June 2021 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Two of the great joys of my life are my daughter Emily, 30, and Joel, 21. It is such a great honor to be called “Dad!” I can remember some of the details of when they were born and all the firsts of their lives. All of you who are Dads can relate as we celebrate Father’s Day, June 20th. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads and granddads in the congregations.
I have specific memories of being a Dad over these 30+ years. The ballet recitals and ball games have been such great moments of pride and joy. I have lived the difficult parts of their lives as well as the marriages to their mothers that did not last. It is my greatest pain for which I have been carried by our Father, God. I know many of you have not had a father figure in your life through divorce or other issues. It grieves my heart and I pray for you and your family. Now, guys, we can be the dads our children/grandchildren never knew.
Don’t you know, friends, that our God looks at us in the same way we look at our children? God has placed us on stage, God loves to watch us, cheer us on and encourage us as any good Dad would do! If God had a wallet, our picture would be inside. If God owned a refrigerator, our picture would be hanging from a magnet!
There is a Christian camp song called “Abba” (not about the 70’s rock group) which means an intimacy with the father, along the lines of “Daddy!” Our God intimately loves us all, and this month, guys, we are especially loved. Dads, let us be more and more in love with our children and grandchildren. So down the road, on some future Father’s Day they can remember our love for them and God’s love for all. Pastor Doug
Council Meeting Highlights - May 2021
Sheilah will be leaving her position as our secretary on May 31st. Our interim secretary will be Nikki Lee.
Our Master Plan was discussed. Ron Graff has drawings for a Memorial and Prayer Garden. It will be big enough to be meaningful but not so big as to take up any building space.
God’s Work, Our Hands will be September 12th. A few projects that we could do were discussed.
A Property Work Day will be held on May 22nd. We will be spreading mulch as well as cleaning inside the building.
The Presidents and Vice Presidents of both churches will be meeting to discuss Pastor’s contract.
We are still looking for delegates for the Senate Assembly.
We were presented with a new contract with Gleaners’s Food Bank.
We will be celebrating our 75th Anniversary as a church in February of next year.
Gardens of Faith - Thank You
On May 10th in the late afternoon, Christine and Mona were spotted pulling weeds and working in the gardens. We thank them, and all who selflessly work, to keep our property and gardens beautiful.
Thank you to Janice and Nikki Lee for providing carnations for Mother’s Day
Summer Camp at LOMIK
As we begin to emerge from the global pandemic it is more important than ever to help youth experience the hope and joy expressed through God’s creation. At LOMIK (Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Indiana-Kentucky), we seek to help you connect youth to the promises of God down through the ages. Generation to Generation (our 2021 summer camp theme) God’s faithfulness pours forth through the lives of God’s people. Campers will get to explore for themselves how God’s steadfast love endures forever. Go to www.lomik.org to find out more and click on “register” for the start of a great summer experience.
Summer Sermon Series
JUST LIKE JESUS By Max Lucado
“God loves you just the way you are, but God refuses to leave you that way. God wants us to be just like Jesus.”
From June 6 to August 15 Pastor will guide us through a sermon series on having a heart like Jesus with each chapter listing ways to “remodel” our hearts to be like Jesus.
June 6: Heart like Jesus/Forgiving Heart
June 13: Compassionate Heart
June 20: Listening Heart
June 27: God-Intoxicated and Worship Heart
July 4: No book/sermon series b/c of Holiday
July 11: Focused Heart
July 18: Honest and Pure Heart
July 25: Hope Filled Heart
August 1: Rejoicing Heart
August 8: Enduring Heart
August 15: Keeping Eyes on Jesus/Wrap up
The book is $9 on Amazon, $3 on Kindle.
*Order your copy of the book now!!
Wednesday night Zoom/Virtual Bible Study
From June 9 to August 18 Pastor will host a Bible Study from 7-8 p.m. also based on the book Just Like Jesus where we will look at all the characteristics of having a heart just like Jesus! Look for the email with the link!
Faith Formation
Every Sunday Evening
at 7:00pm via Zoom
Our study on the Book of Acts will continue into June as we study 3 chapters each week. We will see you on Sunday evenings at 7:00pm via Zoom!
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20th
Father’s Day was inaugurated in the United States in the early 20th century to complement Mother’s Day in celebrating fathers, fathering, and fatherhood. Father’s Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. Sonora’s father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there.
After hearing a sermon about Anna Jarvis’s Mother’s Day at Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909, she told her pastor that fathers should have a similar holiday honoring them. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father’s birthday, the pastors of Spokane Ministerial Alliance did not have enough time to prepare their sermons, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June.
A bill to accord national recognition of the holiday was introduced in Congress in 1913. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak in a Father’s Day celebration and wanted to make it official, but Congress resisted, fearing that it would become commercialized. US President Calvin Colidge recommended in 1924 that the day be observed by the nation but stopped short of issuing a national proclamation. Two earlier attempts to formally recognize the holiday had been defeated by Congress.
In 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal accusing Congress of ignoring fathers for 40 years while honoring mothers, thus “[singling] out just one of our two parents”. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Nixon signed it into law in 1972.
Hymn History with Douglas featuring “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” (1826)
Reginald Heber was born on April 21, 1783, to a minister and his wife in an English village. After a happy childhood and a good education in the village school, Reginald enrolled at Oxford where he excelled in poetry and became fast friends with Sir Walter Scott. Following graduation, he succeeded his father as vicar in his family’s parish, and for sixteen years, he faithfully served his flock.
His bent toward poetry naturally gave him a keen and growing interest in hymnody. He sought to lift the literary quality of hymns, and he also dreamed of publishing a collection of high-caliber hymns corresponding to the church year for use by liturgical churches. However, the Bishop of London would not approve it, and Heber’s plans were disappointed.
He continued writing hymns for his own church, and it was during the sixteen years in the obscure parish of Hodnet that Heber wrote all 57 of his hymns, including the great missionary hymn, “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains,” which exhorted missionaries to take the gospel to faraway places like “Greenland’s icy mountains” and “India’s coral strand.”
This hymn represented an earnest desire for Reginald, for he felt God was calling him as a missionary to India. His desire was fulfilled in 1822, when, at the age of 40, he was appointed to oversee the Church of England’s ministries in India. Arriving in Calcutta, he set out on a 16-month tour of his diocese, visiting mission stations across India. In February 1826, he left for another tour. While in the village of Trichinopoly on April 3, 1826, he preached to a large crowd in the hot sun and afterward plunged into a pool of cool water. He suffered a stroke and drowned.
It was after his death that his widow, finding his 57 hymns in a trunk, succeeded in publishing his Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Service of the Church Year. In this volume was the great Trinitarian hymn based on Revelation 4:8-11, “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty.”
“… and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
Revelation 4:8
Sheilah’s Transition
Sheilah Keefer had her last day as Faith Lutheran’s Administrative Assistant May 31st. We thank God for her and will remember her and her family in our prayers. Thank you, Sheilah, for all your time and efforts on behalf of Faith. Sheilah and her family will be present for worship on June 20th so the church family can say good-bye (although she isn’t leaving the area and pledges we will see her from time to time.)
Card senders beware: Sheilah Keefer, 184 Briarwood Ct. Brownsburg, IN 46112
Sheilah’s NOT “Good-bye” but “See You Later”
My dear family at Faith,
What an honor it has been to be your servant since 2016 when our family arrived here from Maryland and started an incredible adventure. Yes, my time as your administrative assistant has come to an end, however, my time with you has not. Praise the LORD!
I am constantly pointing out to people where I personally see God working in their lives and encouraging them to follow God’s path, step out in faith, and watch God work. The time has come that I listen to my own advice and take a leap of faith. For many years, more than I can remember actually, I’ve wanted to write, start a blog, inspire people to find their joy, and seek God in everything they do. With my family and friends by my side, I will finally be able to make that dream a reality and start writing.
I have LOVED working...well, I can’t even call it work because when you love what you do, it’s not work. So let me rephrase; I have loved traveling the Journey of Faith with all of you and I will miss being involved everyday. We all started as strangers and have become family and I will cherish every moment. My family is blessed to have YOU as our “family” away from home.
God’s timing is always best and he has once again shown his perfect timing for my transition to another chapter. On the 4th of June, I will be having surgery (disc fusion in my neck) and I will be down for a few weeks, but I (we) CANNOT wait to join you for worship on the 20th to say “see you soon” instead of “good-bye”.
Thank you for all the love, support, encouragement, and grace you’ve bestowed upon me and our family. We will continue to live our lives as disciples of Christ and pay forward the love you have shown us, and especially me.
Forever grateful,
Sheilah
Hello Summer
June 21st is the official First Day of Summer! Did you know it is also the Summer Solstice? Summer Solstice marks the onset on summer and is the longest day of the year. The Summer Solstice is when the sun reaches its maximum declination. So make sure you take some time to relax and enjoy the longest day of the year!
2021 IK Synod Assembly
The Virtual 2021 IK Synod Assembly will be held June 11th and 12th. We are still looking for Faith members to represent our congregation. Please contact Pastor Doug or Julie Muncy if you’d be willing to be the “face of Faith”.
Oral Comprehensive Exams, Master’s Piano Recital, Pi Kappa Lambda, Graduation and a Double Master’s Degree - OH MY!
Our family at Faith is celebrating with Douglas Perez on all his recent accomplishments! Read below to see what he has been up to!! Douglas will be taking a well deserved vacation the first 2 Sundays of June!
Pastor Doug asked for the “other” Doug to give an update on what I have been up to outside of Faith! As most of you know, I have been at Butler since Fall 2018, working on a double Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy, and this spring was my final semester.
In addition to my normal classes, projects, rehearsals, lessons, teachings, and recordings, I had some other big things happening! I recorded a concert at the Palladium on April 9th and 10th with Hancock County Children’s Choir and world-famous composer, Jim Papoulis. Two weekends later on April 24th, I presented “A Holistic Approach to Memory and the Brain,” my capstone pedagogy presentation for my Pedagogy Master’s.
A few days after that on April 28th, I had both of my Oral Comprehensive Exams. One was for my Performance degree, and the other was for my Pedagogy degree. Each lasted an hour, and my committee panel could ask me about ANYTHING from my three years at Butler. According to the Director of Graduate Studies, I “passed with flying colors!” I walked in the Butler Commencement on May 8th.
Earlier in the year unbeknownst to me, I was nominated to become a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the oldest, largest, and most prestigious honor society in the world for the achievement of excellence in music, and on May 26th, I received my invitation of acceptance in this once-in-a-lifetime honor. The day after, I performed my final Master’s Piano Recital and officially ended my career as a Butler student!
Looking forward, I will be staying in Indianapolis (and at Faith!) for at least one more year as I take a break from school but also while I prepare for auditions for my Doctoral degree, which I hope to begin Fall 2022. I received an offer to join Butler as a part-time teaching fellow, which I accepted, along with my other music jobs I will retain for the next year.
Thank you so much for the constant encouragement and love for the almost three years I have worked and ministered at Faith, and please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I plan the next stage of my life and career!
June
Celebrations
We’d like to honor and celebrate with you!
Please contact the office to make sure we have
your birthday and anniversary on file.
BIRTHDAYS
Karli Thomas 6/23
Mona Etter 6/24
Kim Orebaugh 6/29
Karissa Draper 6/30
ANNIVERSARIES
Steve & Becky Albaugh 6/7
Joel & Judy Vogel 6/11
Lothar & Christine Nitz 6/22
Worship Assistants - June 2021
Sunday, June 6
Sunday, June 20
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Usher
Greeter
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Mona Etter
Jay Anderson
Karen Anderson
Julie Muncy
Mona Etter
Becky Albaugh
Lee Family (5/31 - 6/6)
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Usher
Greeter
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Mona Etter
Brian K.
Sara Curry
Nikki Lee
Julie Muncy
Janice Lee
Professional
(6/14 - 6/20)
Sunday, June 13
Sunday, June 27
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Usher
Greeter
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Mona Etter
Karen Anderson
Willy Frizzell
Phil Zillinger
Janice Lee
Phil Zillinger
Hacker Family
(6/7 - 6/13)
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Usher
Greeter
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Mona Etter
Phil Zillinger
Debbie Hacker
Janice Lee
Nikki Lee
Debbie Hacker
Etter (6/21 - 6/27)
Daily Readings & Devotions
Tuesday, June 1
Wednesday, June 2
Thursday, June 3
Friday, June 4
Saturday, June 5
Sunday, June 6
Monday, June 7
Tuesday, June 8
Wednesday, June 9
Thursday, June 10
Friday, June 11
Saturday, June 12
Sunday, June 13
Monday, June 14
Tuesday, June 15
1 Corinthians 2:1-10
Mark 4:21-25
1 Peter 4:7-19
Psalm 130
Luke 8:4-15
Mark 3:20-35
Psalm 74
1 Kings 18:17-40
Luke 11:14-28
Hebrews 2:5-9
Acts 11:19-30, 13:1-3
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
Mark 4:26-34
Galatians 6:11-18
Revelation 21:22-22:5
Wednesday, June 16
Thursday, June 17
Friday, June 18
Saturday, June 19
Sunday, June 20
Monday, June 21
Tuesday, June 22
Wednesday, June 23
Thursday, June 24
Friday, June 25
Saturday, June 26
Sunday, June 27
Monday, June 28
Tuesday, June 29
Wednesday, June 30
Psalm 52
Acts 20:1-16
Psalm 107:1-3
Psalm 107:23-32
Mark 4:35-41
Acts 27:39-44
Acts 27:39-44
Mark 6:45-52
Acts 13:13-26
2 Corinthians 8:1-7
Luke 4:31-37
Mark 5:21-43
Psalm 88
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Mark 9:14-29
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
April 2021 Offerings
Account Name
Budget Giving
Building Fund
Easter
Farm Income
Food Pantry
Garden of Faith
Initial Offering
Lent
Misc.
St. Andrew’s
April Total
Amount
$13,315.85
$50.00
$295.00
$3,200.00
$738.97
$58.40
$25.00
$340.00
$80.00
$5,699.34
$23,802.56
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 4/1/2021
$52,834.31
-$2,667.26
$28,347.50
$6,487.73
$12,657.77
$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
$118,205.58
Deposits Month of April 2021
$17,005.85
$5,699.34
$ -
$50.00
$763.97
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$60.00
$ -
$340.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$58.40
$ -
$4.92
$23,982.48
Disbursement Month of April 2021
$11,644.74
$4,047.15
$ -
$ -
$157.26
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$15,849.15
Ending Balance 4/31/2021
$58,195.42
-$1,015.07
$28,347.50
$6,537.73
$13,264.48
$2,054.29
$530.69
$115.80
$1,775.00
$210.00
$10.00
$570.00
$250.00
$1,142.25
$975.00
$80.00
$ -
-$27.40
$138.91
$349.47
$168.23
$377.09
$12,289.52
$126,338.91
Prayer Wall
“…With God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
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: Martha Siemers
Continued Prayers: Family of Flora Christensen, 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 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.