The season of Lent begins on February 18, as we gather as a Family of Faith for an Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m.

Lent is a season of repentance and reflection that prepares our hearts for Easter. The ashes of Ash Wednesday remind us of our human weakness and our need for God, while also pointing us to the forgiveness and hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Following Ash Wednesday, midweek services and congregational the suppers will be served in on February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25. The suppers will be served in the Fellowship Hall from 5:15–6:30 p.m.

The midweek services will begin at 6:30 p.m. This year, we will hear Life Journey and Faith Journey reflections from Jerry Holtan, Margie Scott, Shelley Taylor, Mary Vannoy and Austin Woodin.

Please watch our weekly emails for the speaker schedule and weekly menus.

We encourage you to make time in the coming weeks for faith, fellowship and food as we walk together through this Lenten season.

Riverside Bible Camp is sending Paige Jergens to GLC this Sunday, February 15. Paige, the Program Coordinator at Riverside, will spend time with the kiddos during Sunday school and share some of the fun and excitement of Bible Camp with them. She’ll offer the same with all of us at the service during Stories for God's Children.

Paige will also have a table set up with information about Riverside and all of their events and programs. Feel free to check that out!

We can't wait to welcome Riverside Bible Camp and Paige to GLC for the day!

A special thank you to all of you for the generous Christmas gifts and also the beautiful handmade cards! You remind us again of what we already and always know – that GLC is such a special place, filled with people of faith who care for and love our community and our world. We are so fortunate to share life with you and to serve on your behalf.

Thank you, too, for all the times and for all the ways that that you help carry out the life of our congregation and our ministries at GLC. You are a blessing!

For all of this, and from the bottom of our grateful hearts, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

God’s Peace and Love to you all,

Bre, Christian and Sharon

Les & Barb Licklider Scholarships were recently awarded to Elle and Owen O’Brien. Elle and Owen are the daughter and son of Donny & Stacie O'Brien. 

Elle is a sophomore at Iowa State University studying Event Management. She wrote a wonderful essay where she advises high school seniors to be open-minded. Doing this prepares one for change in all aspects of life and in the end helps one grow and become more self-confident.

Owen, is a junior at Iowa State University studying Marketing. In his essay, Owen gives wise advice by telling high school seniors to recognize that success isn't just about grades, but how one connects with others, how one handles struggles and how one stays true to themselves. Living in the moment, and taking time to appreciate the people and things around one will bring much satisfaction and enrichment to life.

Barb Licklider generously funds on-going scholarships for students pursuing post-secondary education who are/were active members of Gilbert Lutheran Church when they graduated from high school. The eligibility for the scholarship supports the values Barb and her late husband Les hold dear. Students are eligible for two $750 awards. For more information about the Les & Barb Licklider Scholarship, please contact the church office.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to you, Elle and Owen!

WE BELONG TO GOD, WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER is the theme of the bulletin board in GLC's entryway. New member pictures and bios are intertwined with photos that feature members and events in the life of our congregation. Photos are updated regularly, so we hope you'll take a minute to take a look and get to know the faces that help us BELONG to God and each other!

Larry McHone called our GLC office wishing to thank everyone for remembering him with their prayers, cards and good wishes. We are happy to report that Larry is feeling much better and is now back to his grandpa shuttle service and part time job at the hardware store.

It was great hearing from you, Larry. We are so thankful you are back on your feet again!

RIVERSIDE SUMMER CODE

Registration is live for Riverside Bible Camp summer 2026! You can register at www.riversidelbc.org. Use our code GLC26 for $75 off. Additional early bird discounts are also available through 2/15/26. We love camp!

SUNDAY SCHOOL!

IN OUR PRAYERS, WE REMEMBER . . .

Deb Barron (friend of Cindy & Jim Clark); David & Sharon Berryhill; the family and friends of Larry Bremer; Jeanne Cook (mother of Denise Henderson); Peggy Drennan; Bob Edwards; Donelle Gull (sister of Denise Henderson); Loleta Hansen (cousin of Barb Licklider); Kyra Harbacheck; the family and friends of Paul Henderson (brother of Dennis Henderson); Kathy Henryson; Rose Houge; Rylie Hunter (granddaughter of Karen Willson); Willie Jones; the family and friends of Phil Kohrs (uncle of Andy Eckert); Barb Licklider; David Nissen; Reed Pattee (cousin of Barb Licklider); Shirley Pattee (aunt of Barb Licklider); Debbie Petersen (cousin of Barb Licklider); the family and friends of Alpharetta Peterson; Marcia Prior-Miller; Gary Pruismann (friend of Margie Scott); Nancy Rabe; Scott Raymond; the family and friends of Amy Romsey (daughter-in-law of Sharon Romsey); Kayla Rose (aunt of Rylee Tunyuck); Sherald Sydness (father of Robin Fletcher); Darrell Trujillo; Anne Walden; Monica Wilson (granddaughter of Ellen Wilson); Hasan Younis; Iola Zimbeck (mother of Peggy Drennan).

WE BRING NEW PRAYERS OF . . .

+ comfort for the family and friends of Larry Bremer. Larry passed away January 26th. His funeral was on February 3rd at GLC. Interment followed at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

+ comfort for the family and friends of Phil Kohrs. Phil, the uncle of Andy Eckert, passed away February 2. A funeral service was held last Friday at River’s Edge Church in Spencer.

+ comfort for the family and friends of Amy Romsey. Amy, the daughter-in-law of Sharon Romsey, passed away yesterday afternoon. Amy and her husband Eric have four sons – Joey, Jack, Jude and Jonah.

+ healing for Barb Licklider. Barb is hospitalized at the Mary Greeley Medical Center with pneumonia.

+ healing for Darrell Trujillo. Darrell is being treated for pancreatic cancer. His chemotherapy is stable and the cancer is not progressing or growing. He will return to the Mayo Clinic next week for consultation regarding a heart blockage.

+ thanksgiving and continued healing for Willie Jones. Willie’s recent scans show that chemotherapy has been effective. He has two more treatments, followed by scans in mid-April. At this time, it seems that he will not need radiation or surgery.

THE TLC COORDINATORS for the month of February are Cindy Kruckenberg (1-15) and Gene Upstill (Feb. 16-28).