October 2022 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I am writing this on the last day of summer! The ‘Autumnal Equinox” is tomorrow for the first day of Autumn/fall. By the time you read this, we will be well on our way into fall my friends. Soon we will change time, and the days will get shorter. It is the fall season, a time when the ground “dies”, or lays dormant to regain strength, and grows again the spring.
I have many memories of growing up as a kid, back in the day, and the smell of burning leaves! I really like that smell and when I drive by someone doing that today, it brings back memories. Later in life, I remember my own kids jumping through the leaf pile, the decorating for Halloween, trick or treating and all that comes with the season.
At the end of this month, we celebrate Reformation Sunday (October 30th) with a joint service with Faith at St. Andrew’s at 10 a.m. Following worship, we will go into fellowship hall for a ChiliCook-off contest! It is more of what fall is all about, and I urge you to participate with your best family recipe!
In fact, in all things fall, I urge you to participate! Come to church, invite a friend, be in prayer for our ministry, and share God’s love with everyone! And this chili cook-off and fall season will surely be filled with new memories together as a family of faith!
Amen,
Pastor Doug
Council Thoughts
Fall is a beautiful time of year or at least for most of us. As I prepare this article, I am mindful of those in harm's way in Florida in Hurricane Ian's path of destruction. We take so much for granted in life.
As the leaves change color and the air turns cooler, together we can take a step back and really enjoy God's gifts...one leaf at a time. As Faith Lutheran Church celebrates 75 years of beautiful worship services, choir music that has left wonderful lasting memories from over the years, friendships - old and new, and our ministries to reach out to the community, we can all enjoy as we look forward to working on year "76" and beyond. Activities show movement...movement shows progress...progress shows growth so let's re-energize ourselves together and grow by doing things. We know people are tired, but we also hear people want to grow the church. We can, but we need to work together and remove roadblocks to doing so. Let's take one step at a time and do this!
Outreach is a "scary" word, but it is also a beautiful word in every sense. Merriam-Webster provides the definition as "reaching beyond current or usual limits". Now that's not so scary. We have all been through so much in life - both personal, professional and in our own church life here at Faith. We wandered for 10 years from one place to another, but we did it together. We met new friends along the way which we cherish as members and visitors now. Stepping out of our comfort zone is ok for each of us because we can do it together. We are Lutherans. We can get things done "even from the 2nd row of chairs" if not the first. :) Let us join together to welcome others, invite others, reach out to help others, and outreach to others to show "the world" what Faith Lutheran Church has to offer them with word, sacrament, friendships, and helping others in times of need. Just one step...at a time. Together.
Blessings to each and every one!
Janice Lee President
Faith Church Council
Council Meeting Highlights - September 2022
A special congregational meeting was held to introduce, discuss, and vote on whether to sell a portion of our property to ICSS to use as a place to build a Christian school. The result of the vote was 20-2 in favor of selling.
The last water test came back satisfactory, but Phil suggests that we do not drink until another test is taken. Samples tested later in September were satisfactory.
The 75th Anniversary celebration went well. We had a lot of former members present and all seemed to enjoy the food and fellowship.
Pastor and Debbie Hacker are working on something different for adult forum. More information will follow.
We need to find a different way to introduce new hymns to the worship service.
We will have Christmas Eve service at 5:00 pm this year and St. Andrews service will be at 7:00
St. Andrews will offer a Christmas morning service at 10:00 am open to both congregations.
It is planned to go Christmas Caroling on December 11, following a light lunch after the church service.
The nominating committee is looking for people to fill the financial analyst, and Vice President positions
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
Greetings from the food pantry!
The month of September we served 101 families or 390 individuals. So far our year total is 816 families or 3,161 individuals.
My whole hearted Thank You for the congregational support of the food pantry. Many Thank You’s to the volunteers that donate their time and energy. For the month of October some items are hard to come by. Those items are Spaghetti sauce, peanut butter 1lb jars, cans of ravioli and spaghetti with meatballs. If you can bring any of the items it would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be put on the cart in the hallway. Thank you for all of your support.
Since we are DAP (Direct Agent Pickup) drivers we pickup damaged boxes and discontinued items. Seven times per week. We also get a lot of nonfood items. The nonfood items allowed us to pass out deodorant, Santi-wipes, hand sanitizer, poufs, body wash, hand soap, socks, undies, clothing and some occasional laundry soap. We received all kinds of toys for the kids. We give a lot of items the clients cannot afford. None of these items cost the church money. It’s free to us in the pickups. The money we spend from the church is for can goods and dry goods that are on the carts. We do share the clothing and shoes with St Andrews.
Thank You so much for your donations and time to support the pantry.
God Bless you.
Debbie M
The next food pantries will be held on Friday, October 7, from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, October 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!
Faith’s 75th Anniversary
Our 75th anniversary celebration was on September 18th. It was great to see past members, friends and family! Pictures will be posted on the website soon.
Video of Service:
https://vimeo.com/751651385
Musical Moments by Annika Cahill
The two main leaders in the reformation were Martin Luther and Jean Calvin. Luther’s 95-Theses started the Reformation movement. Luther and Calvin both gain popularity in which they started new branches of Christianity. Luther’s followers, Lutherans, began the Lutheran Church. Calvin’s followers, Calvinists, started a large branch of the Protestant community. Though Calvin and Luther had similar theologies, they disagreed on what music should mean in church service and so on. Luther felt that music elevated God’s word and was an integral position of the mass and worship. Calvin felt that music was too sensual and pleasurable, should only be used as a way to deliver the scripture. In the Calvinist church, music was used for Psalters or different simple tunes to deliver the Psalms. Luther, a composer himself, felt that four part hymns were integral to service. Throughout the religion, Lutherans and song are almost synonymous. Although, service has been modified and evolved over the years, we still sing songs from Luther’s time—a joyous musical tradition that has lasted hundreds of 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.
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 75th Anniversary, making it a celebration to remember!
Special thanks to Vi Hughes for always taking care of us behind the scenes by working on food pantry, data, scheduling worship assistants and washing ALL of the silverware from the celebration. And for making the best fellowship chocolate chip cookies ever.
Continued thanks to: Phil Zillinger 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. We’d be lost without you all.
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.
October 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
Jim Boyd 10/01
Sarah James 10/02
Matthew Benning 10/04
Dezarae James 10/09
Brian Kochersperger 10/09
Don Damrow 10/10
Roberta Lothridge 10/11
Haley Kochersperger 10/14
Donna Teyema 10/19
Maddie Anderson 10/22
Anna Sheppard 10/23
Ken Teyema 10/26
Janice Lee 10/27
Jane Panarites 10/29
Anniversaries
John & Teresa Kofodimos 10/15
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 - October 2022
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
October 2
Mona Etter
Jay Anderson
Debbie Hacker
Karen Anderson
Kevin Westwick
Phil Zillinger
Joyce Sams
Becky Albaugh
Jim Orebaugh
Etter 9/26 - 10/2
October 9
Mona Etter
Jim Orebaugh
Phil Zillinger
Willy Frizzell
John Kofodimos
Gil Sams
Elaine Graff
Julie Muncy
Becky Albaugh
Lee 10/3 -10/9
October 16
Mona Etter
Samuel Muncy
Jim Orebaugh
Teresa Kofodimos
Kevin Westwick
Julie Muncy
Jay Anderson
Karen Anderson
Phil Zillinger
Albaugh 10/10 - 10/16
October 23
Mona Etter
Lori W. B.
Teresa Kofodimos
Jim Orebaugh
John Kofodimos
Jay Anderson
Janice Lee
Joyce Sams
Karen Anderson
Hacker 10/17 - 10/23
October 30
Joint
Service
With
St.
Andrews
Daily Readings & Devotions
October 1
October 2
October 3
October 4
October 5
October 6
October 7
October 8
October 9
October 10
October 11
October 12
October 13
October 14
October 15
October 16
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Luke 17:5-10
James 1:2-11
Psalm 3
Mark 11:12-14, 20-24
2 Kings 5:1-15c
Psalm 111
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19
Psalm 61
Ephesians 6:10-20
Matthew 10:5-15
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 57
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Luke 18:1-18
October 17
October 18
October 19
October 20
October 21
October 22
October 23
October 24
October 25
October 26
October 27
October 28
October 29
October 30
October 31
Psalm 57
Luke 1:1-4; 24:44-53
Isaiah 35:5-8
Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22
Psalm 84:1-7
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14
1 Samuel 2:1-10
1 Peter 5:1-11
Matthew 21:28-32
Isaiah 1:10-18
John 14:21-27
2 Thessalonians 1:14, 11-12
Luke 19:1-10
John 8:31-36
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
August 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 8/1/2022
$47,613.53
$(89.92)
$28,358.02
$8,181.65
$(11.39)
$4,086.63
$650.81
$134.80
$1,612.49
$230.00
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$1,362.25
$975.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$1,264.21
$377.09
$12,359.71
$107,114.88
Deposits for the month of August
$8,901.86
$4,494.57
$ -
$220.50
$2,373.13
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 120.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 48.00
$ -
$5.12
$16,163.18
Disbursement for August
$9,625.70
$4,494.52
$ -
$ -
$638.43
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$14,758.65
Ending Balance 8/30/2022
$46,889.69
$(89.87)
$28,358.02
$8,402.15
$1,723.31
$4086.63
$650.81
$134.80
$1,732.49
$230.00
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$1,362.25
$975.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$1,312.21
$377.09
$12,364.83
$108,519.41
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: Deb Graff (Jay Anderson’s aunt), Clair Anderson (Jay Anderson’s father), Joan (friend of Daren Anderson) 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.