May 2022 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Friends:
My mother, Judy, passed away in 2014. She had lung cancer, a stroke, and had generally declined in health in the year leading up to her death.
She was such an encouragement, and with a great sense of humor! (I get my sense of humor from her!) Her loss has had a great impact on my life and I miss her everyday.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month, celebrate your mother, alive or not! She was human, a sinner. But worthy of forgiveness, love and good memories.
God bless all our Mother’s and Grandma’s! May you love your kids as God loves us…always and forever! Happy Mother’s day!
Pastor Doug
Worship Time Change:
May 1st - Don’t forget worship service time changes!
Faith - 9 am
St. Andrew’s - 11 am
Council Thoughts
“Many” years ago, I was presented for baptism at 711 by my parents. As I reflect on being a mom for the last 32 years (where has time gone), I remember David and I presenting Andrea and Nikki for their respective baptisms at 711 too. With our practice of baptism, comes cleansing, renewal, and a promise of a future with our Lord and Savior. As water is vital to our existence, our relationship with God is also vital to our existence. Throughout life, we all need to step back and reflect on the true meaning of life and all its opportunities. Faith can be a door to provide grace and hope for everyone. Just as baptism provides renewal of life, Faith can offer a place to welcome a family member, a neighbor, co-worker, or a stranger to worship, fellowship, and rejoice in new beginnings.
Janice Lee, Council President
Council Meeting Highlights - April 2022
Julie M provided an update on Pastor Doug’s Installation Service Planning efforts
Council is moving forward on interviewing for the Church Admin position to replace Nikki Lee who has a full-time job now
Gil and Joyce Sams will be the delegates to attend the Synod Assembly
Council will be revisiting the Church Master Plan for the property and activities
Karen Anderson is planning for our Anniversary Celebration
Pastor Doug’s Installation
You are cordially invited to attend the Installation Service for Pastor Doug Givan on Sunday, May 22nd at 10am at the Hendricks County Fairground Expo Hall. This will be celebrated as a joint service with our sister congregation, Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Speedway and Bishop William Gafkjen will preside with a reception to follow.
Please RSVP to: flc.avon@att.net or sign up in the narthex of Faith Lutheran Church.
Note that this celebration will replace our regularly scheduled service on this day. For more information you may contact Julie Muncy.
In-Person Adult Forum Bible Study
In-person Bible Study will resume in September. Please see Debbie Hacker for additional information.
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. The Wednesday night Bible study is studying the Bible lessons for the coming Sunday. 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: We are currently reviewing the book by Max Lucado, Traveling Light”, based on Psalm 23 each Sunday evening, 7 p.m., on Zoom. Reach out to Pastor for information on which passage 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, May 6th, from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 21st 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!
Faith’s 75th Anniversary
Our 75th year is here. We are planning on having a gathering in September, when we will invite our former members and friends. Right now we are looking for your Faith family stories that we would like to share each week. I’ve added a couple of photos from one Christmas play when I had an exhausted angel and a paw chewing camel. They were excited for their brown bag of treats. I remember Ruth Blose and others worked hard on creating those costumes. I am unable to sing ‘This Little Light of Mine’ without thinking of Will Stolz singing it with such enthusiasm. What are some of your stories that you are willing to share - either share or have us read? Please email Karen Anderson (kajalekama@aol.com) and flc.avon@att.net with your stories and contact information for former members and friends.
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
St. Andrew’s Thursday Night Worship
St. Andrew’s will be hosting a Thursday night worship service on Thursday, May 26th at 7 p.m., instead of their Sunday morning worship due to Indianapolis hosting the Indy 500 on May 29th.
History of Mother’s Day
The origin of Mother’s Day as we know it took place in the early 1900’s. A woman named Anna Jarvis started a campaign for an official holiday honoring mother in 1905, the year her own mother died. The first larger-scale celebration of the holiday was in 1908, when Jarvis held a public memorial for her mother in her hometown of Grafton, West Virginia.
Over the next few years, Jarvis pushed to have the holiday officially recognized, and it was celebrated increasingly in more and more states around the U.S. Finally, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making Mother’s Day an official holiday, to take place the second Sunday or May.
Anna Jarvis put Mother’s Day on the calendar as a day dedicated to expressing love and gratitude to mothers, acknowledging the sacrifices women make for their children. That’s why she was determined to keep “Mother’s” a singular possessive, as marked by the apostrophe before the “s.” Each family should celebrate its own mother, so that individual women across the country could feel the love, even in the midst of a broad celebration of motherhood.
History of Memorial Day
According to History.com, Memorial Day was “originally known as Decoration Day, [and] it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries.
“By the late 1860’s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers. Originally, [Memorial Day] honored those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date General Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. The change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.”
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.
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 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” (1830)
In the early 1830’s, Lowell Mason moved to Boston from Savannah, where for sixteen years he had worked in a bank while directing church choirs on the side. In relocating to Boston, he wanted to focus exclusively on his musical interests. He was soon directing three choirs, publishing hymns, compiling a songbook, and trying to get music education into the Boston public schools.
One day in 1832, he bumped into an exhausted Ray Palmer who for years had “burned the candle on both ends,” workings as a clerk in a dry goods store, attending classes at Yale, teaching at a girl’s school in New York City, and preparing for the ministry. Mason now wanted Palmer to write for him, to compose hymns for his projected songbook. Palmer, too tired to produce anything new, hesitatingly opened his little leather journal and showed Mason a poem he had written two years before. It was a personal prayer for renewed zeal and courage, composed in his rented room one night in 1830 when he had felt sick, tired, and lonely.
He later explained that he had wept that winter’s evening upon finishing this poem. “The words for these stanzas were born out of my own soul with very little effort,” he said. “I recall that I wrote the verses with tender emotion. There was not the slightest thought of writing for another eye, least of all writing a hymn for Christian Worship.”
After reading the words, Mason ducked into a nearby store for a piece of paper and hurriedly copied them down. That evening in his studio, he poured over the poem, crafting the perfect tune for it. Shortly after, the two men met again, and Mason told the young man, “Mr. Palmer, you may live many years and do many good things, but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of ‘My Faith Looks Up to Thee.”
Lowell Mason was right. Ray Palmer did go on to do many good things and to write many fine hymns. But he is remembered by posterity for his first hymn, one written before he had even entered the ministry.
“But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may rejoice and be glad also in the revelation of His glory.”
1 Peter 4:13
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 April food pantries.
Thank you to Ron Graff for all he does for the church property.
Thank you to the altar guild ladies for your time in preparing the church for worship every Sunday.
Thank you Becky Albaugh for sharing your gifts with a delicious Agape meal on Maundy Thursday.
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.
May 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
JJ James 5/6
Phil Zillinger 5/10
Vi Hughes 5/17
Karen Anderson 5/27
Jim Justus 5/28
Lou Ann Funk 5/31
ANNIVERSARIES
Jim & Denise Justus 5/1
Dave & Janice Lee 5/7
Ron & Elaine Graff 5/23
HOMEBOUND
Martha Siemers
Worship Assistants - May 2022
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
May 1
Lori W. Becker
Karen A.
Jay Anderson
Brian K.
Kevin W.
Lori W. Becker
Joyce Sams
Mona Etter
Debbie H.
Etter 4/25 - 5/1
May 8
Lori W. Becker
Lori W. Becker
Phil Zillinger
Karen
John K.
Jay Anderson
Nikki Lee
Karen A.
Julie M.
Lee 5/2 - 5/8
May 15
Lori W. Becker
Phil Zillinger
Sara Curry
Willy Frizzell
Kevin W.
Gil Sams
Mona Etter
Sara Curry
Janice Lee
Curry 5/9 - 5/15
May 29
Lori W. Becker
Jay A.
Debbie H.
Teresa K.
John K.
Janice Lee
Becky A.
Vi Hughes
Karen A.
Hacker 5/23 - 5/29
Daily Readings & Devotions
Sunday, May 1
Monday, May 2
Tuesday, May 3
Wednesday, May 4
Thursday, May 5
Friday, May 6
Saturday, May 7
Sunday, May 8
Monday, May 9
Tuesday, May 10
Wednesday, May 11
Thursday, May 12
Friday, May 13
Saturday, May 14
Sunday, May 15
Monday, May 16
John 21:1-19
John 14:8-14
Isaiah 30:18-21
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
Psalm 100
Ezekiel 37:15-28
Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148
Revelation 21:1-6
Acts 1:15-26
John 13:13-35
Psalm 133
Tuesday, May 17
Wednesday, May 18
Thursday, May 19
Friday, May 20
Saturday, May 21
Sunday, May 22
Monday, May 23
Tuesday, May 24
Wednesday, May 25
Thursday, May 26
Friday, May 27
Saturday, May 28
Sunday, May 29
Monday, May 30
Tuesday, May 31
Leviticus 19:9-18
Luke 10:25-28
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10, 22:5
John 5:1-9
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53
Acts 16:16-34
Revelation 22:12-14
John 17:20-26
Psalm 97
Luke 1:39-45
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
March 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 3/1/2022
$43,942.51
$ -
$28,353.92
$7,166.40
$9,264.74
$3,936.54
$650.81
$115.80
$1,895.00
$210.10
$10.00
$526.97
$ -
$1,362.25
$975.00
$ -
$ -
($27.40)
$ -
$ -
$1,091.41
$377.09
$12,339.53
$112,190.57
Deposits 03/2022
$21,288.43
$4,733.81
$1.98
$355.25
$613.99
$98.41
$ -
$ -
$120.00
$ -
$ -
$41.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 9.60
$ -
$4.08
$27,048.42
Disbursement 03/2022
$12,943.66
$4,733.81
$ -
$ -
$2,481.12
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$20,158.59
Ending Balance 3/31/2022
$52,287.28
$ -
$28,355.90
$7,521.65
$7,397.61
$3,936.54
$650.81
$115.80
$1,895.00
$210.00
$10.00
$567.97
$ -
$1,362.25
$975.00
$ -
$ -
($27.40)
$ -
$349.47
$1,101.01
$377.09
$12,343.61
$119,080.40
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: Joyce & Gil Sams & family (death of brother-in-law), Deb Graff (Jay Anderson’s aunt), 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.