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February 2023 Mustard Seed - A Word from Our Pastor

1/29/2023

 
Greetings Faith,
 
I write to you all in a time of reflection. As I am writing this letter, it has been three days since our congregational meeting. A lot was said and discussed at this meeting. We talked about our past but also our future. Our President, Richard Hollenbach, gave a very thought-provoking address.
    He pitched to us what he called “Faith 5.0,” a new version of Faith. In his address, Rich talked about a Synod stewardship conference that he and I attended the day before. The name of the event was “Stewardship Extravaganza: Generosity and Vitality in the NOW Normal.” Rich told the congregation about how this event focused on shifting the Church from a “new normal” mentality to a “now normal” mentality. The pandemic caused congregations to shift into a new normal, but this normal is not new anymore. In essence, we will never go back to what we used to think of as normal.
    The goal of the stewardship conference was to brainstorm what it means to live faithfully in this “now normal.”
Rich spoke about how now with Faith having called me as its 5th pastor that it was time to shift our focus to the future. What is our place in Christ’s mission here on earth? What is Faith called to do? This is a very big question. There are so many things that need to be done in this world.  Where do we start?
    I was discussing this question with a group of pastors a couple of days ago. One of the pastors said something that stuck with me. She said “God is love. We have to start there and everything else will come from it.”  This statement, though very simple, is quite true. We have to start with love! The story of Christ is one grounded in love. We have a God that desires so much to be in relationship with people that God came down, fully human, to earth. God truly loves us, and it is in this love that we too are called to love. In fact, Jesus commands us to.
    In Matthew 22, we get a series of questions asked of Jesus in order to test him. The Sadducees asked Jesus a question about the Resurrection. When the crowd heard Jesus’ answer they were astounded. “When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (verses 34-40). 
    Loving God is the greatest commandment, closely followed by the commandment to love our neighbors. So, let’s start there! Let us love! Then, let us pray. We may not know what the future holds, but God's love will guide us along the right path.
 
    God’s Peace, Blessing, and Love be with you all,
                                      Pastor Ethan Doan 

February 2023 Mustard Seed - Announcements

1/29/2023

 
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… 

 
 Please keep the stamps coming!
It’s a continuing need!  Thank you for all your contributions.  It really helps!    
  
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 February 1, 2023, this month. 

For more information or if you need a ride, please talk to Anna Friedrich.  All are welcome!
 
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, 
    I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10 New International Version (NIV)
 
We received the following email from Amazon Smile:
”In 2013, we launched AmazonSmile to make it easier for customers to support their favorite charities. However, after almost a decade, the program has not grown to create the impact that we had originally hoped. With so many eligible organizations—more than 1 million globally—our ability to have an impact was often spread too thin.

We are writing to let you know that we plan to wind down AmazonSmile by February 20, 2023. We will continue to pursue and invest in other areas where we’ve seen we can make meaningful change—from building affordable housing to providing access to computer science education for students in underserved communities to using our logistics infrastructure and technology to assist broad communities impacted by natural disasters.

To help charities that have been a part of the AmazonSmile program with this transition, we will be providing them with a one-time donation equivalent to three months of what they earned in 2022 through the program, and they will also be able to accrue additional donations until the program officially closes in February.”
 

 
Parents' Night Out/Youth Fellowship is scheduled for Friday, February 24, 6 to 9. If you would like to sign up or have any questions, please contact Gail Achilles 
 
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.
 
We currently receive 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.

 
Technology Volunteers
We are looking for a few volunteers who are willing to learn and help with the technology behind our virtual and in-person worship services.  Each week we host our Zoom meeting for worship as well as running the video cameras and sound system in the sanctuary.  Over the past few years we have refined this process and it’s running very smoothly now.  But it’s being managed by the same few people every week and we are looking to train others to share in this responsibility.  We have engaged a professional to help review our processes and to provide training and want to have other volunteers participate.  Please contact Rich Hollenbach, if you are interested.

 
 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 the 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 the Worship Service. 
 
This time benefits 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
 
As scripture teaches, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
 
 
Monday night small group meets on Mondays from 7 pm to approximately 9 pm via zoom.
 
Zoom Link for Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86310847301?pwd=TlNoaHlCMmVXNHR4MlhaUURmVDM3dz09

 
Our current study is on the book “The Full Armor of God” by Darlene Schacht.  We began Chapter 1 on Monday, January 16.   In Ephesians Chapter 6, Paul arms believers by laying out the full armor of God. Every piece from The Belt of Truth to The Sword of the Spirit is a vital part of our defense against the enemy. That fight you had with your husband (or wife…) that rift between family members… those doubts you had about your faith… that temptation that led you astray… the real enemy there was Satan and his army of angels. If we hope to live a victorious life, we must be fully protected and ready to stand our ground at all times. This 7-part study will lead you toward a deeper walk with the Lord, and a greater defense of your faith. The paperback book is available on Amazon for $11.99.  Anyone interested in joining our bible study just join us on zoom, or have questions please contact Gail Achilles 
After all, the enemy always fails miserably when he meets a woman (or a man) dressed for the occasion wearing the armor of God!

 
If anyone is interested in joining an in person coed bible study at Faith Lutheran Church on Friday mornings from 10 am to 12 pm please contact Gail Achilles  Let us help one another grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
 
 
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 are on Tuesdays at 7PM in the choir room (next to the kitchen.) If you have any questions, please see Laura Cooper, Music Director, and she will be more than happy to convince you why you should join the choir.
  😊
 
Lord, when did we see you...?
The purpose of the Social Ministry Team is to follow Jesus' commandment to love one another as he loved us.  To offer opportunities to our congregation to be good and faithful servants.  To share the love and truth of Jesus Christ and to offer hope to all God's children by giving of our time, our money and ourselves to our church, our community, and the world.
 
February’s Social Ministry Project is:
‘SOUP BAGS’ FOR KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY CENTER’S FOOD PANTRY
 
Super Bowl Sunday is coming up in February.  Your social ministry team is using it as a theme for our February’s collection of “Souper Bags”.
    Please place soup & crackers in the Barney Bin.  We will put bags together with (3) cans of soup and (1) box of crackers.  Our goal is 20 bags.  They will be donated to the Food Pantry at Keystone Opportunity Center in Souderton. 
    Once you decide what to donate, please take post-it notes off our poster in the foyer so we can keep track of your donations.
    Thank you for contributing to our “super bowl” of soup (lots of soup).  Perfect for a cold winter’s dinner. 
                                         Sharon Hood, Co-Team Leader

 
Update on November 2022 SOCIAL MINISTRY PROJECT – “BAKE A BIRTHDAY CAKE”
Thank you so much for your generous donations for the (20) bags of “Bake a Birthday Cake” for the Food Pantry of Keystone Opportunity Center.
    Each bag contained a baking pan, cake mix, can of soda, icing, candles and birthday cards.
    As always, Keystone Opportunity Center is so appreciative of your donations.  It is so heartwarming to drop off the items.                                    Sharon Hood, Co-Team Leader

 
Show me your ways, Lord, Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

 
 
FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY: The Fellowship Ministry Team at Faith tries to schedule activities for members of the congregation to spend time together to strengthen their bonds outside of the traditional worship service.  We also encourage members to bring their family, friends and members of the community to these activities.  This strengthens our ties to one another and opens opportunities to meet new people.
The Fellowship Team met on January 15th and came up with the following activities for 2023:
- February: Sunday, February 19 – after worship - Fastnacht Coffee, tea, cocoa and donuts in Fellowship Hall.  Karaoke too.  (Janet)
- March: Friday. March 17 – Pajama/Sweat Pant Movie Night in the Fellowship Hall.  Wear your PJ’s or sweatpants, bring a sleeping bag and watch a movie.  Appetizers and snacks will be served. (Dale, Adam and Janet)
- April: Faith Anniversary Luncheon on Palm Sunday, April 2.  Sandwich and Salad Luncheon. (Hospitality Team and Anne)  Easter Egg Hunt for the children (Beth)
- May:   Saturday, May 20, Spring Fling – flea market (Beth, Janet and Anne)
- June: Sunday, June 4.  Faith Family Picnic at Spring Valley Park. Hamburgers, hot dogs and sides following the 9:30 Service.  Games and activities for both adults and children.   (Janet)
- June:  Iron Pigs Baseball Game at Coca Cola Park.  (Sharon and Marc Erskine)
- July: Sabbath Month
- August – August 11 - Friday Night Movies on the big screen in the parking lot.  (Dale & Adam)
- September: September 23 – 2pm Special Guest Julie Henning-more information to follow.  (Sharon)
          Bowling – (Anne)
- October:  Sunday, October 1 - Octoberfest - German themed foods (Anne)
       Sunday, October 29 – Halloween Themed Foods & Pumpkin Painting (Beth)
- November: Sunday, November 12 Bingo and Wii etc. Games after Worship (Dale & Adam)
       Thursday, November 23 in Fellowship Hall - Faith Family Thanksgiving Dinner. (Mary Lou & Janet)
- December:  Sunday, December 3 Soup Luncheon and Finger Sandwiches  (Anne)
 
See you on February 19th when we have donuts, coffee, tea etc. and karaoke following the 10:30am worship.

  
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3)
  
We are in need of Greeters (greeting people at the door before worship), Lectors (reading the lessons and psalm) and Worship Assistants (reading the prayers and few other passages) for our Zoom worship.  If you would like to volunteer or would like more information, please call Anna Friedrich.
 
 
“For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below--there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39 (GNT)
 
 
If you shop at Redner’s, please save your receipts.  Anna Friedrich turns them in, and the church receives a monetary donation from Redner’s.  All you need to do is either bring your receipts to church.  Thank you to those who bring in their receipts and to Anna who does the paperwork to receive this donation!  Please note that when bringing in your receipts we need the entire receipt.  Please do not tear off the bottom. Redner’s will not accept the receipt if the bottom is torn off.
 
 
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.  (Numbers 6:24-26)


February 2023 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

1/29/2023

 
Council Notes                                                                                                                                                                      January 4, 2023
 
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach.  Rich led devotions on Christ’s People Called as Leaders of God’s Church – Living a Life of Gratitude.  Minutes of the December regular council meeting were approved as written. 
 
Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer’s Report was approved as written.  With year-to-date income at $115,358.45 (106%) and operating expenses at $113,492.19 (72%) we have a $1,866.26 surplus.

 
President’s Report:  We accomplished a lot in 2022: Calling Pastor Ethan Doan, approved our position descriptions, increasing our giving and returning to most of our pre-covid functions albeit a few new one (e.g., zoom.) For 2023: new Council next month with all new officers, need to work on the update to the Constitution for Faith, review all the Committees/Teams and the membership roll clean-up.
 
Pastor’s Report:  Pastor Ethan reported that in the past month of December, the funeral service for Klara Campbell, Hanging of the Greens, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Worship Services were well attended and all went smoothly.
Pastor Ethan has attended ordinations and installations and has a Lower Montgomery Conference Meeting on January 4.  Pastor Ethan and Gail Achilles (Christian Ed chair) had a confirmation meeting on Dec 7.  One parent and son attended, and we had a general discussion.  Pastor Ethan is forming an outline for Confirmation to send to families of those of age for confirmation.  Pastor Ethan is also making plans to bring back Adult Forum.  Pastor Ethan stated that he will be meeting with each Ministry team.  Melissa Prunkel brought up the fact that we need to update our Emergency Plan and Emergency Preparedness.  Pastor Ethan agreed, and he will also research procuring a defibrillator to have on hand.  Pastor Ethan will be away January 11th-18th and May 8th-22nd.

 
MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS:
 
Christian Education: Gail Achilles reported that Sunday School resumes on January 8, 9:45 am to 10:25 am for ages 3 to 11.   We thank Miss Nancy for being a fantastic Sunday School teacher and wish her a well-deserved vacation.  Miss Nancy will return to us in April 2023.  Miss Anna and I will continue with Sunday School lessons each week.   Please Note: Any Parent who desires the following for their child(ren):   Baptism, First Communion around age 10 or older (who are ready to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior), and children around the age of 12 and older for Confirmation instruction should contact Pastor Ethan Doan.  Also, any adult interested in Baptism and/or First Communion, and/or Confirmation please contact Pastor Ethan Doan.  Pastor Ethan can be reached by email faithmontpastor@yahoo.com; church office 215-368-0240; cell 217-820-3001.  Monday Night Small Group resumes on January 9 at 7 pm to approximately 9 pm via zoom.  Our study is on the book “The Full Armor of God” by Darlene Schacht.  Parents Night Out/Youth Fellowship:  Faith Lutheran Church hosted two parents’ night outs/Youth Fellowship.  On Friday, December 2, 2022, from 6 pm to 9 pm eight children attended and were led and supervised by Anita Halpern, Beth Schoening, Chris Jones, and Gail Achilles.  Anna Friedrich joined our teachers on December 9 for a fun night with the eight children from the previous week and four more making it a total of 12.  Through the generous donations from parents, we netted $140 after reimbursement for expenses.  These monies will be posted in the budget under Youth Fellowship to use for youth programs.  Council took a motion to approve future Parents’ Night Out/Youth Fellowship events.  All members of council voted in favor to approve.   Our next Parents’ Night Out/Youth Fellowship is scheduled for January 27, from 6 pm to 9 pm.  Sign-up sheets will be on the table right outside the sanctuary.  2023 Vacation Bible School:  Leading up to VBS, I will continually contact people to see who is interested in volunteering to help with this year’s VBS scheduled for Monday through Friday, August 7 to 11, 2023, 9am through 12pm.  I will also coordinate with Pastor Ethan and Janet Hill regarding ordering this year’s VBS program.

 
Communications:  Jack Walls reported that the front sign and the website will be updated.
 
Fundraising: Linda Kratz reported that the cookie can sale generated $350.  Thanks to all the bakers and the buyers for making this fundraiser possible.   
 
Hospitality/Fellowship: Anne Hutnyk reported that she and Janet are working on a schedule for coffee hours for food contributions. 
 
Nominating Team:  Adam Feldman sent a report that states John Taylor agreed to run for a 3-year term on council.  The nominating team are still looking for someone to run for a 3 year term and a 1 year term.
 
Property: Pastor Ethan reported that Vince Hill provided Pastor with a new chair to fulfill a previous Property Team action.  Missy will inform Paul, the new Property Team Chair, that a pothole on Morgan Street needs to be addressed.

 
Social Ministry:  Social Ministry – November Project – “Bake a Birthday Cake.”   After asking the congregation to donate cake mixes, 12oz. cans of soda, birthday candles, birthday cards and baking pans: twenty (20) sets were put together in 2.5-gallon bags.  They were donated to the Food Pantry of Keystone Opportunity Center in Souderton.
 
Stewardship: Pastor Ethan, Rich, and Jack will be attending a “Vitality and Generosity” Seminar on January 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale.
 
Transportation: Linda reported that Dale is feeding the needy in the community with WAWA food donations and fulfilling our congregational member’s transportation needs.
 
Worship & Music: Rich reported that the team will be meeting after Worship Service, January 8, to make plans for Lent/Easter.
                                          
OLD BUSINESS
  • Verizon FiOS upgrade -
Rich explained that in the long run it will be cheaper to buy new equipment and have a payment decrease of $50.00 a month.  Church Council took a vote to approve the FIOS VOIP conversion.  All church council members voted in favor to approve.  When we have the invoice, it will go to Special Funds team for approval of the costs.
 
  • Spring Fling -
May 20, 2023 – Rich informed us that church council will get a fully detailed plan from Beth Schoening and Janet for our February meeting and then we can vote on full approval.  For now, church council took a vote for tentative approval.  All church council members voted in favor tentatively for the May 20, 2023, Spring Fling.
 
  • Artificial Christmas Tree -
Adam sent church council a report that an anonymous donor is providing Faith Lutheran Church with a 10-foot artificial Christmas Tree from Balsam Hill valued at $1,649.  Council is so appreciative and grateful for the gracious and generous act of this donor.  Thank You!
 
NEW BUSINESS
  • Annual Congregational Meeting planning -
Sunday, January 22, 2023, following worship in Fellowship Hall & Zoom – Rich informed us that Council will do coffee hour, which Anne will coordinate.  2023 Budget final – Now that we have the actuals costs for Pastor Ethan’s benefits, we will update the budget with those numbers.  Rich reminded us that only congregational members who are physically present can vote on passing the budget.
 
Next Meeting:  Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 7pm. 
Will be a hybrid meeting.  

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