March 2024 Newsletter

Mar 2

We love, serve, and gather in Christ.

March Greetings Siblings in Christ!

The two women had been neighbors and friends for years. They both were widowed and their grown children had moved out. They enjoyed the same hobbies, shows and activities. For years they were seen together all over town. Best friends, everyone said. They did all kinds of things together, except church.

The one woman was a member of a local church and would always tell her neighbor friend all about the church and its activities. She would tell her about the Pastor’s latest (incredible) sermon, and she would talk forever about the friends she had at church. She would tell her neighbor, who did not have a church home, all about the latest gossip, activities, and programs.

One Saturday they were gardening out in their yards and the lady who had a church invited her neighbor to come with her to worship the next day. “Come with me”, she said, “and see what I’ve been telling you about, meet my other friends, and meet my Pastor!” She said this excitedly and as she was inviting her best friend, the neighbor began to weep.

Tears covered her face, but as she later stated they were tears of joy! For deep in her heart she had longed to be invited, she longed for a church family! She had always wanted to go, but she wanted her friend to ask her. “Finally, after all these years”, she said, “you have asked me to come with you!” “Of course, I’ll go! I’d love to and thank you for asking!”

Moral of the story? Which neighbor are you?

May the spring sun and the fresh air bring you many blessings as we continue our Lenten journey to the Cross and Easter resurrection!

Pastor Doug

Council Thoughts

2024 Church Council Members

· Kevin Westwick – President

· Teresa Kofodimos – Vice President

· Janice Damrow – Secretary

· Karen Anderson – Financial Secretary

· Sara Curry – At-Large

· Samuel Muncy – At-Large

Council Meeting Highlights - February 2024

April 21st will be the date for the pitch-in/discussion groups.

Daylight Saving Time:

March 10th - Don’t forget to turn your clock forward!

Lenten Schedule

The word has to do with the lengthening of the days as we move on toward Spring and Easter, thanks be to God! Easter will be March 31, 2024. The season marks the 40 days before Easter (The Sundays in Lent don’t count in that 40 number).

Wednesday Schedule

· 6pm soup supper followed by 7pm service.

· Service location will switch from St. Andrews to Faith every other week.

· March 13 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.

· March 6, and March 20 at Faith Lutheran Church.

Holy Thursday, Agape Supper, will be at Faith on March 28, 6pm.

Good Friday service will be at St. Andrews on March 29 at 7pm.

Devotions for Lenten

This Lenten season, the church has provided Lenten devotional booklets. They are on the table in the narthex/lobby and some large print are available. These will formulate the backdrop of our study in Faith Formation on Sunday nights. Pick one up for you and one for a friend!

Wednesday Night Zoom

Weekday Zoom Bible Study will not be held during the month of March due to Lenten season and Holy week. Bible Study will resume Wednesday April 3rd.

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

The next food pantry will be held on Saturday, March 16th from 9-11am. We ask you to please prayerfully consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. All volunteers are welcome and needed!

Fellowship

Mark your calendars! On Sunday, April 21st, Faith will have a fellowship pitch-in lunch after Worship. Bring your favorite dish to share and have faithful discussions groups.

Faith Giving Information

Faithful Faith Members…with the various giving options (traditional envelopes, direct deposit, Vanco Mobile, 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 an email to bkochersperger@foxcontractors.com.

Pastor’s Office Hours

Just a reminder that Pastor Doug’s office hours are as followed (subject to change):

Faith: 11am–2pm Tuesday

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 Vince Draper for shoveling the snow.
●     Thanks to: Phil Zillinger for continually addressing and treating our well issues.
●     Thank you to Ron Graff for all he does for the church property.
●     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. We’d be lost without you all.
●     Thanks to all our Council Members for your continual service, thank you!

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 Kevin Westwick.

March 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

Don Snyder March 14

David Lee March 15

Michelle Becker March 17

Angie Frizzell March 17

Dale Olson March 20

Debbie Hacker March 23

Estelle Boyd March 29

Daily Readings & Devotions

March 1

March 2

March 3

March 4

March 5

March 6

March 7

March 8

March 9

March 10

March 11

March 12

March 13

March 14

March 15

March 16

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

John 2:13-22

1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Hebrews 9:23-28

Psalm 84

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Ephesians 2:1-10

John 3:14-21

Exodus 15:22-27

1 Corinthians 10:6-13

John 8:12-20

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 51:1-12

Hebrews 5:5-10

March 17

March 18

March 19

March 20

March 21

March 22

March 23

March 24

March 25

March 26

March 27

March 28

March 29

March 30

March 31

John 12:20-33

2 Corinthians 3:4-11

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Haggai 2:1-9, 20-23

Philippians 2:1-11

Philippians 2:12-18

Mark 10:32-34, 46-52

Mark 11:1-11

John 12:1-11

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Hebrews 12:1-3

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

John 18:1 — 19:42

Romans 6:3-11

Mark 16:1-8

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 Financial January 2024

Operating Budget

Budget

St. Andrew’s Pastor Comp.

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 Gifts

Property Accounts

Garden of Faith

Garden Shed

Investment Accounts

Endowment Fund

Total of All Accounts

Beginning Balance

$61,141.12

($62.74)

$28,604.74

$10,890.81

$3,687.56

$5,355.39

$920.81

$212.88

$1,732.49

$50.00

$10.00

$ -

$110.00

$1,362.25

$1,725.00

$1,488.79

$377.09

$12,527.10

$130,133.29

Deposits

$12,269.62

$4,688.58

$ -

$200.00

$726.55

$ -

$5.27

$17,890.02

Disbursement

$10,626.07

$4,671.46

$ -

$338.52

$ -

$15,636.05

Ending Balance 3

$62,784.67

($45.62)

$28,604.74

$11,090.81

$4,075.59

$5,355.39

$920.81

$212.88

$1,732.49

$50.00

$10.00

$ -

$110.00

$1,362.25

$1,725.00

$1,488.79

$377.09

$12,532.37

$132,387.26

Respectfully Submitted by: Lori Westwick Becker

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: Gil and Joyce Sams daughter Chris, Bobbie Seitz, Estelle Boyd and family (ongoing support), Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Dan Weaver (Dee Dee Kochersperger’s father).

For special intention, Lou Ann Funk, Carolyn Moench, 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.

Haley Kochersperger