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December 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.
An Advent Reminder…
Advent is the first season of the church year; this year it begins on November 28. The word Advent is a Latin word meaning coming or arrival. It is used to refer to a 4-week period when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Sundays In Advent - On each Sunday in Advent a Biblical character, portrayed by a congregation member, will offer a monologue bringing a fresh perspective to the season. The Advent candles will be lit at the close of the monologue.
December 12 - The Explorers’ Club will sing and play hand bells during 10:45 a.m. worship. They will sit together as worship begins, and join their families and Clara’s Club Guides after their presentation.
December 19 - The Celebration Choir, joined by seasonal singers, present “The Messiah” Directed and accompanied by Bob Mollard Guest instrumentalists 10:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary
PLEASE NOTE … There will be NO 8 a.m. worship service on December 19. Instead, please plan to attend this special presentation.
Come Help Decorate
On Sundays December 5 and 12 - You will be here for worship, so why not stay to help decorate? Two times and dates from which to choose! - 10:30 a.m. and Noon on December 5 and 12
10:30 a.m. decorators will work in the Fellowship Hall, hallways and outside. Noon decorators will work in the sanctuary and narthex.
On December 5 trees, wreaths and bows will be put up. On December 12 trees will be decorated and the outside banner put in place. Note that decorating is done in stages to give a visual illustration of the excitement that is building as the congregation prepares to celebrate Christ’s birth. On Christmas Eve the lights will be illuminated on the trees, and poinsettias will be in place.
Join The Choir To Sing “The Messiah”
Anyone who likes to sing, but cannot make a regular commitment to the choir, is invited to come and perform the Christmas portions of “The Messiah” during a special worship celebration at 10:45 a.m. on December 19.
Seasonal singers also are welcome to join the choir for the 10 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Special rehearsal times are: Rehearsals for December 19: Wednesday, December 1, 8 and 15 at 6:45 p.m. in the choir room.
Rehearsal for December 24: Wednesday, December 22 at 6:45 p.m. in the choir room.
December 24 - Christmas Eve
7:30 p.m. Family Worship Music by: BOUND Band and Bob Mollard, Children’s Sermon, Holy Communion
10 p.m. Candlelight Worship, Music by: Celebration Choir and Bob Mollard, Holy Communion, Individual Candle Lighting (PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME OF THE LATE SERVICE. IT’S ONE HOUR EARLIER).
December 26th
One Service Only On December 26 Come Celebrate Christmas! The three worship services will combine for one Christmas celebration at 10 a.m. on December 26 in the Sanctuary. The service will feature: Christmas Hymns; Children’s Sermon; Special music by Explorers’ ; Club; Birthday Cake for Jesus after Worship
January 2 - Epiphany Sunday
The arrival of the Magi will be the focus of all three worship services. It’s still the Christmas Season, so there will be more Christmas hymns.
Remember….
the Christmas Season in the church begins on December 24 Remember….the Christmas Season in the church begins on December 24
St. Hilary
St. Hilary To Hold Christmas Eve Mass at Faith
Our sisters and brothers in faith from St. Hilary Catholic Church will be using the sanctuary at Faith at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. There also will be a Mass held at St. Hilary at 4 p.m. We rejoice that it is possible to share our space with our neighbors on this Holy evening.
Explorers Club
ATTENTION EXPLORERS’ CLUB - Explorers’ Club will help the congregation celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 26. On that day please meet your teachers in the West Market Street entryway at 9:45 a.m. Explorers’ Club will be presenting special music during worship. They will sit together as worship begins and will join their families after the presentation. After worship, come to the Fellowship Hall and share a birthday cake for Jesus.
This is an important day; being present at worship “counts” as Explorers’ Club attendance. Classes will gather, as usual, at 9:15 a.m. on January 2.
Discover God in the World of Science
Please join us beginning January 16 for another fun and exciting winter learning experience. We are looking forward to special guest visitors and interesting experiments! We will explore God’s awesome gifts to us in the “Sounds of Music” and also discover “How Jesus Lights Our Way”. Dates are January 16, 23, 30, and February 6. Parent helpers will be needed as the Explorer Club teachers will be enjoying a winter break. Please contact Flo Mackall (330-666-4815), Lorna Schnell (330-659-4877) or Dineen Dowling (330-872-1869) if you would like to help or have any great ideas. You can also email Flo at fmackall@Adelphia.net.
We will be collecting regular size Pringles cans with plastic lids. There will be a box in the back of the Fellowship Hall for them.
Clara’s Club
On December 12, all Clara’s Club members are invited to attend the 10:45 am service and to sit with their child’s family. The children of Explorers’ Club will be singing Advent songs! We hope to see everyone there.
Thank you to all who participated on October 17. Your dedication to this program is greatly appreciated.
It’s Not Too Late
to Come to Wonderful Wednesdays - Mid Week Family Nights will continue each Wednesday 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22 and 12/29. 6:15 – 6:45 Fabulous Food
6:45 – 7:40 Lots ‘o Learning; Crafts and stories and singing for 4 years through 3rd grade; 4th and 6th grade junior choir; 7th and 8th grade learn handbell basics; High school students activity with Leo and Wendy ; Adults can choose from: “Signs Along the Way” a Bible study of Matthew, led by Pastor Jean “Simplify and Celebrate”, embracing the soul of Christmas, led by Tom Antal and Dineen Dowling; Prepare to sing “The Messiah”, led by Bob Mollard 7:45 – 8:00 Meaningful Meditation Come to as many as you can; help keep balance in your holidays!
Youth
High School Youth - Come bake with us during Advent! (We will be baking cookies for delivery to a local shelter.); Wednesday, Dec. 1 Make cookie dough ; Wednesday, Dec. 8 Bake cookies ; Wednesday, Dec. 15 Package cookies for delivery & Christmas activities (The high school youth are also welcome to join the adults on Wednesday, Dec. 22 for Bible study & Wednesday, Dec. 29 for the Christmas Party.)
Middle School Youth - Don’t forget… Handbells on Dec. 1, 8 & 15 with Mrs. Wells & Mrs. Mallison!
Show off your musical ability during a service in January. (These dates are required as part of confirmation! You may choose to go to Pastor Jean’s Bible study on the 8th & 15th if you prefer.)
We wish you a joyous & peaceful holiday season! With Love, Leo & Wendy
Salvation Army
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 12. God bless you and thank you to everyone for your kindness and generosity.
Thank you
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 $471.25 and have received matching funds from Thrivent for the Special Assistance Fund.
7:17 DETOUR - DECEMBER 18
Invite Someone To Attend!
Go to www.717detour for more information and call Melissa Johnson if you are willing to make the DETOUR happen!
DETOUR is not an additional worship service for members. It is an outreach into our community, a worship event. There will be no Holy Communion, no “usual” sermon or prayers and no offering. Instead, it is a way to reach out - particularly to young adults in the area.
Endowment “Giving Tree” Dedicated
The Faith Lutheran Church Endowment “Giving Tree” was dedicated on November 21. Located at the east door, the Tree memorializes gifts of $1000 (or more) to the Faith Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.
If you have designated the Faith Lutheran Church Endowment Fund as the beneficiary of a planned gift of $1000 or more (for example, in a will or an annuity or insurance policy), and would like a leaf to be placed on the tree, please contact Bill Evans, Endowment Fund Committee Chairperson or Don Johnson, Committee member.
In 2005 the Endowment “Sow and Grow” emphasis will be held, the goal of which is to gain $50,000 in donations to the Fund, as well as increasing planned gifts, in celebration of the 50th anniversary.
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 12.
New Members
We welcomed the following new members into fellowship with Faith Lutheran Church on November 21, 2004.
Adam Ashenfelter, Scott Felten, Helen Michael, Zach and Arrilla, Linda Ogden, Bill and Ginny Post, Jean Powell,
Anniversary Theme Contest
The 50th anniversary year at Faith Lutheran Church begins in January and there still is no theme for this important event. So, the creative minds in the congregation are being challenged with an Anniversary Theme Contest.
Who can come up with a theme for Faith’s 50th anniversary?
Here are the guidelines: The theme should celebrate past ministry, but also focus on the present and future. The theme should be concise enough to use in publications and on programs. 3. The theme should catch people’s attention and be immediately understood. Please put theme submissions in the office mailbox next to the pastor’s office. Be sure to include a name. Deadline: January 15, 2005
The winner will receive TWO free meals at the anniversary banquet on September 25 at the Hilton and seats next to whomever he or she chooses!
Sunday School Memories
Do you have any memories of the Sunday School at Faith?
Do you remember within the last 50 years ... a particular Sunday School teacher? A story that happened in Sunday School ? A Vacation Bible School event or teacher? Meeting in an unusual place?
Do you have any pictures of a Sunday School teacher, class or event? Please search back in your memories and share them with Jean Butler. Names and dates are important.
Jumbo Jack’s Cookbooks
Please be part of Faith’s history by submitting recipes to the 50th Anniversary Cookbook. All entries must be submitted on the “Jumbo Jack’s Cookbooks” recipe form (included in this newsletter). Feel free to copy this form if you’d like to enter more than one recipe. Additional forms are available on the mailboxes outside Pastor Jean’s office. Completed forms should be placed in the office mailbox.
Any questions? Contact Sheila Knops (330-835-4505) or john.sheila@juno.com
Faith Friendship Calling
Thursday, December 16th, 6:30 p.m.
All members are cordially invited to participate in the Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Callling event on Thursday, December 16 in the Fellowship Hall.
The evening will begin with a prayer, pizza meal, and then those attending will call no more than 10 other members of our congregation to share God’s love with them and to remind them of the upcoming Christmas worship services. Please call Bill Pope at 330-867-4946 if you have any questions or comments.
Deadline
For 2004 financial contributions December 31 - 12:00 p.m.
Thank You
Thank you to all who helped replace the ceiling tile in the hallwayand in the library.
Advent “Tinsel and Tea”
Saturday, December 4th - 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. Sign-up posters are available in the Fellowship Hall and the Narthex. Questions: contact Lois Chaffee (330-239-5505).
Carol Sing”
led by Dorothy and DuWayne Hansen Sponsored by WELCA Wednesday, December 8th - 10:00 a.m.
Take a rest from your hustle and bustle and get in the spirit of the holidays by joining WELCA for their holiday program.
Calling All Women!
Give us a day - and we will give you a great start to having your BEST YEAR YET!
Our women’s retreat will be from 5 pm Friday, January 7 until about 6 p.m on Saturday, January 8. It will be held at the Jesuit Retreat Center, Loyola of the Lakes where we met last May. The January retreat will be the perfect way to start a new year based in the Word. We will even have a guest presenter for part of the retreat, Pam Schuck who wrote the book, “Living With Mt. Vesuvius”.
All women of Faith are invited and if we have room, you can even bring a friend! Call today (before you get too busy with the holidays) to reserve your spot. A $35 dollar deposit needs to be paid by December 15 with the balance due the day of the retreat. Cost is $80. which includes dinner Friday night and Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday.
In Our Prayers:
Health Concerns:Faith member Bethany Downing For Scott Dunning, father of Faith members Jasmine and Carly Dunning; For Juliette Ferris, mother of Faith member Anita Sears; Faith member Dick Kesti; Faith member Bob Morrison; Faith member Vee Robinson; For Anna Shook, mother of Faith member Jim Shook; Faith member Ruth Simpson; For Virginia Vernon, mother of Faith member Terry Vernon; Faith member Blanche Werrbach; Faith member Patti White
Special Prayers:For all military personnel who have been deployed to Iraq and surrounding areas, and for their families, with special prayers for those who have endured injury or loss.
In Times of Loss:For Faith member Debbie Rose and her husband Ron, and family, upon the unexpected deaths of their 16-year-old grandson, Ben, on November 5 and sister-in-law Karen on November 4.; For Faith members John and Joy Dial, and family, upon the unexpected death of John’s father on November 7.; For Faith members Bob and Dixie Whitaker, and family, upon the death of Dixie’s mother, Marie McCandless on November 14.
In Thanksgiving:For Chris Butler, Sarah Carano, Sam Dankoff, Mary Gsellman, Tyler Johnson, Erin Latham, Brandon Lightle, J.J. Sampson and Allee Singer who affirmed their baptisims during the Rite of Confirmation on October 31.; With Faith members Bob and Laurie Whitaker upon the baptism of their daughter, Claire Marie, on November 21.
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