|
February 2002 Newsletter
    
GET PAID TO MEMORIZE THE CATECHISM
In Luther's Small Catechism, the Apostles' Creed is divided into three articles: the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. For each article, Luther answered the question What does this mean or What is this. High School Students have until May 19th to memorize and recite each of the three explanations.
The first 12 students to do so will receive a $20.00 gift certificate to either Best Buy or Borders Books and Music.
See John for a copy of the Small Catechism or for more details. Good Luck!
First Communion for Fifth Graders
John Maroni would like to invite our Fifth Graders to prepare for their First Communion by meeting with him in March. On Saturday morning, March 9, 2002 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. those young people wishing to prepare for their first communion are asked to meet with him at the church in anticipation of Holy Communion on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2002. The office knows of the following young people eligible for their first Communion:
Alex Simpson, Zack Weidrick, Blake Stecker
If your son or daughter is not listed or is listed by mistake, please call the office immediately at 330-836-8811. Communicants will celebrate their First Communion on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2002 at the 10:45 a.m. Celebration Service.
YOUTH ON MISSION
Our Mission Statement A place where teens come together to build friendships, character and a relationship with GOD by helping others.
Something exciting is growing in out Youth Room! No ..... we're not talking Fungi here, we're talking about teenagers gathering to put together something bigger than themselves.....Youth on Mission.
Our first mission trip to Pine Ridge, South Dakota was so inspiring, all who went wanted to make a commitment to return. But not just to return! They wanted to return better prepared to give of themselves, their minds, souls and spirits.....to better become "the hands and feet of God." Every person who experienced that trip came back with more. More what? More friends, more self-confidence, more knowledge, more empathy, more sense of adventure, many more aches and pains and most amazingly....more of a truer connection to GOD.
I think it was about then that our wise and wonderful Youth Director slyly pointed out that in order to make our dreams come true, we needed a mechanism to support our youth in their missionary growth.
So, this gathering of young minds is striving to establish not just a mechanism to return themselves to Pine Ridge next summer, but, to create a mechanism for all Faith Youth, present and future, to support a mission greater than themselves.
If you are a Teen or parent of a Teen or someone who thinks like a Teen, please know that you are welcome to join in on our Youth On Mission meetings that are held at the church the first Sunday of every month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. All questions can be addressed to me,
Mrs. Penov 330-634-8176 330-666-1295 (home) or penov@csbmrdd.com
or our fearless Youth director, John Maroni. 330-836-8811 (church)
W-ELCA
February 13, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall Soup Luncheon
Note time change to 11:00 a.m. This is Ash Wednesday.
The Lay Weeders will prepare soup for this fellowship luncheon. Jean Butler and Jean Gombert will be our Hostesses.
Please sign up on the notice posted on the bulletin board so that our hostesses know how many places to set and desserts to prepare.
Luncheon will end in time for people to attend the 12:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday worship service.
The Triennial Gathering of the Women of the ELCA will be held in Philadelphia July 8-14, 2002. this is the opportunity for women of the ELCA to see their Churchwide Board in action and participate in the wide variety of diverse opportunities. Faith Lutheran has been the recipient of a substantial grant for the use of a woman of Faith Lutheran to attend this Gathering.
If you are interested in participating, call Vee Robinson, president of Faith W-ELCA, 330-666-6301, or Elaine Johnson, president NEO-SWO, 330-666-6949.
A bus is available for the NEO women to travel to Philadelphia with an overnight stop in Lancaster, PA. the bus will depart July 9 and return July 14. This will permit time for some sightseeing in the Philadelphia area. Total costs are not definite but it is estimated that the total cost will be approximately $500.00 which includes travel, housing, convention registration and meals.
This GRANT will be an asset to defray the expenses. The theme is "Listen, God is Calling." Why not respond and be a part of this exciting time?
The Triennial Gathering is an opportunity to enrich yourself through study and fellowship with your sisters in Christ throughout the ELCA. Come join with us.
ADULT SUNDAY LEARNING LIFE
1) ADULT SUNDAY LEARNING LIFE GROUP meets once a week at 9:15 a.m. in the Library. "Honoring Our Neighbor's Faith" is their subject through May using a book by the same title as their primary discussion guide. In February, they plan to discuss three Christian denominations and two world religions unrelated to Christianity.
The LIFE Group's planned specific topics are:
February 3: "Swedish Lutheran Church - a Taste of the Future?" - the Lutheran Church of Sweden is struggling to survive. Will the future of the ELCA be similar to that of the Swedish Lutheran Church?
February 10: "Evangelism Free Church" and "Evangelical Covenant Church" - They will discuss the origins of these two denominations within the Lutheran Church.
February 17: "Hinduism" - They will compare the Hindu understanding of Brahman as being the only reality with the Christian belief in a separate, sovereign God.
February 24: "Buddhism" - They will discuss Karma, Meditation, the Dharma (the teachings), and the introduction of Buddhist ideas to Americans via transcendentalist writers like Emerson and Thoreau.
Each of these faiths will be compared to the ELCA. The comparisons will be made based on our teachings, types of worship, governments, and other characteristics.
In addition to the book, Honoring Our Neighbor's Faith, which was published by Augsburg-Fortress and developed with the support of the 1997 ELCA churchwide assembly, they are using several other resources to prompt discussion including videotapes, text from internet sites for the specific faiths, and the Handbook of Denominations in the United States published by Abingdon Press. On future Sundays, the group plans to learn about many other faiths including Judaism, Islam, the Roman Catholic church, and various Protestant denominations and to compare each of them with the ELCA.
This Life Group is led by Sara and Jim Shook. Join us for one hour on Sunday mornings. There is an empty chair waiting for you. Church members and non-members are welcome to attend.
2) Women's Beginnings Prayer Group: Denise Henkel is gathering this women's prayer and study group around the kitchen table on Mondays or Wednesdays, depending on member availability. They have coffee and bread or muffins. Children may come too. They are currently meeting around the topic "The Measure of A Woman," by Lisa Bevere. This group is especially for women who have flexible work schedules or are at home with children. Call her for details at 668-4039 (Denise) or 867-5469 (Cherli).
Explorer Club
Hats off to Flo Mackall and Dineen Dowling for coordinating the Explorer Club January Learning Experience! This year's focus was "Spotlight on Lutherans."
What differentiates Lutherans from other Christians? Well, Martin Luther (aka Tom Seeley) of course! Explorers toured the Sanctuary with Martin Luther as tour guide. The Epiphany was our festival of lights. Debbie Gottas showed each Explorer how to shine like stars.
"Once Upon A Parable" performed by the Hosanna Choir was definitely a spotlight performance. The Hosanna choir, from Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent, is the Sunday School Drama Club made up of 7th - 12th graders. The final week focused on sacraments, worship and music in our Lutheran Church.
We thank ALL THE VOLUNTEER HELPERS who helped shine the spotlight on our Explorers!
Our Call Committee Update
The Call Committee is very pleased to report that we have two very strong candidates for the Pastor's position. We have seen each of them lead one or two worship services and heard them preach. In addition, we are conducting second interviews with each of them. In these second interviews, we are delving deeper into each candidate's philosophy, experience and ideas for the future of our congregation. It has been an enriching experience for all of us on the committee. We feel very blessed that we have such good candidates. At the time of this writing, we are in the midst of the second interviews. We feel that we will be in a position to make a recommendation to the Church Council in February.
Please keep us in your prayers as we get down to this decision. and, as always, contact any of us with your thoughts.
Michael Chaffee, Co-Chair - 330-239-5505 mchaffee@lnc.com
Steve Thompson, Co-Chair - 330-666-5065 st@uakron.edu
Don Dillahunt - 330-867-3995 aberfelda@aol.com
Anita Sears - 330-665-3106 amfs@apk.net
Dana Singer - 330-836-9262
Marilyn Wilson - 330-666-3202 hmwil@aol.com
Ben Aronson - 330-873-9371 buckeye873@cs.com
Beth Gsellman - 330-867-4569 ny152chick@hotmail.com
LIFE Group
Women's Beginnings Prayer Group: Denise Henkel is gathering this women's prayer and study group around the kitchen table on Mondays or Wednesdays, depending on member availability. They have coffee and bread or muffins. Children may come too. They are currently meeting around the topic "The Measure of A Woman," by Lisa Bevere. This group is especially for women who have flexible work schedules or are at home with children. Call her for details at 668-4039 (Denise) or 867-5469 (Cherli).
Lutheran Adoption Network
Have you ever wondered if you could adopt a child from overseas? Lutheran Child and Family Services is now networked with other Lutheran agencies around the world to find "forever" families for children currently living in orphanages in Russia and in seven other countries. Although the staff of these facilities try to do their best for the children, resources are limited and often such basics as food, clothing, medical care, and individual attention are sorely lacking.
Lutheran Adoption Network agencies are trying to untangle the red tape, reduce the geographical, cultural, and legal barriers, and unite these children with loving parents. Applications are accepted from single adults as well as from married couples under the age of 50. Applicants should be in good health and with no criminal record.
Call LCAFS in Cleveland at (216) 281-2500 for more details.
Thursday, February 28, 2002
"Girls Night Out at the Movies"
Mark your calendars. Invite a Friend to come along for a movie and coffee and dessert after.
Movie and time to be decided as time draws near. Sign up sheet available or call Cindy Stecker at 330-864-3509
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SOUP SUPPERS
We have openings for various church groups and teams to sign up for providing and serving soup at the Lenten Soup Suppers. These sponsorships go fast so call Pat Gsellman or contact the church office as soon as possible. The dates and availability are as follows:
Wednesday Lenten Services (Soup Suppers)
February 20 - Light Service Soup (Kurt Mackall)
February 27 - OPEN March 6 - OPEN
March 13 - Seder Meal (Kathy Zbinden)
March 20 - OPEN SIGN UP NOW!
Patrick D. Gsellman
OPEN-M
Over the next several months, I will attempt to give you information about OPEN-M (Opportunity Parish Ecumenical Neighborhood Ministry). They are a wonderful organization that helps a lot of disadvantaged people in the Akron area and it is important for us to know, as a covenant church, what they do and how they do it. People who live in poverty have little money but they also have attitudes, born of experience, that work against their ability to make a meaningful change in their situation. Often, they did not finish high school and therefore lack a basic credential for meaningful employment. The longer a person lives in poverty, the more convinced they are that they will not be able to change - they lack hope and vision. They feel powerless in the face of most crises, and experience being overwhelmed by the issues of daily living. Many made bad choices at some point in their lives and are living with the consequences for years afterward. Many in our society make choices such as "do I want the movie theater butter or the low fat/low salt popcorn." "Should I buy the green SUV which is a lot of fun or do I go for the blue mini-van which is the more practical alternative?" For others in our society, the choices are more fundamental, "do I pay the rent, buy groceries, or go to the doctor?" For over 12 years, OPEN-M's program, MOVING FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY has helped move people out of poverty and not just off welfare. They assist families to glimpse their dreams, uncover their strengths, gain necessary skills for the job market, and develop a self-confidence to break the cycle of poverty and to become independent.
- Norm Schmidt
As a covenant church for OPEN-M, you are invited to the Annual Dinner Meeting on Sunday, March 3, 2002 at 6 p.m. The most Reverence Anthony M. Pilla, D.D. will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $10 per person. Call 330-434-0110 and ask for Betty to make reservations. - Norm Schmidt
Lutheran Men in Mission
Lutheran Men in Mission
Annual Winter Breakfast Meeting
Date: Saturday, February 2nd
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Registration/Fellowship: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Cost: Free will offering with matching funds from Lutheran Brotherhood
Speaker: Terry Pluto - featured sports writer for the Akron Beacon Journal
Presentation: On Prison Ministry
Lutheran Men in Mission Northeastern Ohio
Master Builders - Builders for Christ
Pancake Breakfast
Fundraiser for landscaping project at the new Synod Office
Date: Saturday, February 23rd
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
All the pancakes you can eat.
Adults: $5.00
Children (6-12): $3.00
Place: First Lutheran Church
249 2nd St. NW
Barberton, OH
(330) 753-6323
Join us for the fellowship and good eating
Tickets will be available at the door - or call
Dick Spall at 330-499-7369
Thank You
3 December 2001
Dear Pastor Wissner,
The people of Faith Church continue to be gracious hosts for the synod's annual Advent worship for rostered retirees and their spouses and widows of pastors. Please express our thanks to them for their warm welcome. We thank you also for seeing to the details involved with this type of event.
We continue to hear very positive responses to this gathering. People truly appreciate beginning the occasion with the liturgy at Faith Church and the sense of your warm welcome.
Thank you for your partnership in this ministry.
Blessings, Marcus Miller
Editor's note:
Barbara Dillahunt and Dixie Whitaker, this really belongs to you! Thank you for your service!
Pastor Deborah
Births
Dana Michelle Ramsey, daughter of Chip and Mickey Ramsey born January 13, 2002 Grandparents are Charles and Bettemae Ramsey
Deaths
Irene Savell, Veno's mother died on January 20, 2002
Maxine Chapman, mother of Judy Lee, died on January 22, 2002
We join in Christian sorrow with these two families.
"Listen, God is Calling"
The Gathering theme is a joyous call to gather as a community of women created, called and empowered by God. Listen to the "cry of your heart" and respond by studying the Gathering scripture, Ephesians 4:4-5. These verses offer many concepts which will enrich our interconnectedness: unity, giftedness, diversity and maturity. Paul tells us that we must grow up in Christ. This is applicable to us as Women of the ELCA. We can be enriched and blessed by our participation at the Triennial Gathering in Philadelphia. Each day will begin with praise, prayer and Bible study led by three of the ELCA's women bishops. Workshops will continue to deepen the power of these studies. the day will conclude in a mass gathering celebrating and uplifting the ministries of the ELCA. Also available will be the "Convention without Walls" offered in the surrounding communities enabling first-hand experiences with model programs and ministries. Three areas will be available for this enrichment:
1. Hearing God's Call-Growing in Faith and Wisdom
2. Experiencing God's Call: Learning How to Build Healthy Families
3. Living God's Call: Using Gifts and Skills in Service to Neighbor
The Northeastern Ohio Synodical Women's Board has created a "Grant for Triennial Gathering" which will assist our sisters in Christ to attend this Gathering. First of all we want you to attend this Gathering but if that is not possible perhaps you would like to assist a woman from the Northeastern Ohio Synod to attend by contributing to the "Grant for Triennial Gathering." The form for this is printed as an insert to this newsletter.
|
