September 2021 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Friends:
So are you longing for spiritual growth, renewal and some refreshing away time to grow in the Lord? If so, you are ready for a Via de Cristo weekend! You have heard the term before, Via de Cristo is Spanish for “Way of Christ” and is our Lutheran version of the 3 day Christian retreat experience.
When I prepared my Zoom introduction for the Call Process, I talked about this movement as being very important to me in my life. I also said I would not “push” this on anyone but simply to lift it up from time to time and invite. I am serving on an upcoming Co-Ed weekend (men and women welcomed, really good for couples) Sept. 30-Oct. 3. I can handle all the arrangements if you feel called to come. I am serving on that weekend as a Spiritual Director and will be in attendance. (On the INKY website mentioned below you’ll find information for a Men’s (Nov. 4-7) and Women’s (Nov. 11-14) weekend at Camp Lakeview in Seymour)
Questions/answers/ more information can be found on the National Web site at www.viadecristo.org or locally at www.inkyvdc.org! Mark and Denise Hollman from St. Andrews are also on the team putting the weekend together starting Sept. 30.
They can answer any questions as can others who have attended a previous weekend.
I will also answer questions and confirm for you God is calling and it’s your turn to attend! No fear, safe Covid type arrangements have been made. You will listen to talks on the Christian life in a small group at tables and then reflect together. There is outstanding food and fellowship, worship and fun! Cost is only $100 but we don’t want that to get in the way of you attending (scholarships available). Please let me know. I am praying about you attending. This program is an excellent way to build up our lay leadership in the churches! Thank you for praying about this.
Peace, Pr. Doug
Worship Service Time Change
September 5th marks the time change from 11am worship service time to 9am worship service time at Faith. Please be sure to mark it on your calendar.
Pastor Doug Givan’s Installation
Pastor Doug will be officially installed as the Presiding Minister of Faith Lutheran Church (Avon, IN) and St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (Speedway, IN)! Bishop Bill Gafkjen will be preaching and presiding.
Date: Sunday, September 26th, 2021
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Hendricks County Fairgrounds 1900 E. Main Street, Danville, IN
Details: Reception to follow; chairs will be spaced appropriately to allow for social distancing
Adult Forum
Adult Forum will be starting back up on September 12th at 10:15 a.m. Everyone is invited! Please see Debbie Hacker for additional information.
Wednesday night Zoom/Virtual Bible Study
Weekday Zoom Bible Study led by Pastor Doug begins September 8th at 7 p.m. The first topic will be “Bible 101” with information on how the Bible came together and what it means to us today. Ask PD for any questions. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND INVITED! Each week the topics shift and there won’t be any reading ahead of time, please join us.
Faith Formation
Every Sunday Evening at 7:00pm via Zoom
We are continuing to cover 1st Corinthians as we progress into September. All are welcome! We will see you on Sunday evenings at 7:00pm via Zoom! Contact Pastor for details.
Food Pantry Dates
The September food pantries will be held on Friday, September 3rd from 5-7 p.m., and Saturday, September 18th from 9-11 a.m. We ask you to please prayerfully consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. Please bring your grocery bags (paper or plastic) to church on Sunday for us to use! All hands are welcome 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 to have your questions answered! We invite EVERYONE to stay each week to enjoy goodies and fellowship with one another!
The History of Labor Day
According to the Department of Labor website, the Labor Day holiday is “rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions works have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.” One June 24, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday. We hope you have a safe and restful time this Labor Day holiday.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Saturday, October 2, 2021
10:30 am Opening Ceremony & Walk
2 mile course
IUPUI Carroll Stadium
Indianapolis, IN
You are invited to join: CURRY’S (Alzheimer’s) CRUSHERS
Registration is free but donations are obviously very appreciated.
Register at: act.Alz.org
Search for Indianapolis Walk
Follow prompts to join.
If the walk isn’t for you, please consider a donation. Thanks!
Let’s CRUSH this terrible disease!
Stewardship (G3)
A good day to all of Faith,
I begin this article with information on our Stewardship at Faith. I wish to bring joy and energy into this mission. This is a mission we all contribute to and receive benefits from. I hope to bring joy and energy to you and others in the community.
Like trying on new clothes, I am renaming Stewardship to G3.
G3 is “Give as God has Given us.” A new name but the same soul on the inside.
And the purpose of G3 is to Focus our ‘mission to serve others’ each year. In getting started to organize this mission, Pastor Doug suggested starting with 2nd Corinthians, chapters 8 & 9. This section as noted in my Study Bible says, “the endeavor Titus is pursuing, deals with the collection for the Christians in Jerusalem. On the surface this is talking about collection money. Below the surface, Paul deals with the social meaning of money and the way gifts are given to emphasize the social distance between giver and recipient”.
Today, we are stewards of gifts God has given us.
Our lives and how we live.
Our families and how we help each member to be our best.
Our Church and Congregation and how we use of facilities for the betterment of our fellow Faith members and community
Our community both near and far and how we can help others to prosper and know God.
Faith is an abundant community with gifts we may or may not know we have or know how to use for the sharing of our gifts. I will focus on exalting these gifts so we might share God’s Gift with others.
2 Items to Contemplate
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, please mark if for the “air conditioner” that would be helpful.
We are serving meals to Family Promise on September 20th. Currently we have a routine and the same people helping. If you would like to join this team, please contact Debbie Hacker at dlh323@aol.com
I look forward to talking about how we can share our abundance going forward.
On our path to serving others.
Hymn History with Douglas featuring “Take My Life and Let It Be” (1874)
Although hymnist Frances Havergal, 36, had served the Lord for years, she felt something was missing in her Christian experience. Then one day in 1873, she received a little book called, “All for Jesus,” which stressed the importance of making Christ the King of every corner of one’s life. Soon thereafter, she made a fresh and complete consecration of herself to Christ. Years later when asked about it, she replied, “Yes, it was on Advent Sunday, December 2, 1873, I first saw clearly the blessedness of true consecration. I saw it as a flash of electric light, and what you see you can never unsee. There must be full surrender before there can be full blessedness.”
Not long afterward, she found herself spending several days with ten people in a house, some of the unconverted. Others were Christians, but not fully surrendered to Christ. “Lord, give me all in this house,” she prayed. She went to work witnessing, and before she left, all ten were yielded Christians. On the last night of her visit, Frances - too excited to sleep - wrote this great consecration hymn, “Take My Life and Let It Be.” In the years that followed, Frances frequently used this hymn in her own devotions, especially every December 2, on the anniversary of her consecration.
On one occasion, as she pondered the words, “Take my voice and et me sing / Always only for my King,” she felt she should give up her secular concerts. Her beautiful voice was in demand, and she frequently sang with the Philharmonic. But from that moment, her voice was exclusively devoted to the songs of the Lord. On another occasion, she was praying over the stanza that says, “ Take my silver and my gold / Not a mite would I withhold.” She had accumulated a great deal of jewelry, but she now felt she should donate it the Church Missionary Society. Writing to a friend, she said, “I retain only a brooch for daily wear, which is a memorial to my dear parents; also a locket with the holy portrait I have of my niece in Heaven. Evelyn, I had no idea I had such a jeweler’s shop; nearly fifty articles are being packed off. I don’t think I need to tell you I never packed a box with such pleasure.
“Take my love, my God, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Yeah doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do not count them but dung, that I may win Christ…”
Philippians 3:8
Thank You Very Much
“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the way of God in Christ Jesus” (1 Th. 5:16)
Thanks and praise to Brian, Nikki, Becky, Janice, and others who helped make the outdoor joint worship service a success! John Kofodimos has donated time and equipment to assist our recording on Facebook and personally recorded the August 29th outdoor service!!
Thank you Gil Sams and Ron Graff for meeting the Chapman Heating & Cooling technicians when they were inspecting the issues with the previous AC unit and working on the repairs.
Thanks to Janice Lee who gave personal time Friday, the 13th, to coordinate getting the air conditioners repaired.
Thanks to Pastor Chris Wynn for substituting for Pastor Doug who wasn’t feeling well August 8th. Special thanks to Karen Anderson for leading the worship service that day.
We appreciate John and Teresa Kofodimos for organizing the tuning of our church piano. Thank you John and Teresa!
Thank you to Ron Graff and Vince Draper for helping to take care of the property.
Grandparents Day
According to the Legacy Project, National Grandparents Day was created by West Virginian Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade. There are three purposes for why Grandparents Day exists:
To honor grandparents;
To give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children;
To help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.
“Mrs. McQuade wanted Grandparents Day to be a family day. She envisioned families enjoying small, private gatherings, perhaps even a family reunion, or participating in community events. On a societal level, National Grandparents Day gives us a chance to publicly affirm the identity and importance of grandparents, that they do play a vital role in families. It is also a day of giving - giving of self; sharing hopes, dreams, and values; and setting an example and advocating for future generations.”
One of our members, Carol Westwick, has 10 grandchildren which appears to be the highest number of grandchildren by one of our members. Honor your grandparents this Grandparent’s Day.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Congratulations to Amy Westwick for graduating as a paramedic of the Community Health Network!
Congratulations also to Sarah Westwick and Greg Behning upon their marriage with family and friends in New Hampshire on August 28. Best Wishes!
Just Like Jesus Conclusion
Thank you!
Thank you for participating with me during this Summer Sermon Series from the book, “Just Like Jesus” from Max Lucado. We have learned what it means to have a heart just like Jesus, and the good news is that we have that same heart. Let’s you and I pledge, commit ourselves to becoming more and more like Jesus. Here are the brief snippets from the book:
Chapter 1: Having a heart like Jesus
The author gives the example of his wife’s love of remodeling their home. God wants to “remodel” our hearts. The heart of Jesus was spiritual and during this summer we will look at growing this same way starting with forgiveness.
Chapter 2: A Forgiving Heart
The author talks about in our relationships in life we can either Flee, Fight or Forgive and urges us to be a forgiving people. In the original language of the Bible, the word forgiveness is translated (roughly) to “forego.” We forgo being angry, or hurt any longer. Forgiveness is not for the other person but for us.
Bible verse in support: Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and loving to one another, and forgive each other just as God also forgave you in Christ.” When we remember how much we have been forgiven, we can more easily forgive others.
“Jesus made sure the disciples had no reason to doubt his love, why don’t we do the same!” (pg. 23, older edition)
Chapter 3: A Compassionate Heart
The word essentially means to “suffer with.” The Passion of the Christ movie title has to do with the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The Latin for the word “Compati” means “with”. This is the joy of a family of faith, we suffer with each other and pray and support love.
Max tells the story of the man with leprosy and how the healing touch of Jesus healed the man. Still today, as we “touch” one another (in person or online, on the phone, with a card/note or with food at a time of need) we touch hearts.
Chapter 4: A Listening Heart
How do we hear God? Max Lucado suggests we look to Jesus as the model who takes time out to listen/pray and to be in God’s Word. We have been given two ears and one mouth! We must be a people of God who listen twice as much as we talk. Jesus says in many places in Scripture “Let those who have ears hear what I’m saying!” Essentially, Jesus is saying “Listen to what I am saying!”
We are invited to use the same time every day and the same place to pray and to listen to God. Prayer is not complicated, we are invited to pray all the time in the Bible: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Th. 5:17)
God has already “given” us a listening heart, toss out the extras and the other things crowding our minds, and stop, and listen. God does it for you and me whenever we pray!
Chapter 5: A God-Intoxicated Heart
We are invited in this chapter to consider a deep thought from Max Lucado, Just Like Jesus. When we stop working “for” God and begin to work “with” God it can be life changing. (page 59). We know that God is with us and Max invites us to give God our Waking thoughts first thing in the morning. To give God our Waiting thoughts as the day unfolds, and to give God our Waning thoughts as we end the day. Full time awareness of our full time God is life giving.
Chapter 6: A Worship Hungry Heart
Max Lucado reflects on a young boy on a plane flight years ago. He really wanted to meet the pilot and see the cockpit. He was allowed to do so and came back smiling and his face lit up. Max says the same things happens to us when we worship our “pilot” and we too can have our faces changed. As we worship together we see less and less of our problems and worries and more and more of the light of Christ.
**We take a break from our Summer Sermon Series for the July 4th Holiday. Next is having a “Focused Heart!”
“I ask God…Jesus Christ to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing Jesus personally, keeping your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is God is calling you to do.” Eph. 1:17 (MSG)
Chapter 7: A Focused Heart
In this chapter, Max Lucado talks about playing golf. He notices his friends going a slightly different direction until he realizes he’s on the wrong hole!! It’s easy to get out of focus, and we are to be reminded that Jesus was always focused on His mission: To seek and save the lost!! So shall we.
Chapter 8: An Honest Heart
Max Lucado invites us to think about our honest hearts like a witness in a criminal trial. We pledge “to tell the whole, nothing but the truth, so help me God.” Let’s always share the love of God, honestly with others.
Chapter 9: A Pure Heart
In our book, Just Like Jesus, Max Lucado talks about the “Greenhouse of our hearts” and that we will grow that which we plant. What seeds are being planted in your heart today? Let’s let God plant seeds of love, grace and hope for us to grow in our lives and those around us.
Chapter 10: A Hope Filled Heart
As with all of these, Max points to Jesus. He invites us to look at the last day, and night, of the life of Jesus who keeps hope alive. Jesus knows the plan for His life to end and a new life to emerge. God’s plan is the same for each of us. Have Hope!
Chapter 11: A Rejoicing Heart
In the book Just Like Jesus, Max Lucado lifts up the “lost and found': events in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15. Three items: a sheep, a coin and a son are lost, and there is great rejoicing when they are found. In the same way, we who are lost in our sinful condition are found in Jesus. We are brought back again and again to the Cross, to Grace, love and hope, and we can be glad and rejoice as a result. To me, rejoicing is a reminder to “refill” ourselves with joy. Not as the world gives, but as God gives to us in Jesus Christ.
Chapter 12: An Enduring Heart
Due to Pastor Doug’s absence this week, we will continue our study one additional week. An Enduring Heart will be covered this Sunday, the 15th, and our Summer Sermon Series will conclude on August 22nd.
Chapter 13: Fixing Your Eyes on Jesus
The final chapter is called “Fixing Your Eyes on Jesus” and Max says for us “Don’t be satisfied with angels, don’t be content with stars in the sky. Seek Jesus out just as the shepherds did, long for Jesus like Simeon did, and worship the Lord as did the Wise Men. Do as disciples John and Andrew did, ask for his address. Do as Matthew: invite Jesus into your house. Imitate Zacchaeus. Risk whatever it takes to see Christ.” (page 172 of older edition)
Always remember this key teaching for the author: “God loves you just the way you are, but God refuses to leave us that way. God wants us to be just like Jesus.” (pg. 173).
And all God’s people say “Amen!”
Building Security
If you are the last person to leave the building, you must lock and alarm the building to protect people and property. If you have any questions, please contact Janice Lee.
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
Lauren Basicker 9/22
Daniel Blakely 9/22
Darlene Olson 9/26
Janice Damrow 9/27
Lori Westwick Becker 9/29
ANNIVERSARIES
Leigh Anderson and Daniel Schramm 9/1
Jim and Kim Orebaugh 9/8
Chuck and Julie Muncy 9/17
HOMEBOUND
Martha Siemers
Worship Assistants - July 2021
Sunday, September 5
Sunday, September 19
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Facebook Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Coffee Fellowship
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Lori Westwick Becker
Phil Zillinger
Debbie Hacker
Brian Kochersperger
Janice Lee
Mona Etter
Vi Hughes
Debbie Hacker
Etter
(8/30 - 9/5)
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Facebook Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Coffee Fellowship
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Lori Westwick Becker
Lori Westwick Becker
Phil Zillinger
Kevin Westwick
Jacob Benning
Elaine Graff
Mona Etter
Phil Zillinger
Albaugh
(9/13 - 9/19)
Sunday, September 12
Sunday, September 26
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Facebook Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Coffee Fellowship
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Lori Westwick Becker
Jay Anderson
Teresa Kofodimos
John Kofodimos
Kevin Westwick
Nikki Lee
Janice Lee
Karen Anderson
Lee
(9/6 - 9/12)
Altar Guild
Assisting Minister
Lector
Facebook Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Coffee Fellowship
Money Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Lori Westwick Becker
Brian Kochersperger
Willy Frizzell
John Kofodimos
Phil Zillinger
Janice Lee
Sara Curry
Julie Muncy
Hacker
(9/20 - 9/26)
Daily Readings & Devotions
Wednesday, September 1
Thursday, September 2
Friday, September 3
Saturday, September 4
Sunday, September 5
Monday, September 6
Tuesday, September 7
Wednesday, September 8
Thursday, September 9
Friday, September 10
Saturday, September 11
Sunday, September 12
Monday, September 13
Tuesday, September 14
Wednesday, September 15
Psalm 106:1-6, 13-23, 47-48
Isaiah 30:27-33
Isaiah 32:1-8
Psalm 146
Mark 7:24-37
Hebrews 11:29 - 12:2
Isaiah 38:10-20
Matthew 17:14-20
Hebrews 11:17-22
Psalm 116:1-9
Matthew 21:23-32
Mark 8:27-38
Psalm 119:169-176
2 Corinthians 1:18-24
John 7:25-36
Thursday, September 16
Friday, September 17
Saturday, September 18
Sunday, September 19
Monday, September 20
Tuesday, September 21
Wednesday, September 22
Thursday, September 23
Friday, September 24
Saturday, September 25
Sunday, September 26
Monday, September 27
Tuesday, September 28
Wednesday, September 29
Thursday, September 30
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Psalm 34
Mark 9:30-37
Psalm 139:1-18
Matthew 9:9-13
John 8:21-30
Acts 4:13-31
Psalm 19:7-14
Matthew 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
1 Peter 1:3-9
Psalm 5
Psalm 103:1-5, 20-22
Psalm 8
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
Online Giving
Friends: Please remember your family of faith as you travel and vacation. We have multiple ways to contribute; you can predate checks or go online and complete your giving while you are out of town, or through our GivePlus app. You can give online at https://secure.myvanco.com/YK3M/home If you need help with any of these, please contact Brian Kochersperger.
Operating Budget
Budget
St. Andrew’s Pastor Compensation
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 7/1/2021
$55,904.16
-$1,370.03
$28,349.62
$6,637.73
$12,489.68
$2,054.37
$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
$314.63
$377.09
$12,299.54
$123,466.16
Deposits Month of July 2021
$10,318.98
$2,787.50
$ -
$50.00
$290.80
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$38.40
$ -
$5.09
$13,490.77
Disbursement Month of July 2021
$11,290.67
$4,047.15
$ -
$ -
$263.47
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$15,601.29
Ending Balance 7/31/2021
$54,932.47
-$2,629.68
$28,349.62
$6,687.73
$12,517.01
$2,054.37
$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
$353.03
$377.09
$12,304.63
$121,355.64
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: Donna Brown (cancer patient - friend of Sara Curry), For a special intention, Masako Knight and family (health concerns), Jim Boyd (health concerns), Joel and Judy Vogel (prayers for ongoing support), Christina Burgan (daughter of Joyce and Gil Sams), Lou Ann Funk, Carolyn Moench, Jodi Draper, Vince Draper, Sara Curry, 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.
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, Peace for our troubled world, Please pray for those affected by the building collapse in Miami.
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.