November 2023 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Have you ever hear of the terms used in churches called “Blessings and Woes?” I believe the idea comes from the Beatitudes in Matthew 6. We all know about blessings, but what are “woes”? A “woe” (according to Dictionary.com) is “great sorrow or distress.” And it’s probably easier to think of the woes, than the blessings.
But this Thanksgiving month, let us bring to mind the many blessings God has given to each and every one. We have much to be thankful for and maybe you remember the idea that came from Oprah Winfrey? She said the ideal thing to do is to write down every day the 5 things you are most thankful.
Have you ever tried that? Think right now and jot down 5 things for which you are thankful. Then do it again tomorrow and the next day. Oprah suggested we make it a different set of 5 every day and watch how we grow in God’s grace and love. The more thankful we become and the more grateful we feel, it spills out as blessings in daily life.
Spend time this month giving thanks to God. Write down 5 different things every day at the end of the day. I also include a list of 5 prayer requests as well. May God bless you and yours as you give thanks this month and for Thanksgiving! Add at the top of your thankful list your congregation and family of faith! We are blessed to be a blessing for each other and our community.
Pastor Doug
Holiday Schedule
Looking ahead at our holiday schedule, a few dates to mark in your calendar.
*December 24, Christmas Eve, 7pm candlelight service
*December 31, New Year’s Eve, 9am Worship service
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
Food Pantry
Food Pantry Dedication
Almighty creator we give you thanks that you have opened your hand in due season and provided an abundance of good things. Out of love for you, help us to be obedient to your command to feed the hungry, that our love for our neighbors will reflect our love for you. Send your Son to be among us and fill us with compassion for those in need.
COME LORD JESUS
Bless this pantry and all who take from it that they will be nourished in both body and spirit by these free gifts. We feed others, for what we do for the least of our neighbors, we do for you.
BE OUR GUEST
Bless this pantry and all you put into it that their gifts may be blessed and their generosity be a blessing that returns to them.
LET THESE GIFTS TO US BE BLESSED
We dedicate this Food Pantry in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
BLESSED BE GOD WHO IS OUR BREAD.
MAY ALL THE WORLD BE CLOTHED AND FED. AMEN
Go in Peace, remember the poor.
THANKS BE TO GOD
Food Pantry Dates
The next food pantries will be held on Friday, November 3rd, from 5-7pm and Saturday, November 18th from 9-11am. We ask you to please prayerfully consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. All hands are welcome and needed.
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.
Wedding
On September 28th, Haley Kochersperger and Bo Fethe made vows to each other in Morocco. Sunday, October 22nd, we celebrated their marriage with family and friends in Tampa, Florida.
Thank You Note
Family of Faith,
Thank you for your prayers and support during Don’s treatments and after his passing. I appreciate all who attended the memorial, prepared and served the funeral lunch.
You have been my family and support system for many years, and I thank you for that.
Janice
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.
Faith Giving 4 week roll
10.01.23
Budget Giving $1,455.89
Food Pantry $ 100.00
Memorial $ 190.00
10.08.23
Budget Giving $2,296.29
Building Fund $ 355.00
Flower Fund $ 60.00
Food Pantry $ 187.22
St. Andrews $ 25.00
10.15.23
Budget Giving $9,386.18
Food Pantry $ 143.95
St. Andrews $3,378.97
10.23.23
Budget Giving $1,831.92
Food Pantry $ 69.05
Memorial $ 100.00
Thank You Very Much
“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the way of God in Christ Jesus” (1 Th. 5:16).
● 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.
November 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
Martha Siemers 11.01
Amy Westwick 11.03
Doug Givan 11.04
Gavin Baldwin 11.05
Jennifer Benning 11.08
Gil Sams 11.12
Sandi Frizzell 11.14
Aydan Baldwin 11.17
Rita Cheney 11.17
David Christensen 11.18
Judy Vogel 11.18
Eli Burks 11.19
Lindsey Basicker 11.22
Melissa Cohlhepp 11.27
Annika Cahill 11.28
Worship Assistants - November 2023
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
November 5
Becky A. Debbie H.
Lori W. B.
Brian K.
Jim Orebaugh
Kevin Westwick
Lori W, B,
Becky Albaugh
Sara Curry
Jim Orebaugh
Albaugh 10/30 - 11/5
November 12
Becky A. Debbie H.
Karen Anderson
Jay Anderson
Karen Anderson
John Kofodimos
Janice Lee
Gil Sams
Becky Albaugh
Phil Zillinger
Hacker 11/6 - 11/12
November 19
Becky A. Debbie H.
Brian K.
Karen Anderson
Teresa Kofodimos
Kevin Westwick
Phil Zillinger
Julie Muncy
Janice Lee
Julie Muncy
Etter 11/13 - 11/19
November 26
Becky A. Debbie H.
Jim Orebaugh
Phil Zillinger
Brian K.
John Kofodimos
Jay Anderson
Nikki Lee
Vi Hughes
Janice Lee
Lee 11/20 - 11/26
Daily Readings & Devotions
November 1
November 2
November 3
November 4
November 5
November 6
November 7
November 8
November 9
November 10
November 11
November 12
November 13
November 14
November 15
November 16
Revelation 7:9-17
Micah 3:5-12
Psalm 43
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12
Psalm 5
Acts 13:1-12
Proverbs 16:21-33
Amos 5:18-24
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
Psalm 63
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Matthew 24:29-35
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
November 17
November 18
November 19
November 20
November 21
November 22
November 23
November 24
November 25
November 26
November 27
November 28
November 29
November 30
Psalm 90:1-8 (9-11) 12
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 235:14-30
Romans 2:1-11
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
Psalm 9:1-14
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 95:1-7
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Revelation 19:1-9
Psalm 7
John 1:35-42
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
September 2023
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
Property Accounts
Garden of Faith
Garden Shed
Investment Accounts
Endowment Fund
Total of All Accounts
Beginning Balance 9/1/2023
$47,384.05
$(105.25)
$28,568.73
$10,195.81
$3,936.82
$4,091.63
$920.81
$112.88
$1,732.49
$50.00
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$1,362.25
$1,725.00
$1,488.79
$377.09
$12,506.36
$114,357.46
Deposits for the month of Sept.
$8,631.08
$4,562.07
$ 18.01
$40.00
$480.13
$ 671.23
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$5.10
$14,509.13
Disbursement for September
$10,854.90
$4,626.08
$ -
$ -
$427.35
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$15,908.33
Ending Balance 9/30/2023
$45,160.23
$(67.75)
$28,586.74
$10,235.81
$3,989.60
$4,762.86
$920.81
$112.88
$1,732.49
$50.00
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$1,362.25
$1725.00
$ 1,488.79
$ 377.09
$12,511.46
$112,958.26
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, July Vogel, and Estelle Boyd.
Continued Prayers: Jack and Bobbie Seitz, Estelle Boyd and family (ongoing support), Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), and Dan Weaver (Dee Dee Kochersperger’s father).
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, Lindsey 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.