January 2022 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Friends:
Happy New Year! We heard this a few days ago on New Years Eve and we will hear it for a few days yet to come. We sometimes party or gather with family and friends to celebrate the new year. We all love something new! We received new gifts at Christmas and we now move into a new year, and new life in Christ. In both churches, it’s time to pray about what shall we keep and what do we need to let go of and to be aware of the new things God is doing among us! (This is a favorite message of our Bishop from Isaiah 43.) It is a happy new year, and a happy new life. Why not this year celebrate you?? You are a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). When someone gives you a new gift, how do you respond? We usually say things like “Oh, you shouldn’t have” or “You didn’t need to do that”. It’s hard to receive friends, but this year, this time, this day remove your blessing blockers and celebrate the newness in Christ! And best of all, this newness never ends! “God’s mercies are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3). Thanks be to God, we can really say "Happy New You!”.
Pastor Doug
Worship Time Change
Mark your calendars and clocks once again because it’s time for the worship service time to change! Effective January 2, 2022 the morning services will switch to St. Andrew’s at 9 a.m. and Faith at 11 a.m. each Sunday through April.
From Faith Church Council
2022 offers us all an opportunity to prioritize our time for Him in attending worship and being a part of Faith’s ministries. It is a time for a new beginning as the old familiar saying goes. Our to-do list is endless, right? Maybe it’s a good time to evaluate the list. It is never too late. Where does our faith life fit on the list?
Maybe it is a time to reconnect with an old friend or family member, be a healthier “us”, write a card to a different person every week to let someone know we care, join a bible study online, volunteer at the food pantry, experience a new place, take a hike with a favorite person, try a new kind of food, read a passage in the bible everyday to grow in our spiritual life, increase our giving even if just a “little, spend time with a family member, or spend a day watching old movies in those comfy pajamas.
Why not do them all? There are in fact 365 days of the year. :) What about starting with our commitment to Him and those priorities that put Christ in the center of all of our lives? Will any of us slip? We will. But, with His grace we can get “back up on the horse” and continue our 2022 journey with Christ at the center of it.
Whatever we choose each day, let’s encourage others, bring hope to each new day, give ourselves and others grace, rely on Him, and follow Him throughout our 2022 journey.
Together in Christ,
Janice Lee
2022 Faith Council President
Council Meeting Highlights - December 2021
New Vice President, Teresa Kofodimos was welcomed to Council and Ron Graff was thanked for his service to the council for the last two years.
Hybrid Congregational Meeting was reviewed. Hiccups will be worked out before the Annual Meeting in February.
COVID - Hendricks County is still red, so restrictions will remain in place for the time being.
Weather closures will be made individually by each of the two churches. If one church is closed, the other might be open.
There will be a change in Douglas's contract regarding compensation for supply musicians when he is not here.
Council plans to meet on the third Thursday of each month during 2022.
Adult Forum Bible Study - NO In-Person Sunday, Jan 2
There will be no in-person bible study Sunday, January 2nd. It will resume January 9th at 9:30 am. Everyone is invited! Please see Debbie Hacker for additional information.
Wednesday night Zoom/Virtual Bible Study
Weekday Zoom Bible Study led by Pastor Doug began on September 8th at 7 p.m. Ask PD for any questions. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND INVITED! Each week the Zoom link is sent out Wednesday mornings. We will study the Bible lesson for the coming Sunday. These are also printed in newsletter and announcements! Please join us!
Friendship Bible Study
Friendship Bible Study is continuing every Tuesday at 7pm via Zoom! Please see Pastor Doug for more details!
Faith Formation
Every Sunday Evening
at 7:00pm via Zoom
All are welcome! We will see you on Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm via Zoom! The Zoom link is sent out with the Sunday morning email. Contact Pastor for details.
Food Pantry Dates
The January food pantries will be held on Friday, January 7th from 5 -7 p.m., and Saturday, January 15th 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!
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!
Nikki Lee
Letter from Nancy Nyland - IK Synod
Pastor Nancy Nyland, Director of Evangelical Mission from the Indiana-Kentucky Synod sent Faith Lutheran Church a letter expressing their gratitude for our commitment of funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Below is a snippet of the letter explaining how much Faith has committed to sending to the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, and some of the various areas our funds will help support in the wider church.
“As I share these words to you from 2 Corinthians, I give thanks to God for your generosity as Faith Lutheran Church makes a commitment to share $12,000 in Mission Support with the IK Synod during the 2022-23 fiscal year….
“Thank you for your willingness to participate in the privilege of sharing in the ministry of the wider church. From your gift of Mission Support to the IK-Synod, 43% will be shared with the ELCA Churchwide. Your gifts combine with the gifts of 8,000+ congregations across 65 synods to touch the lives of millions of people across the globe. Throughout the world, many lives are being transformed - people who are recovering from natural disasters; attending educational institution; working in hospitals and clinics,; tending the soil and raising life-sustaining crops; building small businesses; digging wells; sharing and receiving food, clothing, and shelter - all of this making Christ known in word and deed. Thank you for giving yourselves first to the Lord by supporting these ministries and more.”
Pastor Nancy Nyland
Stewardship (G3)
G3 is “Give as God has Given us.”
Merry Christmas to All,
Several things are of importance this month..
The air conditioner upgrades are paid for from our finances but will deplete funds to be used for other ministries. If you can give extra and mark it for the air conditioner that would be helpful.
If you are currently sending your offering thru Give Plus, the change to Vanco will be automatic on January 1st. You do not need to do anything.
If you have not been giving online yet, you can open an account in the Vanco mobile app or Online. You can give one time or set up a recurring event now.
In the notion of giving gifts at this time of year, we have the ‘Good Gifts’ program from the ELCA which allow for giving from $10 and up. Please contact Debbie Hacker or go to the ELCA website for the Good Gifts program.
I look forward to talking about how we can share our abundance going forward.
On our Path to Serving others,
Debbie Hacker
Stewardship Coordinator
Hymn History with Douglas featuring “The First Noel” (1823)
No other carol quite casts such a spell like “The First Noel.” The sweet, plaintive strains, quietly sung, bring gentle peace to the heart. Noel, noel, noel, noel. Born is the King of Israel.
If only we knew who wrote this song! It first appeared anonymously in Some Ancient Christmas Carols, published by Davis Gilbert in 1823, and the traditional music evidently came from and unknown source in the west of England.
The poetry itself is plain. If we were to recite this rather lengthy piece, we’d get only a garbled sense of the Christmas Story. There is no indication in Scripture, for example, that the shepherds saw the Magi’s star. And the final verse of the original carol seems anticlimactic. But when combined with its wistful music, the words glow and our hearts are strangely warmed.
The word “Noel” seems to be a French word with Latin roots, Natalis, meaning birthday. Modern hymns omit serval of the verses. Hers is the complete version:
The first Noel the angels did sing was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel; Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star shining in the East, beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued, both day and night.
And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country far, To seek for a King was their intent, and to follow the start wherever it went.
This star drew nigh to the northwest; o’er Bethlehem it took its rest. And there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay.
Then they did know assuredly within that house, the Kind did lie. One entered in then for to see and found the babe in poverty.
Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently, upon bended knee, And offered there, in His presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
If we in our time do well we shall be free from death and hell. For God hath prepared for us all a resting place in general.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel; Born is the King of Israel.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:8-11
Pastor’s Office Hour
Just a reminder that Pastor Doug’s office hours are as followed (but are subject to change):
Faith: 9am - 12pm Wednesdays
St. Andrew’s: 9am - 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 to Karen Anderson and Teresa Kofodimos for playing for our Christmas Eve service. We appreciate your willingness and dedication.
Thanks to Julie Muncy for leading us through 2021 as our Council President and Ron Graff for his commitment and leadership as Church Council-at-Large.
Thank you to Ron Graff for his quick response on our emergency door repair needs.
Thanks to everyone who helped with our beloved Pastor Joel’s funeral.
Where to begin this thank you note for all that you’ve done in 2021…
To those who have; greeted our guests or given us angels, poured our drinks or brewed our coffee, collected & handed out food to the hungry or provided dinner for homeless families, tested or treated our H2O, raised their voices to the Lord of tickled the ivories in songs of praise, emptied our trash or fixed our toilets, mopped our floors or fixed our doors, corralled our volunteers or donated hats, gloves & diaper bags for refugees, installed air conditioners or sent us cards, pulled our weeds and planted seeds, mowed our grass and watered our flowers, counted our funds or paid our bills, read our lessons or prepared our meals, readied our communion or organized our service for Sunday viewing, coordinated our message by changing our sign and emailing us notes to be seen online, visited, supported and fed our members in time of need, led Bible Study or Adult Forum, lit our candles and cared for our altar, ushered our crew and shoveled our snow, and helped us as we work to grow, showed us grace in our time of stress, and last but not lease, prayed for us without cease.
For all that you’ve done from near and from far,
Blessings and thanks sent to all for all that you are!!
Julie Muncy
What is Epiphany?
What is Epiphany? According to Women of the ELCA.org, “Epiphany is a church festival celebrated every January 6 that commemorates the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.” “What is an epiphany? According to the dictionary, the definition of an epiphany is:
(1) A usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something
(2) an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking
(3) an illumination discovery, realization, or disclosure b: a revealing scene or moment (Merriam-Webster.com).”
“We will first look at epiphany as an unfolding or illuminating discovery by considering Martin Luther’s teaching about baptism.
For Martin Luther and for Lutherans, baptism means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, can be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self can arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever. Baptism sends us into the world to participate in the healing of our church, our society, and the world. We respond to grace by surrendering ourselves to God to be made whole and by the many ways we support others becoming whole.”
“The idea of renewing our baptism daily can rightly be called an epiphany since our baptism not only unfolds but also continues to be discovered as we live our lives of faith. Who among us has not realized at several tender points in our lives how truly sinful we are in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds?”
“Consider how we walk this life of faith with the love of God continuing to unfold before us and within us. Have you shared your epiphanies or how they are unfolding in your life? Consider how we have discussed in church and over our own kitchen tables the ways in which God has revealed God’s self to us. Ponder in your hearts how we continue to live by faith, going forward until that day when we will each finally see Jesus face to face. What a revelation it will be to see him!”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day History
According to Britannica.com, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day honors “the achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister who advocated the use of nonviolent means to end racial segregation… He founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957 and led the 1963 March on Washington. He was the most influential of African American civil rights leaders during the 1960s. He was instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination in public accommodations, facilities, and employment, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1964.
“Almost immediately after King’s death, there were calls for a national holiday in his honor…In 1983, legislation was passed making the third Monday in January a federal holiday”.
Building Security
If you are the last person to leave the building, please lock, alarm the building, and check the doors to protect people and property. If you have any questions, please contact Janice Lee.
January
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
Rick Westwick 1/14
Lothar Nitz 1/17
Jenna Westwick 1/19
Joyce Sams 1/20
Cassidy Thomas 1/23
Jodi Draper 1/29
HOMEBOUND
Martha Siemers
Worship Assistants - January 2022
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
January 2
Lori W. Becker
Jay Anderson
Teresa K.
Willy Frizzell
John K.
Janice Lee
Nikki Lee
Vi Hughes
Phil Zillinger
Hacker 12/27 - 1/2
January 9
Lori W. Becker
Samuel M.
Jay Anderson
Teresa K.
Kevin W.
Lori W. Becker
Julie Muncy
Becky A.
Karen A.
Etter 1/3 - 1/9
January 16
Lori W. Becker
Brian K.
Lori W. Becker
Karen A.
John K.
Phil Zillinger
Becky A.
Joyce Sams
Kevin W.
Lee 1/10 - 1/16
January 23
Lori W. Becker
Karen A.
Brian K.
Willy Frizzell
John K.
Jay A.
Mona Etter
Sara Curry
Julie Muncy
Curry 1/17 - 1/23
January 30
Lori W. Becker
Phil Zillinger
Willy Frizzell
Brian K.
Kevin W.
Julie Muncy
Jay Anderson
Mona Etter
Debbie H.
Albaugh 1/24 - 1/30
Daily Readings & Devotions
Saturday, January 1
Sunday, January 2
Monday, January 3
Tuesday, January 4
Wed., January 5
Thursday, January 6
Friday, January 7
Saturday, January 8
Sunday, January 9
Monday, January 10
Tuesday, January 11
Wed., January 12
Thursday, January 13
Friday, January 14
Saturday, January 15
Sunday, January 16
Luke 2:15-21
John 1:[1-9], 10-18
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 147:12-20
Ephesians 1:3-14
Matthew 2:1-12
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:1-12
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
Monday, January 17
Tuesday, January 18
Wed., January 19
Thurs., January 20
Friday, January 21
Saturday, January 22
Sunday, January 23
Monday, January 24
Tuesday, January 25
Wed., January 26
Thursday, January 27
Friday, January 28
Saturday, January 29
Sunday, January 30
Monday, January 31
Acts 4:8-13
Matthew 16:13-19
1 Corinthians 10:1-5
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
Galatians 1:11-24
Acts 9:1-22
Luke 21:10-19
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
Psalm 84
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.
HVAC Cost/Donation Update
We want to give you a quick update on the donations we’ve received toward our new Heating & Air Conditioning system we installed in August. Thank you to everyone who has donated toward our new system!
Cost of equipment: $6,815
Donations received through 12/19: $4,440
Still Need: $2,375
Faith Financials
November 20021 Offerings
Account Name
Budget Giving
Building Fund
Food Pantry
Garden of Faith
St. Andrew’s
November Total
Amount
$10,601.66
$739.97
$329.92
$58.00
$5,809.02
$17,538.57
In the spirit of giving, we thank you for your generosity!
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 an email to bkochersperger@foxcontractors.com. Envelopes are currently back-ordered, however, we should receive them sometime early/mid January.
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 Funds
Youth Designated
Computer Fund
AV Grant
Property Accounts
Trail Construction
Butterfly Garden
Garden of Faith
Garden Shed
Investment Accounts
Endowment Fund
Total of All Accounts
Beginning Balance 11/1/2021
$48,696.01
-$1,615.92
$28,351.77
$7,012.73
$10,074.41
$2,054.45
$820.34
$115.80
$1,775.00
$210.00
$10.00
$570.00
$250.00
$1,142.25
$975.00
$80.00
$ -
-$27.40
$138.91
$349.47
$439.43
$377.09
$12,319.76
$114,372.50
Deposits Month of November
$10,601.66
$5,809.02
$ -
$739.97
$329.92
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$10.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$58.00
$ -
$4.94
$17,553.51
Disbursement Month of November
$11,161.66
$4,274.57
$ -
$ -
$1,125.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$111.71
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$16,673.26
Ending Balance 11/30/2021
$48,135.69
-$81.47
$28,351.77
$7,752.70
$9,279.33
$2,054.45
$820.34
$115.80
$1,775.00
$213.29
$10.00
$570.00
$260.00
$1,142.25
$975.00
$80.00
$ -
-$27.40
$138.91
$349.47
$535.83
$377.09
$12,324.70
$115,252.75
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), Vince Draper, Jodi Draper, Brian Kochersperger’s mom, Karen Anderson and family, Donna Brown (cancer patient-friend of Sara Curry), For a special intention, Masako Knight and family (health concerns), Jim Boyd (health concerns), Chris Burgan (daughter of Joyce and Gil Sams), Lou Ann Funk, Carolyn Moench, Sam Muncy, Tim Schults (brother of Karen Anderson), Dan Weaver (father of Dee Dee Kochersperger), Unknown needs to all who are troubled in mind, body, and spirit.
Higher Education Students: Douglas Perez, Maddie Anderson, Matthew Benning, Lauren and Lindsay Basicker, All students navigating their “new normals”
Military Service Members: All Service Men and Women fighting for our freedoms
Current Events:
Continued Covid-19 struggles 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.