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December 2000 Newsletter
    
Holy Communion for the Millennium Sunday Morning
Faith will be celebrating Holy Communion New Year's Eve morning, Sunday,
December 31, 2000 AT ALL THREE MORNING SERVICES. (Continuous Communion will
NOT be celebrated in the evening!) We will be returning to our three
regularly schedules services on December 31st. (On Christmas Eve, there
will the one service at 10:00 AM in the morning and two services in the
evening at 7:30 PM and 11:00 PM.
Church Decorating on Friday, December 15
Everyone is invited to help decorate the church and sanctuary at 5:30 PM.
Come for a light soup supper and help our church family decorate for the
blessed event--the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ushers Unite for Service
Pizza & Pop December 3rd in the Fellowship Hall-12:00 noon.
Learn how to be an Usher in 20 min, will include a walk through and then
plenty of time for questions & answers & Pizza, No reservations are needed.
Ushers are needed for the 2001 church year, 8am and 10:45 am services. To
volunteer your time:
Please call:
Arthur Britton 330-865-5501 for the 10:45 am Celebration service
Don Dillahunt 330-867-3995 for the 8:00 am Faith service
Poinsettia Order Form
Please return this completed order form with your payment of $5.50 either to
the Church Office or by way of the offering plate if you wish to purchase a
poinsettia for the church on Christmas Eve. Make checks payable to the
Faith Lutheran Church. Deadline is December 17, 2000.
Name:_________________________________________________________
Number of Plants:_____________________ Amount Enclosed: $__________
DEDICATION TO BE PRINTED IN THE BULLETIN:
_____________ To the Glory of God
_____________ In Memory of ________________________________
_____________ In Honor of __________________________________
_____________ Other _______________________________________
_____________ I/We wish for my poinsettia to be delivered to a
Homebound member or friend.
Annual Explorers' Club Christmas Program
Our Annual FAITH EXPLORERS Christmas Program will be part of the 10:45 AM
Celebration Service on Sunday, December 3, 2000. Our young people have been
practicing since Halloween getting all the parts memorized, learning their
stage directions. Traditional carols will be enhanced with some new modern
songs. Thanks go to Pat Jackson for her wonderful leadership. This is
truly her spiritual gift. We are blessed.
Confirmation Class Recesses for December and Christmas
The first semester for our nineteen young Confirmands ended with a final
exam on November 15, 2000. The students have been studying history of the
Jewish people these last several weeks. The Confirmation program includes
not only in-class discussions but also listening and reporting on sermons,
completing service hours and attendance at worship and Faith Explorers.
It is interesting to note that our Confirmands have contributed over 75
service hours to the church and other volunteer service at home and school.
They have acolyted, worked at the rummage sale, helped host the New Members
Reception on Sunday morning, babysat in the nursery to name but a few. In
the community they have worked in reading programs, helped in nursing homes,
organized and led a program for neighborhood children. Our Youth are a real
service arm to Faith. Never underestimate what they do. We adults have a
thing or two to learn from their example.
FLC Friendship Callers
Thanks to all those that participated (those calling, those called, and
those loaning us their cell phones) in the November 16th FLC Fellowship
calling event. If you did not receive a call, I apologize...it may have
been because your line was busy, because no one answered within 6 rings,
because the church office has an incorrect phone number for you or because
you have an unlisted phone number. Please call me or the church office if
you wish to correct this problem. All replies to our calls are kept
confidential unless the caller authorizes us to release the information to
another party and when appropriate. Pastor Stan will make a "follow up
call" or pass this on to someone else to make a follow up call. The
congregations is more than welcome to give us "feed back" on FLC Friendship
calling event(s). (My number is: 216-867-4946).
Thanks and God Bless you,
Bill Pope
Consider Joining Our Faith Community?
The spring Discover Faith seminar for those wishing to learn about the
Christian faith - especially those considering joining Faith Church - is
Sunday, March 18, 2001 starting with a pizza lunch at 12:00 PM and
concluding at 5:00 PM.
"Discover Faith" is intended for everyone who wishes to grow in their
spiritual life especially those contemplating joining our Faith family. The
seminar is divided into five parts, "Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit?
Living the Gift, The Call of the Church, and Profile of a Disciple. A
special workbook written by Pastor Stan serves as the text. On Sunday, March
25, at 9:15 AM, an orientation session will be held for those making the
commitment to join our Faith family. New members will be received later
that morning at the 10:45 Celebration service.
Faith Lutheran Church One of the Few
For the fourth year in a row, Faith has been recognized for its growth in
worship attendance. In 1997 Faith's attendance grew by 4%. In 1998, our
attendance grew by 5.8%. In 1999, our attendance growth was 4%. (So far in
2000, the growth has been 7%!) This is comparison to the average
Northeastern Ohio Synod Lutheran congregation decreasing 3.6%. When close
to 3,000 of the almost 11,000 congregations of the ELCA are stable and
growing, we thank God for this step in the ministry of our sister
congregations. Of the 217 congregations in the Northeastern Ohio Synod,
only 81 were described as stable and growing.
Endowment Fund to Provide Matching Gifts for St. James
Over the years, we Christians have heard often how we should remain
committed to the inner city. Gangs, racial conflict, homelessness, drugs,
etc. all cry out the absence--or abdication--of the Christian church from
the inner city. The question is, "How?" How can the church remain in the
inner city in such a way that it significantly impacts the quality of life
of those who live here? What is the most effective way of enabling the good
news of Jesus to be heard and received? Well, the best answer is by
supporting a church that is already there!
The Northeastern Ohio Synod delegates (Barb and Don Dillahunt) as its
Assembly meeting in May, 2000 heard of a turn-around church within our own
Synod, St. James Lutheran Church, East Cleveland. A church built in the
20's as a mission congregation then expanded in 1957, St. James Lutheran in
the 80's was well on its way to being overwhelmed by that same evil that
threatens to overwhelm all of us, that is, until the Rev. Dennis Mims became
pastor. Since 1996, St. James has grown from 35 baptized members to 330.
The result is that the present structure is no longer able to accommodate
the worshippers who attend--even with two services. Youth services are at
capacity. Services such as the hunger program, after-school services, and
the Grandparents Group and more all are at capacity. There is literally no
more room in the inn!
That is why the leaders of St. James Lutheran have developed a plan to
provide more space--for worship, for Christian education and fellowship and
for a Christian elementary school. This would require about $3.5 million.
In order to help with the process, the Synod Council pledged debt relief to
the congregation of approximately $50,000 as part of its commitment to the
year 2000 Jubilee Year. But with even with the congregation pledging its
own dollars to the project, still the Synod is calling upon us to help.
So here is how we can help! The Endowment Committee has pledged $1250 in
matching funds for St. James. They and Church Council are challenging us to
raise at least that amount for a minimum of $2500 to be forwarded to St.
James. Our deadline is December 17th. Using either a "Special Giving"
envelope from our church pew rack or the special envelope mailed to you
this, please write out your check to "Faith Lutheran Church" in whatever
amount you can and send, drop off or give in the offering plate your gift.
Remember every dollar you give is worth two.
Advent Coin Folders
Want to give a gift that will truly give all year? Members and friends
received last month our yearly Advent Coin Folder. Filling the folder with
quarters in anticipation of the gift giving season of Christmas, will go to
support the Lutheran Children's Aid and Family Services who provide Faith an
adjunct staff member Cheryl Pelka, LSW. Cheryl is a family counselor and
therapist. Please share some of your bounty with those hardest hit by one
of nature's greatest catastrophes. Thank you!
Brown Sugar for Open M
Since becoming a covenant church of Akron's Opportunity Park Ecumenical
Neighborhood Ministries, Faith has become the "brown sugar church." OPEN M
will be attempting to supply over 1200 food baskets to needy families in the
Akron area during the Christmas season. Faith has been over the years
supplying the brown sugar for these baskets. Our goal this year is 200
two-pound bags of brown sugar. This month, when you go to the grocery, buy
an extra 2-pound bag of brown sugar and bring it to church. Start early
because last year the stores ran out brown sugar. (Could we be the guilty
party?)
Office Closings for the Holidays
The Church Office will be closed by noon on Friday, December 22; Monday,
December 25 and December 26th, by noon on Friday, December 29, 2000 and
Monday, January 1-2, 2001.
Lutheran Brotherhood Scholarships and Loans
Scholarship applications are available now for the 2001-2002 college school
year. Filing deadlines are January 30, 2001 for the coming school year.
But it's important to complete the forms early so that any additional
requirements can be met prior to the deadline.
Stafford student loans may be applied for at any time during the student's
college experience. Paybacks begin six months after your student graduates
(although in some cases that can be extended).
If you would like an application, please call 1-800-328-7168 immediately or
check out Lutheran Brotherhood's website. You can link with them via our
church website at www.FaithLutheranChurch.org.
Year End Giving
To insure the proper crediting of year-end financial contributions to Faith,
the Treasurer asks that all gifts be received in the office on or before
Sunday, December 31, 2000. We realize that some of your gifts are meant to
be credited toward your 2001 pledge while others are toward your 2000
estimate. SO BE SURE THE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MARKED APPROPRIATELY. Whichever, we know it is important to you that these contributions be credited
properly. In order to insure your donation will be accounted for and
properly credited to the appropriate calendar year, we ask it be in the
church office by Sunday, December 31, 2000 at 12:00 Noon, so that it might
be properly deposited. Gifts received New Year's Eve will be credited to
the 2000 calendar year.
Elected to Church Offices
Our 2000 Annual Meeting opened with devotions by Pastor and a call to order
by Council President, Bill Beers. The meeting was preceded by a luncheon
prepared by our LIFE Beginnings Prayer Group, Cherli Gsellman, leader.
During the business meeting, the following individuals were elected for a
three year term to Church Council beginning January 1, 2001: John Knops,
Barry White, John Warner, Pat Gsellman, Joyce Lightle and Hal Wilson. Our
prayers are with our new Church Council as they continue the ministry of
Faith Lutheran Church.
Also elected to appropriate terms as members of the Endowment Committee Bill
Evans, the Nominating Committee, Loralee Daily, Sally Hauth and Becky
Strimple , the Audit Committee, Tim Bullock and as representatives to the
Northeastern Ohio Synod Assembly held each Spring at the Knight Center, Bill
and Shirley Pope. Congratulations to all our new elected members and a God
speed as your begin your new ministries.
Our 2001 Faith Operating Budget was approved after a presentation by Bill
Robinson. It came to a subtotal amount for Church operating of $305,734
(which does not include the Preschool Budget). This represents a 1%
decrease over 2000. Anticipated income reveals a $13000 potential need for a
transfer from Accumulated Savings to meet the budget for 2001 (down from
$28637).
Although there was no proposal before the church for the expenditure of the
funds, an additional $36125 in pledging is anticipated for capital
improvements of the facility in 2000, a 16% increase.
Being no other further business, the meeting closed with prayer and a hearty
"Go in Peace; Serve the Lord."
Synod News
Faith Lutheran Church once again hosts the NE Ohio Synod's annual worship
and luncheon for the retired rostered clergy, associates in ministry,
spouses and friends of the Synod on Wednesday, December 6. This once a year
gathering provides friends and colleagues of former church leaders an
opportunity to fellowship and worship together our common Lord. The group
then retires to the Hilton Inn West for a meal. Bishop Marcus Miller
officiates at the service together with his staff
Author, Author
Faith member Dr. Steve Thompson, semi-retired professor of education at the
University of Akron has just seen the publishing of his new book, Decision
Making in Planning and Teaching, (Alan Bacon, 2001). Steve along with two
other colleagues having been collaborating for a number of years on the
development of this textbook. The book with come with a website, a CD and a
Teacher's Manual. Congratulations Steve.
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