Living Faith Weekly News (Week of August 10, 2025)
- Kay Michaelson
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
Pastor Paige has talked of the labeled "Ordinary Time" for the Sundays we are in after Pentecost. A poem from Meta Herrick Carlson' book, Speak it Plain, put a new perspective in this particular season:
Poem: (Extra) Ordinary Time
There is a season that stretches like the days,
long and green until
you think there's only this
one way of being alive.
There are prayers for sun and rain.
What we have planted bears fruit
and the gardens grow wild,
making us share and reminding:
There is enough for all.
When you dive into the lake
or wade with your legs in the river,
the cold water steals your breath
and your baptism comes to mind.
When you pack sandwiches and wine
and feast with neighbors and crickets
in the grass at sunset, and the meal is enough
with baskets left over, remember the supper.
These are ordinary times, of course,
but they are also extraordinary,
filled with promises that follow you
to the ends of the earth and back again.
We discussed these questions after the reading:
1. What ordinary moments remind you of your baptism?
2. What ordinary moments remind you of communion?
3. What ordinary moments in the past week have also been extraordinary?
4. What promises have you heard (or made) this week? What promises are you hoping to hear?
Thank you to Pastor Paige for leading us in worship and presiding over Holy Communion. Thank you as well to Gail Kass for accompanying us on the piano, Tim Kass for ushering and running sound, Nathan Summerside for reading scripture, Kari Kopperud for assisting with communion, Angela Catton for live streaming our service, Peg and John McAllister for providing the bread for Holy Communion and preparing it and Yvonne Law and Sharon Utesch for counting the plate offerings after worship.
Next Sunday
Pastor Paige will lead us in worship in the sanctuary of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ (858 7th Ave. SE) at 11:00 AM. Mike Rathke will accompany us, Travis Balt will read scripture and Sue Stream will assist with Holy Communion.
Coffee and treats will be served at 10:00 prior to worship! Join in the conversation and fellowship with our PUCC friends!
Meals on Wheels Help Needed!
Living Faith is partnering with the PUCC to deliver Meals on Wheels for the weeks of August 18 - September 12. The first week has been covered - Randy and Ardis Boetger are taking the north route. The second week has no volunteers. The third week, Yvonne Law and Kay Michaelson are taking the south route. The fourth week has no volunteers. Please consider helping out with this ministry by signing up on the bulletin board in the narthex for any weekdays you may be free from 10:30 - 11:15!
Our box is starting to get donations! Thank you to all who have "dropped their drawers"!
Living Faith has a Scholarship Fund and if you would like to make a contribution to this fund, please find the Scholarship Fund envelopes on the Living Faith table in the Narthex. Simply put your donation in the envelope and place it in the offering plate passed around on Sunday morning. Thank you for investing in those seeking further education beyond high school. More information about this scholarship and how to apply can be found on the Living Faith website: livingfaithlemars.com under the Living Faithfully tab.
Lutheran Men in Mission will be meeting in Storm Lake on Saturday, August 16 at 10:00 at St. Mark Lutheran Church. Contact Mark Juhl at 712-540-1391 if you have questions or would like more information.
At worship on August 24, Living Faith will have the Blessing of the Backpacks for all school children and school personnel who will be returning to the classroom on Monday, August 25. A special blessing will be prayed and a charm for backpacks will be handed out.
Living Faith welcomes members of the PUCC who will be worshiping with us this day!
John and Peg McAllister invite you to Oyens (310 Park Street) for a time of fellowship at 4:00 on Sunday, August 24. Bring a munchie, a lawn chair and a beverage of your choice if you are not a Hamm's fan! Pulled pork sandwiches will be provided by the Church Council.
Pastor Paige's office hours are 10 - 2 on Mondays and 1 - 4 on Thursdays! Her office is located in Room 105 which is right across from the second set of doors into the Fellowship Hall as you go down the hallway towards the Chapel.
Pastor Paige's email: pastor@livingfaithlemars.com.
Living Faith telephone number: 712-541-3782. This is a second line into Pastor Paige's cell phone which will be used exclusively as our Living Faith number.
Pastor Paige is a member of the Western Iowa Synod Council as an at large rostered minister. The Council will be meeting this week.
Pastor Paige will be participating in the ordination service for Vicar Jessie Hodgson at Lost Island Church in Graettinger, Iowa on August 23rd. Vicar Jessie has been called to St. Mark Lutheran Church in Sioux City and will be working alongside Pastor David Halaas until his retirement at Thanksgiving.
Congratulations to our 4-H exhibitors at the Iowa State Fair!
Kay Allen
Pastor Trish Underberg
Travis Balt
Kristy Pecks
Joe Catton
Marilynn
Ali
Karin
Those preparing for a new school year: administrators, teachers, support staff, bus drivers, custodial staff, food service staff, coaches, athletes, and musicians
Pastor Paige
Living Faith
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