November 2021 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Friends:
It happened every year when I was in college at Indiana University. My fraternity bother, Woody, would start in November and over and over he had to utter those two words heard every year: “Happy Thanks-givan!” He was so proud of himself and his play on words. (I must say in my own family we never used those words btw.)
It’s not about the Givan family per se, but about God’s family at St. Andrews and Faith. I know we are all thankful for our congregations. I hope you are too for our congregations, for each other, and the various ways God is calling us toward community. This would be both the “internal” community of the church in our relationship and love for and with each other. And this is for the “outer” community around us. How is God calling us to share and minister to the communities of Speedway and Avon! We are beginning to discuss this very issue in Beginning Anew!
In the Gospel of Luke 17:11-19 is the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus. Of the ten, only one returns to give thanks. I urge YOU to be like the one leper, to always give thanks. We are thankful people because we have so, so much. We can give with a full heart because we have so much and we can be thankful for the same reason.
In verse 19 of Luke 17 Jesus says to the one leper (and you and me) “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Peace be with you! May you and yours have a blessed and wonderfilled Thanksgiving. (Watch emails and announcements as there will be Thanksgiving service (probably Zoom) with the Speedway Ministerial Group.)
Peace,
Pastor Doug
Daylight Saving Time Ending
Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 7th! Don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour Saturday night, November 6th, before you go to bed!
Veterans Day/November 11th
Thank you to all of the veterans and active military personnel for all you have done for our country, and thank you to you and your families for the sacrifices you have made.
Council President’s Thoughts - November 2021
I’m going to start this November newsletter article with a question; What are you thankful for? Most of us thought that 2020 was the challenge and 2021 would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, it was not to be. 2021 has been yet another tough period in our lives. The concept of thanksgiving or the actual words thanks is mentioned in the bible over 100 times. And despite our situation, we are called on by God to be thankful, as written by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Take time this month to make an intentional list of your blessings and the people and things that you are thankful for. Many of us lost saints this year, please make sure to add them to the FLC list for our All-Saints Day remembrance being celebrated on Sunday, November 7th and know that I am thankful for all of you!
Peace and Blessings to each of you,
Julie
317-374-6638
jmuncy@cvrindy.com
Council Meeting Highlights - October 2021
Anyone still wanting to contribute toward the cost of the new HVAC System may still do so.
Our electric rates have gone up contributing to our electric budget for 2021 being maxed out.
We are in the process of organizing a committee to play our 75th Anniversary Celebration on February 27th.
COVID status is Orange now for the time being, things will stay as they are.
New armchairs are being ordered for the sanctuary.
A list of possible members for the nominating committee was voted on. We will choose from the list. We will need three numbers.
Snow removal contract has been sent to us to be signed.
We will be working on the 2022 budget in November.
Jay Anderson has called for a property workday on October 30th to get the property ready for winter.
All Saint’s Day
All Saint’s Sunday is November 7th. Do you have someone you would like to recognize for All Saint’s Day? If so, please email the church with the name or names of people no later than Wednesday, November 3rd, and their names will be read during the All Saint’s Day Sunday worship service. A Festival Sunday in the church liturgy remembers the saints who have gone before us. This Sunday also reminds us of a teaching of Martin Luther that we are both a sinner and a saint at the same time. He taught we are “sinners with a forgiven past, and saints with a promised future.” Please reach out to Pastor Doug for any questions.
Faith Hats/Gloves Donation Drive
Faith is currently collecting hats and gloves for the almost 7,000 Afghan refugees that are being temporarily housed at Camp Atterbury. Place the items in the designated basket.
Camp Atterbury is full of curious, playful and friendly children. 40 percent of the Afghans there are ages 14 or younger. Ten babies have been born since Sept 2nd when they started arriving. Multiple organizations are assisting with various donations, but the number of refugees who came here with “nothing” need our help too.
The current top priority is winter clothing - gloves, stocking caps, hats, etc. for all ages, but especially the children who will want to be outside playing as it gets colder. Camp Atterbury is asking for all items to be new items.
We will collect these items at the church and deliver them to the Danville National Guard Armory by mid-November to be distributed at Camp Atterbury. We will be collecting these items through Sunday, November 14th. If you have any questions, reach out to Sara Curry or Janice Lee.
Pastor’s Office Hours
Just a reminder that Pastor Doug’s office hours are as follows: (Please keep in mind they are subject to change)
Faith: 9am - 12pm Wednesdays
St. Andrew’s: 9am - 12pm Thursdays
Adult Forum
Adult Forum started back up on September 12th at 10:15 a.m. Everyone is invited! Please see Debbie Hacker for additional information.
Wednesday night Zoom/Virtual Bible Study
Weekday Zoom Bible Study led by Pastor Doug began on September 8th at 7 p.m. Ask PD for any questions. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND INVITED! Each week we will study the Bible lessons for the coming Sunday. These are also printed in the newsletter and announcements! Please join us!
Friendship Bible Study
Friendship Bible Study is continuing every Tuesday at 7pm via Zoom. Please see Pastor Doug for more details!
Faith Formation
All are welcome! We will see you on Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm via Zoom! Zoom link is sent out with the Sunday morning email. Contact Pastor for details.
Food Pantry Dates
The November food pantries will be held on Friday, November 5th from 5 -7 p.m., and Saturday, November 20th from 9 - 11 a.m. We ask you to please prayerfully consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. All hands are welcomed and needed!
Fellowship
Hi Everyone! Thank you to everyone who is on the volunteer list for Coffee Fellowship. If you are not currently signed up as a volunteer, but would like to be or have any questions about Coffee Fellowship, please feel free to email the church email at: flc.avon@att.net to be included or with any questions! We invite EVERYONE to stay each week to enjoy goodies and fellowship with one another!
Nikki Lee
First Sunday of Advent
November 28th, 2021 begins the 4 week period of waiting, praying, and looking forward to the Babe born in the manger on Christmas. Advent is a time of waiting, the liturgical colors turn to blue and we wait. Many families and individuals have Advent Calendars or Wreaths uses to countdown the season. The church office will provide devotionals and those will be used to guide our Wednesday evening services on Dec. 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd at 7 p.m. Listen and watch for more information as we anticipate these services.
Hymn History with Douglas featuring “Count Your Blessings” (1897)
It is impossible to be thankful an grumpy, cantankerous, critical, or ill-tempered at the same time. That is a lesson that Johnson Oatman wanted to teach young people in his song, “Count Your Blessings.”
Johnson was born in New Jersey just before the Civil War. His father had a powerful voice, which some people claimed was the best singing voice in the East. That is why, as a boy, Johnson, Jr., always wanted to stand beside his father in church.
When Johnson became a young man, he stood alongside his father in another way; he became a partner in Johnson Oatman & Son, his father’s mercantile business. At age 19, Johnson joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and was ordained into the ministry. He often preached, but Johnson never entered the fulltime pastorate because he enjoyed the business world and found it paid his bills, giving him freedom to minister without cost.
In 1892, with his father’s voice undoubtedly ringing in his memory, Johnson began writing hymns. He averaged 200 hymns and gospel songs per year - 5,000 during his lifetime, among them: “Higher Ground”, “No, Not One”, “The Last Mile of the Way”, and this one, “Count Your Blessings”, which was published in a songbook for young people in 1897. It reflected Johnson’s optimistic faith and has been a lesson to many ever since.
Martin Luther wrote in his book, “Table Talk”, “The greater God’s gifts and works, the less they are regarded.” We tend to exhibit a degree of thanksgiving in reverse proportion to the number of blessings we have received. A hungry man is more than thankful for his morsel than a rich man for his heavily laden table. A lonely women in a nursing home will appreciate a visit more than a popular woman with a party thrown in her honor.
If the birds only burst into song once a year, we would all pay close attention. But because they are singing everyday, we scarcely bother to listen. Now is a good time to deliberately thank God for something you have never mentioned in thanksgiving. Count your blessings. Name then one by one.
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
James 1:17
The History of Thanksgiving
According to History.com, “In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.”
“In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers-an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the New World. After a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted 66 days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work of establishing a village at Plymouth.”
“In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as America’s “first Thanksgiving” - although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time - the festival lasted for three days.”
What’s been happening around St. Andrew’s?
There is an array of ministries that are back in action!
On the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, our Mat Making group meets from 12-4pm to make mats for the homeless. This group flattens, cuts, and weaves plastic bags that turn into these pieces of art! Reach out to Jan Smith for more info!
On Tuesday evenings at 7pm, we host Friendship Bible Study on Zoom for a lively group of individuals with special needs. They meet to worship, fellowship, and more! Contact Suzy Henschen for more information!
On the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month you will find a group of volunteers at 25th Street Coin Laundry in Speedway from 4:30 - 6:30pm for our Laundry Ministry. This group pays for patron's’ washers and dryers while also fellowshipping with them. Please reach out to Rose Jones for more information!
On the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month you will also find our Clothing Closet open at church from 4:30-6pm. This closet is stocked with clothes for infants through adults. Please reach out to Pat Tumey at (317) 243-0651 to learn more!
We also have an ongoing partnership with Wheeler Elementary School in Speedway. This past spring and fall we bought bags of fresh produce, protein, and dairy products for about 35 families. Each family walked away with sausage, hamburger, apples, limes, avocados, milk, eggs, cheese, chicken, and more. We will be doing this again just before Thanksgiving to help the 77% of the population at the school that is on free and reduced lunch. The need here is great! To learn more contact Karen Hill!
Thank You Very Much
“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the way of God in Christ Jesus” (1 Th. 5:16)
Thanks to Pastor Chris Wynn for stepping in for Pastor Doug for the Sunday, October 3rd worship service.
Thank you to Ron Graff, Vince Draper, Brian Kochersperger, and Jay Anderson for helping to take care of the property and building.
Thank you to Don Damrow for fixing the bathroom.
Thank you to all of our food pantry volunteers for all you do to help the citizens of our community.
Thank you to Vi Hughes for all of the behind the scenes work she does for the food pantry and scheduling worship assistants.
Thank you to Phil Zillinger for all of his time in testing the water samples, meetings, and work towards getting our water issues resolved.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Our CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held Sunday, December 5th after worship. Note that this may be in-person, via Zoom, etc. Stay tuned for details as we get closer to the date!
Building Security
If you are the last person to leave the building, please lock and alarm the building to protect people and property. If you have any questions, please contact Janice Lee.
November
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
Martha Siemers 11/1
Pastor Doug Givan 11/3
Jennifer Benning 11/8
Judy Vogel 11/8
Gil Sams 11/12
Lindsay Baskicker 11/22
HOMEBOUND
Martha Siemers
Worship Assistants - November 2021
Altar Guild
Asst. Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
November 7
Becky Albaugh
Debbie Hacker
Karen A.
Phil Zillinger
Brian K.
John K.
Jay Anderson
Janice Lee
Mona Etter
Janice Lee
Lee
11/1 - 11/7
Sara Curry - In honor of Jerry’s birthday.
November 14
Becky Albaugh
Debbie Hacker
Phil Zillinger
Willy Frizzell
Teresa K.
Brian K.
Nikki Lee
Jay Anderson
Janice Lee
Debbie Hacker
Curry
11/8 - 11/14
November 21
Becky Albaugh
Debbie Hacker
Jay Anderson
Teresa K.
Karen A.
John K.
Lori W. Becker
Gil/Joyce Sams
Sara Curry
Karen A.
Albaugh
11/15 - 11/21
November 28
Becky Albaugh
Debbie Hacker
Lori W. Becker
Sara Curry
Willy Frizzell
Kevin Westwick
Janice Lee
Julie Muncy
Vi Hughes
Phil Zillinger
Hacker
11/22 - 11/28
Daily Readings & Devotions
Monday, November 1
Tuesday, November 2
Wed., November 3
Thursday, November 4
Friday, November 5
Saturday, November 6
Sunday, November 7
Monday, November 8
Tuesday, November 9
Wed., November 10
Thursday, November 11
Friday, November 12
Saturday, November 13
Sunday, November 14
Monday, November 15
Romans 1:17-21; 13:8-10
Acts 7:17-29
Micah 6:1-8
Romans 5:6-11
Deuteronomy 15:1-11
Mark 11:12-14; 20-24
John 11:32-44
Ruth 1:1-22
Psalm 94:12-19
Luke 4:16-30
1 Timothy 6:17-21
Colossians 2:6-15
Mark 12:1-12
Mark 13:1-8
Psalm 13
Tuesday, November 16
Wed., November 17
Thursday, November 18
Friday, November 19
Saturday, November 20
Sunday, November 21
Monday, November 22
Tuesday, November 23
Wed., November 24
Thursday, November 25
Friday, November 26
Saturday, November 27
Sunday, November 28
Monday, November 29
Tuesday, November 30
Hebrews 10:19-25
Mark 13:9-23
Psalm 93
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37
Psalm 76
Revelation 11:15-19
John 16:25-33
Matthew 6:25-33
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Psalm 25:1-10
Luke 21:25-36
2 Peter 3:13-18
John 1:35-42
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.
Stewardship (G3)
G3 is “Give as God has Given us.”
A Good Day to all of Faith,
This month we will focus on a portion of the saying, ‘Time, Talent and Treasures.’
Treasures: the Month of November is usually a reflective one for us as we reap the bounty of what we have sown in the past growing season. Farmers have a very visual sense of what they have sown and now are harvesting from their fields.
We too are reflecting on the past few months or even the year. And we have a very visual Day - Thanksgiving Day - when we celebrate our Thanks for the bounty, God has given us.
In Pastor Jerry O’Neal’s discussion of Stewardship, he talks about the fact that Giving has not changed, but rather how we give has changed. We do not pass the offering plates but allow givers to drop off their offerings. We have more mailed offerings from those who are Home Bound for Worship.
The electronic giving has changed to Vanco.
Vanco, which utilizes the GIVEPLUS+ Mobile app to make donations to church, is ending its use of the GIVEPLUS+ Mobile app on September 30th. They are switching to their new Vanco Mobile app (WHICH IS FREE). If you currently use the GIVEPLUS+ Mobile app to make donations online, you should be receiving an email from them in the next couple of weeks. Your current GIVEPLUS+ sign in information will be the same for the Vanco app, and if you have recurring gifts set up, they will continue to be made as scheduled.
Faith would also like to transition current direct deposit members to the new Vanco Mobile App or the Vanco Website accessible via Faith’s website) by the end of the year.
For more information or assistance making this transaction - please contact Brian Kochersperger.
Reflection Questions:
Have you been praying about increasing your annual gift to the church?
How can you give of your time this coming year?
What ministry do you want to continue at Faith?
I look forward to talking about how we can share our abundance going forward on our path to serving others.
Thank you,
Debbie Hacker
Stewardship Coordinator.
Faith Financials
September 2021 Offerings
Account Name
Budget Giving
Building Fund
Food Pantry
Garden of Faith
St. Andrew’s
August Total
Amount
$10,504.94
$50.00
$278.40
$38.40
$1,661.62
$12,533.36
In the spirit of giving, we thank you for your generosity!
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 9/1/2021
$47,482.75
-$1,535.57
$28,349.62
$6,912.73
$12,340.34
$2,054.37
$820.34
$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
$401.03
$377.09
$12,309.73
$115,101.46
Deposits Month of Sept. 2021
$10,504.94
$1,661.62
$2.15
$50.00
$278.40
$0.08
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$38.40
$ -
$4.93
$12,540.52
Disbursement Month of Sept. 2021
$12,266.07
$4,420.34
$ -
$ -
$506.84
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$23,574.75
Ending Balance 9/30/2021
$45,721.62
-$4,294.29
$28,351.77
$6,962.73
$12,111.90
$2,054.45
$820.34
$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
$439.43
$377.09
$12,314.66
$110,448.73
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: Donna Brown (cancer patient-friend of Sara Curry), For a special intention, Masako Knight and family (health concerns), Jim Boyd (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, 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: Douglas Perez, Maddie Anderson, Matthew Benning, Lauren and Lindsay Basicker, All students navigating their “new normals”
Military Service Members: All Service Men and Women fighting for our freedoms
Current Events:
Continued Covid-19 struggles and Peace for our troubled world
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.