October 2023 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Dear Friends:
I have many wonderful memories of this time of year. I recall when my children were younger going out for Halloween, decorating the house, raking leaves and all that goes with this beautiful fall season! We would go to pumpkin patches and pick out a pumpkin. I'm sure you remember "gutting" that pumpkin, fitting a candle snug down inside! Real dirty work to be sure! Then the sheer joy of lighting the pumpkin on the front porch as the various kids came to trick or treat!
Later in life, my Dad would talk about family events as "making a memory!" So I pray for all of you that you make many memories this fall season! May God bless you as you watch the beautiful changing of the seasons this October!
See you at church,
Pastor Doug
Pastor’s Office Hours
Tuesday: Faith 9a-11a
If something urgent comes up, I will leave a note on the door. This is my attempt to be readily available at a set time and place. Always remember, you may contact me anytime day or night!
Council Meeting Highlights - September 2023
The Food Pantry was discussed extensively - A steering committee was appointed.
Land sale was updated - Not any real change.
The Growth/Expansion committee is pausing for the time being.
Joint worship service will be on October 29th at St. Andrews with a chili cookoff.
Wednesday Night Zoom
In Pastor’s opinion, one of the best things you can do to prepare for Sunday is to study the Bible lessons scheduled for that day. Every Wednesday evening at 7pm, a group from both churches reads and discusses the lessons! Join in, the link is sent out on email every Wednesday.
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
From the food pantry corner we say Thank You for your continuous support and volunteering. We served 179 families or 626 individuals during the month of September. The Hendricks County Food Coalition has ordered more food for the pantries.
Over the past several months, Faith Lutheran Church Council alongside Janice Lee, Council Liaison to the Food Pantry Program, has dedicated some time to reviewing documentation from Indy Hunger Network (IHN) which offers guidance and best practices to food pantries across the State of Indiana. Intensive research and evaluation of hunger especially in central Indiana helped provide structure to the IHN recommendations and/or considerations. Some significant findings from their research to help food pantries include:
Ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the processes within a program
Fostering collaboration and coordination among partners
Ensuring programs are sustainable financially and with other adequate resources
Secure a healthy food distribution program
Provide a safe and welcoming environment for clients to participate
With the help of a newly developed Faith Food Pantry Steering Committee, policies and procedures are being developed to address rising food costs and limited resources. It is important to assess all food pantries to determine the best way to address the needs of the community within the scope of available resources. More to come in the near future with Steering Committee recommendations to Faith's Church Council.
The next food pantries will be held on Friday, October 6, from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, October 14, 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!
Thank You Note
Members of Faith Lutheran,
We want to thank all of you for your donations to our “Clothes Closet”. We try to make good use of everything given us, we thought you would be interested to know that what we can’t use we donate to other charitable organizations. These include: Thrifty Threads, Salvation Army, and Lynhurst Baptist Community Center. All of these groups help to supply clothing for abused women and children.
Thanks again from the volunteers of St. Andrews CC.
Wedding
Kyra Kofodimos (daughter of Teresa and John) and Michael Veatch were married on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the home of Teresa and John. It was the perfect outdoor ceremony. Congratulation to the newlyweds!
Musical Moments by Annika Cahill
The hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" is a cherished Christian hymn that celebrates the natural world as a reflection of God's glory and a source of spiritual inspiration. The text was written in the 19th century by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint, an English hymnist and poet. Pierpoint’s poetic and heartfelt verses were written in 1864, during a time when there was a growing appreciation for the natural aesthetics of the Earth and a desire to emphasize the divine connection with nature. The hymn's lyrics encourage gratitude for the Earth's abundant blessings, such as "For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies." These words have resonated with congregations for generations, serving as a reminder of the sacredness of the natural world.
The hymn is often sung to the tune "Dix," composed by Conrad Kocher, which complements the hymn's theme beautifully. Over the years, "For the Beauty of the Earth" has become a staple in Lutheran worship, often included in hymnals and performed in various religious ceremonies, especially during times of thanksgiving.
Today, the hymn continues to inspire people to appreciate the Earth's beauty and to see it as a gift from a higher power, fostering a sense of responsibility for its preservation and care. It remains a timeless expression of reverence for the natural world in Christian worship.
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 all who helped with family lunches and dinners.
● Pastor Doug, thank you for all you do, we appreciate you!
● Elizabeth and Debbie, thank you for taking care of the food pantry.
● Thanks to Phil Zillinger for continually addressing and treating our well issues.
● Thank you to Ron Graff and the property team for cutting the grass and outside work.
● 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.
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
Sarah James 10/02
Matthew Benning 10/04
Judy Eggert 10/07
Dezarae James 10/09
Brian Kochersperger 10/09
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
Family Promise
October 23, we are delivering a meal for Family Promise. Below is a wish list of items needed if you would like to donate. The needs are very basic and we probably all have something extra around the house we could donate toward the list. We will collect wish list items until October 22nd and deliver with our meal on Oct 23rd. This isn't a huge ask for toilet paper, paper towels, etc. A little bit goes a long way.
Always Need Wish List
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Diapers 4, 5 & 6
Pull-ups 2T-3T, 3T-4T, & 4T-5T
Wipes
Razors
Shave cream
Deodorant
Laundry detergent
Fabric softener
Cleaning supplies
Hand soap
Dish soap
Paper plates & bowls
Trash bags
Postage stamps
Copy paper
Used Vacuum Cleaner
Kitchen Trash Can
$15 Speedway gas cards (blue)
Worship Assistants - October 2023
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
October 1
Mona Etter
Brian K.
Lori W. B.
Jim Orebaugh
Kevin Westwick
Rob Graff
Elaine Graff
Julie Muncy
Becky Albaugh
Albaugh 9/25 - 10/1
October 8
Mona Etter
Jim Orebaugh
Jim Orebaugh
Karen Anderson
Kevin Westwick
Nikki Lee
Jay Anderson
Mona Etter
Karen Anderson
Hacker 10/2 -10/8
October 15
Mona Etter
Jay Anderson
Teresa Kofodimos
Brian K.
John Kofodimos
Phil Zillinger
Janice Lee
Karen Anderson
Kevin Westwick
Etter 10/9 - 10/15
October 22
Mona Etter
Phil Zillinger
Debbie Hacker
Teresa Kofodimos
John Kofodimos
Gil Sams
Mona Etter
Nikki Lee
Debbie Hackjer
Lee 10/16 - 10/22
October 29
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
Matthew 21:23-32
Philippians 1:3-14
Psalm 28
Matthew 9:2-8
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:7-15
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46
1 Peter 2:4-10
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
John 11:45-57
Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14
Jude 17-25
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 34
Luke 1:1-4, 24:44-53
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9 (10-13)
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
Psalm 98
Daiel 3:19-30
Matthew 17:22-27
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
Psalm 1
John 14:21-27
Matthew 22:34-46
Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25
Jeremiah 31:31-34
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 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 8/1/2023
$31,630.03
$(27.75)
$28,568.72
$26,958.01
$4,239.99
$4,091.63
$650.81
$112.88
$1,732.49
$50.00
$10.00
$ -
$-
$1,362.25
$1,725.00
$1,488.79
$ 377.09
$12,501.10
$115,471.08
Deposits for the month of August
$9,209.09
$4,601.08
$ -
$ -
$604.56
$ -
$ 270.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$5.26
$14,689.99
Disbursement for August
$10,217.30
$4,678.58
$ -
$ -
$907.73
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$15,803.61
Ending Balance 8/30/2023
$30,621.85
$(105.25)
$28,568.73
$26,958.01
$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
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: 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.