Category: 2021 09 September

September 2021 Mustard Seed - Announcements

9/8/2021

Christian Education
The Christian Education team is still in discussion over the direction of Sunday School this year.  Chair, Melissa Prunkel will be in touch with the teachers and students (and their families) to check out interest and will come to a mutually agreed upon time for school aged children’s Christian education classes.
    For more information see, Melissa Prunkel, Education Leader

Adult Forum
Bible Study for adults will resume on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.  They will start the year with 1 and 2 Timothy. They will continue on Zoom for the foreseeable future.  Please consider joining!
All are welcome!
For more information see, Rich Hollenbach, Leader

The Monday Night Bible Study will return at 7pm on Monday, September 13, 2021.  They will be deciding on what will be studied at that time.  They will continue to meet via zoom.
Contact Debbie Hollenbach for more information.

Fresh Flowers Return!
Beginning on Sunday, September 5, 2021 we will be having fresh flowers on the altar again!  Hatfield Flowers and Gifts ((215) 822-1530)will again be providing two lovely flower arrangements to adorn our sanctuary.

You can sign up to sponsor flowers, bulletins or a food basket.  The flowers are still $35 (one thing that has not gone up in price since Covid), the bulletins are $10 and the food basket is $25.

You can dedicate any one of these things for someone special, for a birthday or in memory of a loved one. You may take the flowers home or they will be given to an ill or homebound member.  The $10 for the bulletins is to help cover the cost of making the bulletins and the $25 for the food basket is money donated to “Manna on Main Street.”

To sign up for a particular Sunday either sign up on the chart on the Foyer bulletin board or call Janet in the church office (215) 368-0240.

Social Ministry
The social ministry team feels since more people are returning to worshipping in the sanctuary, it is time to schedule monthly social ministry projects. Therefore, for the balance of this year, we will support Manna with needed items.

For the month of September, we are requesting donations of afterschool snacks, like fruit cups, puddings, jellos, packs of peanut butter crackers, pack of cheese crackers, etc. Bring your donations to church weekly, put them in the purple “barney bin” (in the coat closet), and at the end of the month they will be delivered to Manna.

American Red Cross Blood Drive
Classrooms E/F
Thursday, September 2, 2021
and
Friday, September 3, 2021
8:00am to 3:00pm at Jefferson Lansdale Hospital

To make an appointment, please click on the link below
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Abington%20Lansdale%20Hospital

or go to www.redcrossblood.org
Enter Sponsor Code “Abington Lansdale Hospital”

Support for Haiti
“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words”(Psalm 17:6).
A devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southwest Haiti on Saturday morning. Over 1,400 people were killed, and that number is expected to increase as search-and-rescue efforts continue. Blocked roads are delaying the delivery of vital supplies to hospitals, which are overwhelmed with more than 6,900 injured people. At least 26,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, but the full extent of damage is still unknown. Haiti is also suffering through a political crisis and was hit by Tropical Storm Grace on Monday night, which caused severe flooding in communities already damaged by the earthquake.

For over two decades, the ELCA has maintained a presence in southern Haiti through support for agricultural and sustainable development work. To continue our engagement with those communities, Lutheran Disaster Response is collaborating with partner organizations in the communities to meet relief needs, including food, water, medical supplies and temporary shelter. In the future, other areas of support will include psychosocial care, water and sanitation, and creating sustainable livelihoods through agriculture and livestock. We also stand with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Haiti as it assesses damage and impacts on churches and church life.  Together, as church, we can be there for our neighbors in Haiti.

Your gifts will support earthquake survivors in Haiti. Gifts to “Haiti Crisis” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the earthquake.

Ways to Give:  Checks or money orders can be sent to:
Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Write "Haiti Crisis" on your check memo line.

Give by phone at 800-638-3522 or online

E-Giving Through Vanco
We continue to encourage online giving through Vanco.
* Electronic gifts are fast and secure
* Recurring donations can be scheduled and managed
* Giving can be with your credit card or banking information
Electronic giving has really benefitted our church during this time when we haven’t been able to worship in person.
Thank you to everyone who has signed up for online giving and also for those of you who continue to mail in your pledges!

If you would like to give electronically, visit our website (faithmontgomeryville.org) and click on the E-givingbutton.

September 2021 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

9/8/2021

Council Notes | August 4, 2021

Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach.  Rich Hollenbach led devotions on a Church Health-Loving Relationships.  Minutes of the June regular council meeting and the July Special meeting were approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: Denise Bailey pointed out that Net Revenue had an increase of $5,600.00 bringing total net revenue year to date to around $49,000.00 which is a positive. All members voted in favor of approving the treasurer’s report.  With year-to-date income at $104,061.20 (74%) and operating expenses at $54,642.57 (367%) we have a $49,418.63 surplus.

President’s Report:  Hybrid worship continues with in-person and Zoom, recording posted to our Facebook page. We have continued worship with Pastor Bruce Davis who will continue to supply through October.  We had Pastor Maggie Ainslie in June and in person in July. I (Rich) will coordinate with her for September.

The Furnace work has been completed and the balance will be paid over three months.
I had hoped that we could relax our masking policy but with the increase of COVID cases the CDC is back to recommending masking while indoors so we will discuss in New Business.

MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:

Call Committee:Gail Achilles reported that our Call Team has been interviewing a candidate for Pastor since the end of April and as of August 4 informed the candidate that we all voted to move this candidate forward to our Church Council.  More details will follow.

Christian Education: Melissa Prunkel reported that she will be contacting parents of Sunday school students to ask whether they are interested in having Sunday School during the worship service (following all covid protocols) or via zoom.  Since Sunday school rooms are not officially open yet Pastor Penman suggested a third option would be to have Sunday School students gather at a park for instance once a month for fellowship, weather permitting of course.  Missy stated that she only heard from the Monday Night bible study participants about doing some sort of retreat.  Missy is still exploring any interest and retreat ideas. Monday night bible study and Adult Forum will start up again in September.

Vice President Adam Feldman read the finance team meeting report and added that the Fire Department is planning to do yearly inspections. Adam also brought up the bill for the repair of the Sanctuary air conditioners for $381.45. Rich said that he will put forth this bill through Special Funds.

Evangelism: In Dale Foster’s absence, Gail reported that Faith Lutheran Church is sponsoring a new Compassion International Child named Joao.  Joao replaced Vladimir who is no longer in the Compassion International Program. The Prunkel Family kindly volunteered to be Joao’s pen pal.  So as of this date, our Church sponsors two children:  Joao from Brazil and Bunga from Indonesia (Gail has been Bunga’s pen pal since 2017).  Children always appreciate receiving mail so if you ever feel called to write to the children we sponsor, please notify the church office and you will be given the data you need.

Fundraising:  Memory Keepers Scrapbooking in Fellowship Hall - 10/22-23 Rich made the motion to tentatively approve now as far as taking reservations for this event and holding the dates.  Final approval and covid restrictions to follow will be discussed at September’s council meeting.   All council members voted in favor to approve the motion.

Hospitality/Fellowship: Anne Hutnyk reported that she has been cleaning the kitchen and was grateful to Adam for the beautiful job he did in painting the kitchen closet.

Property Team: Vince Hill reported that the fire inspection approved all work that was done.  Vince also stated that he took steps to improve safety and security for our church and local community.  He explained that Adam temporarily donated a camera which was set up to see the back of the church parking lot and property.  Vince said that there were a few instances caught on camera which Adam and he were able to intervene and stop unsafe happenings on church property. Vince would like to talk about procuring two cameras (estimated at $160.00 each) at our September council meeting.   Adam informed us that we have signage to inform public “Property is under 24-hour surveillance.”  Vince also informed us that Property has solar panels credits that can be sold up to $37.00 each and will wait a few weeks to decide if the time is right to sell them.  Rich asked about how far our property goes into the woods behind the parking lot where the pond is located.  Vince replied that we are about ten feet past where the water starts.

Social Ministry: Social Ministry is going to be asking for donations of tomato sauce and diced and whole tomatoes for Manna during the month of August.  Our goal is 100 cans.
We are looking to have a different donation request each month for September, October and November.
December will be Angel Tree and Gemma (formerly Martin Luther School.)
We are planning on having a meeting in the Fall to plan 2022.

Special Funds: Emergency Exit Signs: $710.93 – Approved and paid.  Sanctuary A/C repair request: $381.45 will be handled through Special Funds approval process.

Stewardship: Jack Walls reported that VANCO did a refresh on the app and he will get together something to submit in the Fall about e-giving.   Also, Jack will be looking at congregational membership to try and reengage members to come back to the church.  Jack is optimistic that this could happen with the installation of a new Pastor.

Worship & Music:Pastor Bruce Davis has been scheduled through the end of October.  Will be contacting Pastor Maggie Ainslie for possible September & October 3rdSundays.
Music: The music selection has been working out, but we need a lead singer (which Laura Cooper can do if playing piano but not if playing organ and Rich can do if in attendance) to keep the congregation on track with the music.
Missy brought up whether we can begin to have real flowers on altar. Rich will check on costs and follow up on this decision. Looking to start again in September.

OLD BUSINESS:

Update on constitution.We have the draft but waiting until we call a new pastor to continue the work.
Audit Completed: report submitted on June 17, 2021

NEW BUSINESS

Startup Korean Congregation Request -
Rich and Janet will have a follow up meeting with Pastor Park to get more clarification on their specific requests. Need to also look at how we can work together to further the kingdom in our community.
Continuing COVID Restrictions:
1. Worship: will continue via zoom and in person. If in person,
  1. Keep masks – especially for kids
  2. Singing will be permitted with masks
  3. No choir singing
  4. Still have sanitizers
  5. No reservations needed, no temp checks
  6. Still no indoor fellowship after church
2. Meetings: Rich made the motion that meetings can be in person in the building now but will also be on zoom. In person must adhere to the following guidelines and process meeting request forms through Adam. Jack seconded the motion, and all council members voted in favor to approve the motion.
  1. Social distancing
  2. Masks worn
  3. No food or drink

Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 7pm.
Will be a hybrid meeting. Devotions will be led by Sharon.

Coffee with Council: This Sunday, August 8, 2021, after worship.

September 2021 Mustard Seed - Note from Council Secretary

9/8/2021

Hello Church Family,
I am Gail Achilles connecting through the Word of God.  Hope your summer was as refreshing and wonderful as mine.  Gathering with family and friends indoors and outdoors works wonders for the soul.  As we enter September for me it always seems like a new beginning.  A fresh start.  A renewal of sorts.  I can remember on Pentecost Sunday 7 years ago when my husband Ernie and I became members of Faith Lutheran Church.  We were there to worship our Lord and to have fellowship with the congregation and to have our souls fed by not only the pastor but all the believers we met at Faith through your words and actions led by Christ alone.

Then that first September rolled around and inside the Sunday bulletin was an insert for Ernie and I to fill out listing our gifts so that we might do God’s work as his disciples and not just show up once a week and be receivers, but maybe the note was saying become doers.  I looked at Ernie, and asked, “What special gifts do we have that would benefit Faith Church and its congregation?  We are not near the level of Christian/Lutheran knowledge found in the people of Faith.”

Aha!  I soon found out from attending service, joining bible study classes, and from my faithful friends at Faith that we are all God’s children and when we are baptized we receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit which we learn from the apostle Peter from the book of Acts 2:38:  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

WHAT ARE THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
wisdom ● understanding ● counsel ● fortitude ● knowledge ● piety ● fear of God

These gifts were spoken in the Old Testament in Isaiah 11:1-3:
1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.  2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.  He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears.” (The phrase, “Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit,” is a title of the devotional application of Isaiah. (https://www.biblestudytools.com).

Another aha moment:  Ernie and I do not have to be highly educated theologians, for we are endowed by our Creator with the gifts of the Holy Spirit like all Christ followers.  So we do have gifts that we can share as God’s disciples and be pleasing to our Lord. We all do!

We learn from the book of 1 Corinthians 12-14 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

Aha moment again.  We are all God’s Children in His Church as we believe in Christ and are baptized by His Spirit, even with all our diversity we can each bring our own uniqueness to strengthen His Church.  So when we are called to offer up our gifts, we all have something unique to give.  Many know this, many are aware of the spirit that is within them and use it for the good of others already.  Listen what Romans 8:14 tells us:  14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Ernie and I began to see where we could be doers and not just receivers and, in so doing draw a closer relationship with the Lord by fulfilling His will and following His plans for us.

Hear His Words in Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

All believers possess these wonderful gifts God bestowed on us through His Holy Spirit.  We just have to develop them by practicing them on a daily basis and follow in His footsteps as we spread His Good Word through our word and actions.  We learn in Galatians 5:22-23 as we grow with Christ we enjoy the fruits of His Spirit: 22…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law.  Please take note how generous our Lord is to us!

In Jesus, our Savior’s Holy Name, I close with a Psalm of David Chapter 62 verses 1, 6, 7:   1. My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him…6. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken…7. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Our God is Good!  Thank you Lord for empowering us with your Holy Spirit.  Amen.
--Gail Achilles, Call Committee Chair and Council Secretary
(So when you see those sign-up sheets in the bulletin, or in the pews, or on the tables in the foyer, do not sell yourself short.  We all have God given gifts to share!  Just imagine what we can do with His spiritual gifts and fruits not only for our Church, but for all of God’s creation).

​

September 2021 Mustard Seed - Announcements

September 2021 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

September 2021 Mustard Seed - Note from Council Secretary

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