February 2023 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Family of Faith:
I write these columns for the newsletter several weeks before the month! It’s always hard, like in this case, to sit in mid-January and think of something to say about February! This is an “odd” month, February. It’s pronounced differently than spelled with the silent “r” at the beginning. We have Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, the Super Bowl, and this year Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. To me, February is also the gateway to Spring! We are almost there to warmer, sunny weather even in this often dark and dreary month!!
This year of 2023, February will have 28 days. What about those who have birthdays on Feb. 29th? What are we going to do with February, (LOL). Like it or not, understand the month or not, here she is full of joy and thanksgiving.
We put the “love theme” front and center in February because of Valentine’s Day, and pink and red are the colors. I remember in elementary school making our Valentine sacks to tape to the front of our desk. We would make these handmade Valentine cards to one another and walk around and put them in the respective bags. I was always nervous if I would get a Valentine card from classmates!
This month our Lenten journey begins. I know we all wrestle with that age old question of what to give up for the season of Lent. Some give up candy, chocolate, caffeine, and the like. When I was in Seminary, a professor/Pastor gave a sermon on Ash Wednesday. Rather than focus on giving anything up for Lent, she urged us to take something on! Take on more time in Bible study/reading, take on more time in service to others or making sure to attend each Wednesday night gathering.
Either way you go on giving up or taking on something for Lent seek God’s heart. Pray about this Lenten season and sense how God is leading you. Remember Paul’s words to us in Philippians 4: “Rejoice in the Lord always…the Lord is at hand. Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication (requests) with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4: 4-7).
May God’s peace guide us all this February and into our Lenten journeys,
Pastor Doug
Council Meeting Highlights - January 2023
Our budget is already falling behind – Our surplus fund is depleting quickly and needs to be watched closely.
Lenten Schedule: Ash Wednesday service at St. Andrews, Wednesday services will alternate between the two churches, Maundy Thursday Agape Dinner at Faith, Good Friday service at St. Andrews and Easter services as usual.
Faith Expansion Committee being formed – this group will be looking into different ways Faith can expand overall.
Annual Meeting will be February 19 following worship service.
Wednesday night Zoom/Virtual Bible Study
Weekday Zoom Bible Study is led by Pastor Doug on Wednesday nights at 7 pm. Ask Pastor Doug if you have any questions. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND INVITED! Each week the Zoom link is sent out on Wednesday. The Wednesday night Bible study is studying the Bible lessons for the coming Sunday. Come join the conversation.
Friendship Bible Study
Friendship Bible Study meets every Tuesday at 7 pm at St. Andrew’s. Both congregations are invited to attend. You are welcome to join and if you have any questions, please ask Pastor Doug.
Faith Formation / Sunday Evening Zoom
Faith Formation: We meet each Sunday evening, 7 pm, on Zoom. Faith Formation invites members of both churches who have never joined in, to come and see what's happening! This is a fun, lighthearted look at our faith journey. The Zoom link is sent out with the Sunday morning email.
Food Pantry Date
Greetings and God's Blessings.
We have received food donations from the Summers Plumbing, Heating and Cooling company. It was enough to stock most of the shelves! The Hendricks Food Pantry Coalition also bought food for the pantries. God is Great!
We served 141 families or 602 individuals for the month of January!
Thank You to all the volunteered and to all that donate to support the food pantry. The clients are so grateful for the food they receive.
I do not know what this year will bring but with the congregation support we will do the best we can. Thank you for supporting the food pantry.
Gods Blessings to all.
Debbie Mohr
The next food pantries will be held on Friday, February 3rd, from 5-7pm and Saturday, February 18th from 9-11am. We ask you to please prayerfully consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. All volunteers are welcome and needed!
Faith Giving Information
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.
Pastor’s Office Hour
Just a reminder that Pastor Doug’s office hours are as followed (but are subject to change):
Faith: 12pm -4pm Wednesdays
St. Andrew’s: 9am - 12pm Thursdays
Thank You Very Much
“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the way of God in Christ Jesus” (1 Th. 5:16)
Our budget is already falling behind – Our surplus fund is depleting quickly and needs to be watched closely.
Lenten Schedule: Ash Wednesday service at St. Andrews, Wednesday services will alternate between the two churches, Maundy Thursday Agape Dinner at Faith, Good Friday service at St. Andrews and Easter services as usual.
Faith Expansion Committee being formed – this group will be looking into different ways Faith can expand overall.
Annual Meeting will be February 19 following worship service.
Building Security
If you are the last person to leave the building, please check the list on the alarm, lock, alarm the building, and check the doors to protect people and property. If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Kofodimos.
February 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
Julie Thomas 2/19
Maggie Miller 2/26
ANNIVERSARIES
Brian & Deanna Kochersperger 2/21/04
Worship Assistants - February 2023
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
February 5
Mona Etter
Karen Anderson
Jay Anderson
Teresa Kofodimos
John Kofodimos
Phil Zillinger
Elaine Graff
Becky Albaugh
Jim Orebaugh
Lee 1/30 – 2/5
February 12
Mona Etter
Jay Anderson
Sara Curry
Karen Anderson
Kevin Westwick
Ron Graff
Janice Lee
Mona Etter
Phil Zillinger
Albaugh 2/6–2/12
February 19
Mona Etter
Phil Zillinger
Jim Orebaugh
Brian K.
John Kofodimos
Janice Lee
Gil Sams
Vi Hughes
Becky Albaugh
Hacker 2/13 – 2/19
February 26
Mona Etter
Lori W. Becker
Brian K.
Jim Orebaugh
Kevin Westwick
Nikki Lee
Jay Anderson
Joyce Sams
Karen Anderson
Etter 2/20 – 2/26
Faith Financials
December 2022 Offerings
Account Name
Budget Giving
Building Fund
Food Pantry
Garden of Faith
Misc.
St. Andrew’s
Amount
$8,440.46
$ -
$1,746.25
$ -
$135.00
$4,519.57
In the spirit of giving, we thank you for your generosity!
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: 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), Dan Weaver (Dee Dee Kochersperger’s father).
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); 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.