Jesus is the Bread of Life

We share a faith tradition that affirms our bodies are good, because Jesus redeems us through his own sacred body. Our scriptures these next few Sundays speak Christ’s language of promise: I am the bread of life. Christ delivers us from oppression in all forms, hunger of the body, soul, and mind. In the act of Holy Communion, we enter the spiritual promise that Christ brings us new life! PURPOSE when we feel adrift. PEACE when our spirits are fatigued. PASSION when we’ve become complacent. PRESENCE when our lives feel desolate and alone.

In our United Church of Christ tradition, we affirm that ALL who hunger and thirst for Christ’s love are welcome to receive Holy Communion, no exceptions, because we WILL receive nourishment for the journey ahead. As we prepare each month to receive communion, we also wonder together: are we prepared for the PURPOSE, PEACE, PASSION, and PRESENCE that accompany it? May it be so, always in Christ’s name. Amen!

The next weekly e-news will be sent out the week of Aug. 9-15 when I return from a two-week vacation. Thank you for communicating all prayer and pastoral need requests with Marc Petersen in the office during my time away. Peace, Pastor Emily

Calendar at a Glance

Sat. July 24: 10am Freezer Meal Drop-off, church office
Sun. July 25: 10am Holy Communion, ahead of Pastor Emily’s time away
Mon. July 26: 3pm Robert “Bob Nystrom” Memorial Reception- Red Rossa
Sun. Aug 1: Gloria & Jack’s Organ & Piano Duets w/ History of Hymns
Sun. Aug 8: Nance Orsbon will be our guest preacher
Mon. Aug. 9: 5:30pm Christian Ed. meeting
Wed. Aug. 11: 5:30pm Trustees & Deacons; 6:30pm Executive Council
Thurs. Aug. 12: 1:15pm Women’s Fellowship Executive Board
Sun. Aug 15: 10am Pastor Emily returns to pulpit
Sun. Aug. 22: 10am Blessing of the Backpacks for students & educators
Sun. Aug. 22: 11:30am Children & Youth Faith Discovery begins at
Discovery Center: lunch, Creation scavenger hunt, & play!
Sun. Aug. 29: 10am Outdoor Service w/ music by Frank and Shirley
Halligan at Fischers Lilly Park
Sun. Sept. 5: 10am worship; Sunday School & children’s bell choir begin!

Bob Nystrom Memorial Reception
Mon. July 26th

Friends & church family are invited to celebrate Bob Nystrom's life with his family Mon. July 26th at 3pm in a private room (w/ patio) at Red Rossa. It will be a casual gathering with photos, music, refreshments, and conversation.

His obituary can be found here

Worship on Aug. 1st & 8th

August 1st
Special Music Sunday

Join us for a robust & music-filled service led by Gloria Merriam, Jack Horner, Larry Lyngstad, and Mike Smith- 10am Sunday!

August 8th
Nance Orsbon Preaching

Licensed ELCA minister Nance Orsbon will be our guest preacher. Be sure to engage her creative worship ideas Aug. 8th at 10am

Community Connections

Freezer Meals for Families!

THANK YOU to those who have already reached out with meals in advance of our drop-off this Saturday! We share the good news that baby Luca Orin Bethke was born to parents Aric & Taniya last week, joining big sister Fio who celebrated with us on Sunday. Look at all that joy!

Taniya and Aric Bethke, Justin & Lindsey Evans (who are due any day!), and Avery Vanden Bos (due Sept. 3rd) & family will all feel our support in the tangible gift of meals. Create a freezer meal (or two or three!), label with instructions, and simply drop-off at the church on one or both collection days.

TWO DATES to drop off meal(s) at the church office:

Saturday July 24 at 10am*
Saturday August 28 at 10am

*Bonus points for dairy/soy free meals this Saturday! We will be sure meals are distributed to the households. If you can’t make these dates work but would like to contribute, let Pastor Emily know!

Support PARS Back-to-School Backpack Program
this Sunday

Corwin Jones, director of Pierre Area Referral Service is inviting area churches to make the annual Back-to-School Backpack Program a success! Our church has received 8 backpacks (representing 5 area families) complete with lists of all items that need purchased. Pick-up one (or two) backpacks this Sunday, July 25th, fill with basic school supplies as listed, and return to PARS (110 W. Missouri Ave.) by Aug. 6th.
Thank you!

Possible Covid-19 Exposure Sun. July 18th

We have been informed that a (vaccinated) couple who attended July 18 worship tested positive for covid-19 on Tuesday of this week. We are sharing out of caution, not a high level of concern. It does offer us a reminder that we are not out of the woods yet; our current protocol places reliance on a high vaccination rate among our congregation. If you have concern over this incident, please reach out to Pastor Emily before Sunday to discuss. Thanks!

June Christian Ed. Minutes

July Deacon Minutes

Prayer Requests

We affirm the desire for church members and friends to receive prayer both publicly and privately.

July 26-Aug 8th, please reach out to Marc Petersen with your prayer request and pastoral needs. He will connect you with appropriate pastoral care when requested.

“All together, holding on to one another, lifting each other up, we ALL begin to rise in the name of our risen Christ.”

Celebrations

Are we missing your name? Please fill out our Contact Update Form!

July Birthdays

Don Stars July 22
Otto Miles Dowling July 22
Nicholas Kruse July 23
Barb Dooley July 24
Barry Jennings July 24
Brad Gall July 24
Glenn Kietzmann July 25
Mickey Thomsen July 27
Joni Boub July 28
Jack Horner July 29

July Anniversaries

Erwin & Marlys Feller July 24
Justin & Lindsey Evans July 25
Randell & Tamara Kintz July 28

August Birthdays

Tina Van Camp August 01
Bobbi Hofer August 02
Asher Vanden Bos August 02
Marc Huckins August 06
Emily Munger August 06
Kari Kietzmann August 07
Lucas Huckins August 09
Heath Dewell August 10
Jennifer Baker August 11
Rebecca Cruse August 14
Cherlyn Christiansen August 14
Mike Smith August 15
William Engberg August 16
Andrea Christiansen August 16
George Lingle August 18
Cindy Bechard August 19
Clive Bremser August 20
Annette July August 24
Robert Huckins August 25
Zackery Huckins August 25
Cody Dewell August 27
Evelyn Putzier August 29
Michael Schock August 29
Claire Mohr August 30
Tamara Kintz August 31

August Anniversaries

Anthony & Janice Lucas August 09
Josh & Rachel Byrum August 16
Diane & William Engberg August 16
Sean & Shana Kruger August 17
Sean & Shana Kruger August 17
Michelle & Shane Olson August 18
Robert & (the late) Bev Huckins August 19
Marla (Jennings) & Seth Desollar August 21
Mike & Susan Smith August 23
Gloria & Rick Merriam August 25
Cindy & Marc Halderman August 26
Brittany & Skyler Dowling August 30