​“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”- Romans 15:13 NRSV
 
In the past, Eileen and I most often put up our Christmas tree around November 1st. Yes, you read that right! We do not wait until after Thanksgiving. We instead decorate when we feel ready to. When the time comes, we get out the decorations. We turn on some Christmas music and make some hot chocolate. Some of you may be wondering why we do not wait to decorate. Well, there are a few different reasons. First, Eileen and I love decorating for all occasions. Secondly, we know that as it gets closer to Christmas that we will be busier. We both work in the Church. When we are decorating, we want to enjoy it and cherish that time as a family. We do not want to feel like we are in a rush. Lastly, we sometimes just feel like we need to do it, that we need to do it for our own well-being. It turns out that we were not the only ones that feel this way. I have seen countless people on Facebook who have decided to put up their Christmas decorations early. Some of them were people who in the past would not have dared to put up their tree before Thanksgiving. However, they did it because they needed to. We all needed some hope.
            On November 27th, the Church season of Advent starts, and it lasts all the way until Christmas. Advent has many different themes. One of those themes is “hope.” It is a hope that Christ is coming. That Christ comes in flesh in Bethlehem, in our hearts daily and in glory in the end of time. It is a hope that not only points to Christ’s birth, but also his death and resurrection. In this hope, we are called to a state of waiting and preparation. We must wait and prepare for Christ. This preparatory waiting may look different for all of us. Some may prepare by praying or meditation. While others may turn to the deep reflection and reading of scripture. We all have our own spiritual practices that we use to get closer to God. These practices help us to wait and invite us into preparation. They help us to get into the right mindset to watch for the coming of Christ. So, we have to do what we need to in this state to be prepared, and sometimes that means doing things that give us hope or give us rest. These things may not necessarily be religious practices, but they are things that put us in the mindset to do these religious practices. This may mean putting up the Christmas tree early. It may mean sitting down and reading a book. It could be anything! So, as we are waiting and preparing for Christ, we need to remember to rest so that we can truly prepare. May the God of hope fill you with peace, joy, and rest this holiday season. Amen.
                                                Peace and Blessings,
                                                                                                        Pastor Ethan Doan 

Christian Radio keeps the faith going    
      560 AM  WFIL -- Christian teaching all day long
      88.9 FM  WORD -- Contemporary Christian Rock Music
      91.7 FM -- A mixture of Bible teaching, traditional music
      107.5 FM -- Praise/Gospel Music & Bible teaching
      106.9 FM -- KLOVE -- Contemporary Christian Rock
 
Check out bibleproject.com They provide videos, podcasts, Bible study, online classes and more, all for free.  They are “helping people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus.”  Check out their website!
 
Do you shop at Giant?
If you do, you can buy Giant gift cards from the church.  A $50 card costs you $50.  How does the church make money?  Well, when Faith purchases $1,000 worth of cards from Giant, they only charge us $950 (a 5% discount.)  So, when we sell those cards to you, the church makes $50.  It adds up… 
 
 
Hatfield Flowers and Gifts (215) 822-1530) provides Faith with two lovely flower arrangements to adorn our sanctuary each Sunday.
   You can sign up to sponsor flowers, bulletins or a food basket.  The flowers are $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.
 
 
The “Golden Girls of Faith” (Golden Men are welcome too!)  will be meeting once a month for lunch, fellowship and prayer at a local restaurant. 
They will meet the first Wednesday of the month which will be December 7, 2022 this month. 
For more information or if you need a ride, please talk to Anna Friedrich.  All are welcome!
 
 
Faith’s Transportation Initiative
If you need a ride to church on Sunday or you are interested in providing a ride to church to someone, please contact Dale Foster.
 
WAWA Food is back!  We are again receiving donations of Wawa food through the Food Donation Connection.  We may receive anything from sizzlies, to breakfast burritos, to lunch sandwiches, to muffins, to sweet treats, to hot dogs...anything they didn’t sell the day before and have now frozen. If you are in need of some supplemental food or know of someone who is, please let either Janet Hill in the church office or Dale Foster know and we will make sure you receive some Wawa food.
 
 
Amazon Smiles on Faith Lutheran Church!
 
Another great fund-raiser for Faith Lutheran Church that will cost you nothing (and help us a whole lot, we hope).  Many of you have already heard of Amazon Smile.  Whenever you purchase something from Amazon Smile, be sure to have Faith Lutheran Church set up as your charity of choice.  The church will then receive a portion of the value of your order at no cost to you.  (Since we began this fundraiser in October of 2020, we’ve made $20.20 in 2020 and $44.44 in 2021 and $13.17 in 2022, so far. Thank you!)  Here is a direct link so that the charitable proceeds come to Faith:  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1675520
 
 
Sunday School hours are 9:45 am to 10:25 am
 
At the conclusion of Sunday School, children ages 6 to 11 will return to attend 10:30 Worship Service with their family. 
 
Children 5 and under are welcome to join Gail Achilles, or a teacher substitute, in the church nursery room during Worship Service. 
 
This new time will benefit both the children having longer uninterrupted time for their weekly bible lesson and the teachers who will not have to miss Sunday Worship Service.   
 
Any comments or questions, please see Gail Achilles, Christian Education Chair
 
Proverbs 22:6 ESV Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
  
The Monday Night Bible Study will be taking a break until the new year.  Check the January 2023 Mustard Seed for information about the new Bible study.
 
Ho Ho Ho Church Family and Friends!
We still have room left for Parents’ Night Out/Youth Fellowship held on December 2 and December 9 (choose one night or both) from 6 pm to 9 pm in our Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.  If interested, you can find the registration/info forms on the table as you enter the sanctuary.  Fill the form out, keep the top part for your information and return the completed registration bottom part to the church office.   Please note:  The registration deadline for December 2 is being extended to November 30 and the deadline for December 9 is being extended to December 7.  If the church and office are closed and you decide you would like to bring your child/ren please contact Gail Achilles, Christian Education Director by text 267-664-3328 or email gin4ny@aol.com (use Parents’ Night Out on subject line) and I will confirm your call and register your child(ren).  Thank you, we look forward to providing a fun evening for our youth (birth to teenagers are welcome).    God Bless, Gail Achilles
 
 
Lord, when did we see you...? 

Please be encouraged to participate in those projects which touch your heart! 
 
One of our Social Ministry Projects for December is our Angel Tree.  We are doing it the same way we did last 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 “Gabriella,” “Sharif,” and “Mark” FROM MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL as known as GEMMA SERVICES
Martin Luther School/Gemma Services “where hope shines” 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. 
 
Your social ministry team is asking you to support the following children. 
 
      Gabriella  (girl)       age    8            Squishmallow stuffed
                                                              Animal (small or medium),
                                                              art set & sketchpad,
                                                              Rubik’s cube
                                                                                                                                                                         
     Sharif (boy)          age     9           Football, Lego set,
                                                              Book about football
                                                                                                                                                                          
     Mark (boy)             age   10            Chess set, car puzzle,
                                                              Model car kit (snap
                                                              together)
 
These gifts will be on display on Sunday, December 4.  After the church service, you will be asked to make your donations toward our goal of $180.  
      
Your Christian love for these children is most appreciated by the School and especially by the children.  As they unwrap their presents, know it brings them great joy and excitement knowing that others care so very much. -In Christ, Sharon Hood
 
We will also be continuing our Code Blue - Helping the Homeless in our Community Social Ministry project through the end of the year!
    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.  Trinity provides a warm shelter, refreshments, and company for those in need on nights declared as a “Code Blue.” 
    Faith will be collecting socks, mittens, gloves and scarves.  Please put your donations in the bin under the coat rack in the Narthex hallway.  For more information see Mary Lou Foster. 
    Thank you for supporting this ministry in our community!
 
 
For months we have been praying for Joanne Stockert, fiancée to Sean Schoening (Beth Schoening’s son.) Joanne and Sean were to get married in September but in June she was diagnosed with leukemia.  She is now waiting for a bone marrow transplant.  Sean works for Joseph Ambler Inn.  Joseph Ambler Inn has graciously offered to donate 15% of all food and alcohol sales on all the Tuesdays in December to go towards Joanne’s treatment.
 
So, consider having a meal at Joseph Ambler Inn on a Tuesday in December to support Joanne.  The Joseph Ambler Inn’s phone number is 215-362-7500 to make reservations.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
 
 
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28 (NASB) 
 
THE CHOIR IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FRESH FACES AND HAPPY VOICES to lift their praise to the Lord on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings. Practices will be on Tuesdays at 7PM in the choir room (next to the kitchen.) If you have any questions, please drop Laura Cooper, Music Director, an email at lacoop2002@yahoo.com or a call at 267-421-9351 and she will be more than happy to convince you why you should join the choir.  😊
 
Since we have a Choir again the Cantata is back.  Come to church on December 18th to listen to the story and song of Hope! A Gospel Christmas Celebration.  That day is also the Hanging of the Greens and the Cookie Can sale.  Come for this wonderful day of praise and fellowship!
 
 
 Christmas Coffee Can Sale will be held on Sunday, December 18th. 
We need lots of volunteers to bake Christmas cookies for our Annual Christmas Coffee Can Sale.  Please bring your cookies to the church the week before the 18th or that morning.  Here’s how it works.  You buy a holiday decorated empty coffee can for: $6 for small can, $8 for a medium 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!  Questions, please see Beth Schoening.
The Hanging of the Greens will be held on December 18, 2022, during the 10:30am worship 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.
  
A child is born to us.  A son is given to us!  And he will be our ruler.  He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,”
“Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” “Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Council Notes                                                                                                                                                               November 2, 2022
 
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach.  Jack Walls led devotions on a Christ’s People Called as Leaders of God’s Church-Celebrate the Abundance.  Minutes of the October regular council meeting were approved as written.
 
Treasurer’s Report: Denise Bailey reported that we took a small hit of $59.00 on the profit and loss this month. The Treasurer’s Report was approved as written.  With year-to-date income at $94,060.75 (86%) and operating expenses at $83,596.90 (53%) we have a $10,463.85 surplus.
 
President’s Report:  Rich Hollenbach reported that we have a pastor after a 4-year process.  We will send Pastor Bruce a thank you for being our bridge pastor for 16 months.  The 2021 financial review (audit) is complete.  We have our 2023 preliminary budget to review and approve tonight.  And we must update our Child Abuse Policy.
 
Pastor’s Report: Hello everyone! God’s peace and blessings to you all! The first month here at Faith has been a time of transition and learning. I have not been able to do as much as I would have liked in my first month. However, everything takes time. Over the past month, I have been able to learn about the congregation. I have also felt very welcomed by all. If anybody has any questions, please let me know. I look forward to continuing to grow and learn with Faith as we continue in this journey together! 
 
Provide Ministry of Word and Sacrament I have led and preached at worship since October 16th.  Bishop Davenport has given me permission to preside over Communion until I am ordained.
 
Provide Pastoral Care  On October 26, 2022, I presided at the funeral and committal service of George Rodenbaugh. I met and provided pastoral care to the family prior to the service. Janet has given me a list of our homebound members and a list of our deacons. I will be planning a deacon meeting in the future. I have provided pastoral care to members of the congregation.
 
Provide Ministry Leadership  I attended the October Finance Committee meeting. It was very helpful for me, and I learned a lot about our budget. I will continue to be involved in this committee. I attended the Worship Planning Committee meeting. Advent and Christmas were discussed. More information will be posted soon.
 
Teach the Faith  Gail and I have met to discuss Christian Education. Our focus was on the children and youth in the congregation. Figuring out a plan for Confirmation is our main goal. I will be reaching out to families soon. Stay tuned for updates. We also discussed the National Youth Gathering that will be held in summer of 2024. Long term planning for this should begin soon.
 
Participate in the Community and Wider Church  I have participated regularly in a clergy text study with other Lutheran clergy on Tuesday mornings. The text study is held in Lansdale.  I have been planning my ordination and installation service. I have had several clergy tell me that they are planning on attending.
  
Continue in learning for Ministry  I attended the “In God’s Image” event at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Devon, PA on October 8th, 2022. It was a workshop where we talked about how to welcome all of God’s beloved children into churches. I have attended two sessions of ELCA Vital Congregation Training on October 6 and October 22. There are two more sessions scheduled for November 3rd and November 17th. This training has the participants reflect on one's own congregational mission, how to live in the community and build vital and key relationships. These were online Zoom trainings. On October 25th, I participated in SEPA synod’s boundaries training. This training is required by all clergy. The training took place from 9am- 3:30pm. The focus was on how to set and make healthy boundaries as a clergy person.
 
 
MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:
 
Christian Education: Gail Achilles met with Vicar Ethan on October 18 concerning those children who may be ready for first communion and confirmation.  Vicar Ethan will contact their parents and provide them with necessary information.  We also discussed our youth attending Youth Ministry Camps in the future.  Sunday School is rolling along fine.  For Reformation Day, Vicar Ethan provided the Sunday School children “The Luther Rose” coloring pages to color and read the meaning of the colors.  We also talked about how our greeters make us feel welcome when we attend church.  So, in turn, the children wrote “kindness notes” to give to members of their choosing during Fellowship.  The children also did a Halloween craft in the Fellowship Hall.   Monday Night Bible Study should be finishing up the book “Messy People” by Jennifer Cowart on November 28 (our schedule was revised because we postponed Oct 24 study to Nov 7 because half our members were absent due to personal reasons and we will not be meeting on Nov 21 of Thanksgiving week), then we will discuss another course of study moving forward.  The Sunday School children will be making a special Thanksgiving craft in the month of November to remind us to “Harvest God’s Blessings.”
 
Communications:  Jack Walls reported he will continue to update the front sign and set up a meeting with Janet to put out information on Vicar Ethan’s ordination / installation on our website.
 
Finance:  Gary Apgar reported Budget Surplus from 2021 for 2022. At the Annual Meeting on January 23, 2022, the congregation approved the use of the 2021 Budget Surplus (approx. $48,782) to balance the budget for 2022. At this point in time, we have not needed to use any of the surplus money and have not transferred it into the budget. It has remained in our bank account, spread between out Univest Checking Account and our Thrivent – Moderate Conservative Fund.  Propose to keep it in these places unless it is needed to cover 2022 expenses. If needed, money will be transferred to the budget. Any funds not used will remain in the account where they are located.  When we created the Memorial Savings Account, it did not accurately reflect the amount of money that was designated a memorial. Some monies remained in the Univest Savings Account or in the Thrivent – Mod Con Fund.  Propose that at the end of the 2022 Budget cycle, money will be transferred so that the amount of money in the Memorial Account matches the money designated as Memorial Funds. Ongoing Interest Deposits will be reflected in the Memorial Account line.  QuickBooks account lines will be added for funds designated for additional HVAC expenses and for the Manna Food Basket.  An audit was performed on September 24, 2022.  Proposed Budget for 2023:  The proposed budget was prepared by the Finance Ministry Team on September 15,2022. It was distributed to the congregation on September 25, 2022, and Pledges were received on October 16, 2022. The Financial Secretary has added up the pledges and placed them into the designated Pledged Envelope Line. Pledges for 2023 are $103,140!! That is an increase of $16,776 over last year! It still leaves us with an approx. $38,000 deficit but the final budget proposal is not yet finalized as Pastoral Ministry numbers need to be finalized. We will recommend the budget to the Council at their November meeting. Debbie will attend the meeting. Recommendation to use Reserve Funds/ Undesignated Funds to make up any difference between expensed and income at the end of the year.
 
Fundraising: Linda Kratz reported that a total of $558 was raised in October ($410 from the Scrapbook Fundraiser, and the remainder from hoagie sales and Redners’ receipts.)
 
Hospitality/Fellowship: Anne Hutnyk met with Janet Hill and they produced a sign-up sheet listing menu items for Vicar Ethan Doan’s Ordination/Installation reception for the congregational members to sign-up to graciously bring one or more of these menu suggestions.  Anne remarked that depending on leftovers, the egg breakfast planned for Nov 20 coffee hour may need to be postponed.   Anne also purchased red tablecloths and white doilies with red flames.  A cake will be purchased also.  To celebrate Alexis’ Law School Graduation-Swearing in (Notary) ceremony, her mother, Laura Cooper will provide a reception in the Fellowship Hall.  Anne will assist with food/cake service.  This event is planned for Saturday, November 26, 2 pm to 5 pm.  There will be no coffee hour in the Fellowship Hall after Dec 25 and Jan 1 Worship Services.
 
 Mutual Ministry: By Nov 18, Jack Walls will meet with Janet Hill, thereby concluding all annual staff (Janet, Adam, Laura) meetings for 2022.
 
Shepherding:  Per Sharon Hood via email: The 8 members of our team are sending out Thanksgiving Cards to all members, college students and “friends of Faith.”
 
Social Ministry:  Sharon sent an email stating: The collection of scarfs, gloves, hats, and socks will continue through the end of the year. For the month of November, we are collecting ingredients (cake mix, baking pan, can of soda - and - frosting) (no eggs or oil needed) for families to make a very simple birthday cake. These items will be donated through Cindy Dembrosky, head of Keystone Opportunity’s Food Pantry, Souderton.  Our team will soon be having our annual meeting to plan our projects for each month of 2023. If Council has any suggestions, please let Sharon know.
 
Stewardship: Jack spoke with a few people about VANCO pledging; he plans to use the TV during coffee hour to inform members about VANCO; and closer to the Holidays, Jack will make announcements before Worship Service.  Vicar Ethan is beginning to think of some programs to initiate next year for stewardship.
 
Transportation: Dale Foster is still meeting the needs of those in need of a meal and/or transportation.
 
Worship & Music: Services reviewed from 6Nov2022 (All Saints) through 22Feb2023 (Ash Wednesday.) Vicar Ethan’s Ordination/Installation is Saturday, 19Nov2022 at 11:00am. Thanksgiving Eve service 23Nov2022 at 7:30pm with Holy Communion. Cantata & Hanging of the Greens will be on Sunday, 18Dec2022. Christmas & New Year’s Day are on Sundays this year.  Choral Call to Worship will resume on Sunday, 27Nov2022 (Advent 1.)  Liturgical Dances will resume, hopefully at Christmas Eve. We will start publishing the Distribution Hymns sung during Communion.  Will have training sessions for Worship Assistants. Items to be investigated: Using the projector/screen for Readings & Hymn Lyrics; 8:00am Service – is there interest?; and Collecting Offerings – revisit in 2023.
 
OLD BUSINESS
Parking Request - Adam Feldman revised the Parking Request Form, and it is in progress.
 
NEW BUSINESS
Food Addicts Group - Food Addicts Group is now meeting at the church, Tuesdays at 6:30pm-8.
 
2021 Internal Financial Review (Audit) - The Audit Team of Faith Lutheran Church (Adam Feldman, Nancy Gansner and Mike Fritzinger) has concluded their review and report that all records have satisfactorily checked out with no outstanding concerns.
 
Parent’s Night Out – Gail proposed to council for approval to host two Parents’ Nights Out, Dec 2 and Dec 9, from 6 pm to 9 pm to provide youth fellowship and goodwill to our parents.  Our present volunteers are Beth Schoening, Anna Friedrich, Anita Halpern, and Gail Achilles.  Vince and Adam volunteered their time also to provide electronic games and movies.  With council approval, Gail will make an announcement this Sunday, Nov 6, before Worship Service, with information and have info/registration forms available.  Our volunteers are having a meeting on Nov 13 to go over agenda details in the Fellowship Hall after Worship Service.  Council took a vote on this proposal with a caveat that for now this event is only for Faith members and Friends of Faith.  All council members voted to approve Parents’ Nights Out, Dec 2 & Dec 9, 6 pm to 9 pm.
 
Child Abuse Policy  - Our present policy is outdated.  We need to put together a team that can update the policy.  Adam is willing to be on the team and he suggested Vicar Ethan and Gail to be on the team too.  (Note:  Vicar Ethan and Gail agreed to be on team.  Rich asked Missy if she would also be on team and Missy agreed).  Our insurance company, Selective has partnered with a company called Praesidium, which is a resource for sample documents, videos etc.  It is free to us as a customer of Selective.  We will need to implement annual training for volunteers and staff.  Sunday School Teachers & anyone involved with our youth.  The Volunteer and Employee clearances which are to be done every 5 years can be kept current by this team.
 
Next Meeting:  Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 7pm. 
Will be a hybrid meeting.  Rich is away the first week of December.  This will be our church council Christmas party, so each council member will bring in some goodies.
 
Coffee with Council: Sunday, November 6, 2022, after worship.