FAITH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
  • Home
  • About Faith
  • Newsletter
  • Contacts
  • Bible Resources
  • Seasons of Faith
  • Directions
  • Calendar
  • Youth Ministry
  • e-giving

​

October 2021 Mustard Seed - Announcements

10/10/2021

 
Christian Education
This year we’re going to return to an in-personSunday School program during the 10:30 a.m. serviceas well as continue with a “Sunday School” program on Wednesdays at 4:30pm via zoom!   
    With everyone’s busy schedules and feelings about safety, we are happy to offer more options for children to learn about the Bible and our loving Heavenly Father.   We will be starting up on Sunday, October 3,2021 with teachers, Gail Achilles and Anita Halpern.  And then on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 with teachers, Nancy Gansner and Gail Achilles.  We will be using the Whirl curriculum, following lessons that go along with the lectionary (the lessons that are read each week.)  
    Please come on Sunday morning or contact the church office at faithmont@verzion.net if you would like to be part of the Wednesday zoom class.  (Please make sure we have your email address so we can send you the zoom link.  Materials will also be sent to those participating on zoom.  A Bible will be provided to your child if they do not have one. Please let us know.) 
    The lessons for October are: 
Oct. 3 & 6:         Jesus Blesses the Children      Mark 10:2-16
Oct. 10 & 13:     A Camel through A Needle      Mark 10:17-31
Oct. 17 & 20:           James and John                Mark 10:35-45
Oct. 24 & 27:      Jesus Heals Bartimaeus        Mark 10:46-52
Oct. 31 & Nov. 3: The First Commandment        Mark 12:28-34
    
    For more information see, Melissa Prunkel, Education Leader

Adult Forum Bible Study
Adult Forum for adults is studying 1 and 2 Timothy. They will continue on Zoom for the foreseeable future.  Please consider joining using the link below.  
All are welcome!  
For more information or to get Zoom link, please see, Rich Hollenbach, Leader, or Janet Hill in the church office

Monday Night Bible Study
This Bible Study will meet at 7pm on Monday nights via zoom. They are studying “Finding I Am” by Lysa Terkeurst.  It is a 10-week study which began on September 20, 2021.   
All are welcome to attend anytime. 

If you have questions or would like the Zoom link: Call Gail Achilles on her home phone at (215) 675-1359 and leave a message and she’ll call you back.

Altar Flowers
We  again have beautiful fresh flowers on the altar!  Hatfield Flowers and Gifts ((215) 822-1530) provides Faith with 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, the bulletins are $10 and the food basket is $25.

You can dedicate any one of these things to someone special, to celebrate 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 help feed those in the North Penn area. 

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.

“Lord, when did we see you…”
 The social ministry team has decided that for the balance of this year, we will support Manna with needed items. 
 
In September our Faith family donated 78 cans of tomatoes/sauce/paste.  We received this letter of thanks from Manna:
 
Thank you very much for your generous donation of food, tomatoes, sauce, pasta to Manna on Main Street. Your support, particularly at this time, is allowing us to continue serving those in need throughout this changing and uncertain time.
 
Since mid-March 2020—when we first saw school closures, stay-at-home orders, and job furloughs—more and more individuals and families have safely visited Manna for groceries and to-go meals. The number of those visiting Manna has remained at a consistently high level, while we provide groceries to over one thousand households and distribute several thousand meals each month.
 
Manna has always been a place of hope for those needing support during a difficult season. Over the past year, our mission has taken on new meaning as we continually modify our operations to safely and consistently provide meals and groceries for everyone in our community needing food and to help many with emergency financial assistance.
 
Weknow that the significant need for food and essential services will not go away when the pandemic begins to lift. The effects of unemployment and loss of income will be felt for months, if not years, into the future, and we plan to continue supporting our community as it finds its footing.
 
                               Sincerely, Suzan Neiger Gould, Executive Director
 
PS-Manna now accepts non-perishable food donations at our warehouse located at Lansdale Business Center (650 N. Cannon Avenue, Lansdale). Donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday, only, from 9am to 5pm. We appreciate you using this drop off location as it helps with food distribution planning and logistics. 
For the month of October, we are requesting donations of quinoa and barley products, in an effort to provide healthier choices for those in our community.  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. 
 
Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.

FINANCE COMMITTEE NEWS
In September the finance team worked on putting together the 2022 preliminary budget.  On Sunday, September 26ththat budget was made available to the congregation.  (If you did not receive your packet, please contact Janet in the church office.)   

During this time we ask you to prayerfully consider your commitment to our congregational life in a variety of ways- your financial support (pledge) and also what gifts and time do you have to offer to the mission and ministry we are building and growing?   

Included in the budget packet was a commitment sheet.   On Sunday, October 17, 2021 we will be returning our sheets with our commitment for 2022.  To submit your pledge you may bring it into church that day (or before), email it to Janet Hill (our Financial Secretary) at janetatfaith@verizon.net, drop it in the mail slot at church or mail it to church in the US mail. As we move closer to calling a new pastor we will have to know we are financially sound as we look forward to this exciting chapter in the life of Faith Lutheran Church.
 
The Finance Team will then meet to marry the pledges with the budget before presenting it to Council on November 3rd.
The final budget will be presented to the congregation and voted on at our January annual meeting.    
 
God has blessed us so richly.   We are blessed to joyfully offer what we have first been given.


​


October 2021 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

10/10/2021

 
Council Notes - September 1, 2021
 
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach.  Sharon Hood led devotions on a Church Health-Authentic Spirituality.  Minutes of the August regular council meeting were approved as written.
 
Treasurer’s Report: Denise Bailey pointed out that Net Revenue was minus $50.00 but is optimistic we will make it up in September.  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:  We have continued worship with Pastor Bruce Davis who will continue to supply through October.  We have Pastor Maggie Ainslie scheduled to be in person on September 19.
Our new Korean congregation will start on Sunday, September 12 at 1:30 p.m.
Council voted to proceed with Pastor Tim Garman as our pastoral candidate and we will be discussing the next steps in New Business.
 
MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS: 
 
Call Committee:As Gail Achilles reported last month we, the call committee, forwarded Pastor Tim Garman to the next step in the process of calling a Pastor for Faith Lutheran Church, which is the Council Interview.  The Council Interview took place in person at Faith Lutheran Church on Sunday, August 29, at 2 pm.  All nine council members were present along with Pastor Garman.  Carol Taylor, representative from the Call Committee, assisted Pastor Garman while we voted after out interview.  Our nine church council members voted 8 yes and 1 no.  Therefore, we are moving Pastor Tim Garman to the next step of the call process, which is leading a worship service for the Faith Lutheran Church congregation and then taking the congregational vote.  The date has not yet been identified.
 
Christian Education: Melissa Prunkel proposed having Sunday school during the worship service and once a month or biweekly on Wednesday afternoon via zoom.  She has two teachers available for in church Sunday School during worship service and two teachers who will do zoom “Sunday School” probably on Wednesday 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The curriculum will be Sparkhouse which will work for both in church and on zoom.  Missy will contact the Parents of the children in the congregation to record their preference.   Monday night bible study will resume on Zoom at 7 pm on September 13.  We will discuss and decide at that time our first course of study.  Adult Forum plans to resume at 9 am on September 19.  All are welcome to join either or both study sessions. 
 
Finance:Adam Feldman reported that the Finance Team will be meeting on September 17, 2021 to start 2022 budget preparations.
 
Fundraising:  Sharon Hood asked for a vote on full approval for scrapbooking fundraiser (point of contact: Chris Jones). This is planned for Oct 22, 23 with a limit of 12 attendees who will practice all protocol of covid restrictions. All council members voted in favor to approve this scrapbooking fundraiser.  Rich asked Sharon to forward this information to Linda, Chair of Fundraising, and to Chris Jones.
 
Health: Anne Hutnyk will touch base with Nancy Allegrezza, details to follow.
 
Hospitality/Fellowship: Janet Hill and Anne have been cleaning up the kitchen so it is usable whenever the ban is lifted. They thoughtfully cleaned out two cupboards for the Korean Church’s use when the ban is lifted.  
 
Property Team: The sign is up and the insurance check will cover the full expense for the sign and permit.  Vince Hill reported that when the contractors for the furnaces opened up the ceiling tiles to complete their work, they informed Vince that insulation is needed to cover the pipes.  Vince is checking into this to determine if this is something he would be capable of accomplishing and save on the cost of the work.  Vince will follow-up with his findings at our next council meeting.  Melissa Prunkel thanked Vince and Adam for the loan of chairs for an event she coordinated at work.  She was very grateful for the outreach of hospitality.
 
Shepherding: Sharon Hood reported that the shepherding team received two thank you cards for the good work of the shepherding mission.  Sharon was very appreciative for their kindness.  “What goes around comes around!”
 
Social Ministry: In September we will be collecting “healthy” afternoon snacks for Manna on Main Street.
 
Special Funds:.  Sanctuary A/C repair request: $381.45 -Approved and processed.  Third and final furnace check request in September and will be paid.
 
Stewardship: Jack Walls plans to make an announcement on September 12 to the congregation.  Jack will meet with Pastor Penman regarding stewardship ideas. Missy talked about bringing up pledge increases in the future, probably in October.  Pastor Penman remarked that he noticed our congregation takes pledging and tithing seriously.  Thank you for noticing we are a spirit led congregation.
 
Transportation: Dale Foster is still distributing food where there is a need and providing transportation when a need arises.  Thank you, Dale!
 
Worship & Music:Services move back to 10:30 a.m. in September.  
Pastor Bruce Davis has been scheduled through the end of October and Pastor Maggie Ainslie will be in person for the third Sunday in September and October.  
Real flowers starting up again, sign-up chart posted in the Foyer.
 
OLD BUSINESS: 
  • Startup Korean Congregation Request - 
  • Starting on Sunday, September 12that 1:30 p.m. 
 
NEW BUSINESS
  • Budget discussion for funding new pastor compensation (work in progress.)  Council had a review of the SEPA Synod Compensation Guidelines for Pastors and discussed some options with Pastor Penman.  Council will continue working out the details as we more toward an offer for Pastor Garman.
 
Next Meeting:  Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at 7pm.  
Will be a hybrid meeting.  Devotions will be led by Anne.
 
Coffee with Council: Sunday, September 12, 2021, after worship.

October 2021 Mustard Seed - Note from Council Secretary

10/10/2021

 
Happy October Church Family,  
​When I first read the Bible from beginning to end three years ago with my Sisters in Christ in Monday night Bible study, I was enthralled by the book of Psalms.  The words expressed, the heartfelt prayers and praise, the thanksgiving, prophesies, the cries for help, the faithfulness, truly spoke to my heart filling it with love for our Heavenly Father.  
 
Then I became a member of Church Council, and I was presented with a book, “Reading the Psalms with Luther.”  Luther referred to it as a “Little Bible.”  It was Luther’s daily prayer book mainly, in Luther’s own words “because it promises Christ’s death and resurrection and depicts His Kingdom and the condition and nature of all Christendom.”  
 
I can relate to how Luther viewed the psalms and how they can be applied to our daily living.  Ever since my youth, I found the call to write passages that were God driven and Spirit led and filled with my faith and love for Jesus Christ. 
 
This October, as we remember Luther’s reformation in forming the start of the Lutheran church, let us be thankful to the one true God and for all the blessings he bestows on His Children and all His Creation.  Let us be grateful for the entire Word of God, including the psalms, for showing us how to live as good and righteous Christians and growing in our love, our belief, and our relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen
 
Here is a message inspired by the great I Am written in 2016 that I would like to share with my brothers and sisters in Christ: 

Glorified in Your Light O’ God
By Gail Achilles (2016)
 
Open your ears and listen to His words of truth,
 Open your heart and listen to His words of love.
Open your mind and listen to His words so wise.
Open your soul and in will flow His loving spiritual wisdom minus disguise.
 
Jesus we bow to you our Savior.
You are our Rock and Salvation
And guide to our human behavior.
When we honor and praise you we are glorified in Your Light!
 
You illuminate the path we must follow.
Though the trials are many, with You to our delight, 
We will get through, and each time become closer to your 
Likeness as we become more like You!
 
Let your light shine within us and make us complete, 
And we will be able to gratefully accomplish this Holy Feat!

    Categories

    All
    2021 06 June
    2021 07 July
    2021 08 August
    2021 09 September
    2021 10 October
    2021 11 November
    2021 12 December
    2022 01 January
    2022 02 February
    2022 03 March
    2022 04 April
    2022 05 May
    2022 06 June
    2022 07 July
    2022 08 August
    2022 09 September
    2022 10 October
    2022 11 November
    2022 12 December
    2023 01 January
    2023 02 February
    2023 03 March
    2023 04 April

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Faith
  • Newsletter
  • Contacts
  • Bible Resources
  • Seasons of Faith
  • Directions
  • Calendar
  • Youth Ministry
  • e-giving