Christ Lutheran Church 1201 S. Elm Street ▪ P.O. Box 167

Jefferson, IA 50129

515-386-3100 September 2017

Ascension Lutheran Church 406 S. 5th Avenue

Coon Rapids, IA 50058

712-999-5413

One of the feature songs broadcast during the days

leading up to the solar eclipse on August 21 was “Total

Eclipse of the Heart”, sung by

Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler and

released in 1983. She revisited

the song while on a Royal

Caribbean cruise ship during

the 2017 eclipse.

The lyrics of the song reflect a

human-to-human love. But the

idea of the human heart being

totally eclipsed is one that also

comes to mind when I think of how we are totally

eclipsed by God’s love as the love of Christ moves into

us through the Holy Spirit. An eclipse goes beyond our

human understanding. It is something we try to grasp

scientifically, but can never fully explain or understand.

Just as the brightness of the sun

disappeared in the shadow of the

moon, our sins are covered and

contained in the unending

forgiveness, mercy and grace

offered by our great Provider.

God, our creator, is the one who

first created the very sun that

lights the world God created. We

are totally eclipsed by the great

love with which God surrounds us, a love that goes

beyond understanding.

Peace and blessings from Pr. Terry

Total eclipse of the sun heart!

A total solar eclipse just 200 miles from home, an event that hadn’t occurred in the United States in 99 years? Sounded like an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.

The eclipse where we were - near Lawson, MO, northeast of Kansas City - was set to begin around 11:40 am Monday morning, reach totality shortly after 1 pm, and conclude about 2:30 pm. At 11:15, rain was pouring down with heavy clouds in every direction. We were bummed. But then something amazing happened.

Just as the moon began to cross the path of the sun, the clouds parted and blue sky appeared. It seemed very much a miracle. Using our fashionable paper eclipse glasses, we witnessed the moon gradually overtake the sun. The world started to darken and the temperature fell. As “totality” was achieved, the world went dark. A few bright stars were visible, and we saw satellites racing across the southern sky. The air was cool and still.

Everyone in our group, after the initial gasps of “cool” and “that’s amazing”, fell silent. We were witnesses to a phenomenon that occurs very rarely. For 2 minutes, 38 seconds, we watched in wonder. Then the sun slowly began to reappear from behind the moon’s shadow. Our glasses went back on, and we saw the sun gradually reassert its power in the afternoon sky.

Within a half hour, rain was again pouring down.

All Americans knew of the upcoming eclipse. Yet despite the vast advance news coverage and preparation, it was still an astonishing, awe-inspiring spectacle.

We can only imagine the reactions of eclipse observers in earlier times, those who had no advance notice or scientific explanation of why the sun disappeared and the world suddenly went black. Was it the end of the world? Was it a sign from God….or from the devil? Does a solar eclipse explain the Bible’s report of the world going dark at the moment Jesus’s life left his body on the cross? What powerful magic was this?

All these thoughts went through our minds as we experienced the solar eclipse of 2017. We will not soon forget the sight; it was a rare and humbling moment in time. Submitted by Mary Bower

Community of Faith Page 2

SEPTEMBER

Birthdays & Anniversaries

BIRTHDAYS

3-Mark Bower

16-Emily Christensen

17-Del Brede

20-Bev Murphy

22-Lou Hoger

23-Mary Andersen

24-Bernice Pevestorf

26-Jake Bohnet

ANNIVERSARIES

4-Dave & Luann Bohnet

6-John & Sharon Stalder

20-Larry & Dianne Jensen

30-Del & Twyla Brede

We hold up in prayer For healing: John Meyer, Tammy Renosa, Deloris

Brede (Del’s mother), Shirley Hoyt, Melba

Smith, Erwin Post (Mary B’s father), Paula

Murphy, Jeanene Baker, Fereleen Acton (friend

of Jeanene), Brandi Stormer, Marlin (Virgil’s

brother-in-law)

In long-term care: Bernice Pevestorf & Rebecca

Franzeen

From our Lutheran Camps INGHAM / OKOBOJI LUTHERAN BIBLE CAMP

It’s RETREAT TIME!

Sept. 11-13 Elderversity for campers 55 and over. This

year’s speaker is Chris Meyer, a popular storyteller and life

event counselor whose topic is “Living Positively: If it is in

your way, climb over it”.

Travel Camp 2017 will go to Mackinac Island Sept. 24-30!

Youth Recharges begin in October.

To register for any event call 1-800-OKOBOJI or go on-line at

www.okoboji.org.

RIVERSIDE LUTHERAN BIBLE CAMP

Riverside Golf Outing will be Sept. 15 at Veenker Golf

Course in Ames.

Women’s Retreat Sept. 23-24. Speakers will be the

McDermott women (mother and daughters). A great get-

away weekend!

Recharges begin in October.

Check out the website www.riversidelbc.org for registration

and other information.

Men in Mission Men in Mission is an organization of ELCA men who

gather to do mission with one another and to minister to

each other.

CLC’s men are involved with the Church of Damascus

Road at correctional facilities at Ft. Dodge and Rockwell

City. If anyone is interested in learning more or attending

worship with the Church of Damascus Road in

September, contact Dave Bohnet for information.

Pr. Terry Ann Mogensen

Email: annieangel@gmail.com

Phone or text 712-830-3297

Mondays - Off

Tuesdays - Jefferson

Wednesdays - Jefferson

Thursdays - Coon Rapids

Fridays - Coon Rapids

Saturdays - Off

Martin Luther documentary showing set for October The radical events, compelling personalities and

exciting drama of the Reformation are brought to

life in “Martin Luther: An Idea That Changed the

World”. This new full-length documentary features

reenactments of the 16th century events with

commentary from leading church history experts.

Plans are underway to host a showing of the film at

Green County Community High School Auditorium

in October. Watch for more details.

Guest speaker on missions in September

Barbara Brennan volunteers as a Mission Interpreter

for the Western Iowa Synod. She visits

congregations to tell mission stories of those who

are supported through congregational mission

support.

A member of an ELCA church in Graettinger,

Brennan will speak at both churches on Sunday,

September 10, as we celebrate “God's Work. Our

Hands.” Sunday.

Community of Faith Page 3

Of special interest to Christ Lutheran members

This summer’s

Women’s Mystery trip

was enjoyed on July 9

when two carloads

attended the musical “Lutheran Basement Church Ladies” in Webster

City. A salad supper and summer activity, “Color, Pray, Explore”, was

held on August 2.

Exira Lutheran Church has invited CLC women to a Reformation

Celebration on Thursday, September 14, at 7 pm. Jan will lead the

program, “In the Footsteps of Luther”. We will carpool from CLC at

5:15 pm. Please RSVP to Jan by September 8.

Gather study theme for this fall is “The Apostle’s Creed”. All women

from both CLC and Ascension are welcome to meet in Jefferson on

Wednesday, September 20, at 7 pm for fellowship and study. Extra

copies of Gather magazine will be available.

Calling all kids! All kids in grades 1-5 / 6-8 are invited

to participate in TLC (Tender Loving

Children) and MS4JC (Middle School

for Jesus Christ) each Wednesday

afternoon at CLC.

The first gathering of the school year

will be Wednesday, September 20

from 2-3:30 pm. Kids will meet

monthly for a time of snack, Bible

study, crafts and games. Friends are

welcomed, but will need a signed

permission form.

Questions? Call Jan at 515-386-3254.

Christian Ed Opportunities at CLC Brief children’s Sunday School in the fellowship hall following worship

Ecumenical Bible Study every Wednesday 8-9 am at Greene Bean

Coffee in Jefferson

Bible study every Sunday 8-8:45 am before worship, informal & lay-led

Table Grace meal & fellowship at Uptown Café in Jefferson, at noon on

the first Tuesday each month

CLC members will host their

annual Homecoming Barbecue on

Friday evening, September 29,

prior to the Greene County High

School homecoming football game.

Serving will be from 5-7 pm.

Be watching for sign-up sheets to

donate cookies and to help work.

Tickets will be available in

September. Volunteers are

encouraged to wear your yellow

“God’s work. Our Hands” shirts.

Funds raised help support our

annual community Day Camp

program in June. Plan to attend,

and invite your friends and

neighbors.

CLC hosts annual Homecoming

BBQ Friday, September 29

September 10 is the ELCA designated

Sunday to do a project for the greater

good. Details will be coming soon.

Plan to wear your yellow God’s Work.

Our Hands. t-shirts. If you wish to

purchase one for $10, we have a few

extras. See Jan.

Book Club resumes

with “The Shack”

Envisioning Christ book club

resumes on Monday, September 18,

at 6 pm with discussion of “The

Shack”, which many read this

summer. Copies may be available

from Roger A.

Suggestions for a fall book title are

welcome. Please share with Roger.

Book club meets for one hour on

Monday evenings at 6 pm or at a time

convenient for participants.

ARC Food Pantry collection in September:

Macaroni & cheese

Community of Faith Page 4

Especially for Ascension Lutheran members

At ASCENSION September Volunteers

Greeters ............................. LaVerne & Doris Royer Reader .................................................... Dona Tuel Communion ....................... LaVerne & Doris Royer Ushers ............................ John Waddle & Jack Tuel Lawn mowing ............ Doug Pevestorf & Del Brede

ELCA.org states, "Service activities

offer an opportunity for us to explore

one of our most basic convictions as

Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus

Christ – every act of service, in every

daily calling, in every corner of life –

flows freely from a living, daring

confidence in God’s grace."

It is in this spirit that we ask all

members to join us immediately after worship on

Sunday, September 10, for a special service activity.

Emily Tuel Halstead works for Junior Achievement of

the Upper Midwest and has asked for our help. Each

year, Junior Achievement partners with more than 9,000

community volunteers to teach

programs to local students. They use

an age-appropriate curriculum to teach

children financial literacy, college and

career readiness and entrepreneurship

through hands-on programs. Each

volunteer who goes into the classrooms

has kits for each student. It is these kits

that we will be assembling for our

“God's Work. Our Hands.” Sunday focus.

No special clothes are needed, and nothing needs to be

brought by you. This is a task for all ages and abilities!

Please join us as we celebrate who we are at Ascension

Lutheran Church. God's Work. Our Hands. Amen!

Pancakes in August Ascension’s August pancake breakfast was well

attended and raised $701. The funds will be used to

pay for upcoming building repair.

Several donations contributed to the breakfast’s

success. Thrivent provided a $250 grant, and eggs were

donated by Rose Acre Farms. Ascension will receive a

rebate from the company for pancake supplies, and two

grills (one for pancakes and one for sausage) were

borrowed from Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon

Rapids. T & D Standard furnished propane for the

grills.

“The food was good but the fellowship was better,”

reports organizer Harry Shackelford. “A big ‘thank

you’ to everyone who helped.”

‘God’s Work. Our Hands.’ Sunday, September 10

Ascension will assemble kits for service project

VBS campers collect for Heifer International Community Vacation Bible School was a great success

again this year, serving an average of 68 children

during the four-day camp. The program was led by

counselors from Riverside Bible Camp, while

preschoolers were instructed by volunteer Connie

Strasser.

Many volunteers, both youths and adults from four

Coon Rapids congregations, contributed to VBS

success. Special thanks to Paulette McDonough and

Katherine & Bill Howell for hosting the five

counselors in their homes. We also thank the local

American Legion for donating their building for

Thursday’s closing program.

As their annual service project, campers dropped their

“noisy offering” into metal buckets each morning.

Their donations were matched by several anonymous

donors, bringing the total to $470.32. The money was

sent to Heifer International for the purchase of honey

bees, a goat, rabbit, llama and two flocks of poultry.

It was a blessed week for campers and volunteers alike.

Community of Faith Page 5

Minutes from Christ Lutheran Council ~

July 12, 2017

Present: Jacob Bohnet, Ruth Freeman, Cindi Daubendiek, Pr. Terry Mogensen and Jan Rosdail. Pres. Jacob Bohnet presided. Pr. Terry shared opening devotions.

Secretary’s report: Minutes from June council meeting were approved as presented.

Treasurer’s report: A banking summary of June 2017 showed an income of $3,345.89 and outflows of $1,028.49. Balances as of July 5 are checking $12,268.61 and savings $14,864.44. Discussion points: mission support amounts and uses, Riverside Bible Camp Association dues.

Pastoral report: In addition to planning and attending the four regular worship services and the monthly council meetings and usual monthly activities, there were 5 Salvation Army assistance calls and time helping a family with moving. June report mileage expense was $222.82 which reflected trips to and from Synod Assembly in Sioux City and between congregations in addition to errands and Salvation Army expenses.

Committee reports: Property: The carpet in the narthex and traffic areas was cleaned by Heaven’s Best. The AC needs to be monitored if the temperature is changed. Pest control has been done. Mowing schedule is delayed due to no rain and heat. Worship/Altar: Pastor will see if a Mission Interpreter is available to speak some Sunday. Education: Day Camp was June 19-22 with 21 campers in attendance. Kaitlin and her mother Kathy Dobney will meet on July 13 to discuss confirmation expectations. Evangelism: There have been contacts made with visitors. Pastor performed an outdoor funeral service on July 9 for a non-member family with roots in the Coon Rapids area. The family worshipped at CLC the morning of the service. Also the upcoming non-member wedding demonstrates our partnership with other Lutherans beyond our congregation.

New business: ALC is holding a pancake breakfast on Sunday, August 20. Pr. Terry will check about making this a joint summer outdoor worship at 10:30. ELCA churchwide “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday is scheduled for Sept. 9. CLC will be looking at a mission project for that day.

Old business: More follow-up will be done about getting the Martin Luther movie to show this fall, perhaps on a Wednesday evening. Pr. Terry will contact the ministerial association to see if there are any congregations that would like to partner with us.

Respectfully submitted, Jan Rosdail, recording secretary Next meeting will be Wednesday, August 9, 7 pm.

August 9, 2017

Present: Jacob Bohnet, Dave Bohnet. Ruth Freeman, John Schoening, Pr. Terry Mogensen and Jan Rosdail. Pres. Jacob Bohnet presided. Pr. Terry shared opening devotions. Secretary’s report: Minutes for the July council meeting were approved as presented. Treasurer’s report: A banking summary of July 2017 showed an income of $6,580.73 and outflows of $7,345.76. Year-to-date income- $31,261.74 and total expenses $29,649.01. (See detailed report on bulletin board.) Pastoral report: In addition to planning and attending the five regular worship services, monthly council meetings and usual monthly activities, there were 3 Salvation Army assistance calls and time spent helping a family who lost their home to a fire. July report mileage expense was $404.57 which included 7 hospital visits. The TEEM process will involve an additional computer class on Lutheran Confessions. A couple of Reformation events are in the plans- Luther movie showing and a study on Luther’s Small Catechism. Confirmation will tentatively be set for Palm Sunday pending completion of expectations. Committee reports: Property: Discussed mowing rotation, duplicate keys will be made for the west door to allow access if the battery dies on the keyless lock on the east, neighbor’s wood/scrap pile will be addressed, shrubs will be trimmed again. It was approved for Dave B. to use the vacant car stall in the garage. Worship/Altar: Joint CoF worship and pancakes will take place on Aug. 20. A new digital microphone system on loan from Community Players will be tried out at both churches. To engage children in worship, appropriate children’s prayers and familiar children’s songs will be added to the service. Education: Upcoming events- Sept. 10 “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday (we need ideas for a project), Friday, Sept. 29 Homecoming BBQ fund-raiser for Day Camp, Oct. 29 Reformation Sunday events to be planned Evangelism: Contacts need to be made with some recent visitors. Addresses are needed. New business: none Old business: Further follow-up will be done about getting the Martin Luther movie to show this fall, perhaps on a Wednesday evening. Pr. Terry will be in charge of contacting ministerial association to see if there are any congregations who would like to partner with us. (Perhaps with Trinity?) Community of Faith leadership will visit with synod concerning the next steps for our shared pastoral TEEM arrangement.

Respectfully submitted, Jan Rosdail, recording secretary Next meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7 pm.

Ascension Lutheran Council

Council meets every other month or as needed. Next meeting is Thursday, September 14, 5:30 pm.

Community of Faith Page 6 COMMUNITY OF FAITH MINISTRIES

Ascension Lutheran / Christ Lutheran 406 S. 5th Avenue

Coon Rapids, IA 50058

REFORMATION 500

For information on ways our congregations can observe the 500th anniversary

of the Reformation, visit www.elca500.org/resources/

The Reformation paved the way for what we still refer to as a

“Protestant work ethic”. Luther’s teachings about the “priesthood

of all believers” helped dissolve the wall between “temporal” and

“spiritual” realms. In doing so, everyday work and labor was

affirmed and seen as pleasing to God; it was no longer

considered an inferior life to that of a monastic life or the

priesthood.