April 2023 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Family of Faith:
Spring has sprung and this month we end our Lenten journey. We move first into Palm Sunday on April 2nd, then Holy Week. The Easter festival of the Resurrection is Sunday April 9th including a sunrise service at Faith. All the schedules and information can be found elsewhere in your newsletter.
Speaking of the newsletter, what do you do with this? Most of you, I imagine, read some things on line, skim or skip through the rest. I urge you to download this and print it off and keep it close so that you are connected and up to date. The calendar especially can be helpful, so you know the schedule of events for the coming of month.
I also think it’s a great idea to forward this on to any family or friends who might like to join us for worship. I always urge you to urge others to come with you to church, to meet your family of faith and worship God together.
This season of renewal and spring and new life is for you, personally. I suppose there are a lot of things we can take personally. However, take time this month to allow the Easter renewal into your own heart. Sins forgiven; a promised future in Jesus Christ allows us to live freely in the moment. May God bless your journey to the Cross and on to the empty tomb as we proclaim together “He is Risen, He is Risen, Indeed!”
Pastor Doug
Worship Time Change:
Once again we follow our Shared Ministry Agreement and change worship times effective May 7th, 2023.
St. Andrews moves to 9am
Faith Lutheran to 11am
Council Members
Teresa Kofodimos – President
Kevin Westwick – Vice President
Becky Albaugh – Secretary
Karen Anderson – Financial Secretary
Sara Curry – At-Large
Julie Muncy – At-Large
Council Meeting Highlights - March 2023
Land Sale: Teresa received a new drawing of the school’s facility and sports fields.
Expansion/Growth committee: is compiling information on cost of expansion and programs available to spur growth to be shared with the congregation.
Loan Payment: We have been paying extra on our mortgage to get it paid down. As our financial situation has changed some, it was decided not to pay extra for the time being. This will give us an extra $400 plus each month.
Lori Becker requested to use the building for her HOA board meeting each month. Her request was granted.
The councils from both churches will meet on June 10th to discuss if we want to make any changes to our covenant on Shared Ministry.
July 30th will be a joint service with St. Andrews. It will be held at Faith.
Teresa suggested that our website needs to be tweaked.
There is a sign-up sheet for the Agape Feast on Maundy Thursday. If you wish to attend, please sign up or contact Becky at bmalbaugh@aol.com.
Holy Week Schedule:
Agape Dinner at Faith, Thursday, April 6, 6pm
Enjoy a time of food/fellowship together in “agape”, the Greek word for Love.
Good Friday, April 7th, at St. Andrews, 7pm
Come hear the last words recorded by our Lord from the Cross
Easter Sunday April 9th Festival of the Resurrection
Sunrise service at Faith (indoors) 7:16am, Holy Communion service at 9am
Easter breakfast at St. Andrews at 10am, Holy Communion service at 11am
Wednesday Night Zoom
Weekday Zoom Bible Study is led by Pastor Doug on Wednesday nights at 7 pm. 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, resuming April 12th.
Friendship Bible Study
Friendship Bible Study meets every Tuesday at 7 pm at St. Andrew’s. Both congregations are invited to attend. You are welcome to join and if you have any questions, please ask Pastor Doug.
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
Happy Spring!
The food pantry will not be open on Good Friday. We will move the food pantry to the next day Saturday April 8, 2023 9 am to 11am. In observing Good Friday. We received more food from the coalition of peanut butter, spaghetti sauce and spaghetti, carrots, canned chicken and chili with beans. These items are expensive item at the store that we do not have to spend to buy these items. We served 104 families or 425 individuals for the month of March. Many many thanks for your support of the food pantry. We received a check from the coalition for the work we do for the coalition. The check was for $1800.00. God is Awesome!
Blessings to everyone during this Easter. Christ has risen!
Debbie M
The next food pantries will be held on Saturday, April 8, from 9-11am and Saturday, April 15, from 9-11 am. We ask you to please prayerfully consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. All hands are welcomed and needed!
Fellowship
Hi Everyone! Thank you to everyone who is on the volunteer list to be scheduled for Coffee Fellowship. If you are not currently signed up as a volunteer, but would like to be or have any questions about Coffee Fellowship, please feel free to email the church email at: flc.avon@att.net to be included or with any questions! We invite EVERYONE to stay each week to enjoy goodies and fellowship with one another!
Prayer
A Wednesday gathering at Faith was about Praying. The five fingers of Prayer that I am sharing is a guideline to help our faith journey into prayer, I was introducted to it in South Carolina as a men’s bible study leader in Community Bible Study. Morning Prayer is what I use daily before any lessons. A person can pray for themselves as written or replace “me” with “us” to pray for all.
Gil Sams
The Five Fingers of Prayer
1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty”.
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger, the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayer for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively. Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.
Morning Prayer
The Lord bless me and keep me this day. May you walk in front of me to show me the way, be behind me to encourage me, be beside me as my friend, be above me to watch out and protect me, be within me to give me your peace, and be Lord over all parts of my life today. Amen.
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.
For The Love of Music with Annika
Springtime is a season of rebirth both in nature and in the liturgical season. I thought finding spring-themed Lutheran hymns and lyrically analyzing a piece would be fitting. The song I found was written in 1997 by Susan Palo Cherwien.
O blessed spring, where word and sign embrace us into Christ the Vine: here Christ enjoins each one to be a branch of this life-giving Tree.
Through summer heat of youthful years, uncertain faith, rebellious tears, sustained by Christ's infusing rain, the boughs will shout for joy again.
When autumn cools and youth is cold, when limbs their heavy harvest hold, then through us, warm, the Christ will move with gifts of beauty, wisdom, love.
As winter comes, as winters must, we breathe our last, return to dust; still held in Christ, our souls take wing and trust the promise of the spring.
Christ, holy Vine, Christ, living Tree, be praised for this blest mystery: that word and water thus revive and join us to your Tree of Life.
The song touches on themes of rebirth and past life. The rebirth is stated through the “vine” of Christ. That God is the true farmer or planter of life. The past life of uncertain faith and rebellious tears. These moments could be small or large moments in life, a bad grade, or a life setback. But as the song continues, “the boughs will shout for joy again.” If you sustain your faith in Christ, Christ will sustain you and be a source of inspiration and stability in times of change and rebirth.
Garden of Faith Fun
Have you been dreaming of warmer weather? Spring flowers? Fresh vegetables that you have grown yourself? Now is your chance to plan! Spring is just around the corner and there are raised garden beds waiting for you in our Garden of Faith!
Pastor’s Office Hours
Just a reminder that Pastor Doug’s office hours are as follows (but are subject to change):
Faith: 12-4pm Wednesdays
St. Andrew’s: 9-12pm Thursdays
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 Bill and Sandy Self for gifting the Peace Lily plants for the Easter season.
● 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.
April 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
Leigh Anderson April 5
Teresa Kofodimos April 5
Nikki Lee April 6
Kevin Westwick April 6
Brent Frizzell April 9
Tony Frizzell April 9
Julie Muncy April 9
Taylor Muncy April 11
Isabelle Knaflich April 19
Zach Thomas April 23
Becky Albaugh April 29
ANNIVERSARIES
Steve & Debbie Hacker April 11
Worship Assistants - April 2022
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
April 2
Christine Nitz
Jay Anderson
Jim Orebaugh
Kevin W
Janice Lee
Nikki Lee
Becky Albaugh
Kevin W
Lee 3/27- 4/2
Selfs
April 9
Christine Nitz
Phil Zillinger
Brian K
Jim Orebaugh
John K
Ron Graff
Janice Lee
BRUNCH
Karen A
Curry 4/3 - 4/9
Selfs
April 16
Christine Nitz
Lori W B
Willy Frizzell
Karen A
John K
Lori W B
Gil Sams.
Mona Etter
Phil Zillinger
Albaugh 4/10-4/16
April 23
Christine Nitz
Brian K
Jay Anderson
Teresa K
Kevin W
Kevin W
Jay Anderson
Joyce Sams
Becky Albaugh
Hacker 4/17 - 4/23
April 30
Christine Nitz
Jim Orebaugh
Phil Zillinger
Brian K
John K
Nikki Lee
Elaine Graff
Vi Hughes
Julie Muncy
Etter 4/24 - 4/30
Daily Readings & Devotions
April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 21:1-11
John 12:1-11
John 12:20-36
John 13:21-32
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12
Romans 6:3-11
John 20:1-18
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:12-17
Matthew 28:1-10
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
April 20
April 21
April 22
April 23
April 24
April 25
April 26
April 27
April 28
April 29
April 30
John 20:19-31
Psalm 114
1 Corinthians 15:19-28
Matthew 12:38-42
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
Psalm 134
Mark 1:1-15
John 21:1-14
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
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 Financials
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 2/1/2023
$36,,604.19
($1378.67)
$28,537.31
$9,550.81
$3,846.96
$3,987.23
$650.81
$134.80
$1,732.49
$ -
$10.00
$ -
$235.00
$1,362.25
$1,725.00
$1,419.81
$377.09
$12,390.40
$101,185.48
Deposits 02/2023
$8,333.00
$3,333.76
$ -
$ -
$679.29
$ -
$ -
$100.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$60.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$4.75
$12,510.80
Disbursement 02/2023
$10,320.78
$4,639.72
$ -
$ -
$720.13
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$15,680.63
Ending Balance 2/28/2023
$33,616.41
($1,684.63)
$28,537.31
$9,550.81
$3,806.12
$3,987.23
$650.81
$234.80
$1,732.49
$ -
$10.00
$60.00
$235.00
$1,362.25
$1,725.00
$1,419.81
$377.09
$12,395.15
$98,015.65
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: Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support) and Dan Weaver (Dee Dee Kochersperger’s father).
For special intention, 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); 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 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. Peace for our troubled world.
Leadership and Local Organizations:
ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
I-K Synod Bishop 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.