Number Five is the sole Commandment to come with a promise: “If you honor your father and mother, ‘things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.’” (Ephesians 6:3) We must be doing a good job of honoring our givers of life, because indeed things are going well. Aug. 21 marked the 167th anniversary of our congregation’s founding, and our long life of mission and ministry remains as vital as ever.
+ Let’s start with September’s special mission offering. We are partnering with the organization RIP Medical Debt to purchase and forgive medical debt on a grand scale. Because the people at RIP Medical Debt are good at what they do, every $1 we offer will remove at least $100 of debt for an Iowa or Minnesota family overwhelmed by medical bills.
That really makes a difference in people’s lives! Too many families suffer great hardship trying to pay their medical bills. Unfortunately, this type of debt is all too easy to accumulate. So, let the healing begin!
To participate in this offering, place cash in an envelope labeled “RIP Medical Debt” or earmark your check in the memo line. Place your offering in the collection plate during Sunday worship, or mail it to the church at P.O. Box 422, Waukon, IA 52172-0422. Go to RipMedicalDebt.org to learn more.
+ Next, the long-awaited improvement project at the manse has been completed. In August, a crew from Kelly Concrete poured a new walkway from the front porch to the sidewalk. Then, masons from Darrold Berger Masonry used ornamental brick to repair deterioration of the concrete porch steps. Masons also tuck-pointed the mortar joints of the existing porch bricks.
As part of this project, two overgrown and ailing evergreens were removed from either side of the porch. The Property Committee is working on a new landscaping plan for the manse front yard.
+ Last but surely not least, we are making a difference one pie at a time! The Presbyterian Women (PW) pie-makers thank the church members and friends for their generous gifts of flour, sugar, and money to purchase supplies. So far this year, 291 bake-at home-pies have been made: 149 rhubarb, 75 peach, 36 blueberry, and 31 peach blueberry pies were made.
Because of your generosity, we cleared $2,000 making rhubarb pies and $2,000 making the peach blueberry pies. Each pie-making day, we have 18 to 20 ladies show up with rolling pins, aprons, and coffeecake in tow!
What are the pie profits used for? Local outreach within our community and church!
Baked rhubarb pies were donated to a local benefit for fire victims. And as they have for years, the PW purchases swimming pool passes for local kids in need and milk tickets at school for those in need each semester. This is in addition to our annual mitten Christmas tree every year where we supply the school with hats, mittens, and clothing.
In the past couple of years PW has remodeled both the women’s and handicap bathrooms, had the church kitchen cupboards refinished and repaired, and kicked off the air conditioning project for the sanctuary. Last year, the profits from the Fall Harvest Dinner were close to $7,000, so PW added the remaining funds to total $10,000 earmarked for air conditioning the sanctuary. And in 2020 and 2021, PW donated $15,500 towards the painting of the sanctuary.
Apple pie making is coming up soon so get your orders in early! by calling Gloria Krambeer at 563.568.3182 or Fern Rissman at 563.568.4486. Help us make a difference one pie at a time!
If someone doesn’t know how to make a pie and wants to learn, the ladies would be more than willing to show you how! And don’t forget the decorated Christmas cookies that will be made in December!
Together, let us continue to honor our heavenly Parent with the words of our mouths and the works of our hands, that all might thrive and prosper.
~ Pastor Grant