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January 2001 Newsletter
    
Undecorate Faith January 7
Immediately following the 10:45 AM Celebration Service, the Baptism of
Jesus, it will be time for members to undecorate our Sanctuary. We need
10-15 able-bodied men, women and children to stay after the service to
quickly put away the Christmas decorations for another year. We won't be
asking for names but we will be expecting volunteers. It can be done
quickly and easily with 10-15 volunteers. Help the Team.
Installation of Church Council
Church Council will be installed at the 10:45 AM Celebration Service on
Sunday, January 28, 2001. New to Council this year are Pat Gsellman, John
Knops, Joyce Lightle, John Warner, Barry White. Returning to Council are
members Bill Beers, Polly Dobkin, Tom Parsons, Randy Cole, Lois Chaffee. Ann
Snyder Britton.
Church Council is charged with "the general oversight of the life and
activities of this congregation, particular its worship life, to the end
that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and
practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America." Among its other
responsibilities, it is to do long range planning and set goals; to seek to
involve all members in worship, learning, witness, service and support; to
oversee the administration of the congregation; to maintain supportive
relationships with the Pastor and staff; to individually be examples of a
Christian lifestyle; to promote a climate of peace and goodwill; to arrange
for pastoral service; to emphasize partnership with the wider church and the
use of its resources.
A Tradition Continues: Remember the Baptisms
Faith will continue a tradition on Sunday, January 7, 2001. The first
Sunday after the Epiphany remembers one of the most important "epiphanies"
or pre-manifestations of the true identity of Jesus as the Son of God: his
baptism by John in the River Jordan. As part of the service, we remember
that event each time we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
In 2000, Faith celebrated the baptisms of eleven new brothers and sisters in
the Faith. Baptized in 2000 were: William Conner Downing, Grace Mae
Goddard, Alea Julliette Sears, Sarah Anne Seeley, Elissa Jeanelle Narhi,
Michael Paul Skerlong, Samantha Nicole Ahern, Madison Brooke Wondra, Reid
Anderson Allen and Alden Garbriel Narhi. Family members are encouraged to
be with us that morning as special prayers will be shared over God's
continuing relationship with these new members of His Kingdom. A rose on
the altar will be a gift to each baptized individual to take home that
morning. God bless them everyone!
Confirmation Resumes January 10
After a six-week break, the Confirmation Class will resume on Wednesday
evening, January 10th at 6:20 PM. The focus of this next term will be the
New Testament beginning with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. In a day
when religious instruction has to compete with so many other obligations,
thanks must be given to those parents who, remembering the vows they made at
their child's baptism, are now enabling their child to receive the spiritual
support necessary for their well-being. The attendance has been superb this
fall. Thank these parents when you see them as they model Christ's love for
their child.
First Communion for Fifth Graders
Pastor Sneeringer would like to invite our Fifth Graders to prepare for
their First Communion by meeting with him in March. For three Saturday
mornings beginning at 9 AM, March 3, those young people wishing to prepare
for their first communion will be asked to meet with him in anticipation of
Holy Communion on Sunday, March 18, 2001. The office knows of the following
young people eligible for their first Communion: Nicholas Allison, Jacob
Emmert-Aronson, Sarah Carano, Mary Gsellman, Kailin Hurley, James Kolk,
Brianna Lloyd, erin Marie Carpenter, Alexandra Singer, Christopher Butler.
If you 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 Sunday, March 18, 2001 at the 10:45 AM Celebration
Service.
Explorers Club Welcomes You Back January 7.
Beginning January 9, a volunteer group of twenty teachers and staff will
again be ready each Sunday morning at 9:15 AM to welcome your school aged
son or daughter learn to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. No other ministry
of Faith fields the number of people dedicated to bringing Jesus into the
life of your child as our Faith Explorers staff. They are there to help
your child discover the ethical and moral values that make for successful
living through Christ. The staff then asks that you pick up your son or
daughter on but not before 10:30 AM to give each class time to complete
their learnings for the morning.
Our enrollment is at an all time high! This can be contributed to the
fantastic support of our parents as well as the unending dedication of our
staff. The children have been busy celebrating the Good News of God; each
Sunday the halls are filled with the exciting sounds of learning.
CONTACT DANA SINGER OR BECKY STRIMPLE FOR INFO ABOUT THE JANUARY
INTERCESSION.
New Member Reunion
All those who joined Faith this last year are invited to an open house at
the home of Pastor and Linda Sneeringer, 4670 Rolling View Dr., Fairlawn,
OH, Sunday, January 21, 2001 from 4-6 PM. This 2000 new member reunion
will be an opportunity for our newest brothers and sisters in the faith to
talk with one another, ask questions about the congregation and its ministry
now they have been around for awhile and generally share in the joy of
becoming a member of God's kingdom (The Faith Branch!). Please mark this
date on your calendar now.
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.
First Nite to be February 19th
This last year, Faith's Church Council was experimenting with a new
organizational framework based on teams. In years past, Committee
chairpersons gathered in January for a First Nite of reorganization and
redeployment. This year, we are giving the Teams their own opportunity to
do that during the month of January. Ministry Team leaders will then meet
on Monday night, February 19, 2001 at 7:15 PM for Devotions, Leadership
Training, Ministry Assessment and Reports. All Ministry Team leaders are
asked to mark this date on you calendars.
We Did It!
Faith went over its goal this year of 200 2lb bags of brown sugar for OPEN
M. In fact, we went over by 250. Last year we reached the mark but this
year we went way over the top. God bless all of you for your generosity and
support.
We also were 100% for the Salvation Army Giving Tree. Every gift was
returned and in turn distributed through the Salvation. Again thanks.
Christmas in Kenya
Missionary Pastor Bob Schmalzle and his wife Denise report in their December
newsletter the differences between Kenya and the US at Christmas:
"After celebrating our "American Thanksgiving" holiday in November, with the
help of a Kenyan turkey, we remembered that the preparations and decorations
for Christmas in the States must be already in full swing. Being Ohioans,
the weather here doesn't seem very Christmassy. Also, the hype and
commercialism of the season are missing too. Christmas lights and
decorations, along with Christmas trees and gift exchanging aren't part of
the Kenyan traditional Christmas. The only real tradition of Christmas here
is worship itself. During the last days of Advent we prayerfully anticipate
Christmas when we will joyfully celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.
May your Christmas celebration, too be joy-filled and your New Year be
blessed."
Faith Lutheran Church supports the Schmalzes through your free will
donations. Please help the Bob and Denise by dropping your gift in the
offering plate clearly marked "Missionary Support."
New Council President Takes Office
Reelected as Council President at its last meeting was Bill Beers. Serving
as Vice-President once again is Polly Dobkin.
Synod News
Midsize Congregation Transformation Seminar
Faith Lutheran Church will be hosting a midsize congregation transformation
seminar for the Northeastern Ohio Synod, January 13, 2001 from 9 AM to 3 PM.
A midsize congregation is defined as having from 100 to 300 on an average
Sunday. Approximately 30 congregations from the Synod are part of the
year-long project. Our Church Council will be attending. (They will also
be meeting on Friday evening in preparation for the morning.) Last year
over two hundred participants were part of the first event making it one of
the largest events in the Synod's recent past.
The seminar is part of a two-year process begun last January whereby
clusters of like congregations will be working and supporting each other in
the transforming process, understanding what has worked for so many years in
the church is no longer succeeding in reaching our current culture. More
and more congregations around the ELCA are engaging in this transformation
from a program and committee based ministry to one that is small group and
team based.
The Rev. Lou Forney, King of Kings Lutheran Church, Shelby Township,
Michigan will be our guest presenter. He will be making two presentations:
Courageous Leadership in the morning and "Positive Change" in the afternoon.
There will be opportunity for each cluster to meet and report on the
progress of each church to meet the goals it set for itself last year.
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