August 2022 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Dear Friends:
Last month, I enjoyed three evenings serving our Lord in the Friendship Summer Gathering at Messiah Lutheran Church, Brownsburg. This is our Friendship Bible study group that has been a part of St. Andrew’s for 25 years! I know Faith has a long history also with the FBS ministry.
I love the beautiful people who take part in this ministry, whom we call “Friends”! These are our friends with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They love without hesitation, they hug, they have so much joy, and they are wonderful Christians who love their Jesus!
On the first night of this Gathering, a young man I’ll call “Bobby”, was so active during the worship service! He began to sing not knowing the words, he hopped up, inhibitions gone and began to dance in the aisle. Shouting and singing! I loved it!!
Do you bring that kind of joy into worship? I sometimes look out at you and wonder. As we come back from summer fun this fall and continue to grow in Christ, bring your joy into worship. Do you feel like raising your hands? Go for it! Want to shout out “Amen!” during the sermon when I make an inspiring point? LOL, go for it! Would you like to be involved in worship planning? Selection of hymns or volunteer with FBS? Just let us know, we’ll plug you in.
Congratulations churches on being a part of this wonderful ministry with our friends. And, may we be like them. Inhibitions gone and worship with all the joy due, our Lord.
Amen,
Pastor Doug
Council Thoughts
When I wake up each morning, I tend to take a quick look on my Facebook page to see if any of my relatives or friends have posted anything I should know to start my day. For those of you who know Don Dudine (Linda’s husband), he posts a beautiful photo almost every morning. It is a picture from his front porch of the sun rising over the Ohio River and the beautiful scenery he is so blessed to see each day. Don adds an inspirational thought as well to start the day out on a positive note. He has inspired me, much like Linda always did, to start each day thinking about how each of us can do something good in the world and look at like’s next steps as opportunities.
We have been blessed at Faith to have people like Don, Linda, Joel, our joke telling and hard worker Ron, and so many others that “see the sun rise” in everything they do. Ron looks at everything in life with rose colored glasses and help others around him do the same… and laugh while doing so. Let’s all find joy and peace in each day and “see the sun rise” over Faith’s land to see what opportunities God has provided for us to share with others.
Blessings to each of you,
Janice Lee,
Faith Council President
Council Meeting Highlights - July 2022
Council discussed the July 31st. Joint Stewardship event. Light brunch refreshments will be served at 9:15 and the service will be at 10am. This service will not be broadcasted.
A concern about the possibility of a financial deficit at the end of the year and the possibility that we will not be able to commit to a raise for Pastor was discussed.
Council will send out the Land Use Survey soon, with the hope that we might be able to work on at least one project this fall.
There was an extensive discussion on food pantry expenses due to the rising prices on food and the higher demand on the food pantry.
If you have any questions, contact a Faith Council member.
Wednesday Night Zoom
Weekday Zoom Bible Study is led by Pastor Doug on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. Ask Pastor Doug if you have 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.
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, August 5th, from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, August 20th 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 anniversary celebration will be on September 18th, following our church service at 11am. We will be having a pitch-in. Please inform your family and invite former members for the celebration. Please look through your photos from church events and share a digital copy so we can pull together a presentation.
National Gathering for Via de Cristo
While on vacation, I enjoyed a 5 day trip to Segune, Texas! This is the home of Texas Lutheran University, where we held our business meetings, worship services, forums and breakout meetings.
Via de Cristo is Spanish for Way of Christ, a three day weekend growing in Christ. Talks about the Christian life, Worship, food and fellowship make up the weekend! Men’s and Women’s weekends are being held this fall. Pleas let Pastor Doug know of your questions and your interest in making your own weekend!
Local website:
www.inkyvdc.org
National website:
www.viadecristo.org
Hymn History with Douglas
“The Lord Bless You and Keep You” (14th Century BC)
The Dead Sea Scrolls were our oldest copies of Biblical text until recently, but in 1979, Villanova professor, Judith Hadley, was assisting archaeologist, Gabriel Barkay, in excavating a site in Jerusalem’s Hinnom Valley. In a burial cave, she saw something resembling the metal cap of a pencil. It was a sensational find, a tiny silver scroll of great antiquity; another was found nearby. These tiny amulets, dating to the Hebrew monarchy seven centuries before Christ, were so small and fragile that they took several years to painstakingly clean and open. When scientist finally unrolled them, they found the world’s oldest extant copy of a Biblical text, the works of Numbers 6:24-26. The LORD bless thee and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee Peace. While the amulets date from the seventh century BC, the original words are far older coming 1400 years before Christ. As the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, the Lord commanded the priests to bless the people with this three-fold blessing. These ancient lyrics have been set to music many times, but never more beautiflly than by Peter Christian Lutkin in his classic tune, BENEDICTION. During the Fanny Crosby/Iran Sankey era of gospel music when so much was written for easy congregational singing, Lutkin wrote more elaborate melodies with a classical flare. Lutkin was born in Wisconsin in 1888 and devoted his life to church music, studying the masters in Europe, excelling in organ, and founding the School of Music at Northwestern Illinois, and he helped start the American Guild of Organists. He died in 1931 and was buried in Rosehill Cemetary in Chicago. In his Notes from My Bible, D.L. Moody said about the priestly blessing of Number 6: “Here is a benediction that can give all the time without being impoverished. Every heart may utter it, every letter may conclude with it, every day may being with it, every night may be sanctified by in. Here is blessing - keeping - singing - the uplifting upon our poor like of all Heaven’s glad morning. It is the Lord Himself who gives us this bar of music from Heaven’s infinite anthem.”
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
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.
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.)
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, Ron Graff and Brian Kochersperger for working very hard to remove the debris pile and sprucing up Faith’s grounds.
Thank you to Ron Graff for all he does for the church property.
Sincere thanks to Nikki Lee, we welcome and give thanks to God for Dee Dee Kochersperger for taking over!
Thanks and praise to the Facebook “guys” who record each week: John, Kevin and Brian. We’d be lost without you all.
Most of all, we give God thanks and praise for Douglas Perez and the many years of playing music and directing our choir. Thank you, Douglas, as we say good-bye this month. We want you to feel welcomed anytime you’re back this way! Especially in about a year when you might be looking for full-time work!!
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.
August 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
Julie Snyder 8/4
Debbie Mohr 8/9
Dee Kochersperger 8/10
Katlyn VanDam 8/11
Jay Anderson 8/18
Elaine Graff 8/19
Ron Graff 8/22
Christine Nitz 8/25
Jim Orebaugh 8/29
ANNIVERSARIES
Dale and Darlene Olson 8/29
Jay and Karen Anderson 8/30
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
Worship Assistants - August 2022
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
August 7
Christine Nitz
Karen Anderson
Brian K.
N/A
Kevin Westsick
Julie Muncy
Jay Anderson
Becky Albaugh
Jim Orebaugh
Etter 8/1 - 8/7
Kochersperger
August 14
Christine Nitz
Jay Anderson
Phil Zillinger
N/A
Brian K.
Kevin Westwick
Nikki Lee
Janice Lee
Becky Albaugh
Lee 8/8 - 8/14
August 21
Christine Nitz
Brian K.
Teresa Kofodimos
N/A
John Kofodimos
Phil Zillinger
Janice Lee
Karen Anderson
Debbie Hacker
Albaugh 8/15 - 8/21
August 28
Chrisine Nitz
Jim Orebaugh
Jay Anderson
N/A
John Kofodimos
Janice Lee
Elaine Graff
Jodi Draper
Phil Zillinger
Hacker 8/22 - 8/28
Daily Readings & Devotions
Monday, August 1
Tuesday, August 2
Wednesday, August 3
Thursday, August 4
Friday, August 5
Saturday, August 6
Sunday, August 7
Monday, August 8
Tuesday, August 9
Wednesday, August 10
Thursday, August 11
Friday, August 12
Saturday, August 13
Sunday, August 14
Monday, August 15
Tuesday, August 16
Psalm 127
Colossians 4:2-6
Luke 12:22-31
Genesis 15:1-6
Psalm 33:12-22
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Luke 12:32-40
Psalm 89:1-18
2 Chronicles 34:22-33
Jeremiah 33:14-26
Jeremiah 23:23-29
Psalm 82
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-55
Luke 1:46-55
Psalm 32
Wednesday, August 17
Thursday, August 18
Friday, August 19
Saturday, August 20
Sunday, August 21
Monday, August 22
Tuesday, August 23
Wednesday, August 24
Thursday, August 25
Friday, August 26
Saturday, August 27
Sunday, August 28
Monday, August 29
Tuesday, August 30
Wednesday, August 31
Luke 19:45-55
Isaiah 58:9b-14
Psalm 103:1-8
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
Hebrews 3:7-19
Psalm 109:21-31
John 1:43-51
Proverbs 25:6-7
Psalm 112
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Hebrews 13:7-21
Isaiah 2:12-17
Luke 14:15-24
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
May 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 6/1/2022
$50737.90
$0.02
$28,355.90
$7,901.65
$4782.88
$4036.82
$650.81
$51.40
$1,895.00
$210.00
$10.00
$752.97
$ -
$1,362.25
$975.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$1177.81
$377.09
$12351.66
$115629.16
Deposits
$9475.49
$4494.53
$ 2.12
$100.00
$76.96
$49.81
$ -
$ 83.40
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 48.00
$ -
$3.96
$14334.27
Disbursement
$11730.95
$4584.53
$ -
$ -
$2592.10
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 350.73
$ -
$ -
$ 752.97
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$20011.28
Ending Balance 6/30/2022
$48482.44
$(89.98)
$28,358.02
$8001.65
$2267.74
$4086.63
$650.81
$134.80
$1544.27
$210.00
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$1,362.25
$975.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$1225.81
$377.09
$12355.62
$109952.15
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: Estelle Boyd, Janice Damrow (recovering from knee surgery), Deb Graff (Jay Anderson’s aunt), Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Vince Draper, Jodi Draper, Brian Kochersperger’s mom, Donna Brown (cancer patient-friend of Sara Curry); For special intention, Masako Knight (health concerns), 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), Dan Weaver (father of Dee Dee Kochersperger); 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: 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.