Prayer Shawls Sent for Derecho Victims

August 20, 2020 by

The Good Shepherd Prayer Shawl Ministry is sending 16 prayer shawls to Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids as part of aid to families affected by the recent derecho in the area. Marty Steele grew up in this church and her entire family are charter members.  The pastor and congregation supported her family through the 8 months of her sister dealing with cancer, and after her death, and Marty and Bob were married there.   

A copy of the following two-sided card will be folded into each prayer shawl.

This gift is a reminder of God’s ever present love –
     in every time and every occasion;
     in every season and circumstance of life –
     times of fear, illness, loss, pain, weariness, uncertainty;
     times of celebration, thanksgiving, happiness, relief;
     times of simple quiet and prayer.

It was prayerfully created for you by a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Prayer Shawl Ministry. 

May you experience comfort and peace in the loving presence of God.
May God who understands each need,
who listens to every prayer,
bless you and keep you in God’s 
tender loving care.

 

 

Filed Under: Announcements

Blessed Be the Memory of Mary Fritz

August 19, 2020 by

Mary Catharine Belschner Fritz, passed away peacefully last night just before midnight at the age of 89.   She was born May 27, 1931.  She had been a resident at O.E. Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home since November of 2017.  Prior to that she lived in Decorah, next door to Jim and Liz, for over 13 years.  Mary suffered for many years with severe roto-scoliosis which led to a complete degeneration of her spine.  She lived in a lot of pain but did so with determination and a ready smile.  She is finally without pain. Mary wanted her body donated to the Mayo Clinic for research.  Her ashes will be returned to us at a later date and a graveside service will happen at that time.  Due to this, the Covid crisis and some health issues in our family we will not have an immediate funeral service but will wait until later for a Celebration of Life event in her memory. We are all deeply in debt to the staff at Eastern Star Nursing Home, Dr. Wenner, Nurse Kathy Petersburg, Pr. Amy Zalk Larson, and the Hospice staff.  Thanks also to our friends and family who have helped mom, in any way, these past 17 years since dad’s death. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:  The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation https://www.inhf.org/ Thank you in advance for all your prayers and thoughts during this time. 

Obituary at Fjelstul Funeral Home

Filed Under: Announcements

Ready, Set, Vote!

August 4, 2020 by

Register to Vote

To register to vote, you can (1) Get paper voter-registration forms at the County Court House, where you can register in-person. (2) Download registration forms and register to vote online at the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. Or, (3) Register online, and check on/update your voter registration, at Vote.org.

  • OCTOBER 23 is the last day for in-person voter registration, online registration, and for paper registrations to be received by the County Auditor.

Vote by Mail with an Absentee Ballot

Every registered Iowa voter will receive an Absentee Ballot Request form (not the Absentee Ballot itself) in the mail. You can also pick up the absentee ballot request form at the County Court House. Carefully fill it out, making sure the information is correct. Sign the form and return in envelope provided.

  • OCTOBER 5. Absentee Ballots are mailed to voters who requested them. In-person absentee voting (early voting) begins at the Court House.
  • OCTOBER 19. Mail your absentee ballot on or before October 19. This assures it will be delivered on-time.

***Instead of mailing your marked, sealed absentee ballot, consider putting in the drop box at the west entrance of the Winneshiek County Court House. Do this on or before November 2.***

 

Younger Poll-Workers Needed!
Since poll workers tend to be older and at higher risk for COVID19 infection, younger workers are needed to staff the polls on November 3. Poll workers must be registered to vote. You can register to vote if you will turn 18 on or before November 3, 2020. Poll workers receive training and are paid. Call Ben Steines, Winneshiek County Auditor, (563-382-5085) to express interest.

Important Dates and Helpful Websites
October 5.  First day for absentee voting by mail.

October 19. Last day to mail your absentee ballot assure of on-time delivery.

October 23. Last day for in-person voter registration, online registration, and for paper registrations to be received by the County Auditor.

October 5–November 2. Early, in-person, voting available at the Auditor’s Office in the County Courthouse.

November 3. General Election. Polls open from 7 a.m.–9 p.m.

Vote.org

Winneshiek County Auditor

Iowa Secretary of State

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Events

Memorial Service for Tabita Green, July 13, 11:00 am

July 10, 2020 by

Congregation member Tabita Green passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2020.  Her obituary may be found here and at the Schluter-Balik website.   

Tabita Green Memorial Service


Monday, July 13, 11:00 am
Outdoors at Good Shepherd backyard in Spilde’s Grove, west of parking lot

If you are able to attend, please do sign up at the Sign-Up Genius link here. The family doesn’t want you to worry about “taking a spot” from someone. They so value the presence of anyone who is able to attend. The service will be recorded and shared at YouTube.com on the Good Shepherd Decorah channel. 

Filed Under: Announcements, Events

Outdoor Communion Reminder

July 7, 2020 by

Outdoor communion services will be short and will provide an opportunity to gather together for prayer and Holy Communion. If we need to cancel a service due to weather, we will inform participants via email 3 hours prior to the service.

Because we care deeply about your safety and well-being, a number of measures are being taken to limit possible exposure to COVID-19:
• Each service will be limited to 50 people.
• You can enter the backyard from the parking lot. Please maintain physical distancing from the time you exit your vehicle until you re-enter it.
• You are asked to bring your own chairs. There will be folding chairs at the church for those who need them and they will be cleaned by ushers.
• Everyone over the age of 2 will be required to wear a mask. Masks will be available for those who do not bring them.
• When you arrive, please check in with an usher so they can mark you on the list of attendees and help you with physical distancing during seating.
• We cannot provide a tent for shade and allow for physical distancing so please bring protection from sun, bugs and light rain. (Set up will hopefully allow people to sit under the shade of trees.)
• There will be limited access to indoor restrooms (one person at a time in the building).
• The service will not involve congregational singing and Pastor Amy will use a microphone to amplify her voice.
• Communion will be offered using a single-serve cup with a wafer of bread attached. Physical distancing will be practiced as households are ushered to the table. Communion will be distributed without physical contact.
• Please keep your mask on while you go through the communion line. Remove it back at your chair to partake of holy communion.
• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms needs to stay home.
• Please be advised that the CDC recommends that those at high risk for a more severe COVID-19 illness (people over 65 and those with underlying conditions) avoid gatherings.
• If you do test positive for COVID-19 after attending one of these services, you need to contact Pr. Amy right away. She will honor confidentiality and will work with local authorities for contact tracing.

Filed Under: Announcements, Events