Category: 2022 01 January

January 2022 Mustard Seed - Announcements

1/24/2022

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 January are:
Jan. 9 & 12:         John Baptizes Jesus      Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Jan. 16 & 19:           Water to Wine                  John 2:1-11
Jan. 23 & 26:     One Body, Many Parts  1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Jan. 30 & Feb. 2:     Jeremiah’s Call             Jeremiah 1:4-10

Adult Forum, Bible Study for adults will resume in February on Sundays at 9am via Zoom.  Details to follow in the February Mustard Seed.        All are welcome!
            For more information see, Rich Hollenbach, Leader

Lord, when did we see you...?
2022 Social Ministry Calendar Preview.  Please be encouraged to participate in those projects which touch your heart!

First of all, Nancy Gansner needs to be thanked for her many years of excellent service leading the social ministry team.
After her recent retirement yet remaining on the team, Debbie Hollenbach and I (Sharon Hood) have agreed to co-chair.
We wanted you to know what we will be asking you to support in 2022.

January | God’s Global Barnyard & Code Blue
February | God’s Global Barnyard & Valentine Cards to Homebound Members
March | God’s Global Barnyard & Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits
April | God’s Global Barnyard & 141 Impact
May | God’s Global Barnyard & Keystone Opportunity Center - Feminine Products
June | Men’s Hygiene Products - Father’s Day
July | Sabbath Month
August | VBS Project
September | After School Snacks for Manna
October | Code Blue - Socks, Mittens, Gloves, Scarfs
November | Thanksgiving Food Items for Manna
December | Angel Tree Grocery Cards Martin Luther School under Gemma Services

January's Project
Code Blue - Helping the Homeless in our Community when it gets cold at night!

The Code Blue Shelter is located at Trinity Lutheran Church (Luther Hall), 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446.  The shelter is open when the shelter organizers call a Code Blue.

Located at the corner of Welsh Road and Valley Forge Road, Trinity provides a warm shelter, refreshments, and company for those in need on nights declared as a “Code Blue.” Code Blue declarations occur when the outside air temperature falls below 30°.   Due to building and safety limitations, women and children will not be housed at the shelter this season. Those with questions, comments or concerns can contact Mark Lanan at codeblue@trinitylansdale.com or follow “Code Blue Shelter – Lansdale PA” on Facebook.

Faith will be collecting anythingthat can be placed in a backpack, such as energy bars, individual packs of crackers, juice boxes, etc.  Please put these donations in the purple bin in the Narthex hallway.  We will also be collecting $5 Burger King gift cards.  If you’d like to donate money for the cards, please give your donation to Mary Lou Foster or Janet Hill in the church office.
    Thank you for supporting this ministry in our community!

We will also be contributing to “God’s Global Barnyard” in January.  For more information see Chris Jones, Melissa Prunkel or Sharon Hood.

2022 Phone Directories will be coming out in February
Please make sure we have your updated information. During the next month look at your contact information in the directory and let Janet know if there are any changes.
Thank you!

January 2022 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

1/24/2022

Council Notes - December 1, 2021

Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach.  Jack Walls led devotions on a Church Health-Generous Stewardship.  Minutes of the November regular council meeting were approved as written.  The Minutes of the Congregational Meeting on November 21, 2021 was approved by the council.  These minutes will be presented to the congregation for final approval at the congregational meeting in January 2022.

Treasurer’s Report: Denise Bailey reported that we took in over $9,000 in gross profit with a net revenue of$4,000 for the month.  (The net revenue for the year is $52,000 plus change.)  The Treasurer’s Report was approved as written.  With year-to-date income at $137,118.32 (97%) and operating expenses at $84,612.77 (56%) we have a $52,505.55 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. Rich will lead the service on December 26th.

President Rich Hollenbach asked Pastor Penman about Pastor Tim Garman’s status.  Pastor Penman encouraged us to continue to pray like prayer warriors.  He added that he would anticipate Pastor Garman’s acceptance going past the 30-day deadline before a viable job is available to couple with his part-time status as our called Pastor.   Pastor Penman informed us that they are searching for work for Pastor Garman in interim ministry or to shepherd a second congregation with first allegiance to Faith Lutheran church as our called pastor.

MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:

Call Committee:Gail Achilles sent thank you emails on behalf of our Church congregation, Council, and the Call Committee to Pastor Garman and Pastor Leslie Richard.  We will be sending out Christmas Greetings and follow-up emails prior to December 21 to check on Pastor Tim’s status of the pastoral call to our church.

Christian Education: Melissa Prunkel reported that Sunday School and Wednesday Whirl are going well.  Missy proposed having a Vacation Bible School Meeting in January 2022.

Communications: Jack Walls reported that communication for our Congregational Meeting to vote on Pastor Tim Garman becoming Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church went splendidly.  The word got out through phone calls, announcements prior to Sunday Worship Service, church bulletins, and Facebook.  Jack added that our Christmas Eve Service led by Pastor Bruce Davis will be communicated, and Adam will install the Christmas banner in front of church.

Evangelism: Dale Foster and Chair Doug Renner held a meeting this past month to discuss the Korean donation of money for evangelism.  A report from Doug will be forthcoming.

Finance:The 2022 Budget will be discussed in new business.

Fundraising: Sharon Hood reported that we will have the cookie can sale on December 12th.  (We made $211.)

Property: Vince Hill reported that Adam cleaned out the corner ceiling in the Fellowship Hall (birds had made a home there).  Adam also installed a camera in that corner of the building facing the parking lot.  Contractors are coming out to service the heaters that heat the church office and Pastor’s office sometime in December 2021.

Shepherding:  Sharon and her team sent Thanksgiving cards and will be sending Christmas cards to our church congregation.

Social Ministry: Sharon reported that the Social Ministry Team met to discuss the 2022 Social Ministry projects.

Special Funds: Rich reported that special funds will get the balance of the final cost for the new PTZ camera for our sanctuary. See New Business – Purchase Requests.

Stewardship: Jack reported Vanco app is upgrading as of 1 January 2022 to validate recurring payments.  Jack will talk to congregation on December 12 before the Sunday worship service.

Transportation: Dale Foster reported that there will be no Wawa donations at this time as they are doing renovations.  Time to be determined when this program will resume.

Worship & Music:Pastor Bruce Davis will lead the Christmas Eve Service at 7:30 pm, and there will be a mix of live and recorded music before the service.

OLD BUSINESS

Christmas Tree for the sanctuary-

Adam found out in his research of artificial trees around 10 feet in height are unavailable at this time of the year and very expensive. He will continue to research artificial trees in January 2022 to see if he can find a good deal. We will be using a real tree this year, which is being donated by a few people. Thank you for your kindness.

Adam’s Council Term -

Adam will be resigning at the end of this year leaving a one year term vacancy on council.

NEW BUSINESS

Food Addicts Group-
Request to resume meeting in Fellowship Hall –all voted in favor of the Food Addicts Group resuming meetings, but not necessarily fellowship hall. If group is small, group could use a smaller room for their meetings. They asked about meeting on Wednesday or Thursday nights. Council President will reach out and the time of meeting will be determined.

2022 Budget Approval-

After reviewing the updated budget as of 1 December 2021, all council members present voted in favor of the 2022 budget. It will be presented to the congregation for approval at our annual meeting in January 2022.

Purchase Requests-
- New PTZ Camera for sanctuary – the total cost is $1149. ($500 is available from the Synod Technology Grant that is allocated for this purchase. Special Funds will get the balance of the final cost to determine which fund to use to complete payment of this purchase). Vince motioned to approve, Sharon seconded the motion, and all council members present voted in favor of this purchase.
  - Camera: $879
  - Controller: $270
  - Total: $1149

Adam was reimbursed for other components he purchased for our worship video streaming.

New laptop for Denise – it was decided by council that Rich speak with Denise about finding a time where we could look at her current laptop and then making an assessment to see if adding memory and an SSD will help or if a new one is truly needed.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 7pm.
Will be a hybrid meeting. Devotions will be led by Adam.

Coffee with Council: Sunday, December 5, 2021, after worship.

January 2022 Mustard Seed - Letter from Council Secretary

1/24/2022

Happy New Year Church Family!  Okay, many of us have resolutions this time of year.  Maybe to lose weight, start exercising, drink less alcohol, be more positive-stop thinking I am not good enough-I am too weak-people annoy me in general, be less angry, be more patient, be more kind.  These are all good ideals to strive for a healthier body and mind, but what about our heart and soul.  Our spiritual health.

It is true eating healthier, and exercising is a great springboard to a better you and possibly a catalyst to push you toward a more constant and spiritual you. Think about it realistically though are you really going to keep any of your resolutions just by wishing for them? If this describes you, like me, you give up on your resolve in a week or two.  Sometimes, I forgot what my good intentions were in the first place when I let the things of the world distract me.

Last year, January 2021, I decided not to make any of the usual New Year’s resolutions, like eating healthier for an example.  I decided to stay connected to God’s Word and putting him first in my daily life.  We can do this in so many ways:  praying, reading scripture, attending worship service, listening to His message and plans for us, obeying Him, leaning on Him, staying in His light, tithing, spreading His good news, joining a bible study, staying in fellowship with other believers, doing acts of kindness and charitable works, walking in His footsteps, singing and listening to worship music (two contemporary songs I personally find inspirational are Jeremy Camp “Out of My Hands” and Tasha Layton “Look What You’ve Done”; there are too many to mention); being aware that we are never alone, —God is always with us and loves all of us unconditionally.

So I did this instead, I put God, His Holy Son Jesus Our Savior, and His Holy Spirit ahead of everything else in my life and in so doing was able to grow spiritually and become a healthier me. Here is what happened concerning my husband and me.  Together we probably have lost and gained in our adult years a cumulative total of 600 plus lbs.   With Covid breathing down our necks in 2020, stuck indoors for the most part, we were eating whatever we wanted and both gained more weight than we ever had at one time.  We were not feeling our best and knew we had to really get serious and eat healthier, lose weight, and exercise.  Now, Ernie does not drink alcohol, and I consider myself a social drinker, so I wasn’t going to include my wine indulgence, but I did let go of snacks especially chocolate.  Anyway, one February day in 2021, we looked at each other while holding hands, and we earnestly prayed to God to help us overcome our weight gain and help us achieve a healthier lifestyle.  We praised God, we thanked Jesus, and we fully trusted His Holy Spirit within us.

Listen to the Lord’s message to us in Matthew 7:7 NIV - 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Take heed and trust in His words in John 16:24 NIV - 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Ernie and Ifelt this surge of strength and energy enter our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.  Less than a year later we collectively lost 70 lbs; Ernie takes the stairs whenever he can during work, and I exercise each day faithfully.  Most importantly, we were fed spiritually through Him.  Praise Jesus!

Know and believe Jesus’ words from the book of Matthew 19:26 NIV - 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The power of God should never be underestimated or overlooked.  Whatever we want and hope for in life, put Him first and we will gain the joy and peace that only comes from loving Jesus and being cognizant of the great love He has for all His children.   Have a happy, healthier and, most importantly, 24/7 relationship with Jesus this year and in the years to come.

Trust in Him and praise Him for He has great plans for us believers (Romans 8:28) and if we fall, and we will because we are human, Jesus will be there to pick us up and get us through each day!  Thank you, Jesus!

Gail Achilles, Church Council Secretary & Call Committee Chair

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January 2022 Mustard Seed - Announcements

January 2022 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

January 2022 Mustard Seed - Letter from Council Secretary

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