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March Newsletter 2007
    
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.
Lent Mid-Week Gatherings
Lent Mid-Week Gatherings Offer Meal and Worship
Lent is a time when Christians focus on spiritual growth and renewal. The theme this year is Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Members of the congregation shared their faith reflections in the Lent Daily Devotion Book, and on Wednesday evening some individuals also will share their insights on how God’s faithfulness has been revealed in their lives.
The beautiful Evening Prayer liturgy from the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) will be used for these mid-week services. Also, worshippers may submit, in writing, first names of people who have particular needs and they will be mentioned during the prayers.
Wednesday, March 7, 14, 21 and 28 - Soup Suppers; 6-6:50 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall; Menu: Soup, bread and dessert – Worship: 7-7:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary - Childcare will be provided for children age 5 and under during worship.
Singers Needed
To Lead Evening Prayer Service
All singers are invited to assist the congregation in singing portions of the Evening Prayer Service during Wednesday evening worship in Lent. Please come to practice with Bob Mollard at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary on March 7 before the mid-week worship. Singers will sit in the congregation to guide other worshippers in singing this service, which is found on page 142, in the front of the LBW.
Palm Sunday, April 1
9:15 a.m. - Traditional Worship - Combined Explorers’ Club (9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. groups meet together.)
10:15 a.m. - EVERYONE gathers in the sanctuary for the Blessing of the Palms liturgy! Those attending 9:15 a.m. worship will “stay put” as the Explorers’ Club comes to the sanctuary, along with those arriving for 10:30 a.m. worship. After the palms are blessed, the Explorers’ Club leads the congregation outside for the Palm Procession (weather permitting).
10:30 a.m. - Contemporary Worship - Explorers’ Club Singers open the service with a song and then are dismissed to their families! There is no 10:30 a.m. Explorers’ Club on Palm Sunday.
Please note: There will be no Kinship Café on Palm Sunday or Easter, April 1 and 8.
Holy Week
Easter Worship Schedule - April 5, Maundy (Holy) Thursday, 7 p.m., April 6, Good Friday, 7 p.m., April 8, Easter Sunday, 7:30, 9 and 10:45 a.m., Easter Breakfast, seating from 8:15-10:15 a.m., Look for more details in the April “Beacon of Faith”.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) Is Here!
It’s an exciting time in the ELCA as the new worship book, Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), is available for congregational use. Here at Faith Lutheran Church the new hymnal will be introduced after Easter. This resource replaces the green Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and the blue With One Voice (WOV).
The congregation’s Worship Team and the Church Council decided to initially purchase electronic access, and permission to copy the book’s content, through the on-line resource “Sundays and Seasons”. We also will purchase 100 hymnals.
The ELW keeps the best and favorite music from the LBW and WOV and introduces new worship music, hymns and songs that will soon be favorites. Stay tuned as decisions are made concerning: Whether more hymnals will be purchased, and how the congregation might participate. What will happen to the green and blue hymnals when they are removed from the pews.
Bible study in the evenings!
We are starting up a brand new women’s - Four Chapters, Four Weeks, Philippians!, Mondays in March, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. At the church , Childcare will be available
Dineen Dowling will be leading this series for women who… have been thinking about attending a Bible study, have never even attended a Bible study, have been longing for a deeper understanding of God’s Word, have been unable to attend the morning women’s Bible study
Join us and you will find… you will have read an entire letter of the Bible, Saint Paul has some interesting things to say to you in his letter, where two or three are gathered in his name, God promises to be there you will grow in fellowship with other sisters in Christ
All you need is a Bible (of course, you could even borrow one from the church!) and a commitment to carving out the time on your calendar in the month of March. Adopt this as a Lenten discipline for yourself! Contact Dineen Dowling for more information, 330-873-1869 or dineend@neo.rr.com.
Come One! Come All!
Support Habitat for Humanity and Have Some Fun
The churches who help sponsor Habitat for Humanity in Summit County will be gathering on Sunday evening March 18 at 7:00 P.M. for a talent show to raise money for more building materials. Our church always donates some money to this worthwhile cause, but now we can support this venture even further and have fun at the same time! Let’s have a great contingent of people present from Faith. Please contact Carolyn ( cjwaggs@aol.com) or the church office for ticket details.
We Love Our Volunteers
Mark your calendars and plan now to attend Faith’s fourth Volunteer Appreciation Event on Monday, April 30 at 6:30 P.M. Anyone who does anything is warmly welcome to attend. This is a great time for families and child care will be provided for children too little to enjoy the festivities. We know how important all our volunteers are to the success of the ministry of FLC, and simply want to say “thanks.” See you then!
Women’s Saturday Retreat
Many of the women from Faith as well as other churches gathered last April for a one day women’s retreat. This year, back by popular demand, we will have a Saturday Spring Retreat on April 14. Keep that date on your calendar as a chance to find a little “spring growth” in your life and faith.
Confirmation Class
Confirmation Class will meet Sunday, March 11 and 25 at 9:15 a.m. with Lucius and Janice in the youth room. We will have a fellowship activity with Leo and Wendy on the March 11. Meet in the youth room following the contemporary service for lunch and then we'll head off to Hawkins Hill for some sledding (weather permitting) or to Riviera Lanes for bowling! Parents must transport students for this event. We will leave the church at 12:15 p.m. Pick up for sledding will be at 2:00 p.m. at Hawkins Hill. Pick up at Riviera is 1:30 p.m. Please be sure to bring all sledding gear to church if we have enough snow that morning!
Mandatory Service Project is on Wednesday evening, March 14 from 6 -7:30 p.m. at Arden Court of Bath (across from Lowe's.) We will meet there - please be on time! This is a required event so please make every effort to attend! Leo will be presenting an animal show for the residents. The youth will assist the residents to and from the show, during the show and following for a snack. Please see church mailboxes for more information!
F.Y.I - Don't forget, the Easter breakfast is just around the corner. All confirmation students are required to help at the easter breakfast (unless you are out of town). Sign up sheets will come home soon!
Other Youth
9th Grade Class will meet on Sunday, March 11 and 25 at 9:15 a.m. in the library. (See below for combined 9-12th activities.) High School class will meet on Sunday, March 4 and 18 at Panera. 9-12th grade will have a Wednesday night gathering on March 28 from 6:30 p.m -8 p.m.
Guatemala 2007 Mission Trip News
Thank you to all those who supported Ed's Diner in February. We made over $2,700 and are getting much closer to our goal of $16,000! Yeah!!! We truly could not do this without all of your support and we are hugely grateful! A very special thanks goes out to Carla Ringer for all of the centerpieces and placemats for our tables and to Chuck Baltes for his help with set-up and tear-down!
Report on the Feasibility Study
by Cargill Associates, Who from the congregation responded? Of the 213 participating giving units at Faith Lutheran Church, 108 households completed the questionnaire and/or were interviewed. More than half of the congregation responding is about as expected, according to Cargill. What we discovered: 98% of those interviewed and 87% of questionnaire respondents have Very High to Moderately High enthusiasm for work and programs at Faith Lutheran Church. This is exceptionally high support, according to Cargill.
100% of those who responded feel the church does very well communicating information to its members. Something to celebrate, according to Cargill.A clear majority believe we should proceed with the building project as outlined in the Vision Statement: Of those interviewed, 75% say yes and 15% were undecided. Of the questionnaire respondents, 68% say yes and 20% undecided. (According to Cargill, typically those who vote “undecided” tend to need more time or information before moving to a yes vote.)
An even stronger majority would commit to giving toward a Capital Stewardship Campaign: Of those interviewed, 88% say yes and 8% undecided. Of the questionnaire respondents, 66% say yes and 24% undecided. Some who responded were unable to offer amounts they could possibly pledge. But of those who did, a total of 70 giving units stated they could give $421,400. Cargill reported we could reasonably expect to raise $700,000 to $900,000 with an initial Capital Campaign. Cargill recommends that a project of $2.1 million is too large and needs to be scaled back. However, a project of $1.6 million could be managed very effectively with two consecutive three-year campaigns.
This campaign would also include creating a budget line for debt-reduction, because it is likely that our regular giving to the operating budget will also increase, which would help pay off a loan. Stay tuned! More Information to come!
Formation of CSI: Faith Team
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 - We continue to discern God’s plans for Faith Lutheran Church! On Tuesday, February 6, just as Faith council was gathering for a special meeting to call a congregational vote on starting a capital campaign for the building expansion project, we learned of a recent development that would impact our plans for Faith’s building project.
That previous week, Faith was approached by the owners of the building two doors east (2680 West Market, also known by the sign out front “Twin Sisters Productions”) to see if we were interested in acquiring the building for our ministries. The owners are charter members of Faith and have indicated the building is not for sale to the public.
Having received positive results from the feasibility study, we were poised to begin an exciting campaign. However, council decided we needed to pause and investigate this new opportunity. Over the course of a week, members of council, the building team and building finance team and staff toured the facility. Our architect Eric Beach toured the facility. We all realized the building had potential to meet some of our current and future ministry needs, but we required more information. We unanimously recommended that the council form a team to do a more investigative study of the building before seriously considering its acquisition or dismissing it from consideration.
On Monday, February 19, council approved the formation of an assessment team to gather detailed information about the building and report back with findings by the April council meeting. This “CSI:Faith” team (Church Space Investigators for Faith) will be co-chaired by Randy Cole and Dineen Dowling. They will have the building inspected and appraised. They will discuss ministry possibilities with staff and lay leaders and consult with architect Eric Beach about space configurations based on those findings. Part of their assessment will include a 10-year projection of operating costs for the building and estimates in revenues, depending on what decisions are made concerning the space. This thorough report will help us determine if the building is a sound investment for Faith and its current and future ministries.
The council will then review the report and recommendation of the CSI:Faith Team and decide to either: 1) dismiss this building and proceed with the addition/renovation of the church as outlined at the Annual Meeting OR 2) consider purchase of this new property and re-evaluate the renovation of the church. Afterwards, a congregational meeting will be called to vote on a capital campaign for one of these options to commence in the fall. We will keep you informed as we move along in the process. Please continue to pray for clarity of vision and mission as we consider the most effective ways to do ministry at Faith Lutheran Church and beyond.
“What Lutherans Believe”
Class Offered - “What Lutherans Believe”, an over-view of Lutheran doctrine and history, is being offered in March. Pastor Jean will teach the class from 7-9 p.m. on March 8,15 and 22 in the library. This class is for anyone who wishes to join the church and has not previously been Lutheran, or anyone who would like to review their understanding of Lutheranism. New members will be received at both services on March 25. Those who plan to participate in the class should contact Pastor Jean by March 5.
Goodies Needed
Three great ways to keep those goodies available at…The Kinship Café
Bake, Buy, Free Will Offering - Please consider the Kinship Café the next time you are baking or shopping. We need breads, coffee cakes, muffins etc. Bring them to the church kitchen any Sunday. Clearly mark them for the Kinship Café and date when baked or purchased. We will use them that day or freeze them for future use.
Don’t have time to bake or buy? Do you enjoy having delicious goodies to go along with your coffee? Please consider putting a little something in the free will offering jar. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Christoff at 330-835-9669. Thank you in advance for your baked good donations!
Mausoleum Crypts for Sale
Faith Lutheran Church has two crypts it wishes to sell. They are located in the Chapel at Rose Hill Cemetrey: section PB, level 3, crypts 5 and 6. According to cemetery officials, these are “very nice crypts,” located at a level and side-by-side in an area where they are “mostly gone.” Rose Hill personnel are willing to show them to anyone interested; however, purchase will take place through the church. It interested, please call DuWayne Hansen at 330-666-7830 or e-mail him at dorhansen@adelphis, net.
THANK YOU
THANK YOU to everyone who has brought in food donations for OPEN M. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are truly appreciated. Please continue to drop off boxes of jello and pudding in the purple containers on a regular basis for the less fortunate who depend on the food pantry. Fulfilling our ongoing commitment to this vital ministry gladdens the hearts of many local residents. Sally Butler
Dear Faith Friends,
Thanks so much for the cozy red prayer shawl you gave to Kurt’s mom, Harriett Mackall. She loves it! Warmth, comfort, and you healing prayers wrap around her each time she wears it. Our family is so grateful to be a part of Faith’s caring family. With our sincere, heartfelt thanks,The Mackall Family
Easter Baskets for Children
It’s that time of year again when our thoughts are turning towards filling Easter baskets for Children’s Services. This year we will have large empty baskets in the narthex and in the church office to collect items to be used for this project. So if you can’t make an entire Easter Basket, please consider donating individual items.
We are filling baskets for children from 3 to 16 years of age…and some items that would be appreciated include:CANDY(individually wrapped candies are the best), already filled plastic eggs, small toys, books, coloring books, crayons, puzzle books, stuffed animals (must be new or nearly new—very clean),toiletries, nail polish, perfume, after shave, playing cards, grooming items, small games, matchbox cars, dolls, cellophane bags, tape, ribbons, and of course…more CANDY.
Individual items should be donated by March 20. If you want to help or have any questions, please call Vee Robinson at 330- 666-6301.
Spaghetti Dinner
Boy Scout Troop # 390 - 13th Annual - Saturday, March 3
Our Boy Scout Troop # 390 will be hosting their annual spaghetti dinner on Saturday, March 3 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Dinner includes salad, spaghetti, rolls, beverage and dessert. Tickets will be sold at the door. Please come and enjoy dinner and support Troop 390.
Daylight Savings time
Begins Sunday March 11
Easter Flowers
This year, in addition to the traditional lilies decorating the altar area on Easter Sunday, there will be a choice of tulips and hyacinths. The cost will be $7.00 each. Look for order inserts in the Weekly Beacon or stop by the church office. The deadline is March 25.
WELCA
Wednesday, March 14 - 10:00 a.m. Stewarts’ Caring Place, 2955 W. Market Street, Suite R
We will meet at Stewarts’ Caring Place for Program Director Sheryl Pluegar to give us a tour of their wellness and education resource center and to tell us about the many programs offered. Stewarts’ Caring Place was opened in 2004 to offer free support and education to individuals and families touched by cancer.
We will also do some gentle yoga exercises, have our refreshments and business meeting. Elaine Johnson will give devotions and Kathy Zbinden will be co-hostess with Stewarts’ Caring Place. Stewarts Caring place does not charge for their services. We can assist them by donating office supplies, e.g. stick-back name tags, light bulbs (60 watt preferred), colorful two pocket folders, file folders, postage stamps, white-out, transparent tape refills, gift cards to Walmart, Office Max or Lowes, post-it notes and copier paper.
Stewarts’ Place is located at the rear of the shopping plaza behind Rite Aid on the northeast corner of Miller Road and West Market Street.
Spring Cleaning
Join Us For Spring Cleaning, Ever wonder who spring cleans the Sanctuary for Easter Sunday? You should! We are requesting your help to clean just the pews and the altar communion rails. If 52 people volunteered just two hours, the 50 pews and altar area would sparkle with a lot of fellowship and very little effort.
We will provide all the cleaning supplies (Murphy’s Oil Soap, cleaning rags, water, and vacuum). You need to supply elbow grease, a smile, and rubber gloves if you need them. Two Saturdays are scheduled for your convenience; choose one or both.
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 9 a.m. – noon. or SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 9 a.m. – noon. So, grab a buddy and join us! Any questions, call Loralee Daily at 330-644-0928 or Dana Singer at 330-836-9262.
Easter Egg Invites
Saturday, March 31 will be the day that all of you are invited to meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. for refreshments and fellowship. As in the past three years, we will travel to the shopping center across the road for a time of greeting shoppers with a plastic egg, a smile, and an invitation to Easter worship. Last year we had so much fun when people exclaimed, “I remember your church doing this last year!” Everyone is friendly and it is a terrific, non-threatening way to share your faith. We will send a group out at 9:45 a.m. and another one at 10:45 a.m. so come for one or both but please join us! Child care will be provided.
In Our Prayers:
Health Concerns: Faith member Jim Shook; Faith member Pastor Dick Williams;
Special Prayers:For Faith members Bob and Maxine Heldridge as they face transition in their lives due to health challenges. For all who are serving in the military, particularly those who are in the midst if conflict, that they would sense God’s presence. And that peace may prevail in our hearts and in the world, particularly in Iraq and all places where people are suffering due to war and violence.
In Time of Loss: For the family and friends of Faith member Justine Molnar upon her death on January 29, that they would be comforted. A Memorial Service will be held in April
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