Shepherd of the Cross Lutheran Church - Muscatine

06/07/2026

In our day-to-day lives, it might be that we’re just trying to “get through the day.” With added pressures, responsibilities, and expectations, taking a moment to assess where we’re at and the state of our spirit might be too much. But as we witness in Scripture, without allowing ourselves to see ourselves clearly, and without allowing ourselves to be seen by God, it becomes more challenging to receive the gift of God’s healing, forgiveness, and grace. So trusting that God comes to meet us, even before we recognize our own needs, join us for worship as we boldly ask for Christ’s healing, and as we receive God’s invitation to participate in God’s ongoing work of healing in us and in all the world.

https://youtu.be/tGSBSaeVBNc

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: What Is This Place. Text: Huub Oosterhuis, b. 1933; tr. David Smith, b. 1933. Music: A. Valerius, Nederlandtsch Gedenckclanck, 1626; arr. Adrian Engels, b. 1906. Text and arr.: © 1984 TEAM Publications, admin. OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Healer of Our Every Ill. Text and Music: Marty Haggen, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 1987 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Come As You Are. Text and Music: Lenora Rand, Gary Rand. Original Recording by: THE MANY © 2019 Plural Guild Music. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: O Christ, Your Heart, Compassionate. Text: Herman G. Stuempfl e Jr., b. 1923. Music: German melody, 18th cent.; adapt. X. L. Hartig, Melodien zum Mainzer Gesangbuche, 1833. Text: © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26; Hosea 5:15-6:6 | In our day-to-day lives, it...

05/31/2026

Who is God? It’s a question that’s voiced not only by people of faith, but by those who are wondering, seeking, and searching. So what do we have to say about who God is? The short answer is that God is Triune. But even this doesn’t answer our questions. So rather than turn to short, black-and-white doctrine, join us in worship this weekend as we explore who God is as revealed to us in Scripture, who we are as people made in the image of God, and from that, what our why is as followers of Jesus’ Way.

https://youtube.com/live/CJ37sbvh1zM

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Come, Join the Dance of Trinity. Text: Richard Leach, b. 1953. Music: English folk tune. Text: © Richard D. Leach, 2001, 2002; © 2002, 2005, Selah Publishing Co., Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: The Play of the Godhead. Text: Mary Louise Bringle, b. 1953. Music: William P. Rowan, b. 1951. Text: © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Music: © 2000 William P. Rowan, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Apostle’s Creed. Text and Music: Alanna Glover, James McDonald, Liv Chapman, Philip Gordon Percival, Tim Chester. Text and Music: © Emu Music Ltd (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Go, Make Disciples. Text and Music: Handt Hanson, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 1996 Prince of Peace Publishing, Changing Church, Inc.. Covered under One License subscription.

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Matthew 28:16-20 | Who is God? It’s a question th...

05/28/2026

As we look to a summer rhythm, consider joining us for Christians Underground! This group meets over the lunch hour on Wed's to dive into the upcoming Sunday's lectionary readings. All are welcome! Bring your Bible and a lunch if you'd like! Note we will NOT meet June 10 and 24 due to leader conflicts.

05/26/2026

We're nearing the close of our community care drive, but it's not too late to contribute to it's impact! Often hygiene supplies are in high demand at the close of the school year into early summer. Help us, and our community partners, serve our community members into these summer months! Bring donations to SOTC by Sunday, June 7.

05/24/2026

Today the church celebrated the festival of Pentecost - celebrating the day God's Spirit was poured out upon the people gathered in Jerusalem. In our storytelling, we celebrated the "birthday" of the church, igniting Jesus' disciples to become apostles (sent ones) and igniting US to go and live as Christ's body in the world today. But what's a birthday celebration without some cake, candles, and party favors! So, as the kids blew out candles on cupcakes, the whole congregation got in on the action in "blowing" God's Spirit over the church in blessing, and recommitting ourselves to our baptismal call to share God's creative and redeeming love with all the world. God's Spirit HAS come, Shepherds; God's Spirit IS among us; and God's Spirit IS coming in ways we could never expect! May we all pay attention to God's Spirit ever-moving among us as we celebrate our shared calling!

05/24/2026

Iowans know that winds can be gentle and calm, or fierce and strong. We’ve seen both and we’ve experienced both! Within Scripture, we also witness varying winds of God’s Spirit upon God’s people. At times, God’s Spirit may blow over us (or even within us!) to bring peace, while at other times, God’s Spirit may seem to push us beyond what we thought was possible! So as we approach the festival of Pentecost – commemorating the coming of God’s Spirit upon the crowd in Jerusalem – what does it mean for God’s Spirit to come up on us today? Join us for worship as we give thanks for God’s Spirit that fills us with life, and as we pray for the power of the Spirit to re-form us and the world according to God’s will.

https://youtube.com/live/ExDxq0tehtQ

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. ELW Setting 4, © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Gathering: Come, Holy Spirit, Descend. Text and Music: John L. Bell, b.1949. Text: and Music: © 1995 WGRG c/o Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind. Text: Herman G. Stuempfl e Jr., b. 1923. Music: John Hughes, 1873-1932. Text: © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: I Am the Bread of Life. Text and Music: Suzanne Toolan. Text and Music: © 1966, 1970, 1986, 1993, GIA Publications, Inc. Text: Based on John 6 and 11; © 1966, 1970, 1986, 1993, GIA Publications, Inc.. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Fresh Wind. Text and Music: Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood, David Ware, Matt Crocker. Text and Music: © 2020 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing USA). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Send Me, Jesus. Text and Music: South African traditional; tr. Freedom Is Coming, 1984. Text and Music: © 1984 Walton Music. Covered under One License subscription.

John 20:19-23; Acts 2:1-21 | Iowans know that winds can be gentle and calm, or fierce and strong. We’ve seen both and we’ve experienced both! Within Scriptur...

05/17/2026

Forty days after Christ’s resurrection, the church celebrates Jesus’ ascension. In a seemingly strange story, Jesus ascends to the right hand of God, being lifted up by a cloud “into heaven.” Literally, it might sound like Jesus is “leaving us.” And yet, quite the opposite is transpiring in this even for in Christ’s resurrection we are pulled into God’s reign of life. But still, what does this mean for us today as followers of Jesus? Join us for worship as we once again hear the promise of God’s Kingdom come (to us!), and as we are commissioned to live as servants of Christ, confident that Jesus – our Lord – reigns over all things.

https://youtube.com/live/R1nYmCHXDZc

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. ELW Setting 4, © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Gathering: Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Text:Brian A. Wren, b. 1936. Music: Thomas Pavlechko. B. 1962. Text: © 1986 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © 2006 Thomas Pavlechko, admin, Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Christ Is the King! Text: George K. A. Bell, 1883-1958, alt. Music: Charles R. Anders, b. 1929. Text: © Oxford University Press. Music: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Christ, Be Our Light. Text and Music: Bernadette Farrell. B. 1957. Text and Music: © 1993 Bernadett Farrell, admin. OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: You Have Called A People. Text and Music: Abigail Marthinet-Payne, Alanna Glover, Jacob Marthinet-Glover. Text and Music: © 2023 Emu Music Ltd (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Rise Up, O Saints of God. Text: Norman O. Fitness, b. 1936. Music: William H. Walter, 1825-1893. Text and Music: Norman O. Fitness, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

Luke 24: 44-53 | Forty days after Christ’s resurrection, the church celebrates Jesus’ ascension. In a seemingly strange story, Jesus ascends to the right han...

05/16/2026

05/12/2026

Through June 8, we (along with many congregations!) are participating in a Community Care Drive to stock feminine products. Often, these products are challenging to find (especially during the summer), and are quite expensive. Bring your donations to Shepherd through June 8, and we'll make sure they get to the going drop-off location to be distributed to food pantries, blessing boxes, and high schools!

05/07/2026