This week's devotion is written by Pastor Beth Wartick.

Jesus said, “God makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” -Matthew 5:45

It’s raining. Or, if it isn’t raining right when you read this, it was recently and probably will be again soon. That’s what we’re getting for weather today and tomorrow in central Iowa. Like it or not, there is nothing we can do about it.

We humans really are powerless when it comes to the weather. For all of history, human life has depended on forces beyond ourselves for the sun to shine, the rain to pour, the wind to blow, the snow to fall. Sure, we try to predict the weather. We have meteorologists who tell us the forecast, often for weeks or months in advance! I’m not aware of any other job where a person can so often and so publicly be wrong, though. 

Since we clearly can’t control the weather and can only sort of predict it, we humans often decide the next best thing is to try and control the one who sends the weather. From prayer to ritual to sacrifice, societies around the world have tried different ways to get the weather they want. It doesn’t work. Why?

Because God isn’t fair. Continue reading...

Congregational Update from Pastor Beth & Council - 10/20
Throughout this pandemic, RLC has held as high priority the value of meeting both the spiritual needs of our community as well as everyone’s public health needs. As we see both an increased longing to gather in our sanctuary for worship and a decrease in Covid-19 cases in Polk County, Council believes we can proceed with a return to indoor worship beginning October 31. In love for our neighbors and respect for our public health authorities, we have adopted the following plans, effective October 31.

Worship will be in person on Sundays at 8:15am, 10:45am, and 5pm. When attending in person, worshipers over age 2 must wear a mask over their nose and mouth. The pews are arranged to allow social distancing between households. When you arrive for worship, please have a seat in a pew that fits your household and remain at your pew throughout the service, then leave after the postlude. Communion will be served via individually packaged elements.

Worship will also be streamed on www.resurrectionlutheran.org/live every Sunday. Beginning November 7, we will stream the 8:15 service, which will be immediately available on YouTube for those who prefer to worship online later in the morning or throughout the week. Online worship is real worship, and we understand it may work better for those who are traveling, feeling unwell, working, or avoiding crowds. We will continue to offer online streaming worship services. (By the way, sharing an online service that meant a lot to you with a friend or neighbor is great evangelism!)

Children’s Sunday School (PreK-12) will be online via Zoom from 9:30-10:20. This is the same as what we’ve been doing for the past several weeks, and it seems to be working well for our students and teachers. Adults’ Sunday School will meet in person at RLC at 9:30am in the fellowship area.

We will continue to adapt our plans as necessary to the situation in Polk County. Thank you for your prayers, your love for the body of Christ, and your commitment to RLC. 

Christian Education (Preschool-high school) - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85048124376?pwd=bVB5SWtWdHRHdTVsd2t2U0llOGJZQT09
Confirmation - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82829069738?pwd=dWprMG1qSXZKZlFrdkl3eTVsS3FzQT09
Adult Education (Sunday at 9:30 through 10/24) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86934555363?pwd=dzduWEt0MnFqU1RZMWNoMy9RVjhDUT09 .

What are the expectations for those gathering in the church building? Wear a mask at all times, regardless of vaccination status.
When is worship? 10:45am (streamed on www.youtube.com/ResurrectionLutheranChurchAnkeny); beginning 10/31 at 8:15, 10:45, and 5pm indoors
When is Sunday School/Adult Ed? 9:30am on Zoom; beginning 10/31 Adult Ed will be in person at RLC

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless. (The Message)

Elections are the lifeblood of a democracy.  See how AMOS has helped with keeping voting accessible to all Iowans: AMOS Works to Broaden Language Access to Election Materials in Iowa.  If you are so moved, please donate to this mission.  You can submit a check to church for AMOS, you can indicate you’d like additional funds through Tithely to apply to AMOS, or you can support the organization directly at INVEST - AMOS (amosiowa.org)

This Sunday, our adult class will have our final class "Making Sense of Martin Luther" together from 9:30-10:30. You don't need any preparation ahead of time, but if you want some extra resources, you can order your own copy of this book to add detail between the classes.

Trunk or Treat has been rescheduled to Sunday, October 31 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. due to weather. If you were planning to decorate your trunk, please contact Grace if you are able to come Sunday afternoon. If you don't have any Sunday afternoon plans, we invite you to attend the event with your children or volunteer to decorate a trunk or help with a game.

The Youth Halloween Party is still happening today!!! The Youth Halloween Party has been moved pushed forward to 6:00 p.m. and will occur indoors. We will be wearing masks and social distancing during the party.

At Trunk or Treat, a trunk will be collecting donations for the ARL. Click here to see the ARL's wish list.  

Worship services are starting to be held indoors starting this Sunday, October 31. We could use more volunteers to help with the following: Ushers, Greeters, Readers, please let the office know which you would like to help with and what service you prefer.  Thank You!

Saturday Bible Study. We are meeting at Linda Baker’s home, 1101 NW Wagner Ct, Ankeny, 8:30am on Saturdays. If it’s nice weather, we are on her deck. We study the Sunday lessons and it is open to all. Please contact Linda at 515-419-3021 if you have questions.

Lois Porth is making both adult and child size masks, if you would like one please contact her at 515-401-7454 or you may stop by the church and pick one up.

LIFT (Ladies In Fellowship Together) is now meeting at Main Street Cafe, 2510 SW Birch Drive, Ankeny at 9 am on Tuesday mornings.

Giving 
At Resurrection, we understand sharing from the resources with which God has blessed us to be an act of faithful discipleship. As we gather in person and online, there are many ways you can contribute to our mission:

1. If you’re using a giving envelope, the envelopes are designed to be mailable. Seal your envelope tightly, place a stamp, and mail it to the church, or drop it in the offering container during in-person worship.
2. Give online. Set up your one-time or recurring gift. Easy! And, you’re in control of any changes to your giving — which funds you give to, amount, timing, reporting! Set up account and give online
3. Give with the Tithely giving app.

 
Create your giving account, and manage your giving from the convenient app. Download the GREEN Tithely giving app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

If you’d like to set up automatic giving, but prefer to have help setting it up, call church financial secretary Andi Donaghy, 515-681-5031. She can help you set up an automatic recurring gift. Please have your bank’s routing number and your bank account number available when you call.
 
 “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 

Mowing Schedule
Oct. 4—Matt Ahrens
Oct. 11—Ken Carlson
Oct. 17—Jerry Humpfer
Oct. 25—Doug Keifer

Tai Chi Classes
No more classes in October...unless I email you that I'll be on zoom ....

Next session starts in November. There will be 3 weeks in November 3-19) and at least 3 weeks in December (1-17).
Wednesdays at RLC from 8:30-9:30 and Fridays on ZOOM from 8:30-9:30
Cost will be $20 for all 6 weeks - you may bring a check or cash to class or send a check to:
Deanna Jens
1112 NW Abbie Dr
Ankeny, IA 50023

We will be focusing on getting Tai Chi for Arthritis -- all parts-- back into shape...of course we'll review other forms as well and do lots of qigong....

As always...come when you can and leave when you must. if you have any questions please contact Deanna Jens, Certified Instructor, teaching: Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, Tai Chi for Diabetes, Tai Chi for Rehabilitation, Yang10, 5 Animal Frolic DeannaTC4U@aol.com 515-720-6457 (cell)   

If you, or someone you know, are unable to get food, medicine, or other supplies, please contact the church office and they will have a member get in contact with you for assistance.