Pr. Terry works with Teresa Lansman to assist those needing emergency funds. Salvation Army funds are now being distributed by Pr. Terry. Old business: The hosting sign-up sheet still has many openings and a number of members have not filled in where they are most comfortable serving. Assignments will be made if slots are left open. Souper Bowl of Caring resulted in $168 for LWR and 28 items for ARC. New business: 2017 council officers for CLC were officially approved: President Jacob Bohnet and VP Cindi Daubendiek. Prayer concerns were shared and the meeting ended with the Lord s Prayer Respectfully submitted, Jan Rosdail, recording secretary Next meeting Wednesday, March 8 following Lenten activity. Ascension Lutheran Council ~ February 9 Meeting was called to order at 5:15 pm by President Donna Pevestorf. Others present were Harry Shackelford, Dona Tuel, Larry Miesner, Laura DePenning, Brandi Stormer, Marcia Young and Twyla Brede. Souper Bowl Sunday turnout was discussed. Harry Shackelford presented treasurer s report and answered questions. Motion by Dona Tuel, seconded by Brandi Stormer to accept report. Motion carried. Council members reviewed Pastor s monthly report. Twyla discussed a temporary hold on Christian education activities. Dona Tuel discussed worship & music issues. She also reported on the Prom Closet. A total of 37 dresses have been selected by high school girls from the area, with more dresses still arriving. She gets at least one call per week for personal appointments. The Prom Closet will be open through prom season, when dresses will be covered and stored until next year. No old business. Council discussed meeting every two months, rather than monthly, on the first Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm. Motion by Brandi, seconded by Laura to accept this change. Motion carried. Next meeting will be Thursday, April 6. Additional meetings will be called as necessary. Council members elected officers for 2017. Officers are Dona Tuel, president; Brandi Stormer, VP; Larry Miesner, property & management; Donna Pevestorf, secretary; Twyla Brede, Christian education; Laura DePenning, worship & music; Harry Shackelford, treasurer. Motion by Laura, seconded by Dona to accept the officers. Motion carried. Motion to adjourn by Dona Tuel, seconded by Twyla Brede. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Next meeting Thursday, April 6, 5:30 pm. Laura DePenning, secretary-pro-tem

COMMUNITY OF FAITH MINISTRIES Ascension Lutheran / Christ Lutheran 406 S. 5th Avenue Coon Rapids, IA 50058 Page 6 Community of Faith Lent begins on Wednesday, March 1 Imposition of ashes & Holy Communion Wednesday, March 1, 7 pm Jon Mogensen leads worship at Ascension. Pr. Terry leads worship at Christ Lutheran. Check inside this newsletter for details about Lenten midweek schedules, special activities & Holy Week services.