January 2026
Dear First Lutheran Church Family,
I have officially been approved for Word & Sacrament ministry! I want to offer my deepest gratitude for the ways you have shaped me, welcomed me, and revealed the living presence of Christ in this community. When I first came to Dows, I was a stranger. Yet you welcomed me, making room for me to belong. Before I was ever officially a member, you saw gifts in me, encouraged me, trusted me with leadership, and showed me that the talents God gives are meant to be shared. Your support helped give me the courage that eventually led me to seminary.
In 2019, you gathered around my family and me at the font and made promises to us – that you would pray for us, walk with us, and help us grow in faith. You have kept those promises. Through your prayers, your kind words, your gentle nudges, and your unwavering support throughout seminary, you have accompanied me. You showed me what it means to live as a community that trusts God’s abundance, no matter how small we might feel. Your care brought me into genuine community rather than a life of quiet isolation.
I want you to hear this clearly: Faith is alive in Dows. The size of a congregation has never been the measure of God’s movement. In you, I have seen the love of Christ poured out generously – welcoming neighbors in all their imperfections and quirks, feeding the community at monthly suppers, supporting ecumenical VBS, and showing up when needed. You remind me that the Holy Spirit delights in working through communities that many overlook. You are the body of Christ, and what you do matters. The way you love your neighbors matters - your steady faithfulness matters.
My own journey would not have been possible without the relationship I found here. It was among you that I first dared to believe that God’s Gospel could come alive on my lips, that I could equip disciples, that the Spirit might work through someone like me. It was here that I first learned to accept the gift of Baptism that God so longed to give me. It was here that I began to truly trust that I am a beloved child of God, even when I fall short. When the time comes for ordination at St. John Lutheran in Charles City, please know that you are warmly invited. As soon as I know the date, I will gladly share it, and I would be overjoyed to celebrate God’s faithfulness with you.
Thank you for not overlooking me and for seeing Christ shining through me even when I did not. Thank you for shaping the faith that now shapes my call. You will always hold a place of belonging in my heart, and I will carry you in my prayers.
With love in Christ,
Beth Hurt
JANUARY VOLUNTEERS
SUPPLY ACOLYTES
January 4 Steve Schwendmann
January 11 Pastor Kent Mechler Madi Muhlenbruch
January 18 Steve Schwendemann
January 25 Steve Schwendemann Jaxon Verba
USHERS ALTAR GUILD
Gene Thelke Monica Johnson
Kent Thelke Kathy Thelke
DEACON BREAD BAKER
Angela Wharton Kathy Thelke
COMMUNION January 11 th at 10:00 a.m. service
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING Sunday, January 4 th at after worship
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL
Wednesday, January 21 st
Menu: Baked potato bar. Jello, Bars
NO carry-out until 6:00 p.m.
Serving will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Bring a friend or two!
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 3, 2025
President Larry Klatt opened the meeting with 12 members present. A motion by Mary Anderson to approve of the agenda presented was seconded by Mary Haugen. Motion carried
Devotions: Larry Klatt Larry read a devotion to begin the meeting.
President’s Report: Larry Klatt
Larry mentioned that the water leak from an older stool in the church would be replaced soon. The church received a “Thank You” from the Dows Library Board for the Harvest Festival donation. Light House Center of Hope in Iowa Falls had sent an invitation to an Open House. Discussion was held on helping an individual in the community.
Secretary’s Report: Jeanne Russell
Jeanne read the minutes from the November 5th meeting. A motion by Tammy Klatt to accept the minutes as read was seconded by Bev Weidemann. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Shelly Howard
Shelly reported that a total of $1400 was given to Harvest Festival and that a check was disbursed to each of the recipients. A motion by Mary Haugen to approve of the report was seconded by Kathy Thelke.
Deacons: Members that are shut ins or in care centers are being visited regularly and receiving communion.
Trustee’s Report: Mary Anderson reported that the bushes were trimmed and windows were cleaned. New curtains were bought for the Fellowship Hall as the other ones fell apart when washed. The women’s bathroom sink and stool need to be replaced. This will be checked in to and done.
Stewardship: Tammy & Larry Klatt
Nothing to report.
Old Business:
Christmas Eve candle light service will be at 6:30 pm on the 24th.
Nominating Committee met and are still looking for a member to accept the Vice President position.
Budget Committee will need to meet.
No other old business.
New Business:
Wages for Secretary, Treasurer and Custodian Discussion was held by the Council and Mary Haugen then made a motion to increase Shelly Howard’s wages for Secretary to $600 a month from $500 and an increase to $400 a month from $300 on the position of Treasurer. Also, the Custodian, Krystal Muhlenbruch’s, wages would be increased to $450 a month from $400. Kathy Thelke seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Bank Accounts Administrators: Needed to have 2 signatures on these accounts. VBS – Shelly Howard and Jenny Vrba. Sunday School –SheRee Wharton and Mary Haugen. Luther League – Casey Simmons and Shelly Howard. FLCW – Jean Agena and Mary Anderson. A motion to approve of the Bank Account changes was made by Mary Haugen and seconded by Mary Anderson.
Good Samaritan Fund: Larry Klatt discussed a request for our church to help a young couple out with temporary housing. It would cost our church $362.00 to do this. A motion by Craig Russell to approve of the expenditure, was seconded by Mary Anderson. Motion carried.
Annual Meeting Agenda: Please bring all items for the agenda to the January meeting.
Advent Wreath: Discussion was held on keeping the advent wreath up all year since it was difficult to take it down. A motion by Mary Haugen for it to remain up all year, was seconded by Mary Anderson. Motion carried.
Supply Stipend: Discussion was held on what we should be paying our supply pastors. A motion by Kathy Thelke was made to leave it at $150 plus mileage. This motion was seconded by Tammy Klatt. Motion carried.
Other New Business:
Casey Simmons will do (1) Sunday a month
Steve Schwendemann will do (2) Sundays a month
An ordained Pastor will do (1) Sunday a month with communion
President, Larry Klatt, said that the Council would meet with Steve Schwendemann after church on December 14th to discuss any details with him.
Motion to adjourn: A motion to adjourn was made by Kathy Thelke and seconded by Mary Haugen. Meeting was adjourned. Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Submitted by, Jeanne Russell, Council Secretary
THANK YOU’S
To everyone who helped in any way with the children’s Sunday school program on Decem 14 th . For not having 2 Sunday’s to practice, it went great!
To all who donated goodies and groceries for the Christmas Eve bags and the food pantry. It was great to see the box and the shopping cart overflowing.
For all of you who brought items for the Bethlehem Garage Sale. It is a fun-filled morning for the kids and the adults.
A special thank you to the council and congregation for putting up with my whacky schedule for the past 3 months and for a couple more in 2026. You have made it easier to take the time that I need to watch the twins, and I appreciate it more than you know. Shelly
Thank you to all who donated Christmas cards and who signed 554 cards following the Harvest Festival potluck, or at their homes. First Lutheran Church spread a lot of joy to everyone who received a card.
Thank you for the prayers, cards, calls, kind thoughts, and food. Special thanks to Maynard for finishing combining our crops while Curtis was in the hospital. We feel blessed to have a caring Church community. Curtis and Linda Dow
ANNUAL MEETING
First Lutheran’s annual meeting will be held on Sunday, January 25th, 2026, following the worship service. If you have report that has been submitted for the annual report in the past, then please know that the office will need that report again this year. We will be working on the annual report right after the first of the year so please be diligent in getting your reports turned in. They can be dropped off in the office or emailed to the church at secretary@dowsfirstlutheran.com.
DID YOU KNOW that you can purchase cards here at the church? The FLCW has a wide selection of sympathy, greeting, birthday, get well and all occasion cards that can be purchased by the box and there is also anniversary, baby, wedding, confirmation & graduation cards for 50 cents each. The cards can be found on the south end of the fellowship hall. Money can be left in the small metal box on top of the bookshelf.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
The church received a Christmas letter from Pastor Ron & Chris Nelson, and I wanted to share with all.
Blessings to all of you as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.
I was hoping to get cards out early, and I guess I am earlier than some years. Our lives changed considerably in July. Most of you know Ron has mobility issues and used a walker. He had fallen a few times but never hurt himself. But on July 6 th he fell again and this time he hit his head. He was taken to the trauma unit in Des Moines where he stayed most of July. Since then, he has been in and out of the hospital and now is at Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone. I try to get to Boone every day, but with shorter days and inclement weather, that has gotten harder to do. We are trying to get him into a facility in Ames where he would be closer.
We had a Nelson Thanksgiving on Friday and were able to get Ron here to our house. Everyone was here and we had a wonderful time with Ron. Unfortunately, we had to cut it short when the snow started moving in. We will try to do something again for Christmas.
I know this isn’t a very cheery Christmas letter, but it is difficult putting everything down on paper. It makes it all the more real. We will try to have a happy Christmas with Ron and at least be together as a family.
We are wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas with good times and good memories. God be with you all.
Happy New Year!
Pastor Ron and Christ Nelson
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR: Shari Bral who is hospitalized in Des Moines, Pastor Bob Edwards, Pastor Ron Nelson, Phyllis Wesenberg, all care center residents and those who are home-bound.