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December 2003 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.
An Advent Reminder
We sure are using that word Advent frequently these days, so here’s a reminder concerning the season..
Advent is the first season of the church year;
this year it begins on November 30.
The word Advent is a Latin word meaning coming or arrival. It is used to refer to a 4-week period when Christians prepare for the coming of the Lord, the birth of Jesus.
While “the world” celebrates Christmas long before it arrives, in the church preparation is the focus. That’s why congregations in the Lutheran, and many other traditions, defer Christmas music and decorations until the Christmas season.
A Word About Decorating
As was true last year, decorations for Advent/Christmas will be put up in stages to give a visual illustration of the excitement that is building as each week the congregation is becoming more and more prepared to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The church will be decorated in stages during Advent.
- First Sunday in Advent, November 30 – Advent Wreaths
- Second Sunday in Advent, December 7 – Greenery (wreaths and trees)
- Third Sunday in Advent, December 14 – Bows and Ribbons
- Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 21 – Decorations on trees
- Christmas Eve – Lights illuminated on trees, poinsettias
Please watch the “Weekly Beacon” for announcements concerning when decorations will be put in place, and also put away. Volunteers will be needed!
Calendar of Special Advent and Christmas Services
- November 30, 1st Sunday in Advent
– Advent Wreath Devotion in Worship Services
- December 7, 2nd Sunday in Advent
– 10:45 a.m. Worship, Children's Advent Service
- December 14, 3rd Sunday in Advent
– 4 p.m., Advent Lessons and Carols at St. Hilary
- December 21, 4th Sunday in Advent
– 10:45 a.m. Worship, Choir/Brass Cantata
- December 24, Christmas Eve
– 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m., Holy Communion
Services
- December 28, Christmas I
– 9:15 a.m. Worship, "Happy Birthday To Jesus" Party
For more information about these services please see the articles printed elsewhere in this “Beacon of Faith”.
Waiting for Christmas
December 7, 2003 10:45 a.m.
Once again Explorers’ Club is going to help Faith Lutheran Church get ready for Christmas with an Advent worship that is guaranteed to inspire us all to WAIT with renewed anticipation and excitement.
Come prepared to hear special music, dramatic readings, prayers and skits. The children of Faith have something to say about waiting for the Christ child.
Advent Music
Faith Lutheran and St. Hilary Catholic Church Members
Join To Prepare For Christ’s Birth
Advent Lessons and Carols
4 p.m.
Sunday, December 14
St. Hilary Catholic Church
A reception will follow worship.
A combined vocal choir and bell choir from the two congregations will lead a beautiful
evening service of Advent readings, prayers, hymns and special music.
Please mark your calendars now and join in worship and fellowship
with our sisters and brothers at St. Hilary.
Join The Choir
For Special Advent Services
Anyone who likes to sing, but cannot make a regular commitment to the choir, is invited to participate in the Advent Lessons and Carols Service at 4 p.m. on December 14 at St. Hilary and/or the Cantata for choir and brass at 10:45 a.m. worship on December 21.
Rehearsals for December 14 are being held:
*9:15-9:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the choir room
*7:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, at St. Hilary
(6:30 p.m. for the bell choir)
*2:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 14, at St. Hilary
Rehearsals for December 21 are being held:
*9:45-10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the choir room
All singers are welcome to participate!
PLEASE NOTE
During December Holy Communion will be celebrated on December 7 and December 28 (the first and fourth Sundays) at the 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services. This change is due to the choir cantata that is being presented during 10:45 a.m. worship on December 21.
During the Christmas Season...
Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Christmas Eve Worship
Wednesday, December 24
7:30 p.m.
Family Worship
Holy Communion
11 p.m.
Candlelight Service
Holy Communion
First Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, December 28
Christmas hymns and Holy Communion at all three services!
9:15 a.m. Light Service
Explorers’ Club participants attend worship.
There will be a Children’s Sermon and
Jesus’ birthday party after worship!
Epiphany Sunday
January 4
The arrival of the Magi will be the focus at all three worship services.
It’s still the Christmas Season, so there will be more Christmas hymns!
St. Hilary Welcomed on Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve St. Hilary Catholic Church will be borrowing the sanctuary at Faith Lutheran Church for a 4 p.m. Mass. This is such a popular time for Mass at St. Hilary that more than 300 worshippers attend for whom there is no room. For that reason, a request was made to use Faith’s sanctuary for a second 4 p.m. Mass. The church Council gladly welcomes our sisters and brothers on this most holy day.
Explorers Club
On December 21 and 28 the Explorers’ Club will attend 9:15 a.m. worship and sit with their classes and leaders. There will be a Children’s Sermon on both Sundays. On December 28, a birthday party for Jesus will be held at the end of the service.
Coming in 2004....
Coming in 2004, a new learning experience is heading your way on January 11, 18, 25, and February 1. Join us for the 9:15AM Sunday School hour when we embark on a new and fun learning adventure as we …
Discover God in the World of Science
Each week we will explore a different facet of God’s awesome creation:
Learn about the miracle of healing and the human body with our own Dr. Joe Dankoff.
Experience cool chemistry and magnetism experiments with one of our favor- ite scientists, Leo Boes.
Understand and appreciate the amazing wonders of plants and ecology.
Please mark these dates on your calendar.
Extra hands will be needed to assist our scientists and explorers. If you can help, please call Flo Mackall at (330) 666-4815 or Lorna Schnell at (330) 659-4877.
The Giving Tree
Once again, the Salvation Army has asked us to help them provide a better Christmas for children. The “Giving Tree” is set up in the Narthex. Please stop and select a gift card from the tree and purchase gifts for these boys and girls. PLEASE DO NOT WRAP THE GIFTS! All gifts must be brought to the church no later that Sunday, December 14. God bless you and thank you to everyone for your kindness and generosity.
Advent Coin Folders
The Advent Coin Folders are now in the church mailboxes. The purpose of these folders is to encourage daily devotions. Although the folders promote the giving of coins, it is more desirable for the counters if a check or paper money is given. And lastly, 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.
Thanks for your Participation
A big thank you to all of the soup makers and dessert makers
that contributed to the success of our Annual Soup Supper.
Thanks to the Flashlight Band for their entertainment.
And last, but certainly not least, a wonderful thank you to all who attended and enjoyed the 15 soups. We raised $600.00 and will be receiving matching funds from Thrivent for the Exploers Club Heifer Project.
Greetings...
Greetings from your new Minister of Christian Growth and Discipleship
It is a pleasure to be joining the congregation of Faith Lutheran in a full time position. As Pastor Jean informed you last month, my home congregation is Our Saviour Lutheran in Hinckley. I have served the Lord there since I was 16 years old and felt God leading me to “help.” To that end I have been a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, junior choir director, senior choir director, served on Church Council many various times, Chairperson of Worship and Music Committee, led praise teams, preached, and finally was on staff as Music Director. I believe this equips me well to work with the small
group ministry here at Faith because I can really relate!
On a personal note, I live in Medina county and am a widow with four children. Three of the children are married and I have two grandchildren Jacob, aged 4 and Brody, aged 2 months. A little girl, Molly, is due the first week of December, and another girl (as yet unnamed) will join us in March! Wow! How much fun is this?
My spare time is spent studying and working toward my Masters of Divinity which I do on a very part time basis. One of my favorite Bible verses comes from Michah 6:8..”…And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” That is the verse that I try to follow every day as I serve Him wherever I work.
I am truly excited about the potential for increasing the Lord’s work at Faith. You have a beautiful facility, a pastor of vision and wisdom, and a dedicated staff. My prayer is that I can edify and nurture what has already begun here as well as add more ministries, studies, and small groups. If you have any ideas you’d like to share, feel free to call me or drop by any time.
New Members
We welcomed the following new members into fellowship with Faith
Lutheran Church on November 23, 2003.
Joining by Affirmation of Baptism:
Jim and Michiyo Gombas
Lucy Kmet
Ken and Anita Wilson
By Transfer of Membership:
Jonathan Gordy
Bill and Susan Henke
Bill and Karen Johnson and daughter Jackie
Carrie Miller and Peter Lorzing
By Infant Baptism:
Nathaniel Guy Gordy
Preschool Registration
Preschool Registration for Church Members
ONLY!
Sunday, January 11 10:15 a.m. In the Preschool Office
Any questions? Call Wendy or Heather at 330-836-8827.
Help Needed
There will be a simple cookie and punch reception following the 4 pm December 14th Advent Service being held at St. Hilary.
We are in need of a few individuals to bake and to help serve that evening.
If you can volunteer, please contact Diane Christoff at 330.835.9669
Poinsettias
for Christmas Eve - Cost: $6.00
Look for order inserts in the Weekly Beacon or stop by the church office. The deadline is December 14.
Advent "Tinsel and Tea"
Advent “Tinsel and Tea”
Saturday, December 6
11:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall
Cost: $10.00
All women of Faith Lutheran (and adult guests) are invited to our Annual Advent Luncheon and Ornament Exchange. Please join us for a lovely catered luncheon as we pause to reflect on the approaching celebration of Christmas. Blue sign-up posters are available in the Fellowship Hall and the Narthex. Questions: contact Lois Chaffee (330-239-5505).
WELCA
WELCA
Wednesday, December 10
10:00 a.m.
Join WELCA for their holiday program featuring the outstanding lady singers from St. Cecelia Choir. St. Cecelia Choir, founded in 1921, is the oldest continuous choral group in Akron. They will be singing classical to popular holiday music. Shirley Kmet (a member of Faith) will be a featured soloist.
Faith Friendship
Calling
Thursday, December 11
6:30 p.m.
Come and join other members of Faith Lutheran Church as Fellowship Callers on Thursday, December 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. Callers (with cell phones if possible) and the loan of cell phones are needed. For the latter drop off phones at the church 10 am -3 pm on December 11 and pick them up during the same time on December 12. For more information you can call Bill Pope (330-836-4946).
American Red Cross Monday
December 22
Thank You!
To everyone who baked such delicious treats for the annual rummage sale bake shop. We couldn’t have done it without your generous support.
In Our Prayers:
Health Concerns:
Faith member Patti White
Faith member Sue Rickards
Faith member Ashley Callen
Special Prayers:
For faith member Audrea Woodall, who has Alzheimer’s
Disease, her husband Bill, and all who assist him in her care.
For all military personnel who have been deployed to Iraq and surrounding areas, and for their families, especially Erica Kovach, daughter of Norma (and Barry) White. We give thanks that Robert Deme, son of Denise (and Pat) Flanagan, has returned to the United States from Iraq.
In Times of Loss:
For Faith members Lowell and Marlene Unger upon the death
of Marlene’s sister, Mary Ann Bailey.
For Faith member Cherli Gsellman and family upon
the unexpected death of her sister, Lisa.
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