May 2021 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor Doug’s “Peace”
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you Moms and Grandmoms! I pray you are able to see your family or at least call or visit in other ways. What a lovely month May is and what a lovely time to honor our mother’s. Elsewhere in this newsletter you can read about the history of Mother’s Day.
My mother, Judy, passed in 2014 and, like many of you who no longer have our mothers around, I miss her daily and think of her often. In the last year of my mother’s life, we always said goodbye with a kiss and a hug and the words “I love you.”
She began to answer back “I loved you first!” These are words I had not heard from her before. “I loved you first” fits though as I thought about it. She did know me first, she did carry me around for 9 months.
One time when I went to visit her at the nursing home, I found her in her usual spot at the aviary (indoor bird cage). She was always fascinated by nature and ducks, birds, etc. My mom and I had never really shared or talked much about God. But on this occasion I thought I would read some devotions to her and pray.
As she rocked with her eyes closed, I would read some Scripture and she would hum back to me, and mumble words like ‘That’s right, that’s right!’ She was enjoying my reading to her while she rocked in her chair, halfway awake. I then said to her “You know, mom, God loved you first! God loved you first!”
And my mom kept rocking her chair saying, “That’s right, that’s right, I know honey, I know!” She passed a few weeks later after this event. God loved you first my friend, and God in Christ loves us first, last and always. Happy Mother’s Day!
New Worship Schedule Starting May 2
Tis’ the season for CHANGE. Our Sunday schedule will change on May 2nd. Please update your calendars accordingly!!
May 2
9:00am Virtual Fellowship (Last week for Virtual Fellowship)
11:00am Worship
7:00pm Faith Formation and Holy Communion
May 9 and Forward
9:30am Adult Forum In-Person
11:00am Worship
7:00am Faith Formation and Holy Communion
Council Meeting Highlights - April 2021
Service time changes from 9:00am to 11:00am on May 2nd.
Synod Assembly delegates have not been set yet.
Funding for Master Plan Projects was discussed as well as where projects will be placed and when they will be done.
A tentative property workday is planned for May 22nd.
The company that did the work on the east end of the property will replace the section of the sidewalk that was damaged during their work.
It is planned to get good mulch to enhance the areas around the church.
There was a discussion on inviting St. Andrew’s to our service on race day.
Pastor visited a food pantry in Speedway to see how other pantries are run.
Council President’s Thoughts
As we continue to enjoy the changing of the seasons, we look around us at the signs of spring and we pause to think about the next steps in our journey as a family of God. Though the addition of online services has been a great resource for our Faith Family and those around us, it is a blessing to be back at our building. It continues to take shape, with the growth of our trees and shrubs and the blossoms on our flowers. A property workday has been scheduled for Saturday, May 22nd, with a list of to-do’s being put together. If you see a project either in the building or on the property that could use some loving hands to move it forward, please let either Janice Lee or me know, and we’ll add it to the list. This workday will be a great time to be together, yet safely apart and it will be wonderful to see everyone. Know that we will send out additional details in the coming days!
Peace and love to each of you,
Julie
Gardens of Faith
Garden Plots are still available if you’d like your own food garden at Faith! Contact Dale Olson to reserve your area! A lot of delicious veggies have come from our Garden at Faith, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to bring that deliciousness right to your own dinner table!
Food Pantry
I want to give “Thank You’s” to the people that have served at the food pantries in April. We served 74 families or 320 individuals. Plus we gave out Easter Eggs and treats to the families. The food pantries in May will be 8 days apart. They are scheduled on May 7th and May 15th. Please mark your calendars to plan on helping if you are able.
I am so grateful for the continued support from the congregation as well. We love and serve through Christ.
God Bless,
Debbie M.
Adult Forum
Adult Forum is coming back!!!! Join Debbie Hacker Sunday mornings at 9:30am in-person before worship beginning Sunday, May 9! We are so blessed for this ministry to start back up! Please join us!!!
Faith Formation
Every Sunday Evening
at 7:00pm via Zoom
“Mysteries of the Psalms” study will continue through May on Sunday evenings at 7:00pm via zoom! Each class is stand alone so you can join any week!!! Contact Pastor Doug for a booklet and/or more information.
Thank you from Sheilah
What a lovely surprise I had on my desk for Secretaries Day. The flowers and gifts were beautiful. I am so thankful and blessed for all the kindness the members of Faith continually bestow upon me. Many thanks and love to all of you!
Your humble servant,
Sheilah
Hymn History with Douglas featuring “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” (1836)
This hymn, originally for children, first appeared in an 1836 volume of Hymns for the Young, compiled by Dorothy A. Thrupp. Many hymnologists have attributed the words to Thrupp, but her authorship is uncertain. An early hymnbook attributed it to Henry Francis Lyte, but that is also doubtful. However, there is no doubt about the composer of this hymn’s music, composed by the famous William Bradbury, one of the most prolific hymnists of the nineteenth century. A native of York, Maine, Bradbury moved to Boston when he was fourteen to enroll in the Boston Academy of Music and then joined Lowell Mason’s choir at the Bowdoin Street Church.
Lowell Mason, who was a banker-turned-composer, became the first American to receive a Doctorate in Music from an American university. A dedicated Christian, he had written the tunes for hymns including “Joy to the World!,” My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee.” Mason was also passionate to train children in sacred music. Recognizing that the young William Bradbury had natural talent, Mason sought to consistently encourage him, and soon, Bradbury was playing the organ under Mason’s guidance while earning $25 a year in the process.
William Bradbury was so inspired by his mentor that he moved to New York City to do what Lowell Mason had been doing in Boston – encouraging the Christian musical education of children. He organized and led children’s singing conventions, encouraged music in the New York school system, and published Sunday school songbooks. During his lifetime, 59 separate books appeared under his name.
Bradbury set into motion a significant change in American church music. Prior to his work, most hymns were heavy, noble, and stately, but he strived to compose lighter melodies that children could sing. His compositions were softer, full of interesting movement, and easier for children to sing. In doing so, William Bradbury helped usher in the era of gospel music. He may not have realized that adults would one day sing his hymns as readily as children would, but he paved the way for the likes of Fanny Crosby and Ira Sankey. Today, Bradbury is remembered as the musical composer of such favorites as “He Leadeth Me,” “The Solid Rock,” “Just As I Am,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” and this hymn – “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.”
“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:16-17
History of Mother’s Day
The origin of Mother’s Day as we know it took place in the early 1900’s. A woman named Anna Jarvis started a campaign for an official holiday honoring mother in 1905, the year her own mother died. The first larger-scale celebration of the holiday was in 1908, when Jarvis held a public memorial for her mother in her hometown of Grafton, West Virginia.
Over the next few years, Jarvis pushed to have the holiday officially recognized, and it was celebrated increasingly in more and more states around the U.S. Finally, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making Mother’s Day an official holiday, to take place the second Sunday of May.
Anna Jarvis put Mother’s Day on the calendar as a day dedicated to expressing love and gratitude to mothers, acknowledging the sacrifices women make for their children. That’s why she was determined to keep “Mother’s” a singular possessive, as marked by the apostrophe before “s.” Each family should celebrate its own mother, so that individual women across the country could feel the love, even in the midst of a broad celebration of motherhood.
2021 IK Synod Assembly
? ? ? ? ? Are you free for a few hours on June 11th and 12th ? ? ? ? ?
If you answered YES to these questions and you are a member of Faith then we need YOU to represent Faith Lutheran at the VIRTUAL 2021 IK Synod Assembly the weekend of June 11th and 12th.
If you would be willing to go OR if you’d like to nominate a Faith Member to represent our congregation, please contact Pastor Doug or Julie Muncy. They can answer any questions you have as well!! (Faith will pay the registration fee of $70.00 for both delegates.)
Race Week(end) Worship
Race Week is coming and the Speedway area will be zooming with cars and people! We are excited to announce two opportunities to worship with our sister congregation during the week and on Sunday!
Thursday, May 27
Who: St. Andrew’s and Faith Lutheran
What: Worship Service
When: 7:00pm
Where: St. Andrew’s in Speedway
*Please register on St. Andrew’s website if you plan to attend for possible contract tracing*
Sunday, May 30
Who: St. Andrew’s and Faith Lutheran
What: Worship Service
When: 11:00am
Where: Faith Lutheran in Avon
We are very excited to worship together as sister congregations!
Road Construction US 36
Road Construction has begun on US 36 between Shiloh Park Drive and East of Raceway Road. Road work will take place nightly from 9pm to 6am with two lanes of traffic open during the day.
Please be safe as you travel on US 36 for the next few months. The project is expected to be complete around October 2021.
Memorial Day
Monday, May 31 is Memorial Day. On this day we remember the men and women who gave their lives fighting for our country and those members who passed from our congregation. We especially and remember our saints Paul Hermerding and Jerry Curry.
May
Celebrations
We’d like to honor and celebrate with you!
Please contact Sheilah to make sure we have
your birthday and anniversary on file.
BIRTHDAYS
JJ James 5/6
Phil Zillinger 5/10
Vi Hughes 5/17
Joel Vogel 5/18
Karen Anderson 5/27
Jim Justus 5/28
LouAnn Funk 5/31
ANNIVERSARIES
Jim & Denise Justus 5/1
Dave & Janice Lee 5/7
Don & Linda Moench 5/19
Ron & Elaine Graff 5/23
Worship Assistants - May 2021
Sunday, May 2
Sunday, May 16
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Usher
Greeter
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Lori Becker
Karen Anderson
Lori Becker
Jay Anderson
Mona Etter
Janice Lee
Albaugh Family (4/26 - 5/2)
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Usher
Greeter
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Lori Becker
Brian K.
Phil Zillinger
Ron Graff
Becky Albaugh
Phil Zillinger
Professional (5/10 - 5/16)
Sunday, May 9
Sunday, May 23
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Usher
Greeter
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Lori Becker
Phil Zillinger
Debbie Hacker
Matthew Benning
Janice Lee
Debbie Hacker
Hacker (5/3 - 5/9)
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Usher
Greeter
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Lori Becker
Samuel Muncy
Brian K.
Julie Muncy
Nikki Lee
Julie Muncy
Etter (5/17 - 5/23)
Daily Readings & Devotions
Saturday, May 1
Sunday, May 2
Monday, May 3
Tuesday, May 4
Wednesday, May 5
Thursday, May 6
Friday, May 7
Saturday, May 8
Sunday, May 9
Monday, May 10
Tuesday, May 11
Wednesday, May 12
Thursday, May 13
Friday, May 14
Saturday, May 15
Sunday, May 16
John 14:8-14
John 15:1-8
Galatians 5:16-26
Isaiah 32:16-20
Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm 98
Acts 10:34-43
Mark 10:42-45
John 15:9-17
1 Timothy 6:11-12
1 Timothy 6:13-16
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
Acts 1:1-11
Acts 1:15-26
John 16:4-11
John 17:6-19
Monday, May 17
Tuesday, May 18
Wednesday, May 19
Thursday, May 20
Friday, May 21
Saturday, May 22
Sunday, May 23
Monday, May 24
Tuesday, May 25
Wednesday, May 26
Thursday, May 27
Friday, May 28
Saturday, May 29
Sunday, May 30
Monday, May 31
Philippians 1:3-11
Psalm 115
John 16:16-24
Psalm 33:12-22
1 Corinthians 15:50-57
John 7:37-39
John 15:26-27; 4b-15
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
John 20:19-23
Romans 8:1-8
Romans 8:9-11
Psalm 29
John 3:1-17
Luke 1:39-45
Daily readings are provided by the Christ in Our Homes published by Augsburg Fortress. Copies of this quarter’s books are available for pickup. If you would like a copy and can’t make it to the church, please contact Pastor Doug or the church office.
Faith Financials
March 2021 Offerings
Account Name
Budget Giving
Building Fund
Food Pantry
Garden of Faith
Initial Offering
Lent
Misc.
Palm Sunday
St. Andrews
Sunday School
March Total
Amount
$11,307.02
$50.10
$2,558.00
$168.02
$10.00
$210.00
$700.00
$5.00
$2,750.00
$140.00
$17,898.04
Summer is coming...
Summer is coming and vacations are on the calendars! This is your friendly reminder as your schedule your vacations remember to schedule your tithings too! We have multiple ways to contribute; by mail, direct deposit, or through our GivePlus app. You can give online at https://secure.myvanco.com/YK3M/home If you need help with any of these, please contact Brian Kochersperger.
Operating Budget
Budget
St. Andrew’s Pastor Compensation
Budget Reserve
Capital Improvements
Building Fund
Special Accounts
Food Pantry
Memorial Fund
Funeral Expenses
Flower Fund
Sunday School
Pass Thru
SonRise Bible Study
Lent
Advent
Youth Gathering
Undesignated Funds
Youth Designated
Computer Fund
AV Grant
Property Accounts
Trail Construction
Butterfly Garden
Garden of Faith
Garden Shed
Investment Accounts
Endowment Fund
Total of All Accounts
Beginning Balance 3/1/2021
$55,121.54
-$1,370.11
$28,345.40
$8,437.73
$10,124.77
$2,054.21
$530.69
$115.80
$1,635.00
$150.00
$10.00
$20.00
$250.00
$1,142.25
$275.00
$80.00
$ -
-$27.40
$138.91
$349.47
$83.46
$377.09
$12,279.51
$120,123.32
Deposits Month of March 2021
$11,322.02
$2,750.00
$2.10
$50.00
$2,558.00
$.08
$ -
$ -
$140.00
$ -
$ -
$210.00
$ -
$ -
$700.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$168.02
$ -
$5.09
$17,905.31
Disbursements March 2021
$12,879.25
$4,047.15
$ -
$2,580.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$141.65
$ -
$ -
$19,648.05
Ending Balance 3/31/2021
$53,564.31
-$2,667.26
$28,347.50
$5,907.73
$12,682.77
$2,054.29
$530.69
$115.80
$1,775.00
$150.00
$10.00
$230.00
$250.00
$1,142.25
$975.00
$80.00
$ -
-$27.40
$138.91
$349.47
$109.83
$377.09
$12,284.60
$118,380.58
Prayer Wall
We, as Christian brothers and sisters, are called to pray for each other on all occasions. God’s word says in Ephesians 6 (18) we are to keep this in mind, be alert, and always keep praying for all the saints.
That means YOU!
Join us in prayer for our brother and sisters in Christ for good health, healing, safety, strength, courage, peace, clear minds, renewed spirit, and for all their unknown needs. We know that through Him all things are possible.
Our Homebound Members: Flora Christiansen and Martha Siemers
Continued Prayers: Jim Boyd (currently seeing doctors for health concerns), Joel and Judy Vogel (prayers for ongoing support), Christina Burgan (daughter of Joyce and Gil Sams), Lou Ann Funk, Carolyn Moench, Jodi Draper, Vince Draper, Sara Curry, Sam Muncy, 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.
Students: Amy Westwick (Paramedic School), Douglas Perez, Maddie Anderson, Matthew Benning, Lauren Basicker, All students navigating their “new normals”
Military Service Members: Corporal (JJ) James, All Service Men and Women fighting for our freedoms
Current Events:
Continued Covid-19 struggles, Pease for our troubled world, Let us pray for all our siblings in Christ.
Leadership and Local Organizations:
ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, I-K Synod 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 Sheilah at 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.