Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church - Blog

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church

August 2020 Mustard Seed - Announcements

8/8/2020

Outdoor Movie Night - August 14th!
On August 14th we will be hosting a drive-in/sit-in movie night in our church parking lot. We will be physically distanced by either sitting in our cars and listening to the movie on our car radios or sitting on lawn chairs 6 feet apart and listening through the speakers. We will be watching “The Incredibles.”

Please let us know if you are coming by Monday, August 10th. Email Janet at janetatfaith@verizon.net , text or call her at 215-285-6428 or call the church office 215-368-0240. Please bring your own refreshments if you’d like. Plan on coming around 8:00 p.m. for some safe Summertime fun!

Rekeying of Outside Locks
Family of Faith, This is to notify everyone that we will be rekeying the outside door locks at Faith. For greater accountability, we will maintain a list of all keys that are distributed.

Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School will be done via Zoom during the first week in August, from the 3rd to the 7th. We will meet online from 10am to noon Monday through Friday. We will have the opening, sing songs and dance and watch a fun skit. We will hear and participate in Bible stories, watch videos and of course make some fun gizmos. Then we will wrap up things up with some singing.
Each of the kids registered will receive a box full of goodies including supplies to make the gizmos, a CD of the VBS songs and a story booklet with the Bible lessons.

HELPSY Bin
Please continue to fill the HELPSY bin! When cleaning out your closets please fill the blue Helpsy bin at the end of our parking lot with used clothing and shoes (IN ANY CONDITION.)
Faith receives $600 annually from this community outreach.

Social Ministry
Since we are unable to physically go to our church building during this time - stay home, stay healthy - the Social Ministry projects scheduled have been postponed.
However, it has been brought to the attention of the team that Manna and Keystone Opportunity Center are in great need of monetary donations at this time. Below are links to these two organizations.

Keystoneopportunity.org
https://mannaonmain.org/give-money/donate-now/

Staying Connecting to our Church Family
As we continue to deal with the coronavirus, think about contacting those who usually sit around you at the worship service. Everyone’s name, address and phone number are in the 2020 Faith Directory. If you don’t have a directory or need somebody’s address or phone number call Janet Hill at 215-285-6428 or email her at janetatfaith@verizon.net.

During this time of physical isolation we don’t have to be socially isolated. We all need to know that our church family is thinking about us and that we are all in this together. And most importantly that God is always in control.

August 2020 Mustard Seed - Note from Pastor Mary

8/8/2020

As sometimes happens in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, we hear of ‘heroes’ who are brave and perform mighty deeds of courage like the young David facing and defeating Goliath – against all odds. In the New Testament, there is Paul who is turned from a Christian persecutor to a Christian prosecutor arguing for the faith against the many false idols of the then-known world of the Mediterranean Sea. But, let’s face it. We can admire such people and even want to be like them, but most of us know that we aren’t very much like them.

So, you gotta love Peter. This month, the Apostle Peter is the main character in three of the Sunday gospel readings. He is a complex man. His faith in Jesus makes him bold as he ventures out to join Jesus on the stormy sea. Yet, as his natural instincts overtake him, fear overcomes his courage and he helps us to understand how our faith is simultaneously both strong and fragile. He has the gift of spiritual perception and theological insight as he identifies Jesus as the long-promised Messiah. Yet, he fails to grasp Jesus’ mission when he wants to prevent Christ’s impending suffering and death. Jesus declares that he will build his church, the vehicle for carrying on Christ’s ministry and carrying out Christ’s mission on the ‘rock’ Peter (which is what his name means in Greek). Yet, this rock will crumble as Peter denies he even knows him shortly before Jesus is tried and crucified.

Because of Peter, we can be assured that what scripture says is true: “that our faith is made strong in our weakness.” Our faith, in the end, is the gift of God, given to us at our Baptisms that God will continue to grow because of our strengths and in spite of our weaknesses. Thanks be to God!

Peace,
Pr. Mary Konopka

July 2020 Mustard Seed - News & Announcements

6/28/2020

Reopening the Church Buildings
Our Bishop of the SEPA Synod, the Rev. Patricia Davenport, as well as the national ELCA Bishop, The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, have been advising congregations to exercise extreme caution and 'due diligence' as they consider re-opening for in-person worship later in the summer. The Church Council and Property Team are currently considering the many details to safely re-open and more information will be shared as it becomes available

Transition Process
The Call Committee has met to review their work so far and, while still in its early stages, the call process is proceeding. More information will be shared in the future.

New Check Request Form
To keep better accountability, we are implementing the use of a Check Request Form. If you purchase something for the church and wish to be reimbursed, please let Janet Hill in the church office know and she will provide you with a Check Request Form. Please have the chair of the ministry team that the item was purchased for sign it and then attach your receipt. Give it to Janet and she will send it to our treasurer, Denise Bailey and she will issue a check. When we are back worshiping in the building, you will be able to get a form at the end of the hall in the mailboxes on the left, in the slot labeled, “Check Request Forms.” If you have any questions, please contact Janet, janetatfaith@verizon.net or (215) 285-6428. Thank you.

Keep in touch!
As we continue to deal with the coronavirus, think about contacting those who usually sit around you at the worship service. Everyone’s name, address and phone number are in the 2020 Faith Directory. If you don’t have a directory or need somebody’s address or phone number call Janet Hill at 215-285-6428 or email her at janetatfaith@verizon.net.

During this time of physical isolation we don’t have to be socially isolated. We all need to know that our church family is thinking about us and that we are all in this together. And most importantly that God is always in control.

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19

Social Ministry
Social Ministry Since we are unable to physically go to our church building during this time - stay home, stay healthy - the Social Ministry projects scheduled have been postponed.
However, it has been brought to the attention of the team that Manna and Keystone Opportunity Center are in great need of monetary donations at this time. Below are links to these two organizations.

Vacation Bible School is August 3-7, 2020
Rocky Railway: Jesus’ Power Pulls us Through

This year we have decided to offer a Virtual Vacation Bible With all the craziness of the coronavirus, we considered cancelling VBS this year. But then we thought that the love of Christ and His faithfulness and goodness can be shared no matter what - and maybe should be shared more so now.

We have decided to offer VBS during the first week in August, from the 3rd to the 7th. We will meet via Zoom from 10am to noon Monday through Friday. We will have the opening, sing songs and dance and watch a fun skit. We will hear and participate in Bible stories, play games and of course, make some fun gizmos. Then we will wrap up things up with some singing and possibly a video.
Each of the kids registered will receive a box full of the parts to make the gizmos, a CD of the VBS songs and a story booklet with the Bible lessons.

If you would like to help in any way contact either Melissa Prunkel or Janet Hill.

July 2020 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

6/28/2020

Council Notes: June 4, 2020

Council was called to order by President Gary Apgar.  Opening devotions were led by Sharon Hood.

President’s Report:  We have been busy despite the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are close to being able to start virtual interviews for a new pastor.  We had our financial review and will have more details in the New Business section below. Worship on Zoom is going well including attendance of some home-bound members.  Discussions on reopening the building started and details are in New Business below.

Secretary’s Report:  The minutes of the regular May council meeting were distributed to the council for review and approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report:
With year to date income at $90,409.97 (59%) and operating expenses at $41,342.46 (27%) we have a $49,067.51 surplus.
Receipts are on track for the pledged envelops and unpledged giving has come back up.  Lower expenses due to not being in the building continue.  However, PECO has been estimating our meter readings since October 2019 which were lower than our actual natural gas usage, so we have a bill of $1400.  A motion was made and approved to pay the whole amount.   Adam Feldman pointed out a mistake in the report in the Evangelism section (Page 3), the $335 spent on line 5004 – ELCA Benevolence (National) should be against 5003 – Synod Benevolence (Local).  Denise Bailey will correct.  The treasurer’s report was accepted and approved by council.

Pastor’s Report:
Pastor Mary is very pleased with how Zoom worship is going including Laura Cooper singing the hymns and different voices doing the readings.A Deacon meeting is scheduled for next week, 6/11.  She is looking forward to the Church tailgate picnic on Sunday (6/7/2020.)

MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:

Christian Education: Our church picnic has been changed to the church parking lot. We will park in a circle. Bring your own food and bring your own chairs. Please remember to bring a mask and some gloves. We will practice social distancing. We will have gloves and mask for anyone who comes without.
--Virtual VBS is on track, purchased 2 sets of packets to cover the number of students anticipated.  Will do via Zoom and record and post to our Facebook page.  First week of August, daily 10am-12pm.  Invitations are being sent out to families.

Communications: Sunday worship services are posted on our Facebook page.  We are now including the Zoom link in the emails when the bulletin is sent out.

An anonymous donor gave $600 to be used for Evangelism in 2020.

Financial Review meetings updated and recommendations are listed below under New Business.

Fundraising: Remember Giant gift cards!

Property Team: We need to purchase a new sign when our county opens.

Cards will be sent out for Father’s Day.

Social Ministry: Since we are unable to physically go to our church building, we can still donate to: Manna on main street– https://mannaonmain.org/give-money/donate-nowor Keystone Opportunity Center– https://Keystoneopportunity.org

We need to encourage e-giving! There are still folks who don’t know how to enroll. Jack Walls with work with Pastor Mary to send reminder cards and then have follow up calls with members.

Transportation: Dale continues to drop off Wawa food to people (4-6 families) in our congregation and the community!

Worship & Music:We have received a lot of positive feedback on the latest changes to our Zoom worship service especially having Laura sing the hymns.  Worship and Music team will be meeting in the next week to review the next few months of services.

Hospitality and Fellowship:  We need to update the policy for our fellowship hall rental to cover the parking lot and church grounds. Pastor Mary will follow up with Janet Hill. Should include having someone from the church on site during the event.

OLD BUSINESS:
Items in Review from May:

Armed Intruder information– update from Vince Hill concerning the scheduling of a meeting with Montgomery Township Police Chief J. Scott Bendig or Officer Rob Johnson.
Update on constitution.Pastor Mary is checking on our constitution but has not been successful getting any attention by the Synod office (not a high priority right now.)
Proposed Acceptable Computer Use Policy -Distributed in November to read. Still pending additions pertaining to PCI Compliant language. Rich Hollenbach and Jack to discuss additional wording needed.
Information about Re-keying of Locks? Deferred
Update on deacons and new care. Pastor Mary with work with the Deacons, meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th.
Fellowship: Request for a new projector for outdoor movies. Adam researched and provided 3 quotes, requesting the BenQ HT2050Afor $699.00. Motion was made and approved by council. Need to refer to the special funds team for where the money comes from (must appoint the member at large). Gary will follow up on this team.

NEW BUSINESS

Financial update
Financial Review was approved so the Call committee can move forward.
- Need to send a letter and communicate to the congregation of the status: Pastor Mary and Gary Apgar to put together.
There were several suggestions/recommendations:
- Need to use a Check Request Form to get money (record of money)

Need to have a different person filling in the check with another person signing it (can’t be the same person requesting the check)
Three counters instead of two, looking to add regular members to the list. One financial person (Janet or Carol Taylor), one council member and a congregation non-council member count. ELCA accepted guidelines.
Two people need to drive (separate vehicles) to the bank for the deposit.
Have backups for treasurer & financial secretary
- Recommended to use QuickBooks instead of Quicken (which is for personal finances). Desktop version is $300 for 3 years for a single user, additional $50/year for additional user. Cloud based version is $480 per year for up to 3 users. Council recommendation is to try the desktop version for 3 years. Motion was made and approved by council. Pastor Mary will look at Tech Soup to see if we can get it for cheaper (they support non-profit organizations including churches)
Use of a Payroll services company: ADP & Paychex: a motion to adopt Paychex was made and approved.
Restructure our memorials: have a general memorial account for memorials under a dollar threshold, e.g. $500 or $1000 for named memorial account. Recommendation for $1000 limit was made and approved by council.
Names on bank accounts in order: some names on the accounts are no longer here at Faith. The accounts will be consolidated at Thrivent and Univest. Finance team will coordinate this consolidation and who is listed on each account. They will also have a record of what funds are in each account.
Adjusting the benevolence accounts: we only send to the local SEPA Synod but had a budget for the National (ELCA). Part of the Synod (55%) already goes to the national. After discussion a motion was made to keep $4000 for Local Synod and approved by council. Local Benevolence ($1000) was added to budget in 2020, will be up to Evangelism team to decide how it’s used.
The finance team will meet on June 15thto follow up on council’s actions.
Reopening the church:a team was formed to plan the steps needed to reopen our building. Members include: Pastor Mary, Gary Apgar, Jack Walls, Rich Hollenbach, Debbie Hollenbach, Janet Hill, Vince Hill, Adam Feldman and Dale Foster. SEPA Synod Bishop recommends not doing so before 1 July and realistically will be about 6 to 8 weeks before we can truly open. We will continue to have Zoom worship for now and will most likely have hybrid services to include Zoom even if some members are back in the building for worship. Need to communicate this to the congregation.
Tracey Beasley thank you letter: We should send a thank you to Tracey for doing the financial review. She conducted a thorough and valuable review of our finances and provided many necessary recommendations. Request finance team to draft the letter and review with Pastor Mary. It will be sent from the congregation.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 7pm.
A special council meeting may be called if needed in July.

July 2020 Mustard Seed - Note from Pastor Mary

6/28/2020

"Ordinary Time”
Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. We call it the ‘season of Pentecost’ but it’s also known as “ordinary time.”

In Acts 2, the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. By all accounts, I daresay, that those early disciples of Jesus would never forget that first Pentecost. Definitely not “ordinary!”

It initiates the mission of the church to tell the good news of the gospel of Jesus.

In the gospel reading from Matthew chapters 9 & 10, we hear Jesus call the disciples by name and dispatches them on their mission to preach, teach, cast out demons and heal. These are signs that the good news of God’s presence among humankind is in the person of God’s Son, Jesus.

Jesus often spoke of the church’s mission with images drawn from daily life. In Matthew, the harvest is plentiful, he says, but laborers are needed for work in the fields of daily life. I think that we would agree as we look around the world these days, we know that there are few people willing to be agents of love and grace, hope and resurrection.

This is not easy work. When I was in college, I spent one summer working on the family farm of one of my friends in upstate New York. It was hard work. In fact, it was the hardest physical work I’ve ever done. There was endless tilling, planting, hoeing, weeding followed by harvesting, sorting, selling … and freezing & canning some for the family’s use throughout the long, cold snowy winters of upstate New York. We even tore down a barn in one location, moved it piece by piece with a tractor and trailer and rebuilt it on their property. Yet, for all of that, they told me that this was the ‘ordinary’ work of summer.

It’s the beginning of ‘ordinary time’ in the church year, yet I know that none of us, would call the times we are living through right now, “ordinary,” in any stretch of the imagination! Yet, Jesus reminds the disciples then and us, now - that there is still real work to be done in the world to proclaim this good news in word and actions. It will not be easy. The effects of the pandemic of COVID-19 and the ongoing effects of violence, racial hatred and discrimination, and the immediate and long-term effects of both will not ‘go away’ when the numbers of cases & deaths subside and when the protesters all return home.

But Jesus also reminds us that our labor in the field is not in vain, because of the commission of Christ to go out into the world to be the very presence and power of God almighty. When we enter the ‘mission field,’ (you know, where you ordinarily live!), we enter knowing that we come with the very same Spirit that empowered Jesus to perform all those signs that God’s kingdom ‘had come near.’

For in doing this work, the world will come to know that God is in charge and reigning over the chaos. For we are literally Christ’s disciples deployed, sent out into the world of ‘ordinary time’ - wherever we find ourselves, we are called to continue to be the healing, forgiving, and restoring and transforming power of love, care and grace in our world for the sake of God’s kingdom.

In Christ, Pr. Mary Konopka, Bridge Pastor

June 2020 Mustard Seed - Announcements

6/1/2020

As we continue to deal with the coronavirus, think about contacting those who usually sit around you at the worship service. Everyone’s name, address and phone number are in the 2020 Faith Directory. If you don’t have a directory or need somebody’s address or phone number call Janet Hill at 215-285-6428 or email her at janetatfaith@verizon.net.

During this time of physical isolation we don’t have to be socially isolated. We all need to know that our church family is thinking about us and that we are all in this together. And most importantly that God is always in control.

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19

Social Ministry
Since we are unable to physically go to our church building during this time - stay home, stay healthy - the Social Ministry projects scheduled for the month of May have been postponed. However, it has been brought to the attention of the team that Manna and Keystone Opportunity Center are in great need of monetary donations at this time. Below are links to these two organizations:

Manna on Main Street: https://mannaonmain.org/give-money/donate-now/
Keystone Opportunity Center: https://Keystoneopportunity.org

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Annual Church Family Picnic
We’ve REALLY missed being able to see each other face to face so we have decided to have a “Tailgate” Church Picnic on Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 11:30am in the church parking lot.

After Zoom worship at 9:30am we’ll get in our cars and drive to the church.
We can park our cars and sit by our trunks - bring lawn chairs if you'd like to sit on those instead of your 'tailgates'
Everyone would bring their own food ... something simple like hoagies, sandwiches, juice, soda etc. (everyone bring your own garbage bag as well, please.)
Please bring masks! We obviously can pull them down to eat and, perhaps, to 'talk' ...
Pastor Mary even has a 'game' we might play if folks are willing to stand "6 ft" apart ... folks would need to bring plastic gloves for this too!
Any questions, please call Janet at (215) 285-6428.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

Vacation Bible School
Dear Faith families and Friends,
This year has made VBS very interesting. Normally we would have given parts out and would be getting excited to teach the children. This year we question if we will have a VBS? If so, how? In person/ virtual or both?

For me I would love to have a Vacation Bible School. I feel the devil is on our back and we need to teach these children how to have faith and trust in our awesome God! For us to do it we will need lots of help! So, who is in to help do anything to help lead the children in our community?

Our VBS is still the first week of August 3rd to 7th.

If we do a virtual VBS we might need to create boxes to send out to the children. We will need help showing families how to do motions to songs, play games, do storytelling, having an into and an ending, going over Bible verses, and more.

If you feel led, please email the church at faithmont@verizon.netand I can set up ways in which you can help.

Thank you, Melissa Prunkel

“Then He placed His right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.” Revelation 1:17

June 2020 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

6/1/2020

Council Notes: May 6, 2020

Council was called to order by President Gary Apgar.  Opening devotions were led by Rich Hollenbach.

President’s Report:  Univest will now process our PPP loan so our application with the ELCA Credit Union was cancelled as it is best to work with a local bank where we have an account.  Also heard from our Dean, Pastor Penman who will be contacting our Call Committee chair, Carol Taylor for the next steps of the process, once the Financial Review has been completed.

Secretary’s Report:  The minutes of the regular April council meeting were distributed to the council for review and approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report:
With year to date income at $67,562 (44%) and operating expenses at $36,046.30 (24%) we have a $31,515.70 surplus.

Receipts are on track for the pledged envelopes but at half for the non-pledged.  Overall, we are over for the month due in part to lower expenses with not being in the building.  But the values on our accounts are down by $30K due to market impact of COVID-19.  The treasurer’s report was accepted and approved by council.

Pastor’s Report:
Under the most unusual and extraordinary times most of us have experienced in our life-times as a nation as well as a congregation, I began my service at Faith as Bridge Pastor to provide basic pastoral and administrative services as the Covid-19 pandemic has swept through the world. In the time we’d ‘normally’ be celebrating the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, we found ourselves sitting in our homes meeting in a 2-dimensional world in front of our i-pads or laptops. I’m very encouraged by the cooperation and communication that I’ve experienced. Honestly, I was concerned how this would go since I know very few congregation members from ‘in person’ interactions. However, things have been going as smoothly as I could have possibly imagined.

In addition, I assisted in processing the PPP loan available from the federal government to provide financial assistance to small businesses and non-profits. Thanks especially to Denise Bailey, Gary Apgar, Deb Hollenbach and Janet Hill for pulling together all these figures and paperwork. It was a monumental achievement in a confusing process with a very tight deadline!

MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:

Christian Education: The church picnic scheduled for June 7 at Spring Valley Park has been cancelled.  We are investigating licensing for virtual VBS, looks to be expensive at $10 per child.

Communications: Sunday worship services are posted on our Facebook page.  Rich will ask Janet to include the zoom link in the emails when the bulletin is sent out as some folks are having issues with the link in the bulletin.

Evangelism: Sixteen hundred dollars was carried over from 2019.  $800 was sent to Manna and $800 was sent to Keystone to help with their needs at this time.  An anonymous donor gave $600 to be used for Evangelism in 2020.

Finance: Debbie Hollenbach is the new Finance team chair. Finance meeting was held on April 13th, Financial Review meetings for the Call are in progress.  Council approved applying for a PPP loan and Gary would submit the application.  Ask Debbie to touch base with Tracey Beasley weekly on the review.

Fundraising:  Remember Giant gift cards!

Property Team: The lawn care contract was signed this week.  Same as 2019.

Property Management Team:

We let our townhouse neighbor’s use our parking lot to host a food truck. When we have outside people use our facility inside or outside, we need to make our no alcohol policy clear. We need to update the policy for our fellowship hall rental to cover the parking lot. Pastor Mary volunteered to investigate it and will follow up with Janet. Should include having someone from the church on site during the event.
Update on the Sign - Adam checked with the township and our new sign must be like what we had before (can’t be LED).

Shepherding Ministry: Keep your eye on the mail for more cards! Money for stamps has been taken out of the Boehmler memorial account for 2020 and will add a budget line for 2021.

Social Ministry: Since we are unable to physically go to our church building, we can still donate to:

Manna on main street– https://mannaonmain.org/give-money/donate-now
Keystone Opportunity Center– https://Keystoneopportunity.org

Stewardship: We need to encourage e-giving! How can we target the right audience?  Unpledged giving is down by half (pledged is on track).  There are still folks who don’t know how to enroll.  Send reminder cards and then have follow up calls.

Transportation: Dale continues to drop off Wawa food to people in our congregation and the community.

Worship & Music: Virtual Zoom church worship services continue with the recorded session posted on our Facebook page. Need to work on the music as it’s not working well either hearing it or knowing when to sing.  We have planned out the music for the month of May. We will also be removing the second lesson, adding the Hymn of the Day and distribution music for reflection after communion.

OLD BUSINESS:
Items in Review for May:

Update on Financial Review. We did start our financial check with Tracey Beasley. Tracey is reviewing our financial records for the WELCA account and the Fundraising account. She will then be looking at the General Fund account. Janet Hill is her contact person.
Update on constitution.Pastor Mary is checking on our constitution with the Synod.
Proposed Acceptable Computer Use Policy -Distributed in November to read. Still pending additions pertaining to PCI Compliant language. Rich and Jack to discuss additional wording needed.
Update on deacons and new care. Pastor Mary with work with the Deacons.
Fellowship: Request for a new projector for outdoor movies. Deferred until we can meet in person again.

NEW BUSINESS

Music in virtual Church. Can music be prerecorded? See Worship & Music.
Shepherding Ministry, next mission is to send “thinking of you” cards.
PPP loan - See President’s report
Pastor G’s exit interview was completed.
Reopening of the church? Will have to wait for Pennsylvania and ELCA/Synod guidance and approval before we can discuss this topic.

Next Meeting: June 3 at 7pm.

June 2020 Mustard Seed - Note from Pastor Mary

6/1/2020

Pentecost in the Present Tense
The Feast of Pentecost is coming up – this year on Sunday, May 31st. It’s one of the three major festivals of the Church year, along with Christmas and Easter. It’s considered the ‘birthday’ of the Church. You can read all about that first one in Acts 2:1-21.

Celebrating these important major festivals is Important because they mark the major turning points in the Christian story. They orient us toward what is central, even crucial, about the Christian faith.

But they also present a certain ‘danger’ because we are tempted to look back rather than look ahead. After all, we ‘look back’ to Bethlehem and memorialize it in our elaborate manger scenes and children’s Christmas plays. We ‘look back’ on the empty tomb of Easter morning and celebrate the resurrection with festive worship and pancake breakfasts. However, ‘looking back’ on those foundational events in Christian life and faith means very little if Christ does not continue to be born among us and if the promise and hope of new, resurrected living does not enact itself in real and tangible ways of human transformation and just, compassionate service to others.

As we celebrate these festivals, we remember God's faithful action in the past. This is a good thing...so long as it prompts us to seek God's action among us in the present and help us prepare for God's action through us in the future.

But what about now – now that just about everything is ‘on hold?’ Well, honestly, the promise of God’s activity among us and through us in the present and in the future isn’t ‘on hold.’ We are still called to be church and to plan for Pentecost in the present tense so we can move into the future to communicate the good news of the gospel in word and deed.

So, this year, let’s celebrate Pentecost in the present tense and continue to anticipate, and perhaps even plan for, God’s work moving forward through the coming time. The long Pentecost season is also called ‘ordinary time’ in the Church year – it points to the day in-day out activity of the Holy Spirit as we live out of our faith.

In this current time when there are so many things that we can’t (or aren’t doing), we can begin by beginning to look at some of the ways the Holy Spirit is inspiring us and tutoring us. For me, while my various ‘in person’ relationships have always been important, now I understand in more profound ways how precious and life-sustaining they really are.

Happy Birthday, Church! And many more!

Peace,
Pr. Mary

May 2020 Mustard Seed - Announcements

5/5/2020

As we continue to deal with the coronavirus, think about contacting those who usually sit around you at the worship service. Everyone’s name, address and phone number are in the 2020 Faith Directory.  If you don’t have a directory or need somebody’s address or phone number call Janet Hill at 215-285-6428 or email her at janetatfaith@verizon.net.

During this time of physical isolation we don’t have to be socially isolated.  We all need to know that our church family is thinking about us and that we are all in this together.  And most importantly that God is always in control.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

Social Ministry
Since we are unable to physically go to our church building during this time - stay home, stay healthy - the Social Ministry projects scheduled for the month of May have been postponed. However, it has been brought to the attention of the team that Manna and Keystone Opportunity Center are in great need of monetary donations at this time. Below are links to these two organizations.

Manna on Main Street

Keystone Opportunity Center

Fellowship
Our Fellowship Activities have been put on hold for the month of May.  The Spring Fling scheduled for May 16thhas been postponed to a later date. More information to follow.

Shepherding Ministry
Hope you all enjoyed receiving your Easter cards. Hope it brought a great big smile to your face.   I know it did me.

A great big thank you to my team…Chris Jones, Nancy Gansner, Anna Friedrich, Beth Schoening, and Debbie Hollenbach.  Though not part of our original team, also to Sharon Diggans and her family, Liana and Joey, for taking my list and making homemade cards.  Thank you, Chris, for making homemade cards as well.  Some of us are just not as talented.

Keep your eyes on the mail.   We’re looking forward to keeping in touch.  We especially want you to know how much we are thinking of you.

Card donations have been very much appreciated from Debbie Hollenbach, Janet Hill from a collection of cards at church, and Linda Kratz.  Thank you to those of the team who purchased their own cards and postage.

We love our “Faith Family” and want you to know that!
In Christ,
Sharon Hood, Leader
215-822-2579

Faith Family Picnic
As of right now we are still hoping to have our Annual Church Family Picnic on Sunday, June 7 from 11am to 2pm at Spring Valley Park on Claremont Drive in Montgomery Township. We’ll keep you updated!

Vacation Bible School is August 5-9, 3-7, 2020
The theme is: “Rocky Railway:  Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through.”
We’re considering the possibility of doing something a bit different this year for Vacation Bible School.  If we are still practicing some sort of physical distancing we may be looking at doing some sort of virtual VBS.  If anyone is interested in being part of this (recording skits or songs or lessons to Facebook or Zoom or cutting out crafts to be picked up by families, etc.) please contact Melissa Prunkel at 215-498-4684 or Janet Hill at 215-285-6428.  We are also looking for ideas for a different kind of VBS.  It has always been a great outreach to our community and we do not want lose that.

May 2020 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

5/5/2020

Council Notes: April 3, 2019

Council was called to order by President Gary Apgar. Devotions were led by Pastor G.  The Mission Statement was read.

Secretary’s Report:  The minutes of the March council meeting were approved as submitted to the council via email.

Treasurer’s Report:
The Council looked at the updated budget. With year to date income at $58,020.25 (38%) and operating expenses at $27,908.07 (18%) we have a $30,112.18 surplus.

Ministry Team Reports
Finance:  We need a Zoom finance meeting.  Members have been mailing their contributions and we have been receiving gifts online via Vanco.

Fundraising:  Remember GIANT gift cards!

Shepherding Ministry:  Easter cards have been sent!  Sharon will update.

Social Ministry:  There will be no Social Ministry events in April.

Stewardship:  We need to encourage e-giving.

Transportation:  An email went out to the congregation in March encouraging participation in this team.

Worship & Music:  Discussion on the Facebook live and Zoom Virtual Services.  Zoom Pro account has been set up.
Old Business

Armed Intruder information– update from Vince Hill concerning the scheduling of a meeting with Montgomery Township Police Chief J. Scott Bendig or Officer Rob Johnson. We received an email from J. Scott Bendig stating that they are looking to meet with area churches in late May or early June. From his email: “I have discussed our concept of co-presenting a program with the FBI that will address the management of aggressive behavior and recognizing pre-attack indicators. The hour and a half program would address many of the concerns raised by many of you at our meeting last year. We would be willing to conduct a presentation for all groups at our Community Center or individually for your congregations.”
Update on Professional Audit. Tracey Beasley, Synod VP, is a CPA and will do this work. Can this be done remotely?
Update on constitution?
Proposed Acceptable Computer Use Policy -Distributed in November to read. Still pending additions pertaining to PCI Compliant language. Rich and Jack to discuss additional wording needed.
Information about Re-keying of Locks?
Update on deacons and new care.
Fellowship: Request for a new projector for outdoor movies. No outdoor movies this month.

New Business

Linda and Carol Taylor have documented the counting process.
Music in virtual Church.
Shepherding Ministry, next mission is to send “thinking of you cards”.

Next Meeting: May 6 at 7pm.