January 2024 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Dear Friends+
Welcome to 2024!! A new year has dawned. We can put the past away and embrace God's everyday newness.
Bishop Gafkjen has long used the Isaiah passage from Chapter 43:19 "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth....I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
I love this verse for us! Both churches will need to soul search, pray, and discuss new ways of being church! Same "old" liturgy? Robes and formality or time for a band and musicians?
I don't have the answers but want to lead us to try new things! Out of the box thinking, they call it, and we can do it in Christ! New year, new life, and we are new creations in Jesus Christ! Amen!
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 7, 2024, the morning services will switch to Faith at 11am and St. Andrew’s at 9am each Sunday through April.
From Faith Church Council
Hello Faith Lutheran Church Family. As we end 2023, it was certainly a year of ups and downs, as I'm sure 2024 will be the same, but I'm confident we have a strong leadership team for 2024. Thank you to the outgoing council members, Julie Muncy and Becky Albaugh. Please Welcome Samuel Muncy and Janice Damrow to the 2024 Council. Returning to Council are Pastor Doug, Sara Curry, Karen Anderson, Teresa Kofodimos and myself. If you have any questions about newsletter articles or anything else going on at Faith, please ask a Council Member.
May we continue to follow God's path for Faith Lutheran Church. God Bless.
Kevin Westwick
2024 FLC President
Council Meeting Highlights - December 2023
Pastor reminded us to keep the Joy of Christmas and the gift of Jesus, no matter what comes along.
Administrative Assistant position to be filled
Council Installation set for January 14th
Annual Meeting set for February 18th
Wednesday night Zoom/Virtual Bible Study
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.
Faith Formation
Every Sunday Evening
at 7:00pm via 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
Many people were fed in 2023 from the generous donations and great volunteers! With limited resources, Council requested Janice Lee to complete a food pantry assessment based on the Indy Hunger Network (IHN) findings. The IHN developed best practices and recommendations based on intense research and surveys. Out of the findings, a Faith Food Pantry Steering Committee was created to develop written policies and processes. In an effort to improve the process for clients, best practices from the IHN are being incorporated into Faith's Food Pantry.
In 2024, Faith will continue a food pantry on the 3rd Saturday of every month (not on the first Friday). The new structure will incorporate positions from the beginning with an inventory, purchasing, and stocking, followed by a Food Pantry Day inside and outside teams. We are blessed with so many wonderful volunteers who take time out of their busy schedules to help feed those that are seeking assistance with food. Written policies and procedures are being finalized to help move things forward. Faith Food Pantry Steering Committee members are: Karen Anderson, Ron Graff, Janice Lee, and Julie Muncy.
If you have any questions, please see one of the committee members. Thanks.
The January food pantry will be held on Saturday, January 21st from 9 - 11am. We ask you to please prayerfully consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. All hands are welcomed and needed!
I want to give Thank Yous to the congregation and the volunteers for the last 9 years and 9 months for allowing Elizabeth, Daniel and myself to serve the food pantry program.
We have enjoyed serving God in feeding the community. We have met so many wonderful people. We have laughed, cried and prayed with them over the years. We will truly miss them.
The Steering Committee food pantry will be serving the church and the community.
May God Bless you.
Debbie Mohr and family
2024 Church Council Members
Kevin Westwick – President
Teresa Kofodimos – Vice President
Janice Damrow – Secretary
Karen Anderson – Financial Secretary
Sara Curry – At-Large
Samuel Muncy – At-Large
Thank you to Becky Albaugh and Julie Muncy for your years of service. Thank you!
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 everyone who helped put up our tree and the hanging of the greens at church.
● We appreciate John Kofidimos for donating a new laptop to assist with the slides for worship.
● Thanks to Julie Muncy for working to organize Christmas caroling. She also arranged flowers and candy for each family (4 total).
● Many hard workers helped pull together this last Food Pantry of 2023 December 16. We give God all thanks and praise for Debbie, Elizabeth, and Daniel for their years of service at church.
● 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 lock, alarm the building, and check the doors to protect people and property. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Westwick.
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
Benjamin Becker 01-01
Gary Norland 01-06
Lothar Nitz 01-17
Jenna Westwick 01-19
Joyce Sams 01-20
Cassidy Thomas 01-23
Jodi Draper 01-29
Worship Assistants - January 2024
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
January 7
Lori W. Becker
Jay Anderson
Teresa Kofodimos
Karen Anderson
Kevin Westwick
Phil Zillinger
Becky Albaugh
Karen Anderson
Jim Orebaugh
Curry 1.1 - 1.7
January 14
Lori W. Becker
Jim Orebaugh
Jay Anderson
Brian K.
John Kofodimos
Gil Sams
Nikki Lee
Becky Albaugh
Julie Muncy
Albaugh 1.8 - 1.14
January 21
Lori W. Becker
Samuel Muncy
Phil Zillinger
Teresa Kofodimos
John Kofodimos
Nikki Lee
Jay Anderson
Vi Hughes
Karen Anderson
Hacker 1.15 - 1.21
January 28
Lori W. Becker
Phil Zillinger
Brian K.
Jim Orebaugh
Kevin Westwick
Samuel Muncy
Joyce Sams
Nikki Lee
Janice Lee
Etter 1.22 - 1.28
Faith Financials
November 2023 Offerings
Account Name
Budget Giving
Building Fund
Food Pantry
St. Andrew’s
Amount
$8,563.41
$300.00
$384.65
$4,658.08
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 email to bkochersperger@foxcontractors.com
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, Estelle Boyd, and Judy Vogel.
Continued Prayers: Estelle Boyd and family (ongoing support), Judy Vogel and famiily (ongoing support), and Dan Weaver (Dee Dee Kochersperger’s father).
For special intention, Rick Emerson, Becky Mannon, 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: Douglas Perez, Annika Cahill, 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.