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September 2001 Newsletter
    
The Call Committee
The Call Committee is listening. We welcome input from everyone in the congregation. Please contact any one of us with your thoughts, ideas, concerns, comments, fears and questions. We want to hear from you!
Michael Chaffee, Co-Chair - 330-239-5505 mchaffee@Inc.com
Steve Thompson, Co-Chair - 330-666-5065 st@uakron.edu
Don Dillahunt - 330-867-3993 aberfelda@aol.com
Anita Sears - 330-665-3106 amfs@apk.net
Dana Singer - 330-836-9262
Marilyn Wilson - 330-666-3202 hmwil@aol.com
Ben Aronson - 330-873-9371 buckeye873@cs.com
Beth Gsellman - 330-867-4569 ny152chick@hotmail.com
The Call Committee met with Judy Hoshek, Assistant to the Bishop, on August 15. At this meeting, we discussed at length, the Congregational Mission Profile and the entire Call process. Judy will be our main contact with the Synod Office and facilitator in helping us find our new Pastor. Our committee will meet many times in September to complete this important profile. We will present Judy with the completed document on October 4. This profile will launch the "matching" process of pastoral candidates. By now, you should have received a letter from the committee describing the call process and requesting that you fill out a Ministry Priorities and Skills Rating Sheet. If you have not done so, please fill it out and return it to the Church office by September 18.
We will keep you informed of our progress and ask for your prayers and support during this transition period. Please let us know what is on your mind.
Interim Pastor
Deborah Wissner
1330 Merline St.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221
330-923-0561
revdebrn@aol.com
Pastor Wissner is married to an Associate Pastor at Trinity in Kent, Ohio and is also a Registered Nurse who works two days a week visiting and assisting senior citizens. Pastor Wissner has two sons, ages 15 a 4. She has just recently completed an interim associate pastorship in Strongsville and served a number of other parishes as an interim pastor including one in Ravenna, Ohio.
Pastor Wissner will begin office hours two days a week on Tuesday, September 4 (the day after Labor Day) and will conduct the three services each Sunday. Her first services will be on Sunday, September 9th. A short, informal reception for Pastor Wissner will be held after the 10:45 a.m. worship service on that day (also Rally Day for the Explorers Club). Please join us in welcoming Pastor Deborah Wissner to Faith.
SUNDAY WORSHIP
September 2
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Supply Pastor Byron Arledge (Associate minister at Trinity Lutheran, downtown) will be conducting our services as we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
September 9
Pentecost XIV
Rally Day
Pastor Deborah Wissner, our Interim Pastor will be here to serve as our pastor for all three services each Sunday.
September 16
Pentecost XV
W-ELCA Sunday
September 23
Pentecost XVI
September 30
Pentecost XVII
Confirmation
CONFIRMATION
COME CELEBRATE THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION 30 September 2001
The Rite of Confirmation will be celebrated Sunday, September 30, 2001 at the 10:45 a.m. Service of Worship. Our interim pastor, the Rev. Deborah Wissner, will conduct the service. Also, Bill Beers (Council President) and John Maroni (Youth director) will be participating in this important service.
Members, family and friends of Faith Lutheran Church are encouraged to attend in support of our young adult members. Students being confirmed are:
Clay Barcus, Victoria Schnell, Chris Garman, Nicole Schwan, Dale Gsellman, Lucy Schwan,
Tammy Lightle, Rebecca Schwarze, Ellen Mackall, Michael Sullivan, Adam McClish, Jamie White, Evan Nelson, Lauren White, Heather Parker
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Parents - you will be involved in the actual Rite of Confirmation by accompanying your child to the altar, participating in the laying on of hands as they kneel, and distributing to them their certificate of Confirmation. They will also be receiving a Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) with their name inscribed on the cover as a gift from the congregation.
RECEPTION
Following the service, a potluck reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall. I am extremely open to your suggestions! Perhaps a few parents can help plan this event.
Confirmation Orientation
September 2 Orientation for new and returning students and their parents 10:45 a.m. in the Youth Room or
Fellowship Hall. See the Youth Pages for more info
Class to Begin
Confirmation Class to Begin September 2, 2001
All 7th and 8th Grade students of Faith Lutheran Church are invited and encouraged to begin setting aside Sundays beginning September 2 to begin preparing for their Rite of Confirmation and adult membership at Faith Lutheran Church.
John Maroni would like to meet with Parents and Confirmands at 10:45 a.m. on September 2 for approximately one hour. Formal sessions will begin on September 9, 2001 at 10:45 a.m. for students in the 7th Grade and higher.
Students on our list right now are:Kenneth Bennett, Justin Callen, Andrew Castille, Jacob Hurley, Matthew Jackson, Sean McClish, Abigail Penov, John Rausch, Andrew Rich, Gregory Edward Schnell, Erik Schwarze, Andrew Simpson, John Singer, Michael Strobel, Danielle Wall, Eric Watts, Megan Weidrick, and Joseph Weisand.
If your son or daughter is not listed above, please contact the church office ASAP at 330-836-8811. Thank you.
RALLY DAY!
RALLY DAY! SEPTEMBER 9! 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Dust off your hats, put on your sneakers and get ready for a brand new year at Explorers' Club!
This year, Explorers will be celetrating a new Bible learning curriculum called Firelight. So, plug in your thinking caps and explore the Bible stories that discuss fire and light and how God ignites our lives!
The Explorer Club spotlight will shine on 28 volunteers this year. The leader staff has expanded to 20 to accommodate the near 100 Explorers!
Coordinators Dana Singer, Lorna Schnell
Office Manager Jean Butler
Age 3 Beth Gsellman
Age 4/Kindergarten Barry and Norma White
Grade 1 Diane Carano, Denise Henkel
Grade 2 Diana Bullock, Becky Strimple
Grade 3 and 4 Denise Flanagan, Dave Nelson, Laurie Fenton, Sally Butler Jane Jensen
Grade 5 and 6 Loralee Daily, Cherlie Gsellman Alison Seefeldt, John Knops
Explorer Worship Pat and Cherli Gsellman
Look for your Explorers' Leaders on Rally Day. Pray for them and be thankful for them. These angels give from their hearts!
W-ELCA
"Adventures With a Medical Missionary Team"
Our speaker for the morning is Barbara Mattern, a volunteer member of the team which went to the Dominican Republic. She will share her experiences with us from this adventure. Barbara is an active member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Tallmadge and is currently the Akron/Wooster Co-ordinator in NEOSWO.
Bettemae Ramsey will give the devotions and act as hostess.
On September 16, we will be observing W-ELCA Sunday when the services will be led by the women of the church. Our objective for this Sunday will be to aid Barbara Mattern and her group when they return to the Dominican Republic. As each child visits his/her clinic, Barbara and her group try to give them a small bag of useful items, such as ..... crayons, coloring books, writing pads, pencils, pens, tooth paste and brushes, combs, hair bands, small toys, vegetable and flower seed packets. (Please no green beans, broccoli, or cauliflower seeds.)
Help the women reach their objective by bringing in any of these items to share with the children.
BUSY FINGERS RESUMES AGAIN ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2001 AT 9:30 A.M.
Anyone interested in helping to make quilts for Good Neighbors and generally enjoying the companionship of being with your fellow Christians is welcome.
NEOSWO Convention Report
Dear Sisters in Christ,
On August 17-18, I had the privilege of serving as your delegate to the 9th Biennial Convention of the NorthEastern Ohio Synodical Wormen's Organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (NEOSWO) in Warren, Ohio. You will be happy to know that our church was well represented by Elaine Johnson, NEOSWO president, Bettemae Ramsey, Barbara Dillahunt, Kathy Zbinden, and Maxine Heldridge.
The theme of the convention was "Guided by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-26) and the hymn, which emphasized this theme was "Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness" sung many times by all 100+ women who attended this conference.
Highlights of the convention were several interesting mini-workshops for our education and enrichment, election of delegates for the 2002 Triennial Convention in Philadelphia (our own Elaine Johnson will be attending as a delegate) renewing the rite of Baptism at our opening worship service and collecting $1,434.30 in "Love Offerings" which went for the program "Tools of Hope" (moneys are used to fund water projects, garden implements, seeds and livestock, etc. in places in need in the USA and around the world.)
Our closing worship service, a communion service led by Bishop Marcus Miller, was preceded by a visit from Katie Luther - presented by Damaris Peters Pike, dressed in 12th century clothing, describing her life with Martin Luther.
I encourage all women of the church to participate in WELCA during this 2001-2002 year and attend the 'gatherings' that NEOSWO plans during the year. You will come away refreshed and renewed in your faith and guided by the Spirit.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to represent you at the convention.
Yours in Christ,
Vee Robinson, president of WELCA 2001-2002
Adult Sunday Learning
ADULT SUNDAY LEARNING LIFE Group meets once a week at 9:15 a.m. in the Library beginning on September 16. The TEN COMMANDMENTS will be their topic for about five weeks using Bible study guide booklets and videotapes. On September 16, they will begin with the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness to Mount Sinai. God called Moses up to the mountain top and gave him the Ten Commandments on stone tablets. The group will be discussing the boundaries given to us by God. But God's rules do more than restrict, they give freedom and promises. They are words of prevention, but also words of protection. They are words that define identity (ours and God's). They affirm our dependence on God and on each other. By studying these laws, you can better understand how to apply them and you will encounter God himself. Placing God first in everything and other details about the first commandment will also be discussed on September 16.
On each future Sunday, the group plans to consider details about two more of the other commandments.
This group is led by Sara and Jim Shook (330-867-8598). Join the group on Sunday mornings for helpful discussions on the basics of our Christian faith. All adults are welcome.
OCTOBERFEST!!
OCTOBERFEST!! SOUP SUPPER FUND RAISER FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 5:30 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M.
Come One, Come All!! For $5.00 you can sample all of our delicious soups plus a dessert and listen to German music! Additional desserts will be available also for only $1.00 each. There will be prizes for the 3 soups with the most votes! Tickets will be available each Sunday after services beginning October 7.
The dinner is being sponsored by the Service Team Ministry and proceeds will benefit the food pantry of OPEN M. Come and have fun while helping others in need.
Hospice
Dear Hospice Soup Mission Volunteers,
What a truly wonderful way for you to reach out and touch others with God's grace! Our family enjoyed your soup during my Dad's stay at Hospice. Please accept this gift as a small token of our appreciation of your soup ministry.
I read the article about your soup ministry's founder, Mr. Nouse. What a kind and generous person he must have been. My Dad was also a graduate of the College of Wooster and he also died from prostate cancer. My Dad was very kind and generous as well!
Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Blessings, Mick Parkor
FAITH'S FLASHLIGHT BAND
The Flashlight Band would like to thank everyone who helped make our participation in the Fairlawn Fourth of July and Copley Heritage Days Parade possible. This year we traveled through the streets of Akron and Copley as Noah's Ark. Without the help of the people below, our Ark would have been sunk.
Chris Sears for his strong artistic talents and support.
Amy Franks for her artistic talents
Ellen Mackall for her artistic talents
Pat Jackson for organizing the candy and animals for the children
Brett Strimple for pulling our Ark to Copley and back
All the children and parents who walked the parade route
Bruce Lightle and John Knops for their help during the construction phases
These parades have provided us incredible opportunities to reach out to our surrounding communities. We wish everyone could experience the joy of watching the crowds react to the songs. It's quite an uplifting experience to see people singing and dancing in the streets in response to the music. Even more amazing is to hear someone shout, "One more time!" as we finish a song. Not only did we get to be a part of something that touched each of us spiritually, we received prizes for doing it. This year, the church earned first place honors in the Non-Commercial Float category in Fairlawn and we earned second place honors in the Church category in Copley. Please look for opportunities to become part of this outreach program next year.
Our sincere thanks again to all those who helped make the Ark sail so smoothly.
The Flashlight Band
2001 Faith Scrambles
Where: Pine Valley Golf Course 469 Reimer Road Wadsworth, Ohio When: 3:00 p.m. on Sunday September 23
Following the September 23rd Outing, we will be going to Randy and Teresa Cole's home at 279 Mull Ave. for a light supper. (Rain or Shine we eat!) Please look for sign-up sheets in the Narthex and in the hallway outside the Fellowship Hall or call the Coles at 330-867-4151.
MIXED BOWLING LEAGUE
Calling all bowlers who just like bowling for fun. Watch for a sign-up poster or call Penny Thompson at 330-666-5065.
This is a non-sanctioned mixed league made up primarily of members from Fairlawn and Lutheran Churches. The league's purpose is to promote Christian fellowship.
Meets: Two or three Sundays per month at Riviera Lanes beginning September 16 and ending March 24 for a total of 16 weeks. Adjustments in scheduling are made to avoid holiday weekends.
Time: Warm up begins at 3:45 p.m. Bowling begins promptly at 4:00 p.m. We bowl every other Sunday from 4 - 6 p.m.
Come join the fun!!! You don't have to be a great bowler, you just need to want a fun afternoon!!
From Your President
From Your Congregation President, Bill Beers
As I grow older, I am more and more convinced that God speaks to each of us personally a lot more often than we either realize or are willing to admit. I think that the reason that we don't hear Him as often as we should is that He talks to us in ways that we are not accustomed to and to which we may not be in tune. It is much like the problems that many of us who were not born in the Digital Generation (you know those ads for Generation D). Email, instant messaging, video messaging on the internet, these are all ways of communicating that are foreign to many of us who were born before 1970 (the year my son was born who understands all this stuff.
The concept of God speaking to mortals is as old as human history. The Old Testament is full of accounts of God delivering his message to the chosen. And most of those accounts are of God speaking to man in ways different than we might expect. Of course, everyone knows of the encounter of Moses with God in the burning bush. And how about Noah and the word of pending doom. Many times, God spoke to man in dreams, especially to the prophets like Isaiah and Heremiah. In the New Testament, Jesus spoke to the people of Israel in parables and Paul got his message from God in a bolt of blinding lightning. And who can fully understand all the cryptic language of Revelations. It is no wonder then that we sometimes think that it takes a person very gifted in communication to understand God's message.
I think, that like many of the Old and New Testament sages, we sometimes miss the simple truth that God delivers to us every day. I truly do believe God speaks to me. He does so through the words and deeds of others. Not that He could not speak directly to me or put his thoughts directly in my heart, but because He chooses to reveal His message through others. I first began to believe that God speaks to me when I was in college. I attended Grove City College in western Pennsylvania. Grove City College describes itself as a small Christian college and the religious aspect of life on campus is and always has been strong. One requirement was to take a religion course and nearly all students took Religion 101-102, a study of the Old and New Testament. While reading the passages that were assigned for a particular day, I found thi almost always read more than what was assigned and whenever I did, I learned something that made my life on campus easier or made me feel closer to God. About this time, I started feeling that the sermons on Sunday were written especially for me and there were even times, especially when there was difficulty in my life, that surely the Pastor knew more about my personal situation than I ever told him. This feeling of a personal message in my reading of scripture and the listening to sermons has continued to this day and is especially strong over the last couple of months. I know that I find myself listening more intently to the sermons Joh Maroni has been delivering and to the ones that we have hear from our Supply Pastors.
But you say, "that is what a sermon is supposed to do." I agree, but I am now experiencing a new channel of communication with the Lord. In the past year, I have met and become closer to many members of the congregation, especially to the members of the Church Council. In each of you I am finding strength to do things that I haven't been able to do in the past. In each of you I am finding the word of God and the picture of what He wants me to do. When I have doubt, you provide an answer. When I have sorrow or despair, you provide a kind word and a reassuring touch. When the load seems too much to bear, you lift some of it from my shoulders. These are surely the words of God speaking to me. Telling me that the future is going to be bright because I am a child of God and that He is providing for me through each and every one of you and through the loving grace and sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ.
Do I hear God speaking to me? Absolutely, in every sermon I hear, every verse of scripture I read, every beautiful day I see and with every contact I have with you. My prayer for you is that you too can open up and hear His words meant just for you.. It is a beautiful message, one you will never tire of hearing. May the Lord our God, speak to you and deliver to you His peace. Amen.
Thank You from Stan and Linda
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Linda and I would like to thank you all for the lovely reception and the scrapbook full of memories shared last June. It was a wonderful day full of stories, best wishes and heart-felt "God Speeds" before we left for Fort Wayne, Indiana. We wish to thank everyone who helped with the reception and luncheon.
Linda and I are now in Fort Wayne with most of our boxes unpacked. Both of us are already hard at work, Linda as Assistant Principal at Harrison Hill Elementary School, Stan as Senior Pastor of Messiah. Time has not given us much opportunity until now to thank publically all of you for your many cards and personal notes. They have all been tucked away in our hearts and our scrapbook. Blessings to all of you!
Linda and Stan Sneeringer
Our Shepherding Program
New Member Sponsor - Our Shepherding Program
It is an important decision to join a church. Incoming members are entering a new phase of their spiritual journey. The Holy spirit's work is the major reason people join a congregation: but programs, people and activities influence where they join. Sponsors provide support to new members by shepherding them into the life of the congregation.
After people are received into membership in Faith with their Sponsors standing with them, the sponsors continue their support by
(1) praying for the new members, (2) getting to know them to discover their needs, and (3) by seeking to involve the new member
in congregational activities.
New members need a friend, need to be understood, need to be wanted, need to be invited to participate, and need to be included in all phases of the life of Faith Lutheran. They provide Faith with new ideas and further growth. Shepherding sponsors provide a way of entrance, welcoming and nurturing for new members.
Church Counselors
Cheryl Pelka of Lutheran Children's Aid and Family Services is now available every Wednesday by appointment here at Faith Lutheran Church. Fees are based on a sliding scale based on need. She is now taking appointments 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. Appointments may be made by calling her directly at (216) 281-2500.
Giancarlo - John - Scalzi is a psychotherapist, consultant and licensed social worker. He takes appointments on Thursday evenings. His counseling skills come also with the dimension of being Christ-centered. Fees for his services are based on a sliding scale and will be subsidized for members of Faith based on need. For more information please call (330) 653-3190.
The TODDLER NURSERY
Cindy Callen is the new caregiver for the children in our Toddler Room Nursery while parents attend church services and functions. She will provide a nurturing and caring environment and be willing to entertain and interact positively with a small group of children.
The hours are generally 9:00 a.m. to noon on Sundays. The caregiver will receive one Sunday off each month.
Responsibilities include caring for children of walking age up to 7 years old, maintaining a friendly, orderly, safe environment; and cleaning up the room after the children leave.
For more information please contact Susan Seeley at 330-864-0160 or thomasseeley@compuserve.com.
Lauren White and Danielle Lightle will be volunteering in the Toddler Nursery on the one Sunday each month that Cindy will not be there. Thank you Lauren and Danielle!
Lutheran Brotherhood
Stewardship Corner from Lutheran Brotherhood
LUTHERAN BROTHERHOOD BRANCH EARNS HIGH RATING!
To recognize the effectiveness in bringing Lutheran Brotherhood's charitable resources to the local community, several branches in our agency recently received a "Superior" from the home office. The rating, which is the highest given by Lutheran Brotherhood, recognizes branches for their community service activities in 2000.
The rating primarily reflects the branch's exceptional performance in coordinating volunteer service project, hosting fundraising events and distributing Lutheran Brotherhood matching funds to local Lutheran congregations.
We proudly congratulate the officers and volunteers in Cuyahoga Valley Branch #8596 (Faith Lutheran Church is part of this branch) as one of ten branches receiving this special recognition!
"the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God's family, the church, in managing all of life and life's resources for God's purposes."
God's stewards are saints and sinners! God's stewards rejoice in, and live out, what the Lord has declared them to be through the Cross. At the same time, His stewards recognize they are sinners who fight sin and its consequences each and every day.
Please read the following Bible passages to hear what God has to say about this. Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 7:21-25, 1 John 3:1-2, and 1 Peter 2:9-10.
Because of what God says we will:
· Recognize that the potential for great good, or great evil, lies in the way stewardship is presented and received;
· Evaluate carefully all communication, written or oral, according to the proper distinction between Law and Gospel, and in keeping with the biblical truth that each steward at the the same time is saint and sinner; and,
· Offer varying opportunities for Christian stewards to grow, recognizing that they are at different points of spiritual maturity.
Because of what God says we will not:
· Assume that, because we are dealing with Christians, we can set aside the proper application of Law and Gospel in serving God's stewards;
· See all Christians as being at the same maturity level; or,
· Use any approach to stewards that appeals to the sinful nature, selfish interest, or something other than faith active in love.
We are redeemed, through the cross! Heirs of His kingdom!
PRAISE BE TO GOD!
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