September 2022 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Change is in the air as we one again change the times of worship services, and welcome in the fall season.
Over the summer in our scorching heat, I more than once talked about living somewhere else!! Maybe San Francisco where I hear it's around 70 degrees all year! Friends were on a recent trip to Iceland and Greenland, maybe that would be better! Certainly colder.
But, alas, I would miss our changing seasons. I love these September days of warm afternoons and cooler evenings in Indiana. I love the cooler temps that are coming, and the Holiday season. Who doesn't live here and love Spring and the Easter season of rebirth!!
Again, I remind us in this ever changing world, life, and church of the Word of God in Hebrews 13:8 :
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!!
And all God's people said "Amen!"
Enjoy the beauty of these days,
See you Sunday,
Pastor Doug
Council Thoughts
Can you believe it is already September of 2022?! Faith began the journey 75 years ago! There are some days I wish time stood still and others I wish the day would fly by. There is something to be said about taking one day at a time and making the best of each and every day. When Sunday comes, I get excited to see my Faith family. When one or more are missing, I miss those people. I know many feel the same way. Each and every one of Faith’s family members are important. We share beliefs in our love for Christ and our love for our Faith family. We break bread together at communion and during fellowship…in two different ways. I love looking around at fellowship time and seeing people talking, laughing, solving the world’s problems, and getting to know each other even better than the week before while eating some wonderful goodies. Maybe you want to come out and spend some time checking out the garden or the trail Ron Graff has cleared for us to explore. When we bought this beautiful 35 acres, God seem to be present throughout the entire process. Through our latest experience, we are discovering His presence as well and we can share this land with youth who want to learn about the land and some of the unique experiences. From various types of trees to a wetland, the land has things to offer youth to learn about. Our garden is producing beautiful zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sunflowers! Our gardeners have been sharing with our food pantry clients. Our trees near the garden are a haven for turkeys and deer (and probably a few other of God’s creatures we may not want to know about). Together we can build our prayer/memorial garden with benches, a cross, flowers, and incorporate Faith’s special bell donated by one of Faith’s families many years ago. Many have dreamed about this place to sit and enjoy a quiet space with God and a space we can share with the community. Let me know if you are interested in making this dream come true.
Blessings to each of you,
Janice Lee
Faith Council President
Council Meeting Highlights - August 2022
Karen Anderson joined the meeting to give details for the September 75th Anniversary celebration event.
Annika Cahill has been hired to be our new music coordinator.
Food Pantry is operating with a deficit at the present and needs additional funds.
The DNR believes that our problem with our water is due to the drought conditions we have been experiencing. The well and building pipes will need to be disinfected with bleach again.
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.
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
I want to say Thank You to all the volunteers that have helped with the food pantry. As of today (08/20/2022) we have served 715 families or 2,771 individuals. We still have 4 more months to go! The garden has helped with produce and the pickups with bakery and Deli items.
The pantry's budget is down to $11.59. We have enough food for the September 02, 2022 food pantry. I know we had a nice budget at the end of last year. Due to rising food costs and lack of being able to buy in bulk, the money went to Aldi's and Walmart for the best deals.
I am asking the congregation to give to the food pantry to continue this mission. The community needs the food pantry and depend on our help. If you cannot help with money, we could use hard to find items to stock the shelves. A list will be posted later.
Thank You for your support for the food pantry.
God Bless All
Debbie Mohr
The next food pantries will be held on Friday, September 2, from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, September 17, 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.
New Music Director
Annika Cahill is from Scobey Montana. She has been playing piano for over fifteen years. Annika just moved to the area to pursue a Masters in Piano Pedagogy from Butler University. She grew up Lutheran and her parents are still active members of the church in Scobey. Other than piano, Annika’s interests include; spending time outside and hanging out with friends! She is very excited to spend the coming year at Faith and to get to know the congregation!
Update from Douglas
Hello, everyone! I made it safely to Winston-Salem, NC, and I already absolutely love it! I’ve been getting settled into my house, organizing all my stuff – mostly books and sheet music, setting up my class schedule, and spending time with new friends. It has been refreshing to spend time with so many talented musicians from the conservatory before we all jump into classes, lessons, rehearsals, and performances! I’m starting the semester off on Monday, August 21st, with an 8:00 AM German class. As I am not a morning person, prayers are appreciated! Despite all the excitement of this next chapter of my life, I miss Indianapolis and being with you all every Sunday. It’s been strange the past couple Sundays to not make my trek to Avon to spend time with you all and to play for our worship services, but I’m thankful to have the option to still tune in to Faith virtually when I can. I am so excited for you all to meet Annika as she steps into my position in September! She is a wonderful person and talented musician, and I’m sure you all will love her. Per Pastor Doug’s request, here is my new address:
Douglas Perez
1040 Melrose Street
Winson-Salem, NC 27103
I would love to stay in contact; feel free to write, send an email (depmusic@yahoo.com), or add me on Facebook! Thank you all for blessing me with your kind words of encouragement and appreciation during the last four years.
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: Phil Zillinger and Vince Draper for 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.
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.
September 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
Eileen Sperring 9/05
Maggie Clifton 9/12
Sarah Westwick 9/12
Troy Funk 9/18
Shirley Murphy 9/19
Lauren Basicker 9/22
DJ Blakely 9/22
Samuel Burks 9/22
Darlene Olson 9/26
Janice Damrow 9/27
Lori Westwick Becker 9/29
Lauren Holiday 9/30
Anniversaries
Leigh and Dan Schramm 9/01
Jim and Kim Orebaugh 9/08
Tom and Roberta Lothridge 9/11
Cathy and Chris Baldwin 9/17
Julie and Chuck Muncy 9/17
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 - September 2022
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
September 4
Lori W. B.
Lori W. B.
Karen Anderson
Willy Frizzell
Kevin Westwick
Samuel Muncy
Mona Etter
Vi Hughes
Karen Anderson
Etter 8/29 - 9/04
September 11
Lori W. B.
Samuel Muncy
Lori W. B.
Jim Orebaugh
Kevin Westwick
Lori W. B,
Becky Albaugh
Mona Etter
Janice Lee
Lee 9/5 - 9/11
September 18
Lori W. B.
Phil Zillinger
Willy Frizzell
Brian K.
John Kofodimos
Ron Graff
Julie Muncy
Committee
Julie Muncy
Albaugh 9/12 - 9/18
September 25
Lori W. B.
Karen Anderson
Jim Orebaugh
Teresa Kofodimos
John Kofodimos
Nikki Lee
Gil Sams
Janice Lee
Debbie Hacker
Hacker 9/19 - 9/25
Daily Readings & Devotions
September 1
September 2
September 3
September 4
September 5
September 6
September 7
September 8
September 9
September 10
September 11
September 12
September 13
September 14
September 15
September 16
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 1
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
1 Timothy 3:25-4:5
Genesis 7:6-10; 8:1-5
Luke 18:18-30
Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 51:1-10
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10
Jonah 15:1-10
2 Peter 3:8-13
1 Corinthians 1:18-24
Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113
September 17
September 18
September 19
September 20
September 21
September 22
September 23
September 24
September 25
September 26
September 27
September 28
September 29
September 30
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13
Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 12
Matthew 9:9-13
Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Psalm 146
1 Timothy 6:6-19
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
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 7/1/2022
$48,482.44
$(89.98)
$28,358.02
$8,001.65
$2,267.74
$4,036.82
$650.81
$134.80
$1,544.27
$210.00
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$1,362.25
$975.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$1,225.81
$377.09
$12,355.62
$109,952.15
Deposits for the month of July
$10,404.69
$4,562.07
$ -
$180.00
$157.34
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 167.00
$ 370.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 38.40
$ -
$4.09
$15,883.59
Disbursement for July
$11,273.60
$4,562.01
$ -
$ -
$2,436.47
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 98.96
$ 350.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$18,721.04
Ending Balance 7/31/2022
$47,613.53
$(89.92)
$28,358.02
$8,181.65
$(11.39)
$4086.63
$650.81
$134.80
$1,612.31
$230.00
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$1,362.25
$975.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$1,264.21
$377.09
$12,359.71
$107,114.70
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, Annika Cahill, 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.