Category: 2023 05 May

May 2023 Mustard Seed - A Word from Our Pastor

5/4/2023

Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Hello everyone, I hope you are all having a blessed spring. In the month of May, the Church continues to celebrate the season of Easter. This season spans for a wonderful fifty days from Easter Sunday through the Day of Pentecost. This year the Day of Pentecost will take place on May 28, 2023. Pentecost marks the completion of Pascha and the coming of the gift of the Spirit of life and truth. On this day, we are reminded of the Holy Spirit and how it moves through us. We learn about how it calls us out into the world. The Holy Spirit is important to us as Christians, particularly as Lutherans. In the Small Catechism, Martin Luther writes:

I believe that by my own understanding or strength that I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy, and kept me in true faith…

In the Lutheran tradition, it is through the Holy Spirit that we receive our faith in and through Jesus. Our faith is a gift from God given to us through the Holy Spirit. So, the Holy Spirit plays a special role for us.
There have been many traditions and rituals that have sprung up in the celebration of Pentecost. Historically, the Day of Pentecost has been one of the more common days for the celebration of a baptism. However, for many churches, it is the day they celebrate the confirmation of their confirmands (Faith historically does Confirmation Sunday on Reformation Sunday.) Many churches celebrate confirmation on the Day of Pentecost because it is the day in which the Holy Spirit came upon the people and essentially started the Church. So, on this day, confirmands publicly affirm their place in the Church and their call into discipleship with Christ through the Holy Spirit. They publicly affirm to live out their baptismal faith: “…to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” So, the Day of Pentecost is a very special and important Sunday for many churches. It is the day that The Church celebrates its birthday, the Holy Spirit, and those publicly declare their intentions to walk as disciples of Christ. However, this Sunday is not only for the confirmands. It is for all of us. So, as we go through the month of May and come to the Day of Pentecost, I encourage us all to reflect on our own confirmations and the promises that we made. Let us reflect on how the Holy Spirit has moved through us. How has God been active in our lives? Then, let us challenge ourselves to act on those promises, to remember our baptismal faith, and to open ourselves up to receive the Holy Spirit.
It is important for us to do this, especially at this time. A lot of things have changed for us recently, and there is a lot of work to be done. The Pandemic is waning, but the Church is a whole lot different than it was before. Faith is a whole lot different. The world is a whole lot different. How is the Holy Spirit calling you to participate in all of this? So, as we finish this Easter season, let us remember the promise of resurrection. How will we live out the gifts given to us in the resurrection? How will the Holy Spirit move through us?
In Christ, Pastor Ethan Doan

May 2023 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

5/4/2023

Council Notes April 5, 2023

Council was called to order by President Gary Apgar. Gary Apgar lead devotions on A Full Life Comes by Seeking. Minutes of the March regular council meeting was approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: Council reviewed the March 2023 treasurer’s report. With year-to-date income at $31,132.16 (24%) and operating expenses at $40,789.19 (17%) we have a $9,657.03 deficit. All members voted to approve the Treasurer’s Report.

President’s Report: As we head into Holy week, we are reminded of Jesus’ journey to the cross, resurrection and ascension. It is easy to lose sight of this in our busy lives. I always try to thank Jesus for the grace he has given us. A few things that happened this month: Training for a Communion Assistant, Acolyte and Crucifer (conducted by Rich); a generous number of snacks were donated to the Lansdale Boys & Girls clubs; we are still setting up the Youth activity room. A big thanks for all the help and generosity in all the things and places that needed it.

Pastor’s Report:
Here are the highlights of Pastor’s report as he continues to provide pastoral care, provide ministry leadership, teach the Faith, participate in the Community and Wider Church, and learn for Ministry.

Pastor continues to supply at the 1 PM service for St Paul’s in Norristown. This will continue with two Sundays a month after Easter.
We celebrated the baptism of Ryan Swystula!
Progress is on-going as Pastor reaches out to those on his role-cleaning list.
Pastor thanks all for their help in the planning of Holy Week.
The executive committee met on March 12 to discuss the furnace (Adam is now getting quotes) and the long-term planning committee.
Pastoral care continues with conversations and visits.
On March 26, the 5-week adult forum on five Faith practices given in baptism ended. Adult forum will start back up after Easter on April 16.
Special thanks to the Monday night Bible study for their presentation of the Armor of God during the children’s message. It was well done!
Pastor has been onboarded to become the Protestant chaplain at Lansdale Hospital.
Pastor continues to study with other Lutheran clergy on various topics.
Pastor is now in contact with a second congregation with the hopes of securing the balance of his time.
Reminder: Pastor Ethan is away: April 25 for training;

May 5-6 for Synod assembly; May 8-22 for vacation (still working on supply Pastor for May 21).

Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education: March 23 Parents’ Night Out – There were 13 children (9 from Faith and 4 from the Community) and 4 teacher volunteers. Parents donated $135 to be used for upcoming events. Next PNO will be scheduled later.

Monday Night Bible Study – Our small group is currently looking for its next book.
Easter activities for the kids after church on Palm Sunday – seed planting and an egg hunt were held. Thanks to Beth Schoening for gathering all the materials and to LeighAnn and Bryan Foster for their assistance.

Communications: Pastor/Faith joined local community Facebook pages and plans on sharing information about Faith. He has already shared our Holy Week schedule.
Evangelism: Team is considering a 5K run.
Fellowship: Activity room discussion under old business. Movie night at the church on March 17 hosted 11 people. Anne to talk to Dale about scheduling the next one. If interested, Lutheran Night at the Phillies is on May 2.
Fundraising: Easter Breakfast fundraiser is this Sunday. Please be sure to bring in your donations on time. New Faith T-shirts will be on sale until the end of April. Spring Fling on May 20 (Beth and Janet leading) – The volunteers have met, and items can be brought in starting May 7. Set-up will start May 15. A sign-up sheet will be coming out for volunteers to set-up and price items. Lawn signs will be updated, and flyers are available to post in your community. A 50/50 raffle will also be included. Upcoming Events: April 21-22 and April 28-29 scrapbooking.
Health: The Red Cross blood drive has been confirmed for May 5 from 1-6 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Nancy Allegrezza is working on the sign-up sheet and notices for the bulletin and Mustard Seed. American Red Cross takes care of community marketing. Anne will talk to Janet about availability of Faith “business cards” or other PR materials.
Hospitality: Coffee Hour Sponsors: April 16 - Congregation; April 23 – Social Ministry (Sharon and Debbie); April 30 – Altar Guild (Janet.) Upcoming Events: June 3 – SEPA Synod “Caring for Friends” Event. Pastor to follow-up on next steps.
Mutual Ministry: Need to appoint 2-4 members from the congregation to be on the committee; selected by Pastor and President for 2-year term per the constitution (C13.04.)
Property Team: We had a great spring workday despite the rain. Six people came out to help with picking up sticks and pinecones. Inside we dusted the pews, shelf behind altar, lectern stations, communion rail, and other areas. We washed the stained glass inside the building and vacuumed up the cob website and bugs. We will schedule another workday just for outside to do mulch, pothole repair, and possibly clean windows from outside. It was noted that the railing is loose and needs to be tightened.
Shepherding: Easter cards were sent to single individuals, college students, and Friends of Faith; those we thought needed to be touched by our Easter message.
Social Ministry: March – 717 snacks were delivered to the NP Boys and Girls Club. April – God’s Global Barnyard.
Transportation: In addition to providing rides for church members to services and doctor appointments, this team is also taking WaWa food to Boys & Girls club. Special thanks to the volunteers: Sis, Anna, Chris, and Mary Lou. The question of liability came up, not only for the church but for the volunteers. Pastor will reach out to his contacts for more information.
Worship & Music: Will be meeting in the next few weeks to plan worship for the next few months.

OLD BUSINESS

Youth Activity Room: Council acknowledged that the communications from council back to Dale and Adam should have been better. Council reviewed their objections to the decision made last month; however, council stands by the same reasoning, which includes use of the choir room for now and to re-evaluate in a few months. (Post-meeting – Gary emailed Dale and Adam with apologies for the lack of appropriate communications last month and the current decision of council.) If there are additional questions, the executive team and Pastor will meet to discuss.
Constitution Update: Reviewed the new draft that is built on the latest Synod template and incorporates Faith's By-Laws and Continuing Resolutions. Also added in Conflict-of-Interest verbiage. Need to update the formatting and then will share with the Executive Council for review.
Roll clean-up: Linda recorded any updates to date but will continue to review next month.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 7:00 PM. Will be a hybrid meeting. Devotions will be led by Rich.

May 2023 Mustard Seed - Announcements

5/4/2023

FaithNotes...

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 for 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.

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.

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.

The last Sunday School session will be on May 28, 2023, before we take a break for the summer months (June, July and August.) But look for some fun spontaneous things popping up for kiddos in the summer! And don’t forget about Vacation Bible School from 9am-12noon, Monday through Friday, July 31st through August 4th, 2023. (For more information about VBS see below.)

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)

Adult Forum is back with Pastor Ethan leading.
Come join him each Sunday at 9:30am in the Fellowship Hall.
All are welcome!

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

This group is doing a study by Rich Warren. Anyone interested in joining this bible study just join on zoom, or if you have questions and need more information, please contact Gail Achilles by text 267-664-3328 or email gin4ny@aol.com.

Our Vacation Bible School theme this year will be “Stellar: Shine Jesus Shine” with its outer space curriculum. Gail Achilles is enthusiastically looking forward to her second year as coordinator. The dates for this year are Monday through Friday, July 31 – August 4, 2023, from 9am to 12noon.
We will be needing lots of volunteers to help out in many different ways. Please contact Gail Achilles or the church office to volunteer to help. Thank you, Church Family!

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)


Join Faith Lutheran Church at a community blood drive Montgomeryville, PA (May 5, 2023) — Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. That’s why Faith is on a mission to help save lives by hosting a blood drive on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 1:00pm to 6:00pm at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 Cowpath Road, Montgomeryville, PA 18936. The community is invited to take part in this special event and donate blood for hospital patients in our neighborhoods and across the nation.
    The need for blood is constant, but only 3 percent of the U.S. population donates. By rolling up a sleeve, donors can play a critical role in the treatment of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
    To make an appointment or to learn more, click the links below. Completion of a RapidPass® online health history questionnaire found at RedCrossBlood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process.
    A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Live link for sign ups:
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Faith%20Lutheran

Questions if they’re eligible to donate: 1-866-236-3276 or https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html.

Spring Fling Flea Market at Faith, Saturday, May 20, 9 am to 2 pm

Indoor and Outdoor Crafts and Flea Market
Household items                         Jewelry
White Elephant items galore!        Tools/Garden Tools
Kids’ Toys and games                   Hot dogs/Baked Potato Bar
Books, Videos, Computer games     Coffee/cold drinks

Rain or Shine! Please drop off donations in the Fellowship Hall starting after May 7th. We need lots of people from the congregation to help price the merchandise the week of May 15th, set-up/clean-up and to work the sales table on the day of the event. Please let Beth Schoening or Janet Hill that you want to help out!

If you wish to rent your own space in the parking lot to sell your treasures, please see Janet Hill for a reservation form. A $20.00 fee will be payable (cash or check to Faith Lutheran Church) on the day of the event. You will need to provide your own table and chairs.
    Sunday, May 7 thru 14: Bring your donations to church. Tables will be set up in the Fellowship Hall.

     Monday, May 15: 6-9pm: Empty boxes and set up on tables.

     Tuesday May 16, Wednesday May 17, and Thursday May 18: 9am-12 noon and evening TBA: Sort items for sale and price them.

     Saturday May 20: Flea Market 9am -2pm, Clean-up following the event!
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.

SOCIAL MINISTRY – BABY ITEMS FOR MORNING STAR MINISTRIES’ MATERNITY HOME, LANSDALE

This is an exciting new program for you from our social ministry team.

Morning Star Maternity Home is a Christian non-profit Crisis Pregnancy Home. It is operated by Morning Star Ministries of the North Penn Area, Inc. offering a positive alternative to abortion. They are capable of housing and caring for up to 4 unwed mothers between the ages of 18 and 25 in a loving home-like environment.
          For the Month of May, as we remember our mothers on Mother’s Day, won’t you assist these young Mothers with the suggested donations of the following ONLY?

    . Diapers   Size 3 and 4
    . Wipes
    . Crib sheets
    . Diaper bags
    . Gift cards – Walmart, Target, BuyBuyBaby, Carter’s

Let’s help in giving these new mothers and their babies a great start in life by showing how much we care. Christians working together.                            Sharon Hood, Co-Team Leader
    An update on our March Social Ministry Project of snacks for the North Penn Valley Boys and Girls Club. We collected 717 snacks. We received a lovely thank you letter from the Assistant Director, Monica Stiles, expressing their gratitude for our donation of and our commitment to help their work in the community. The letter is on the bulletin board if you would like to read it in full.
    Great job. Good and Faithful servants!

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 May 3, 2023, this month.
For more information or if you need a ride, please talk to Anna Friedrich. All are welcome!

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 activity for May 2023 is:

Saturday, May 20, Spring Fling – see information above.

SAVE THE DATE:

Annual Church Family Picnic
11am to 2 pm
Sunday, June 4 - Rain or Shine!
  Spring Valley Park,  Claremont Drive, Montgomery Township

On Sunday, June 4th right after the 9:30am worship service we are planning on having the Annual Church Picnic at Spring Valley Park. This year we will be providing all the food. We’ll have designated cooks barbecuing hot dogs and burgers. We will also be providing all the sides and desserts funded by a Thrivent Action Team card. All you need to bring is a lawn chair. We only ask that you let us know if you are planning to attend so that we have enough food. So come out on the 4th to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ!

aaa
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
aaa

We are in need of Greeters, Lectors (reading the lesson and psalm) and Worship Assistants (reading the prayers and few other passages) for our worship. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information, please call Anna Friedrich.

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 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.  😊

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)

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.

"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)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

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May 2023 Mustard Seed - A Word from Our Pastor

May 2023 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

May 2023 Mustard Seed - Announcements

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