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November 2001 Newsletter
    
Evening Prayer
Last Saturday, October 27th, eleven students gathered in the Youth Room for an evening vesper. Abby Penov and Kirk Mackall provided acoustic guitar and voice. The liturgy included paraphrased portion of common prayers from the Third Century. The Song of Mary, our good news, was read by Nicole Schwan. The vesper concluded with a moment of silence for September 11 and prayers of the Church for peace.
After this lofty spiritual encounter with the divine, we proceeded to our celebration of the Festival of Hollow Ween. We watched a scary movie and drank a drum of code red. This was the first time our group did something like this, and I believe the consensus was that it would be worth doing again. So on Saturday, November 17, the youth will gather at the Church from 7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. for a time of prayer followed by a movie. Next Evening Prayer is 17 November 7:00 p.m. Adults are welcome to participate in our prayer.
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
Wednesday, November 14, 2001 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall Der Bingle - Bob Ethington from Akron/Summit County Library
"Der Bingle" is a biography of Bing Crosby reviewed by Bob Ethington. Mr. Ethington has a Master of Library Science from Kent State University and is the Popular Culture Division of Akron-Summit County Public Library.
Barbara Dillahunt will offer devotions. Betty Kesti and Dixie Whitaker will provide refreshments. Vee Robinson will conduct a short business meeting. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this interesting biography of Bing Crosby who was voted one of the 20 most influential popular singers of our time.
Women of Faith Annual Christmas Brunch
"Tinsel and Tea" December 8th 11:00 a.m.
Church Fellowship Hall Catered Luncheon Cost $8.50 per person
Please bring a wrapped ornament for the ornament exchange.
Mark your calendar now. Bring a guest. Sign-up sheet available in Narthex after November 4th.
Questions: contact Lois Chaffee at 330-239-5505
I am looking for ladies who would host a table for our Christmas Brunch. This would mean decorating a table for 6 in a Christmas holiday theme of your choice. (Dishes, Glassware, Napkins and any Christmas decorations you might want to display on the table.)
Contact Lois Chaffee 330-239-5505 If you would like to host a Christmas table.
New Members
We welcome the following new members into our fellowship at Faith Lutheran Church.
Joining us at the 10:45 a.m. Celebration Service on Sunday, October 28, 2001
By Letter of Transfer
from Trinity Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio
Thomas Antal and Duneen Dowling Children: Emma Dowling Antal and Joseph Christian Antal
2024 Wiltshire Rd. Akron, OH 44313 330-873-1869
Sponsors: Kurt and Flo Mackall
By Affirmation of Faith
Mark and Diane Christoff Children: Evan and Paloma
1970 Thornhill Dr. Akron, OH 44313 330-835-9669
Sponsors: Michael and Lois Chaffee
Our Call Committee Update
The Call Committee is moving on to the next phase in our process of finding a pastor. Judy Hoshek, from the Synod Office, will meet with us November 8th and present to us up to three candidates. We will then begin to schedule interviews with these candidates and visit their congregations to see them "in action". In the meantime, we have been hard at work preparing for these interviews by writing the questions we want to ask the candidates and gathering information about the church and the Akron area to present to them. Pastor Deborah has agreed to do a "practice" interview with us so we can fine-tune our skills!
Please keep our work in your prayers as we move on to this critical stage of interviewing. As always, if you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please contact any one of us. Thank you.
Michael Chaffee, Co-Chair - 330-239-5505
Steve Thompson, Co-Chair - 330-666-5065
Don Dillahunt - 330-867-3995
Anita Sears - 330-665-3106
Dana Singer - 330-836-9262
Marilyn Wilson - 330-666-3202
Ben Aronson - 330-873-9371
Beth Gsellman - 330-867-4569
LIFE Groups
1) ADULT SUNDAY LEARNING LIFE Group meets once a week at 9:15 a.m. in the Library. "The Disciples' Prayer: Jesus' Pattern for Praying" will be their new topic for five weeks beginning November 4th. It is the prayer provided in the eleventh chapter of Luke, when one of His disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray." So He responded by giving them what is commonly labeled as "the Lord's Prayer." Actually, it is mislabeled, because the Lord Himself could not have prayed this prayer. As the Son of God is without sin, He could not have joined in the petition, "Forgive us our trespasses." Perhaps the prayer should be called "the Disciples' Prayer," since it serves as a primer on prayer for people like us. It serves us as a model outline of how and what to pray.
Our discussions will center on praying the way God wants us to pray and will be prompted by Luther's Small Catechism' our Confirmation classes' textbook, entitled A Companion for Your Way; Jesus' Blueprint for Prayer by Dr. Haddon Robinson; and The Prayer that God Answers: Experiencing the Power and Fullness of the Lord's Prayer by Dr. Michael Youssef.
In his youth, Dr. Youssef lived in Egypt. He came to the USA in 1977 and is the founding pastor of The Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia. This interdenominational church has grown to nearly 2000 members. He has authored 13 books and his radio ministry is called Leading the Way.
In his youth, Dr. Robinson lived in New York City. He is the former President of Denver Seminary. Currently, he is a professor at Godron-Conwell Theological Seminary and is a featured Bible teacher on the Discover the Word radio program. He has authored several books.
Our Life Group is led by Sara and Jim Shook. Join us for one hour on Sunday mornings to talk about the basics of our Christian Faith. 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).
Fall Gathering Akron-Wooster Cluster of W-ELCA
The Fall Gathering of the Akron-Wooster Cluster of W-ELCA was held on October 25th at Augsburg Lutheran Church in Orrville. Five members of Faith Lutheran Church attended. There were a total of 122 women in attendance. The day was spent in fellowship with other women from our Cluster, singing lovely hymns, listening to an interesting program, being treated to a delicious lunch, and participating in a lively Bible study led by our own Pastor Deborah Wissner.
The main program of the Gathering was "Serving God's Little Ones Through Medical Care" presented by Dr. Ted Crawford. Dr. Crawford and a team of dentists have been to Honduras to provide dental care for the poor children of the area. A slide presentation was shown. Dr. Crawford is part of CAMO, Central American Medical Outreach, and he invited us to help with donations of time, talent, or equipment. 12 "Baby Bundles" (including diapers, tee shirts, blankets, talc, etc.) were given by Faith W-ELCA for babies in Honduras to be distributed by CAMO.
The Spring Gathering will be April 6th and I invite all the women of Faith to attend. It is a great way to get to know your "Sisters in Christ."
Vee Robinson President of Faith's W-ELCA
Lutheran Brotherhood Scholarships
It is time for college-bound Lutheran Brotherhood members to make application for the 2002-2003 school year.
For complete information and a member scholarship application form, contact Lutheran Brotherhood Communicator for Faith Lutheran Church, Don Dillahunt at 330-867-3995. The application deadline is December 31, 2001.
IN PERFORMANCE
Biblical Story Teller Dennis Dewey
"The Gospel According to St. Mark" Sunday, November 11, 2001 3:00 p.m.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 4120 Cleveland Ave. NW Canton, Ohio
Have you ever heard the Gospel told like a story? Experience Mark's Gospel like you've never experienced it before.
Memorization that is impressive Performance that is engaging "Dennis Dewey does not merely memorize the texts, he absorbs them, and embodies them." An Event of the Canton/Massillon Conference of the ELCA
OPEN M
Remember how Faith Lutheran Church used to be known as the "Brown Sugar Church"?
Well, times have changed. It seems that every year OPEN M gives out a list of items that are needed/desired for their food outlay and each year the churches involved with their projects are given a chance to sign up for the item they desire to give. This year another church, other than Faith, picked "brown sugar" before we had a chance! So Faith's committee went with another item on the list. This year Faith will be collecting 40 oz. boxes of Bisquick. So the next time you go to the grocery store, pick up a 40 oz. box of Bisquick and bring it to the church, either on Sunday or any other day you happen to drop in.
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Congregational Life and Nurture
What is it, you ask? Who are they, you wonder? The Life and Nurture Committee covers many aspects of Christian Fellowship. Primarily, CLN's focus is promoting life among our members and nurturing those relationships with social and service-oriented events.
The Committee, made up of Faith women, meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:15 p.m. for a 59 minute meeting. Ideas, plans and reviews are discussed regarding upcoming events.
Past events include outings to Wolf Creek Winery, E. J. Thomas for "Jesus Christ Super Star", and Barbara Bush, Scramble Golf Outings, Ladies Night Out, Daughter of Faith Affair and Rummage Sale to name a few.
PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING THIS WORTHWHILE COMMITTEE AND HELP US PLAN SOME FUTURE EVENTS IN OUR CHURCH LIFE. PLEASE CALL LOIS CHAFFEE - 330-239-5505 JUDY VERNON - 330-666-2823
OR JANICE ROGERS - 330-336-5332 FOR MORE DETAILS
The Home Communion Team
The Home Communion Team will meet at Sheila Knops home at 146 Melbourne Ave. Tuesday, November 13 at 7:15 p.m.
Christmas decorating party
Please mark your calendars for Faith's Christmas decorating party which will be held on Friday evening, December 14th. Pizza and soft drinks will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by the decorating. Remember…many hands make light work! Please RSVP to Sally Butler (330-659-2441) or Laurie Fenton (330-659-2103) so that we know how much pizza to order.
IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT
Faith's fourth Annual Soup Supper Event was a success thanks to all who attended.
With 14 soups to taste, an array of desserts AND live music!
A BIG Thank You goes to all who made soups and desserts and the Service Team members: Judy and Norm Schmidt, Jean Nouse, Alison Seefeldt, Fran Barcus, Jean Butler, and Debbie Gottas.
All moneys will be divided between OPEN-M and the national disaster with matching funds from Lutheran Brotherhood and Lincoln Financial Advisor.
Thank You
Dear Faith Lutheran Church,
On behalf of the American Red Cross Blood Services, I thank you for sponsoring the recent blood drive. Because of your efforts, 32 donors presented and we were able to collect 25 pints of blood. Considering one pint of blood can be made into four different life-saving components, our blood drive has the potential to help 100 patients. The American Red Cross, your community, and the patients who received the life-saving benefits from this effort thank you. Your continued support and commitment to the blood program provides healthy, concerned individuals the opportunity to donate a life-saving medicine. Sincerely, Faye Chimera, Donor Representative
Stewardship Corner from Lutheran Brotherhood
"Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence" (2 Cor. 5:17).
We, as Christians, should have a different outlook on life, including money and material possessions. We realize that we own nothing, that everything we have belongs to God, and that we are only managers (stewards) of what God has entrusted to us. Because of that, we should have a different attitude towards "things."
That attitude demonstrates itself in many different ways. For example, we should hold possessions with an open hand, and "satisfy" others with their bounty (Proverbs 11:24-25). We are honest and demonstrate our faith by our work and integrity (1 Thes. 4:11-12). We give to those in need, demonstrating to a watching world the love of God (1 John 3:17).
When this kind of lifestyle is present in our lives, Jesus said that people will see our good works, our different attitude and perspective, and will glorify our heavenly Father (Matt. 5:16). and, as we seek His kingdom first and foremost, we have his promise that He will provide what we need (Matt. 6:33).
As others observe you and your lifestyle, do they see any difference because of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? As they observe your relationship to "things", especially money, do they realize you are a manager, a steward, and not an owner?
ANNUAL MEETING
following the 10:45 a.m. Celebration Service
The planning has been completed. The budget is ready. The nominations for the various elected positions are being compiled. In a few weeks members will be receiving the ministry proposal and budget for 2002. Following the November 18, 2001 10:45 a.m. Celebration Service, the congregation will gather in the Great Room of the Fellowship Hall to elect new saints to lead our congregation, vote on the 2002 budget and hear any other reports that are necessary.
A quorum of 60 members is needed to conduct business. A voting member of Faith is confirmed, made a financial contribution of record in the past year as well as having received Holy Communion.
The Faith Unit of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church will be providing a light lunch preceding the meeting.
Akron Voters
As a member of a task force to fight poverty in Summit County, I strongly recommend that you vote for the Akron School bond levey, Issue 64. Quality education is the antidote for poverty! A higher standard of living emanates from education. This is where things begin. Test scores are improving, but there is still much to do. There was a significant improvement on 13 state standards in 2000-01 and the graduation rate was up 3%. Businesses and the state pay 57% of the local tax bill.
Good schools protect our future, the value of our neighborhoods, our work force to keep businesses, and finally, it protects our community from deterioration. Please, vote for issue 64, an important issue.
Norm Schmidt
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