April 2022 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Friends:
I am writing this article as I watch the IU basketball championship game against Wyoming. If they win, they advance. If not, the season is over. It’s a bit nerve-wracking, isn’t it? Have you ever watched a sporting event or maybe a grandchild’s competition and you want them to win so bad! It’s hard on my system, especially at this ridiculous hour to play at almost 10 p.m.!
So, I sit on the edge of my seat, hoping they play well and can win. I have no control, and there is nothing I can do about this game. I have to watch, tolerate commercials, and wait. My mind goes to another game at IU several years ago. It was a championship game, and I had a wedding to perform on a Saturday afternoon. One the way home, about an hour away, I listened to the game on the radio. They won!
I recorded the game on my TV and really enjoyed watching back over the game knowing all along IU had won!! When the opponent scored, or went ahead by a few points, I was at ease and relaxed knowing the final outcome!
Isn’t that the same as life? We also know the final outcome, GOD WINS! You and I can play the game of life, knowing all the while the final outcome. We go to Heaven and live forever with Jesus. Because of Jesus, we win!! Rejoice and be glad because this thought comes to you at Easter! On the 17th we will rejoice and celebrate the Risen Lord. Celebrate this win with me, and let’s operate our lives, and our churches knowing full well the final outcome!
Blessed end of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter!
Pastor Doug
Worship Time Change:
May 1st - Don’t forget service times switch back to 9am!
Council Thoughts
What is it about spring that makes us want to smile and feel alive again after a cold wet winter? Maybe it’s the sun, warmer weather, green grass, and beautiful spring flowers. Having Christ in our lives is like spring. It’s a feeling of warmth, brightness, and beauty. If we open our hearts to hearing and believing His word, we feel a sense of renewal and joy.
As we experience the spring of 2022, we can enjoy life in all His glory and His creations. We can find ways to reach out to one another and rekindle relationships that have taken a step back with the pandemic. We can open our hearts to new relationships in the church, work, and our community. We can take some time enjoying God’s creation in our neighborhoods, parks, and Faith’s blessing of the beautiful 25 acres. Let’s embrace spring, His word, our relationships, and His creation.
Janice Lee, Council President
Council Meeting Highlights - March 2022
Property Lead was discussed
Julie and Janice will come up with a set job description before reposting the position for Administrative Assistant
The choir and adult forum are looking at how our space can be better used
We are looking at how we can shorten the announcements after worship
We are looking for 2 delegates to attend the Synod Assembly this summer
Pastor’s Installation is once again being planned for May
Karen Anderson is once again back to planning for our Anniversary Celebration
Easter Service is in the planning phase
Maundy Thursday Agape Meal will be held at Faith - this will be a joint event with St. Andrews
Maundy Thursday Agape Meal
Come join us in fellowship for a simple meal and service around the cross. The meal and service will be from 6:30pm to approximately 7:30pm on April 14th. To assure that there will be enough food please sign up on the poster at the church with the number of people who will be with you. Hope to see you there!
Holy Week Schedule:
April 14, Agape Supper at Faith Lutheran, Avon. Join your families of faith at Faith, 6:30pm for a wonderful meal with an informal worship service and Holy Communion as part of the evening.
April 15, Good Friday Service at St. Andrew’s at NOON for both churches and families. There will also be a Speedway Community service at 7:00pm at John Knox Presbyterian church!
April 17, Easter Festival of the Resurrection - Join in on the celebration of the Easter joy of the resurrection!
7am - Sunrise Worship at Faith
9am - St. Andrews
11am - Faith
In-Person Adult Forum Bible Study
In-person Bible Study will resume once we return to in-person services Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is invited! Please see Debbie Hacker for additional information.
Virtual Lent Discussion/Wednesday Night Zoom
Weekday Zoom Bible Study is led by Pastor Doug on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. Ask PD for any questions. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND INVITED! Each week the Zoom link is sent out Wednesday mornings. During Lent, March 9 to April 13, FF is studying the book “Understanding Spiritual Gifts.” Come join the conversation. You will be glad you did.
Friendship Bible Study
Friendship Bible Study is continuing every Tuesday at 7pm via Zoom! Please email Janice Damrow for more details!
Faith Formation / Sunday Evening Zoom
Faith Formation: During Lent, March 9 to April 13, FF is studying the book “Understanding Spiritual Gifts,” each Sunday evening, 7 p.m., on Zoom. Reach out to the Pastor for information on which passages specifically, or just join and “wing it!” All are welcome! The Zoom link is sent out with the Sunday morning email.
Food Pantry Date
The next food pantries will be held on Friday, April 1st, from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, April 16th 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 to be scheduled 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
Do You Have 3 Days For God?
The Via de Cristo is Spanish for “Way of Christ” and is a 3 day Christian retreat.
I’m serving on a Co-Ed Weekend April 28 - May 1 (as are Mark and Denise Hollman from St. Andrew’s). I want you to come with us and get away with God!
The weekend is structured around listening to talks on Christian life, worship, fellowship, and great food! Come and enjoy, ask me questions. There is no cost and we will get you a ride to the facility that day!
Prayerfully consider this great change to (safely) enjoy the weekend!
Visit www.inkyvdc.org for more info!
Pastor Doug
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. Envelopes are in! If you would like your envelopes, contact Brian Kochersperger to make arrangements.
HVAC Cost/Donation Update
Our new HVAC system that was installed last August has gotten us through the winter. Thank you to all, who have donated to our new system. The cost, though, is still putting a strain on our operating budget, so any additional help would be most appreciated.
Cost of equipment: $6,815
Donations through February 2022: $4,315
Difference: $2,500
Vanco Mobile App Information
We’ve been telling you for a while that Vanco Mobile is replacing your church’s GivePlus Mobile app. To help members transition to Vanco Mobile, we built a webpage with all the details showing you how to start using the new app. Visit this page today! (Remember, GivePlus will stop working on April 30th.)
Hymn History with Douglas featuring “The Old Rugged Cross” (1913)
George Beverly Shea recalls seeing George Bennard, author of this hymn, many times at Winona Lake Bible Conference in Indiana. “Though a preacher - a good one - he would sometimes sing,” wrote Mr. Shea. “His voice was not trained or out of the ordinary, but he had a great feeling and expression and could really put over any hymn. I remember how moved I was the first time I heard him sing his own ‘The Old Rugged Cross…’ What a distinguished looking man - slight of build, short, with glasses, the most memorable thing about him was his long, white hair.”
George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, shortly after the end of the Civil War. His father, a coal miner, moved his family to Iowa, and there George came to Christ through the ministry of the Salvation Army. He felt impressed to train for the ministry, but his plans were disrupted when his father’s death left him responsible for his mother and sisters. He was sixteen years old. Instead of theological school, he worked by day and devoted his spare time to books. Eventually George’s obligations lessened, and he was able to move to Chicago, marry, and begin in ministry with the Salvation Army. Later he was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal Church and became a traveling evangelist.
On one occasion, after a difficult season of ministry, George realized he needed to better understand the power of the Cross of Christ. He later said, “I was praying for a full understanding of the Cross…I read and studied and prayed…The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol…It was like seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form, and act out the meaning of redemption. While watching this scene with my mind’s eye, the theme of the song came to me.”
It took several months for the words to formulate in his mind. As he preached through the Midwest, George would carry the words with him, working on them, polishing them, and sometimes singing them in his meetings. It always struck a chord with his audiences. At last, his hymn finished, George went to the home of his friends, Reverend and Mrs. L.O. Boswick, and sang it for them. After the last note, he looked at them and asked, “Will it do?” The Boswicks were so moved that they helped pay the fees to have it printed, and it soon began appearing in the hymnbooks across America.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
Garden of Faith Fun
Have you been dreaming of warmer weather? Spring flowers? Fresh vegetables that you have grown yourself? Now is your chance to plan! Spring is just around the corner and there are raised garden beds waiting for you in our Garden of Faith!
I will weed the raised garden beds the first time and then you can start planting flowers and vegetables.
Let Lori Westwick Becker know if you are interested, or have questions, in a raised bed for your planting, your produce, and your pleasure!
Call or text: (317) 908-3317 Email: lkwb29@gmail.com
Pastor’s Office Hours
Just a reminder that Pastor Doug’s office hours are as follows (but are subject to change):
Faith: 9am - 12pm 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)
Thank you to everyone who helped with our March food pantries.
Thank you to all of our worship assistants.
Thank you to Jim Orebaugh for creating the worship slides each week.
Thank you to Vi Hughes for working behind the scenes for worship assistant scheduling and food pantry data.
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 Janice Lee.
April 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
Leigh Anderson 4/5
Teresa Kofodimos 4/5
Nikki Lee 4/6
Kevin Westwick 4/6
Julie Muncy 4/9
Isabelle Knaflich 4/19
Zach Thomas 4/23
ANNIVERSARIES
Steve & Debbie Hacker 4/11
HOMEBOUND
Martha Siemers
Worship Assistants - April 2022
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
April 3
Christine N.
Jay Anderson
Debbie H.
Brian K.
John K.
Matthew B.
Elaine G.
Julie M.
Janice L.
Lee 3/28 - 4/3
April 10
Christine N.
Samuel M.
Teresa K.
Willy F.
Kevin W.
Janice L.
Julie M.
Joyce S.
Becky Al.
Curry 4/3 - 4/10
April 17
Christine N.
Briank K.
Willy F.
Teresa K.
John K.
Ron G.
Janice L.
N/A
Kevin W.
Albaugh 4/11 - 4/17
April 24
Christine N.
Phil Z.
Brian K.
Karen A.
Kevin W.
Nikki L.
Gil S.
Janice L.
Phil Z.
Hacker 4/18 - 4/24
Daily Readings & Devotions
Friday, April 1
Saturday, April 2
Sunday, April 3
Monday, April 4
Tuesday, April 5
Wednesday, April 6
Thursday, April 7
Friday, April 8
Saturday, April 9
Sunday, April 10
Monday, April 11
Tuesday, April 12
Wednesday, April 13
Thursday, April 14
Friday,April 15
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
Psalm 26:5-11
John 12:20-38
Hebrews 12:1-3
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 19:28-40
Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-7, 31b-35
Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
Saturday, April 16
Sunday, April 17
Monday, April 18
Tuesday, April 19
Wednesday, April 20
Thursday, April 21
Friday, April 22
Saturday, April 23
Sunday, April 24
Monday, April 25
Tuesday, April 26
Wednesday, April 27
Thursday, April 28
Friday, April 29
Saturday, April 30
Romans 6:3-11
John 20:1-18
Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 118:14-29
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31
Mark 1:1-15
Psalm 150
Luke 12:4-12
Acts 9:1-6
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
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
February 2022
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
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 2/1/2022
$46,055.89
($1,657.01)
$28,353.92
$7,166.40
$7,197.68
$3,936.54
$650.81
$115.80
$1,775.00
$213.29
$10.00
$570.00
$296.00
$1,142.25
$975.00
$80.00
$ -
($27.40)
$138.91
$349.47
$603.03
$377.09
$12,334.91
$109,757.58
Deposits 02/2022
$9,827.09
$6,182.54
$ -
$ -
$2,318.58
$98.41
$ -
$ -
$120.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$120.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$488.38
$ -
$4.62
$19,061.21
Disbursement 02/2022
$10,810.47
$4,525.53
$ -
$ -
$251.52
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$3.29
$ -
$43.03
$296.00
$ -
$ -
$80.00
$ -
$ -
($138.91)
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$16,492.22
Ending Balance 2/28/2022
$44,072.51
$ -
$28,353.92
$7,166.40
$9,264.74
$3,936.54
$650.81
$115.80
$1,895.00
$213.29
$10.00
$526.97
$ -
$1,362.25
$975.00
$ -
$ -
($27.40)
$ -
$349.47
$1,091.41
$377.09
$12,334.91
$112,320.57
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
Continued Prayers: Debbie Mohr and Family (loss of Brother-in-law), Damrow Family (loss of nephew), Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Vince Draper, Jodi Draper, Brian Kochersperger’s mom, Karen Anderson and family, Donna Brown (cancer patient-friend of Sara Curry), For special intention, Masako Knight and family (health concerns), Jim Boyd (health concerns), Chris Burgan (daughter of Joyce and Gil Sams), Lou Ann Funk, Carolyn Moench, 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, Lindsay Basicker, and all students in Avon!
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.