August 2023 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Dear Friends:
A blessed August to you all! I am writing this while I wait in the ER for my son, Joel, to get relief from stomach pain and digestive issues.
While here I posted on Facebook we were here and that I would appreciate everyone's prayers for my son. Within a few minutes or so, over 50 friends responded! And I received many text messages offering additional support. It is a great feeling to have that family of faith and to have community!
It is good to have people who love and care for and with each other. Together we love one another and follow our calling to serve our community. That's what we have in our churches! We are a family of faith, loving and serving the Lord and taking care of each other!
We are all called to reach out and invite others to join us! We can't keep this love and support to ourselves! Amen!
Gratefully yours,
Pastor Doug
Council Meeting Highlights - July 2023
School Supplies – Sara reported that we actually collected more glue sticks than she requested. They have been taken to the Avon Foundation to be distributed into the backpacks that will be given to needy Avon students.
Nothing new on the land sale. Since the two petitions the school presented to the town board passed, so no July meeting is necessary.
Pastor is still waiting on more information from the couple wanting to help Ukraine.
Our joint worship with St Andrews will be on July 30th with Nikki Lee and Brian Kochersperger coordinating the service.
Old Faith Christmas cards are available. If anyone would like any of the old Christmas cards from the 711 building, the photograph is of the alter, please text Janice (Hughes) Lee at 317.538.8959.
***We have new teal pens with the correct website address. These are on the table in the entrance. Feel free to take a couple for home or to give to friends.
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 pm, on Zoom. Faith Formation 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. The Zoom link is sent out with the Sunday morning email.
Food Pantry Date
The next food pantries will be held on Friday, August 4th, from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, August 19th 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!
Worship Time Change
St. Andrews 9am worship
Faith Lutheran 11am worship
As always, I remind you that if the other time slot works for you on a “given” day, you may certainly worship at the other church as many of you have done. It’s the same God!
September 3rd, once again we change our times of worship! This was agreed upon and is art of our Shared Ministry agreement.
Faith Lutheran 9am St. Andrews Lutheran 11am.
Joseph Jay Anderson Schramm
Guess who has a new grandbaby… Jay and Karen Anderson!! Joseph Jay Anderson Schramm was born July 15th, 7lbs 5oz, 19.5 inches long. His parents are Dr. Leigh Anderson and Dr. Dan Schramm. Welcome little guy, we can’t wait to meet you!
Back-to-School Backpack Program
Sara Curry announced a back-to-school backpack program for children that are less fortunate for Avon schools. Every group/church/organization is being given one item to collect by the end of June! The pickup day for families is later in July.
We were able to collect 988 glue sticks. That is going to help so many children, great job Faith!
Faith Giving Information
Faithful Faith Members...with the various giving options (traditional envelopes, direct deposit, Vanco Mobile or 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 email to bkochersperger@foxcontractors.com.
Food Pantry
I found this mission statement from a church in West Virginia in regard to their food pantry.
Recognizing that God has blessed us to be a blessing, serves as a vehicle to share the overwhelming abundance God has showered on us with those in need in our community. Emergency food is shared with love and respect to those who come for assistance. It is our intention that they receive not only food for their physical hunger, but generous portions of kindness and grace to feed their spiritual and emotional hungers. We believe the words of Jesus that this is one way we can respond directly to God's love for us: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35
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 Sara Curry for arranging and taking care of the backpack program for Avon schools.
● Thank you to all the people who helped with funeral dinner for Steve Albaugh.
● 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.
August 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
Julie Snyder 8/4
Kris Basicker 8/4
Debbie Mohr 8/9
Dee Kochersperger 8/10
Caden Vogel 8/10
Katlyn VanDam 8/11
Jay Anderson 8/18
Elaine Graff 8/19
Caitlin Cheney Fox 8/20
Ron Graff 8/22
Christine Nitz 8/25
Jim Orebaugh 8/29
ANNIVERSARIES
Andy and Andrea Burks 8/3
Dale and Darlene Olson 8/29
Jay and Karen Anderson 8/30
Pastor’s Office Hours
Tuesday: Faith 11-1 Thursday: St. Andrews 11-1
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!
Worship Assistants - August 2023
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
August 6
Christine Nitz
Jim Orebaugh
Jay Anderson
Teresa Kofodimos
John Kofodimos
Lori W. Becker
Gil Sams
Karen Anderson
Julie Muncy
Becker 7/31 - 8/6
August 13
Christine Nitz
Lori W. Becker
Debbie Hacker
Jim Orebaugh
John Kofodimos
Gil Sams
Elaine Graff
Mona Etter
Karen Anderson
Etter 8/7 - 8/13
August 20
Christine Nitz
Samuel Muncy
Jim Orebaugh
Brian K.
John Kofodimos
Ron Graff
Julie Muncy
Joyce Sams
Jim Orebaugh
Lee 8/14 - 8/20
August 27
Chrisine Nitz
Brian K.
Teresa Kofodimos
Karen Anderson
John Kofodimos
Samuel Muncy
Jay Anderson
Sara Curry
Becky Albaugh
Cury 8/21 - 8/27
Daily Readings & Devotions
August 1
August 2
August 3
August 4
August 5
August 6
August 7
August 8
August 9
August 10
August 11
August 12
August 13
August 14
August 15
August 16
Ephesians 6:10-18
Proverbs 1:1-7, 20-33
Isaiah 55:1-5
Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
Romans 1:8-15
Deuteronomy 26:1-15
Matthew 15:32-39
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
Genesis 7:11 - 8:5
Luke 1:46-55
Matthew 8:23-27
August 17
August 18
August 19
August 20
August 21
August 22
August 23
August 24
August 25
August 26
August 27
August 28
August 29
August 30
August 31
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 87
Isaiah 51:1-6
John 1:43-51
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
Romans 2:1-11
Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32
Matthew 26:6-13
Jeremiah 15:15-21
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
June 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 6/1/2023
$34,471.75
$(52.76)
$28,550.94
$9,990.81
$4986.76
$3989.14
$650.81
$112.88
$1,732.49
$50.00
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$1,362.25
$1,725.00
$1388.79
$377.09
$12,410.74
$101,756.69
Deposits *
$8,695.68
$3,238.47
$17.79
$205.00
$568.30
$102.49
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$85.09
$12,912.82
Disbursement *
$10,930.05
$4,685.57
$ -
$ -
$738.72
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$16,354.34
Ending Balance 6/30/2023
$432,237.38
$(1,499.86)
$28,568.73
$10,195.81
$4,816.34
$4,091.63
$650.81
$112.88
$1,732.49
$50.00
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$1,362.25
$1,725.00
$1,388.79
$377.09
$12,495.83
$98,315.17
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, Judy Vogel, Jim and Estelle Boyd.
Continued Prayers: Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Vince Draper, Don Damrow, Dan Weaver (father of Dee Dee Kochersperger); 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, 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.