July 2023 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Dear Friends:
A friend recently told me about something that really helped him with his own back and sleeping issues! He said he got a “body pillow!” I hadn’t heard of this phenomenon and decided to investigate. And, sure enough, there is a full-length pillow available. They come in all shapes and sizes as you might imagine and can easily be purchased where America shops online!
It is an awesome comfort for sleeping and support! It has helped me tremendously with my back and leg pain and I am thankful for the suggestion! And it leads me to wonder with you, where or what do we do for comfort? When we cannot get to sleep, who do we cling to and hold closely? When burdens add up, fear and anxiety come along and we are stressed on every side. Sometimes we need comfort in the daytime as well as the night.
Jesus knew that about us of course and offers us words of comfort in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all of you who are heavily burdened and exhausted, and I will give you rest! For my burden, and my yoke are light.” Come to Jesus my brothers and sisters in faith. Come to Jesus in the middle of the night, the middle of the day and the middle of life!
And if you happen to know where to get “body pillowcases”, I would be thankful! May God bless you and yours this beautiful month of July. As you travel, remember your church in your giving and prayer. Reach out to me if you, or yours, could use spiritual comfort and support.
Gratefully yours,
Pastor Doug
Council Meeting Highlights - June 2023
Glue sticks are being collected for backpacks for Avon Schools . . . 600 have been collected to date.
Synod Assembly is experimenting with a new 3-year plan for meetings. This year the meeting was online, next year there will be a full meeting in person, and in year 3 there will be no meeting.
Nothing new on the land sale. The farmer has already planted 16 acres of the land in crops.
July 30th will be a joint meeting with St. Andrews at Faith. Nikki Lee and Brian Kochersperger are planning the service for the day.
***We have new teal pens with the correct website address. These are on the table in the entrance. Feel free to take a couple for home or to give to friends.
Wednesday Night Bible Study Zoom
Wednesday night Zoom Bible Study is taking a summer break. There will not be Wednesday night bible study until August 2, 2023.
Faith Formation / Sunday Evening Zoom
Faith Formation: We meet each Sunday evening, 7 p.m., on Zoom. Reach out to 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, July 7, from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 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!
Independence Day
The first Monday in July is Independence Day! The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776 - and thus, America was born. American citizens celebrate America’s birthday with festivals, parades, fireworks, barbeques, fireworks, sparklers, and other festive activities.
We want to thank all our service members (both current and retired) and their families for everything they have done and continue to do for our country. It is an incredible sacrifice. We hope everyone enjoys the holiday with their family.
Donation to Mara Evangelical Church in Indianapolis
Mara Evangelical Church in Indianapolis (MECI) is the Indiana-Kentucky Synod's newest ministry. This faith community was approved by the IK Synod Council as a Synod Authorized Worshiping Community (new start) of the Synod in April 2021. The members of this faith community are refugees from Myanmar. There are approximately 125 members at MECI with many young families and children. Their mother church in Myanmar is Mara Evangelical Church, and this national church body is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, which was the initial connection with the Synod. Their name "Mara'' comes from their location in Myanmar, which is in the region of Maraland. They worship in both the Mara and Burmese languages.
The pastoral leader and mission developer of MECI is Mr. Khai Cho. Mr. Khai is a Synod Authorized Minister (SAM). A SAM is a lay person who is authorized by the Bishop to function as a pastoral leader in a defined location during a defined time period. Mr. Khai is enrolled at Pacific Lutheran Seminary in the TEEM program. TEEM (Theological Education in Emerging Ministry) is a three-year path to ordination in the ELCA. Mr. Khai has also been entranced in the IN-KY Synod candidacy process as he moves toward ordination.
MECI began to look for a building in January 2022. Receiving a loan from the ELCA's Mission Investment Fund enabled them to purchase a building in February 2023. The building was dedicated on April 1, 2023, by Bishop William Gafkjen. The building is located at 418 South Temple Ave., Indianapolis which is inside the 465 loop on the SE side of Indy. Prior to the purchase of the building MECI was renting space in a Baptist church for worship and utilizing space at Bethany Lutheran in Indianapolis for other activities.
Settling into their new church home, they purchased various types of lawn equipment to care for their outdoor space. The night after the first mowing of their lawns, their outside storage building was broken into and all their equipment was stolen. This was not the neighborhood welcome they expected. Unfortunately, because of their deductible, the insurance did not cover this loss. The Synod issued an invitation to participate in an opportunity to show our Synod’s warm welcome by contributing to a fund to help the MECI ministry purchase new lawn equipment, and install security cameras and motion sensor lights. Extra funds received beyond these costs will go toward their first mortgage payments. Faith’s Council voted in May to donate our Advent and Lent offerings – a total of $375 – to this special fund to show our support for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pr. Nancy Nyland sends thanks on behalf of the Synod for our generosity!
Faith Giving Information
Faithful Faith Members...with the various giving options (traditional envelopes, directdeposit, 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.
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 Sara Curry for arranging and taking care of the backpack program for Avon schools.
● Thank you to all the people who helped with funeral dinner for Steve Albaugh.
● Pastor Doug, thank you for all you do, we appreciate you!
● Elizabeth and Debbie, thank you for taking care of the food pantry.
● Thanks to Phil Zillinger for continually addressing and treating our well issues.
● Thank you to Ron Graff and the property team for cutting the grass and outside work.
● 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.
July 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
Vince Draper 7/3
Carolyn Moench 7/3
Tommy Funk 7/8
Sara Curry 7/11
Carol Westwick 7/11
Elizabeth James 7/16
Willy Frizzell 7/17
Pastor’s NEW Office Hours
Please know that I will make every effort to be present in the building for these office hours, you can stop by without an appointment. If I must leave for an emergency or schedule change a note will be on the door. EFFECTIVE WEEK OF 7/10:
Tuesday: Faith 11-1 Thursday: St. Andrews 11-1
Worship Assistants - July 2023
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
July 2
Becky
Debbie H
Karen
Teresa
Brian
John
Phil
Mona
Janice L
Jim
Hacker
July 9
Becky
Debbie H
Jay
Brian
Teresa
John
Samuel
Becky
Nikki
Janice L
Etter
July 16
Becky
Debbie H
Samuel
Karen
Jim
Kevin
Julie
Nikki
Becky
Debbie
Lee
June 23
Becky
Debbie H
Phil
Lori
Brian
Kevin
Ron
Joyce
Julie
Phil
Curry
July 30
Becky
Debbie H
Brian TBD
Jamie Shake
Karen
Kevin
Jay
Janice L
Fellowship Comm
Julie Baker
Albaugh
Daily Readings & Devotions
July 1
July 2
July 3
July 4
July 5
July 6
July 7
July 8
July 9
July 10
July 11
July 12
July 13
July 14
July 15
July 16
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:40-42
John 14:1-7
1 John 4:1-6
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-14
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Romans 1:18-25
Psalm 131
John 13:1-17
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:(1-8) 9-13
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
July 17
July 18
July 19
July 20
July 21
July 22
July 23
July 24
July 25
July 26
July 27
July 28
July 29
July 30
July 31
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
John 20:1-2, 11-18
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Psalm 75
Mark 10:35-45
Matthew 12:15-21
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
1 Kings 3:16-28
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.
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, Judy Vogel, Carol Westwick, Jim and Estelle Boyd.
Continued Prayers: Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Don Damrow, and 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 wo 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: Annika Cahill, Douglas Perez, Maddie Anderson, Matthew Benning, Lindsay 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 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.