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November 2006 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.
We Gather Together…
One Service - Sunday, November 19 - 9:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Immediately followed by the congregation’s Annual Meeting where THE INITIAL DRAWINGS for the proposed CHURCH BUILDING PROJECT will be “unveiled”! Members will be updated concerning “what’s next” in this exciting process.
You will not want to miss this important meeting! - The Kinship Café… - The nursery will be available for worship and the meeting. - The Explorers’ Club groups will combine and sing at the beginning of the service, and then children will sit with their parents. - There will be activities for children (6th grade and younger) during the meeting. - Adult and Youth groups will not be meeting.
Please plan to attend!
Community Thanksgiving Worship
Hosted by the West Akron Churches, 9 a.m., Thursday, November 23, Christ United Methodist Church, 380 Mineola Ave., Preacher: Rev. Dena Cleaver-Bartholomew, St. Paul Episcopal Church, Everyone is invited to give thanks together!, The offering supports the Dictionary Project of the Akron Public Schools
First Grade Bible
Presentation At Worship - Sunday, November 12 - 9:15 a.m. AND 10:30 a.m.
Clara’s Club has begun another wonderful year of involvement in the Explorers’ Club 1st & 2nd grade classroom! Thanks you to our Clara’s Club Buddies for sharing your love for Jesus with our energetic Explorers.
Clara’s Club Buddies and 1st grade parents: Please mark your calendars for the First Grade Bible Presentation. The first graders will attend Explorers’ Club at their usual class time on November. 12 and will receive their Bibles at the alternate worship time. If you have any questions, please contact: Julie Magons (330) 336-5212 jcmagons@wadsnet.com
Christmas Worship
December 24 - Morning, Advent 4 - One Worship Service - 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary - Special music presentation
Evening, Christmas Eve - Holy Communion Candlelight Services - 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
December 31 - First Sunday After Christmas - Worship at 9:15 a.m., Sanctuary - and 10:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall (No Christian Education on December 24 or 31.) Watch your December “Beacon of Faith” for details!
OPERATION OUTREACH
Carolyn met with Dottie Achmoody, CEO of OPEN M recently and had an enlightening tour of the facility. During this tour, many areas of need were discussed. In most cases, an individual or family could make a huge difference in the lives of others by donating just a few hours per month. If you are interested in any of the following opportunities, please contact Carolyn.
Medical Help at OPEN M – Open M is operates a very successful Free Clinic. More help is needed.; Diamond Girls at OPEN M – this is a new program to help young women ages 12-15 to increase their self esteem. Mentors and $$$ are needed.; After School Tutoring/child care at OPEN M – 2:00 – 5:00 each school day there is a need for people to help once a month or so with their after school program.; Serve Thanksgiving Eve Dinner at OPEN M – Why not take the family to OPEN M the night before Thanksgiving and help serve hundreds of people a warm Thanksgiving dinner?
Cook and Serve lunch at St. John/St. Paul: St. John/St. Paul Lutheran Church on Bowery street is providing amazing ministry to teen mothers. They are providing classes to help the girls get their GEDs and offer child care and lunch at the same location. YOUR group could volunteer once a month to cook and serve a lunch.
Our Staff Practices the Gospel
The staff members here at Faith are trying our best to practice what we preach! One Monday per month we will be providing and serving lunch for the young moms and their children who attend Mommy and Me at St.John /St. Paul Lutheran Church. This program provides child care while the teen moms take classes to earn their GEDs. Then various churches take turns providing lunch for everyone.
Pastor Jean, Carolyn, Judy, Chuck, Sheila, Wendy, and Heather will be whipping up lunches and serving them with a smile! Our staff will be doing this one Monday a month, but lunch is also needed on Thursdays. If your family or group could provide and serve a lunch one Thursday a month, please contact Carolyn.
CAN YOU SMILE AND SAY HELLO?
Beginning in the new year, Carolyn will be implementing a new program to train and schedule people to be greeters at each worship service. As we learned at the Magnetic Church Conference, visitors need to feel like they “connect” with someone at the church if we want them to return. Depending upon how many people are willing to help, you will probably only need to be a greeter two or three times a year. Please contact Carolyn for more information.
Stephen Ministry
Beginning in February, classes will be offered to train people to become Stephen Ministers. Everyone is welcome to talk to Carolyn for more information, but if you happen to fall in one of the following categories, we have a special training time for you!
Stay at home moms: You have a nurturing heart. There will be a morning class offered twice a month. You can train to become a Stephen Minister without taking away precious after school or evening family hours.Retired people: You have wisdom and compassion that comes with life experience. You might want to attend training two week days a month in the morning, two week days a month in the evening or one Saturday a month. Pick and choose what works for you. People in the work force: You know how to organize your life to get things done!
Take our evening class twice a month, our Saturday class once a month, or take a long lunch twice a month and take our morning class!
Remember that training to be a Stephen Minister means that you will be paired up with one person to talk to and pray for. We provide all the training and help you need. Contact Carolyn today.
Youth
Confirmation Class News - The Confirmation class Fall Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4th. We will leave the Church at 10 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. Permission slips are in your church mailboxes. Please contact Wendy if you are able to help w/ driving! Confirmation Classes on Sunday, November 12 and 26 at 9:15 a.m. with Lucius & Janice. (Wednesday evening class with Pastor Jean is on November 8, 6:30-8:00 p.m.) Remember, these are required (AND FUN) classes! After two absences make-up work will be required
Ninth Grade Class News - Classes on Sunday, November 12 and 26 at 9:15 a.m. with Leo and Wendy. Classes will now be held in the library! (See below for overnight retreat info.)
High School Class News - Class on Sunday, November 5 at Panera. NO CLASS ON NOVEMBER 19 due to the 9:15 combined service and annual meeting!!! No Wednesday evening get together this month due to Thanksgiving!
High School (9th-12th grade) Overnight Retreat on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3! We will leave the church at 5 p.m. on Saturday and return at 4 p.m. on Sunday. NO PANERA CLASS ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3!!! Permission slips are in your church mailboxes. The overnight retreats are always tons of fun and a great opportunity to build relationships. We hope to see many of you there!
Guatemala Mission News
Guatemala Mission News - We are pleased to announce that we have 15 people signed up for our Mission Trip to Guatemala Summer 2007. They are: Andy and Alex Simpson; David, Melissa and Tyler Johnson; Pat and Mary Gsellman; Zach Michael; Maggie O’Leary ; Diane and Brian Carano; Leo, Wendy, Charlie (and Brenda) Boes; Pastor Jean
Please watch for upcoming events in support of this mission including: ED'S DINER - Saturday, Nov. 11 at 5-7:30 p.m. and FAITH FALL FESTIVAL - Saturday, Nov. 18, at 9 a.m.- Noon. We ask for your prayers for all those involved!
ED'S DINER
Are you REALLY tired of cooking dinner for your family??? Do you always get stuck with clean-up duty when you just want to relax? Why not let Ed cook for you? Saturday, November 11, 5-7:30 p.m. Join us at ED'S DINER for good food & conversation. (Menu - Salad & Bread - Steak OR Chicken - Baked Potato - Green Beans - Dessert
Join us in the “Kinship Cantina” for a non-alcoholic beverage while you wait! Advance Sale: $10 for Chicken, $15 for Steak - Tickets at the Door: $12 for Chicken, $17 for Steak - Please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church. - Child care for the little ones will be offered in the nursery. Tickets will be sold after both services Oct. 22 through Nov. 5
GUATEMALA
100% of the profit will go towards the YOUTH MISSION TRIP TO GUATEMALA, SUMMER 2007
Won't you join us in support of our youth as they raise the needed funds for their call to mission in Guatemala? For more information, or to make a donation, please contact David & Melissa Johnson at #330-334-7080 OR Leo & Wendy Boes at #330-414-0300.We thank you for your prayers and support.
Fall Festival
Join Us At the Fall Festival - Saturday, November 18 - 9 a.m. to Noon at the church – Featuring, Leo's Ark, Show and Tell with Trish & Mel, Coffee House & Fall Goodies Bake Sale, Face Painting & Crafts, Entrance fee: $10 per child, $25 for three or more children, (adults stay, but are “free”), 100 % of proceeds to Faith Lutheran Youth , Outreach Mission Trip , Hannah's Hope Orphanage, Guatemala - Summer 2007
FYI - Bishop Election Update, Special Northeastern Ohio Synod Assembly, December 2, 2006, A Bishop will be elected by ecclesiastical ballot at this meeting, Please pray that those in attendance will be guided by the Holy Spirit.
The Perfect Gift
Remember our Faith cookbook ($15) when you are in need of a gift for an occasion: birthdays, wedding (shower gift for the new bride), hostess gift, or just “I am thinking about you” gift , and, of course, a gift for everyone on your Christmas list., Contact Debbie Gottas at 330-836-6135 or the church office to purchase one.
Attention Activity Chairpersons In order to be good stewards of our financial and material resources, only ONE bulletin insert will be distributed for any activity. Please remember that the Weekly Beacon (green insert) was developed to eliminate using paper, the copier and time to create multiple inserts. Also - please remember to use the recycle bins to discard bulletins, inserts if you are not taking them home.
Thank You - Thank you Faith Lutheran Church for the Bibles you donated to the Hospice Care Center. They were placed in the chapel, and are used frequently by our patients, family and staff. Blessings! Chaplain Sam Oliver
Thank YouThank you so much for providing the Bibles for our chapel here at Hospice. We will set them out three at a time so persons who need support at this critical hour can find the strength needed through God’s word. Thanks again for providing this need. Rochelle Sheppard
Holiday Blues….
Finding Hope, Peggy Ethridge Koblenzer, L.I.S.W., CT, Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 7 - 9 p.m. , Billow Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Akron, OH
This two hour seminar is being offered by the Billow Funeral Homes and is open and free to the public. This holiday season can be a difficult time, especially after the death of a loved one; Peggy Ethridge Koblenzer, our counselor on staff and director of our bereavement program, will discuss such topics as managing the holiday season with mixed emotions and establishing new holiday traditions for you and your loved ones. Questions and comments will be encouraged. To register for this seminar, please call Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory at 330-867-4141.
FAITH FOCUS
Hats off and special thanks to the people who help make Traditional Worship run successfully. All ushers, communion assistants, altar preparation people, singers, musicians, cantors, acolytes, guest ambassadors, and yes, Pastor Jean too! We thank God for your dedication and ministry.
Rummage Sale
15th Annual! - Faith Lutheran Rummage Sale “Operation Outreach” Friday, November 3, 2006 Saturday, November 4, 2006
Biggest fellowship event of the year – over 100 Faith volunteers, Enormous outreach program - local, regional, and global ministries, $60,000 has benefited numerous ministries over the past 14 years!
Friday, November 3, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. , Faith member Early Bird Sale, Silent Auction and Supper, Please join us to support Operation Outreach Saturday, November 4, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ,Rummage Sale We need clean, useable, saleable treasures. Please wash clothing. Wednesday, November 1 Set-up is 9 a.m.–11 a.m. & sorting is 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Thursday, November 2 - Sorting is 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Friday, November 3 Sorting is 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - * Please note: No items will be accepted after 10 a.m. on Friday, November 3. Faith Member Early Bird Sale, Silent Auction and Supper from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
WELCA
Wednesday, November 8 - 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall - Conservation Issues in the Cuyahoga River Watershed The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency concerns itself with protecting the whole Cuyahoga River watershed area to ensure clean water for our consumption and recreational use. Our loving God made this earth and intended for us to take care of it.
Kelvin Rogers from Ohio EPA will have an audio-visual presentation about the river, the surrounding wetlands and preserving our environment. There will be a question and answer time. Everyone is invited to come to this educational program. Devotions: Arlene Birdsell - Hostesses: Jean Butler and Betty Peterman
Advent Family Night
Help your family focus on the journey to Bethlehem. Plan now to attend our mid-week Advent nights which include dinner, activities/classes for all ages, and closing devotions.
Wednesday, December 6, 13, and 20. 6:00 p.m. Meal 6:45 p.m. Classes and Activities; (Child care provided for young children) 7:45 p.m. Closing Devotion (Please note: on December 20 we will meet for a meal and a Christmas carol sing along. Those who wish to brave the elements will then head across the road to sing Carols for the shoppers. You won’t want to miss it!)
DATES IN 2007
YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS! - Get out your calendars or palm pilots. These are important dates!
Sunday, January 14 - STEPHEN MINISTRY SUNDAY A time to learn more and celebrate this important new ministry.
Saturday, January 20 9:15 a.m. – 11:15a.m. - TOTAL TEAM MEETING - If you are part of any team in this church, you are invited!
Friday/Saturday, February 23 and 24 - COUPLE’S RETREAT - Join us at the Holiday Inn in Hudson for a time of relaxation.
An invitation to:
All Women of Faith and their guests - Advent “Tinsel and Tea” Brunch - and Ornament Exchange - Saturday December 9 - 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Church Fellowship Hall - Mark your calendars now– invite family and friends Come enjoy the beautifully decorated tables. Questions– contact Lois Chaffee at 330-239-5505.
In Our Prayers:
Health Concerns: Faith member Ruth Graham; Faith member Milan Rolik; Faith member Doug Winslow
Special Prayers:For all military personnel who have been deployed to Iraq and surrounding areas, and for their families, with special prayers for those who have endured injury or loss.; That Faith member will be led to become Stephen Ministers and to participate in the training in 2007.
In Time of Loss: For Hans and Kathy Zbinden upon the death of Han’s brother, Mark, on September 25 in California, that they would be comforted.
In Thanksgiving: With Faith members Tim and Joan Keifling upon the arrival home of their daughter Karla Joy who was born on February 25, 2006 in Guatemala.; With Faith members Barry and Norma White upon the birth of their; Grandson, Grant Michael, on October 10. He weighted 8 pounds, 7 ounces and is welcomed by his parents Lindsey and Steve.; For Jeff Arvay, Carla Barbicas, Don Graber and Mike and Tori Kesling who joined Faith Lutheran Church on October 15, that God may bind us together as a caring faith community.; With Faith members Gabe and Amanda Hyter upon the baptism of their son, Daniel Glen, on October 22.
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