November 2024 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Family in Faith:
This is a huge month for our country and all of us! No, not just because of the elections!! And not just because Nov. 3rd is All Saints Day! (Submit the names of any deceased you might like named to MJ or DD!).
It's a huge month because your Pastor crosses into that milestone birthday age of 65!! Time to file for Medicare/Medicaid (even though I don't expect to actually retire for a few years) as required by law!!
I am excited to move into this new era of my life. I wonder about my future and the big decision about my retirement date! That's contingent on how long I will live, and how am I to know that!!
Just like all of you... Whether a significant birthday, or the national elections, or just daily life...we put our trust in the Lord!
No reason to be anxious or worried. No matter what's on your heart this month we give God thanks and praise! Add the beautiful hymn goes "This is my Father's World....why should my heart be sad...the Lord is King, let the heavens ring!" And all God's people say .. "Amen!"
Pastor Doug
Daylight Savings Time Change
November 2/3rd
Don’t forget to “fall back” an hour and change your clocks!
Food Pantry
Faith's Food Pantry Program has been going well thanks to generous donations by yourselves and the Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition. Faith and Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition members have been blessed with a bulk order of ground beef for several months. We are able to provide each family 3-4 pounds of ground beef each month. We also receive a dry goods distribution at least every other month, sometimes every month.
Wondering where all of the Coke products came from sitting in the corners of the church over the last few weeks? Faith was given the opportunity to pick up various items from Camp Camby's overstock supply. Camp Camby is a transitional housing and job training community located in the outskirts of Camby. Camp Camby sits on 41 acres and includes a hotel, dining facility, job training options, and future cabins for individuals, veterans and families in need. Active Grace has a food and hygiene pantry. There is also a thrift store open at different times throughout the week.
Due to food price increases, please continue to give to the food pantry fund if you have any extra after your regular donations. Faith is so very blessed with multiple volunteers behind the scenes with Lori purchasing most of the food we need; and Ron Graff for picking up the distributions as well as Dave Lee supporting the pickups and stocking mission too. Faith's Food Pantry is blessed with at least 12 volunteers each and every Food Pantry to help feed the hungry. The customers are greeted with a friendly face by Julie Muncy or Nikki Lee. They enjoy the opportunity to stay in their vehicles while still being able to choose the food items they like and can use. We have increased the amount of food provided over the last year due to life's struggles and demands. They are blessed because we are blessed and we are blessed because they are blessed. If you want to be a part of the food pantry program in any way, please feel free to join the Faith team.
God continues to bless Faith and the Faith Food Pantry Program.
Food Pantry Dates
The next food pantry will be held on Saturday, November 16, from 9-11am. We ask you to please prayerfully consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. All volunteers are welcome and needed!
Wednesday Night Zoom
Weekday Zoom Bible Study is led by Pastor Doug on Wednesday nights at 7pm. Ask Pastor Doug if you have any questions. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND INVITED! Each week the Zoom link is sent out on Wednesday. The Wednesday night Bible study is studying the Bible lessons for the coming Sunday. Come join the conversation.
Faith Formation / Sunday Evening Zoom
Every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month at 7pm, join Faith Forum via zoom. The zoom link is attached to Sunday Worship email. Faith Forum invites members of both churches who have never joined in, to come and see what's happening! This is a fun, lighthearted look at our faith journey.
Lens Refection Meeting
Every other Sunday morning at 9am, Emmy's Pancake House & Grill. November meetings will be on the 10th and 24th. The LENS program is a Bible study that engage discussion of connecting world events with the Bible, faith and everyday life.
Council Thoughts
Please mark your calendars for a December 8 Congregational Meeting. We will elect the 2025 Council and celebrate Annika’s last Sunday playing for us. Kaleb Durfee will be our new Music Coordinator starting December 15.
If you are interested on serving on the 2025 Council, please see one of the Nominating Committee consisting of Becky Albaugh, Sara Curry, and myself.
2025 Council and openings are in bold lettering:
President – Teresa Kofodimos
Vice President – OPEN
Recording Secretary – Janice Damrow
Financial Secretary – OPEN
At-Large – Samuel Muncy
At-Large – OPEN
Pastor – Pr. Doug Givan
The installation of the 2025 Council is planned to take place at the Annual Congregational meeting in February 2025.
Please consider serving on the 2025 Council. We need you!
Have a Blessed November! Kevin Westwick President
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.
Thank You Very Much
“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the way of God in Christ Jesus” (1 Th. 5:16).
Thanks and praise to everyone who made the chili cookoff a success. Congratulations to Becky Albaugh on winning the third annual cookoff.
Thank you to Teresa Kofodimos for playing music for us on October 13th. Annika was out I'll and Teresa jumped in with little prep time and played wonderfully!
Thank you Brian Kochersperger for painting our doors red, just in time for Reformation Sunday.
Thanks to: Phil Zillinger for continually 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.
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.
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
Jennifer Benning 11.08
Gil Sams 11.12
Rita Cheney 11.17
Judy Vogel 11.18
Eli Burks 11.19
Annika Cahill 11.28
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, Carol Westwick, Judy Vogel, and Estelle Boyd.
Continued Prayers: Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Martha Siemers.
For special intention: Lou Ann Funk, Carolyn Moench,; Unknown needs to all who 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 sAnnika Cahill, Douglas Perez, Maddie Anderson, Matthew Benning, Jacob Benning, Karissa Draper, Scott Brunton, Lily Brunton and all students in Hendricks County!tudents in Hendricks County!
Military Service Members: All Service Men and Women fighting for our freedoms and their families who have also sacrificed
Current Events:
We pray for safety around the world. We pray for free and fair elections. Peace for our troubled world.
Leadership and Local Organizations:
ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, I-K Synod Tim Graham, 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.