September 2026
Welcome to September 2026!
As summer ends and a new season begins, our church family turns back to learning, growing, and serving together in Christ's love.
Returning to Growth
• New routines start now: Sunday school, confirmation, and coffee hour with fellowship kick off this month
. • Come and see: Join us for our updated fall worship times and fellowship hours.
Caring for God’s Creation
• September 13th marks our special focus for God’s Work. Our Hands.
• Bring your hands and hearts to help us care for our neighborhood and all who have a need.
More information can be found inside this newsletter. We hope you will join us!
SEPTEMBER VOLUNTEERS
SUPPLY ACOLYTES
Sept 6 – Doug Holmes
Sept 13 - Pastor Kent Mechler Madi Muhlenbruch
Sept 20 - Stan Watne
Sept 27 - Richard Echelberger
USHERS ALTAR GUILD
Loren & Angie Lienemann Jeanette Wenzel/family
DEACON BREAD BAKER
Kim Brinkman Jeanette Wenzel
COMMUNION Sunday, September 13th at 10:00 worship (A reminder that this is the day that we switch worship times)
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday, September 2 nd – 6:00 p.m.
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL
Wednesday, September 16th from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Menu: Walking tacos/salad/dessert
ALL ARE WELCOME
PRAYER REQUESTS: The Coldiron family on the death of Scott’s mother, Linda, Pat Meek, Louise Anderson, Linda Wilmoth, all our home-bound members and those residing in care centers.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL JULY 1, 2026
A motion to approve of the agenda was made by Mary Anderson and was seconded by Mary Haugen. Motion carried.
President, Kathy Thelke, opened the meeting with seven members present.
DEVOTIONS: Kathy Thelke Kathy read a devotion about King Saul and David and the gift of music. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Kathy Thelke – Nothing to report
SECRETARY’S REPORT: Jeanne Russell Jeanne read the minutes from the June 3rd meeting and the special meeting on June 13th. A motion by Shelly Howard to accept the report as read was seconded by Craig Russell. Motion carried.
TREASURER REPORT: Shelly Howard Shelly noted that the $287.00 listed under benevolences was a donation to the ELCA for Pastor Brackett’s supply Sunday on June 28th. A motion approve of the report was made by Craig Russell and seconded by Larry Klatt. Motion carried.
DEACON’S REPORT: Our shut-ins and members in care centers are being visited regularly and they are receiving communion.
TRUSTEE REPORT: Mary Anderson Mary said that she has done some the spraying around the church. Eave spouts still need to be done. Discussion was held on the fiber optic that is currently being done in town - installation is free but connecting to the internet is an added cost each month.
STEWARDSHIP REPORT: Lary Klatt Larry reported that the “VBS for TEENS” will be on 7/26/26. 7th-12 graders are welcome that day. He and Tammy are planning a great time so all kids that age are welcome to attend.
Old Business:
God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday project Sept 13th–Rally Sunday-Potluck Shelly will get the information needed to complete some “Personal Care Kits” that will be put together that day for the project. The Congregation will be collecting the items in August and Sept. to include in the kits. A motion by Mary Anderson and seconded by Mary Haugen to approve of doing this project on 9/13/26, along with the Rally Sunday and Potluck, was carried. Shelly will check into getting a Thrivent card for funds to complete the project.
Other Old Business: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Insurance Increase – Shelly reported that the Church’s insurance package had gone up $122.84. Currently, the cost is $1196.66. It will be $1326.
VBS BIBLES – Jean Agena purchased a couple of Bibles for the Council to look at to determine which one would be the most appropriate for the VBS students from ages 3-5. We chose one that is $11.99 each with the purchase of 50 count. Shelly made a motion to purchase the green bible for ages 3-5 out of the Sunday School fund. Mary Haugen seconded the motion. Motion carried.
LP CONTRACT – Shelly reported that the LP cost for pre-pay would be $1.45 a gallon with W & H. She will call and set that up for 3,000 gallons. A motion by Mary Anderson to approve of the cost was seconded by Larry Klatt. Motion carried.
CG-D SUMMER SCHOOL DONATION: CG-D gave our church a donation of $1000 for use of our building for summer school classes. Mary Anderson made a motion that the $1,000 be donated back to the school for any accumulated debt of the Dows students school lunch program. Craig Russell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS: None
MOTION TO ADJOURN: A motion by Mary Anderson to adjourn was seconded by Craig Russell. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.
LORD’S PRAYER: We closed with the Lord’s prayer.
NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12TH AT 6:00 PM
Submitted by, Jeanne Russell, Council Secretary
NO August council meeting was held. Next regular meeting will be September 2 at 6 pm.
THANK YOU’S
This year the children did a “Share God’s Gifts Project.” We shared our gifts of food. Each day the oldest class packaged the meals and Craig R, David and Jenny Z. delivered them to members of our community. We wish to thank Wanda G., Ray K., Ron & Anne Larson, Judy G., Eleanor T., Phyllis W., Velma F., Caroline K., and Sandy for participating in our “Share God’s Gifts Project.”
Thank you to Pat, Don & Janet, Rosanne, Kathy, Jean R and an anonymous donor for the VBS food. Thank you to Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee and Thrivent for their donations. With these funds we were able to provide the children and staff with good, nutritious meals. And thank you to all who donated cookies or bars. Each day the children enjoyed delicious homemade goodies and each child received a box of cookies on Friday to take home and share with their family. Thank you to Craig & Jeanne Russell for providing plastic spoons and forks and Vicky Fitzgerald for decorations.
A big thank you to my kitchen staff, Jenny, Jaxon, Jean R, Nancy, Bev, Mary H, Pam O, Mary A and Jean S. They make everything go smoothly. I couldn’t do it without you. -Monica
Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with VBS this year. We had 45 preschoolers thru 5th grade kids show up for the week along with a great group of volunteers! We appreciate everyone who brought cookies, donated money for food or shared your time and talents. It was so much fun we are going to do it again next year!!
CONGRATULATIONS! With your help we filled our slots for the Dows Corn Days food stand and took in $554.52! This is a great way to work with our community members and churches to support Corn Days. Thanks!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH
Rally Sunday
Backpack blessing
3 rd grade bibles
Coffee hour begins
Worship begins at 10:00 w/Holy Communion
Potluck dinner after worship
God’s Work. Our Hands. Project after lunch.
Sunday the 13th is going to be a big day here at First Lutheran. We will begin the day with the start of Sunday school and confirmation classes at 9:00 a.m. Of course, this means that we will also have the coffee pot on and some goodies to go along with it!
Worship times will switch on this Sunday to 10:00 a.m. We will celebrate Holy Communion with Pastor Kent Mechler. During this service we will give our 3rd graders, Nixon Hefti and Easton Wharton a bible. We also invite all students, teachers and administrators to bring their backpacks for a short blessing!
After worship, we invite you to join us for a potluck meal in the basement. Tableware and drinks will be provided. Bring a dish to share and enjoy a smorgasbord of food!
Once we clean up lunch, we will gather to assemble the personal care kits for Lutheran World Relief. This is our project for God’s Work. Our Hands.
If you ordered a T-shirt like this one, make sure you wear it to church on the 13th!!