March 2026
The Downward Journey: Finding the Mind of Christ this Lent
As we enter the forty days of Lent, our culture often encourages us to "level up"—to improve ourselves, gain new habits, or climb toward some version of personal perfection. But the Apostle Paul points us in a different direction. In Philippians 2:5-11, he invites us to look at the "downward journey" of Jesus Christ.
The Mind of Christ
Paul begins with a radical call: "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5). In the original Greek, this "you" is plural—it’s an invitation for our whole community to be shaped by a specific way of thinking. What is this "mind"? It is a mind that does not grasp for power or status, but instead "empties itself".
Self-Emptying for the Sake of Others
Lent is often associated with giving things up. While fasting from chocolate or social media can be meaningful, Philippians 2 calls us to a deeper kind of fast: kenosis, or self-emptying. Jesus, though being in the very form of God, did not exploit his divine status. Instead, he took the "form of a slave," becoming human and obedient even to the point of death on a cross. He traded the "booty" of his rights for the basin of a servant. For us, having the "mind of Christ" means looking to the interests of others and choosing the path of humble service rather than the path of self-promotion.
The Way of the Cross leads to Life
The beauty of this "Christ Hymn" is that the story doesn't end in the grave. Because Jesus humbled himself, God "highly exalted him". In the Lutheran tradition, we understand that the way to resurrection always leads through the cross. We don't have to claw our way to God; God has already come down to us in the lowest places of our human experience.
A Lenten Practice for Our Congregation
This month, as we journey toward the cross, you are invited to "mind the gap" between our own ambitions and the servant-heart of Jesus. Ask yourself:
• Where am I "grasping" for my own way?
• How can I "empty" myself of a little bit of pride to make room for a neighbor?
• What small act of service can I perform this week that reflects the humility of our Lord?
In our lonely Thursdays and our terrifying Fridays, we are never alone. We share the mind of the one who became one of us, so that we might forever share his life.
Blessings on your Lenten journey
LENT INFORMATION
The Lenten series this year is “At the Name of Jesus”. This service points the assembly toward its annual celebration of the Sunday of the Passion and has the potential to clarify and reinforce the importance of reading the passion as the central proclamation for Passion Sunday. We are part of a round robin with pastors from the Riverside conference. ALL are welcome to join us!
LENTEN MEALS AND SCHEDULE
February 25th: Meal - spaghetti (beef/chicken), green beans, rolls, salads, desserts
Worship: Every tongue confesses Jesus
Lay Minister Caitlin Tauro – St. Paul’s Hampton
March 4th: Meal - ham balls, cheesy taters, green beans, desserts
Worship: Let the same mind be in you
Pastor Tim Malek – St. Petri Story City
March 11 th: Meal – hamburgers, baked beans, chips, desserts
Worship: Christ emptied and humbled himself
Pastor Maureen Howard – Bethany Iowa Falls
March 18th: Meal – Assorted soups, ice cream
Worship: Christ became obedient
Pastor Jonathan Dolan – Bethesda Jewell
March 25th: Meal –meatloaf, mashed potatoes, sweet corn, squash, desserts
Worship: At the name of Jesus all knees shall bow
Pastor John Sheahan – Bergen Roland
Serving of the weekly meals begins at 5:30 p.m. worship at 6:30
MARCH VOLUNTEERS
SUPPLY ACOLYTES
March 1 Steve Schwendemann
March 8 Casey Simmons
March 15 Mark Echelberger
March 22 Steve Schwendemann
March 29 Pastor Jane Granzow Madi Muhlenbruch
USHERS ALTAR GUILD
Gene Thelke Tammy Klatt
Kent Thelke Jean Swanson
DEACON BREAD BAKER
Jean Swanson Wanda Glade
COMMUNION Sunday, March 29th at 10:00 a.m. service
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday, March 4th after worship
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL NO community meal but look for information On Lenten meals elsewhere in the newsletter
PRAYER REQUESTS for the family of Pastor Ron Nelson, who passed away February 8th, Lynette Muhlenbruch, Eldon Walbaum, John Haugen and to all our care center residents and those who are home-bound.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING 2025
JANUARY 25, 2026
President, Larry Klatt, called the meeting to order. The opening prayer was done by Steve Schwendemann.
President’s Report: Larry Klatt Larry mentioned that the Church was doing well and that discussion was held at the last council meeting that maybe the Church Constitution could be changed to have 30% plus 1, for a quorum, instead of 50% plus 1.
Secretary’s Report: Jeanne Russell The secretary’s report was read by Jeanne Russell on the Annual Report from January 26, 2025. A motion by Cheryl Jass to approve the minutes as read, was seconded by Judy Gorder. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Shelly Howard There were 52 giving units this year with an average of $1,671. The elevator was done and paid for this year. The interest from the ELCA Mission Investment Fund this year was $839.09. Shelly noted that the Rockow Estate Interest this year was put on the elevator cost. That amount was $11,035.62. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Mary Anderson and seconded by Jean Swanson. Motion carried.
Auditor’s Report: Carla Muhlenbruch, Shannon Muhlenbruch and Cheryl Jass met and went over the books and everything was correct.
Stewardship Report: Larry & Tammy Klatt Larry & Tammy said if anyone had ideas for more fellowship times to let them know. The supply pastors have been great. The ecumenical VBS brings in many new people each August to our Church, which is a very good outreach.
Call Committee Report: Tammy Klatt reported that she is still in contact with Pastor Steve Brackett from the NE IA Synod Office and at this time, there are no candidates to interview.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Supply Update: Steve Schwendemann has met with the Church Council and has agreed to serve us 2-3 times a month. He also is interested in doing a mid-week Bible Study, if there would be interest in one. Casey Simmons will still do one Sunday a month for us. Craig Russell continues to get an ordained pastor at least once a month so we can have Communion.
2026 Budget: The projected budget for 2026 is $99,000. A motion to approve of the 2026 budget was made by Mary Anderson and seconded by Cheryl Jass. Motion carried.
ELCA Mission Investment Interest: $839.09 Tammy Klatt made a motion to put the interest from this investment fund into the Good Samaritan Fund. Jean Swanson seconded that motion. Motion carried. Youth Ministry Fund: Discussion was held on whether we should keep the funds in this account or put them elsewhere. A motion to keep the fund in this account was made by Kim Brinkman and seconded by Bev Weidemann. Motion carried.
Election: The only open vacancy on the 2026 Ballot was for a Vice President. Jean Swanson nominated Larry Klatt to fill the VP position. Larry agreed to do that so the ballot was complete. A motion by Craig Russell to accept the ballot as presented was seconded by Cheryl Jass. Motion carried.
Additional New Business: Craig Russell made a motion to take 10% of the Rockow Trust interest, which would be approximately $1600, and have the Executive Committee on the Council choose some good recipients for those funds. Judy Gorder seconded that motion. Motion carried.
Additional New Business: There being no additional new business,
the meeting was adjourned. The congregation closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Submitted by,
Jeanne Russell, Council Secretary
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 4, 2026
President, Kathy Thelke, opened the meeting with 9 members present. Mary Anderson made a motion to accept the agenda as presented. Mary Haugen seconded that motion. Motion carried.
DEVOTIONS: Kathy led us in devotion.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Kathy said that if the weather was bad on a Sunday morning, the Supply Pastor for that day, would not be expected to come. The service would be done by Council members/Deacons.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: Jeanne Russell
Jeanne read the minutes from the January 4, 2026, meeting. The discussion on changing the church’s constitution pertaining to a quorum for Council meetings was corrected from needing to be done at an annual meeting, to a congregational meeting. With the correction being made, a motion by Jean Swanson to approve of the Secretary’s report was seconded by Mary Anderson. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Shelly Howard
Shelly noted that on the report an adjustment was made on the Good Samaritan Account. A motion to accept the report was made by Mary Haugen and seconded by Jean Swanson. Motion carried.
DEACON’S REPORT: Members in care centers and home bound, are getting visited each month and receiving communion.
TRUSTEE’S REPORT: The east sink in the kitchen has a leak and needs to be fixed. There is a light in the chapel that is out. Discussion was held about having an electrician come and look at that and also give an estimate on installing two ceiling fans in that room. The ladies bathroom needs a new base on the vanity due to water damage back when the basement flooded. That, too, will be fixed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Sunday School cleanup– the room used for storage, is being cleaned out. There are risers that need to go to a school or a community theater. That will be checked out and done.
Church Cleaning List: A new Swifter Power mop with pads was donated by Mary Anderson for ease in cleaning up the kitchen and bathroom floors. The Sunday School rooms that are not being used at this time, need to be checked and dusted occasionally.
Hymn Selection: A suggestion Box for favorite hymns to be added during the service, will be in the Narthex. Anyone who would like to contribute, is welcome to do so.
Quorum Numbers: Currently, we are meeting that 50% plus one requirement. If we need to make a change to the Church’s Constitution, it could be done.
NEW BUSINESS:
Lent/Good Friday/Easter –
Offering designations– the offerings from the Lenten meals will be given to the Dows Grocery Store. The offerings from the Lenten services will be donated to the Dows Senior Citizens and the ‘Crème de la ‘Crème. A motion to accept these proposals was made by Mary Anderson and seconded by Mary Haugen. Motion carried.
Lenten Suppers- they will be from 5:30-6:15/Lenten Services: Service will begin at 6:30 pm.
Good Friday Service: Discussion was held and if we can get it put together, it will be at 6:30 pm.
Easter Breakfast: There will be breakfast, and it will begin at 8:00 a.m. on April 5th. Kathy Thelke has applied for and received a $250 Thrivent grant which will help with the cost of the breakfast.
Easter Worship Service time: Worship will begin at 9:00 am.
Ashes for Ash Wednesday: They are ready
Palm branches: Jean Swanson will order the Palm branches and have them ready for Palm Sunday. Sunday School Sing? Parish Board of Ed will check that out.
Easter Lillies: Members can purchase their own Easter lilies and bring them for the altar on Easter morning. If they are in memory of a loved one, let Shelly know.
March 4, 2026, Church Council meeting: We will meet after the Lenten Service that night.
Fireman’s Donation: A motion by Mary Haugen to donate $50 to the Dows Fire Association was seconded by David Ziesman. Motion carried.
Other New Business: David and Jenny brought up the idea of having a monthly get-together for FAMILIES here at the Church. It could be a pizza party with board games, a movie, etc. They would like to see more fellowship activities for all the members to enjoy. Discussion was held on the best time to host that type of activity, and it was suggested that it could be right after church when members are already here.
Motion to Adjourn: A motion by Craig Russell to adjourn the meeting was seconded by Jean Swanson. Motion carried.
Lord’s Prayer: We closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Submitted by,
Jeanne Russell Council Secretary
EASTER BREAKFAST
A sign-up sheet for ingredients for Easter breakfast is in the narthex. Menu includes Egg Bake, Pancakes, Sausage Patties, Fresh Fruit, and Cinnamon Rolls. Please have ingredients at the church by 10 am on Saturday, April 4th . Any questions, ask, call, or text Kathy at 515-571-4012. Thanks!
THANK YOU’S
Thank you for all the words of encouragement shown to us during the recent short illness and death of our daughter/sister, Shari Bral. We appreciate the memorials, cards, texts, phone calls, visits, and prayers. Through the Grace of God and your kind words, we are healing and making progress in dealing with our grief.
Marv, Judy, and Kyle Moss
Dear church family, Thank you for all the calls, cards and caring thoughts you have sent while I’ve been on this new health journey. Your prayers also bring comfort more than you’ll know. We have the best church, and I’m so blessed to be part of it. God bless all of you. Pat Meek
AVAILABLE AT FIRST
New Thrivent t-shirts are here in assorted sizes. Get yours before they are gone!
A pink box where you can jot down your favorite hymn and as the year goes along, we will try and add it in.
2025 Annual reports. If you didn’t get a chance to pick one up and would like us to put one in the mail for you, please contact the office.
We have jigsaw puzzles galore! They are in the old quilting room, directly across from the basement elevator entrance. Help yourself and feel free to bring in and share anything that you would like to get rid of.
D/SAOC FOR LENT
Help us fill the shopping cart this Lenten season with personal hygiene products. Shampoo, deodorant, lotion, bar soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, etc.
Shining a Light on Disability Support
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month and Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month making it the perfect time to highlight LSI’s services for individuals with disabilities.
LSI provide respite care for those caring for loved ones with mental and developmental disabilities along with 24 hour care, hourly options and host homes. In total LSI provided over 366,000 hours of services to those living with disabilities last year.
For families caring for a child or adult with disabilities, the demands of around-the-clock care can be overwhelming. That’s where respite support makes a meaningful difference. Respite care offers caregivers a personalized break while ensuring their loved one continues to receive quality care. A trained respite provider can step in for a few hours or up to an entire weekend to support children and adults with disabilities. Services can be provided in the individual’s home, the provider’s home, or within the community.
As one parent put it, “Respite helped me step back and rethink things, breath and start over again with a better mind set! I truly believe that respite has changed my family and my life.”
LSI’s thorough matching process and ongoing oversight help ensure the success and quality of respite services. One of our respite providers, met her client and his family when they moved into a new neighborhood. This provider and client had an instant connection during this visit, and the provider knew that she wanted to provide respite services to him. The family worked with LSI, after being introduced to our respite program by the provider, to enroll the client in services. They started out with small amounts of time, and as the years went by, the amount of respite increased.
This provider has now been providing respite services to this client for over 10 years. Their relationship has continued to grow, and is stronger than ever, as the provider has supported both the client and his family.
This client has become a part of his provider’s expended family, and sees her at least once a week. The client enjoys spending weekends once a month at his provider’s home. This also allows the client’s parents to have a scheduled break each month. One of this client’s favorite activities during his weekends at his provider’s home is to visit his provider’s parents, and discuss the latest book that he has read with them.
“I became a respite provider because it offered me an opportunity to earn some extra income around my family's busy schedule. What I was not expecting was the learning opportunities that occurred for both my children and the respite children on our home. It has been an amazing experience to see the children grow. I love when I run into them out in the community and they come over and tell me everything they are now doing. Through respite care you are able to make a difference!”
-Respite Provider