NOVEMBER 2025
Borrowed from Pastor Tanner Howard!
Saints and Siblings in Christ,
I was sitting in text study a few weeks ago, and we got to talking about one of the overarching themes of Luke’s gospel being one of welcome and inclusion for all people. Seriously, read Luke’s gospel cover to cover sometime and you will find a movement in the ministry of Jesus toward radical and wonderful welcome – for all.
Then one of my colleagues pointed out that, in our churches, we often confuse being welcoming and being friendly. And it’s an image that’s been stuck in my head ever since.
Folks, a friendly church is great. I love a friendly church. Every church I have ever been a member of has been a friendly church. You show up on Sunday, and you see your friends. You sing, you pray, you pass the peace – all with your friends. And we leave happy. It’s a great place to be – a wonderful community to be part of. But a friendly church isn’t always welcoming.
A welcoming church is harder – but better. It means you show up on Sunday and see your friends – but you see people you don’t know too, and you go out of your way to make sure they feel welcome. It means sitting down for coffee with your usual crew but not isolating with them – because there is always space for another chair at the table and a voice in the conversation. It means discreetly helping a guest with the difference between the little page numbers at the front of the hymnal and the big numbers for the hymns. It’s not hard work, but it is intentional – and it makes all the difference.
Being a friendly church is easy. Being a welcoming church takes practice. Let’s commit to practicing together.
Peace, PT
NOVEMBER VOLUNTEERS
SUPPLY ACOLYTES
November 2 – Casey Simmons Jaxon Verba
November 9 –Pastor Mike Sherer Madi Muhlenbruch
November 16 – Steve Schwendemann
November 23 – Mark Echelberger
November 30 – Casey Simmons
USHERS ALTAR GUILD
Maynard Agena Tammy Klatt
Shannon Muhlenbruch Jean Swanson
DEACON BREAD BAKER
Tammy Klatt Cheryl Jass
COMMUNION November 9 at 10:00 am service
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday, November 5 at 6:00 p.m.
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL Wednesday, November 19th
Menu: 2 soups/sandwiches Homemade pies
Serving will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Bring a friend or two!
PRAYER REQUESTS Please keep the following in your prayers: Linda Dow, Curtis Dow, Pat Meek, Pastor Bob Edwards, our home-bound and care center residents.
First Lutheran Council Meeting, October 1, 2025
President Larry Klatt opened the meeting with 9 members present. A motion to approve the agenda was made by Mary Anderson, second by Mary Haugen. Motion carried.
Devotions: Larry Klatt led us in a devotional prayer.
President’s Report: Larry had nothing to report at this time.
Secretary’s Report: Kathy Thelke presented the report. A motion by Kim Brinkman, seconded by Shelly Howard. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Shelly Howard went over the expenses. A motion was made by Mary Anderson, seconded by Tammy Klatt to accept the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried.
Deacons: Nothing to report.
Trustees: Mary did some trimming. Sink is still leaking, gutters will be taken care of, and bushes will be trimmed.
Stewardship: Nothing to report.
Old Business: None
New Business: Harvest Festival offering: Discussion was held about keeping the offering local. Amotion was made by Mary Anderson to split the offerings between the Dows Grocery Store, Mercantile, the Senior Citizens and the Dows Library. Mary Haugen second. Motion carried. Shelly will put envelopes out in the narthex.
All Saints Day: November 2 during church service. Letters will be sent to the families and a flower will be given to each family.
Christmas Eve Service: December 24 at 6:30 pm with a candlelight service. Kathy will take care of the candy sacks.
Larry read a Thank You from the Dows Corn Days Committee for the money to purchase three new tables.
Bev Weidemann made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mary Anderson. Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Kathy Thelke
HARVEST FESTIVAL
On Sunday, November 16th we will celebrate our annual Harvest Festival. Special offering envelopes will be available in the narthex for use on this day. The offering will be divided equally between the Dows Grocery Store, Crème de la Crème, Dows Senior Citizens and the Dows Library. As always, if you have something other than these four organizations that you would like to contribute to, please make your check accordingly. If you need an envelope, please let the office know. After worship we will gather in the basement for a potluck meal. Tableware and drinks will be provided. Please plan to join us on this day of thanks and celebration!
DONATIONS NEEDED
Once again, this year we will be having the Bethlehem Garage Sale and a goodie bag for Christmas Eve. Boxes for donations will be placed in the narthex soon. For the garage sale, we are looking for gently used items so that the kids can come and shop for their families and friends. We especially need items for men. For the Christmas Eve bags we need items that are individually wrapped, be it candy, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. We greatly appreciate any and all donations!
FUNDRAISERS
St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Williams is hosting their Fall Festival on Sunday, November 2 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The meal will consist of Chicken and homemade noodles, meat loaf, real mashed potatoes, frozen corn, salads and pie! Cost is $15 per meal. This event is DRIVE THRU TAKE OUT only.
The Dows Methodist Church will hold their annual Turkey Dinner at the Dows Legion Hall on Sunday, November 9 th from 11:00-1:00. Free will offering. Dine-in or drive thru the alley. Free local delivery is also available by calling Marlo at 515-290-1894 on Saturday from 9-11 or Sunday after 8.