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September 2005 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.
Pastor John Maroni
Pastor John Maroni will be visiting both services on September 4, and presiding at Communion that day. Come and join in the prayer for him as he begins his pastoral ministry.
Please join us! We want our choir to grow! Under the direction of Bob Mollard, we will be practicing at 10:30 am every Sunday morning beginning on September 11 and performing at the 9:15 a.m. Traditional Service. Come be a part of our choir.
Join The Handbell Choir
Beginning, Experienced Players Welcome
Experienced Ringers: 7 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning September 7; and Beginners Group: (Four to Six Weeks) 7 p.m. on Mondays beginning September 12 (High School Age and Older) Both groups will meet in the sanctuary
Come and meet Pat Belaney, Faith's new handbell choir director, and become part of this music ministry.
50th Anniversary Celebration
We will look to the next 50 years, while giving thanks for the last 50, during the church's anniversary celebration on September 24 and 25.
The weekend of celebration will begin with a concert by Praise-Apella, a Cleveland based contemporary Christian Band, at 7 p.m. September 24 at the church. (See article below). Praise-Apella is a six-person vocal band that imitates instrumentation through their gift of voice and without the use of tracks or other audio technology.
Following an evening of inspiring contemporary music, a more traditional celebration will occur on Sunday. "Lifting High the Cross…Yesterday, Today and Always" is the theme of the 50th anniversary worship service at 10:30 a.m. September 25 in the Sanctuary.
The Rev. Dr. Marcus Miller, Bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA), will preach and preside at this service of celebration. The congregation will welcome the Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Bishop Emeritus of the Southern Ohio Synod ELCA and founding pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, and his wife Betty, and the Rev. Dr. J. Peter Pelkonen, second Pastor of the congregation, and his wife Nancy, as special guests.The order of service will include elements used during the Service of Organization which was held on September 25, 1955 when worship was held at Fairlawn School. There also will be special music provided by Bob Mollard, organist; BOUND; instrumentalist from the congregation, including youth and a "special event" choir formed in honor of the day.
Following the service, at 1 p.m., an anniversary banquet will be held at the Fairlawn Hilton. Special guests and charter members who still attend the congregation will be acknowledged during the banquet. Pre-paid reservations are necessary. (See page 4 of this newsletter for more information.) Come and join the celebration of Faith's past, present and future!
CONCERT
CONCERT TO CELEBRATE FAITH AT FIFTY
If you attended the volunteer appreciation event in April or our Youth Sunday in May, you will remember the contemporary praise group, Praise~apella. With a very unique style and using no instruments they lift their voices in praise to God and all He has done.
Praise~apella will be in concert here at Faith on Saturday, September 24. The concert begins at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:15 p.m.) Tickets are $10 each and we will
provide free child care for children 5 and under. You can purchase your tickets now by emailing Carolyn at FaithMinistry@sbcglobal.net or calling the church office.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Lifting High the Cross - Yesterday, Today and Always
September 25, 2005 - Worship - 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, (No Christian Education scheduled.) Banquet - 1:00 p.m. at the Fairlawn Hilton
Please plan to attend Faith's 50th Anniversary Celebration luncheon featuring a full-course buffet menu. The cost will be Adults, $25; children 6-12, $20; and children 5 and under free. Please send in your prepaid reservations by September 18.
provide free child care for children 5 and under. You can purchase your tickets now by emailing Carolyn at FaithMinistry@sbcglobal.net or calling the church office.
The 50th Anniversary Committee Lois Chaffee, Luncheon Chairperson
Church Business Directory:
NEED A PLUMBER? Or how about a carpenter? Beautician? Veterinarian? We've had many requests to develop a Business Directory about the members of Faith. Many of our members want to give first chance at their business to one of you.
We currently have a business directory at our web-site at www.faithlutheranchurch.org, but not many are taking advantage of it. We are hoping to really put together a comprehensive list of who does what around here (when they aren't at church, that is!)
If you'd like to participate, please give Carolyn a business card or brief written description of your business or line of work.
Fall - Small Groups
SMALL GROUPS ARE FORMING NOW FOR FALL - We are so lucky to have several stimulating and thought-provoking groups forming for adult learning opportunities this fall. Since we are stressing to our children the need to grow in their relationship to God, we hope that parents and all adults take that advice to heart, too! Here's what we have lined up so far:
Sunday mornings at 9:15 join Matt and Ingrid Harpster as they lead the Kelly Fryer Bible Study "No Experience Necessary" Matt and Ingrid are young, energetic, love the Lord and are excited to meet you "wherever you are" on your spiritual journey. This group will meet in Fellowship Hall. Remember, you don't need to be a scholar. . . no experience is necessary!
Sunday mornings at 10:30 our "resident" Bible study leaders Jim and Sara Shook will be beginning this year with a study of Philippians. This group meets in the library. Jim and Sarah have led a small group for years and we are blessed to have them.
Sunday mornings at 10:30 Carrie Miller is back at Faith (she used to be our Youth Leader and is enthusiastically helping where she is needed. Carrie is a personal friend of Pastor George Murphy who wrote a Bible study about God and Science. She will be leading this study which will meet in the blue "youth" room.
Kinship Café will be open during all these study times, so come early, grab a coffee and "bite" and jump into a closer walk with God. All of these studies range from 4 - 6 weeks and will begin September 18. It is our sincere hope that you will prayerfully consider at least trying one out so that when the kids are learning, you can be learning too! Then the entire family can join us in worship.
COUPLES' RETREAT
COUPLES' RETREAT: SIGN UP NOW!
Before you know it, the leaves will be changing color and the air will grow crisp. Late October is the perfect time to reconnect with God's creation and each other! At our couple's retreat we will spend time focusing on the positives in our marriages and discovering how we can make the best even better!
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. When: Friday, October 28 5:00 p.m. -Saturday, October 29 5:00 p.m. Where: Loyola of the Lake Jesuit Retreat Center Green, Ohio
Cost: $160 which includes all material, meals, and lodging. $ 60 is payable upon receipt of your reservation and the balance due on October 28. So line up a pet sitter or babysitter and call or email Carolyn to register. You'll be glad you did!
RALLY DAY ROCKS
RALLY DAY ROCKS will be the theme heard over and over as we prepare to welcome in a new year of Christian education through Explorers' Club, confirmation classes, high school dialogue, and adult discussion groups and Bible studies. Plan NOW to come September 11 and spend the entire morning.
Children ages 3 - 6th grade are invited to come at 9:15 to get registered and participate in two+ hours of fun activities including a jump around, crafts, refreshments, and giant "Faith" photograph. Kids will meet their teachers, reconnect with friends, and in general have an awesome time. They won't want to miss a minute of the excitement!
Parents can attend their favorite worship (or maybe try a new one) and also spend time in the Kinship Café where they can eat, have coffee or tea, visit, and learn about the terrific line-up of opportunities we are offering for them this year.
Youth Group News
Sunday, September 4 - Last Panera meeting for the summer! Meet at 9:30 a.m. to say a fond farewell.; Thursday, September 8 - Confirmation Orientation; Required for all Confirmation students (and parent). Meet at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Sunday, September 11 - "Rally Day" High school youth are invited to assist with activities (dunking booth, jump around, etc.). Middle school youth will have team building activities with Leo from 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Sunday, September 18 - Leo & Wendy not in church today; Saturday, September 24 - Praise Appella Concert. 7 p.m. at the church.; Sunday, September 25 - Anniversary Sunday - one service today at 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday, September 28 - Confirmation Class with Pastor Jean 6:30 - 8:p.m.; Saturday, October 8 - Middle school fall retreat scheduled 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (We need drivers!)
School year begins
School year calendar begins in October!!!
Middle School - Class on 2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays - 9 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. Class with Pastor Jean on the 4th Wednesday 6:30 p.m - 8 p.m. Fellowship Activities TBA.
High School Class on 1st & 3rd Sundays9:15 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. Fellowship activities on 1st Wednesday 6:30 p.m. -8 p.m.
Service projects for both during Advent & Lenten seasons. More information to come!
Confirmation Class
Attention: Parents of Confirmation Class - The orientation meeting for the Confirmation program will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 8 in the sanctuary. All 7th graders and second year students, and a parent, are asked to attend. Please watch your mail for more information about this gathering and the Confirmation schedule.
Reminder: The Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) Service for youth who have completed their confirmation requirements will be held during 9:15 a.m. worship on October 30, Reformation Sunday. Practice is tentatively set for 9:30 a.m. on
Saturday, October 29. (Please contact Pastor Jean concerning any conflicts with the practice, so that needed adjustment can be made.)
Rent A Youth
Have some fall clean-up projects around the house? We have the perfect solution for you! Simply fill out a "Rent-a-Youth" slip (found outside fellowship hall and the sanctuary) and turn it in to Carolyn, Wendy, or Judy. We will team you up with one of our hard working, dedicated, strong, able bodied youth and give you their telephone number. You can schedule a visit at your convenience, and once your chore is completed, make a donation to the youth group. This is a great chance for our kids to do service projects and you to get some work done!
Here is a partial list of what you might consider, but the possibilities are endless: babysitting, wall washing, gutter cleaning, lawn care, weeding, washing windows, general house work. Don't delay, sign up today!
Endowment Gifts
Celebrate 50 Years with $50,000 In Endowment Gifts
We are approaching 80% of our goal of $50,000 in new endowment contributions. Our "Sow and Grow" campaign is connected to the Church's 50th year celebration in September. You can help achieve this goal by contacting a committee member or Pastor Jean. Gifts may be marked "Endowment 50th anniversary" and placed in the collection plate. Contributions of $1000 or more will be memorialized on a leaf on our Endowment Tree, located at the east entrance of the church. Please consider your legacy to Faith Lutheran Church and contribute to our goal objective.
The eleventh hour is drawing near. With your help, this goal will be achieved.
Thank you, The Endowment Committee
Churchwide Assembly
Summary of ELCA Churchwide Assembly
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), of which Faith Lutheran is a part, was in the news the second week in August as the Churchwide Assembly was held in Orlando, Florida.
Printed below is a summary of some of the action that was taken at the Assembly. Detailed information can be found at www.elca.org/assembly/05 .On Friday, August 12, the assembly focused on the three recommendations related to the ELCA Studies on Sexuality. In response to these recommendations concerning homosexual people in this church, the assembly took three actions:
Approving Recommendation One by a vote of 851 in favor and 127 against (majority required). The action urges this church to "concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion we share as members of the body of Christ."Approving an amended version of Recommendation Two by a vote of 670 in favor and 323 against (majority required). The action asks that this church "continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops," which found no basis for the establishment of an official ceremony for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. The assembly reiterated this church's welcome to gay and lesbian persons and its trust in pastors and congregations as they "discern ways to provide faithful pastoral care to all to whom they minister." Declining to approve Recommendation Three by a vote of 490 in favor and 503 against (two-thirds vote required). This action means that there is no change in this church's policies concerning the ordination, consecration, and commissioning of rostered leaders.
(This means that those who identify themselves as homosexual, who have been approved and called by the church, may be ordained as pastors or consecrated/commissioned as other rostered leaders. But, they are to remain celibate, as are heterosexual persons who are not married. Current ELCA policy expects ministers to refrain from all sexual relations outside marriage, with it defines as "a life-long covenant of faithfulness between a man and a woman.")The assembly also approved recommendations related to Renewing Worship, including the introduction of a new worship book for this church. (The new worship book - which replaces the Lutheran Book of Worship - will be available next summer.) Other actions include approval of two ethnic ministry strategies, Interim Eucharistic Sharing with the United Methodist Church, and the restructuring of the churchwide organization.
BUILDING REVIEW
Council Acts On Space Utilization Report
The Church Council has designated several recommendations in the "Report to the Congregation on Space Utilization" as priorities for further action. They are: To review educational needs, particularly space requirements for youth activities and adult study, including exploring ways to expand the educational facilities. To clarify the mission of the Preschool with regard to future growth and to consider space needs in light of that mission.
To initiate a study on how to create a larger and more attractive entrance to the church, including considering the need for a "gathering space" for greeting visitors, holding receptions and interacting before and after services.
Two Teams will be formed by October 1, one to review the educational and preschool needs and one to study the church entrance and the need for a gathering space. The congregation will receive on-going updates on their work. Anyone with questions should contact Polly Dobkin, congregation president, or Pastor Jean.
THANK YOU's
Pastor Jean brought me the lovely Prayer Shawl and I love it. She told me the women of Faith Lutheran Church made it for me; I could not be more pleased. How very nice!! It really means so much to me. It is really beautiful with all the work making something I will always cherish. I can't thank you enough. My love and prayers are with ALL of you.Love,
Miriam Ramm Dear Mrs. Butler & Congregation:
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff and children served, thank you for your recent large donation of various school supplies.Because of your generosity and support, our agency will have the opportunity to provide over 1,000 backpacks filled with needed supplies for the children under our care.Again, thank you for your recent donation and to the continuous support of the children at Summit County Children Services.Connie R. Humble
Executive Director Dear Faith Lutheran Church, I just wanted to send a letter out (even though it is incredibly late) to let you know how much I appreciate the donations and prayers you provided towards the Pittsburgh project. It was an amazing experience, and I cannot think of a better way to have spent a week of my summer. I worked in the Pratt family house with four others. My group consisted to three people from Texas, John, Sean, and Mr. Spies, and a friend of mine, Katie from school. We spent the week painting rooms, doors and ceilings, Thank you so much for the support.In Christ,
Mary Alice Gsellman
I am writing this with such a grateful and happy heart to say "thank you" for such a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School. We are so blessed to have Beth Gsellman as a leader, organizer and role model for our children. She proves that one can love God, serve the Lord and have an impact on young lives.....and it is cool and fun to do so! The many volunteer Crew Leaders and Junior Leaders deserve huge applause as well. I was so impressed at all the team work from our youth and adults, and some new members who got involved right away, too! The crafts, stories, games, songs & music, snacks, dramas, etc., were all great. We are still singing the songs and talking about the lessons from that week. Here's the best proof....I looked around every day at the end of the morning and saw all the kids singing, jumping and smiling and when the parents came into the Fellowship Hall to pick up their children, they were smiling, too. God's love in all it's glory. Thank you, thank you to all the volunteers who shared God's message with our children and the community.Anita, Chris and Alea Sears
Faith Fun Day
Children of God gathered for the Faith Fun Day on Sat., August 20 at the home of Wendy and Leo Boes in Sullivan, Ohio.
Upon arrival we made little foam children of God to hang outside and decorate our campsite/meeting area. We gathered in the Boes "Great Lodge" and went over the agenda for the day. Leo took a large group on a tour of the property, passing the lakes, the barn of animals wild kingdom!), their log cabin house to the ropes and challenge courses in the back wooded area. Leo, the naturalist, pointed out various plants and animals along the way. We saw so many varieties of butterflies! Tyler Johnson cleared the path of a snapping turtle for us. After we passed the barn, we were accompanied by at least two goats for the remainder of the hike! After Leo explained the rules of the various challenge elements, brave members stepped up to try out their skills. Pastor Jean even scaled a 12 foot wall! (with a little help from the cheering crowd and a few strong friends) It was quickly made clear how these challenges prompt encouragement, team building and a sense of confidence in those who complete the task!
Back at the "base camp" we gathered to sing some camp songs, learned "My God is So Big", heard a message around how Jesus blessed the little children, and prayed our way into lunch. Food was in abundance. Other activities included a giant bounce around, swimming, fishing, petting the animals (with Leo's guidance), more hiking, a scavenger hunt on the grounds and horseback riding, games and crafts. And the weather cooperated. It was hot. And the rain poured at appropriate times: during lunch (we were inside) and just as the afternoon was ending.
We give thanks for the hospitality of Wendy and Leo and their wonderful peaceable kingdom! And we look forward to the next installment of FAITH FUN
Fellowship Calling
On Thursday, September 1, the Faith Fellowship Calling Team meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please prayerfully consider sharing the love that Jesus Christ first gave you with other members of this congregation through friendly phone calls.
Call Bill Pope 330-867-4946 with questions and/or comments.
Busy Fingers
Meetings will resume September 6 at 9:30 a.m in the parking lot side of the Fellowship Hall. Welcome back to "old" members and to anyone new who may be interested -we'd love to to have you join us!
WELCA
Wednesday, September 14 - 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall
Elaine Johnson and Barbara Dillahunt will share with us their Triennial Afterglow, stories from the national WELCA convention held in San Antonio, TX.
Act Boldly was the convention theme. Acting in community Women of the ELCA has launched an initiative "Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls" for the next three years. Barbara and Elaine will tell us about people who have "found their bold".
Devotions will be led by Maxine Heldridge and the hostess for the meeting will be Bettemae Ramsey.
GOLF OUTING
LAST ONE OF THE SEASON - September 18 - 3:00 p.m. - PINE VALLEY GOLF COURSE - REIMER ROAD, WADSWORTH - Followed by supper at Randy and Teresa Cole's home 2399 Amesbury Rd.
SIGN UP SHEETS AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX AND OUTSIDE THE FELLOWSHIP HALL.
In Our Prayers:
Health Concerns: For Faith member Mary Alice Boose; For Faith member Ann Chastven; For Faith member Mary Ann Crutcher; For Faith member Bill Ederer;
For Faith member Cherli Gsellman; For Faith member Bill Woodall
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 of loss.; For Faith member Miriam Ramm as she prepares to move to Illinois, that the transition will be smooth.
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