Shepherd of the Cross Lutheran Church - Muscatine

09/07/2026

Over the past two weekends, we distributed Bibles to our 3-year-olds and 3rd-graders as a commitment to place in our kids' hands the Holy Scriptures. In their baptism, their parents, and we as the congregation, promised to nurture them in the Christian faith. This is one of many ways we do so! Kids - may these Bibles provide a foundation for you as you grow in God's Living Word, Jesus Christ, and as you follow as Christ's disciples!

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

Across the church, we’re celebrating a new feast: Creation in Christ. As we recall the story of creation, we give honor to God as Creator, and claim that it is through Christ that all things were made. And yet, the story of creation is far from over. Continually, God creates and re-creates according to God’s goodness in delight and joy. So as we explore this inaugural feast of Creation in Christ, and as we give honor and praise to God for the whole of creation, join us as look to Christ to re-create us and all things, and as we join with God in God’s creative and redeeming work in all the world.

https://youtube.com/live/9uswnoY2C1E

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License , 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: 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. Hymn of the Day: Before the Waters Nourished Earth. Text: Jeannette M. Lindholm, b. 1961. Music: Irish melody. Text: © 1996 Jeannette M. Lindholm, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Everything That Has Breath. Text and Music: Jonathan Conrad Gamble, Jordan Sapp, Katie Torwalt, Lindy Cofer, performed by Jesus Culture, Bryan & Katie Torwalt. Text and Music: © 2023 Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jonathan Conrad Gamble Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Lindy Cofer Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Songs By JSapp (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Torwalt Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Let All Things Now Living. Text: Katherine K. Davis, 1892-1980, alt. Music: Welsh folk tune; arr. Lutheran Book of Worship. Text: © 1939, 1966 E. C. Schirmer Music Company. Music: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: A Better Way. Text: Anna Strickland, A Sanctified Art 2022. Music: Traditional English carol (18th cent.). Text and Music: © Anna Strickland, 2021. Commissioned by A Sanctified Art. Public Domain. Covered under A Sanctified Art LLC. Offering: In the Bleak Midwinter. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services) All Rights Reserved. ASCAP. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Awake! Awake and Greet the New Morn. Text and Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text and Music © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

Genesis 1; John 1:1-5 | Across the church, we’re celebrating a new ...

09/04/2026

Now that the school year has kicked off, we're looking forward to kicking off our ecumencial youth group! Join us for our first night at Shepherd of the Cross (3300 N Highway 38 Muscatine). ALL youth grades 6-12 invited!

As we get into the school year, our hope is to have one night per month designated as a service project night, and the other night per month will be a mix of games, relationship building, and intentional devotions.

Want to learn more? Check out christiandaycamp.org/sanctuary

09/03/2026

We've been sharing about children and youth groups...and adults have opportunities as well! Sunday Adult Education, Christians Underground, and Men's and Women's Groups continually meet throughout the year. Coming up soon is the beginning of Wayfinders, beginning Thurs, Sept 9. Interested in learning more about this group, along with the others? Check out shepherdofthecross.org/groups for all the details!

Note: if you're interested in Wayfinders, comment below, sign up in your home congregations, or contact Pastor Aleese or Andy. RSVP is not needed to attend, but this will help us plan for our group this year! Hope to see you!

09/02/2026

We're one week away from the beginning of Family Faith Nights! Do you have a youth who will join us? Open for kids K-7! 8th grade and up are invited to be paired with a mentor for the year. Comment below or check in with your local leaders to learn more and get paired up!

Wed night too full with other things? We've got you covered! Plenty of opportunities this school year!

Pathfinders ⛺ | 2-hour blocks for kids K-8 to learn in-depth about topics like reformation and Martin Luther, Jesus' disciples and discipleship, and church seasons and rhythms of faith

Kingdom Kids 👨‍👦‍👦| especially for our littles! Ages 2-5 welcome (and feel free to bring younger or older siblings too!) A parent/adult is required to attend

Sunday School ✝ | Zion and New Era host groups on Sunday mornings as well!

It's our hope you can hop in when you can, where you can! Hope to see you soon as we continue to grow in faith, love, and service!

09/01/2026

It's officially September! Which means that not only can we start singin' Earth Wind and Fire's "Septembertime" 🤣, but we are also beginning an ENTIRE MONTH dedicated to doing God's Work with our hands through random acts of kindness!

Here's how it works, do random acts of kindness (whatever that might look like!), snap a pic of your hands in action, and then either use the QR code or this link (https://pic-tomo.com/en/a/a1f95ce6f6c72f6a) to upload your picture(s). You'll be prompted to offer a brief description of what you're doing so we can share our impact as the body of Christ throughout our congregations. Remember: no names or faces please!

Join us this month as we make a difference in the name of Jesus!

08/31/2026

As we look to September, we look forward to the beginnig of many fall festivals and meals! Zion will host a Pork and Sauerkraut supper on Thursday, September 24 from 4-6 pm. Call Zion's church office (563-263-5074) or email ([email protected]) to purchase tickets. Tickets available until noon on September 23. Tickets will also be available at the door until sold out! Claim your tickets now!

08/30/2026

This weekend we hear challenging words from Jesus as he reframes what it means for him to be the Messiah and as he invites his disciples to take up their cross. Throughout the history of the church, these verses have often been taken out of context, creating detrimental results. And yet, within these verses we also find a beautiful invitation – and promise – from Christ. So as we continually discern who and what it is that we follow, join us this weekend for worship as we refocus our eyes on Jesus, as we let go of what hinders us from receiving God’s gift of life, and as we open our hands to the abundant of God’s blessing for us and all people.

https://youtube.com/live/GwEOuQU_bFs

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License , 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: Lord, Be Glorified. Text and Music: Bob Kilpatrick, b. 1952. Music: © 1978 Bob Kilpatrick Music, assigned 1998 to The Lorenz Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Text and Music: Eugene Thomas, Holland Davis. Text and Music: © 2005 Davis, Holland (Admin. by Worshipsong.com). Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Song: Follow Me. Text and Music: Elizabeth Farris, performed by Casting Crowns. Text and Music: © 2014 Made To Thrive Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Lord, Reign in Me. Text and Music: Brenton Brown. Music: © 1998 Vineyard Songs. Covered under CCLI subscription

Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:9-21 | This weekend we hear challenging...

08/23/2026

As kids learn how to build with blocks, eventually they learn to build a solid foundation. In the same way, in our lives of faith, a solid foundation is necessary. Which, as followers of Jesus, we look to Jesus as our foundation: our Lord, our King, and our Messiah. But what are we – as individual disciples and as the whole body of Christ – building upon this foundation? Or perhaps even more so, are we allowing ourselves to be built up, to be transformed, to be Christ’s body? Whether your foundation feels secure or a bit shaky, join us this weekend for worship as we look to Jesus as our rock, and as we offer ourselves to the Spirit to build Christ’s Kingdom in us and through us.

https://youtube.com/live/TMh8wE6zTVI

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License , 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: Making Their Way. Text: Deloris Dufner, OSB, b. 1939 Music: A. Valerius, Nederlandtsch Gedenckclank, 1626; arr. Adrian Engels, 1906-2003. Text: © 2011 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Change My Heart, O God. Text and Music: Eddie Espinosa, b. 1953. Text and Music: © 1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing, admin. Music Services. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: We Declare. Text and Music: Alanna Glover, Liv Chapman. Text and Music: © 2016 Emu Music Ltd (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Take My Life, That I May Be. Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879, adapt. Music: William Dexheimer Pharris, b. 1956; arr. Mark Sedio, b. 1954. Music: © 1999 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 16:13-20; Romans 12:1-8 | As kids learn how to build with b...