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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.

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May 2020 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

5/5/2020

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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.

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Introduction Letter from Pastor Mary

5/5/2020

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April 13, 2020

Dear Friends,

Let me take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. In early March, shortly before the corona virus pandemic hit our country in full force, I was asked by our Dean, Pr. Penman, if I would serve as the Bridge Pastor at Faith as Pastor G was slated to move on to her next Interim assignment. In our synod, Bridge Pastors serve part-time between the time when the interim process is completed, and the new pastor is called. I have been a pastor since 1982 and served a congregation in Philadelphia since 1997 until I retired from full time pastoral ministry in 2013. Currently, I serve as the part-time Visitation Pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Devon.

   Normally, this would have meant meeting with the Council, staff and other ministry teams and beginning to conduct worship on the Sunday after Easter. Of course, now everything in church and, indeed, in our lives, has changed and changed in ways that none of us could have ever imagined! Last Wednesday, I sat in (via Zoom) on the Council meeting and agreed to pen this letter of introduction. This coming week, I’ll be meeting with the Finance as well as Worship & Music Teams.

We are so blessed to have the technology to proceed with worship, Bible study, prayer opportunities and service even in the midst of these extraordinary and difficult times. Yet even as we live through so many dramatic and, for many, fearful times, we can continue to proclaim that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Our relationships can be nurtured and sustained with each other and our neighbors in the community as we live into the promises of our eternal and unchanging God.

We want to make sure that we help anyone in our congregation who might be struggling with loss of employment, reduced employment, having difficulty getting groceries or prescriptions filled, so please call Janet Hill (215-285-6428), Gary Apgar (215-460-0380) or my cell phone (215-285-9106). For those of you who would like to contribute to the food banks (please no food items) both Manna and Keystone are requesting monetary donations at this time. Here are the links if you’d like to help: Keystoneopportunity.org OR https://mannaonmain.org/give-money/donate-now/

Finally, we want to encourage you, as you are able at this time, to support the congregation with your tithes and offerings. While so many aspects of daily life have changed, some things have not. Certain fixed costs and utilities still need to be paid! It’s a perfect time to sign up for online givingor continue to send them to the church office. In these unprecedented times, the blessing of your generosity will ensure that the saving grace of our crucified and risen Lord will continue to be proclaimed and shared in word and service through our congregation!

God’s rich blessings on you and yours as we celebrate the Easter season.

Yours in the Risen Christ,
The Rev. Mary Konopka   (please call me, Pastor Mary!)
pr.mary.konopka @gmail.com, 215-285-9106

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May 2020 Mustard Seed - Note from Pastor Mary

5/5/2020

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The Risen Lord Goes Out to Meet his Disciples

By now, I hope that you’ve all received the “Introducing Pastor Mary” letter and information about my previous ministry experience.  Even people with the most active imaginations I’m certain would have never imagined meeting under such extraordinary circumstances as we now find ourselves experiencing!  Yet, thanks to the wonders of technology, we are still able to ‘meet,’ for worship, Bible study, prayer and for what Martin Luther called the “mutual conversation and consolation” of the fellowship of God’s people.  Personally, for all the many experiences I’ve had over decades of serving in ordained ministry, did I ever think I’d be conducting a worship service in my living room in front of a computer?

    During these times of ‘social distancing’ and with so many us ‘sheltering in place’ I have been experiencing the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus in an entirely different way than ever before.  After the crucifixion, a group of disciples are huddled together in fear and Jesus comes and stands in their midst bestowing on them a message of peace even as he gives them a message to move out in mission. Two disappointed disciples travel the road to Emmaus discussing the awful events that have just transpired in Jerusalem only days before and Jesus joins them on the road, shares a meal with them and is revealed to them ‘in the breaking of the bread,’ and then with images and words, He promises to be with them and in all circumstances give them the gift of abundant life.

    This promise of abiding presence provides a balm for the fearful and hope for His disciples then … and now.  As we seek and find new ways to be Christ’s followers and embody new ways to serve Him and our neighbors during these extraordinary times, we can be assured of the Lord’s presence.  Because no matter what, or come what may, the Risen Lord Jesus will continue to be with us.

I look forward to joining you as we navigate these new ‘post-resurrection’ roads with each other and with the powerful presence of our Risen Lord.

Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
---Peace, Pastor Mary

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May 2020 Mustard Seed - Announcements

May 2020 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

Introduction Letter from Pastor Mary

May 2020 Mustard Seed - Note from Pastor Mary

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