April 2021 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorEndings and Beginnings
At the March 3, 2021 Church Council, I announced that my last Sunday serving as the Designated Pastor at Faith would be Easter Sunday and my last day of service would be Wednesday, April 8, 2021 which will enable me to say farewell to the children who attend Wednesday Sunday School as we are not meeting the week before during Holy Week. |
Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, March 3. Read the notes from their meeting including info about:
- New Furnace Update - Call Committee Update |
Announcements
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March 2021 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorWHAT IS LENT?
LENT is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is preparation through prayer, repentance, charity and self-denial for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the suffering and death of Jesus, ending with Easter Sunday and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. |
Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, February 3. Read the notes from their meeting including info about:
- Council Officer Elections - Forward Together in Faith Grant - New Furnace Quotes |
Announcements
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February 2021 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorIn John’s gospel, Jesus’ public ministry begins with his recruiting disciples. We read in John’s story that Phillip, a new disciple, is so impressed with Jesus he invites a friend Nathanael to “come and see.” “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote.” So begins the story of the gospel, a story in which we too belong...
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Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, January 6. Read the notes from their meeting including info about:
- Ministry Team Reports - Furnace Update |
Announcements
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January 2021 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorIn the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2
The Wise Men from the East are most well-known for their expensive and exotic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. But before they gave what they had in their hands, they gave Jesus their hearts. They gave themselves in worship first. What was true then is still true today. The Lord wants our lives, our worship, before He wants our gifts. |
Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, December 2. Read the notes from their meeting including info about:
- Call Committee & Pastoral Search Updates - Online Giving Update - Worship & Music |
Announcements
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December 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorIt’s that time of year again. With the annual “Black Friday” shopping frenzy approaching, many of us are turning our attention to thinking about buying Christmas gifts for family and friends. Of course, this year will be different. There will be limited Christmas gatherings and meals. The shopping malls will be ghost towns but the cyber world will be humming with ‘special offers’ and ‘fabulous bargains.”
However, my own attention has turned to a whole different world of gifts that I might consider giving this year. |
Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, October 7. Read the notes from their meeting including info about:
- Mutual Ministry - Stewardship - Church Opening |
Announcements
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November 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorLately, I’ve already been thinking about ‘the holidays.’ About this time every year, I begin to exchange emails with the folks that I’ve been spending Thanksgiving with for nearly 25 years to make arrangements about what dishes we’ll be preparing for the annual feast. Most years, I bring the pies and the corn pudding and make the giblet gravy when I get there – as I excel in all those delights. But this year will be different....
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Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, October 7. Read the notes from their meeting including info about:
- Church Reopening - Pledge Packets |
Announcements
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October 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorAt this time of year, we ‘normally’ would be gearing up for the Fall – at school and at church but, of course, we are living in anything but ‘normal’ times! First, for everyone and anyone connected with the venture we simply call “school” – all of our collective thoughts and prayers go out to you!
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Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, September 2. Read the notes from their meeting here.
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Announcements
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September 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorThe apostle Peter is perhaps one of the most well-known characters in the New Testament. What makes Peter so compelling is we know so much of his story. It speaks to me of the power of telling our own story specifically as it relates to our faith.
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Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, August 12. Read the notes from their meeting here.
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Announcements
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August 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorAs sometimes happens in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, we hear of ‘heroes’ who are brave and perform mighty deeds of courage like the young David facing and defeating Goliath – against all odds...
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Council NotesJuly is Council's Sabbath month, so there was no meeting and no notes!
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Announcements
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July 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorPentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover...
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Council NotesCouncil met on June 4th. Read the notes from this meeting here:
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Announcements
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June 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorCelebrating these important major festivals is Important because they mark the major turning points in the Christian story. They orient us toward what is central, even crucial, about the Christian faith...
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Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, May 6. Read the notes from this meeting here:
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Announcements
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May 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorBy now, I hope that you’ve all received the “Introducing Pastor Mary” letter and information about my previous ministry experience. Even people with the most active imaginations I’m certain would have never imagined meeting under such extraordinary circumstances as we now find ourselves experiencing!
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Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, April 3. Read the notes from this meeting here:
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Announcements
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April 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorDear Friends,
As I am writing this, we are all in the midst of the coronavirus lock down. It has changed all of our lives in ways we could not have imagined just three weeks ago... |
Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, March 4. Read the notes from this meeting and the impromptu meeting on March 17.
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Announcements
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March 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorThis month we begin our yearly journey through Lent. As I was beginning to prepare for the season, I started to think, maybe Lent is, or could be, a kind of Spiritual New Year...
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Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, February 5. Read the notes (and also see the list of your council officers and committee liaisons!)
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Announcements
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February 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorFor many years I have participated in programs sponsored by various public libraries like “One City, One Book” or “Everybody Reads”.
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Council NotesCouncil met on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
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AnnouncementsFind out about: Wednesday Dinner Church during Lent, February Social Ministry project, and more!
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January 2020 Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorA friend of mine shared that on New Year’s Day his parents had a tradition of sitting together with the past year’s calendars and appointment books and reviewing the year that was ending. Then, they prayed...
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Council NotesCouncil met on December 4th for Christmas dinner and meeting.
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AnnouncementsAnnouncements |
December 2019 Mustard Seed
Note from the Pastor
While we are still eating Thanksgiving leftovers, the short but deeply meaningful season of Advent begins... (Continue Reading) |
Council Notes
Council met on November 6, 2019
Read the notes of the meeting here. |
Announcements
This month's events:
Pollyanna Christmas Party Cookie Sale & Coverdish Christmas Cantata & Tableau ...and more! |
November 2019 Mustard Seed
Note from the Pastor
One of my favorite Bible stories for time of transition is the story of the Israelites in the wilderness...(Continue Reading)
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Council Notes
Council met on October 2, 2019
Read the notes of the meeting here. |
Announcements
Fun things coming up, including...
Holiday Bazaar Thanksgiving Meal at the Church Pollyanna Christmas Party ...and more! |
October 2019 Mustard Seed
Note from the Pastor
I want to divide my letter to you into three parts this month.
First- great ideas!!! Second - Transition Process Third - Education |
Council Notes
Council met on September 11, 2019.
Read the notes of the meeting here. |
Announcements
LOTS of things going on this fall, including:
Crop Walk, Oct 6 Fall Work Day, Oct 12 Game Night, Oct 19 Hoagie Sale Bazaar Planning ...and more. |
September Mustard Seed
Note from the Pastor
It is important during a congregational transition to be linked to both the ELCA and to the Synod...
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Council Notes
Council met on August 14, 2019. Read the notes of the meeting here.
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Announcements
Social Ministry Project this month is collection of new socks; Outdoor Movie Night; and more!
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June Mustard Seed
Note from the Pastor
This month’s topic falls under the category of questions that I have been asked. And the topic is saying goodbye.
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Council Notes
Council met on Council Notes May 1, 2019. Read the notes of the meeting here.
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Announcements
This month's Social Ministry project, Fellowship events, and other important notes!
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May Mustard Seed
Note from the Pastor
This month’s article will be the first in what I hope will be a series of articles addressing questions and concerns from you! This one addresses the “sharing of the peace”.
And the concern that has been raised if it has become a distraction (some say yes, some say no), and what is the purpose (originally and for us now). |
Council Notes
Council met on Council Notes April 3, 2019. Read the notes of the meeting here.
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Announcements
This month's Social Ministry project, Fellowship events, and other important notes!
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April Mustard Seed
Note from the PastorWhen I lived in Upstate New York I loved travelling South to visit my Delaware relatives in April. We may have had a few warm days by then, and there might be a crocus or two, but it was still pretty gray and wintery upstate.
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Council NotesCouncil met on Council Notes March 13, 2019. Read the notes of the meeting here.
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AnnouncementsThis month's Social Ministry project, Fellowship events, and other important notes!
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