Many of the church’s small groups focused on the combined elements of study, prayer and fellowship in their programming. The Men’s Brotherhood (later renamed Men’s Fellowship) met monthly for Bible study, and also got together with men from other Lutheran churches to bowl or play darts. Couples Club similarly gathered married couples for visiting, study and prayer.

The women’s groups in the church (ALCW and WELCA) planned and organized many social events. Over the years their activities have included the Mother-Daughter Banquet (later renamed the Spring Fling), Father-Son Banquet, craft bazaars, bake sales and Christmas Tea. The Christmas Tea is now an ecumenical community event hosted on a rotating basis between the Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist and Heartland Churches.

Around the 1970s, church slow-pitch softball leagues were popular in rural Iowa communities. American Lutheran Church had a team, which was made up of young men from the congregation, supported by their loyal followers.

Luther League, too, always has embraced fun and fellowship. Their activities have ranged from ice cream socials and hayrides in earlier years, to laser tag and escape rooms in more recent times.
The “Encouragers” was a group of women who met weekly at the church during the 1980s for Bible study, fellowship and prayer. They often reached out to families without a church home, and prayed for people in the community facing difficult hardships. In more recent years, the “Itsa” group was formed. This assembly of young mothers also meets weekly at the church during the school year, where their children play together while they enjoy fellowship and Bible study.

Of course, we wouldn’t be Lutherans without potlucks. We currently enjoy the Lenten Soup Supper potlucks on Wednesday nights as a way to wrap up the dreariness of long Iowa winters, and prepare for the renewal of spring and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Large potluck celebrations also have marked special events in the church, such as the congregation’s 50th Anniversary, and the conclusion of the 2008 capital campaign for the church expansion.

Most recently, a 75th Anniversary Family Fun Night in July 2019 brought the La Porte City community out for a hearty meal, children’s games, a spirited auction and much-enjoyed pie-baking contest.