December Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
A note from Pastor Doug
To the Family of Faith:
We are into the Holiday season and the end of another year! This has been a year of challenging ups and downs for both churches, but a continued awareness of God’s presence and “presents” among us! This Christmas season we are always aware of the busyness of the world and the rushing around us.
This is why I love the Advent Season, the time of slowing down and waiting on the Lord to be born again among us! These 4 weeks before Christmas focus on four theme weeks we will be lifting up in worship. One is hope…that hope that does not disappoint us and calls us to higher ground. The next theme is love reminding us of the unconditional love of God in Christ! Then on the third week of Advent we celebrate joy! The angels proclaimed the birth of Christ was good news of “mega” joy! We end the season with peace, the peace that passes understanding. The peace that the shepherds felt, the peace that comes during the many “pieces” of life. May the Advent themes of hope, love, joy and peace resound with you and yours this Holiday Holy-day season.
On behalf of the staff at both churches, we wish you and yours the very best of Christmas in Christ as you gather with family, friends, and your families of faith at church! Invite someone to come with you to worship:
5 pm Christmas Eve at Faith
7 pm Christmas Eve at St. Andrews
10 am Christmas morning at St. Andrews
11 am New Years Day at St. Andrews!
Pastor Doug
Council Meeting Highlights
Christmas Caroling will be on December 11 after church. A soup lunch will be served right after church for those going caroling.
The council slate was discussed. The positions will be voted on at the December 4th Meeting, tentatively.
Holiday Schedule: Christmas Eve service will be at 5:00 pm at Faith and 7:00 pm at St. Andrews, St. Andrews will host a joint Christmas morning service at 10:00 am, Faith opted not to hold a New Year’s Day service, but St. Andrews will hold a service at 10:00 am. Faith is invited to attend.
The council would like to see more people involved with the Worship team. If interested, please let Pastor Doug or Brian Kochersperger know.
The Food Pantry is in desperate need of dollars to help with the need. The shelves are bare.
The budget was discussed.
Council President’s Thoughts
The holidays can mean different things to different people. For some, the time of year can bring great joy! For others, it might mean a time of loneliness. But, maybe the word holidays can mean opportunity. Perhaps it means opportunity for some to set aside some time to visit those without family members nearby or send cards to those friends and family you don't see on a regular basis. If you are one that finds yourself lonely, maybe stop and find time to talk to others that might be lonely to brighten everyone's day. Every Christmas, my heart is full knowing we celebrate the birth of Christ together as our Faith family. Whether we have known each other for 60 years or 6 weeks, we are all one Faith family. Let's all set some goals to meet starting now to reach out to others whether it is a holiday or the middle of a cold day in February. Let's lift each other up in Faith and His love. Together we can make each day a better day. Hugs to all!
Janice Lee
2022 President of Faith Church Council
Holiday Worship Schedule
Christmas Eve:
5 pm Faith
7 pm St. Andrew’s
Come and join your family of faith for all that you hope for in Christmas Eve service: the great Christmas hymns of the season, Holy Communion, candlelight singing of Silent Night, and much more!
Christmas Day:
10 am St. Andrew’s combined service
The Festival of the Nativity is a service to celebrate the Christmas season and the Christ among us. Holy Communion, singing and a message to make Christmas special.
New Years Day:
11 am St. Andrew’s combined service
Ring in the new year!
Thank you to our
Church Council and Ministry Team Leaders
To Our Church Council and Team Ministry Leaders:
We want to take this time to say THANK YOU to all of you! You have had to make tough decisions and that is never easy, but understood! You have provided opportunities for Faith to continue to worship with sacrifices of your own time and effort, provided outreach to those in need, kept us informed, and kept everyone as safe as possible.
For those who “move off” Council or a team lead role, please continue to be a part of the various ministries and offer your leadership! For those who are continuing on or will be new to the 2021 Faith leadership team, thank you for your service and commitment to the mission!
God bless you all,
Your Faith Family
December 4, 2022
Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 4th, Faith will be holding our congregational meeting after Worship. The meeting agenda has been sent out via email as well as the proposed 2023 budget.
Proposed Meeting Agenda for Sunday December 4th:
Opening Prayer
Determination & Declaration of Quorum
Adoption / Approval of Agenda
Recognition of our Nominating Committee
2023 Council Members Slate
President – Teresa Kofodimos
Vice President – Kevin Westwick
Recording Secretary – Becky Albaugh
Financial Analyst – Karen Anderson
Council At-Large – Sara Curry
Council At-Large – Julie Muncy
2023 Budget Review / Approval (see Proposed Budget below)
Adjournment
Closing Prayer
Faith Financial Givings
Faithful Faith Members...with the various giving options (traditional envelopes, direct deposit, Vanco Mobile or Vanco On-line via link from Faith’s website), we have reduced the number of offering envelopes for the congregation. Please let either the church office know or send email to bkochersperger@foxcontractors.com.
**Don’t forget your extra giving for Advent. Please use Vanco app or through website.**
https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving/vanco-mobile-migration?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=205686104&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-__Ovwb5pqS16cV5iiBecf32pAyVArOn6y3G3aunAhDK-WKxx3lpeeAC3EynbDBid7g7rh9WCsXoenTkAVu8triXRz3sEUDAW2UkuwEcoqB5RRZQak&
Account Totals
10/1/2022 - 10/31/2022
Budget Giving $8,002.94
Building Fund $ -
Food Pantry $1,308.77
Garden of Faith $19.20
Misc. $175.00
St Andrews $4,700.33
Sunday School $ -
December
Celebrations
We’d like to honor and celebrate with you!
Please contact Dee Dee to make sure we have
your birthday and anniversary on file.
Birthdays
Jacob Benning 12-04
Samuel Muncy 12-07
Jordan Kochersperger 12-20
Jeffery Becker 12-30
Brian Moench 12-31
Anniversaries
Don & Julie Snyder 12-07
Don & Janice Damrow 12-09
Gil & Joyce Sams 12-27
Vince & Jodi Draper 12-28
JJ & Dezi James 12-29
Prayer Wall
It is written in Philippians 4:6, that we are not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving we are to present our requests to God. You don’t have to be a “Prayer Warrior” to pray. Would you pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ?
Our Homebound Members: Martha Siemers
Continued Prayers: Glenn Damrow (Don Damrow’s father), Joyce Sams, Deb Graff (Jay Anderson’s aunt), Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Vince Draper, Jodi Draper, Donna Brown (cancer patient-friend of Sara Curry).
For special intention, Jim and Estelle Boyd (health concerns), Chris Burgan (daughter of Joyce and Gil Sams), Lou Ann Funk, Carolyn Moench, Tim Schults (brother of Karen Anderson), Dan Weaver (father of Dee Dee Kochersperger); Unknown needs to all who are troubled in mind, body, and spirit.
Prayers of comfort and healing to those Faith Family members who aren’t able to attend due to health concerns. If you need food or anything, please let a Council member know so we can be there for YOU.
Higher Education Students: Douglas Perez, Annika Cahill, Maddie Anderson, Matthew Benning, Lindsey Basicker and all students in Hendricks County!
Military Service Members: All Service Men and Women fighting for our freedoms and their families who have also sacrificed
Current Events: Prayers of comfort for those who have experienced a loss due to the mass shootings. Peace for our troubled world
Leadership and Local Organizations:
ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
I-K Synod Bishop Bill Gafkjen
Lutheran Child and Family Services
Family Promise
Sheltering Wings
Faith’s Food Pantry
As a family of Faith, we want to pray and celebrate WITH you. Please submit your requests to the office by phone 317.272.1022 or by email at flc.avon@att.net.
If you would like to add details to your petitions, you are welcome to do so but you do NOT have to.