|
November 2003 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.
Annual Congregational Meeting and Dinner
November 23 - Noon - Fellowship Hall
All members are asked to attend this important gathering!
Thanksgiving Day Worship-9 a.m. on November 27
Faith Lutheran Church is hosting the West Akron Churches Thanksgiving Day Worship. The service will be held at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day in the Sanctuary. Members of churches from throughout the West Akron area will be participating in this ecumenical event. The offering will go to the Dictionary Project and will be used to purchase dictionaries for all third grade students in the districts of the West Akron churches.
Please take time out on the holiday to come and give thanks with our sisters and brothers from many churches.
Advent Is on The Horizon
Advent, the Season of the church year when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ is on the horizon. Detailed information about special events of the Advent season is yet to come, but please keep these fast-approaching dates in mind:
First Sunday in Advent November 30
An Advent Devotion and lighting of the Advent Wreath will be a part of each worship service on this day, and each of the remaining Sundays in Advent.
Second Sunday in Advent
December 7
The Explorers’ Club will present its Advent Service (formerly the Children’s Christmas Program) during 10:45 a.m. worship. Practice will be held on that day during the usual Explorers’ Club time, 9:15-10:30 a.m.
Third Sunday in Advent
December 14
We will join with our neighbors from St. Hilary for an Afternoon Advent Service at 4 p.m. here at Faith. The vocal and handbell choirs from the two congregations will be combining for this special event.
Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 21
A special musical offering by the choir will be featured at the 10:45 a.m. worship service.
Advent Devotional Book!
We’re making an
Advent Devotional Book!
In our continued effort to emphasize the season of Advent as a time of preparing for the coming of the Christ child in our hearts and homes, Explores Club will make an Advent Devotional Booklet for the congregation this year. Faith members can use this discipline to keep Christ central in the chaos that so often precedes Christmas. The Advent Devotional can be used in conjunction with an Advent wreath, before mealtime, or during daily prayer.
Here is the plan:
Each member of the Explorers Club will receive a paper with a scripture verse. At home, with the help of parents, they will look up the verse and decide how to illustrate what that verse means to them. Suggestions include:
Draw a picture (black marker or crayon will copy best).
Write a prayer.
Retell the story in your own words.
Comment on what the passage means for your own life.
Then return a final copy by the deadline of Sunday, November 9. After copied and assembled, Explorers Club Kids will distribute the Advent Devotional Books at all three worship services on the First Sunday in Advent, November 30.
Waiting for Christmas
December 7, 2003 10:45 a.m.
Once again Explorers Club is going to help Faith Lutheran Church get ready for Christmas with an Advent worship that is guaranteed to inspire us all to WAIT with renewed anticipation and excitement.
Come prepared to hear special music, dramatic readings, prayers and skits. The children of Faith have something to say about waiting for the Christ child.
WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT A SECOND! WAIT UP!
Parents: Please include your child in this special Christmas preparation. Practice for each class presentation will run throughout the month of November.
Don’t miss a single Sunday!
Attention Explorer Club members
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 favorite 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.
Preschool
October was a very busy month for our Preschoolers: visits from Miss Carrie, Faith's Youth Leader, and Mr. Leo; Parent Conferences with the Preschool Teachers; the students' visits to Graf Growers and Bauman's Apple Orchard; Sally Foster and Butter Braids fundraisers occurred; and, let's not forget the Halloween parties and parade! Several more spots have opened to accommodate the growing interest in "Lunch Bunch". To sign up for these spots, see the sheets located on Miss Wendy's office door.
All Preschool children are welcome. Spots are also available in Miss Wendy's and Mr. Leo's "Storytime" with animal friends on Mondays and "Journey Class" on Tuesdays. Picture days are coming soon. "Waging the
War" against germs will start in November with the annual "toy washing". Volunteers are greatly appreciated. Tuition for January is due November 1.
Preschool Thanksgiving Teas will take place November 24 and 25. Our Preschool is closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday November 26, 27 and 28.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Brown Sugar Collection
Brown Sugar Collection
For OPEN M
We are again the “Brown Sugar church” for OPEN M. So, bring in your brown sugar bags to help the disadvantaged. Are we up to the challenge of attaining our goal of 300 bags? They’ re due by Sunday, November 30.
Children Services:
And from Summit County Children Services:
Thank you so much for helping us with school supplies for our client and foster children. We serve almost 2,000 abused, neglected and dependent children each day. This year because of caring people like you, we were able to provide a record number 1.486 children with book bags and school supplies to start the new year.
Our goal for the School Supply Project is to provide as many children as possible with the tools necessary to get the right start for school. We are very grateful for the continual support you have given me for this project. A little help goes a long way in establishing good will and helping our client and foster families. This project lets the children know there are people in the community who care about their future.
Minister of Christian Growth and Discipleship
Welcome Carolyn Wagar!
On December 1 we will welcome Carolyn Wagar to Faith Lutheran Church. She will be serving in the full-time position of Minister of Christian Growth and Discipleship. Her work will be in the areas of developing small groups and spiritual gifts discernment.
Carolyn is a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Hinckley where she was on staff as part-time music director for 12 years. Carolyn has worked as a district sales manager for Avon Products and as Communication Coordinator for JoAnn Stores Inc. She is working toward a Master of Divinity Degree through Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
Look for a personal introduction from Carolyn in the December “Beacon of Faith”, and stop in to meet her during the week. (Because of prior commitments, Carolyn will be unable to worship at Faith until after Christmas.) She and Carrie Miller, Youth Leader, will be sharing the office across from the Fellowship Hall.
Attention Christian musicians…
If you’ve attended the Light Service, you’ve seen how much enjoyment and fulfillment the Flashlight band gets from playing contemporary (and some traditional) Christian music, delivering the message of Christ through music. If you’re a musician looking for a creative Christian outlet for your talent, consider joining the Flashlight Band.
Our band is looking for a volunteer full-time bass player to perform with us during our weekly Sunday 9:15 a.m. services, and on occasional outreach events. We practice weekly on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.
If interested, please contact Kurt Mackall at (330) 666-4815 or Sheila Knops at (330) 835-4505.
Christmas Shopping Early
Start
Your
Christmas
Shopping Early
Cat’s Meow ( wooden cut-outs of of Faith Lutheran Church) are available for sale in the church office. The cost is $15.00 each.
Call the church office 330-836-8811 for more details.
Silent Auction 2003
St. Luke Lutheran Community
North, Canton
Silent Auction 2003
Date: December 5
Time: 7:00 p.m.
NEO Synod News
Update on the ELCA Sexuality Study
The study document on the church and homosexuality “Journey Together Faithfully, ELCA Studies on Sexuality: Part Two” and a companion document “Background Essay on Biblical Texts” are now available. Members of the ELCA are being encouraged to study these materials and return a response form by November 2004.
In the Akron area several congregations will be studying the materials together on six Sunday evenings after Easter. The times, dates and locations of these gatherings will be announced. Faith Lutheran Church members will be encouraged to participate in this discussion, and then to complete the response forms.
Anyone who is interested in reviewing the materials prior to those gatherings may locate them on the Web at www.elca.org/faithfuljourney or order print copies ($1.50 plus shipping) by calling 1-800-328-4648.
A reminder – at this point in time the ELCA has asked itself to study whether or not to bless same sex unions and whether or not to ordain, commission or consecrate persons in committed same-sex unions for the rostered ministries of the church. These issues will come to the Churchwide Assembly in 2005.
Also, six months of prayer have been designated by the Synod Council of the Northeastern Ohio Synod regarding this study. This is a time of prayer to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, not a discussion time. In the Akron-Wooster Conference the next prayer services will be held at 7 p.m. on November 4 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Tallmadge and at 7 p.m. on December 4 at our congregation, Faith Lutheran Church, Fairlawn.
Thank You
Thank You to everyone for the great reception and the wonderful gifts.
It has been my true pleasure to know and work with everyone in “my second church family”.
God Bless you all.
Bill Osborn
Thanks to Clara’s Club Participants
On Sunday, October 12, we welcomed 12 new adult guides and children to “Clara’s Club.” While I was a little sad that six of the newest children to this club could not attend that day, I was inspired that all the adult “Guides” were present. I want to encourage those who were unable to attend on October 12 to participate with their respective Adult Guides in this important ministry.
Annual Rummage Sale
FAITH’S Tired of storing junk? Now’s the time to clean out 12TH ANNUAL those closets and cupboards, basements and attics!
Wednesday, November 5 and Thursday November 6, 9:00 am- 5:00 p.m.
Bring clean (not dirty) useable (not broken), saleable (not trash) items and clothing to the Fellowship Hall. “Treasurers” will be offered in the Silent Auction.
Friday, November 7 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
Faith Members Only Sale, Silent Auction and Snack Shop Supper
Come for chili, dogs, and desserts. Come for fellowship and fun. Proceeds go to the John Maroni Seminary Fund.
Saturday, November 8 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
12th Annul Rummage Sale, Treasure Room, Bake Sale
Faith’s Rummage Sale is Huge. It’s the largest fellowship event of the year and the biggest service project. Proceeds support an extensive list of community charities.
How Can You Help?
Complete volunteer sign-up sheets—be generous! Call Judy Vernon at 330-666-2823 to offer your assistance.
Clean donated items sell faster for more money! Launder, repair, clean-up, dust off items.
Pass the word to your family and friends. Invite them to help out!
Make it a date! Come for dinner and power shop!
New Members
New Members
Welcomed
In
November
During November new members will be welcomed to the Faith Lutheran Church family. A “Welcome To Faith” gathering for all new members will be held from 11:50 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. on November 9 in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be served and child care will be provided.
Then, new members will be received during 10:45 a.m. worship on November 23. Please greet them at the annual congregational dinner and meeting that follows the service that day.
WELCA
Wednesday
November 12
10:00 a.m.
Have fun with speaker, Margaret Olds, as she discusses Oasis, a non-profit organization that offers a variety of educational, health, and cultural activities (including yoga, Ti-Chi, and art projects such as making holiday wreaths.)
Devotions and Hostess: Marlene Unger
Advent "Tinsel and Tea"
Saturday, December 6, 2003
11:00 a.m.
It’s time to start thinking about hosting a table for our annual Advent “Tinsel and Tea”.
If you would like to host and decorate a table (for six or eight), please contact Lois Chaffee (330-239-5505). A Christmas or Advent Theme can be used in your decorating ideas which include dishes and napkins. Questions? Please call Lois at the above number.
Faith Turns 50 Years
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
TURNS 50 YEARS OLD IN 2005!
The History Group of FLC asks for your help as we research the past of our congregation. We need historical information and people who will serve on research committees.
HISTORY INFORMATION
Do you have (or think you might have!) any of the following from years 1954 to 2003? Pictures of individuals or groups (outreach activities, social gatherings, committee meetings, service activities, youth, confirmation, inside/outside of church building, special worship services, milestone events like mortgage burning, congregational meetings, Christmas carolers, sports events, etc.), videos, bulletins/handouts, notes kept from church council and committee meetings, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, ideas of which people we could interview in person or by phone with memories/stories.
Yes, I think I may have some history information to share. Please call me so we can get together to chat. (A member of the History Group will call: Ginny Greenawalt, Donna Sterner, Judy Vernon, Ed Rich, Ruth Simpson, Charlie Ramsey, Steve Thompson.)
RESEARCH COMMITTEES
Starting in 2004, research committees will meet to study documents, look at pictures, etc. and interview people regarding the following aspects of our history. Information and faith stories will be collected and decisions will be made on how to present the information in the months of 2005 preceding the actual FLC 50th celebration event. Please consider joining one of the following committees and leaders:
- Music(Lowell and Marlene Unger)
- Property/Church Building (Dick Kesti)
- Outreach Activities (Barb Dillihunt)
- Worship (Sally Hauth)
- Education (Jean Butler)
- Pastors (Charlie Ramsey)
- Congregation Leaders (Terry Vernon)
- Youth (Steve Thompson)
- Benevolence/Finances (Bill Robinson)
- Social Activities (Kathy Zbinden)
- Data Management/Website (Ed Rich)
In Our Prayers
Health Concerns:
Faith member Louise Baltes
Faith member Nancy Chrisman
Faith member Sally Hauth
Faith member Jack VanAntwerp
Faith member Blanche Werrbach
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 and Erica Kovach, daughter of Norma (and Barry) White as she recovers her hearing following an explosion in Iraq. We give thanks that Robert Deme, son of Denise (and Pat) Flanagan, has returned to the United States from Iraq.
In Times of Loss:
For the family and friends of Linda Costigan upon her death.
In Thanksgiving:
.
With thanksgiving with Alison Ludwig and Curt Harvey who were married
at Faith Lutheran Church on October 18.
With thanksgiving with Jamie Chancey and John Pience who were married
at Faith Lutheran Church on October 25.
|
