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April 2004 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.
Ushering
Are you looking
for a behind the scenes
opportunity at services?
Do you want to be seen
and not heard?
Well USHERING is the life for you. Join our 8am or 10:45 am Usher team. We are looking to add active and substitute Ushers for both services. Our 10:45 team has spots open for July, November, and December. Everyone is welcome. Wehave parent-child and couples teams. So please consider joining either team.
You may contact John Knops at 330.835.4505 with any questions or if you would like to join the Ushering team.
Easter Flowers
Order Your Easter
Flowers Now
Yellow order forms can be found on tables and counters throughout the church. April 4 is the deadline.
Celebration Choir
The Celebration Choir will be presenting the Schubert Mass in G on May 16. We are looking for singers! Practices will be at 9:15 a.m. Sunday mornings beginning in April. Those interested in participating should contact Scott McVey.
Each Service
Each Service Tells The Story During Holy Week
A Reminder From Pastor Jean
As I explained last year, I feel it is SO important that as believers we experience the progression of Holy Week. That's why at Faith Lutheran Church we do not designate the Sunday before Easter as the Sunday of the Passion, as is true in most Lutheran churches.
In those congregations, the entire story of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus is read on what was once called Palm Sunday. This changed developed to make it possible for people who do not attend Holy Week services to hear the entire story of Jesus' final days before coming back the next Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter.
Throughout my ministry I have felt it is important to focus on the story as it occurred in Jesus' life - on Sunday, on Thursday and on Friday. If there is any time that we as Christian should set aside other commitment to be in worship, it is during Holy Week. For that reason, we will not be reading the Passion Narrative on Palm Sunday, but will focus on the story one step at a time.
I encourage everyone - adults, youth children - to attend the Holy Week services. To neglect to do so is to overlook something vital and also faith-building.
Palm Sunday
The Most Important Week of the Year
Begins April 4
ATTENTION PARENTS!
Palm Sunday
April 4
10:45 a.m. Worship
The Explorer's Club will lead the procession to St. Hilary for the "Blessing of the Palms" liturgy and then will return for worship in the sanctuary during which the children will sing a song of celebration. All who wish to join in the procession should gather in the narthex by 10:40 a.m. that day.
On this day we will focus on the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The "Blessing of the Palms" liturgy will also be done during the 8 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. services.
Maundy (Holy) Thursday
Maundy (Holy) Thursday
April 8
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
During this service we will remember the last evening Jesus spent with his followers when he gave them a new commandment (the word Maundy is an English form of the Latin word for commandment.) That commandment was that we "love one another even as I have loved you." Then, Jesus gave the gift of himself in Holy Communion.
This traditional service will include Holy Communion and the "Stripping of the Altar" in preparation for Good Friday. Special music will be provided by a group of people who attend all three worship services.
Good Friday
Good Friday
April 9
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
As was true last year, Faith Lutheran Church will join with St. Hilary Catholic church for an inspiring Good Friday service. This is the most somber service of the year as we remember the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Members from both congregations will provide special music and participate in the service.
Child care will be provided for every worship service.
EASTER
CELEBRATE EASTER APRIL 11
On THE most important day of the year for Christians there will be three Festival Holy Communion services
Worship Times
at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
in the Sanctuary
Featuring the Gospel proclamation of the Risen Lord and music by
the Flashlight Band,
Organist Bob Mollard,
and the Celebration Choir
Breakfast
in the Fellowship Hall:
8:15-10:15 a.m.
Be united on this wonderful day with the Faith family and offer a warm welcome to our guests. This is a GREAT opportunity to invite your friends and family to worship with us; there will be room for everyone!!!
Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!
Scrapbooking
Preserving photos and precious memories by creating beautiful scrapbooks has become very popular. Many people are interested, but it is hard to find the time at home to stop everything and scrap book! So thanks to Paula Gresock, a scrap booker who happens to
be a member here, we will begin a Scrap booking group.
The group will meet Tuesday, April 20 at 9:30 am at the Church. We will provide child care. Come and learn how to scrap book, or bring some photos, and acid free stickers, accessories, etc and get something accomplished! For more information call Carolyn Wagar at the church or Paula Gresock at 330-334-3272
Disciple Building
More Opportunities for Disciple Building
As you know, in order to transform ourselves from followers to disciples, we must continue to learn and grow. In order to learn and grow, we must study, talk, discuss, and think. We have several NEW opportunities at Faith to help you do just that!
A Couple's Study
A Couple's Study
led by Dineen Dowling and Tom Antal
Thursday evenings April 15, 22, and April 29
7:00 p.m. at the Church
"To Have and to Hold: Humorous Glimpses of the Ties that Bind…and Sometimes Knot!" Still getting to know each other? Whether you've been together 60 years or 60 minutes, you can renew and enrich your relationship! Come join other Christian couples to laugh and learn. Child care provided.
Sunday Bible Study
New time 10:45 a.m., led by Mat and Ingrid Harpster
Sunday mornings 10:45 a.m. beginning April 25
Do you love Light Service but wish you could attend a Bible Study, too? Then this is for you. Meet in Fellowship Hall immediately following Light Service.
Child care provided
Wonderful Wednesdays
Wonderful Wednesdays
led by Carolyn Wagar
Wednesday afternoons or evenings beginning April 28
1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Church
This will be a combination of Bible Studies and topical studies designed to offer a variety of opportunities. Pick and choose the ones that are of interest to you!
- April 28 "Bible Study 101" a "how to" guide for studying God's Word
- May 5 "Bible Study 101", Part Two
- May 12 "Eat the Frog", time management
- May 19 "Giants of the Old Testament", we'll meet one or two!
- Child care provided
Please prayerfully consider trying the group(s) that seem of interest to you.
Spiritual Makeover!
Women of the Church - -
You Asked for it,
and We Heard You
Give us 24 hours and we will give you an
Extreme Spiritual Makeover!
Houses get makeovers and bodies and faces…why not take time to reconnect with God and each other and lay the foundations for a deeper spiritual walk? There will be group time, breaks, door prizes, worship, and fun! "Special guests" will include Mary Magdalene and Gladys the High School nerd.
Reserve your space without delay!
When: Friday, May 21, 6:00 pm
until Saturday, May 22, 6:00 pm
Where: Loyola of the Lake Retreat Center in Green, Ohio
Cost: $75 per person which includes meals
$25 due no later than April 15
$50 due at retreat
(Why not ask for the "retreat" as your Mother's Day gift?)
Other: We will car pool from Faith or provide transportation
if needed.
Call Carolyn today to save a spot for you.
Easter Breakfast
Join Us For The
Easter Breakfast & Fellowship
Sunday, April 11
Seating from 8:15-10:15 a.m.
"Family Style" Menu
Egg & Cheese Strata, French Toast,
Hash Browns, Fresh Fruit,
Sausage, Cereal
All donations will go to the general youth account!
All Youth Members…We need your help! Contact Leo #330-414-3737 or Wendy
#330-414-0300 if you've not yet turned in your breakfast volunteer sheet.
Helpers (and "Eaters" too) are encouraged to attend one of our 3 Easter Services being held from 7:30-8:30, 9-10:00 & 10:45-11:45. Please join us in celebrating this wondrous day!
The Youth of Faith are "climbing up to greatness!"
Youth Rock Climbing
The high school and middle school groups are meeting together to:
Attend the Light Service
Prepare & Eat Lunch
and then off to the Wellness Center's rock climbing wall
High School Date is Sun., April 25th 9:15-3:00
Middle School Date is Sun., May 2nd from 9:15-3:00
Transportation will be arranged for all youth members.
Permission slips & additional info. was mailed home in March.
(See Wendy or Leo if you've misplaced yours!)
We hope to see ALL OF YOU there!
What Lutherans Believe
"What Lutherans Believe" Class
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 1, 15 and 22
Fellowship Hall
This class is for those who wish to join Faith Lutheran Church and are not currently members of a Lutheran congregation, or those (members and non-members) who wish to "update" their understanding of what Lutherans believe.
New members will be received during the 9:15 a.m. service on May 2.
Landscaping Projects
Landscaping Projects
Under Review
The Property Committee is studying ways to improve the landscaping around our church. If you have any suggestions that might help the committee, now is the time to make them. Please contact Ole Latham at 330-836-0092 (ole@wires4u.com), DuWayne Hansen at 330-666-7830 (dorhansen@aol.com) or leave a note in Ole Latham's or Ken Jakubec's Church Council boxes (near Pastor's office).
Congratulations!
Faith member, Christine Wessinger, was honored by the Red Cross and received an Acts of Courage Award on March 9. Chris performed the Heimlich maneuver on one of her fourth-grade students who was choking at Bath Elementary School.
Lenten Coin Folders
The Lenten Coin Folders are now in the church mailboxes. Although the folders promote the giving of coins, it is more desirable for the counters if a check or paper money is given.
The monies collected will be designated to Faith's Special Assistance Fund which is used to assist members of our congregation who are in need.
Please be generous in your donations
Confirmation
Confirmation class resumes on April 21. The class meal is at 6:15 p.m., with class starting at 6:45 p.m. The last day for Wednesday evening class is May 12.
Faith golf outings
SAVE
THESE
DATES . . .
June 27,
July 25,
August 30,
September 19
These are the dates scheduled for the Faith golf outings at the Pine Valley Golf Course in Wadsworth, Anyone interested in hosting a lite supper after one of these outings should please contact Sally Hauth, 330-825-8477.
Homosexuality Study
The Church and Homosexuality Study
Begins In April
Every adult in the congregation is encouraged to participate in Journey Together Faithfully, ELCA Studies on Sexuality, Part Two - The Church and Homosexuality. Faith Lutheran Church is joining with five other congregations to do this study; the pastors will take turns leading the sessions. This is a six-part study that will be held:
7-8 p.m.
Sundays
April 25, May 2, 16 and 23, June 6 and 13
Trinity Lutheran Church, Norton
Study books will be ordered for participants. Each study book will include a Response Form that participants may complete and return to the ELCA.
If you plan to participate, even if you cannot attend every session, please sign the list that is posted next to the Pastor's office or e-mail her at pastor@faithlutheranchurch.org so that books can be ordered.
This study is in preparation for the Churchwide Assembly that will be held in the summer of 2005. During that Assembly the issues of whether or not to allow clergy who identify themselves as homosexuals to be in committed relationships and whether or not the church will bless same-sex unions will be voted on. Voting Members to the Assembly will be elected at the Synod Assembly in May.
Church History
We're researching the history of Faith Lutheran Church! Over 50 members of the congregation are involved in digging out the facts of our past as we get ready to celebrate our 50th anniversary year in 2005. We're making good progress as church historians, but we need your help!
Specifically, could you help us with the following?
STORIES
We need your memories of special times and people from the past. Do you have a story about a Sunday School class? About a progressive dinner? A counselor from Bible camp? A youth outing? Games at a church picnic? Church Council meeting? Caroling? A pastor's sermon? It's easy to tell us your story. Just go to our church website http://www.faithlutheranchurch.org. In the upper right corner of the homepage click on "For the Record: Send us Your Stories." type in your story in the box provided and it will be sent to one of our research committees to include in their presentation to the congregation in 2005. By the way, how about asking your children who now live away and/or friends who were members but whose work took them elsewhere for their stories? Thanks!
PICTURES
We also need your pictures. Band practices, choir get-togethers, mitten trees, parade floats, confirmation classes (our goal is to get pictures of all the classes), weddings, congregational meetings, kitchen renovation, rummage sales,
handbell practices, youth lock ins, sanctuary decorating at Christmas etc. Please go through
your albums and shoeboxes! We promise to copy and then return any and all photos. Contact history group librarian and archivist Charlotte Horvath at 330.666.4521 or leave them in her mailbox. Each photo should include a sentence about who or what is shown, peoples' names, and the year the picture was made. Thanks!
PEOPLE
We have ten research committees currently at work. Each could use more volunteer helpers, though. Please read this list, choose a committee, and give the chairperson(s) a call.
- Music: Lowell and Marlene Unger
330.666.2148
- Outreach: Barbara Dillahunt
330.867.3995
- Church Leaders: Terry Vernon (currently in Florida but checks his messages)
330.666.2823
- Benevolence/Finance: Bill Robinson
330.666.6301
- Worship: Sally Hauth
330.825.8477
- Property/Building: Dick Kesti
330-864.8444
- Pastors: Charlie Ramsey
330.836.5211
- Social Activities: Kathy Zbinden, 330.836.3566
- Education: Jean Butler
330.836.3316
- Youth/Families: Steve Thompson 330.666.5065.
In addition, Ed Rich seeks helpers for electronic data collection and management and Charlotte Horvath would like help with creating new albums and storing church documents.
Thanks!
WELCA
Wednesday
April 14 10:00 a.m.
Identity Theft
Walter Markowski
Summit County Sheriff's Office
Clara's Club
Clara's Club
Invitation
Dear Friends in Faith,
Clara's Club will meet during worship at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday May 23 in the sanctuary, for the Explorer's Club year end celebration. The next gather is during the third worship service on October 17, 2004.
Please mark these dates on your calendar. If ;you are not a member of this Club then I would encourage you to give this important ministry serious consideration.
Clara's Club was designed to bring together children and adults during a worship service. The club is named after Clara Frankenfield, a charter member of our church. Each adult guide presents a Bible that we provide, to his or her new Explorer friend at a special ceremony during our third worship service in October or November of each year. The guides are asked to promise to mentor their Explorer by participating in at least three church services with their Explorer and the child's parents. Adults can benefit from an increased awareness of the church's education program and by enjoying a special relationship with a youngster.
Please call Bill Pope at 330.867.4946 if you wish to join or if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Bill Pope
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School Open Meeting!
When: Sunday, April 18
Choose one: 10:45 am or 12:00 pm
Where: Education Room A (Second Floor)
What: Everyone is invited to reflect on last summer's
Vacation Bible School,
and be introduced to this summer's theme!
This meeting includes
leaders, volunteers, parents, and youth!
Call Beth Gsellman (330) 867-4569 with any questions
Prayer Shawl
From our Prayer Shawl Recipients:
It was very thoughtful of you. Love and prayers to all.
Ruth Beers
Just to say thanks for all your prayers and thoughts everyday that I am in them. Thanks so very much for the prayer shawl.
Mary Jane Wilson
"Life is Good"
Good Things Happen at Summer Camp
Campfires Games Arts and Crafts Worship
Laughter Swimming Friendship
Weeks of June 13 thru August 8, 2004
Week long and mini-week programs
Ages K-12th grade and families
Register for summer camp online at www.lomocamps.org
How to reach us:
- Camp Luther 440-224-2196 Lomo Outreach
- Camp Frederick 330-227-3633 614-898-6993
- Camp Mowana 419-589-7406 Central Office
- LMC 419-864-8030 800-431-5666
- Camp Mowana 419-589-7406 Central Office 800-431-5666
- LMC 419-864-8030
THRIVENT
Are you a
THRIVENT member?
Every THRIVENT member in our congregation receives a magazine each month. Each magazine includes an opportunity for you to order FREE gifts. We'd like you to order those free gifts each and every month. If you discover you don't have a use for the item(s), then please bring it to the church. THRIVENT is offering many great products, and the only way our church can get them is if our members order them free. So please take a moment, order the free products, and then bring them to church if you don't want them!
In Our Prayers
Health Concerns:
- Faith member Louise Baltes
- Faith member Mary Alice Boose
- Faith member Pat Gsellman
- Faith member Bob Johnson
- Faith member Ted Peterson
- Faith member Charlie Ramsey
- Faith member Chip Roberts
In Times of Loss:
For Faith members Mollie Wright and Chris Wright-Penov, and families,
upon the death of their grandson/nephew in Washington State.
For the family and friends of Faith member Marie Stolitzka upon her death
on February 29. A graveside service was held on March 10 in Akron.
In Thanksgiving:
With joy for the birth of Brycen James Neuhauser on March 13.
He is the son of Bryan and Melissa Neuhauser who have been visiting
the 9:15 a.m. worship service.
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