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January 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.
Epiphany
Christmas Season Continues
On January 4
The arrival of the Magi will be the focus at all three worship services on January 4, Epiphany Sunday. It's still the Christmas Season, so there will be more Christmas hymns!
Come Help Un-decorate
On January 7
The Christmas decorations will be taken down and stored at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7. Your help is needed!
Leadership Appreciation
On February 2 and 7
There are lots of you out there, some very obvious and some not so obvious. People who lead, direct, encourage and support the mission and ministries at Faith Lutheran Church.
One of my first jobs in this new position is to recognize those people who are the "official" leaders of teams or ministries and say thank you! In addition to appreciation, I need your help! Your input is invaluable to our growth and development. We need your attendance at one of these events.
So mark your calendars now for our first annual leadership appreciation events! I am planning two so that you may choose the one the fits your schedule the best.
The first one will be held Monday, February 2 from 7 pm – 9 pm. An identical session will be held Saturday February 7 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am. And here's the best news, in true Lutheran tradition, there will be food! (Dessert
on 2/2 and donuts or bagels on 2/7.)
Don't wait until February to chat! Call me anytime for a one-on-one appointment and I'll be glad to meet with you. I am looking forward to meeting you, hearing your "story", and exploring together how we can help Faith become all God wants it to be.
Let's Pray About It...
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are told to "pray continually", The fifth chapter of James vs 13 -16 tells us to pray when we're in trouble, when we're sick, and that God will answer the prayers of righteous people. We are even told to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us in Matthew 5:44. Got it? As members of the Body of Christ, we are called to pray for each other.
Faith Lutheran Church has a great "prayer web." Prayer requests that come into the office are organized and sent out every Wednesday through e-mail. All who receive them can print them and pray all week long.
But what happens if someone has a sudden need for prayer on a Thursday or Friday? Wouldn't it be great to be able to get the people of Faith praying immediately? If you had a friend outside of Faith that was in trouble, wouldn't it be wonderful to say, "I'll call my church prayer chain and we'll all be praying for you."
It is time to add another dimension to the already effective prayer ministry here. The additional ministry will be led by lay people and work via internet and telephone. Here's what will happen. If you, or someone you know has a need for prayer, you will be able to email someone OR call someone. That person, will, in turn start spreading the word to a "chain" of volunteers. These prayer warriors will be able to pray immediately and whenever they feel led.
Before we can set this structure up, we need volunteers. Please call me at the church office, email me at CarolynWagar@faithlutheranchurch.org, or call my cell phone 216-403-8779. Remember that there is no time commitment to this. You pray whenever able. Remember, too, that many of us who don't feel able to commit to other ministry teams can pray.
Lend a Helping Hand
Did you know that :
There are only 2 -4 people available to help put on luncheons for funerals and other food events?
We only have a small percentage of people signed up to bake or cook for such a function?
God can really use your help in either of these worth while ministries?
If enough people sign up to help, you may only need to be called once in a while. This is putting God's commandment to love each other into action! This is giving of our time! This is moving the ministry at Faith forward! Not everyone can preach or teach or have great spiritual vision….most of us, however, can make a casserole or wash some dishes! Please call or email today and indicate if you can help in our "food ministry." Call 330 836 8811 and ask for Carolyn or email me at CarolynWagar@faithlutheranchurch.org
Explorers Club
January Learning Experience
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.
Attention
The Wednesday evening schedule resumes on January 7 with the class meal being served at 6:15 p.m. and class beginning at 6:45 p.m.
The Sunday morning class for 7th and 8th graders resumes at 9:15 a.m. on January 4.
Youth
Youth Program Faces Transition
In December we were sad to say "good-bye" to Youth Leader Carrie Miller who served in the position for nine months. We give thanks for her ministry among us, and wish her well as she begins a graduate program.
The Church Council is discussing how to proceed with filling the Youth Leader position.
In the meantime, the schedule for the Middle School youth will continue with Pastor Jean teaching Confirmation Class, congregational volunteers leading the Sunday morning class and members of the Youth Team planning Confirmation service projects and social activities.
The High School students will NOT continue to meet at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Instead, the Youth Team is seeking feedback from High School youth and parents concerning a good gathering time. A Sunday evening event is being planned for January; please watch the Weekly Beacon for further details.
Adult Youth Team members are: Dan Meyer, Chris Wright-Penov, Sue Rodgers, Dana Singer, Mark Watkins and Carrie Wells. The Team's next meeting is at 7 p.m. on January 5 in the Church Library. We give thanks for their ministry.
Preschool Presents
How busy we've been in our Preschool. Festive Christmas songs were featured in the Holiday Programs performed by our preschoolers, with refreshments rounding out the evening. The children had a special visitor---Santa Claus visited the children before their holiday break.
Mr. Leo and Miss Wendy have a few openings in the 3-year-old "Storytime" class starting in January. Each class begins with the reading of a book and ends with a visit from the animal in the book. The classes are held on Mondays from 11:30 until noon. Preschool registration begins in January.
Church members will register on January 11; next year's threes will register on January 12; next year's fours on , January 13; next year's Pre K on the 14th and next year's Mom & Me will register on January 15. Monthly tuition rates for next year are: 2 days a week - $75; 3days $106; 4 days - $120 PreK - $134. The registration fee is $50. Teachers for these classes have not yet been assigned. All applicants may register their child only.
All students are guaranteed a spot if registered on the assigned day. It is still recommended that parents come a bit early as classes tend to fill fast. If you have any questions, please contact Miss Wendy or Miss Heather at 330-836-8827.
Happy NEW YEAR!
...for Church Members
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.
COUNCIL RETREAT
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Annual Meeting
During the Annual Meeting on November 26 the following people were elected to the Church Council:
- Pat Gsellman (second consecutive term)
- Denise Henkel
- Mark Horn
- Ken Jakubec
- Bob Johnson
- Chris Sears
- Barry White
(second consecutive term)
Other congregation members who were elected to positions of leadership are:
- Audit Committee: Bill Dobkin
- Endowment Committee: Bill Evans
- Nominating Committee: Arthur Britton, Vee Robinson, Anita Sears
- Synod Assembly Delegates: Mark and Robin Horn
During the Church Council meeting on December 15 the following persons were elected or appointed to serve as officers:
- President - Polly Dobkin
- Vice President - Barry White
- Secretary - Kit Scheetz
- Treasurer - Judy Lee
- Financial Secretary - Bettemae Ramsey
Thank You
Dear Pastor Jean,
I want to thank you for your encouragement during my recent surgery. I also enjoyed using the "Prayer Shawl", feeling I was warmed by God's love.
I also wish to thank my friends at church for all the cards expressing love and support. I feel quite strong and almost back to normal. God has been with me.
Love,
Betty Jacobs
Thanks Expressed to Callers
I wish to hank all those that volunteered for the Fellowship Calling event on Thursday evening December 11. We had a very nice "turn out" and more than a few of the volunteers were new members of Faith.
WELCA
Wednesday - January 14 10:00 a.m. Bible Study with Pastor Deborah Wissner
Prayers
In Our Prayers:
Health Concerns:
Faith member Justine Molnar
Faith member Shirley Slay
Faith member Dale Gsellman
Faith member Ashley Callen
Faith member Ted Peterson
For Virginia Vernon
Special Prayers:
For faith member Audrea Woodall
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 and Robert Deme, son of Denise (and Pat) Flanagan, who have both returned to the United States from Iraq.
In Times of Loss:
For Shirley Craig and family upon the death of James Craig.
Pastor Jean presided at his funeral on November 25.
For Lois Hughes and family upon the death of her husband Clyde Hughes
on December 12. Pastor Jean presided at his funeral on December 16.
For Faith member Marilyn Wilson and family upon the death of her husband
Hal Wilson on December 15. Pastor Jean presided at his funeral on December 18.
In Thanksgiving:
Congratulations to Ward and Elissa Narhi
on the birth of their son Avery Galen
born on December 12, 2003.
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