On All Saints Sunday, November 2, we began a fund-raising campaign to welcome Alberto Tola, Luz Lecoña Hidalgo, Matias and Alma into our communities and, more importantly, our lives. A goal of $30,000 was set. And, of course, you responded. Not only did you respond, but you did so generously, gracefully and prayerfully.

As of last Sunday, $58,045.00 was raised! This is not only almost twice the campaign goal, but it is much more, as $30,000.00 of the amount is matched dollar-for-dollar through a gift from an anonymous donor. And there’s more! The GLC Foundation matched another anonymous gift of $15,000.00. So, at this point, over $118,000.00 has been given to help the Tola/Lecoña Family make a new beginning.

And this is just a start. As this New Story continues, you will have opportunities to get to know Alberto, Luz, Mati and Alma. As you have been a gift to them, they will be – they are! – a gift to you.

For now, again, thank you all so much for so much grace, generosity and blessing.

Dear Family of Gilbert Lutheran Church,

Thank you so much for a wonderful surprise and beautiful 65^th birthday celebration this past Sunday! I was so touched – and am still so tickled – by the morning. Thank you for coming to church a bit early, for the smiles, hugs and handshakes, for the good wishes and the cards, for the balloons and the cake and for the gifts. And, of course, thank you for so kindly offering to help a now more senior me make my way into the sanctuary to begin the service and for wiping the frosting off my sweater!

I want to share with you the way the church council added to the day, because it says so much about GLC’s thoughtful and creative leaders. I came back to my office after some usual nervous Sunday morning out and abouts and pre-service preparations and I found a number of our leaders huddled around my table. They were clearly in the midst of something that they didn’t want me to see yet, so I left for a bit more cake. When I returned later, I discovered what they were up to. Each of the council members and their families chose a favorite book or two and gave me copies. The books were on my office table, nestled between two elegant marble book ends. The books ran the gamut – fiction, humor, history, leadership, sports and life among them. There were even children’s and board books, no doubt for a new grandfather to read with his granddaughter, but also as a reminder that child-like wonder is still part of a 65-year-old’s life. The mini-library was incredibly thoughtful and means the world to me. I am so blessed to work with these caring church leaders. We are all so blessed by their service.

What added even more to the day, and made it best, best and best of all, were the other celebrations that morning. The Bethany Life Elder Angel Tree and the LSI Tree of Hope were up in the Shalom Room for the first time on Sunday with gift requests and Christmas lists for our neighbors. There were 72 gift tag ornaments waiting on the trees and, by the end of the morning, only two remained! What amazing Christmas cheer and spirit!

Added to this was the news that you donated over $58,000.00 to help Alberto Tola, Luz Lecoña Hidalgo, Matias and Alma begin a New Story in our community. A $30,000.00 matching gift is added to this amount, as is another $30,000.00 from the GLC Foundation and a second matching gift. While no surprise, this is incredible! Your generosity and care are such a gift! You make a real difference.

And, as I left church Sunday, morning, I carried two bags of cookies with me. Karen and I will take them with us as we travel for the holiday today and tomorrow. They will extend thanksgiving and grace somewhere between Gilbert, Iowa and Knoxville, Tennessee. We will be so proud to deliver such a tasteful gift!

This note has gotten long. You know me now, so perhaps you are not surprised. But I do want to say Thank You again. For the Birthday Surprise for sure, but even more so for being you. You are just what this world needs. You are the “right place, right now” and you are the right people, right now. You bring light and life to all those around you. You share faith, hope and love. It is such a privilege to be your pastor, to share life with you and to be part of our communities. I am so proud of this church and all of you. I could not be more blessed.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

+ Pastor Christian

P.S. One more thanks, and a huge thanks, and this to Sharon Popp. If there is anyone who rivals my worrying, fretting and fussing about church things, it is Sharon. So many of the splashes that made Sunday’s celebration so marvelous – pictures, decorations, treats, Jones’ balloons :) – were her doing. She is a blessing to me! And to all of us! Thank you, Sharon!

P.S.S. I’m done now. Really. 

Extra Thanksgiving goodness and grace will be shared throughout our communities in these days. GLCers gathered after worship on Sunday and assembled cookie assortments. These will be delivered in the coming days and will go to places such as Acura Health Care of Ames, all 3 Ames fire stations, the Ames police station, Bethany Life, Bickford Cottage, ISU Campus Police, several Casey’s stores, Heartwood House, Independence Village, Israel Family Hospice House, Maggie’s Place, Mary Greeley Medical Center (4th floor, ER, ICU), Northridge Village, The Rose, Timberland Village Senior Living in Story City and yet-to-be-determined locations in Kentucky and Tennessee.

As we give thanks in these days, we remember all those who do the everyday things of life and do them every day on our behalf.

Thanks to all who “adopted” elder angels at Bethany Life in Story City and young friends and families served by Lutheran Services in Iowa. We started with 72 gift requests and, as you read above, they were almost all claimed last Sunday morning! If you would like to spread a bit of Christmas cheer, two gifts tags remain on the Elder Angel Tree. Feel free to call or email the church office for the specifics.

The Gilbert Lions Club is again gathering donations for the men and women who live at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Gift ideas include clothing, personal care items, recreational items, craft items and Bingo supplies. A specific and complete list is linked below. Lists are also available by the gift collection box outside the church office in the Shalom Room.

The gifts are needed by December 12. Thank you!

We have wonderful sets of children's books ready to be taken home by young GLCers. The books feature two mice who live in a church and experience the church year from Advent through Christ the King Sunday. As they journey, Smidge and Smudge learn the seasons of the church year have their own music, symbols, colors and Bible stories.

Included with each set is a parent's guide, which helps adults explain the concepts and traditions presented. Also included are companion activity books and a read along CD with seasonal music that correspond with each story. The book sets are intended for children ages 4-7 but could be used with those older or younger. Book sets are available on the library table in the Shalom Room. Feel free to take one for your family.

Thank you to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for these wonderful books!

Cooper Weigel, a junior at Gilbert High School, was involved in an accident this summer that left him paralyzed from the waist down. A benefit is being held to raise funds for him to continue to help on the farm. Cooper has grown up in our community and is known and loved by many.   

. . . may be on the way, at least according to weather forecasts and to ever-ready Joel (see the picture to the left!), so it’s a good time for a reminder about our activity cancellation policy and procedures.

During the week, we will be guided by the Gilbert Community School District. If school is cancelled or dismissed early, all GLC programs and events will be cancelled. 

On Sundays, a cancellation decision will be made by 6:00 a.m. We will send notice of cancellation via email and on KCCI Channel 8.

And, of course, whether the weather outside be frightful or delightful, use your best insight and wisdom. And be careful.

Each month, a group of GLCers serves as our Service Committee. These friends help with Community & Conversation on the second Sunday of their month and may be called on to help with special events and/or funerals. The Service Committee is an extremely important and valued group! We are grateful for all the ways they share their gifts.

Lauri & Wade Hinners - Leaders

Mary Buchman

Mark & Nancy Doyle

Allison Eness & Mark Taylor

Brian & Lori Fergen

Mark & Susan Folkman

Alecia & Chris Johnson

Jill & Mike Kruse

Al Metz

Nancy & Nyle Packer

Jason & Melanine Rechkemmer

Bob & Connie Terrones

Don & Karen Twedt

We received the following Thank You's...

Dear members of GLC,

Kris and I thank you for remembering us with your cards and prayers. We appreciate the positive and caring notes. I miss being in worship with you, but I have to avoid large crowds. No specific date for my Stem Cell transplant in January has been confirmed yet.

A blessed Thanksgiving to all,

Pastor Bob and Kris Edwards

From Rose Houge...

I want to give a sincere thank you to my GLC family for the acts of kindness that were given to Cindy and I during my recent illness. The cards, meals, visits, messages and especially the prayers were all very much appreciated. The power of prayer combined with genuine caring and concern creates an atmosphere of healing that cannot be adequately expressed in words. Thank you again for the support and love given to both Cindy and I.

Sincerely, Joel

We received the following birthday invitation . . .

CONFIRMATION!

SUNDAY SCHOOL FUN!

YOUTH GROUP!

IN OUR PRAYERS, WE REMEMBER . . .

Faye Arends; Deb Barron (friend of Cindy & Jim Clark); David & Sharon Berryhill; the family and friends of Lindsay Borst; Jeanne Cook (mother of Denise Henderson); Peggy Drennan; Bob Edwards; Donelle Gull (sister of Denise Henderson); Loleta Hansen (cousin of Barb Licklider); Kyra Harbacheck; Kathy Henryson; Tyler Holck; Rose Houge; Rylie Hunter (granddaughter of Karen Willson); Willie Jones; Laura Kautman; Mia Kautman; Barb Licklider; Ruby McCullough (sister of David Berryhill); David Nissen; Holly Nissen; Reed Pattee (cousin of Barb Licklider); Shirley Pattee (aunt of Barb Licklider); Debbie Petersen (cousin of Barb Licklider); Alpharetta Peterson; Marcia Prior-Miller; Gary Pruismann (friend of Margie Scott); Scott Raymond; Kayla Rose (aunt of Rylee Tunyuck); Sherald Sydness (father of Robin Fletcher); Tammy Tinder; Darrell Trujillo; Hasan Younis; Iola Zimbeck (mother of Peggy Drennan).

WE BRING NEW PRAYERS OF . . .

+ blessing for Kyra Harbacheck on her 30th and Golden Birthday.

+ comfort for the family and friends of Lindsay Borst. Lindsay passed away Sunday afternoon at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. Funeral arrangements are pending, but it is most likely that a service will be held in the Spring.

+ healing for Peggy Drennan. Peggy was hospitalized early last week and returned home Wednesday.

+ healing for Tyler Holck. Tyler will have knee replacement surgery on December 1.

+ healing for Willie Jones. Willie has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He began chemo therapy Thursday and will have 6 treatments, each separated by three weeks.

+ healing for Holly Nissen. Holly had knee replacement surgery last Wednesday.

THE TLC COORDINATORS for the coming weeks are Deb Anderson (November 16-30) and Peggy Jobe (December 1-15).