July 2021 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Friends:
Here are the dreaded tow letter words: Worship Attendance! There seems to be a growing trend, at both churches, of people letting me know they will or will not be at church on a coming Sunday. While I love hearing about your lives, and your vacations, you don’t have to let me know. What I want you to know is that when you are not with our family of faith you are missed and prayed for.
I recall charter members of a previous congregation telling me long ago they had to stop by the Pastor’s home and let him know if they were going to be at church the next day! (Please don’t do that, lol). I know many of us feel a certain sense of guilt if we are not at church on a “givan” Sunday. I understand this and I know it’s important for all of us to be in attendance and gathered around God’s Word.
If you are reading this, and you haven’t attended either church in awhile, COME ON BACK! God still loves you and we will welcome you home. We are called by God as a family of faith of believers to gather every Sunday morning around Word and Sacrament (Bible readings/peaching and Holy Communion/Baptism).
Church attendance has dropped off in recent years in every denomination. We get out of the habit and stop attending and then feel guilty coming back. It is hard. However, I want to expand our knowledge of the love of God. Because, friends, God does not take attendance, and neither do I! (I might call on you if it has been a few weeks). Life ebbs and flows and we sometimes have good days and bad. Occasionally we will miss some Sunday’s and that’s okay. No matter what, we will gather again this Sunday so come and worship God together, because this is what we do as the people of God.
This year July 4th falls on a Sunday! Come and worship, bring friends or family members as we will sing our National hymns and celebrate the USA!
God be with you until we meet again, Pastor Doug
Council President’s Thoughts - June 2021
Teamwork is the cornerstone of any successful group. Due to the pandemic, last year our Team had to have a different look. We transitioned in and out of in-person services, had to cancel all in-person events; no coffee hour, no festivals, no choir, it was a tough time. Now in 2021 health guidelines have changed and things are shifting back to more normal. While we continue to share our service with our remote FLC family and guests, we are back to in-person worship. We are restarting fellowship and planning in-person events, such as God’s Work Our Hands Sunday (September 12th) and Pastor Doug’s Installation (September 26th). With adding events and activities to our calendar it requires more team members to step forward and help lead the charge. A good team is always in recruitment mode, so if you would like to help and are looking for a way to participate, please email the office (flcavon@att.net) or let Pastor or me know and we’ll connect you with the appropriate Ministry Team Leader. Groups like our Facebook Live Technicians, Coffee Fellowship, Cleaning Ministry, Ushers or Lectors list can always use additional family members to participate. These service areas along with our Food Pantry, Family Promise and our Altar Guild would love to have another pair of hands to help do God’s work in our world. Please think about your time and talents and consider restarting your involvement in our FLC parish life.
Pease and blessings to each of you,
Julie
P.S. As was recently shared we have lost Sheilah to her love of writing. If you know a family friend who is looking for a part time position and would be a fit with our FLC family, please ask them to send their resume to our office email address.
Council Meeting Highlights - June 2021
Farewell reception will be held for Sheilah on June 21 after church.
Nikki Lee will be our interim administrative assistant. We are in the process of securing a permanent administrative assistant.
In-person Worship: As Marion County has now dropped the mask mandate, we will loosen our restrictions and masks will be optional if you have been fully vaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated, you should wear your mask. We will also be able to sing during worship. Other safety measures will remain in place.
Broadcasting for outdoor services is not an option at this time.
Pastor’s Installation will be held jointly with St. Andrew’s on September 26. Likely to be held at St. Andrews. A committee will be formed with members from both congregations.
Debbie Hacker is considering the Stewardship position.
Air conditioner has been installed in the shed to help accommodate the food pantry.
We will be putting a committee together to organize a celebration for the church’s anniversary in February.
Pastor Doug Givan’s Installation
Pastor Doug will be officially installed as the Presiding Minister of Faith Lutheran Church (Avon, IN) and St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (Speedway, IN)!
Date: Sunday, September 26th, 2021
Time: 2:00pm
Location: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church 6118 Crawfordsville Road Speedway, IN
Phone: (317) 243-6684
Details: Reception to follow
Adult Forum
Adult Forum will be breaking for the summer! We pray everyone has a wonderful summer and we look forward to getting back together in the fall!
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
July 4th will be an open forum. Our study on 1st and 2nd Timothy will begin July 11th as we study 3 chapters each week. We will see you on Sunday evenings at 7:00pm via Zoom! Contact Pastor for details.
Food Pantry Corner
I want to say thank you to the work crew for installing the air conditioner in the shed. It is now fully climate controlled. Thank You’s to the faithful volunteers that continue to work the food pantry. We could not do it without your assistance. Our numbers in May and June are still down. We are serving 55 to 70 families per month. We are making sure they are getting enough food. In June we had another free give away. This included fans, coffee makers, a blow up pool toy plus other things. We are blessed to still be able to pick up meat, bakery and produce.
Thank you for all your support.
God Bless You, Debbie M
Fellowship
Hi Everyone!
For those of you who joined us Sunday, June 20th, you probably noticed something we have not had for awhile. Can you guess it? That’s right! Coffee Fellowship is back! If you are on the list as volunteers, be sure to be on the lookout for emails indicating when you are scheduled to bring goodies. If you are not on the list to volunteer but would like to be, please feel free to email the church at: flc.avon@att. net to be included! We would love to have any new volunteers to provide Coffee Fellowship, as we enjoy new tasty treats our congregation members are skilled at making. As a reminder to all of our Coffee Fellowship volunteers, you don’t do have to bring anything fancy! Coffee Fellowship time is simply a time to enjoy a snack or two to catch up with our fellow Faith family. While we are bringing back Coffee Fellowship, we are not bringing back our monthly pitch-ins quite yet. When we do, I’ll be sure to include it here. Volunteers for this month are included below in the Worship Assistant chart, and will receive emails the week of their scheduled time. If you are unable to bring goodies on your scheduled weekend, please be sure to find a replacement, and email the church to let us know who will be replacing you for that Sunday! We look forward to seeing you each Sunday and enjoying wonderful goodies brought by our wonderful volunteers!
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 lcok on “register” for the start of a great summer experience.
Hymn History with Douglas featuring “The Star-Spangled Banner” (1814)
It was a deadly September attack on America - casualties on our own shores; the nation’s capital targeted; the White House in Danger; terror; heroes.
One hero was Francis, a Georgetown attorney heavily involved in national politics. An evangelical Christian, Francis taught Bible classes and witnessed boldly, once telling a friend in Congress, “Christ alone can save you from the sentence of condemnation.” He also wrote hymns like this one:
Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise Thee, / For the bliss Thy love bestows, /
For the pardoning grace that saves me, / And the peace that from it flows; /
Help, O God, my weak endeavor; / This dull soul to rapture raise;
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.
But nothing prepared Francis for the hostage-recovery mission he undertook at the request of the President of the United States. He was seeking the release of a prominent physician, Dr. Beanes, who had been taken captive. During that assignment he was detained by enemy troops and forced to watch a brutal assault on the eastern seaboard. Toward the morning of September 14, 1814, when it became clear that American forces had withstood the 25-hour bombardment, Francis Scott Key penned another hymn, scribbling it on the back of an envelope. The first stanza we all know, but have you ever sung the last stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner?”
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must when our cause it is just.
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’ve the land of the free and the home of the brave.
After sunrise, the British released Francis, and back in Baltimore, he wrote out this hymn in fuller form and showed it to his brother-in-law who promptly gave it to a printer who ran of handbills for distribution on the streets. One copy landed in the hands of an unknown musician who adapted it to the tune “To Anacreon in Heaven.” So was born the patriotic hymn that was to become our great national anthem!
“But our citizenship is in heaven, from where also we await for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20
Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society
Our family at Faith is celebrating with Douglas Perez on a particularly prestigious accomplishment! Read below to see what he’s been up to!!
Earlier this year unbeknownst to me, I was nominated to become a member of Pi Kappa Lambada, 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.
Thank you so much for the constant encouragement and love for the almost three years I have worked and ministered and Faith, and please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I plan the next stage of my life and career!
Independence Day
The first Sunday in July is Independence Day! The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776 - and thus, America was born. American citizens celebrate America’s birthday with festivals, parades, fireworks, barbecues, fireworks, sparklers, and other festive activities.
We want to thank all our service members (both current and retired) and their families for everything they have done and continue to do for our country. It is an incredible sacrifice. We hope everyone enjoys the holiday with their family.
JJ James Homecoming Celebration
One of our Faith family members has been serving in the United States Marine Corps. He is finally returning home for good to be with his family. As a thank you for all he has done, and to celebrate his homecoming, we will be having a special celebration Sunday, July 11th, after our 11am Church service. We invite everyone to join us afterwards for a special Coffee Fellowship event. Thank you to JJ and his family for everything they have sacrificed to keep our country safe.
Flora Christensen “Called Home”
Our sister in Christ, Flora Christensen, was called to her eternal home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was laid to rest on June 1st. Please keep Flora’s family in your prayers during this difficult time. We thank the family for sending a nice donation in thanksgiving for hosting a luncheon. These dollars will be held for future funeral dinners. We pray that the peace of God will surround them all and they take comfort in knowing Flora is in God’s eternal kingdom. Cards of sympathy can be mailed to her daughter, Jane Panarites at P.O. Box 58, North Salem, IN 46165.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
We have several exciting moments that members of our congregation have experienced recently. Read below to see what has been going on in the lives of our members.
Congratulations to Kevin and Lynnette Westwick on their wedding on May 21st, 2021. A small and quiet ceremony was held in South Carolina. We look forward to getting to know you better Lynnette! God’s blessings to you, Kevin and Lynnette!
Congratulations to Lindsay Basicker upon her high school graduation from Danville High School! Lindsay will be taking a year to take some courses to determine her exact career path.
Congratulations to Lauren Basicker for graduating from Purdue University with an Animal Science degree! She will start taking courses for a Master’s Degree in Vet Forensics in August. Her goal is to become a veterinarian and work with horses.
Congratulations to Leigh Anderson upon completing her Internal Medicine Residency Program at St. Vincent Hospital.
We are very proud of all of our Faith family members!
Community Event
Hendricks County 4-H Fair - July 18-24, 2021 - Danville, IN
4HCOMPLEX.ORG for further information
Visitors who donate five cans of fruit and/or vegetables can get in free to the fair. The donations will then be distributed to stock food pantries (like Faith’s) across Hendricks County.
Building Security
If you are the last person to leave the building, you must lock and alarm the building to protect people (most importantly) and property. If you have any questions, please contact Janice Lee.
July
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
Vince Draper 7/3
Carolyn Moench 7/3
Sara Curry 7/11
Carol Westwick 7/11
Elizabeth James 7/16
Willy Frizzell 7/17
ANNIVERSARIES
Dale and Jennifer Benning
HOMEBOUND
Martha Siemers
Worship Assistants - July 2021
Sunday, July 4
Sunday, July 18
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Facebook Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Coffee Fellowship
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Becky Albaugh and
Debbie Hacker
Lori Becker
Phil Zillinger
Brian Kochersperger
Ron Graff
Janice Lee
Janice Lee
Julie Muncy
Lee
(6/28 - 7/4)
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Facebook Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Coffee Fellowship
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Becky Albaugh
Debbie Hacker
Phil Zillinger
Jay Anderson
Brian Kochersperger
Nikki Lee
Mona Etter
Becky Albaugh
Phil Zillinger
Professional
(7/12 - 7/18)
Sunday, July 11
Sunday, July 25
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Facebook Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Coffee Fellowship
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Becky Albaugh and
Debbie Hacker
Jay Anderson
Lori Becker
Kevin Westwick
Jacob Benning
Becky Albaugh
Celebration for JJ
Becky Albaugh
Albaugh
(7/5 - 7/11)
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Facebook Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Coffee Fellowship
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Becky Albaugh and
Debbie Hacker
Brian Kochersperger
Teresa Kofodimos
John Kofodimos
Jay Anderson
Elaine Graff
Mona Etter
Karen Anderson
Hacker
(7/19 - 7/25)
Daily Readings & Devotions
Thursday, July 1
Friday, July 2
Saturday, July 3
Sunday, July 4
Monday, July 5
Tuesday, July 6
Wednesday, July 7
Thursday, July 8
Friday, July 9
Saturday, July 10
Sunday, July 11
Monday, July 12
Tuesday, July 13
Wednesday, July 14
Thursday, July 15
Friday, July 16
Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 10:7-11
John 14:1-7
Mark 6:1-13
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
James 5:7-12
John 7:1-9
Psalm 85:8-13
Colossians 4:2-18
Luke 1:57-80
Mark 6:14-29
Acts 21:27-39
Acts 23:12-35
Psalm 142
Colossians 1:15-23
Psalm 23
Saturday, July 17
Sunday, July 18
Monday, July 19
Tuesday, July 20
Wednesday, July 21
Thursday, July 22
Friday, July 23
Saturday, July 24
Sunday, July 25
Monday, July 26
Tuesday, July 27
Wednesday, July 28
Thursday, July 29
Friday, July 30
Saturday, July 31
Luke 18:35-43
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Hebrews 13:17-25
Psalm 100
Luke 15:1-7
Exodus 2:1-10
Colossians 3:12-17
Psalm 145:10-18
John 6:1-21
Psalm 7:1-10
Psalm 111
Isaiah 26:6-10a
Exodus 12:33-42
Psalm 78:23-29
Exodus 13:3-10
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
May 2021 Offerings
Account Name
Budget Giving
Building Fund
Food Pantry
Garden of Faith
Misc.
St. Andrew’s
May Total
Amount
$10,725.85
$50.00
$362.60
$78.40
$100.00
$4,047.17
$15,364.02
Summer is here...
Friends: Please remember your family of faith as you travel and vacation this summer. We have multiple ways to contribute; you can predate checks or go online and complete your giving while you are out of town, 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 5/1/2021
$58,192.42
-$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
Deposits Month of May 2021
$10,825.85
$4,047.17
$ -
$50.00
$362.60
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$78.40
$ -
$5.09
$15,369.11
Disbursement Month of May 2021
$10,819.93
$4,047.15
$ -
$ -
$717.33
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$15,584.41
Ending Balance 5/30/2021
$58,201.34
-$1,015.07
$28,347.50
$6,587.73
$12,909.75
$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
$246.63
$377.09
$12,294.61
$126,123.61
Prayer Wall
“Through Christ we can do all things”
Philippians 4:13
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.
Our Homebound Members: Martha Siemers
Continued Prayers: Masako Knight and family (health concerns), Family and Friends of Peggy Crawford (friend of Pastor Doug), Jane (Friend of Janice Damrow), 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 and Lindsay 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, Peace for our troubled world, Please pray for those affected by the building collapse in Miami, and for the first responders who are working endlessly to search for survivors.
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.