February 2025 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Family of Faith:
The other day I was in the dining room of a small restaurant, and there was an “open interview” process happening. The manager was interviewing three people around the dining room, and it wasn’t very crowded. I couldn’t help but hear the questions the manager was asking of the applicants. You and I have been interviewed before and we know those questions!
Eventually this was over after 20-30 minutes and the manager told them they would hear from him in the next day or so. Compare this process with Jesus and the calling of the first disciples we’ve had in this Epiphany season (Mark 1: 14-20). Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee and calls Simon and Andrew and James and John. He simply says, “Follow me” and they drop everything and “immediately” follow the Lord.
It's the same for you and me! No interview needed, no dressing up, Jesus knows your resume’, your qualities and gifts and skills. Jesus also knows your sin, your shortcomings and all the reasons you may tell yourself you are not right for the job! And look what happens, God calls you to follow Jesus in your life and in your church.
What will this look like in February? How is God stirring your heart, mind and soul and the congregations themselves? Because guess what? You and I are hired!! When can we start, asks the Lord. When? And we say, with the disciples and all followers of Jesus…..Immediately!
Pastor Doug
Council Meeting Highlights
We are looking forward to Lent, which will begin on Ash Wednesday, on March 5, with worship at 7pm at St. Andrews, will include our traditional Agape Supper at Faith Lutheran Church on April 27, 2025, and will conclude with Easter on April 20, 2025. Soup suppers will be held on Wednesday nights, alternating between the two church locations.
Do you have a preference for the time of the Christmas Eve service? This year we worshipped at 5pm; in the past we have worshipped at a variety of later times. Please share your opinions with any council member.
Please remember that you can provide DeeDee in the church office with emergency contact information to have available in case Pr. Doug needs to reach your or someone on your behalf in an emergency.
Wednesday night Zoom/Virtual Bible Study
Weekday Zoom Bible Study is led by Pastor Doug on Wednesday nights at 7p. 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.
Lens Sunday Bible Study
LENS Sunday Bible study discusses current issues with the Lesson of the day. We will meet in Pastor's office at 10:20a until 11a.
The current scheduled dates we will meet are:
February 9th
February 23rd
Hope to see anyone who wants to talk about current events in February.
Food Pantry Date
What a great year of sharing Faith's resources of an abundance of food, dedicated volunteers, and donations of food and funds to help hungry people. Most of the clients for Faith's Food Pantry come from Hendricks County, but it is also good to know we served people from 12 different zip codes in 2024.
In 2024, Faith received a grant from the ELCA IN - KY Synod to help provide eggs, protein, dry goods and meat for the clients. Faith's volunteers helped in so many ways. Faith's Food Pantry was blessed with more than 20 different volunteers even some from Massachusetts. Volunteer tasks included:
Attending Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition monthly meetings (attendee organizations receive points toward distributions of cash and food)
Purchasing, picking up, delivering food from Aldi's and Gleaners
Sorting, moving, preparing and inventorying food every month Moving food to and from the shed monthly
Monitoring temperatures in the shed, refrigerator, freezers
Organizing volunteers on monthly Food Pantry Days
The Food Pantry outreach program has been in existence for over 20 years starting at 711 S. High School Road. Today, the program is strong and helping those who are hungry throughout local communities.
Perhaps 2025 will bring new ideas and new ways of helping people in need. One fact is clear...the program exists due to the passion and love for our Lord Jesus Christ by the people of Faith and others who share in our commitment and passion.
The Food Pantry Steering Committee
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 the church office know.
Meet Kaleb Durfee - Music Coordinator
Kaleb Durfee graduated from Fishers High School in 2021 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in piano performance from Butler University. He recently competed in the Jordan College of Arts concerto competition, performing Shostakovich's second piano concerto where he advanced to the final round and received an honorable mention for his performance.
Kaleb is also the principal clarinetist in the Butler Symphony Orchestra, having performed substantial works including Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and The Nutcracker ballets.
Aside from performing, Kaleb loves teaching both piano and clarinet. He is employed through the Butler Community Arts School and teaches students of all ages. Kaleb also enjoys accompanying for instrumental soloists, chamber music groups, and large choral ensembles.
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 Ron Graff for shoveling and salting our sidewalks.
Thank you to Julie Muncy for the in-depth cleaning at church.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up for Darby’s baptism.
Thanks to Nikki Lee for placing the small Jesus figurines around the church! If you want one, there are more in Pastor’s office. Sincere thanks to the ladies who prepare fellowship snacks each Sunday!
Thanks and praise to the Facebook “guys” who record each week: John, Kevin and Brian.
Thanks to all our Council Members for your continual service, thank you!
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.
ANNIVERSARIES
Brian & Deanna Kochersperger 2/21/04
Worship Assistants - February 2025
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
February 2
Becky Albaugh Debbie Hacker
Jim Orebaugh
Janice Damrow
Teresa Kofodimos
Kevin Westwick
Ron Graff
Nikki Lee
Janice Lee
Becky Albaugh
Lee 01.27 - 02.02
February 9
Becky Albaugh Debbie Hacker
Karen Anderson
Jay Anderson
Janice Damrow
John Kofodimos
Julie Muncy
Joyce Sams
Nikki Lee
Debbie Hacker
Albaugh 02.03 - 02.09
February 16
Becky Albaugh Debbie Hacker
Brian K.
Karen Anderson
Jim Orebaugh
Kevin Westwick
Lori W. Becker
Julie Muncy
Vi Hughes
Jim Orebaugh
Hacker 02.10 - 02.16
February 23
Becky Albaugh Debbie Hacker
Lori W. Becker
Teresa Kofodimos
Brian K.
John Kofodimos
Kevin Westwick
Jay Anderson
Karen Anderson
Phil Zillinger
Lee 02.17 - 02.23
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, Carol Westwick, Estelle Boyd, and Judy Vogel
Continued Prayers: Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Bobbie Seitz, and Mona Etter.
For special intention:: Lou Ann Funk, 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: Kaleb Durfee, Maddie Anderson, Matthew Benning, Jacob Benning, Karissa Draper, Scott Brunton, Lily Brunton 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 Timothy Graham
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.