MAY 2025
An article taken from Living Lutheran.
I spend a fair amount of time as a volunteer “pray-er” on a prayer app. Thousands of strangers submit prayers for their health, relationships, finances or for the state of the world. One phrase that keeps coming up in the hundreds of requests that I have seen and prayed for is that God would “open the right door and shut the wrong doors.” This notion of God opening and shutting doors for God’s children is both ancient and biblical.In the lectionary readings for this week, we have two stories of God opening, or even bypassing, doors.
In the John passage, Jesus is beyond the use of doors. While all the disciples, except for Thomas, were gripped with fear and in hiding (20:19), Jesus suddenly stood among them. He showed his wounds to confirm that he had been resurrected, and all those present believed. Later, when Thomas returned from bravely going out to, presumably, get food and supplies for the frightened disciples, he wanted the same sign that the rest of them had been given. Jesus obliged. Again, the doors were shut (26). But every closed door is open to Jesus, and he stood among his disciples again, making sure to give the signs Thomas needed in order to believe. That is the point of this Gospel, after all, that the signs recorded therein would lead to belief and life (31).
In the Acts account, the disciples have been getting into good trouble. The disciples, filled with the zeal of God and the risen Jesus, have been performing signs and wonders. They healed the sick and exorcized demons. People brought the sick and oppressed to line Peter’s path, so that even his healing shadow might fall on those who needed restoration or release. As often happens when God blesses a particular ministry, other religious professionals felt jealous (5:17).
The Sadducees, unlike the Pharisees, didn’t believe in resurrection or demons (Acts 23:8). The apostles traveling around, freeing people from unclean spirits and demons in the name of a resurrected rabbi was more than they could stand. Jesus and his disciples sided with their enemies, the Pharisees. Remember, Jesus ate with Pharisees, and therefore was a Pharisee, or at least Pharisee-adjacent (Acts 7:36-50). His debates with Pharisees should be understood as in-group behavior, like how most of the people who I teach and debate with are Lutheran Christians, just like me. The Sadducees arrested Peter and those with him and threw them in jail.
This notion of God opening and shutting doors for God’s children is both ancient and biblical. In the lectionary readings for this week, we have two stories of God opening, or even bypassing, doors. But during the night, an angel opened the prison doors and led them all out. The angel instructed the disciples to return to the temple area and tell the people the whole message of this life of Jesus. And that’s exactly what they did! When the high priest (a Sadducee) sent for the disciples in prison, the guards noted that they weren’t there and that all the doors were closed and locked (the polite angel was not born in a barn and apparently shut the doors after leading the disciples out). While they were confused as to where Peter and the others could have gone, someone noticed that the disciples were back in the temple courts, teaching about their resurrected messiah.
The guards arrested the disciples again (Acts 5:26), this time without violence because they were afraid of the people (note the power the people have to restrict the violence of officers). The high priest was indignant: “I told you to stop talking about Jesus, but you just keep talking about Jesus!” Peter and the apostles gave one of the best responses in the history of recorded communication: “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:29-32).
Peter’s speech here is targeted to give maximum offense to the Sadducees: resurrection, exalting a human to God’s side and mention of the Spirit. Of course the Sadducees wanted to kill them! But look who stepped to their defense: a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who asked the council to consider that these men may have been sent by God (38-39). The high priests were convinced. They had the disciples flogged anyway but then opened the door for their public ministry in the temple compounds (42).
We often feel that doors are closing in our lives, in our careers, in our relationships. We can feel doors close on the hopes we had for how our communities could look different from the way they do now. This week’s lectionary passages insist that even when the situation looks the worst, there is no closed doorway that can be a barrier to God’s plans.
Cory Driver
Cory Driver is the director of L.I.F.E. (Leading the Integration of Faith and Entrepreneurship) at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. His book God, Gender and Family Trauma: How Rereading Genesis can be a Revelation will be available from Fortress Press in March 2025.
PRAYER REQUESTS
The Meester family, Gloria Stover, Ray Kracht, Tre Solis and all those from the CGD school district that were involved in an accident.
The church received word that Carol Christensen passed away. No funeral service is being planned for the immediate future. We will let you know when we hear something otherwise.
MAY VOLUNTEERS
SUPPLY ACOLYTES
May 4 – Casey Simmons May 4– Nolan Muhlenbruch
May 11 – Pastor Susan Stone May 11– Madi Muhlenbruch
May 18 – Pastor Michael Shere May 18– Jaxon Verba
May 25 – Steve Schwendemann May 25 – Hannah Wharton
USHERS ALTAR GUILD
Loren & Angie Lienemann Kim Brinkman
Jeanie Agena
DEACON BREAD BAKER
Tammy Klatt Mary Anderson
COMMUNION May 18 th
FLCW QUILTERS May 6 th at 1:00 p.m.
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING May 7 th at 6:00 p.m
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL
We will resume our monthly meals on Wednesday, May 21 st. Menu will include: cheesy tater tot casserole fluff salads bars and drink. Serving will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Bring a friend or two!
MAY WORSHIP INFORMATION
Sunday, May 11 th we will honor our 3 graduating seniors. Madison Ingebritson, Belle Wharton and Jacob Wharton. There will be baskets in the narthex that day if you would like to leave a card.
Sunday, May 18 th will be the last day of Sunday school! Please join us in thanking all the students and staff for another great year!
LSI MAY CHURCH UPDATE
LSI proudly serves Iowans in all 99 counties through our services of Mental Health, Early Childhood, Foster Care & Adoption, Global Greens, People with Disabilities, and Immigrant & Refugee Community Services. We serve individuals of all ages, from families with newborns navigating the early stages of parenthood, to Refugee and Immigrant elders, as well as children at every stage of development. Our heart beats for the people we serve. We empower families and communities by recognizing and honoring the strengths and gifts of every individual.
A Story of Resilience: Aime’s Journey from Refugee to Entrepreneur In 2010, Aime fled the war in Congo, seeking safety for herself and her future. She first found refuge in Tanzania before making her way to the United States, later that year settling in South Dakota. There, she worked with Palance Autism, dedicating herself to helping others. During this time, Aime met her husband, and together they built a family, eventually welcoming five children.
In 2012, Aime and her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she began working with TPI, a wind energy company. For ten years, she juggled the demands of her job while raising her children. However, when TPI closed in 2022, Aime saw the chance to create a new path – one that would allow her to spend more time with her family and pursue a career more aligned with her values. Determined, Aime enrolled in Lutheran Services in Iowa’s childcare program in October 2022. With their support, she launched her own daycare business in 2023.
Today, Aime cares for six children in her daycare, providing a safe and nurturing space for them to grow while also staying closely connected to her own family. Aime’s story is one of resilience, growth, and the courage to start over. From fleeing her home to building a business in a new country, she has transformed her challenges into opportunities for herself, her family and her community.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 2, 2025
President, Larry Klatt, opened the meeting with 13 members present. Mary Haugen made the motion to approve of the agenda as presented and Tammy Klatt seconded that motion. Motion carried.
Devotion: Larry Klatt Larry read a Prayer for Healing
President’s Report: Larry Klatt Larry reported that the elevator replacement should be done by Easter
and is coming along well.
Secretary’s Report: Jeanne Russell Jeanne read the minutes from the March 12, 2025 meeting. Mary Anderson made the motion to accept the minutes as read and Mary Haugen seconded that motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Shelly Howard Shelly reported that there was a donation for LP costs in March. She also said that she checked into the service charge on the property insurance premium with Muhlenbruch Ins. and if the payment was made online, the service charge would be dropped. That is what Shelly chose to do. The Rockow Trust CD is due on 4/12/2025 and a motion by Mary Anderson and seconded by Troy Srigley, was to leave the CD at United Bank and Trust in Hampton and try to get the best interest available.
Discussion was held on the balance due on the elevator replacement cost and a motion by Kathy Thelke to put the interest from the Rockow Trust CD which is $11,035.62 with the balance in the “Special Funds Checking”, $8,716.28 to be used to pay off the balance due.
A motion to approve of the Treasurer’s report was made by Tammy Klatt and seconded by Jean Swanson. Motion carried.
Deacon’s Report: Deacons reported that everyone was getting visited and receiving communion.
Trustee’s Report: Adam Vorrie, David Ziesman and Troy Srigley will check out the lights by the south education door. The communion rail has been tightened and David Ziesman reported that Z&Z Glass from Iowa Falls will be coming to fix the two cracked windows in the education wing.
Stewardship: Tammy & Larry Klatt Larry said that there were four travelers who got stranded in Dows during the last blizzard and were very impressed with the community’s response. They stayed at the community building where we have cots and blankets and food was donated by Casey’s. They were very thankful.
Old Business:
Jean Swanson will order the palm leaves for the Sunday School students for Palm Sunday. She will also get the ice cream certificates for Sunday School and staff for May 18th.
Jenny Vrba said that there was going to be a “party” on May 18th the last day of Sunday School. There will be pizza, and other goodies so everyone is invited to come during the Sunday School hour.
New Business:
Jean Swanson will call Hawkeye Pest Control to spray around the church.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mary Anderson and was seconded by Bev Weidemann.
Meeting was adjourned. We closed with the “Lord’s Prayer”.
Submitted by, Jeanne Russell Council Secretary
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THANK YOU
A big Thank You for those donating ingredients and money for the Easter breakfast, for those helping with the setup, decorating, serving, and cleanup. A special Thank You to those that came to enjoy breakfast with family and friends.
Thanks to everyone who served and attended the Lenten meals this year. It is always great food and fellowship!