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January 2008 Newsletter
    
Deadline for Newsletter Articles for next month is the 15th of the month.
Email the Church Office or fax the office at 330-836-8872
Use Newsletter submission form here on the website or place in church office newsletter mail box.
Help Un-Decorate
Following 10:30 a.m. Worship - January 6, 2008 - Many hands make light work!
Prayer for the New Year
This paraphrase of Romans 12:10-12 is a great prayer to memorize for 2008. Why not post it somewhere so that you remember to pray it every day? “Dear God, help me to be devoted to others in brotherly love, to honor them above myself; to be joyful in hope and patient in affliction, and always faithful in prayer.”
STEPHEN MINISTRY – A NEW CLASS!
Faith’s first class of Stephen Ministers are commissioned and are beginning their caring ministry. These dedicated individuals will also meet regularly for continuing education and support.
It is time to train more of you! Our hope is to begin a new class late spring and meet about every three weeks so that we can commission our next group by the end of 2008. Remember, we train you! You simply need a willingness to serve God by serving others. If you would like more information about becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Carolyn at the church or by email cjwaggs@aol.com.
COUPLE’S RETREAT – A SURVEY
Each winter, several couples get together to take time from the hustle and bustle of the world and concentrate on each other. This year, we are contemplating a couple’s retreat with a slight difference. While there will certainly be time to enjoy the company of your spouse, our retreat this year might focus on how we as committed Christian couples can grow deeper in our journey as disciples. If learning more about helping to live as Jesus calls us is appealing to you, please let Carolyn or Dineen know. Watch for more details of the retreat which will be held in late February or early March.
2008 Lenten Devotional Book
You are invited to participate in the creation of a 2008 Lenten Devotional Book made by and for members and friends of Faith Lutheran Church!
We appeal to all Faith members – adult, youth, child – for contributions to this Lenten
Devotional Book. Your contribution could be (a) a written reflection on your assigned passage; (b) a poem or prayer inspired by your assigned passage; or (c) a piece of visual art inspired by your assigned passage.
Preschool registration
For church members only!!! - Sunday, January 6, 10-10:30 a.m. in the Kinship Café area Don't miss out on your chance to register before we open to the public!, Any questions??? Call Wendy or Heather at 330-836-8827
First Communion Class
First Communion Class will be 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, February 24, in the Fellowship Hall. All children in third grade or older who have not yet participated in First Communion Class are invited to attend with at least one parent.
Parents of children younger than third grade may request that their children be allowed to participate in the class by contacting Pastor Jean. The congregation’s policy is that the Pastor will determine whether or not a child younger than third grade will be accepted to the Lord’s Table.
First Communion will be celebrated during both worship services on March 2 for those who have participated in the class.
Middle Schoolers
Make A Difference - What a Bingo experience we had at Arden Courts! As expected you all made me proud with your respect and behavior. I hope you know how much good you accomplished that night. You may not feel like you did much because you played a game (and several of us won many times!) I can tell you it made a difference. My table had many jokes and active participation; we also had some enthusiastic Bingo players! I also wanted to thank you for singing some Christmas carols, though it was Advent and unexpected! You didn’t have to be a great singer, or know all the words (as we proved I believe…) but it made a difference. There was a woman at my table that was rather withdrawn. I think her illness was more advanced and she was having a hard time keeping engaged. She didn’t want to play bingo and was just waiting for them to wheel her back to her room. But you should have seen her once we began caroling. I think we helped bring something back for her; she was clapping her hands and singing along, even if just humming the notes. You shared the love of Christ and it heals. I felt the God’s presence with all of you there, and I cannot thank you enough for your participation. Janice Wedge
Church Council
Council Officers for 2008 - The Church Council elected or appointed the following persons to serve as officers: President – Polly Dobkin, Vice-President – Mark Watkins, Secretary – Pat Gsellman, Treasurer – Judy Lee, Financial Secretary – Ken Jakubec, Please pray for them as they fulfill these leadership roles
Attention Team Leaders
Annual Reports Due - On January 6 - All Team Leaders are reminded that Annual Reports are due in the church office on January 6. Please turn in a record of your Team’s activities for 2007!
Special Notice
Concerning Church Council
There will be no Church Council meeting on January 21, the regular meeting time. Instead, the Council will be gathering for an all-day retreat on January 19.
Stock Transfers
It is imperative that the members notify Judy Lee 330-836-8811 or Michael Chaffee 330-865-1550 when the stock or mutual funds are being transferred from you brokerage account. For tax purposes stock/mutual funds are credited when sold at LFA and not when it leaves your brokerage account!! Due to market volatility it is vital to let Judy or Michael know when your assets are being transferred ASAP. Because of the wiring technology this can normally be done the same day. Since Faith Lutheran Church does not have any Fiduciary Responsibilities stock/mutual funds are sold at market when received by LFA.
THE GOOD SAMARITANS STRIKE AGAIN!
This year good Samaritans from Faith Lutheran Church, Faith Preschool, Salon Evangeline, and assorted other friends and neighbors pulled together to help 6 families have a great Thanksgiving feast and 10 families have a special Christmas complete with gifts and food. In addition, we were able to help a young mother who is moving from a shelter to transitional housing outfit her new apartment with many household items.
As you know, the families we “adopt” are all families who are not being helped by other social service agencies. This is without a doubt the biggest group of people we have served, and this is in addition to all of you who so generously support our Salvation Army giving tree. One member really summed it up when she said, “This (shopping) was the brightest spot in my week. Thanks for letting me help!” I know that most of you feel that way. On behalf of Pastor Jean, Carolyn, and the entire staff, thanks for your generous participation .
Thank You
Advent Bookfair Report - Thanks to all who supported the Advent Bookfair by purchasing books, Bibles, mugs and T-shirts. May you enjoy your finds and take comfort in knowing you helped support the Stephen Ministry program here at Faith.
The Guatemala mission team had a small excess of relief items upon return. These items included adult toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap. Curves of Seville collects items of this type and sends them to our troops in Iraq. Therefore, we have donated these left over relief items and they have been shipped to Iraq. The mission team once again thanks everyone for their overwhelming support and generosity. It is a wonderful thing that we could share these relief items with our troops in Iraq on behalf of our congregation.
WELCA
Wednesday, January 9, 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
The Faith unit of the Women of the ELCA will meet January 9, 2008 in the Fellowship Hall at 10 a.m. One of our convention goals at our 12th Biennial Convention in October 2007 was to "provide Bible study and awareness sessions which will inspire and motivate women".
Our January meeting will provide that opportunity with a Bible study led by Norma Setteur entitled "Loving My Neighbor". Diversity bingo will be played to emphasize our learning experience. This BOLD study will guide us to a greater appreciation for our everyday life situations and how to react to them with bolder compassion and understanding.
Refreshments will be served by Marian McHenry and Wanda Hare.
In Our Prayers:
Health Concerns: Faith member Karen Callahan, Faith member Dineen Dowling, Faith member Bob Heldridge, Faith member Dick Kesti, Faith member Thelma Ottiger
Special Prayers: For all who are serving in the military, particularly those who are in the midst of conflict, that they would sense God’s presence. And that peace may prevail in our hearts and in the world, particularly in Iraq and all places where people are suffering due to war and violence.
In Time of Loss: For Faith members Don and Elaine Johnson upon the death of Don’s mother Gertrude Johnson on November 23, that they may be comforted. For Faith member Deb Rose and her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Adam, and their family, upon the loss of their unborn child, that they may be comforted. For Faith member Diane Christoff’s daughter Heather, and all of their family, upon the death of her father Ron after a long struggle with cancer, that they may be comforted. For Faith members Dineen Dowling and Tom Antal, and family, upon the death of Dineen’s grandmother on December 10, that they may be comforted.
Thanksgiving: With Faith members Steve and Penny Thompson upon the birth of their grandson Cade Tolofson Hartsell on December 10.
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