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e-SpiritTwice monthly news update for the Western Iowa Synod-ELCA
In This Issue...
- Armed Services Worship Resources
- Tent of Nations Director Presents at Location Near You
- Annual Open Enrollment Deadline Nov. 13
- Stewardship-Mission Resources
- Pastors' Forums
- 2020 Spiritual Direction Certification Program Registration Deadline Dec. 15
- And so much more!
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Armed Services Prayer and Worship Resources
In Support of Active/Retired Military, Families,
Friends, Pastors, Congregations
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Prayer Book for the Armed Services |
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Developed with contributions and reviews of military chaplains and other service members, the Prayer Book for the Armed Services addresses spiritual, emotional and relationship needs of active and retired military, their families and friends, pastors and congregations. This pocket sized resource contains worship services for small and large groups, hymns, songs, personal and corporate prayers for:
- Relationships and family concerns
- Personal struggles with anxiety, despair, loneliness, suicide
-Issues with field assignments and military life
- Physical, emotional, spiritual healing and strength
- Prayers for congregations whose members are deployed or returning
Prayer, p. 66, Prayer Book for the Armed Services
"Almighty and ever-living God, we give you thanks for the men and women who have
served and defended our country and the values of freedom and justice we hold so dear.
Help us be mindful of the sacrifices they made and the hardship endured by their families
and friends, so that we never take for granted the privileges they have secured for us.
Hear us, we pray, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen."
For details on the Prayer Book for the Armed Services, visit Augsburg Press.
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10 Great Questions to Ask Veterans
(Learn about military service and do a good thing by chatting with a veteran.)
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Most veterans would be happy to share their military stories, but most of us don't know where to begin. Sharing their experiences can be healing and gratifying. We hope you will strike up a conversation with a veteran, using these discussion starters...
- What motivated you to join the military?
- What was boot camp like?
- What was your job in the military?
- Where did you serve?
- What rank were you?
- Any medals or honors?
- Did you make friends and/or meet special people?
- What was the best/worst 'military' food you were served, and why?
- Do you have any funny stories from your military experience?
- How has your military experience affected your life today?
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Tent of Nations Director to Present in Iowa & Beyond
"We Refuse to Be Enemies"
A story of peacemaking near West Bank
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Daoud Nassar, Palestinian Christian Farmer and Director of the Tent of Nations, will present a weeklong series of talks, Nov. 8 through Nov. 14, in Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois. The Tent of Nations mission is to build bridges between and among people and the land. Mr. Nassar will share stories about Tent of Nations work to bring together diverse cultures to develop understanding and promote respect for each other and our shared environment. The November Tent of Nations Series is sponsored by the ELCA Western, Eastern and Southern Iowa Synods, Peace Not Walls Network and Friends of Tent of Nations North America.Read more about Tent of Nations in Living Lutheran.
Scheduled Talks in Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois |
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Daoud Nassar, Palestinian-Christian Farmer, Director of Tent of Nations
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Nov. 7, 7 pm
Luther College
Recital Hall/Center for Faith/Learning
700 College Drive
Decorah 52101
Nov. 8, 5 pm
Wartburg College
Castle Room/Student Center
100 Wartburg Blvd.
Waverly 50677
Nov. 9, 9:30 am
Bethesda Lutheran/The Commons
1517 Northwestern Ave
Ames 50010
RSVP for lunch at
Des Moines 50309
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Nov. 10, 3 pm
Drake University
Meredith Hall Room 101
2805 University Avenue
Des Moines 50311
Nov. 13, 7 pm
Waldorf University
Borman Fine Arts Center
225 John K. Hanson Drive; Forest City 50436
OMAHA
Nov. 11, 7 pm
St.Timothy’s Worship Center
510 N. 9th St.
Omaha 68114
Nov. 14, 7 pm
St.Andrews Presbyterian
140 Gathering Place Lane Iowa City 52246
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Nov. 12, 7 pm
Morningside College
Weikert Auditorium
3777 Garretson
Sioux City 55106
Free parking in Grace United Methodist lot.
ILLINOIS
Nov. 15, 10 am
Augustana College; Gerber Center for Student Life
3435 9 ½ Ave
Rock Island IL 61201
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Stewardship-Mission Support
From the Western Iowa Synod Finance
Committee and Bishop Lorna:
THANK YOU!
Your ongoing support continues to sustain mission and ministry on college campuses in Iowa, ELCA seminaries and seminarians. In Iowa and around the world, your generous giving feeds the hungry, provides flood relief and does so much more.
Feel free to post these to your congregation's website and Facebook page; use them for group discussions and/or reproduce for Sunday bulletins.
Blessings as you prayerfully
begin planning for 2020!
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New Spiritual Direction Certification
Registration deadline is Dec. 15. Program begins in January 2020. For more information, contact Pastor Gary Dreier, Director, Spiritual Direction Certification Program, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University:
gary.dreier@lr.edu
Office 803.461.3222
Cell 651.373.0743
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Lifting Hearts & Hands in Prayer
"I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words."
Psalm 17:6
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Together, we prayerfully lift up...
-Kathy Petersen, wife of retired Pastor A. Pete Petersen, is on Hospice at their home in Sioux Falls, S.D. Kathy is battling ovarian cancer
-Rev. Jean McCartney, Missouri Valley
-Marilyn Berka, wife of Pastor Jim Berka
-Barbara Derby, mother of Melissa Munsen, Trinity Lutheran, Akron
Synods of Week
Nov. 7 - Northern Illinois Synod, Bishop Jeffrey Clements
Nov. 13 - Southeastern Minnesota Synod, Bishop Regina Hassanally
Congregations of Week
Nov. 7 - Emanuel Lutheran, Council Bluffs
Nov. 13 - Immanuel Lutheran, George, Rev. Sarah Deutsch
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Trinity Rutland Holds Final Worship |
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In October, another chapter came to an end as members of Rutland's Trinity Lutheran gathered to mark the closing of their church. The final worship service was held in remembrance with thanksgiving of the many ways in which God has blessed the dedicated ministry and lives of Trinity Rutland. Presiding at the closing worship service were Pastor Ron Rasmussen, Pastor Matthew Ma and Assistant to the Bishop Mike Kroona.
Let us pray...
Receive our praise and thanksgiving for the blessings, help and comfort which you bestowed upon your people in this house. Continue your mercies to your Church, that we may be conscious of your unchanging love as we take leave of this place of worship; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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LOCAL | Answering the Call to Serve
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STRAWBERRY POINT - A gathering for seminary interns and their supervisors was held recently at the Strawberry Point Bible Camp. Pictured l-r: Supervisor/Pastor Cole McCormick, Trinity, Estherville; Master of Divinity candidate Denise Berns, Emanuel, Dayton, serving internship in Southeastern Iowa Synod; TEEM candidate Chad Duffy,St. Paul, Thompson; TEEM candidate John Jorgenson, New Life, Sergeant Bluff; and Supervisor/Pastor David Halaas, St. Mark, Sioux City.
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Reminder
As seasons change, remember to update phone voice mail greetings.
Include friendly greeting, church name and location, worship days/times, education/Bible study days/times.
TIP: Put a reminder in your church calendar "Update Voice Mail Greeting"
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Women's Ministry
WHO: Women Clergy (Word & Sacrament)
WHAT: Women's Ministry
WHEN: Dec. 5, 10 am-2 pm
WHERE: Parsonage, Ringsted.
DETAILS: $20 fee to support new endowment fund for seminary indebtedness. If $20 is not feasible, please still join us. Invite other women in ministry. Hope to see you there!
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Get FREE Help for Stress of Holidays (& Life)
9 am-2 pm, Nov. 16, New Life Lutheran, 206 First St.,Sergeant Bluff
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The stress of the holidays triggers sadness and depression for many people. This time of year is especially difficult because there’s an expectation of feeling merry and generous. There are many triggers that add to stress and anxiety during the holidays. Get free hope and help on Nov.16, New Life Lutheran, Sergeant Bluff. Experts will be on hand to share insights to coping with the holidays. Complimentary lunch included. To register and ask questions, email
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NEW Specialized Ministry Task Force Being Explored
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 The Western Iowa Synod is exploring the formation of a Specialized Ministry Task force for Specialized Care settings, diaconal, AIM and other related ministries.
Designed for ministers serving in specialized settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospice chaplains, visitation ministries, etc., the group would meet regularly at a central location.
The Task Force would support specialized ministers in their roles by sharing resources, education opportunities and experiences.
Those interested in being a part of the Specialized Ministry Task Force should contact Pastor John Syvertson, St. Luke Homes and Services, Spencer, 712-262-5931(office), 712-260-7637(cell)
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100,000+ U.S. children waiting for adoption
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 November is National Adoption Month, a time to honor families who have opened their hearts and homes to children in need. For Lutheran Services in Iowa, this is a time to celebrate the families we support through Foster Care and Adoption and raise awareness for the hundreds of Iowa children in need of a safe, loving home.
In 30 counties across Western Iowa, LSI Foster Care and Adoption recruits, licenses and supports foster and adoptive families to ensure every Iowa child grows up in a safe, stable environment. Learn more about supporting Iowa children in foster care at Lutheran Services in Iowa Foster Care and Adoption or email Deb Whitford, LSI director of philanthropy and church relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or call 563-676-2065.
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Fort Dodge Pastors' Forum
Troy Troftgruben, Associate Professor of New Testament, Wartburg Seminary, will prepare us for the upcoming Year of Matthew. Coffee and snacks at 9:30 am. Program 10 am -12, followed by an optional lunch and more discussion.
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 Winds of Hope Pastors' Forum
Back Room at The Fruited Plain Cafe
172 N. Main Ave., Sioux Center 51250
9:30-10 am - Gather
10-Noon - Text Study Advent Season Worship/Sermon Prep/Planning
Noon - Lunch at The Fruited Plain
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Annual Enrollment Available through Nov. 13
Special Customer Care Center hours on Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Central).
Deadline for Open Enrollment is Nov. 13.
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Season of Doubt
In her November column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton compares doubt to winter - it can seem long, cold, barren, isolating and lonely. But Bishop Eaton reminds us that doubt is part of faith - and God will carry us through the winter. Read her column in English at here.
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e-Spirit
Send congregational events, ministries, celebrations for consideration to
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318 E Fifth St.
Storm Lake, IA 50588
712.732.4968
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