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December 2021 Mustard Seed - Announcements

11/27/2021

 
Christian Education
We are continuing an in-personSunday School program during the 10:30 a.m. service as 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 began on Sundays in October with teachers, Gail Achilles and Anita Halpern and then on Wednesdays with teachers, Nancy Gansner, Gail Achilles and Anna Friedrich. 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.netif 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 December are: 
Nov. 28 & Dec. 1:          Paul’s First Letter         1 Thess. 3:9-13
Dec. 5 & Dec. 8:        Malachi the Messenger       Malachi 3:1-4
Dec. 12 & Dec. 15:      Mary visits Elizabeth          Luke 1:39-55
 
    For more information see, Melissa Prunkel, Education Leader


Vacation Bible School 2022
We didn’t have Vacation Bible School this past August but are looking to resume in-person VBS in 2022.  It looks as though we will be doing mornings as usual on August 8-12, 2022 from 9am to 12noon.  We will be needing lots of volunteers to help out in many different ways. Please contact Melissa Prunkel or the church office with your suggestions or to volunteer to help.  Thank you, Church Family! 



Monday Night Bible Study
The Monday Night Bible Study will be taking a break until the new year.  Check the January 2022 Mustard Seed for information about the new Bible study.


Christmas Coffee Can Sale will be held on Sunday, December 12th. 
We need lots of volunteers to bake Christmas cookies for the return of our Annual Christmas Coffee Can Sale.  Please bring your cookies to the church the week before the 12thor that morning.  Here’s how it works.  You buy a holiday decorated empty coffee can for: $5 for small can and $10 for large can and then get to fill it with whatever assortment of cookies will fit into the can.  You get only your favorites!  So please consider baking and then come out and buy too!


The Cantata/Hanging of the Greens will be held on December 19, 2021 during the 10:30am service.
 Look for a sign-up sheet to help with the service that day.  You can help change the sanctuary over from Advent to Christmas - whether it be changing bows, paraments or candles, putting up banners, setting up the nativity or decorating the tree with our lovely Chrismons.  Or you can just come and enjoy the magic of the day as we prepare for the birth of Christ.



 Social Ministry
The Social Ministry Project for December is our Angel Tree.  We are changing it up a little this year.  There are no ornaments to remove.  If you want to participate in this project, please give a monetary donation to Janet, in the church office, to be put toward the purchase of grocery gift cards for members of our congregation.
 
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. “  (Hebrews 13:16) 


SHARING CHRISTMAS WITH “Gabe,” “Savannah,” and “Malik” FROM MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL (Now known as Gemma Services-where hope shines.)Martin Luther School in Plymouth Meeting was founded as an orphanage.  It now provides a home, treatment, education and other services for boys and girls, ages 6 to 14, who have experienced past traumas, including abuse, neglect and poverty. All services are provided in a nurturing environment that promotes recovery, resilience and, where possible, families reunited.  
 
On Sunday, December 5 there will be a collection after the servicepresented by your social ministry team to share our love with the following children:
 
      Gabe  (boy): age   11- Basketball, basketball tights, Lego set 
 
      Savannah (girl): age  8- Stuffed dog, LOL Surprise!, Doll, Book about pets
                                                                                                                                 
      Malik (boy): age  10 - Remote control car, Rubik’s cube,  matchbox cars
 
If you are unable to be at church, you can also send a check to either me at 110 Country View Lane, Chalfont, PA  18914, made out to “Faith Lutheran Church” --- or – send it directly to the Church at 615 Cowpath Road, P. O. Box 182, Montgomeryville, PA 18936.  Please mark the “Memo” line as “Martin Luther School”.   Thank You.

Our goal is $150.
                                                                               
Know how much the children appreciate our love.  When I drop these gifts off, I have been told how excited the children are when they open their presents.   A day to enjoy life and know that others care.                                 
  --- In Christ, Sharon Hood



December 2021 Mustard Seed - Notes from Council

11/27/2021

 
Council Notes | November 3, 2021
 
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Melissa Prunkel led devotions on a Church Health-Servant Leadership.  Minutes of the October regular council meeting were approved after one correction was made on the Property Team report.
 
Treasurer’s Report: Denise Bailey reported that Net Revenue was down $1560.20 for the month but was not too bad overall as our surplus was $48,562.66 for the year to date. The Treasurer’s Report was approved as written.  With year-to-date income at $127,176.10 (90%) and operating expenses at $78,613.44 (52%) we have a $48,562.66 surplus.
 
President’s Report: We have continued worship with Pastor Bruce Davis who will supply through end of 2021.  We have Pastor Maggie Ainslie scheduled to be here once a month as well.
The forms have been signed and submitted to the Synod and were approved by the bishop.  We have our congregational vote scheduled for Sunday, November 21stfollowing our worship which will be led by Pastor Tim Garman.  We will also be having a meet & greet social with Pastor Tim on Saturday with details to be determined.  The end of a long road is in sight.
 
MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS: 
 
Call Committee:Gail Achilles asked if we could have a bio on Pastor Timothy Garman emailed to our members or put in our Sunday Bulletin.  Rich added that we will have the bio available at the meet and greet on November 20, 2021. 
 
Christian Education: Melissa Prunkel was happy to report that we will be having VBS next summer (August 8 through 12, 2022). Missy and Gail are reaching out to potential volunteers and will have a planning meeting sometime in the next few weeks.  Missy also stated that we will be giving our Sunday School Children a gift this Christmas (a mini flashlight with John 3:16 scripture).  Gail asked about the appropriate Sunday School Christian Education be provided for the different age groups.  Rich informed us that this was put on hold until we have a permanent Pastor in place.  The children who are currently attending Sunday/Wednesday School are having their Christian education needs met. 
 
Communications: Jack Walls reported that the Meet and Greet our pastoral candidate (Nov 20) and the Worship Service led by Pastor Tim followed by the Congregational vote (Nov 21) will be published in the next two Sunday bulletins and by email.  Sharon Hood volunteered to call church members to inform them of these two important dates in the future of our church.
 
Evangelism:  Doug Renner, Chair, and Dale Foster will be meeting to discuss the Korean donation of money for evangelism.
 
Finance:The 2022 Budget will be discussed in new business.  Adam pointed out that he would be researching the cost of an artificial Christmas Tree vs. a live tree.  Council voted to approve the research of this idea for Adam to price artificial trees.
 
 
Fundraising: Sharon Hood reported that the scrapbooking fundraiser brought in $675.00.  Thank you, Chris Jones, Debbie Hollenbach, and everyone involved in this gracious effort.  Current Chair Linda Kratz asked Sharon to let everyone know that we still need a new fundraising chair to take Linda’s place.  If interested, please contact Linda, Sharon, or the church office. 
 
Health: Anne Hutnyk contacted Parish Nurse, Nancy Allegrezza regarding taking church member’s blood pressure checks.  Nancy is not personally comfortable doing Blood Pressure checks currently.  Anne said that Nancy and she will reach out to some others that may be able to perform the checks for members.
 
Hospitality/Fellowship:Coffee hour after worship held in the fellowship hall has been initiated over the last few weeks and is working out splendidly.  Missy brought up that maybe we can come up with a variety of food schedule for fellowship each Sunday. Anne will investigate this.
 
Shepherding:  Thanksgiving cards will be mailed out to the congregation.  Sharon reported that she has 3 more volunteers on her team making it a total of 9 good hearted people.  Thank you for all you do!
 
Social Ministry: Sharon read an email from Nancy Gansner, current chair of social ministry, that states she will be resigning from her position but would like to help wherever she can.  Council thanks Nancy for all the good work you have done in this ministry.  Sharon added that Debbie Hollenbach and Sharon will be the new co-chairs for social ministry.  Debbie and Sharon will be having a social ministry meeting on November 10.
 
Special Funds: Rich noted that special funds will be getting a tree email in the near future.
 
Stewardship: Jack reported that another member signed up with the VANCO app and that he will be talking about VANCO this Sunday during announcements.
 
Transportation: Dale Foster is still meeting the needs of those in need of a meal and/or transportation.
 
Worship & Music:Pastor Bruce will be available through the end of this year to lead Sunday Worship service.  Pastor Ainslie has agreed to hold Sunday Worship service in person for the third Sunday of the month through the end of the year.  Rich also pointed out that having Pastor Tim Garman lead Sunday Worship service on November 21, Rich will contact Pastor Ainslie to see if she could switch to a different Sunday.
 
 
NEW BUSINESS
  • Nominating Team- 
Linda Kratz is head of the nominating team for 2022 council elections and will be looking for candidates to replace 3 outgoing members:  Missy and Sharon are at the end of their 3-year term and Dale is at the end of his second 3-year term and needs to sit out for one year before possibly returning to council in the future.
 
  • Faith Membership updates- 
New member Requests (2):  Patricia Pullia and Alexis Norris have requested membership at Faith.  All council members voted in favor of taking them into membership of the congregation.
 
  • Congregational Meeting to vote on our pastoral candidate-- 
    • Will be held on Sunday, November 21, 2021, following worship and we need a quorum of 25 members present.
    • The meeting announcement will be in the bulletin and brought up during the announcements before worship on the next two weeks and phone calls will be made to members.
    • You must be a member of the congregation to vote and must be in-person; ballots will only be handed out to those who are eligible (Must have communed and given an offering on record within the past two years.) Pastor Penman added that you must be confirmed to be eligible to vote.
    • We need 2-3 tellers, to pass out ballets and to tally them (Anne and Sharon volunteered).
    • Members will write YES, NO or ABSTAIN (Pastor Leslie Richard from the Synod will oversee the process) Pastor Penman added that Pastor Tim has 30 days to accept if the vote is in favor of his acceptance or he can accept on the spot.  
    • Reception follows – an embellished coffee hour.
 
  • Meet & Greet Saturday, November 20th(day before)- 
  • Get to know our pastoral candidate before vote (note: his parents will be invited) 
  • Details to be worked out.  Rich noted that a Bio on Pastor Tim will be available to the congregation prior to the Meet and Greet and during the event
 
  • 2022 Budget review with Debbie Hollenbach, Finance Chair- 
The Finance Team put out the preliminary budget to the congregation and then collected the pledges a few weeks later.  Total pledges were $85,548 and are up $210.00 from 2021. Regarding the breakdown of pledges—there are 32 giving units (a couple/family/single person is deemed one unit) 14 people have increased their pledges, 12 people kept their pledges the same, 2 people decreased pledges, 5 people are not pledging that pledged in 2021 (includes one death) and there are 4 new pledgers.   The team went over the budget line by line several times and with some reductions were able to reduce the initial deficit of $49,298 to $48,782. The budget includes numbers for compensation and benefits for a Pastor for 30 hours/week. Debbie explained that the surplus was brought over to this year and the PPO money (Government/Covid) was added to it. Adam noted that giving for 2021 is up.  After questioning the salaries, Pastor Penman proposed that we should not change anything concerning the staff salaries at this time.  Rich Hollenbach said that we are not going to pass the budget tonight and that we need time to review it more and will vote on it at the next council meeting in December.
 
Next Meeting:  Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 7pm.  
Will be a hybrid meeting.  Devotions will be led by Jack.  Council agreed to bring appetizers to this meeting.
 
Coffee with Council: Sunday,November 7, 2021, after worship.

December 2021 Mustard Seed - Note from Council Secretary

11/27/2021

 
Merry Christmas Church Family and all Christians in Our Creator God’s World!  These words were written at Christmas time, 8 years ago, and I still believe that they apply today since they were inspired by God’s Word in the Book of John, Chapter 3, verses 16 – 21:

“16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
 
Love is the Gift He Gave Us 
by Gail Achilles (2013)
 
Love is the gift He gave us;
Use it with all your might.
Love is the gift He gave us
On that Christmas night.
 
Love is the answer
Love is the key
For peace in the world
For you and me.
 
He gave us love to use in life.
Love will guide us through our daily strife.
Love brings goodness,
Happiness and cures.
Hate produces doom,
Destruction, and wars.
 
Love is the answer
Love is the key
With Love we have the 
Power to fight any Evil Shower.
 
Evil can no longer exist
If love is in our hearts,
And the people in this world
Will be together not apart.
 
God gave His Love
To set us free.
Leaders of the world take heed;
Put down your weapons,
And follow His Lead.
Love is the solution to all the
Confusion.
 
Love is the answer
Love is the key
To live in peace and harmony.
Wake up to His Word
And you will be free for all eternity.
 
Love is the gift He gave us;
Use it with all your might.
Love is the gift He gave us
On that Christmas night.
 
Thank you Lord
and 
Happy Birthday Jesus!

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